Tatuaje event...

[Bruzee]

I just returned from the Tatuaje event at Cigars LTD in Clovis. As always the owner provided FREE food (tri-tip, beans and rice pilaf), sodas and beer. This event has featured some of the best cigar makers, and has a someone different every month. I have smoked Rocky Patel, La Flor Dominicana, NUB, Drew Estates, CAO ect..... All of these cigar reps have offered a FREE stick to each customer that showed up for the promotion. In addition the have great discounts on boxes or singles for this day only. Today, Tatuaje is not offering the customary free cigar, but instead offers ONE cigar at 1/2 price, and everything after that full price. Not to mention the sticks are outragously priced to begin with. They are offering 10% off their boxes, which start at $190.00 each.

I guess that I am just taken back by the way this company is approaching this promotional event. How can they think they are leaving a good taste in thier customers mouthes? Dozens of top-notch promoters have come into the same location and offered free sticks and bigger discounts on boxes. A lot fewer people tasted the Tatuaje product today! Thus, a lot fewer future customers. You cannot argue the quality and taste that Tatuaje offers. For some, this is their #1 smoke. I went to this event with great expectations, and I left dissapointed. I expected great things from one of the world's top cigar makers.....

[Darrell]

Pete and Tatuaje have established themselves so strong they don't have to give you free sticks anymore. I understand your frustration as 10% isn't shit for a discount on a $200+ box after tax. I'm sorry you have such a bad taste in your mouth now, maybe you should contact Tatuaje and voice your opinion, not in the capacity to be an agry patron, but to inform them that you felt they did not put on as great of a tasting as others.

[orca99usa]

I had the same experience at a Camacho event. There weren't even discounts on single sticks, just on boxes. My budget doesn't allow for massive purchases of things I like, let alone something I have never tried. I expected more. Handing out a single stick in the hope of creating a long-time customer doesn't seem like much of an investment to me, but apparently some companies believe even that is too much.

[Bruzee]

Originally Posted by Darrell

Pete and Tatuaje have established themselves so strong they don't have to give you free sticks anymore. I understand your frustration as 10% isn't shit for a discount on a $200+ box after tax. I'm sorry you have such a bad taste in your mouth now, maybe you should contact Tatuaje and voice your opinion, not in the capacity to be an agry patron, but to inform them that you felt they did not put on as great of a tasting as others.

Darrell, I agree that they have established themselves. But so have the other MAJOR cigar brands that I mentioned. But I got to tell you, there is something about getting a free stick, and trying their newest product without paying an arm and a leg. You are probably right, that I should voice my simple opinion. Pete and his rep were nice enough, and their cigar was GREAT.

[Boom]

I just came home from this event and Pete is a great guy!!! Smaller boutique line don't have the big overhead like General cigars and like said before dont have to give out freebies. I got him to sign a hat and ashtray I got as fathers day gifts. Not to correct you but boxes were 15% off and it gave you 5 free sticks, 3 of which were Tat Blacks in robusto size, plus 5 raffle tickets for some awsome prizes... I can say it was great getting to talk to Pete and smoking one with a great creator of today's top smokes....

[Bruzee]

Originally Posted by Boom

I just came home from this event and Pete is a great guy!!! Smaller boutique line don't have the big overhead like General cigars and like said before dont have to give out freebies. I got him to sign a hat and ashtray I got as fathers day gifts. Not to correct you but boxes were 15% off and it gave you 5 free sticks, 3 of which were Tat Blacks in robusto size, plus 5 raffle tickets for some awsome prizes... I can say it was great getting to talk to Pete and smoking one with a great creator of today's top smokes....

Agreed on all points. I was just blowing off a little steam here. For the record, Pete was super busy, which I understand, and his rep told me 10%. I was not willing to spend $200+ on a box of smokes I had never tried. Therefore, I wasn't getting anything free. I think its great the owner of the company took the time to talk with you and sign your gear. The point of this thread was only to express my dissappointment with the sales strategy. Nothing more....

[Bobb]

I work at a B&M and I have been lucky enough to have great conversations with a lot of people in the cigar retail business. I have found that many times when stores have events offering a free cigar, people show up JUST for the free cigar and leave. I am not saying that anyone here is like that, but as a retailer, it is VERY frustrating. Certain companies have different views on how to promote their product. For example: CAO enjoys spending a LOT of money on advertisement, handing out lots of cigars, and throwing huge parties with Ex Motley-Crue members. This obviously works for them...who here has not heard of CAO? However, I guess it is companies like this that put that expectation in our minds...that they owe us something, but in all actuality, they don't. Events are a great why for shops and cigar companies to let people know about their product. Some do it by giving away samples, other do it just by throwing the name around and providing information about their line. I think we should all be willing to except either as a gift.

