Bad B & M Not Always Bad Thing

[Alex Svenson]

I know there are a lot of complaints about bad Brick and Mortar operations that people visit, but for keen eye in these shops it can really work to your advantage. Case in point. I am visiting family right now in a different city and found a cigar shop late last night on my way home from dinner. I figured I would stop in and scope out the selection. Walked out with a dozen Partagas 150 Ramon y Ramon from 1995 and I paid $12 a stick for them. Clearly the guy working the store had no idea what he had in inventory. I know some collectors that pay upwards of $100 a stick for these.

Last year a similar thing happened when I went into a store and saw some CAO boxes in the back on the floor in the humidor. By the boxes I recognized they were from the late 90's when the anniversary just came out and was made in Costa Rica. Not only did I buy them, I convinced the shop owner that I knew he has these in inventory for many years and he should sell them to me for 30% off msrp to clear them out.

Anyway, just my .02 but I thought you guys would get a kick out of my steal last night. Cant wait to light one of the babies up.

[smokinj]

Originally Posted by Alex Svenson

I know there are a lot of complaints about bad Brick and Mortar operations that people visit, but for keen eye in these shops it can really work to your advantage. Case in point. I am visiting family right now in a different city and found a cigar shop late last night on my way home from dinner. I figured I would stop in and scope out the selection. Walked out with a dozen Partagas 150 Ramon y Ramon from 1995 and I paid $12 a stick for them. Clearly the guy working the store had no idea what he had in inventory. I know some collectors that pay upwards of $100 a stick for these.

Last year a similar thing happened when I went into a store and saw some CAO boxes in the back on the floor in the humidor. By the boxes I recognized they were from the late 90's when the anniversary just came out and was made in Costa Rica. Not only did I buy them, I convinced the shop owner that I knew he has these in inventory for many years and he should sell them to me for 30% off msrp to clear them out.

Anyway, just my .02 but I thought you guys would get a kick out of my steal last night. Cant wait to light one of the babies up.

That is a steal what you paid for the Ramon y Ramons. Which vitola were they. I love the Nino & Padrino's.

[Alex Svenson]

Looks like a lonsdale. 7 x 46 perhaps.

[LkyLindy]

It's a laugh when amateurs try making a go of something that sounds like a good idea BUT that they haven't a clue about

You can tell right away if the owner knows anything about cigars

[ER Doc]

That is an awesome find. Congratulations.

See...this just gives me more reason to visit more B&Ms!

[karmaz00]

very nice. good find

[big04deuce]

Nice find there! I would never be so lucky...lol!

[pv1191-cl]

I was at a B&M in the Sacramento area just after Christmas. It has been there for quite a few years. The owner decided to clean out some of his cabinets and found some old stuff that had fallen behind the shelves. There were two LFD Culebras with 1999 and 2000 dated boxes, some RyJ's, LGC's Serie R, and some HUpmann tubos. All of which in sizes he said he had not carried since 2000 or before. Needless to say I bought them all. And for a good price too, he forgot what they were supposed to be marked and gave them to me for $3 to $5 each.

[iloveclmore]

I wish this kind of thing would happen to me! Nice find!

[Brazilla-cl]

I heard a guy found a '59 Les Paul in a pawn shop for $150 bucks one time too but as with that, these steals are few and far between.

[eggwhites]

good haul!

[sofaman]

Truly a great find!!!

[Scoop]

Nice find! I would imagine your eyes lit up like lights on broadway.

[Alex Svenson]

Ya my eyes lit up like the fourth of july when i saw the original partagas 150 assortment box. At first i figured it was just the empty box since those are collectable also. Then when I opened it and saw cigars, "ahhh those must be the partagas 160 released in 2005 put in this 150 box". Then when I saw the Ramon y Ramon I almost crapped my pants when I saw the 12.00 price. I told myself "keep your cool.... dont attract attention.... just buy and go before anyone knows what is going on"

[El Lechero]

Smooth operator!!!