B & M vs. Internet retailer

[Reverend Mike]

We let our locker holders store whatever they want in there. We ask them to make sure all their sticks are boxed or bagged to keep the possibility of beatles low as we don't always know how well the out of store stuff is handled.

Again, I know that cigar smokers will buy from us because we're just such great hosts here (seriously). People that buy lots online still buy from us because we are their home away from home.

You have to have confidence in your business and the rest will fall into place.

[Reverend Mike]

Originally Posted by sseagle

... and HE CHECKED MY ID!!!

Funny, that's how I met my wife -- checking here ID at a bar where I bounced. It was a great way to pick-up chicks!

[FrankSantos-cl]

This is a fantastic thread.

I love hearing all of these perspectives.

[buttah]

We have to support our local shoppes if we want them to be around in a few years. Online is definetly cheaper but a website doesn't provide leather couches, TV's and the company of other smokers. Whenever my B&M has an event I buy a box or at least a good handful. I buy 2 or 3 sticks everytime I go in. But I make my large purchases online unless the B&M is close enough in price.

Sadly I have been in a B&M that no longer allowed outside smokes bc they had problems with people coming in and never buying anything. They finally put their foot down when a couple of these people started telling their customers not to waste their money in here you could get them cheaper online. THEY SAID THIS IN THE STORE! Thats just disrespectful and if I'd heard that I would have said something.

[ByrneBrew]

I also think this is interesting. I buy both on line and at the Local B&M's (We have 4). After a while the folks at the B&Ms become friends. They know I buy on line but I also am pretty consistent in buying there. It would never occur to me to smoke a cigar in their lounge that I didn't but there, UNLESS it was something they did not have and never tried. Then I bring enough to share with the guys who run it.

Just my .02

[Mtmouse]

Originally Posted by mountchuck

I checked out the rules if you had a locker, and was really irritated. You are restricted to only storing cigars AND accessories purchased at that store.

If you are only allowed to store what you bought there, why would you need a locker? Isn't that what their humidor is for?

[Wiseash-cl]

This topic has been hashed many times on this board, but it's always interesting to get new perspectives and especially to hear what the store owners think about it. Of course, we never hear from the online-only retailers. What can they say other than, "We just want your money, go make friends on your own."

[nativetexan_1]

My B&M (if you want to call it that) is a cigarette store that has a few cigars. Besides that, I would have to drive 40 miles to a cigar store. So, I have little local selection and, hence, depend on internet retailers. So far, I've had no trouble with them.

[chip19]

I always try my local B&M first when it comes to big purchases. If I'm going to buy a box I will check there prices and I'm always willing to pay a little more for the service and atmosphere they privide for the cigar family. With a limited cigar budget it sometimes just doesn't make sense to buy from the B&M when you can get it so much cheaper online. I always give them the chance first though. Now if I had deep pockets I would never buy online. Unfortunatly that is not the case, so sometimes I do what I have to do in order to get the best deal. I'm sure most B&M's would understand that.
When it come to singles, in my opinion you should always suport the B&M.

As far as smoking a foreign stick in a B&M, I sometimes do so, because I have my favorites that they just don't carry, but I will always buy a few sticks from them first and then light up what I'm wanting to smoke that day. Long story short support the B&M when you can, but sometimes you got to do what you got to do.

[goyankees]

I think the key is becoming a regular somewhere. My local B&Ms give me a 10% discount on a regular basis for being a loyal customer. They know I shop online, but I always stop by once a week even if its for a quick smoke. There are a lot of cigars you will never find online, so finding a B&M that carries items like that is key.

As far as smoking in a shop a cigar that is not theirs, it depends. One place I go to in NJ (Barrister Cigars) has a average collection at best. No rare hard to find cigars, but I find a cigar I like to smoke when there because I like the people there. $6-7 to hang out for 2-3 hrs watching a game or BS is a small price to pay in support. But there are people who go there who constantly bring their own and it doesn't bother him in the least, which makes no sense. If it was my place they would be out on their ass.

Originally Posted by bigslim

I understand how important it is to support local B&M's, but how do you handle limited selection and higher prices?

Next question if you purchase a smoke from somewhere other than the B&M is it acceptable to smoke in the store?

[leafandale]

Tons of great opinions echoed here... and all of them are spot on. I hope you got your answer, bigslim. Get online what you can't get at the B&M, and forge a relationship with your B&M... it will pay off in spades in the future. Many stores offer "Frequent Shopper" programs much like Sams Club. That is a really good way to get better prices on a lot of premium smokes that aren't discounted online because deep discounting is discouraged by the manufacturer.
If you have a good relationship with the B&M, they won't mind you bringing your own in once in awhile.

[TravelingJ-cl]

I try out a bunch of different B&M's (and always buy a few sticks in every single store I enter) and must say-that some of what the retailers here are saying, rings true from the moment you walk in. I've been in one that asked me to stay and smoke some of my sticks. I've been in others where it was obvious that I was not a regular, and wouldn't not be treated as such until I became one. The places that treat you like family instantly (Centro cigars was one of those for me) makes you just WANT to go in and give them your business. The one in my home town? I'd rather order online then drive over there. Great selection, people seem to love the staff, but I think they are rude and pompous. I can save money online and feel better...but when a place treats their customers right, it makes me forget I can order online.

[sofaman]

The closest B&M to me is about 75 miles away so I purchase everything of off the internet and Members of this Board!!!

[Cigary]

This is something that we all have to deal with in terms of supporting local B&M's and yet be able to get a good deal on our own cigars and being able to find what we are looking for. The Internet has made it very convenient for us to shop around without having to go from store to store to do our comparison shopping. The reputable Internet shops know this and are always trying to outdo themselves when advertising cigars. I myself, shop quite abit online for my cigars and get some very good deals and look on here at the Cigar Special posts from others who give out some really good deals.

When I travel and go into a B&M to smoke I will always suport that business by purchasing a cigar but will always bring my own as well. When I support a local B&M I try to get to know the owner and help them in their business and build a rapport so that the friendship is beneficial for both of us. It's a 2 way street where everyone should win.