Tobacco Shop Etiquette?

[la157m3]

Okay, so now that I'm fully engulfed and re-hooked back onto my pipe and my Uncle's pipes 25 years later, I visited my first tobacconist in as many years. Found a place called "The Humidor" in San Antonio, Texas. They say they've been there for decades and they have a really, really nice shop. Half the shop is all their tobac blends, pipe stuff, and several glass display cases on the wall and glass counters. Wide variety of stuff and they carry all the well-known pipes and even some higher-end stuff. Other half of the store is dedicated to cigars and they have a huge walk-in cigar humidor. They also have a smoking room that looks the old style library completely furnished with plush, leather chairs and sofas. Great place, huh?

First time I went there (couple weeks ago) the guy behind the tobac counter was very helpful, very friendly, showed me around the place. Today, however, that guy wasn't there - only a lady was working.

I marched over to the pipe display cases to try and pick out a Christmas pipe for my wife to get for me :-) I saw a few interesting pipes and decided to take my cell phone out and snap a couple of photos of a couple different pipes so I could show my wife and tell her "that one right there! Not the light colored one of this make...but THIS one!"

After my 3rd up-close photo of one of the pipes, this guy rushes over to me and exclaims "Sir, you can't take pictures in here!" I apologized and told him I was picking out a pipe so my wife could come get it after I made my decision. He said "Sorry, you just can't take pictures in here" and he walked away. Other people were standing around looking at me like I had done something wrong. The lady then walked over and asked if she could show me a pipe. I asked her about the problem with taking pics and she said "That's just what they want - it's a long story." WTH?

The more I stood there the more pissed I got. I had planned on buying the nice reaming tool to use in restoring my Uncle's pipes. I also wanted to get a nice travel pouch that would hold tobac and a pipe. There were even a couple of really nice pipes that I *MIGHT* have purchased today but after my experience I walked away disappointed and baffled.

Did I do something wrong? Why is taking photos of pipes a no-no? I did not take any overall pics of the shop - only up close pics of the 3 pipes that peaked my interest.

If the people had pipes on their web site (humidorsat-dot-com) I would not have had to take pics!

Is it just me or was this ridiculous?

[dmkerr]

What guy? I thought only a lady was working? Was it an employee? Is the shop in a mall that might have such a rule and was the guy a mall employee? A mall cop, perhaps?

I would have asked the guy why you were not allowed to take pics. It's a fair question and it seems such an odd rule that I think it demands an explanation. If I was refused a reasonable explanation, I would tell them that I guess I need to take my business elsewhere where the employees were more open and honest with their prospective customers.

[thebayratt]

It seems kinda assinine to me. But its kinda like at the "Gentlemans club" they frown on you to pull out your camera phone and take pics of "the merchandice".

Maybe they had a bad experience where people were taking pics of the pipes and going to other retailers to "get better deals". Saying "so-n-so across town has it for $10 less". But they should be curtious about it also. San Antonio is a big tourist area and that wouldn't be good for business to act like an a$$ to tourists LET ALONE a repeat customer as yourself.

Maybe go back and catch the guy who helped you the first time and maybe he could give you the skinny on why.

[Davetopay]

Sounds to me like someone is worried about anti-smoking nazis trying to set them up for a fall. I know that I get the hairy eyeball from all the "regulars" that hang out in the lounge at the local shop when I roll in the door. Maybe someone in there is involved in local politics in some way and doesn't need pics of themselves floating around. Lord knows that consenting adults can't be seen enjoying a fine cigar or relaxing with a pipe. It might make a child go out and spend their allow ance on a 15 dollar...cig.....ar.....ummmmm a 100 dollar pipe and a 10 dollar tin of navy flaaa....ke.....ummmm yeah.....


Honestly I have no idea why they would have a problem with it, but they do. Was the guy who raised a stink and owner or employee? I know at the local shop you can't hang out in the lounge unless you smoke something you bought on THAT visit. I can't go in, buy tin and a bag of cleaners then proceed to smoke a pipe which I purchased there...loaded with tobac from a previous trip there. I must smoke only what I bought at that time. Therefore I don't hangout in the lounge anymore.

[la157m3]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

What guy? I thought only a lady was working? Was it an employee? Is the shop in a mall that might have such a rule and was the guy a mall employee? A mall cop, perhaps?

