The Parallel Market is Back !!!

[@andrewzacks]

I was thrilled to get your post this am. Even though I have checked the bell, your posts have not been getting through to me. I will go back through your site and catch up but good to see you are still active and appreciate all that you do, Laurent.

[@habanonews]

Thank you very much!

[@desfarrell909]

Dont concern yourself with a drop in subscriptions, youtube hates cigars with a passon and probably kneecapped your channel. They may even close it down if you link to any sites, or even mention any sites. Fascinating info on the parallel market, this sounds like real underground subterfuge info! Very interesting to me anyway. 🎉

[@habanonews]

Thank you very much

[@HabanosChris]

I've had some anomalies on my channel too for sure 😚💨

[@lukemilton8510]

Every time I watch one of your videos Laurent I come away feeling like an expert. So informative and well spoken.

[@habanonews]

Happy to hear that!

[@thakori]

Comments are back, good choice! Thank you for the insight, that was very interesting. The story is just as crazy as the prices of Habanos. It will be interesting to follow the development and maybe find some opportunities to buy some old cuban favorites at more reasonable prices. I guess Habanos has milked the european Market too much and customers are trying more new world cigars. Just to find out that there are some really awesome cigars in a more affordable price range - and often without the random quality problems that Habanos can't seem to get rid of. Btw. - if you haven't smoked them all, you own way more Ramon Allones Specially Selected than the last two Casa del Habanos i visited (they had none). ;)

[@habanonews]

We have to see what happens when production is back to normal. I am surprised to see Epicure No.2 on the parallel market st present

[@cigarland]

Thank you L. for sharing your experience and actual data from the parallel market! I bought a lot of my daily standard smokes there and had only good experiences. But specialities like humidors, books, jars, etc. I bought at official shops.

[@fefevicario]

Thanks for sharing! You always share sth useful and unique 🙌😃

[@habanonews]

So nice of you

[@peters8237]

Another informative video Laurent. This backs up what most of us long-time Cuban cigar smokers have known, that Trinidads were never going to fly off the shelves at their current pricing. Habanos SA forcing the pricing and distribution this way merely makes the risk of counterfeit cigars even higher. They’ve tried following the luxury goods model, but even the biggest luxury groups like LVMH and Kering are now dumping stock in low tier markets to keep sales moving. And those luxury goods manufacturers spend vast sums on tackling counterfeit goods, but also writing off stock that doesn’t sell - will Habanos SA do the same? Doubtful. Yes there is an argument that cigars will age and appreciate in value, so onward stock movement doesn’t need to be as high. But for retailers, who rely on cash flow, that’s a tough deal to accept.

[@habanonews]

Thank you for this feedback. It makes sense.

[@lachlanbrown409]

Those 2019 prices were really something! Thanks for the tip regarding the parallel market - there is some welcome relief for lovers of Cuban cigars. Due to the horrendous taxes many of us in Australia are now resorting to New World cigars.

[@khosimokhesi6273]

In this episode of tell me you're Swiss Royalty without saying it! 🤣😂🤣 I'm just having a laugh Laurent, that was a spectacular haul you got from those guys! Must be quite an operation housing a collection the size of yours though ey? Very informative video as always, thank you.

[@HavaHavana]

Loved this video Laurent, totally agree with what’s happening with the parallel market. As you said now we are seeing the distributors dumping specially the trader Reyes and Trinidad colonials as the prices are way too high for the size of the Cigars. As you said there are sites especially in Switzerland due to free or as you said free zone the price is are very competitive specially when they start giving 45-55% discount on quite a lot of their stock. There is no way a genuine retailer can compete with these prices. Thank you for sharing this information and being transparent.

[@David-my3uu]

Great content always! Non-subscribers are missing the best insider cigar information available.

[@habanonews]

I appreciate that!

[@CigarAttache]

This is great info! Thank you for sharing those private offers you received. One would suspect that there has to be a parallel market to absorb those higher priced sticks.

[@CigarGuyPk]

As always, spot on full on information content Signor Laurent. And kinda reaffirmation to what many of us feel about the insane pricing on Trinidad specially. Having said that, this is only going to bring more fakes to the market and isn’t good. Re - KZbin - don’t worry. Even slightly lesser but loyal and dedicated viewers are better than many “hop, skip and jump” ones 😉

[@rashidvalladares1821]

New to the channel, love Cubans and smoke them every time I go over seas or out of the country. Hopefully one day regulations in the U.S. will change.

[@michaelamos4651]

Think I'll stay safe and stick with EMS IN U.K. Thanks for the info 👍

[@pacop5124]

thank you for the great content

[@habanonews]

You’re welcome! I am glad you liked it!

