Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

I have asked a B&M owner how much he wanted for a box before and told him I was shopping around. he asked how much I found them for and I told him I found them online for such and such price. He said wow, thats about 20% off, deliberated about it for a second and offered them to me for the same price. I went for it without hesitation. Sometimes, just telling them you are looking for the best deal may provoke them into cutting you some slack or price matching so they can move some product. now, I probably wouldnt go in there and say "Man I saw this cigar way cheaper at so and so or on such and such website". That, i'm sure would piss them off.:2

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

I would rather just smoke at a cigar friendly bar. I worked in B&M's as well and understand their pain vs. online. But here it is:

People who purchase online don't necessarily need a B&M there to tell them what to try and whatnot. I can get that information at places like CA or other review boards. I worked in a shop for 4.5 years, and most of my self obtained knowledge was from buying and learning online. Granted alot of folks on here giving the advice could be B&M owners, but then why give the knowledge online instead of your store.

I respect the store owners and try and give them as much business as is practical, but the fact is I am a consumer and will always look for the best deal/value.

My dream in later life is to open a B&M, but I will plan on having MUCH more up front capital than alot of these guys that have opened in the past 5-10 years, because I know that I will always have to compete w/ these big online vendors.:2

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

Not everyone has that option with state smoking bans. I know I do not.

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

WI will have a state wide smoking ban starting June 7th. Finally cigarettes will NOT be allowed in the shop, and of course a "cigar friendly" bar won't be found either.

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

I'm not advocating anything. To each his own. That is just what I do.

FWIW, the boxes I buy are ones you can't get at the store. ;)

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

I can understand that. If I was on that side of the coin I may have more reason to support B&M's. Until then I will donate to lobbyists to change the tax laws. Which in turn will help out the B&M's. Which in turn, hopefully will lower their pricing.

Like I said, I will do everything I practically can to support them. I just can't afford to be a cigar smoker buying from them.

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

I too shop both B&Ms and online retailers. Yes, the tax thing usually makes it cheaper to purchase online. However, there is a B&M in a nearby town (40 miles or so) where I have found better prices than at online shops, even with paying taxes. Its one of those places that sells cigarettes, chewing tobacco, etc. If they don't have what I want, they order it for me. There is another local B&M where I shop that is fairly pricey. However, they offer a rewards program where you can save up points and get 20% whatever you buy. It usually works out that I get the 20% deal on about every third trip. The main thing I like about this place is the selection. I can't think of a regular production line that they don't carry...Illusione, Tats, Pepins, LFDs, Viaje, and if a hot new cigar comes out, they will have it.

I have found that some B&Ms will give you a discount, but you need to be willing to make a substantial purchase and ask for it. I went in to one B&M that I only shop at once or twice a year back at Christmas. I loaded up a basket with well over $150 worth of singles. I asked the lady that checked me out if she could give me a good deal. She knocked 10% off and threw in a free Angelenos (pricey new Fuente product that goes for ~$14 per stick).

As for online purchases, I tend to stay away from "specials" at the big retailers. I have argued this before...some agree and some disagree. I feel that many times the "specials" are different than their normal production counterparts. I have experienced this with Pepin products, RP products, Alec Bradley, and others. I've had varying experiences from underfilled sticks to sticks that taste totally different than their full-priced counterparts.

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

:tf

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

The B&M is a mixed bag for me. When I decided to start smoking again, I went into the local B&M and the owner asked what I liked to smoke and I said Opus X, as that is what I used to smoke mostly 5+ years ago. He tried to get me to buy some of the Don Carlos Anniversary for $35 each. I passed but did pick up a pair of God of Fire Robustos, and something else he suggested. I had gone back once or twice since that, when he decided to share the good stuff with me. The Opus X were hidden in his humidor including double coronas and ***** cats.
His prices are a dollar per stick higher than the only other decent B&M within 60 miles of here, but he gets a lot of business from me. i think the least I ever spent there was about $50.00. The only bad part of this is when I want to try other cigars, he is always trying to sell me the $15.00 and up sticks. I was wanting to try the El Triunfador and Oliva V lanceros and he was pushing my towards some expensive red dot cohibas. That gets annoying sometimes, but if I don't listen to his schpiel then I don't find out about the good stuff he has hidden away.

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

I chuckled when I read that. A cigar friendly bar? That would be the local cigar lounge here. BYOB

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

That would be an issue for me. If a retailer is hoarding his "good stuff", I'd think twice about doing business with him. In addition, I'd tell him exactly that as well.

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

I agree. Although the only b&m near me that carries opus keeps them in a special spot that u need to know about. They don't really tell people unless they specifically ask. Prolly cuz they have purchase limits.

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

We put ours out on the shelves right next to the other Fuente products. A simple sign that states a limit of two per day is enough to ensure that everyone gets a chance. Well, except for our last shipment when one of our newer employees sold an entire box to one guy. I'm sure he left there thinking, "score"!

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

http://thefuntimesguide.com/images/b...oilet-tank.jpg

Word.

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

I don't see a problem with buying the whole box. IMO the retailer should try to push for more boxes. Sure it sucks if u dont get there in time to pick up a couple but that's life. Live and learn and bring yo ass in sooner. Lol

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

I love supporting my local economy, but the price difference between my local shop and the internet for cigars is pretty steep. I've yet to buy a box or more than 5 sticks at one time, but when it comes time I'll use the internet.

The price difference between some humidors I've seen is even more steep. The cheapest I found at my shop was north of $150.

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

I buy singles at the local B&M because I like to go there and hang out. I find it disrespectful to go to a shop and use their facility and not give them money. Its a business and if you like it you need to support it. Plain and simple if you are going to use a shop to hangout and relax buy something. To not do so is wrong. Hes not open so you can watch his tv use his leather chairs for free. If everyone or a majority of persons did this he would go out of business fast.

That said Cali taxes are crazy and I can see box, well that and the fact I only seem to buy boxes that they cant sell here. Never mention internet smokes to a owner. A shop employee maybe, depending on relationship.

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

I use both. I stock up online of sticks I know I like. And I stop by most any cigar shop I come across when time allows just to take a look. I enjoy taking day trips to B&M's to find new locations and new smokes. Living a the rural midwest this can be a real adventure.

Oh and BTW in case nobody else mentioned it don't bring up ex-girlfriends around your current either, m'kay.;)

Re: B & M vs. Internet?
 

You must be talking about the days when Darrell isn't working.