I would have asked the guy why you were not allowed to take pics. It's a fair question and it seems such an odd rule that I think it demands an explanation. If I was refused a reasonable explanation, I would tell them that I guess I need to take my business elsewhere where the employees were more open and honest with their prospective customers.

The guy had to a manager or owner - I can only speculate though. I was so caught off guard by his reaction I didn't confront him about the problem. Like I said, I thought I had done something wrong that all pipe smokers should have known better?

This a large stand alone business in San Antonio. Like I said - really nice place but not sure if I want to waste gas to go there and pay state sales tax. This may have driven my business to the internet and out of state. Too bad because it really looks like a neat place I'd like to frequent.

[Lefty]

This makes me appreciate my B&M more and more. Not only do they let me bring in outside tobac, they let me put a pipe on layaway with no money down. Quite honestly, I don't buy a lot from them but the trade off is in friendship and tolerance (I tolerate them...bunch of wise-guys). They are more than guys at the smoke shop, they are friends. A while back my girlfriend and I were talking about if we ever decided to get married, who would we invite, and there would be MANY invited from the smoke shop, employees and patrons.

There is another B&M in town that is better stocked, but quite frankly the place gives me and many others the creeps. The stories we here from non regulars or new folks about the place are just staggering.

People will go where they are comfortable and will support it.Yes, they have their share of free-loaders, but the good folks make up for it in spades. It's a pleasure to have such a great place to hang out and enjoy a bowl or a good cigar.

[Commander Quan]

My guess is they don't want you shopping in their store for a new pipe and then looking for it cheaper online.

[Mad Hatter]

Whatever it is I'm sure its a long story

[Vrbas]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

Whatever it is I'm sure its a long story

+1

It may not be a general thing among shops. Perhaps this shop really did have a traumatic event that jaded the stew out of the place in the past.

[Mitch]

It sounds to me, from the ladies reaction, the guy was burned somehow and she probably didn't really care much about it. If I were you, I would go back. Maybe he was having a bad day. You don't know the friendships you may build there.

[bigkev77]

I definatly would have made the guy explain himself. I get so frustrated at the poeple who don't care how they treat a customer. There are many other retailers that would be glad to take your money.

[Cigary]

Originally Posted by bigkev77

I definatly would have made the guy explain himself. I get so frustrated at the poeple who don't care how they treat a customer. There are many other retailers that would be glad to take your money.

Ditto this. I'm not a troublemaker by any means but when I am in a store and something like this happens trust me,,,,I'm going to get an explanation about what just took place. What this guy did was totally unprofessional and stupid. If anything, he should have taken you aside and told you about what his concerns might be as to why he does not want any photos taken. If a shop owner wags a finger at me or says you I can't do something you can bet I will take them to task about what their deal might be, esp. in a shop with people watching and listening. I would then tell the shop owner/manager how they just missed getting a customer to buy a pipe and other things that you were looking at. If we don't hold these clowns accountable for their actions then who will? He acted like a buffoon at best and I wouldn't step foot in that place if that is how they treat customers. I don't have an issue with rules but at least either put them up where people can read them or gently explain to customers about how things are in your shop instead of treating them like schoolchildren.

[dmkerr]

See, I AM kind of a troublemaker - or at least, I can be a smartass. I probably would have asked if they had any rules against customers wearing sneakers or against African-Americans.

Originally Posted by Cigary

Ditto this. I'm not a troublemaker by any means but when I am in a store and something like this happens trust me,,,,I'm going to get an explanation about what just took place. What this guy did was totally unprofessional and stupid. If anything, he should have taken you aside and told you about what his concerns might be as to why he does not want any photos taken. If a shop owner wags a finger at me or says you I can't do something you can bet I will take them to task about what their deal might be, esp. in a shop with people watching and listening. I would then tell the shop owner/manager how they just missed getting a customer to buy a pipe and other things that you were looking at. If we don't hold these clowns accountable for their actions then who will? He acted like a buffoon at best and I wouldn't step foot in that place if that is how they treat customers. I don't have an issue with rules but at least either put them up where people can read them or gently explain to customers about how things are in your shop instead of treating them like schoolchildren.

[ongreystreet]

Even though you meant no harm, most businesses wouldn't want anyone coming in and taking pictures without prior approval. I wouldn't hold it against them.

[Mad Hatter]

Honestly dude, askng permission probably would have been the proper way to go about it. I'd never do anything like that w/o asking first. Of course I never take my cell phone in stores with me either. Just seems like good manners