Went to my local shop today...

[Thurm15]

I was at my local shop today and was talkin to the owner. His shop is 1 of 4 in the area but the closest to my House. He is also by far the most expensive. Example: AF curly head $2.50, ERMD Robusto $6.99. He got me for $125 last June for a Box of AF Brevas that I bought for the Bar at my Wedding Reception. I didn't know anything about cigars then. That was before I got into the Hobby and Before I joined CS. Anyways this is the 1st time I've been in there since I started Smoking in Jan. and I wanted to let him know what a rip off he was without saying it . After looking in his Humi for a minute which is about the size of a big walkin closet, he starts talking to me about his "specials" and I asked him if he'd ever been online and looked at the prices at Jr's. He looks at me like I just killed his puppy and says "I can't look at those sites, they make me sick". He did however have nice selection of AF Anejo's and I picked up a Shark $20 and Grand Corona $15. Overpriced I know but never had em and haven't seen em anywhere else. Well just thought I'd post this here. The wife and most of my buddies think my Cigar habit is Coo Coo!

[Mr. White]

Originally Posted by Thurm15

I was at my local shop today and was talkin to the owner. His shop is 1 of 4 in the area but the closest to my House. He is also by far the most expensive. Example: AF curly head $2.50, ERMD Robusto $6.99. He got me for $125 last June for a Box of AF Brevas that I bought for the Bar at my Wedding Reception. I didn't know anything about cigars then. That was before I got into the Hobby and Before I joined CS. Anyways this is the 1st time I've been in there since I started Smoking in Jan. and I wanted to let him know what a rip off he was without saying it . After looking in his Humi for a minute which is about the size of a big walkin closet, he starts talking to me about his "specials" and I asked him if he'd ever been online and looked at the prices at Jr's. He looks at me like I just killed his puppy and says "I can't look at those sites, they make me sick". He did however have nice selection of AF Anejo's and I picked up a Shark $20 and Grand Corona $15. Overpriced I know but never had em and haven't seen em anywhere else. Well just thought I'd post this here. The wife and most of my buddies think my Cigar habit is Coo Coo!

I wouldn't hold it against him too much. It costs a lot more cash to run a B&M, especially if they're not doing any volume with internet sales as well.

THings like leasing costs, overhead, etc, can all make a difference. This is why I don't mind buying a couple sticks at the Sosa's in DownTown Disney, Are they more expensive? Most definitely, but if no one bought from them, then they wouldn't exist, and I'd miss not having them there.

A lot of your online sites can even afford to lose a buck or two on certain brands, because they know they'll make it up with other brands that are marked up just a little higher. A B&M can't usually do this because they're just not selling enough product. Volume is a large part of the driving force behind lower prices on the internet.

[Thurm15]

Jokieman, I was just in Orlando last month. I went cigarz at Universal and I was actually suprised that the prices were pretty good.

[Roger Miller"]

And don't forget the applicable local and state taxes which you avoid (for now) when you buy on-line. Depending on you locale they can be considerable.

_____
rm

[Mr. White]

Originally Posted by Thurm15

Jokieman, I was just in Orlando last month. I went cigarz at Universal and I was actually suprised that the prices were pretty good.

I haven't been there yet. Wife and I visited Universal just once since we've moved here, and weren't too impressed with the boardwalk area... We thought the movie theater kind of sucked too, we were expecting a lot more from a movie-related theme park.. Though the parks themselves are as good as ever.

[Thurm15]

Originally Posted by Roger Miller"

And don't forget the applicable local and state taxes which you avoid (for now) when you buy on-line. Depending on you locale they can be considerable.

_____
rm

Yeah, I understand what you guys are saying about Overhead, Sales volume and Taxes (37% Excise tax in NY) but I found out through a friend that works in the Business that this guy is Overpriced reguardless. I saw the same box of AF Brevas I bought for $125 for $85 at a store 20 min from me and they don't have an Online business either. Doesn't make him a bad guy but it stinks that the 1 store that I could walk to if I wanted to is also way overpriced.

[Mr. White]

It's possible he's paying a lot more on his lease than someone else might. It's also possible that he just feels like he can charge that.

