Supporting B&M vs. Saving Money

[BunkyX]

Strange this should be brought up. I was wondering about it myself as I made my weekly purchase from my B&M. The owner who has become a 'friend' of mine will give me a break on boxes of my daily smokes. Comparatable to buying them on line. His per stick price is definately higher than most on line shops. He explains it over and over to people that he has a keystone mark up on all his cigars. I happen to know it is 100% over his retail price.
And I have flatly told him I would not buy certain cigars from him because he is $1.00 too high on them. He always asks how I know this and I tell him - because I use the internet. Some of the other B&M's I visit are 110% to 140% mark up, They only get my business on a few select cigars.

Anyway I spend about $40.00 at my local B&M every week, but I spend many times this on line. I work too hard for my money to burn it all up.

[The Korean]

I buy 80% of my sticks from online. The other 20% I split between two B&Ms. One has horrible prices on just about anything, but has the best enviroment in my town. I feel the need to spend some money there to justify my usage of the lounge. The other place has better prices and is a smaller mom&pop. My hopes in spending a little bit of money there is to get establish a relationship with the owner and some of the patrons. Everyone seems nice, but I can tell that they are very protected in who they allow into the "Circle". I admit, the fact that they seem close but guarded actuallys draws me to want to become one of them more. That truely sounds like high school, but one of the things I like the most about smoking cigars is the people you smoke them with.

I also, look at it this way, both of these shops are against some big competition, and I want to always be able to on a whim stop by and pick up a smoke, so I do my little part.

[cigar no baka]

I buy 80% of my sticks from online. The other 20% I split between two B&Ms. One has horrible prices on just about anything, but has the best enviroment in my town. I feel the need to spend some money there to justify my usage of the lounge. The other place has better prices and is a smaller mom&pop. My hopes in spending a little bit of money there is to get establish a relationship with the owner and some of the patrons. Everyone seems nice, but I can tell that they are very protected in who they allow into the "Circle". I admit, the fact that they seem close but guarded actuallys draws me to want to become one of them more. That truely sounds like high school, but one of the things I like the most about smoking cigars is the people you smoke them with.

I also, look at it this way, both of these shops are against some big competition, and I want to always be able to on a whim stop by and pick up a smoke, so I do my little part.

I hung out at my shop about six months before I became a "core" group member. I sat around, minded my mouth, didn't piss anyone off, made it clear I was here to stay, smoked my cigars, and was as friendly as I could be.

After about six months, I got christened (as part of the CCC, that has special significance for me) with my own nickname and my own coaster made from a cigar box lid with my nickname on it adonred with various affectations from the group. By now, four years later, I have been called a "hardcore core group member" (never called myself that but others have). So it just takes time for guys to figure out if you're gonna be a fit for the group and you're not a weenie and you can take it as well as you give it.

Best of luck to you in your quest to join the group!