Local Shop Question - What Would You Have Done?

[ProSpkr]

I was arriving back into town yesterday and on the way home from the airport; I stopped at a local shop that I frequent quite often. I usually buy 5 to 7 sticks each time I am in this shop and the owner knows me by name. I wanted to relax a little after several days on the road and I wasn’t in the mood to smoke on the back porch due to the weather.

This shop has a smoking area with a big screen TV, leather chairs, etc. I was the only one in the shop besides the owner and I sat down; lit my cigar and settled in for a nice 45 minute or so smoke.

I wanted to catch up on the news and asked the owner if we could watch a certain news channel and he said no, that his favorite show was on. I thought WTF? I didn’t say anything and smoked my cigar and left.

What would you have done and what are your thoughts on this shop owner?

[coppertop]

Originally Posted by ProSpkr

I was arriving back into town yesterday and on the way home from the airport; I stopped at a local shop that I frequent quite often. I usually buy 5 to 7 sticks each time I am in this shop and the owner knows me by name. I wanted to relax a little after several days on the road and I wasn’t in the mood to smoke on the back porch due to the weather.

This shop has a smoking area with a big screen TV, leather chairs, etc. I was the only one in the shop besides the owner and I sat down; lit my cigar and settled in for a nice 45 minute or so smoke.

I wanted to catch up on the news and asked the owner if we could watch a certain news channel and he said no, that his favorite show was on. I thought WTF? I didn’t say anything and smoked my cigar and left.

What would you have done and what are your thoughts on this shop owner?

Man it's his shop.....I can see where you are coming from, being a return customer and all. Thats a tough spot, but I still think it's his shop.

[c2000]

Hey the customer is always right. I would have finished my last cigar that I ever bought in that shop.....

Jerry in Minnesota.

[TheSmokingHiker]

Originally Posted by ProSpkr

I was arriving back into town yesterday and on the way home from the airport; I stopped at a local shop that I frequent quite often. I usually buy 5 to 7 sticks each time I am in this shop and the owner knows me by name. I wanted to relax a little after several days on the road and I wasn’t in the mood to smoke on the back porch due to the weather.

This shop has a smoking area with a big screen TV, leather chairs, etc. I was the only one in the shop besides the owner and I sat down; lit my cigar and settled in for a nice 45 minute or so smoke.

I wanted to catch up on the news and asked the owner if we could watch a certain news channel and he said no, that his favorite show was on. I thought WTF? I didn’t say anything and smoked my cigar and left.

What would you have done and what are your thoughts on this shop owner?

I would have have headed over to Dunwoody Cigar Merchant, but that is just me. Seriously, I am not sure. I would try again and maybe, subtly, work into the conversation what happened. I dont know the guy, but I would bet that he just wasnt thinking. If he doesnt respond well, adhere to my first piece of advice .

[shelvingunit]

Sounds like your relatonship with the owner isn't as good as you thought. I don't know what I would have done...I guess it depends what type of mood I was in. After a long trip I probably would have done the same thing you did.

Have some fun...

Start bringing your own cigars in and smoke in the lounge... if he asks why you don't buy from him tell him they are your favorite...pick something he doesn't have in stock....

Then....get a universal remote and program it to the TV he has. Just turn the TV off (when he is not looking) during his favorite show..that will piss him off. He may think something is wrong with his TV if it keeps turning off all the time. Tell him you repair TV's on the side and can probably fix it (for a small fee, of course)

[coppertop]

Originally Posted by 1f1fan

Sounds like your relatonship with the owner isn't as good as you thought. I don't know what I would have done...I guess it depends what type of mood I was in. After a long trip I probably would have done the same thing you did.

Have some fun...

Start bringing your own cigars in and smoke in the lounge... if he asks why you don't buy from him tell him they are your favorite...pick something he doesn't have in stock....

