“Elite” Advantage Tier - Review
If anyone is curious if the “Elite” tier is worth it, here is my .02. I achieved “Elite” tier status back in Feb. So almost a year. So far this is what I have observed.
. The benefits should have included the following:
$50 Gift Card- this was nice
Special Birthday Offer- 20% off any order - very nice
Earn extra points on specific purchases. - Not sure which products were selected for extra points, seemed that everything i ordered was normal point rated.
Free 3-Day Shipping on all orders!- This used to be a standard practice via ccom, they also used to include water pillows with the order to keep them humidified during shipment. This is something I’d like to see brought back.
Secure new releases before anyone else- Not sure if I missed something here, but I was never contacted about any upcoming releases that were exclusive to Elite Adv. members only.
Exclusive Offers
Account Manager
Personalized customer service to meet your cigar needs- Never heard from an acc mgr except with random marketing emails. When I finally emailed about an order, I found out he quit and I never got a replacement. Completely worthless imo. This is just another option that Ccom used to provide for free and was actually much better. Tbh, it was the reason I was loyal to Ccom for so many years. Having a true dedicated rep for myself would’ve made a **** ton of $$$ for Ccom. It’s very disappointing. I don’t like calling and I don’t like having to search the website (or any website really) I’d much rather shoot an email or txt to a rep and say I need a box of XYZ, and know I will have it in couple of days. My emails were never answered until couple months ago when I found out the dude quit… 
In short, some of the options are nice, but def not worth spending $1000+ to achieve. There are much better reward based consumer programs out there with much better customer service. I know I will get bashed from the Ccom fan boys out there, but its my opinion and I stand by it.
"Long ashes my friends."
Comments
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You'll always be "elite" in my book, Krieg.
"I could've had a Mi Querida!" Nick Bardis5 -
@peter4jc said:
You'll always be "elite" in my book, Krieg.This actually made me laugh when I read it thanks peter
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Totally not criticizing you and I'm sure it's just a generational thing, but I never understood the allure of calling a person for ordering and saying "gimme a box of padron 64 maduros," then going through the rigamarole of verifying my shït, getting upsold, waiting on hold for more than 3 seconds, and all of that other crap. I'd rather type into the search "padron 1964" and then having all the options there for me.
I guess that the reason they stopped offering it was because it just wasn't a moneymaker for them anymorem. If it was, I imagine it'd still be their schtick.
Still not an awful deal, considering you were likely going to spend that grand one way or another...whether on their site or another. You saved at least 50 bucks with the gift card, and you saved on shipping (8 bucks an order), plus the 20 percent on what was likely a large order on your birthday. Not a bad deal for doing something that you'd do either way....
I am the Troll Jesus. Follow me, my children, or clutch your pearls tightly.
@ScotchnSmoke still sux lots of large wéiners. And tons of small ones.3 -
Just an FYI since you like the phone. Call shops that carry what you like. You will find one that will provide discounts for box purchases that sell straight retail. Then you call and ask for the same person every time. Eventually you will get a bigger discount and avoid all the headaches. You’re welcome.
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give". Winston Churchill.
MOW badge received.8 -
^^^ this is why @Patrickbrick is "extreme elite" in my book.
"I could've had a Mi Querida!" Nick Bardis8 -
This thread has so much insightfulness...I'm not sure I can take much more.
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
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I agree with Patrick's method, but it involves calling and talking to people on a phone which I am not a fan of. Find some shops/online sources who have the releases you are looking for. Use social media and you too can get the prices under retail for a couple clicks and no hassle
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@Krieg - I also attained the elite or platinum or whatever it's called here... and also agree with your review as I had the same experience.