Just my , I meant no disrespect to anyone in anyway

[Darrell]

Originally Posted by Boom

I just came home from this event and Pete is a great guy!!! Smaller boutique line don't have the big overhead like General cigars and like said before dont have to give out freebies. I got him to sign a hat and ashtray I got as fathers day gifts. Not to correct you but boxes were 15% off and it gave you 5 free sticks, 3 of which were Tat Blacks in robusto size, plus 5 raffle tickets for some awsome prizes... I can say it was great getting to talk to Pete and smoking one with a great creator of today's top smokes....

Those Black Robusto's are damn good.

[Addiction]

Originally Posted by Bobb

I work at a B&M and I have been lucky enough to have great conversations with a lot of people in the cigar retail business. I have found that many times when stores have events offering a free cigar, people show up JUST for the free cigar and leave. I am not saying that anyone here is like that, but as a retailer, it is VERY frustrating........

Well in point of fact given the number of people on this board some of us are JUST like that lol. Its bound to be so.

As to the OP I get your point but I can see Pete's as well. You dont go to Burger King and ask for a free sandwich so you can figure out if you want one. Most of us would never consider that behavior.

[Bruzee]

Maybe I should have never opened my mouth. But I did, and I have to tell you, I AM NOT one of "those" who simply go for the hand outs. I was simply comparing my experiences with a dozen other events. I have to say that there have been some very valid points here, many against my agruement. And each of them I can definately agree with. But one's perception is their reality.

[cigarlvr]

My question would be was this really a sponsored even from Tatauje or just the dealer putting on an event and calling it a Tatuaje party. I would also think it would be up to the owner of the place to if they want to discount the cigars or not. I would think that they have to be careful being the supply is so low if they sell all of the sticks at a discount they would hve none to sell to regulars who keeps there doors open. I personally could care less if they were offering discounts or giving away a cigar at an event. Yes I would be first in line to get a black robusto but not because it was free but because the other blacks are great and think this would even be better. Just to meet Pete or his reps and learning about the brand would be enough for me and would be my reason to go.

[doctorcue]

Hey man, I hear what you are saying. I guess these type of things either need to be labeled "samplings" or "events". From the B&M that is near me; they buy all of the sticks to hand out for the event and hope to get that on the back end of purchases. Some can't always offer that. There were two events promoting Tatuaje and one had a free stick & the other didn't. They did both offer discounts on various Tatuaje purchases.

Take the good with the bad ya know? Me myself? Well I'm just a sucker for anything Tatuaje so I buy up regardless. Damn black labels!

[Boom]

Bruzee Its great you posted, you beat me to the post. After all you are all respeted for you thoughts and opinions, thats what make the forum so great. I too was a bit disappointed at no freebie,...oh wait I did walk out with 2 free sticks a La riqueza no 3 and a p series from Micha, I ask Pete how fresh to La riquza were and the problem I had with it being soft and he gladly comp me a stick. I too was turned off by the 1/2 off deal, but I have to agree you get alot of people that come only go for freebies and not to socialize at a great opertunity. My mail goal was to get my ashtray signed and meet Pete, that was my highlight of the event. Sorry I didnt get to meet you, I too am in Fresno. We should get together some time. Till later......

[Bruzee]

Originally Posted by cigarlvr

My question would be was this really a sponsored even from Tatauje or just the dealer putting on an event and calling it a Tatuaje party. I would also think it would be up to the owner of the place to if they want to discount the cigars or not. I would think that they have to be careful being the supply is so low if they sell all of the sticks at a discount they would hve none to sell to regulars who keeps there doors open. I personally could care less if they were offering discounts or giving away a cigar at an event. Yes I would be first in line to get a black robusto but not because it was free but because the other blacks are great and think this would even be better. Just to meet Pete or his reps and learning about the brand would be enough for me and would be my reason to go.

To answer your question, yes it was sponsored by Tatuaje. I know this since the owner of the company (Pete) was there. Who by the way is a super nice guy. And like you, I also don't mind buying cigars. My point was not that I was pissed because I didn't get something free. It was just my perception of their appealing to me, the new customer, versus the other big brands. Simple as that. I expected one thing, but got another. But I am definately softening my stance after reading alot of good arguements.

[kgraybill]

Bruzee, I see your point. Not having freebies is out of the norm. I never expect it when attending but it is great when they do.
I recently went to a Punch event with the intent of getting a handfull of Punch singles before I left. When I was ready to go, I cruized the Humi to select some of the product they were promoting and the only had 4 Punch singles in the entire store (other than the freebies that the rep brought with her). I came out of the humi with a handfull and not all were the reps brand and she kinda frowned because I did not buy one of the boxes.

I cant imagine a B&M having an event when they dont stock that brand.
I'm sure the rep was not happy with them.