Local B&M pricing vs Online pricing

[glking]

Looks like that data is almost 10 years old. A lot of states are way higher than what it shows.

[Skinsfan]

The b&m I go to ( www.titancigar.com ) offers memberships. You dont have to be a member to shop there or even use the lounge but membership gives you a private box, wireless internet access and DISCOUNTs on cigars and drinks.

It is as important as ever now to support your local b&m's as so many anti cigar laws are coming into play across the country.

[glking]

Here is a link that shows state tobacco taxes as of Jan. 1.

http://www.taxadmin.org/FTA/rate/otp.html

[Bob]

I can get 10-20 percent off a box purchase at the B&M. Sometimes I have been known to get 40% off a box that is a close out. The drawback is that the B&M does not have all the sticks that are avalible so Online is the only other option. Single sticks are expensive as I am concerned.

[Ratters]

Unfortunately I could never afford to feed my cigar addiction at my local B&M, though it is a great shop. I do stop by at least once a month and buy about $50 in singles to try new stuff out.

[hornitosmonster]

It is usually because of the Taxes...But the big websites (who usually have large B&M's as well) are able to offer better deals because they can afford do so...

I try and support local B&m's, Cigar King, Cigar Warehouse, Habanos Torres

[BigDawgFan]

Originally Posted by BlueHavanaII

Bottom line is...
...do you want the future of cigar smoking to be as impersonal as going online to select a product you haven't seen, possibly haven't yet tried, pay for in advance, wait for your product to arrive and, if you are not happy, wait for a replacement or a refund, and smoke in your backyard, or...
...would you rather go to your local B&M, discuss the art of premium cigars, personally select your sticks and relax and enjoy your cigars with friends.

It also has to do with your choices of "local" B&M. The only good one I have near me is currently located in Alpharetta which is about an hour and a half away.

[krash]

I'm not very close to a local B&M (closest being Twin Cities Metro), so all my pickups have been online, and the samplers BOTL's have listed here. As no one I know smokes cigars, the only reviews I see are here. So far, it has worked out fairly well.

[rx2010]

I love my local B&M, prices are equal to or often better than Holts and CI and those places, good staff and a nice humidor. It's a small shop, not the least bit fancy, but knows the fuente's well (lots of Opus and Anejos despite being smallish) and great prices on everything.
Meanwhile a couple hours down the road in lubbock I can have the privilage of paying 1-2 bucks more a stick at a "nicer" shop

[dennis569]

Originally Posted by glking

Here is a link that shows state tobacco taxes as of Jan. 1.

http://www.taxadmin.org/FTA/rate/otp.html

My God! I had no idea my state, (Nevada) had a 30% tax rate.
I can remember when we had just about the lowest taxes in the
country. Property taxes have sure gone up too.
I'm about 4 hours from Reno so most of my purchases are online.
If you're in Reno check out Dimas Cigars on 1200 Rock Ave.
He is from Esteli and a little hard to understand but his smokes are well
worth it. He will roll them while you watch.
There is also a tinderbox in Reno. Small selection but real nice folks.
I was in there 2 weeks ago and the sneaky bugger threw in a Peppin
I hadn't tried yet. I didn't discouver it untill I got home.

[Steeleagle]

Jim at BlueHavanaII hit the nail on the head. I can definitely get my cigars and accessories cheaper online, BUT I do pay a price for that. If you have never been to Jim's store, then you are missing out on why a good B&M is so enjoyable. Yes, you will pay a little more. But what I receive (information opinion, knowledge, etc.) is well worth the few extra dollars. Very happy and lyal BlueHavanaII customer. If you have never been there, you MUST stop when in hte Atlanta area!!!!!

[OB1 Stogie]

Originally Posted by JJG

I consider myself extremely lucky to have a B&M here in Houston that chooses not to mark up their singles. On top of that, they always have lots of 64's and 26's in stock at $8-15 a piece. In many cases I have found that they charge less than their online competitors.

Where in Houston???? I'm re-locating after the first of the year and would love to have the "important" things figured out before I get there.

[TheDirector]

Here the B&M prices are at least triple accross the board. Understandable (for the most part) with super high taxes and big town overhead. So when I want to try something new I head down to one of my few top notch retailers and find something different to try. Some have smoking rooms that are great with our rainy weather here. Smoking is now banned on restaurant patios and the B&M smoking rooms are next on the list. The LCDH in Vancouver spent 300K$ on the ventilation for their room this year and it may be shut down in 6 months!

I buy boxes online and singles at the good B&M

[xxwaldoxx]

All of the shops that I have been to here in PA have been fairly reasonable with their prices. They don't normally have anywhere near the selection available online, but in the end I am going to the shop to support the owner and hang out with the regulars (which I have become myself).

As long as the shop carries a few brands that I enjoy and doesn't have any intentions of killing with their prices I'll head over without hesitation to pick up a cigar to smoke on the spot.

I stop in my local shop once a week and spend between $20.00 - $25.00 on few cigars and hang out for a few hours. While the dollar amount doesn't seem like much, the owner seems to appreciate it and for that he has my business.

[RapidTransit]

Originally Posted by BigDawgFan

Ok, so here is my Noob question for the day. I understand that online dealers usually have an advantage over your local b&m when it comes to pricing.

Actually that is in most cases completely false.