"Not all heroes eat crepes"
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Reviving this old thread. The OP's comments resonated with me as I feel I have had the same experience recently. So far, all I get is emails about special pricing. I didn't get anything for my birthday month. I got the coupon discounts that is offered as you reach each tier. My expectation for a "personal account manager" is to work with them so they understand my palate and can offer suggestions. Also, some of the cigars come as boxes only, no option to buy a single. I would like to sample a cigar before I commit to a box purchase. I received a nice email when my account manager first reached out to me. But the communication seems to be one way. When I asked about sampling some singles, a few days later, I got an answer that they don't offer free cigars. I replied that I wasn't asking for free cigars, I want to sample a single and I will pay for them. I didn't get a response after that.
The offering of a personal account manager seems to have a different meaning to different people. The only thing that is happening are emails with discounts that seems to be about the same as waiting on the daily deals.
I have had one-on-one communications in the past that worked out great. They didn't call them account managers, but we did have a discussion that was more personable.
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“work with them so they understand my palate and can offer suggestions”
Palates change. Then what, they offer you the same wrapper/filler blend every time? Sounds boring….. then why would you even need an account manager if you are going to stick to the same blend every time? How on earth is anybody gonna know what your palate is like? Just by the cigars that you purchased in the past? This may be the easiest hobby where we feel like we need to overcomplicate everything that we do.
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Some people want to talk to that human and get recommendations. I dunno. I'd rather browse myself... To each his own.
I am the Troll Jesus. Follow me, my children, or clutch your pearls tightly.
@ScotchnSmoke still sux lots of large wéiners. And tons of small ones.0 -
@CigarSavor said:
Reviving this old thread. The OP's comments resonated with me as I feel I have had the same experience recently. So far, all I get is emails about special pricing. I didn't get anything for my birthday month. I got the coupon discounts that is offered as you reach each tier. My expectation for a "personal account manager" is to work with them so they understand my palate and can offer suggestions. Also, some of the cigars come as boxes only, no option to buy a single. I would like to sample a cigar before I commit to a box purchase. I received a nice email when my account manager first reached out to me. But the communication seems to be one way. When I asked about sampling some singles, a few days later, I got an answer that they don't offer free cigars. I replied that I wasn't asking for free cigars, I want to sample a single and I will pay for them. I didn't get a response after that.The offering of a personal account manager seems to have a different meaning to different people. The only thing that is happening are emails with discounts that seems to be about the same as waiting on the daily deals.
I have had one-on-one communications in the past that worked out great. They didn't call them account managers, but we did have a discussion that was more personable.
Some of the old timers here will remember how good the customer service was with having an account manager (and the discounts). Tim, Andy, Alex...were truly a great bunch of guys who cared about their customers. Their level of customer service was truly one of a kind and you didn't need to spend $1,000 to get it.
"Long ashes my friends."
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@Krieg said:
@CigarSavor said:
Reviving this old thread. The OP's comments resonated with me as I feel I have had the same experience recently. So far, all I get is emails about special pricing. I didn't get anything for my birthday month. I got the coupon discounts that is offered as you reach each tier. My expectation for a "personal account manager" is to work with them so they understand my palate and can offer suggestions. Also, some of the cigars come as boxes only, no option to buy a single. I would like to sample a cigar before I commit to a box purchase. I received a nice email when my account manager first reached out to me. But the communication seems to be one way. When I asked about sampling some singles, a few days later, I got an answer that they don't offer free cigars. I replied that I wasn't asking for free cigars, I want to sample a single and I will pay for them. I didn't get a response after that.The offering of a personal account manager seems to have a different meaning to different people. The only thing that is happening are emails with discounts that seems to be about the same as waiting on the daily deals.
I have had one-on-one communications in the past that worked out great. They didn't call them account managers, but we did have a discussion that was more personable.
Some of the old timers here will remember how good the customer service was with having an account manager (and the discounts). Tim, Andy, Alex...were truly a great bunch of guys who cared about their customers. Their level of customer service was truly one of a kind and you didn't need to spend $1,000 to get it.
So where are you going now to get that personalized service with the discounts? What company runs profit margins big enough to treat everyone who types the addresss into chrome like a king?
