Paying for samples?

[Silound]

Originally Posted by BlueHavanaII

BTW... I am hosting an Oliva Serie V event this Fri. and Olive IS playing by my rules!

Jim

AUGH!

No one near me will have them until at the earliest September 3rd. I've tried one, which I found to be somewhat uneventful, but I blame that on the vitola. I want to lay my hands on some other sizes to try.

[Teninx]

Originally Posted by BlueHavanaII

I've had this discussion with a number of my reps, who have said that the industry is moving away from the free cigar due to the number of people who come in and get the freebee, eat, drink and leave. In my limited experience here, this is a minor issue and I insist that my events include a free cigar on entry. If the deadbeats become an issue, I plan to institute a $20 "Cover Charge", and give a $20 gift certificate (to be used only that night) to each attendee. There are too many good cigar companies willing to do events. If they won't play by my rules, I won't hold their event. Most realize that this is a mutually beneficial endevour and are willing to work with me.

BTW... I am hosting an Oliva Serie V event this Fri. and Olive IS playing by my rules!

Jim

Just as I don't expect to get anything for free at a retailer's cigar event, I don't expect to pay an entry fee to attend a promotion.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Teninx

I never expect to get anything free from a retail establishment.

I wouldn't expect anything free from the retailer either, many have a small profit margin. But if a manufacturer's rep. attends, I certainly think the manufacturer might want to give attendees a free taste to potentially gain some future paying customers.

[discdog]

Originally Posted by Teninx

Just as I don't expect to get anything for free at a retailer's cigar event, I don't expect to pay an entry fee to attend a promotion.

Looking at this from the retailers side, if you have an influx of deadbeats that eat, drink, smoke and scurry, I could see charging to discourage that. I mean, if the retailer is willing to put out 3/5 K to host an event, I don't see a problem with him wanting to make it profitable. That was never my issue. But I've been around long enough to know that what I experienced last night was hopefully not the wave of the future. I can honestly say that when the reps started giving away the door prizes and were being heckled, I knew I was not the only one who noticed the "cheapness" of the event.

As far as Jim's events. I'd be more than willing to pay for a twenty dollar discount coupon. If it allows him to concentrate more on the serious guys and less on the "just there for the free stuff crowd", yeah, I'll pay for that service. Fortunately, with him and many others, I don't see that as an issue.

[Teninx]

I am attempting to look at this from the retailer's side. Selling a gift certificate as the price of admission just may discourage traffic. And giving away cigars just may discourage a purchase. When retailers host a factory event, I expect to get discount pricing on a smoke I might otherwise not buy.
If the retailer requires me to make a purchase, I probably won't attend. If the rep gives me a cigar, it could be one less that I would buy.

[Bob]

Maybe some of you fellas that get to go to the events should pay for your "SAMPLES" and smoke'm about half way down and ask for your money back since they WERE "samples"?

Then again I can see the "VALUE" -KUPON as an entry fee to cover costs of smoked stogies by the ones pilferring profits by not even buying something.

[BlueHavanaII]

Originally Posted by Silound

AUGH!

No one near me will have them until at the earliest September 3rd. I've tried one, which I found to be somewhat uneventful, but I blame that on the vitola. I want to lay my hands on some other sizes to try.

I now have all 7 sizes in stock!

Jim

[BlueHavanaII]

Originally Posted by Teninx

Just as I don't expect to get anything for free at a retailer's cigar event, I don't expect to pay an entry fee to attend a promotion.

I don't expect to have to do this as my customers seem to be pretty good about things, but, it doesn't seem unreasonable to ask someone to spend $20 to buy additional merchandise while they eat, drink and smoke free.

[Dzrtrat]

Originally Posted by icehog3

I wouldn't expect anything free from the retailer either, many have a small profit margin. But if a manufacturer's rep. attends, I certainly think the manufacturer might want to give attendees a free taste to potentially gain some future paying customers.

I wouldn't expect a freebie from my vendor either, however, if someone is trying to peddle cigars they may want to give some incentive to buy. Punch came to my B&M and I had a choice of 3 different cigars, and then if I bought something I got to take 3 more home with me, thats great P.R. work IMHO. And the vendor...well....why would he publicize something like that? get everyone out and then ...... they have to pay for their entertainment....makes no sense.

[ssutton219]

I have been to 2 differnt events, a rolling event and a tasting. At the tasting I paid $10, got a free cigar 2 raffle tickets and $10 off my purchase..on both purchases actually. The rolling event I didnt pay to go and I was given 4 cigars free and I bought 8 or so cigars. Difference between the 2...nothing at all one gave away cigars and I purchased more because the Owner and rep were handing out cigars, and @ the tasting it was woth my $10 to get in, I got 2 raffle tickets and a total of $20 off my purchase...not a bad deal either way. Go enjoy a cigar and if you get a cigar say thank you and if you like buy more...if you dont pay, and dont get a cigar...buy from the store for the Owner..hes putting it on to gain business. Just my limited


Shawn

[Teninx]

Originally Posted by BlueHavanaII

I don't expect to have to do this as my customers seem to be pretty good about things, but, it doesn't seem unreasonable to ask someone to spend $20 to buy additional merchandise while they eat, drink and smoke free.

If you're hosting food, beverage and cigars, by all means charge admission, or require a purchase. Like I said, I don't expect to get anything for free. I've just gladly shelled out for a Fuente "Toast Across America" next month and I know I'm getting a couple of Opus, a catered dinner and some face time with a Fuente exec. And part of the cost goes to the CF Charitable Foundation, too.

[icehog3]

This is why I just go to herfs, and don't attend "cigar events" and "cigar tastings"....

[discdog]

I've been meeting more and more gorillas and the events seems like a great way to get together. Although, the monthly herfs at Blue Havanna II are becoming the place to hang and meet.

I just want to clarify something. I never meant to convey the idea that I would want something for nothing. I have gone to a couple of events that the vendors didn't have give-a-ways, and had a great time. I've also been to the last couple Taste Across America functions, a couple catered and a couple not.

There has been several really good points made here, on both sides, but I still feel that if you want me to buy your product, you better have an impressive sales technique to get my money if you don't let me try the product out.

[rusty pittis]

most of the events and tasings i went to had a buy so many get so many free buy box get tokens for texas hold em tourney or shirt.hat etc....

[BlueHavanaII]

Originally Posted by discdog

I've been meeting more and more gorillas and the events seems like a great way to get together. Although, the monthly herfs at Blue Havanna II are becoming the place to hang and meet.

I just want to clarify something. I never meant to convey the idea that I would want something for nothing. I have gone to a couple of events that the vendors didn't have give-a-ways, and had a great time. I've also been to the last couple Taste Across America functions, a couple catered and a couple not.

There has been several really good points made here, on both sides, but I still feel that if you want me to buy your product, you better have an impressive sales technique to get my money if you don't let me try the product out.

Bob...

You don't need a vendor event to get a free stick! Any retailer who knew you would be crazy not to offer you something new to try!

Jim