MD Cigars Successfully Combines B&M with Internet Sales

Written by Kevin Godbee

Friday, 01 September 2006

Tags:
•brick and mortar	•md cigars

MD Cigars combines "brick & mortar" and Internet sales into a successful and long-standing cigar business with a loyal following.

Starting out in the spring of 1999 as a small Internet cigar business in San Diego Calif, MD Cigars grew quickly.

With a lot of hard work from Mike and Andrea (his wife), business and a loyal customer base grew as did their love for cigars.

In the fall of 2002 business had grown to a point where Mike & Andrea decided to open up a conventional Brick and Mortar shop, but with California’s High Prices and tough smoking policy’s it seemed like a bad place to start.

After a little research the decision was made to relocate to sunny Yuma Arizona. And in Feb. of 2002 MD Cigars opened up its first Retail Location.

MD Cigars bases their success on giving their customers the "Total Cigar Experience".

"We pride ourselves on our customer service and experienced staff" said Mike.

They offer a beautiful smoking lounge with Satellite TV, a WI-FI system so customers can surf the internet and check email for free while enjoying their favorite cigar or pipe tobacco.

MD Cigars boasts an 18 x 20 foot humidor and 2000 square feet of shop space.

And 65 feet of counter space for Accessories, pipes and pipe tobacco.

Store Manager Madelynn, and Gretchen are also there to make sure customers feel right at home.

"Customer service and comfort are our main concern" says Mike (owner) "We want our customers to feel that they are at home, Just as they would in their own living rooms" our Manager Madelynn ensures that all our customers are comfortable and he helps them find just what they are looking for.

MD Cigars takes the same principle one step farther with their internet business. With built in Live Web Cams they take Customer Service to a higher level.

"Not only does this make the internet customer feel as much at home as the walk in customers, they feel that they know us because they see us, and we can show them what they want right then.

"We are able to answer the customer's questions and show them what we are talking about live. This is a great benefit to us and our customers" says Mike.

"This is especially handy when a product changes occur. We can show our customers the products they have a question with and they can see it right away. This removes all doubt and errors about what product they are ordering. "

"We love the cigar business. We are here because this is what we love to do."