I am the Troll Jesus. Follow me, my children, or clutch your pearls tightly.
@ScotchnSmoke still sux lots of large wéiners. And tons of small ones.1 -
@VegasFrank said:
@Krieg said:
@CigarSavor said:
Reviving this old thread. The OP's comments resonated with me as I feel I have had the same experience recently. So far, all I get is emails about special pricing. I didn't get anything for my birthday month. I got the coupon discounts that is offered as you reach each tier. My expectation for a "personal account manager" is to work with them so they understand my palate and can offer suggestions. Also, some of the cigars come as boxes only, no option to buy a single. I would like to sample a cigar before I commit to a box purchase. I received a nice email when my account manager first reached out to me. But the communication seems to be one way. When I asked about sampling some singles, a few days later, I got an answer that they don't offer free cigars. I replied that I wasn't asking for free cigars, I want to sample a single and I will pay for them. I didn't get a response after that.The offering of a personal account manager seems to have a different meaning to different people. The only thing that is happening are emails with discounts that seems to be about the same as waiting on the daily deals.
I have had one-on-one communications in the past that worked out great. They didn't call them account managers, but we did have a discussion that was more personable.
Some of the old timers here will remember how good the customer service was with having an account manager (and the discounts). Tim, Andy, Alex...were truly a great bunch of guys who cared about their customers. Their level of customer service was truly one of a kind and you didn't need to spend $1,000 to get it.
So where are you going now to get that personalized service with the discounts? What company runs profit margins big enough to treat everyone who types the addresss into chrome like a king?
Funny — I was just remembering when people could share an opinion without someone taking it personally. Those were good days too
"Long ashes my friends."
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@Krieg said:
@VegasFrank said:
@Krieg said:
@CigarSavor said:
Reviving this old thread. The OP's comments resonated with me as I feel I have had the same experience recently. So far, all I get is emails about special pricing. I didn't get anything for my birthday month. I got the coupon discounts that is offered as you reach each tier. My expectation for a "personal account manager" is to work with them so they understand my palate and can offer suggestions. Also, some of the cigars come as boxes only, no option to buy a single. I would like to sample a cigar before I commit to a box purchase. I received a nice email when my account manager first reached out to me. But the communication seems to be one way. When I asked about sampling some singles, a few days later, I got an answer that they don't offer free cigars. I replied that I wasn't asking for free cigars, I want to sample a single and I will pay for them. I didn't get a response after that.The offering of a personal account manager seems to have a different meaning to different people. The only thing that is happening are emails with discounts that seems to be about the same as waiting on the daily deals.
I have had one-on-one communications in the past that worked out great. They didn't call them account managers, but we did have a discussion that was more personable.
Some of the old timers here will remember how good the customer service was with having an account manager (and the discounts). Tim, Andy, Alex...were truly a great bunch of guys who cared about their customers. Their level of customer service was truly one of a kind and you didn't need to spend $1,000 to get it.
So where are you going now to get that personalized service with the discounts? What company runs profit margins big enough to treat everyone who types the addresss into chrome like a king?
Funny — I was just remembering when people could share an opinion without someone taking it personally. Those were good days too
Your honor, please direct the witness to answer the question.
I am the Troll Jesus. Follow me, my children, or clutch your pearls tightly.
@ScotchnSmoke still sux lots of large wéiners. And tons of small ones.3 -
@VegasFrank said:
@Krieg said:
@VegasFrank said:
@Krieg said:
@CigarSavor said:
Reviving this old thread. The OP's comments resonated with me as I feel I have had the same experience recently. So far, all I get is emails about special pricing. I didn't get anything for my birthday month. I got the coupon discounts that is offered as you reach each tier. My expectation for a "personal account manager" is to work with them so they understand my palate and can offer suggestions. Also, some of the cigars come as boxes only, no option to buy a single. I would like to sample a cigar before I commit to a box purchase. I received a nice email when my account manager first reached out to me. But the communication seems to be one way. When I asked about sampling some singles, a few days later, I got an answer that they don't offer free cigars. I replied that I wasn't asking for free cigars, I want to sample a single and I will pay for them. I didn't get a response after that.The offering of a personal account manager seems to have a different meaning to different people. The only thing that is happening are emails with discounts that seems to be about the same as waiting on the daily deals.