Me, I'm more interested in how they treat me. Obviously I can't afford to be purchasing boxes from Sosa's, not on my budget anyway, but I don't have a problem spending some cash on a cigar or two & having a conversation with the employee's and other customers. As others have said, it's all about the experience.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Roger Miller"

And don't forget the applicable local and state taxes which you avoid (for now) when you buy on-line. Depending on you locale they can be considerable.

_____
rm

Shhhhhhh...the internet police are watching...

I agree with the others, I will go into my local shops for a couple singles, and pay a bit more, just so I can sit and shoot the chit with some other BOTLs and maybe learn some things or get some suggestions. Nice to rub some elbows with fellow cigar lovers since we haven't done much herfin' in Chicago yet.

[MiamiE]

ive been to Cigarz more than a few times. usually during october for horror nights.

[Cigar Chic]

There is no doubt that you can purchase cigars on line cheaper than going to a store. Like others have said.......it is well worth trying to coltivate a relationship with your local store. Granted prices are higher, but some of the benifits of a good relationship with your local store could "pay you back".

[IHT]

Originally Posted by Cigar Chic

There is no doubt that you can purchase cigars on line cheaper than going to a store. Like others have said.......it is well worth trying to coltivate a relationship with your local store. Granted prices are higher, but some of the benifits of a good relationship with your local store could "pay you back".

sounds like you work at a cigar shop?

[SIZE=1]yes, i know cigar chic from another forum... so i'm just teasing her.[/SIZE]

[Thurm15]

Originally Posted by Cigar Chic

There is no doubt that you can purchase cigars on line cheaper than going to a store. Like others have said.......it is well worth trying to coltivate a relationship with your local store. Granted prices are higher, but some of the benifits of a good relationship with your local store could "pay you back".

Listen, I have 3 other local stores that I can go to. This shop that I'm talking about in Particular is by far the Highest of them all. I've been to those Cigarette outlets with far less instock that sell they're sticks cheaper then he does. He's selling his sticks 20-30% higher than anyone else in the area. He prays on the unwitting noob or the wife looking for a Christmas Present. He's listed on AF site as an Authorized retailer so he's gotta be buying pretty good from them. I agree with you about having a good relationship with your local and I do. Just not with him.

[Funnymantrip]

Obviously price is a concern to most people, but also is not wasting your money. Without a local shop how would most of us have known what cigars we really like. How would we get to try all the new releases. Most of us won't buy a box of something we don't know about. Plus the online stores don't send me a nice table some chairs and a few people to talk with while I smoke their cigars.

[Cigar Chic]

Originally Posted by IHT

sounds like you work at a cigar shop?

[SIZE=1]yes, i know cigar chic from another forum... so i'm just teasing her.[/SIZE]

Yes I do IHT.
That is why I posted what I did. It is poor etiquette to walk into any cigar store and talk about getting prices on line, so of course he looked at you like you killed his puppy. There were other ways to talk with this guy about pricing.

[coppertop]

Originally Posted by Thurm15

Listen, I have 3 other local stores that I can go to. This shop that I'm talking about in Particular is by far the Highest of them all. I've been to those Cigarette outlets with far less instock that sell they're sticks cheaper then he does. He's selling his sticks 20-30% higher than anyone else in the area. He prays on the unwitting noob or the wife looking for a Christmas Present. He's listed on AF site as an Authorized retailer so he's gotta be buying pretty good from them. I agree with you about having a good relationship with your local and I do. Just not with him.

Just a little of my thinking here. First thought is maybe this guy pays more for the cigars he provides? Also the Cigarette outlets are a freeging joke when it comes to keeping the cigars at the right temp/humidity. So keep that in mind also. He has to keep the humidor humidified and keep it cool. Most cigarette outlets don't give a rats ass. The statement about him being listed by AF has no bearing on how much he buys or the deals he gets. That is there so people like yourself can find out where an "Authorized" dealer is. If he has nice cigars and provides you with good service and information then I say it is well worth the money. Don't go in there with a chip on your shoulder. I have paid more for domestics then almost all the cubans I've bought. But I have also enjoyed my time in a Cigar shop talking cigars with the people who work there. I, personally, think you were way off base to act so rashly. I would go back to that shop and talk to the guy who ownes it. If he sells a CAO Brazilia Gol for 8 bucks and someone else sells them for 6.50, ask him why his are $1.50 more? I'm sure he would be more then willing to tell you. He wants your buisness, but he doesn't need your attitude. Or to be reminded that you can buy them from JRs for cheaper.