FL - Tampa Bay: Rocky Patel @ Cigar Castle

[xavier_chino]

OK for all you Rocky lovers in the Tampa Bay area here are the details

Come meet Rocky Patel
This event will feature Rocky Patel and his line of highly acclaimed cigars including the new Decade and ITC 10th Anniversary lines of cigars. Come out and enjoy this fun event from 5-9 pm.

We will be offering 20% discount on box purchases and buy 3 get 1 free on single purchases.

There will be a chance to win some great raffle prizes and free Pilsner Urquell beer.

[xavier_chino]

Well I have confirmation from the Rocky guy here http://www.cigarlive.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=50
That Mr. Patel himself will be at the event.

[floridagirl-cl]

The Rocky event was disappointing to say the least. The owner of the shop did not give away the usual free cigar. What would prompt me to buy a box if I do not know what the cigar tastes like? Also, there was no raffle prizes as advertised.

[m69c44]

Was Rocky there

[floridagirl-cl]

Yes, Rocky was there as well as Christopher and a new VP of Sales, Dave Bullock. Eric from 601 Cigars was also there. Cigar Dave also made an appearance.

[tx_tuff]

Originally Posted by floridagirl

The Rocky event was disappointing to say the least. The owner of the shop did not give away the usual free cigar. What would prompt me to buy a box if I do not know what the cigar tastes like? Also, there was no raffle prizes as advertised.

I understand it would suck that there was no raffle when advertised, but I didn't see anything about free cigars. There was a buy 3 get one free singles. If you do not know what RP cigars taste like you should have got some singles. Besides with Rocky and the other people there thats what an event is all about anyway, not free cigars!

[xavier_chino]

Hey Frank the issue here is more with the shop owner himself rather then the event. although this time he did not say there would be free cigars there have been previous events where it was advertised yet not given. And also I don't know how it is in other areas (and we here in Tampa may be spoiled) but at all other shops in the area you get a free cigar just for coming. Let me give you an example, a month or two ago I went to an event in Tampa for the Hoyo de Tradicion at my usual spot, we got a free cigar I enjoyed it so much I bought the 3 get 1 deal. the next week I was hanging out with a freind who lives close to Cigar Castle and we went by to grab a cigar, and there happens to be another Hoyo event. So we come in no free cigar.. ok whatever right well I walk in to the humidor to grab a cigar and the rep comes up recognizes me from the prior week and tells me that the owner did not want to give out the free sample that the rep was providing so there was a buy3 get 2 free deal. If I didn't allready know from the privious event that I liked the cigar I wouldn't have bought any? so that why I no longer go to that store, and why he will be out of business soon.

[tx_tuff]

Thats cool Frank and I understand. I was just thinking its wrong to go to an event and expect something for free. But if a rep wants to give a free sample I see nothing wrong with that. Being to many events where there are both free samples and not free samples and I can tell you that the reps do not always have free samples with them. As the owner I guess he has the right to do as he wants, he did end up giving the cigars away with the deal. But if I was the onwer myself I would do what the rep wants with in reason. Maybe this owner is worried about people coming in for the free samples and not buying anything, and by the buy 3 get 2 free deal the paying costumers are getting the free sticks. Doesn't make it right but just another point of view. Its to bad he has turned you away from his shop, maybe some feed back to him can help him run a better B&M.

[tento4]

This shop owner stopped giving out free smokes because too many people were coming in for the free smokes and beer. The reps still provide the free smokes or smokes at a very reduced price. He just has decided to make you buy 3 of his before he gives you the free one.

This same owner has not given out the reps freebies because he doesn't think he sold enough boxes. He puts the hats, ashtrays, shirts, etc. on his shelves to sell.

Some of us spoke to him regarding this and the negative feeling it was causing, but he didn't seem to care.

A new shop recently opened about 5 miles away and a good 60-70% of his regulars have moved to the new shop.

In todays economy, you have to treat your customers well and listen to them or they will go somewhere else.

[tx_tuff]

I can understand the cigar thing, but if a rep gives your for free stuff to give out and instead you put it on your seleves to sell! Well thats just ripping off your costumers! I can see why regulars would be leaving his shop.