Intrusive B&M Sales Help

[rsamos]

I've never been to any of the shops in the 'Tonka area, but Burn down in Burnsville is (I think) affiliated with one of them. I go in there all the time, and even from my first visit they've been great.

If they see you coming in the door, they'll greet you. If they don't know you, they'll ask if you need any help. If anyone goes into the humi, one of them will come in and ask if you need help finding anything. If not, then they'll leave you on your own. If you take a long time, then they might come back in and see if you really don't need any help. Heck - they leave me in there 20 minutes at a time w/o bugging me, and most the time it's just schmoozing when they do. Great shop.

[Beagle Boy]

Burn is affiliated with Tobacco Grove in Maple Grove - Jeff and Joel sold the controlling interest in Burn to James earlier this year, but they are still involved

Originally Posted by rsamos

I've never been to any of the shops in the 'Tonka area, but Burn down in Burnsville is (I think) affiliated with one of them. I go in there all the time, and even from my first visit they've been great.

If they see you coming in the door, they'll greet you. If they don't know you, they'll ask if you need any help. If anyone goes into the humi, one of them will come in and ask if you need help finding anything. If not, then they'll leave you on your own. If you take a long time, then they might come back in and see if you really don't need any help. Heck - they leave me in there 20 minutes at a time w/o bugging me, and most the time it's just schmoozing when they do. Great shop.

[Totemic]

Originally Posted by BlackDog

Thansk guys, I'll just strike up some conversation next time like you suggest. The possibility of theft crossed my mind. These two B&M's are within a mile or two of one another, so it is possible they have been experiencing some theft. Thanks for the advice.

It's probably the case.
I know the B&M I go to have enough sales people that I don't necessarily know everyone of them. The ones that don't know me by sight, typically find some excuse to be in the humidor with me (either re-arranging or doing inventory, whatever). But once I start asking them about cigars and/or strike up a conversation with them, they're polite and within just a few mins, find something else that needs their attention.

I suspect it's just more to get a "feel" of the person in the humidor (of course, it doesn't help that I usually am dressed very casual--worn out old jeans + t-shirt hovering over Ashton VSG's I'm sure will give any sales people pause). The sales people who know me by sight, just gives me free reign with their humidor and only come around when I need to ask them something.

About the only complaint I have with them are their prices, but I suspect given that I live in Washington with their retarded tobacco taxes, it can't be helped (ironically, the PAMs at this B&M when I can find them in stock, are actually cheaper than the ones I can get online--go figure).

[Snake Hips]

Even the first time I went to my favorite shop, the guy only came in for a minute to ask for my ID, and offered his help and left. I'm almost always in the humidor alone, and even when staff are in there they don't follow me around. They all know me by name now though, which is kind of sad...the manager told me today "Tyler, either I'm going to have to give you a membership, or I'm going to have to call the cops on you for vagrancy." I've been in for long lengths of time the last few days for various reasons, to say the least...

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Shotgunjimmy

Im curious though, how do you tell from smelling the cigar that it is plugged?

Me too.

[leafandale]

As long as there are ---holes who continue to steal instead of paying like everyone else, you will continue to be closely watched until the shop owner knows your face. Maybe the threat of my Palio on their pinky finger will help reduce the 5 finger discount. If I was real good with Photoshop, that would make a heck of a poster!!

[Finfan]

havent read the whole thread but yes, I prefer to be left alone in a B&M. the most annoying thing is when the owner/worker comes with you and raves about all sticks--ie there are no bad sticks. i guess this is salesmanship, but either at a car dealer or B&M, it comes off as quite fake. that being said, i do value and support B&Ms as it would suck if they went away. but the trick is finding a good one.

[ca21455]

Besides the joy of spending copious amounts of time looking around a well stocked humidor I love shooting the breeze with knowledgeable staff. Do not have any good local stores, but have visited many great B & M's in my travels. Have not had the problem of being followed just for the sake of watching, however I am in my 50's and regardless of how I dress, have not had the problem of being spied on. I guess that may change once I turn 60, ya know them old farts shop lift like a hunting dog!

Did have one guy hound me. After striking up a conversation it was clearly evident the guy had no idea what he was talking about. It was also obvious he was trying to push his slow moving cigars. I politely asked he let me browse around for awhile and he backed off, but soon returned full force. I purchased a couple of smokes and left.

