you b&m's cigar pricing

[silentjon-cl]

Originally Posted by matt3

All cigar stores markup their product B&M as well as online. The TAX is what kills ya. I don't mind paying a small premium at a B&M as long as it's not obscene.

Lucky for me, PA is one of the few (i think only 2) that does not have a tax on cigars.

[silentjon-cl]

My local B&M charges the MSRP or lower, even on rare sticks like Tat Blacks and Anejos.

[Don Francisco]

Cost of the same cigar can differ if one b&m buys direct and another goes through a distributor. Th reasons for this can be many; minimum order requirements, contracts, terms, credit worthiness, etc.

That being said, in NJ there is a 30% OTP (tobacco tax). To get keystone I take the price of the box (with shipping charges), add 15% to it and times it by 2. Then I divide the total by the number of cigars in the box and get a price. I then round the price to pay for bags, matches, lounge, toilet paper, etc. The rounding is not horrific, say a stick turns out to be $6.93, I just make it $7, fair and easier on the cashier, as well as avoiding sales tax rounding, which the government loves to do. In NJ there's a 7% sales tax, so $7 becomes $7.49. If I left it at $6.93 the cost would be $7.4151, which the gov't would round up to $7.42. Why give them more. The sales tax is on top of the OTP tax, they're making a tax for a tax and benefiting above the 37%. For $.07 difference, I'm being fair and staying in business.

You can decrease your cost by buying smart. For example, at times, CAO sends me free boxes so that on certain cigars I can offer a buy 3 get one free. Take advantage of this, as it is free to you. Average your costs per stick and this brings it way down and competitive with online, without having to buy an entire box.

Additional reasons for shopping at b&m's as many good ones have already been mentioned are: quick rotation of stock (nothing stale or moldy), immediate delivery, order something before it is released, help with accessories, social value, store specials and coupons, the b&m's support you by sponsoring Youth groups and other LOCAL charities, a good immediate return policy, good local b&m's fight State & Federal tax legislations and inform you of such, personalized service & advice, and the list goes on and on never ending.

Support your local B&M!!

[sseagle]

Originally Posted by Don Francisco

Cost of the same cigar can differ if one b&m buys direct and another goes through a distributor. Th reasons for this can be many; minimum order requirements, contracts, terms, credit worthiness, etc.

That being said, in NJ there is a 30% OTP (tobacco tax). To get keystone I take the price of the box (with shipping charges), add 15% to it and times it by 2. Then I divide the total by the number of cigars in the box and get a price. I then round the price to pay for bags, matches, lounge, toilet paper, etc. The rounding is not horrific, say a stick turns out to be $6.93, I just make it $7, fair and easier on the cashier, as well as avoiding sales tax rounding, which the government loves to do. In NJ there's a 7% sales tax, so $7 becomes $7.49. If I left it at $6.93 the cost would be $7.4151, which the gov't would round up to $7.42. Why give them more. The sales tax is on top of the OTP tax, they're making a tax for a tax and benefiting above the 37%. For $.07 difference, I'm being fair and staying in business.

You can decrease your cost by buying smart. For example, at times, CAO sends me free boxes so that on certain cigars I can offer a buy 3 get one free. Take advantage of this, as it is free to you. Average your costs per stick and this brings it way down and competitive with online, without having to buy an entire box.

Additional reasons for shopping at b&m's as many good ones have already been mentioned are: quick rotation of stock (nothing stale or moldy), immediate delivery, order something before it is released, help with accessories, social value, store specials and coupons, the b&m's support you by sponsoring Youth groups and other LOCAL charities, a good immediate return policy, good local b&m's fight State & Federal tax legislations and inform you of such, personalized service & advice, and the list goes on and on never ending.

Support your local B&M!!

OUTRAGEOUS!!! I PAY FOR YOU TO POOP?????

[Redbeard]

i like to buy at my local stores . The people that own and operate them are great people to get to know and hang out with. They are very up to date as to whats going on in the cigar world as well and just great to talk to about anything. I dont normally buy cigars by the box, i prefer to have a varitey so ill buy like 5 cigars at a time of all differnt stuff. Or buy 20 mixed cigars. To do this hands on at the local B&M makes the experience more of one to remember rather than just clicking around on some sticks on the web. I cant get everything i want here so then i go to the web to order. Theres alot of great online retailers tho that i am happy to buy from, they are also great people tring to make a living. The price is only one factor when buying cigars, customer service and selection are the main reasons i shop where i do and when i do. I support both the internet and local shops and dont see a problem with this. I think some of these HUGE online retailers may be wise to stay away from tho ( not going to name names ) but i just dont get the satisfaction i would buying from them because there dirt cheap as i would from supporting a true BOTL that runs a cigar buisness out of passion

[karmaz00]

well i try to support the locals but with 150 % plus tax here in canada its so hard not to buy from online retailers

[SmoknTaz]

Originally Posted by karmaz00

well i try to support the locals but with 150 % plus tax here in canada its so hard not to buy from online retailers

Not to mention our selection on NC's are next to none, zero, nadda!

[Redbeard]

Originally Posted by karmaz00

well i try to support the locals but with 150 % plus tax here in canada its so hard not to buy from online retailers

yah tax that high will turn yah away, unless your a millionare and you just done care

[Don Francisco]

Originally Posted by sseagle

OUTRAGEOUS!!! I PAY FOR YOU TO POOP?????

Noo! So when you visit me YOU can poop! ..... and paper towels so you can wash your hands afterwards.

[baba]

My local B&M charges me about the same as on line prices. sometimes a little more. I buy most cigars on line, but I do want to keep my local guy in business. So I buy things from him even though they maybe a little more expensive.

[Tony-cl]

Thanks for the replies. I agree with everything that has been stated, and I understand the terms of business.

I usually purchase several of particular brand of cigar from my local B&M. If I do like them, then I will give the local shops a chance to compete on box prices. If they can come between the $5-15 range of what it would cost to have them sent to my doorstep, then I purchase form the local B&M. If not...well then off to online purchasing. One, I don't have money laying around, and..... I also like being able to share with fellow botlazzapp:. So someone who posted to this thread will receive a small package shortly.

[Toasted Coastie]

I like to support my locals. However, I also buy a good amount online. Sometimes the price is better, sometimes it is not. Case in point:

Illusiones: Better than on-line at two of the 4 stores
Tatuaje: Same
A. Fuente: Better online than at stores
CAO/RP: Better online than stores
Padron 80th/40th: Draw, but I have hit a couple good coupon codes bringing the prices down at times for on-line purchaces at B&M 9a couple of the places I shop on-line are B&M's not huge super stores)

I'm an equal opportunity spender.