Never going back there!

[Blockhead4243]

So the this past Monday me and my buddy were going to our smoke night. We go every Monday around the same time. The name of the shop is franklin cigar. Now we've spoken with the owner, and he's an extremely nice guy, just wanting to learn more about cigars, and run his shop. There is also another friendly younger guy with a beard, we've spoken with him and know him pretty well. Anyways there is the manager of the store, he is a younger guy not to expressive to say the least. He has never said a word to me and my friend even though he has seen us. He usually goes around the lounge and welcomes everyone, but never us (mind you we are excellent customers, never cause any trouble, and are very respectful), anyways let me get to the story. Me and my friend came in for our nightly smoke, tonight was later than usual but still three and a half hours before they closed. We were greated by the man with the beard as we always were, and we headed to the lounge. In the lounge there were some guys but it seemed they had moved some chairs in almost a circle but not quite. They were enjoying their smokes, and conversing. The manager was also sitting with them, and again no greeting. When we walked passed them they all stopped talking, and gave us weird looks. The manager looks up at the bearded guy and mouths to him " who are they " ...he mouthed back " they're cool " I think. The next silent mouth gesture said something like "tell them to leave". He didnt know I saw him, but the next thing we know is that the employee was informing us that they would be closing soon. I said ohh well when, and he said at 830.... Three minutes from the time it was then. Obviously they weren't closing in three minutes, the guys had just started smoking their cigars, and were pouring drinks. So me and my friend left vowing to never go back. Sorry for the long story, but I felt it had to be shared. What is it about younger people and smoking. Just because we're young doesn't mean we can't sit back and enjoy a cigar, all we want is acceptance, and advice, not rejection.:crytears:

 

[mwlabel]

Happens to the rest of us young'ns. I keep mental track of places like that. There's certain stores I won't go into at all, and there's certain ones I will leave immediately depending on who is working that day.

Sorry you had a bad experience.

 

[SmoknStyx]

Do the owner a favor and tell him the story.
Hope you found a spot for a smoke.

 

[ssaka]

Actually I would suggest you print a copy of this post and share it with the owner.

I know as an owner I would want to know if one of my employees did this. Maybe there is a legit reason, but odds are there wasn't...

Anyhow I would afford the owner the chance to make it right.

BR,

STS

 

[el_guapo13]

That's a bummer man. Really kills the experience for a while and as a young cigar buyer I feel your frustration. Let the owner know cause I would be furious if one of my employees did that to a customer

 

[AlohaStyle]

Actually I would suggest you print a copy of this post and share it with the owner.

I know as an owner I would want to know if one of my employees did this. Maybe there is a legit reason, but odds are there wasn't...

Anyhow I would afford the owner the chance to make it right.

BR,

STS

Exactly... you owe it to yourself to let it be known and also give the owner a chance to hear what happened and try to earn you back as a customer. Who knows, maybe the owner has his doubts about the shop manager and this will make him change some things, or at the very least, make him understand all customers are welcome. If you give the owner a chance by telling him and he doesn't care, then at least you know you did the right thing... then F'em.

 

[kockroach]

Totally agree with approaching the owner about this. It's the owner's business, not the manager's. Hopefully, it is not the owner's policy to do things like what happened to you, and he will make things right.

 

[UpInSmoke]

Sounds awful. Definitely let the owner know

 

[Robertsndr68]

As a young guy I get this a lot too man. I made really good friends with a local owner though over a period of time to the point where we text each other and he asks me for marketing advice from time to time haha. I guess I kind of earned his respect, although it shouldnt necessarily have had to happen that way. We should just start a young buck lounge haha

 

[javajunkie]

Actually I would suggest you print a copy of this [ENTIRE THREAD] and share it with the owner.

I know as an owner I would want to know if one of my employees did this. Maybe there is a legit reason, but odds are there wasn't...

Anyhow I would afford the owner the chance to make it right.

