Why is it that when you enter the world of retail cigars, you find a void? You walk in all excited and ready to talk about, smell, rate cigars and you find a franchise owner that only wants to watch you so you don't steal their goods. How can you explore with a person looking over your shoulder? You make small talk and expect an intelligent responce. All you get is " Oh you should try..." I already know what I want to try, dang it! I dunno, I was just very disappointed today when I left "The Humidor". I shopped with my wife all day and went in the shop as a reward to myself for surviving a holiday shopping day. I bought 3 sticks and spent $28. Then I was really disappointed. I wish we had a true cigar shop here in Santa Rosa Ca. All we have is a sorry excuse for a novelty shop that sells cigars. What would I do without Donny here at Cigar dot com? I never want to know........ :shock:
Why is it?
- Thread starter foodislife
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Joined Oct 2005
3K Posts | 14+
Central Canada, eh?
My friends who own local business's always tell me to shop local.
And then you have an experiance like what you related, is it any wonder you turn to the internet. You can get a guy on the phone who cares more about you than the local guy ever did, and he shares your passion - and I don't mean just for cigars, it goes for bike parts, computer parts, just about anything you could want to order for yourself.
And then people wonder why local business's go out ouf business.
And then you have an experiance like what you related, is it any wonder you turn to the internet. You can get a guy on the phone who cares more about you than the local guy ever did, and he shares your passion - and I don't mean just for cigars, it goes for bike parts, computer parts, just about anything you could want to order for yourself.
And then people wonder why local business's go out ouf business.
my local shop owner gives suggestions based on what i have already bought. he also knows me by name and "makes me" sit down and smoke with him and shoot the Sh*t.
I never feel preasured to buy anything. i never feel like i need to hurry up. Even though he has video in the humidor i feel that i can explore the walk in for as long as i want. He WANTS me to take my time. He knows when to back off and when to give his .02.
thats why i keep going back.
I never feel preasured to buy anything. i never feel like i need to hurry up. Even though he has video in the humidor i feel that i can explore the walk in for as long as i want. He WANTS me to take my time. He knows when to back off and when to give his .02.
thats why i keep going back.
Unfortunately there are cigar shops where they just don't know anything about cigars. Or, the owner may know, but when he's not there, he's got some kid minding the store who could care less. Fortunately, we have a forum like this where we can share our insights as well as having some good friends.
I suppose its hit and miss. Some of the "chain" stores, like Tinder Box have little to offer. There's usually some kid at the register who's being forced to get a job by his parents. But there's also a lot of well established shops in my area, that have been around for tens of years. Where the owner is probably losing his a$$ to internet sales, but stays open because he loves what he does. One shop that recently closed had a Sunday morning smoke session, where people brought their own coffee and sat around and chatted. I never felt like I was taking up room or was being forced to leave. It was perfect for people like me who can't smoke in their house. Sadly it closed.
My suggestion is don't give up. And when you finally do find a good shop, be sure to support them.
My suggestion is don't give up. And when you finally do find a good shop, be sure to support them.
I am fortunate enough to have seven stores in a ten mile radius of me, one of them being a Tinder Box. The Tinder Box gets a third of my business as does a local cigar-cigarette store whose owner is pretty easy to get along with, plus he gave me a few freebies upon returning from the RTDA. The other place is a downtown establishment whose owner is pretty nice but a bit distant if all his cronies are hanging out that day. Three different stores, three different experiences. I have never had a bad experience with either of these stores, thats wahy I continue to shop there, plus they all sell different kinds of cigars, Tinder Box is the only place in town that carries Opus X, the other places have their unique smokes that only they also carry. The common denominator here is that I can actually inspect my cigars before I buy and also get some feedback right there about what I am buying. I feel that I am treated well and taken care of with these places and will continue to shop there. Thats a big reason why 90% of my buying is done at local B&M's, that and I am also a huge proponent of supporting local business.
That being said, I do really appreciate this place. I have learned more from here than all those B&M's combined. I don't really blame a store clerk for cutting me short if another customer needs attention, after all, that is his job. Thats why I come here, because I know that my presence at a store does not automatically guarantee me a two hour discourse on cigar knowledge although that has happened to me a couple times.
That being said, I do really appreciate this place. I have learned more from here than all those B&M's combined. I don't really blame a store clerk for cutting me short if another customer needs attention, after all, that is his job. Thats why I come here, because I know that my presence at a store does not automatically guarantee me a two hour discourse on cigar knowledge although that has happened to me a couple times.
I agree with Cloudy's thoughts on the subject. I have purchased more expensive cigars at a local level due to the ability to inspect them and to get insight from tobacconists. That being said, if there's something I really like, I'm more inclined to get it online due to price and availability.
Cloudy, put your location back up, you're probably going to the Fiesta Bowl now.
Cloudy, put your location back up, you're probably going to the Fiesta Bowl now.
you know its funny that you mention this. My local shop, and I really only have one, is so weird. You cant smoke in it, I don't think the owner even smokes, and he is always trying to sell me some crap I don't need or even ask him about.
The worse thing he does to me though, & I don't know if it's only me, when I get to the counter with my smokes, he will pick them up, take them back to the cabinet and try to size them, up to make sure I have the one I said I do. Like padrons are a good example, the 2000 and 3000 are like almost the exact same size, it's very hard to tell the difference. The very first time I noticed this, I asked him about the size, it seems the 3000 is a little more packed, a fuller size. I tell him its a 3000 and he always goes and holds it up to a 2000 to make sure. He's done it for other cigars to, even ones you can tell.