I have had one-on-one communications in the past that worked out great. They didn't call them account managers, but we did have a discussion that was more personable.
Some of the old timers here will remember how good the customer service was with having an account manager (and the discounts). Tim, Andy, Alex...were truly a great bunch of guys who cared about their customers. Their level of customer service was truly one of a kind and you didn't need to spend $1,000 to get it.
So where are you going now to get that personalized service with the discounts? What company runs profit margins big enough to treat everyone who types the addresss into chrome like a king?
Funny — I was just remembering when people could share an opinion without someone taking it personally. Those were good days too
Your honor, please direct the witness to answer the question.
What's the matter Frankie? No places to shop out in Vegas since Casa de Fuente is closing? LOL
"Long ashes my friends."
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At least @VegasFrank shows up and posts more than once a year to gripe about the non-existent / over-hyped elite-advantage program, which is more than we can say for some other people... cough, krieg, cough.
"I could've had a Mi Querida!" Nick Bardis2 -
@Krieg said:
@VegasFrank said:
@Krieg said:
@CigarSavor said:
Reviving this old thread. The OP's comments resonated with me as I feel I have had the same experience recently. So far, all I get is emails about special pricing. I didn't get anything for my birthday month. I got the coupon discounts that is offered as you reach each tier. My expectation for a "personal account manager" is to work with them so they understand my palate and can offer suggestions. Also, some of the cigars come as boxes only, no option to buy a single. I would like to sample a cigar before I commit to a box purchase. I received a nice email when my account manager first reached out to me. But the communication seems to be one way. When I asked about sampling some singles, a few days later, I got an answer that they don't offer free cigars. I replied that I wasn't asking for free cigars, I want to sample a single and I will pay for them. I didn't get a response after that.The offering of a personal account manager seems to have a different meaning to different people. The only thing that is happening are emails with discounts that seems to be about the same as waiting on the daily deals.
I have had one-on-one communications in the past that worked out great. They didn't call them account managers, but we did have a discussion that was more personable.
Some of the old timers here will remember how good the customer service was with having an account manager (and the discounts). Tim, Andy, Alex...were truly a great bunch of guys who cared about their customers. Their level of customer service was truly one of a kind and you didn't need to spend $1,000 to get it.
So where are you going now to get that personalized service with the discounts? What company runs profit margins big enough to treat everyone who types the addresss into chrome like a king?
Funny — I was just remembering when people could share an opinion without someone taking it personally. Those were good days too
We gave you our opinion on American red cedar and you didn’t do **** about that did you!
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He said he sealed it with polyurethane.
Trapped in the People's Communist Republic of Massachusetts.
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@Krieg said:
@VegasFrank said:
@Krieg said:
@VegasFrank said:
@Krieg said:
@CigarSavor said:
Reviving this old thread. The OP's comments resonated with me as I feel I have had the same experience recently. So far, all I get is emails about special pricing. I didn't get anything for my birthday month. I got the coupon discounts that is offered as you reach each tier. My expectation for a "personal account manager" is to work with them so they understand my palate and can offer suggestions. Also, some of the cigars come as boxes only, no option to buy a single. I would like to sample a cigar before I commit to a box purchase. I received a nice email when my account manager first reached out to me. But the communication seems to be one way. When I asked about sampling some singles, a few days later, I got an answer that they don't offer free cigars. I replied that I wasn't asking for free cigars, I want to sample a single and I will pay for them. I didn't get a response after that.The offering of a personal account manager seems to have a different meaning to different people. The only thing that is happening are emails with discounts that seems to be about the same as waiting on the daily deals.
