Cheaper to buy online or in shop?

[fuente~fuente]

The web's cheapest... Unless there's an event going on @ the B&M.

I support my B&M as much as I can.

[Dgar]

Its usually cheaper to buy online, the exception can be hard to find cigars, such as Opus or Anejo's, Padron anniversary series ect..I find these are usually cheaper at a B/M.

Support your B/M its a great place to pick up singles and try something new before ordering , plus they can be a great place to meet other BOTL in your area. And if your lucky the local B/M could be a great place to hang out and enjoy a cigar,

[Plop007]

Thanks,

Yeah this b&m near me has a big patio area with tables and chairs and they have a couple flat screens.

When I walked in there their were people watching tv and playing cards it is a cool place.

Only one other customer asked me if I was old enough to be here but the guys at the cash register didn't card me. heh. (I am 18 )

[winston]

It is cheaper to purchase online for instance I bought a few CAO Italia at the local tobacco shop not a B&M but close and paid $6.99 now thats around $140 a box compared to the $131 that CI has them listed for but for trying out cigar brands and seeing if you like them before purchasing a box a tobacco shop or a B&M is great and I am all for supporting your local B&M's.

[LibertyToad]

Originally Posted by Plop007

My first noob question is

I was wondering if it was cheaper to purchase cigars online or in your local b&m?

Since I have to watch my cost I would want to know the best cigar online site that has cigars for the best prices.

I dont know if its against the rules for people to say sites (since its advertising) you can pm me or email me.

Sorry if this questioned has already been around on the forum.

It probably depends a bit, but online is usually cheaper. The taxes in my area are pretty high, so I avoid buying locally and "contributing" to our corrupt, Illinois government.

[baba]

Online is great because of the selection and price. I still buy boxes of cigars at my locah B&M because I want him to stay in business.

[Pugsley]

Living in California with the high taxes on tobacco I always buy my boxes online, but I make it a point to stop by my local B&M on a regular basis for a handful of singles. The online sellers may save you money but at the B&M I get things they can't offer: Knowledgeable recommendations, honest descriptions and a comfortable place to enjoy a good smoke and conversation with other BOTLs, and that's worth a few extra bucks.

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by ssutton219

Sometimes my B&M has beaten the online prices and vice versa...just need to know what the price is and if you can wait for it to be shipped..Shawn

That's my experience as well. My B&M is lower on Oliva, Montecristo, La Aroma de Cuba, RyJ and scratch on Rocky Patel. They also give me a 10% discount, partially because half their inventory is stuff I bitched about until they got it in. (owner not a cigar guy, go figger).

The thing you ALWAYS have to factor in is that, while you might save state sales and tobacco tax, you're paying shipping. It's pretty rare that I cant beat C-bid's fiver price once I figure in shipping costs. Caveat Emptor.

All said, Im about 60/40 in favor of my local. First rule of business. Build a relationship.

[FN in MT]

I don't have a local B&M and MT has a 50% tobbaco tax. So CI IS my local B&M.

FN in MT

[CrashTECH]

I don't have a B&M that is close by so I am pretty limited. I do make it a point to try to stop by the local B&M when I visit my buddy who lives a couple hours away. I have been buying random singles online to try and the shipping has been hit or miss (sometimes free, sometimes not). However it beats having to drive 10 minutes just to "check out" the closest B&M or the 2 hours to the one I know is good.

I think it really depends. If I lived closer to one I would go hang out there more often and buy less online.

[biged843]

Online is almost always cheaper when you're buying bundles, the $1-$3 sticks. But the shop I work at, we give a discount on box purchases and it makes us very competitive with the online retailers on the cigars that are $4 and up. We also do a bigger discount if you are pre ordering a box with us. So just talk to your look B&M and see if you can work something out, because he needs your business and you need somewhere to go and try new cigars and hang out with fellow BOTL.

[GlockG23]

Originally Posted by biged843

Online is almost always cheaper when you're buying bundles, the $1-$3 sticks. But the shop I work at, we give a discount on box purchases and it makes us very competitive with the online retailers on the cigars that are $4 and up. We also do a bigger discount if you are pre ordering a box with us. So just talk to your look B&M and see if you can work something out, because he needs your business and you need somewhere to go and try new cigars and hang out with fellow BOTL.

excellent post !

[FNA]

Re: CBid

"All the prices i've seen on there are the same, or more than the prices that CI charges, when i figure out free shipping at CI."

You just haven't looked at enough prices. At auction, not just CBid, products may be purchased for half of retail selling price (retail selling price being cheaper than quoted "retail" prices). Of course "hot" items may go for more than the selling price.

Pick your price and stick to it. Almost everything comes up for auction more than once, and eventually, you will get your product for what you want to pay.

[dj1340]

If you have a local B&M, get to know the guys working there. They will usually work a deal if you give them your business. They will also order boxes of cigars they don't carry if they have the distributor. They can't always beat the internet but they will certainly try.
Never hurts to ask.

[louistogie]

I can see you live in CA like me. We have a pretty bad tax out here so it will always be cheaper to buy online.