Most important when reading this guide -

I do not sell cigars, sealed collectable boxes, etc. - I gain nothing from writing this.

I own over $500,000 worth of collectable Cuban cigars, current, past, pre-Castro, etc.  I know of what I speak.

On a daily basis, my search for collectable Cuban cigars finds more Cohiba, Monte Cristo, etc. sealed boxes for sale as collectables, with people bidding on them, hoping for a good deal.

It is important to understand a simple, clear, un-assailable fact - there is just no such thing as a discount Cuban cigar.  Ever. Period.  Cuban Cigars are as expensive INSIDE Cuba (if not more so) than they are OUTSIDE of Cuba.

Another little factoid, for what it is worth- In my years of watching eBay auctions, I have yet to see a real box of Cohibas for sale. Ever.  Not once.  And most amusing is that 99 times out of 100, the seller's own picture gives it away!

How to spot a fake? Poor label placement, tax stamp placement, burned back-box codes, each is always precise in placement from the factory, as in exact.  They NEVER vary, and are ALWAYS placed in the same spot.  Most boxes on eBay have them in the wrong spot.  I won't say here where they are supposed to be, because there is no sense making the counterfeiters better at this. (email me if you wish with an auction # & I'll advise)

Another fact - Cuban cigars never came in glass-topped boxes.  Ever.  If you see Cohibas or any other brand with a glass top, it is fake.

Another tell-tale that you are buying a fake - a seller with little or no feedback selling collectable cigars, stating they were a gift and they don't smoke, stating they purchased them cheap in Cuba (they are not cheap in Cuba), just common sense.  Cuban cigars are expensive because demand far exceeds supply.  They are never discounted.

Someone says they got them on a cruise at port?  LOL - I like cruises also - and the boxes marketed right at port are ALWAYS fake.

Why do I write this?  I LOVE Cuban cigars.  There is just no comparison between a Cuban and a Dutch Master.  It is like trying to compare drinking a fine wine and drinking dirty bath water. 

If you buy fakes, they may be smokeable, you may actually like them.  If you smoke a REAL Cuban cigar, you will see Heaven, and in your mind you will say "Ah, so THIS is what all the fuss is about!"

Current Counterfeits listed on eBay

Item # 260044528878 - REMOVED BY EBAY

Item # 300042627886 - PAINFULLY BAD Counterfeits - I love when the seller's own pictures prove they are fakes.  REMOVED BY EBAY

Item # 250044531191 - Again, seller's own pictures prove they are fake (Tax Stamp placed incorrectly)

Item # 330044718491 - Jesus, people still try this scam?  Uh, Guys?  Cohiba NEVER made a glass topped box.

Item # 220043855746 - Really bad attempt - Tax stamp, Habanos sticker and interior label placed in wrong areas, cigar labels printed wrong.

Item # 270048879746 - Nothing like re-using the "Habanos" sticker, next time try to put it in the right place!!

PLEASE - Take a second and rank this guide - was it helpful or no?  If not, I won't update it every day.  Its fun, but time consuming.