BR,

STS

sorry to edit you, steve, but dude needs to hear a discussion about HIS store by a group of VERY serious and informed smokers, in it's entirety. point for dude that he has a pleasant and open demeanor, but if his entire team isn't behind it, it still might be killing his business. new smokers are good things; more purchasing power coming into his neighborhood, an opportunity to grow the culture, it's like having a baby for your business. any business owner, you DON'T push away business unless it is disruptive (theft, violence, stuff like that).

 

[AlohaStyle]

Sorry hearing about some of your stories about getting grief for being young. Washington State sucks for smoker's rights, but sure makes me happy to have a great lounge to hang out in on a regular basis. The tobacconist is one of the nicer guys I have met and everyone is really welcoming with a diverse group of people. NickThePyro came to the lounge last week for the first time and I'm sure he can attest to being welcomed by FOG's, the manager and everyone there.

 

[JLB]

I agree with all if this. Although, maybe edit out the name if the place until the owner gets a chance to at least make it right by you? Just a thought. As of now, we are at the understanding that he knows none of this. Just my .02. Btw, again, I agree that that is horrible business practice. Good luck brother.

 

[RacFocus]

I don't understand in this economy and competitive industry why anyone would refuse paying customers. Unless you walked in carrying your own stix and didn't spend money there (which I doubt is the case).

 

[Dread]

Did you buy your cigars there? I hate to ask that question but I saw you say after getting greeted you went right into the lounge with your friend.

 

[Blockhead4243]

It's fine.... The guy knows us, and we bring cigars that we bought the last time and smoke those and usually walk out with a few sticks. He usually asks if he can help me and I usually say yea just a minute. So it's like smoke one in there and buy one when we leave.

 

[RacFocus]

It's fine.... The guy knows us, and we bring cigars that we bought the last time and smoke those and usually walk out with a few sticks. He usually asks if he can help me and I usually say yea just a minute. So it's like smoke one in there and buy one when we leave.

If he knew you all, why did he toss you out? Maybe next time buy the stick first.

 

[Dread]

It's fine.... The guy knows us, and we bring cigars that we bought the last time and smoke those and usually walk out with a few sticks. He usually asks if he can help me and I usually say yea just a minute. So it's like smoke one in there and buy one when we leave.

So everything you are smoking there is bought there, not a problem at all. But maybe they dont realize you are bringing in cigars you bought the last time you were there and smoking them first. They might think you are bringing in outside cigars. I think the best thing you could do is politely bring up your issue to the owner. Its more than likely just a misunderstanding. B&M's need supporting customers now more than ever, so I really hope it is just a small issue like that.

 

[Beef Supreme]

BnMs are great places, and like other young bucks, Ive gotten pushed around by older "more wise" cigar smokers. theres a place near my home where I walked in and bought some sticks. I was conversing with the owner for a while and the next thing I know hes handing me a free rocky battalion and sitting me down in a overstuffed chair. I hope one day, I can show a young gun the same things and hospitality I was shown.

 

[Blockhead4243]

It's fine.... The guy knows us, and we bring cigars that we bought the last time and smoke those and usually walk out with a few sticks. He usually asks if he can help me and I usually say yea just a minute. So it's like smoke one in there and buy one when we leave.

If he knew you all, why did he toss you out? Maybe next time buy the stick first.

The nice guy technically did throw us out but only cause the manager told him to. It seemed more like we weren't wanted there because we were infringing on their good time, not about the outside cigar thing. Even if we didnt buy anything there, it's no reason for us to be kicked out.

 

[FuenteSmoker]

As a younger guy this seems to happen..there's a lot of FOGs that are there everyday. Of course you need to show respect and acknowledge there wisdom but don't take chit....if someone was bluntly rude to me they will receive it directly back within reason. I can't conceive a manager or an owner being rude though. I can see them getting confused about bringing smokes in especially if your not buying then smoking your purchase. I thought the owner of my local B&M didn't like me until I spent a little time there and got to know everyone. Now I have to refuse free stuff almost every time I go in. Try to be open and honest with them....with everyone for that matter. It goes along way. Let us know what happens.