Catastrophic Customer Service
I have been smoking pipes for 15 years and own a large collection of premium brands (Peterson, Savinelli, etc.). I recently purchased an expensive Vauen Paris PR 267 from Cigarworld.de. After just three bowls of Davidoff Scottish Mixture, lit carefully with a soft-flame Zippo pipe lighter, a massive crater collapsed into the side of the bowl.
Any experienced pipe smoker knows this is the hallmark of a hidden flaw, sandpit, or air pocket in the briar block. It is a natural defect that happens occasionally, but how a company handles it shows their true colors.
Instead of honoring the warranty for a premium product, both Cigarworld.de and Vauen's customer service stonewalled me. They refused to look at the evidence, ignored the fact that I used a soft flame, and insulted my 15 years of experience by claiming "improper handling."
If you are an experienced smoker considering a Vauen pipe or buying from Cigarworld.de, be warned: if you receive a defective piece of briar, they will immediately blame you to avoid replacing it. They do not stand behind their premium products.