I get nervous when I go into his shop now and always keep my hands in plain view, I try to talk to him to get him to know me, but then he just tries to sell me something I don't want or need. It's a weird seen.
The worse thing he does to me though, & I don't know if it's only me, when I get to the counter with my smokes, he will pick them up, take them back to the cabinet and try to size them, up to make sure I have the one I said I do. Like padrons are a good example, the 2000 and 3000 are like almost the exact same size, it's very hard to tell the difference. The very first time I noticed this, I asked him about the size, it seems the 3000 is a little more packed, a fuller size. I tell him its a 3000 and he always goes and holds it up to a 2000 to make sure. He's done it for other cigars to, even ones you can tell.
I get nervous when I go into his shop now and always keep my hands in plain view, I try to talk to him to get him to know me, but then he just tries to sell me something I don't want or need. It's a weird seen.
kuzi16 said:
Same here. He lets me know when he gets special things in, gives me deals, and will accomodate special requests. I got several things brought back from the RTDA and he regularly give me things to try to see if he should continue to stock them.
I could definitely buy online cheaper than through him, but I know that if I buy through him, he'll go the extra mile to make up the difference.
Seems we're in the minority around here though.
my local shop is awesome, when you walk in they know your name and what you like. If it is your first time they greet you and show you where to find what you want, then leave you alone. If you ask what they have new they will take you to it and then lay out their personal thoughts on it. They know all you could about every thing for sale in the store even down to the little things that aren't cigar related. They will also tell you based on what you smoke if they think you will like it. If you walk in and ask to be shown the cheapest cigar they sell you will get the same service as someone spending lots of money. It is the experience for anyone that comes in. Their prices are also as good as online on most items assuming you are a member.
Imagine if you were a woman in a cigar shop. And, I look really young (I get carded buying cigars!) :roll: I hate going to new places.foodislife said:
Brenda said:
LOL I NEVER get carded. I used to get invited to all the parties when I was in high school I even got a ride and a chauffeur. Why you may ask. I was aver 6 foot tall and had a beard at 15 I could buy beer without getting carded.
Travis
They had some really great shop down in Charleston, SC. But when I moved to VA, I was mucho dissapointed. Although there is one shop downtown that has a nice cigar shop feel to it. They seem pretty knowledgeable. The guy was pretty helpful when I asked about breaking into the realm of pipes. Otherwise, most of the shops around here have a poor selection and/or poor atmosphere.
The one local shop that I used to go to was great. For a while I was going everyday on my lunch hour to sit with the guys and smoke. My first time in there they didn't try to steer me towards the more expensive smokes either, they showed me to a Flor de Oliva Grand Cameroon, a nice $3 stick. After about a week they knew me by name as I walked in the door and were always more than happy to answer any questions I had.
IMHO - The cigar people that hang on the net know more about cigars than most store owners.
You got to really Love cigars to take it this far.
That said - there is more than just cigar lovers here.
This place has some seriously nice people -
I've made some great friends hanging out on the net.
& I've managed to smoke a few good cigars.
You got to really Love cigars to take it this far.
That said - there is more than just cigar lovers here.
This place has some seriously nice people -
I've made some great friends hanging out on the net.
& I've managed to smoke a few good cigars.
I have a bumper sticker that reads, "Break the Chains! Shop at independent stores."Bikeman said:
The cigar shops I go to are locally owned. I just have a problem with the fellas that can't get over that a lady knows a thing or two about cigars. "How do you know so much about cigars?" they ask.
I say, "Would you ask a man that?" I got the same reaction at Casa Fuente.
Joined Oct 2005
2K Posts | 1+
Lost in translation
There are a couple near me that I visit. One is walking distance from my house, but it does not have a grat feeling. The owner is nice, but distant. He doesn't recognize me, and i am in htere once a month at least and the conversation is always initiated by me when I ask questions. the guy knows his stuff but much like the rest of the town of Norton, unless you are a townie and everyone knows you; you get a cold shoulder. His prices are also high so I only go in once ina while whne I am itching to burn some cash.
the other one is close to my inlaws house a couple of towns away. The owner is pretty knowledgable, his prices are great and he is a more personable person and makes recomednations that are relevant. Plus he almost always has Opus X and other rare cigars. Overall it is a much nicer shopping experience. I just wish that he had a sitting area to smoke; even though you can smoke in the shop; but who wants to stand for an hour an have a smoke.
the other one is close to my inlaws house a couple of towns away. The owner is pretty knowledgable, his prices are great and he is a more personable person and makes recomednations that are relevant. Plus he almost always has Opus X and other rare cigars. Overall it is a much nicer shopping experience. I just wish that he had a sitting area to smoke; even though you can smoke in the shop; but who wants to stand for an hour an have a smoke.
I am an hours drive from two pretty good cigar shops. There are a handful of other shops in town that are poor excuses for cigar shops and I rarely stop in those. One of the good shops was in business when I was in high school some 30 years ago. The owner is knowledgable, has a good selection but smokes dog rockets himself. I'm not sure what that is all about. He gets most of my business when ever I am buying. The second shop has an incredible selection. The owner is knowledgable, but rarely ever there. Unfortunately his wife runs the store and is an incredible bitch. She tends to turn away my business the majority of the time I go in there. I have seen the store help cringe whenever she starts in on a customer, they can pretty much watch the money walk out the door. I like the opportunity to spend some money locally to benefit those business's, but find that the majority of my cigars come from internet venders.