Micallef Cigars has issued a press release announcing it has sent a Cease-and-Desist letter to Privada Cigar Club. Micallef is claiming Privada Cigar Club has been acting as an unauthorized retailer for its products.
Micallef Cigars acts to protect Brick & Mortar Authorized Dealers; Issues Cease & Desist letter to Privada Cigar Club.
Micallef Cigars made promises to Brick & Mortar cigars shops across America in their open strategy letter January of 2020. Six months ago Micallef Cigars ended their relationship with online giant Cigars International, in order to provide price protection to their B&M partners. Over the last year and half, Micallef Cigars worked closely with their Authorized Dealers to create innovative customer experiences including Brick & Mortar owned Cigar Clubs.
In February, Micallef Cigars became aware Privada Cigar Club was selling Micallef cigars online directly to customers as an unauthorized retailer.
An email was sent to Privada Cigar Club clarifying Micallef’s business model seeking a private resolution to the issue. Brian Desind, owner of Privada Cigar Club, declined to meet with Micallef Cigars unless his unacceptable conditions were met.
“We aggressively protect our Brick & Mortar Authorized Dealers. We will not tolerate rogue businesses who try to profit on our brand at the expense of our valued partners. We offered to buy back the Micallef product from Privada’s unauthorized web site seeking a positive resolution. Now we are pursuing a legal solution and Privada Cigar Club will never be an Authorized Micallef retailer. We love the family-owned Brick & Mortar retail shops who are the backbone of the industry and we will always act in their best interest.” Said Dan Thompson, President of Micallef Cigars.
Attorney John M. Rogers on behalf of Micallef Cigars sent Andrew Transport Inc., (aka Privada Cigars), a cease-and-desist letter today seeking resolution. Included in Micallef Cigars’ letter is a last time offer to buy-back the product.
Micallef Cigars noted a lawsuit is prepared and will file if Privada does not Cease & Desist voluntarily. The Cease-and-Desist Letter is available for review on Micallef Cigars website.
Well, I’ve honestly never heatd of this company or their cigars so I guess, taking them away from sample boxes will insure I’ll never know about or look for their products.
You must be living under a rock Rodney. Micallef fully supports brick and mortars and not online retailers. That should be what every cigar smoker pushes for. Your attitude speaks volumes and it’s truly your loss
Jon why should every cigar smoker be pushing for only brick and mortar cigars. If it wasn’t for online I would never be able to smoke the cigars I smoke. There is a place for both online and brick and mortar each has it’s advantages and disadvantages. No way I would agree that online shops should go away.
When’s the last time Micallef supplied their “beloved brick and mortars” something that has driven business to the store from all over the country? How about the last time they supplied something that sold out such high volume demands in days?? Don’t be mad you’re not ahead in the game and someone is doing it better than you. What speaks volumes is your lack of support to the cigar community in general, regardless of online or B&M. This club, along with many others, is revitalizing the cigar world and bringing people, other wise not interested, into it. Thus allowing an avenue for collaboration and expansions for many company’s alike. Has even saved some brands from the otherwise negative effects recent history has provided. Always going to be someone who doesn’t want to lose at the game they thought they were better at.. unfortunately you have ruined the Micallef name as such.
This is lame, Micallef. If you want to send a groundless cease and desist in private, go for it. But doing a PRESS RELEASE to announce it?? Bad attempt at a publicity stunt trying to make themselves look like crusaders for brick and mortar shops. Really poor form. Backfired pretty hard.
Not interested in Micallef going forward even after enjoying the two sticks that I’ve experienced. With all the legislation being floated around the cigar industry this is not the time to be picking on each other. The fact that this was initiated via press release speaks volumes. I don’t think Micallef will be getting the type of attention they were hoping for. Dumb move and very short-sighted. That being said, there is always a traditional section of any industry that will fall to the wayside as the rest of the industry evolves. Many other ways that this could have been resolved instead of freshmen-level outrage PR move lol. Good luck.
This is bad for cigar culture. I’ve seen this brand and I hadn’t tried yet but sadly I probably won’t. Brian is all about the cigar culture and for this company to pull this stunt for publicity in my opinion.