[@kevinsenior8155]

Damn.... I just bought a box of 12 Reyes in Bruges for around E390. Oh well, at least that is about 12% off London prices, also they had a few years of age on them.

[@gamingwiththebrosm809]

Thanks for this clear explanation!

[@rigobertogarciasoto]

Thank you for sharing this information with us. Excellent work as always Laurent. I also feel that LGC Turquinos is good quality for the price. I'm about to finish a box that I bought at LCDH Mexico City and unfortunately there are no more boxes available in Mexico. Best

[@habanonews]

Same here. I only have 3 sticks left in my box….

[@RowenRuiters]

Great information.

[@habanonews]

Glad you think so!

[@EpicureanSmokes]

Very informative. Love your ashtray 👍

[@habanonews]

Thanks so much!

[@Mltemple8333]

Very educational. Thank you for the insight. FYI your tie is rubbing against the microphone causing a small amount of susurration within the video.

[@habanonews]

You’re absolutely right. I tried to remove the sound but it did not work. I cannot find the dead cat…

[@Mltemple8333]

@ certainly not to the point of being objectionable. I use head[hones so I assume it is easier to hear than on speakers.

[@IamGio69]

Thanks, very informative. Enjoy Doha

[@habanonews]

Thank you! Will do!

[@BelicosoBob]

Thank you for this excellent content about the developing parallel market. I always assumed that some of these websites offering Trinidads at such a lower costs were merely peddling fakes. I still can't wrap my head around the notion that licensed sellers are forced to buy quantities of certain brands as part of their overall purchase and then turning around and dumping cigars like Trinidad in the parallel {grey) market. How is it still profitable?🤔

[@habanonews]

it has always been the case. The parallel market brings liquidity to the Cuban cigar market. Like all traders who cannot sell some goods, they get rid of them sometimes at a loss to get the cash and move on. Most of them don't want to be seen selling at discounted prices...

[@Bigdog-mg5rr]

I only buy my boxers if they have an EMS sticker on the corner, then you never have to worry about counterfeits

[@bartolic5]

Very interesting video, love when theme is economy related! Enjoy your stay at Doha and hopefully you'll share some videos from the event. Have you had any problems with counterfeit cigars when buying through parallel market expect the Majestuosos?

[@habanonews]

Inch’allah!

[@refatsalameh9816]

Excellent episode as expectant of your delivery sir. Who dares be unhappy with you 😂😂😂! Still need the details of the parallel shop kindly 😊

[@michael_dugan]

In America the parallel market is basically all we have unless we travel outside of the country

[@Charside]

Love your ashtray. Inspired me to make my own, I best get smoking!!

[@jacktyler5241]

I’ve been wanting to make something with my labels too. Coasters, or a small ashtray/cigar holder.

[@Charside]

⁠@@jacktyler5241 I like the coaster idea. 👌

[@habanonews]

You’re welcome ! It is called circular economy.

[@A_Albur]

See you in Doha

[@ishh3655]

Used to love cuban cigars but recent experience with upman and bad quality control as well as the crazy prices just make them not worth it.

[@joaquinfernandez3314]

Where can I buy that ashtray?

[@habanonews]

Soon !

[@RowenRuiters]

But are they're original cigar

[@habanonews]

That is the question of course. If the seal is missing you are taking some risks.

[@EdmundoDantes109]

is parallel market = grey market?

[@habanonews]

The grey market represents the retail side of the parallel market. The parallel market is the wholesale side and below it is the grey market for retailers. Thanks for the clarification

[@EdmundoDantes109]

@@habanonews ah makes sense. Thanks!

[@paultaylor2055]

A very wise investment back in 2019 👏👏

[@habanonews]

i started to buy in 1998…

[@mjat133]

Interesting but rather pointless if you don’t share the information as to where we can find these illusive ‘Parallel Market Traders’! 🤷🏻

[@Mltemple8333]

Easy enough to find, issue with many is shipping to areas other than their immediate or national area.

[@habanonews]

Simply ask the shops if they are official Habanos retailers. I have pit on link in the description with an even cheaper box of Reyes.

[@RowenRuiters]

Would you advise to purchase only from Habanos distributirs or from the parallel market

[@habanonews]

First from Habanos of course for security reason. But there are shops that sell from the parallel market that are very reliable and check their purchases.

[@HavaHavana]

Loved this video Laurent, totally agree with what’s happening with the parallel market. As you said now we are seeing the distributors dumping specially the trader Reyes and Trinidad colonials as the prices are way too high for the size of the Cigars. As you said there are sites especially in Switzerland due to free or as you said free zone the price is are very competitive specially when they start giving 45-55% discount on quite a lot of their stock. There is no way a genuine retailer can compete with these prices. Thank you for sharing this information and being transparent.