How much of a premium would you pay at your B&M versus online?

[Laserjock]

I am just curious what people are willing to pay as a premium at their local B&M shops versus purchasing online? I know the convenience and possible comraderie that you get at your local shop is worth something to some people, but what is that worth to you?

[Ermo]

Thats a tough question. My B&M is so expensive I barely shop there, and I really want to support a B&M. They charge $7 for an AF sungrown belicoso, my favorite stick, and I only pay it in desperation. I would gladly pay $110 in a B&M for a $80 online box, about a 20-25% markup, just to have a reliable place and get to know a cool guy that owned the store.

[j6ppc]

Originally Posted by Laserjock

I am just curious what people are willing to pay as a premium at their local B&M shops versus purchasing online? I know the convenience and possible comraderie that you get at your local shop is worth something to some people, but what is that worth to you?

In my area (tax hungry Kalifornia) the B&M price is typically 2-3X what I'd pay online.

I'm quite willing to pay that premium for a stick or three a week - sorta like a cover charge IMHO, I get to hang out w/ some friends - watch a game if a sport I follow is on or even enjoy a little hold-em and a few drinks w/ the gang.

Box purchases though are another matter altogether - probably 95% of my smokes come from sources other than local B&Ms.

I have to balance my desire to support my favorite B&M with the need to also be able to afford the hobby.

So... In a nutshell I'm willing to pay a huge premium for a small percentage of what I smoke in order to be able to enjoy other benefits my favorite B&M has to offer.

[White97Jimmy]

Most of the sticks I buy in my B&M are singles, when I want to try something, or don't have the patience to wait for a shipment.

If I'm getting ready for a bomb, I usually head over to the devil site. My last few bombs, I've picked up at my B&M because they have a buy 12, get 3 free deal going on right now.

[OilMan]

Dont have a B&M so I really cant say for sure.

However, being able to sit with friends is worth something.

[qwerty1500]

Excellent thread.

I've been feeling guilty lately because I've neglected my local B&Ms. They are good guys. I don't want to see all of the B&Ms be replaced by impersonal web sites. And, someday, I would love to have a shop of my own.

Why have I neglected them?

First, they are WAY too expensive for box purchases.

I normally go to my B&Ms for those single sticks that I want to try or don't want (can't afford) to buy by the box.

Second, they don't carry the cigars I want to try right now ...

HdM Epi 1's & 2's, Partagas Var 898, Party Shorts, RASS (Okay, I understand ... we all have our limitations)

They just don't carry the NCs I'm smoking right now ...

LFD DL Maduro Chisel (can't seem to find these anywhere)
Tatuaje (WAY too limited distribution)
Bolivar Cofradia (JR seems to be the only vendor)

Maybe I've just fallen too far down that slippery slope. But, I'm am really worried about the future of our B&Ms. One good local B&M recently went out of business. Unless we have another boom sometime soon, I'm worried about the others.

Who do I blame? The embargo? The B&Ms? (I think they are doing the best they can) The NC cigar companies? Or, myself?

[JohnnyFlake]

I would love to have a B&M to shop at and stop in for a smoke every now and then. However, here in the Las Vegas/Henderson Area the B&M Shops are beyond crazy. Most common cigars are priced 50% more than they can be purchased online and the higher quality, hard to get cigars, are priced at double and even more, than they can be purchased online.

Realisticly, I would pay a 15% maybe even a 20% mark up, above what I pay online, but greed has taken control and there is no going back!

JohnnyFlake

[oddball]

I would pay something "reasonable", but not ridiculous. The last time I bought a single at my local B&M, it was a Hemmingway Signature. Cost me $12.99. Mind you, I later bought a box online of the same for less than $150, approx $5.50 per stick. And the B&M really didn't offer too much as far as herfin' anyways...

Pretty much all of my purchases are now online, especially from that "far away place" .

[guinsdan]

Ahhh...the classic wal-mart vs. small business debate. Simple.

If I need it now or would like to be a nice guy (convenience): B&M
If I prefer to save money and have a better selection: Internet

I am lucky though. Two close B&M's get in top shelf rare sticks frequently and sell them close to cost (if they like you). It makes me frequent them. Plus I enjoy being surrounded by cigars. I think my bottom line is I use B&M's for samplers and the web for 5ers or more...

[Ceedee]

I am lucky in that I have 5 GOOD B&M's in roughly a 10 mile radius from either home or work. So, there is quite a good selection and the owners are all good guys. I do frequent one B&M right next to work, because the atmosphere is solid and the owner is quite knowledgeable. The price is usually 10-15% more expensive than the best online sites (CI, Famous, Cigar Hut etc.) for the smokes I prefer. But for me, it's a question of supporting them as well as the herf factor. Nothing like going in to buy a stick or two and watch the World Cup with a bunch of buddies during lunch time. And, if I ask nicely, I can usually get a good deal on a box or two when the new shipments come in. It's all about getting to know your local "stick men" in my opinion.

The devil site is entirely another story that I am getting myself acquinted with...

[StudentSmoker]

My local B&M also sells pretty close to cost so I buy a lot of singles from them. I have a pretty good relationship now and was even offered a part time job during school. I've herfed w/ a couple younger guys that work there this summer.

[RGD]

Well - maybe I'm just a dick, but I don't want to pay $1 over what I can get it (box price) for online - to include shipping. I have zero reason to be loyal to any of my local B&M's. It's not like they are dong me any favors or anything. And I don't subscribe to the theory that it costs a local B&M more to operate than a larger mail house. Take Atlantic Cigar or even Longashes2U - both are single B&M's that sell online now - and at cheaper prices than anyone local to me - and again that includes shipping.

So pay a premium? Nope -

Ron

[ghostrider]

I'm with Qwerty. There's really no decent B&M local to me. The nearest one doesn't have anywhere inside to smoke anyway. If there was something relatively nearby that could provide something more than just a place to buy cigars I would probably spend a few extra dollars there for the comraderie. So, for the time being I only use the local shop for singles I want to try, or if I need something and can't wait for shipping.

[woobie]

Have to agree with the others. I'll buy a few locally but any big purchases are online. Or even better friends going on Vacation to Cuba .

[Desert Rat]

Shopping at a B&M in California is not an option for a cigar smoker even slightly educated in online prices.