Buying Singles On The Net

[Reverend Mike]

I'm in the process of taking our B&M online with a store and I'm wondering if being able to buy singles an important option to those of you who shop on the net? Is it reasonable to set a minimum of five sticks mix-and-match on a purchase like this? Would you expect to pay closer to MSRP for that kind of service?

[Labman-cl]

I'd say you'd have to have a minimum number of sticks you can buy just because of shipping costs. But, I'd say if the B&M could set up samplers of 5 sticks or so that would be a good seller as well.

[Cigar Jack-cl]

If the buyer is paying shipping I don't see why you should set a limit. If you offer free shipping I'd set a $ amount minimum. If the B&M doesn't want to do that much work I'd just sell Fivers.

[xxwaldoxx-cl]

I prefer to buy 5 packs online over singles. If I want one or two single sticks I try and get them from my local shops. if they don't have them I'll either hunt down a 5 pack or not buy them at all.

[BeerAdvocate-cl]

I think singles with a 5 stick minimum is reasonable.

[ReV]

how does TampaHumidor do it? i think you can buy just one or two and have free shipping on that... one reason i like em... do they just take a loss for that?

[l0venpeace-cl]

Originally Posted by ReV

how does TampaHumidor do it? i think you can buy just one or two and have free shipping on that... one reason i like em... do they just take a loss for that?

I would imagine so. The cost of shipping alone would wipe out the profit margin on a single stick.

[ReV]

hmm... i've never ordered just ONE stick, but last time i ordered just a few and they let me with the 'free shipping' maybe they make up for it in other sales... buts its definately one reason i'll keep buying from them 1 stick or 5 boxes.

anyrate, its nice to have somewhere that does that, but i dont exactly see a 5 stick minimum as 'unreasonable' , most people would just as soon go to a local place to pick up singles, and if a mix-n-match is offered, anyone can find 4 other sticks that they want and are cheap enough to justify buying , and the only business you'd be loosing is folks buying just one from places like TH, and they probably wouldn't buy a sinlge stick from you either way if they had to pay $5 shipping on it... unless the cigar is really rare or expensive.

[Webmeister]

The only reason I would buy singles over a fiver is for something pricy and hard-to-find like a Liberty, Anejo, GOF, etc.

[stlcards]

Originally Posted by Cigar Jack

If the buyer is paying shipping I don't see why you should set a limit. If you offer free shipping I'd set a $ amount minimum. If the B&M doesn't want to do that much work I'd just sell Fivers.

x2

Sometimes you don't want a fiver, especially on the expensive stuff.

[tx_tuff]

Singles singles singles, its freaking awesome when you can find a online store that sells singles. You can charge the customer shipping thats no big deal. Not everybody has a nice B&M they can just go to and buy singles plust other people just like trying new stuff without buying a 5er of something you may not like or want. Before you know it that same customer may be buying by the box. Another thing keep the prices the same as your store price. Good luck

[happy1]

I have never bought a single online because it takes more than 1 to figure out if you like it or not,well it does for me anyhow