I really feel for the guys trying to make it in this business. With the outrageous taxes and stiff competition from on-line vendors it is pretty tough to make a profit. Cut them some slack, try to get to know them and if you are still uncomfortable, try another store.

Good luck and hope you find a nice place to shop.

[Full_Metal_Humidor]

here in the Milwaukee/Greenfield area, there are a couple of local cigar stores. but one of them is called the Smokers Club. the interior looks nice and the walk in humidor has a good selection, but the thing that pisses me off is that this guy owns it and has his two daughters work there. the thing is though, that they (daughters) know nothing about cigars(and i never seen the guy), they just sit there, even one time they tried over-charging me and my buddy on some CAO America Potomacs. i guess i should be an ass and ask some recommendations on a nice full-bodied or very mild cigar(i dont like mild cigars), or ask about a nice cigar with a cameroon wrapper, they would have no clue.

[hornitosmonster]

I don't mind them coming to help. I think

1. it is their job to help
2. they are bored out of their minds

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by Finfan

havent read the whole thread but yes, I prefer to be left alone in a B&M. the most annoying thing is when the owner/worker comes with you and raves about all sticks--ie there are no bad sticks. i guess this is salesmanship, but either at a car dealer or B&M, it comes off as quite fake. that being said, i do value and support B&Ms as it would suck if they went away. but the trick is finding a good one.

Haha, I hate that too. But the guys at my B&M aren't afraid to tell you their opinion...I was asking about [this particular $22 cigar] and he waited for the manager to leave the humidor and just goes - "Those suuuuuuck!"

And now my best friend works there, and his first assignment is to smoke one of every kind of cigar they have in stock, so I'm not worried about this problem anymore...

And they gave me a free membership

[Spect]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shotgunjimmy
Im curious though, how do you tell from smelling the cigar that it is plugged?

Originally Posted by Icehog

Me too.

It was a joke fellas.

Not that I'd put it past some people though....

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by Spect

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shotgunjimmy
Im curious though, how do you tell from smelling the cigar that it is plugged?



It was a joke fellas.

Not that I'd put it past some people though....

I've seen guys take the cigar, close one nostril with their pointer finger, stick the foot of the cigar against the other, and sniff as hard as possible...what are they accomplishing with that one? And also licking them...I've seen it...

[Addiction]

It sounds like they've already prejudged you buddy. At this point I think you'd be completely within your rights to wait until the guy comes in, point at something on the ceiling and as soon as he looks up to see it kick him in the package so hard his balls rise up enough to look like earrings. Then grab a box or two of the most expensive smoke they stock and make a run for it.

Oh and if you can manage to take some candy from a baby carriage or maybe kick an 89 year old woman down some stairs for $1.13 that would totally complete the picture......

Originally Posted by BlackDog

There are several nice B&M's here in the Minneapolis area, two of which are in the Minnetonka area, on my way home from work. I've stopped at both to buy sticks, and they each have a nice selection. But what bugs me is that they both basically follow a customer into the humidor and stand and watch while you make your selections. I realize I haven't been in their stores enough that they "know" me, but it really puts me off. I'm usually dressed in slacks and a button down shirt, so I'm not "sleezy" looking. Since I'm new to cigars, I want to be able to take my time and make my selections, read the little signs, compare prices, etc. It's very off-putting to have someone follow me up one side of the humidor and down the other.

So, if you happen to be reading this, please back off. If I want help or have questions I'll be only too happy to ask.

[BlackDog]

You may recall a couple weeks ago I made a post about feeling "hurried" by shop employees when I was in the humidor. Addiction has it posted right above here. Well, I visited again today and had a TOTALLY different experience. Some of you suggested that I start some discussion with the shop keeper. Well I did, and you were right. I was interested in some small spicy cigars, and he showed me what they had. Not a large selection (although they did have a quite a few small cigars in tins), but some excellent quality. Not only was he helpful, but said that he liked the RP Vintage, but that it wasn't spicy, more mild. But based upon his recommendation I bought it anyhow. He also signed me up for their email mailing list so I will know when they have events and promotions. This visit was MUCH nicer than the last one. So thanks for your suggestions, it really made my visit more comfortable.