Tabacconist vs internet pricing

[Quint]

I love going into my local shop and talking cigars getting suggestions trying them out and then going back to share review. Unfortunately there are only a couple of small shops in my area and none have smoking rooms so I cant sit around and have a smoke and talk stogie trash. Sadly though there is quite a mark up on some of my favorites. Take Ashton VSG Sorcerer local shop sells it for $14.95 I can get it online for $9.60 thats over 60% mark up. I can't justify buying from the shop in this case. There are others that are around 20% or so that occasionally I'll buy from the shop. I'm not quite sure why there is so much mark-up fluxuation from cigar to cigar but it sure makes it hard to support local shops with that type of mark-up. But I do my best...........

[tampacigargirl]

I love going into my local shop and talking cigars getting suggestions trying them out and then going back to share review. Unfortunately there are only a couple of small shops in my area and none have smoking rooms so I cant sit around and have a smoke and talk stogie trash. Sadly though there is quite a mark up on some of my favorites. Take Ashton VSG Sorcerer local shop sells it for $14.95 I can get it online for $9.60 thats over 60% mark up. I can't justify buying from the shop in this case. There are others that are around 20% or so that occasionally I'll buy from the shop. I'm not quite sure why there is so much mark-up fluxuation from cigar to cigar but it sure makes it hard to support local shops with that type of mark-up. But I do my best...........

He's way over pricing them. You have a 15% Cigar tax in Mass. So at most he should be selling that Sorcerer for 11.95. Here in Florida with No Tax they sell for $10.40. Some B&M's will try to get top dollar for VSG, Opus, and Anjeio. Some shops will also vary their prices depending on whether they purchase the product direct or from a wholesaler (which they shouldn't do), or hike their prices due to their location (which they shouldn't do either).

[SmokinDVM]

I visit a nice B&M in the North San Fernando Valley. The prices are outrageous, as expected here in CA. but I still buy sticks, mostly to try new ones, from them.
However, if I like a stick, I buy my boxes from online retailers due to the prohibitive prices.

Interesting though that even here, with the prices, I'm never the only customer in the shop.

[Dru Lee Parsec]

Ok... there's my 2 cent rant for the day. Hope I wasn't sounding B****Y.

Not at all. It's nice to hear the opinions of someone who's actually in the business.

[Evillepaintball]

Warning: pissed off rant ahead
I personally hate going to my local B&M. its about a 35 minute drive from my house, and the customer service, at least for me(my guess is because of my age) pretty much sucks. Its ok when the younger guy is working, he's pretty cool, but the owner is, to say the least, an asshat. Whenever I walk in, the first thing he says when I open the door is "so you gonna buy somethin or what?" Correct me if I'm wrong, but one of the main factors of good customer service is being kind, or at least neutral to your customers right? I let it slide the first couple of times but now i've decided that if he's going to be a dick about it, I might as well just go to some internet retailer. It's cheaper, uses less of my time, and this way i don't have to physically interact with the guy who's just trying to get my money.

[stjohnroe]

I like B&Ms for the opportunity to chat, but more importantly (IMHO) you get to have a look and sniff at the merchandise before you buy. While I buy most of my sticks on the web, the majority of cigars that I have smoked have been initialy seen, discussed and bought as singles at a B&M. Only after I am satisfied through that process will I but a box online.

[cigarsarge]

I patronize my local B&M weekly. Every Saturday I make a trip there to have a smoke or two, watch a game, and have a little drink...The Saturday crew keeps a bottle behind the counter to encourage conversation.

A mixed group of people are there. We have a State Senator, cops. Coca- Cola route guys, truck dirvers ect. that come in to smoke and swap lies...Can't get that on the internet.

I agree with Sid...The backbone of the industry is the local B&M. Internet sales are fine and have their place...But you just can't beat the feel of a good local shop.

[tampacigargirl]

Warning: pissed off rant ahead
I personally hate going to my local B&M. its about a 35 minute drive from my house, and the customer service, at least for me(my guess is because of my age) pretty much sucks. Its ok when the younger guy is working, he's pretty cool, but the owner is, to say the least, an asshat. Whenever I walk in, the first thing he says when I open the door is "so you gonna buy somethin or what?" Correct me if I'm wrong, but one of the main factors of good customer service is being kind, or at least neutral to your customers right? I let it slide the first couple of times but now i've decided that if he's going to be a dick about it, I might as well just go to some internet retailer. It's cheaper, uses less of my time, and this way i don't have to physically interact with the guy who's just trying to get my money.

It sounds like the owner needs a new line of work. Everyone needs to make a living but if you can't be courteous to everyone (that either deserves it or has never had a reason not to deserve it) you need to get out of any type job where you interact with people. Check out some other B&M's when you have the chance. We're definitely not all like that, but like with any business you will have bad apples.

[bigpoppapuff]

eville...you need to try to engage the owner in conversation...let him know that you're serious about cigars,etc.....exchange stories.....break down the barrier that he put up...

[Desert Rat]

Simple math for me-do I buy 10 gars from my local B&M or 15 online for the same price.

I smoke a lot of cigars so the choice is obvious.

Sampling, smoozing, "supporting" the locals gets a few of my dollars, but by the box, its strictly online.

And remember, the locals in my area don't mind one bit charging $20 to $30 dollars per premium stick.

[Quint]

He's way over pricing them. You have a 15% Cigar tax in Mass. So at most he should be selling that Sorcerer for 11.95. Here in Florida with No Tax they sell for $10.40. Some B&M's will try to get top dollar for VSG, Opus, and Anjeio. Some shops will also vary their prices depending on whether they purchase the product direct or from a wholesaler (which they shouldn't do), or hike their prices due to their location (which they shouldn't do either).

Can I come live with you I know he's price gouging on some of his inventory but its the convience of being on my way home from work and only 10 mins away from my home that keeps me going back. There is a larger shop next city over that has much better pricing but its a really hassle to get there especially for a last minute decision to go pick up a smoke. Better planning on my part would resolve the issue.