B & M vs. Internet?

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by md4958

I dont mention cigars Ive purchased online in front of a B&M owner, especially if its something they carry in their store.

It would be like somebody coming into my bakery and telling me how they buy their cakes at Costco.

That have cakes as Costco?

Has anyone told Major Captain Silly?

[timo]

I split it about 60/40 in favor of B&M. I travel to several areas during the course of the week and like visiting local cigar shops. And you can't fondle internet cigars. There's nothing like being in a walk in with all them lovely's.

[wolfandwhisky]

I agree with Dave's sentiment. Sure, it is tough on the B&M owner who opened up before changes in taxes may have occured - but if you run the business, you should know the competition.

A B&M owner should know that they have to differentiate. If you charge higher prices (due to taxes or for profit), you should offer something with it.

The walk in humidor experience, clipping, a bar/lounge, eye candy...er hostesses, and maybe the inside track on HTFs, new releases, or limited events - all of this goes to justify a higher price to some buyers that otherwise would shop online.

If you don't offer any of that and try to compete on price alone, then you'll lose out on at least some business, that simple.

[Jbailey]

It's also cheaper to drink at home.

In my mind I enjoyed hanging out at my B&M back in MI. Almost 100% of my the NC's I ever bought came from Tim's in Bay City. For me the extra change went to having a great place to smoke from the warm summer days sitting with my friends on the sidewalk to the cold @ss winters enjoying a movie or playing cards indoors.

There is going to be a time where the B&M's will be history.

[thebayratt]

I buy singles at my B&M. I usually smoke one there and take about three or four home each week. They have TVs, couches, free beer/drinks. Yes FREE BEER!

I buy boxes & 5ers online; unless they are on special at the B&M and are close to online costs.

I'd rather pay a little more and have a place to sit, someone to chat with, and lets see the computer give ya a nice bottle of Stout.

[icehog3]

State after state are falling victim to smoking bans. For those of you who live in cooler climates and can't/don't smoke in your homes, some of you might be sorry when B&Ms disappear and there is no place to smoke during the winter without risking frostbite.

[Starz26]

Originally Posted by icehog3

State after state are falling victim to smoking bans. For those of you who live in cooler climates and can't/don't smoke in your homes, some of you might be sorry when B&Ms disappear and there is no place to smoke during the winter without risking frostbite.

Yup, already in that situation as nearest B&M is over an hour away...

As for alcohol, Ohio SUCKS!! My B&M had to stop selling alcohol (wine). can't drink and smoke in the same place ......

[Vigiles]

I love my local B&M. Great folks there, the regulars that I talk with are great, prices are....ok. But thats not why I go.


I think I'm with most people, I'll buy boxes online and a fistful of singles at the B&M. although I have noticed a few of their products are the same or cheaper than online! How that works I have no idea. Granted MOST things are more expensive, but a few are the same or cheaper.

[Smokin Gator]

Originally Posted by Starz26

As for alcohol, Ohio SUCKS!! My B&M had to stop selling alcohol (wine). can't drink and smoke in the same place ......

That is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard!!!

Back to your regular programing!!!

[Starz26]

Originally Posted by Smokin Gator

That is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard!!!

Back to your regular programing!!!

Tell me about it. All bars and restaurants are smoke free...

Also, cannot smoke in a B&M unless the store is a freestanding location (unless grandfathered prior to the law)....

[Chris.]

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.

I will only buy at a B&M if I'm smoking at a B&M. However if I find a good B&M with people I like I buy lighters, cutters, magazines, etc.

[DocLogic77]

I only purchase singles from my local places to pay for a seat to smoke. What I buy from those places I don't smoke there...and will probably give away. But, I have places I enjoy smoking and will support that place and pay for my seat with purchases. Then I pull out what I want to smoke.

[Apoco]

I love my local B&M, and visit it once a month usually (just graduated, so I don't have the income to go to them exclusively). For the most part, I only order online at the moment. My income level requires me to save money where I can.

However, I wouldn't ever mention ordering online in the store. The only exception to this was when the store owner and I had a conversation. He asked me flat out, just trying to get a feeling for what my purchasing habits were like. Past that, I wouldn't ever ever talk about ordering online inside the store. Just doesn't seem right to me.

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.

[captain53]

Originally Posted by newlifetaxidermy

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.

[Superbad]

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.

[Volusianator]

Originally Posted by Superbad

but if I don't listen to his schpiel then I don't find out about the good stuff he has hidden away.

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.

[Chris.]

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.

[Volusianator]

Originally Posted by Chris.

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.

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"!