Then....get a universal remote and program it to the TV he has. Just turn the TV off (when he is not looking) during his favorite show..that will piss him off. He may think something is wrong with his TV if it keeps turning off all the time. Tell him you repair TV's on the side and can probably fix it (for a small fee, of course)

LOL.....well looks like I'm in the minority here.....although I think he (the shop owner) could have been nice and flipped to the news for you. Maybe he was just having a bad day and wanted to watch his show to cheer himself up.

[TheSmokingHiker]

Originally Posted by 1f1fan

Sounds like your relatonship with the owner isn't as good as you thought. I don't know what I would have done...I guess it depends what type of mood I was in. After a long trip I probably would have done the same thing you did.

Have some fun...

Start bringing your own cigars in and smoke in the lounge... if he asks why you don't buy from him tell him they are your favorite...pick something he doesn't have in stock....

Then....get a universal remote and program it to the TV he has. Just turn the TV off (when he is not looking) during his favorite show..that will piss him off. He may think something is wrong with his TV if it keeps turning off all the time. Tell him you repair TV's on the side and can probably fix it (for a small fee, of course)

Probably some of the best advice I have ever read on here.

[JustAyoungMC]

I have to second the "bring in your own remote" plan.

He couldve flipped to the news during commercials.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by ProSpkr

I was arriving back into town yesterday and on the way home from the airport; I stopped at a local shop that I frequent quite often. I usually buy 5 to 7 sticks each time I am in this shop and the owner knows me by name. I wanted to relax a little after several days on the road and I wasn’t in the mood to smoke on the back porch due to the weather.

This shop has a smoking area with a big screen TV, leather chairs, etc. I was the only one in the shop besides the owner and I sat down; lit my cigar and settled in for a nice 45 minute or so smoke.

I wanted to catch up on the news and asked the owner if we could watch a certain news channel and he said no, that his favorite show was on. I thought WTF? I didn’t say anything and smoked my cigar and left.

What would you have done and what are your thoughts on this shop owner?

Curious...what was the (favorite) show?

If it was Deadwood, The Shield, The Wire, I am seeing his side a little...if it was the Tony Danza show, never go there again!!

[LeafHog]

Are the hogs the only ones wondering what the owners favorite show is?

[ProSpkr]

It was early in the afternoon and his "favorite" show was reruns of X-Files.

[Butch]

Originally Posted by LeafHog

Are the hogs the only ones wondering what the owners favorite show is?

I am too, and what certain news show? maybe he hates that certain news show that you like....
Do not have all of the facts, I see both sides right now given the limited information.
Have you had any bad blood with this store before?
Could have the owner been havning a bad day?
Did the tone or manner in which you asked been taken poorly?
So many variables, personally I am a full frontal person I would go back into the store and confront the owner and get the clarification that you are looking for right now, maybe it was all a misunderstanding or maybe this person is generally not interested in doing business with you.
If you do see this guy and ask him, be pleasant and sort of off the cuff with him not given the potetntial for him to be taken aback and become defensive, but lets us know how it works out if you get a chance to resolve the issue.

[MM2(SW)S]

I want to know what show he wanted to watch. If it is that good to say screw a customer I might have to watch it as well.

Never mind just saw you post. Pro, as much as I love x-files I don't think it is worth losing a customer but that is just me. Maybe he has so much money comming in he can say srew you. In that case I would have to go to another shop and never shop there again. Just my 2 cents.

[SeanGAR]

If somebody pulled that crap on me I'd have walked out the door never to go back.

The customer is always right - he should be happy to make you comfortable and relax in his shop.

You end up paying a lot more for cigars there than you would online, he should understand that and realize that SERVICE is one of the few advantages that he has .... X files reruns and a pissed off customer or news and a happy customer is a no brainer...ESPECIALLY if you wanted to watch Headline News .... those girls are easy to look at....

[LeafHog]

Originally Posted by SeanGAR

.... X files reruns and a pissed off customer or news and a happy customer is a no brainer.

that depends. what was Scully wearing?