Developing that local shop relationship

[Da Klugs]

We have IMHO the greatest local shop. Try to go a couple times a week. Buy things. Bring a cigar for the proprietor. It is a social and educational experience.

Yesterday dividends were received. 03's at cost... oooohhh!

[CrazyFool]

AAGHHHH!!! LUCKY!!!! man that is so damn swet Klugs, i love those Libertys. put one up in smoke for me!

I try not to reek of chummyness when i visit a shop for the first time, but its hard! i want to be the righ hand man right away so i get the Opus call and thigs like this congrats on the buy, very nice!!!!!

[Charles]

Good for you! Very valuable lesson for all of us on-line purchasers.

[bruceolee]

It's just not fair................Not fair at all.


Dave, you're an inspiration.

[txmatt]

So when are the surplus cigars going on the auction block??

Originally Posted by Da Klugs

We have IMHO the greatest local shop. Try to go a couple times a week. Buy things. Bring a cigar for the proprietor. It is a social and educational experience.

Yesterday dividends were received. 03's at cost... oooohhh!

[RcktS4]

Originally Posted by txmatt

So when are the surplus cigars going on the auction block??

Surplus cigars? You do know we're talking about Dave, right?

[Da Klugs]

Originally Posted by RcktS4

Surplus cigars? You do know we're talking about Dave, right?

This was me playing BMOC a bit. 2 full boxes - one for Sam and one for Doug (my business partners) Mine has/had 7 in it. They are in fact surplus as I got it for the big box to put singles in.

I intend to ship them "out of state" in the coming months.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by RcktS4

Surplus cigars? You do know we're talking about Dave, right?

I don't think his seams have burst quite yet. There is still room under the kid's beds.

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Fantastic! I have seven remaining in my box that I bought at an auction for Katrina relief. I paid a lot more than cost, I can tell you.

Well done, and I agree with you about a local B&M. It's good to do business with local shops. If you create a good relationship, you reap the rewards of perks that few others will experience.

Doc

[Alpedhuez55]

For me, I knew I was when they would sell you some ISOMs from behind the counter.

It is nice to have a relationship with the local shops. Maybe you will get a call when they get the Opus X shipment. I had one give me a box of Cigars once. I said he should sell a couple of brands, and they both started to sell very well.

[Cartierusm]

I have a relationship with my local shop, I know the owners and the employees but I never buy, almost never. I pickup a CA every once in a while to see what FLUFF they are printing. But at my local shop everything is super expensive. A camacho goes for at least $10, seriously!!! I mean for $12 ea I can buy a Hoyo De Monterrey Double Corona, to me the best cigar there is.

[TypeO-]

I think it stinks that you have to form a relationship with a shop to get the good stuff, but unfortunately, many shops operate that way.

Luckily, I have a relationship with a couple shops. I'm priveledged enough to get 10 cigars when the limit is 2 or get a box from the "hidden" stash. This relationship comes at a cost though. The more money you spend, the better the relationship.

[12stones]

Originally Posted by TypeO-

The more money you spend, the better the relationship.

Not necessarily. I've got a great relationship at a store in Cali that started out with me as a regular customer and then grew with spending time (not money) there. I'd only spend $6 when I went, which was usually only once a week, but I'd smoke it there and chat, watch TV, etc. That led to random ISOMs or special deals and even free smokes and, trust me, I wished I could spend more money in his store than I did. We're still friends and talk every once in awhile.

[DWSC_Bob]

Developing a relationship with your local shop(s) has more value than getting a discount or a piece of the special prize. It is also a good way to find out about new offerings from both cigar manufacturers and accessory manufacturers. There can be a great deal of knowledge that is shared in a good shop and a relationship with the staff can have other rewards as well. Without the local shops, where would we buy the singles that lead us to the boxes? And where would we find that sweet dark maduro that is only available froma few shops? Don't give up on the local shops, they not only provide knowledge but also provide jobs for local residents as well.

Besides, you can always use a place to duck into aout of the cold/rain/wind that will let you smoke a cigar. These may be the only public places left soon that will allow any form of smoking.

[palm55]

Sweet deal you got there!!!

Dealing with the local B&M is a catch 22 thing, but my wife actually urges me to stop in and pick up a couple of sticks when we're in town... Just as she favors a couple of other small merchants in town over the Walmart up the road.

Sure, I'm a C-bidder, and my local B&M guy KNOWS it... Perhaps that's why he's consistently friendly, helpful, and appreciative of my patronage.