I have had one-on-one communications in the past that worked out great. They didn't call them account managers, but we did have a discussion that was more personable.
Some of the old timers here will remember how good the customer service was with having an account manager (and the discounts). Tim, Andy, Alex...were truly a great bunch of guys who cared about their customers. Their level of customer service was truly one of a kind and you didn't need to spend $1,000 to get it.
So where are you going now to get that personalized service with the discounts? What company runs profit margins big enough to treat everyone who types the addresss into chrome like a king?
Funny — I was just remembering when people could share an opinion without someone taking it personally. Those were good days too
Your honor, please direct the witness to answer the question.
What's the matter Frankie? No places to shop out in Vegas since Casa de Fuente is closing? LOL
No. Kriegie, I'm just wondering where you shop since this is so important to you and ccom doesn't offer it. The answer is you shop at ccom to buy your Rocky Patels because none of these shops with their Internet pricing offer you the "big man" package that you want while offering the prices you want.
This, of course, was my point. Carry on, fuçkwad.
I am the Troll Jesus. Follow me, my children, or clutch your pearls tightly.
@ScotchnSmoke still sux lots of large wéiners. And tons of small ones.1 -
Poor Frankie...you need a friend.
"Long ashes my friends."
-2 -
Ok, kids. Stop squabbling or someones going to get hurt.
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@Krieg said:
Poor Frankie...you need a friend.If only I knew someone with an American cedar walk-in...
I am the Troll Jesus. Follow me, my children, or clutch your pearls tightly.
@ScotchnSmoke still sux lots of large wéiners. And tons of small ones.2 -
I just imagine two old guys fighting each other, which is funny in my head.
Anyway, the way I try new cigars is I have to drive to different smoke/cigar shops around me, buying the singles. It’s not a cheap way to do it but it sure beats buying online for $50s per 5 pack. It’s worse when I happen to dislike the cigar and have to smoke it four more times cough Cohibas cough. Then I just buy a box of 20+ of the ones I really like either online or in store. There are some stores with fair prices for boxes if you look around.
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@xHTx said:
I just imagine two old guys fighting each other, which is funny in my head.Anyway, the way I try new cigars is I have to drive to different smoke/cigar shops around me, buying the singles. It’s not a cheap way to do it but it sure beats buying online for $50s per 5 pack. It’s worse when I happen to dislike the cigar and have to smoke it four more times cough Cohibas cough. Then I just buy a box of 20+ of the ones I really like either online or in store. There are some stores with fair prices for boxes if you look around.
Actually, it would be one old guy and me haha.
Yeah you're right about the singles. A lot of websites sell singles too, and at discount, like cigar bid. Of course their selection is limited.
I think we're probably all in the same boat. The way I parse it down is that I'll buy samplers the five different singles, or I'll buy a single of manufacturers that have made my trust list.
I am the Troll Jesus. Follow me, my children, or clutch your pearls tightly.
@ScotchnSmoke still sux lots of large wéiners. And tons of small ones.0 -
With cigars I haven't tried I take a lead from folks who have been around the block a few times and who like the same type of cigars that I like. If they really like a cigar I am liable to buy a box and give it a good run. Like Frank boosting the Casa Magna....
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@silvermouse said:
With cigars I haven't tried I take a lead from folks who have been around the block a few times and who like the same type of cigars that I like. If they really like a cigar I am liable to buy a box and give it a good run. Like Frank boosting the Casa Magna....I hope I didn't let you down with those Casa Magnas
I am the Troll Jesus. Follow me, my children, or clutch your pearls tightly.
@ScotchnSmoke still sux lots of large wéiners. And tons of small ones.0 -
@Yakster said:
Using Frank is a guinea pig is risky, He likes a lot of stuff.Ha ha autocorrect to "stuff"
I know, You're a big dog and I'm on the list.
Let's eat, GrandMa. / Let's eat GrandMa. -- Punctuation saves livesIt'll be fine once the swelling goes down.
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