Where to buy online.

[biddnez]

Hello,

I usually buy from my local shop which seems cheaper than online simply because of tax & shipping, where do you buy with no tax & shipping and with good reputation?

Example Local shop:
padron 1926 8th anniversary natural = $31.00 single
flor de las antillas by my father toro = $6.00 single

Same cigar online:
padron 1926 8th anniversary natural = $250.40 (singles are more expensive) + shipping & tax
flor de las antillas by father toro 20 count box = $123.95 (singles are more expensive) + shipping & tax


I don't mind buying 10/20/25 even 50 box count to save money, but most sites I've checked don't really offer any savings on my selection. Seems like there is only savings on what they want to put on sale.

 

[brandoncpm]

Check out the site sponsors here as they are great to work with.

 

[brandoncpm]

Emerson's
Atlantic
Federal
Cigar king
Famous
And podmans

 

[joshthe6th]

I try to buy from a shop, but if I have to go the online route, I try and buy directly from the company if possible.

 

[biddnez]

I noticed one or two have no shipping & tax but price still doesn't seem competitive considering I'm buying full boxes.

Thanks

 

[sean]

Sounds like you can afford to support your B&M. I would suggest you stick to that then, and save the online stores for stuff you can't get from your local guy. There is nothing magical about buying online, really, so it isn't like you are missing out on much.

In California, it is entirely the opposite, so I am stuck with a lot of online purchases and save the single-stick buys for the local B&Ms.

 

[ar2381]

A lot of cigar brands have minimum pricing, which prevents retailers from going below a certain price on their product.

 

[sofc]

Why are you paying tax online and not at your local?

 

[TheDog1967]

U know I noticed the same....If you wanna buy a 5 pack, a sampler, or a single they have all sorts of deals online. But if you are wanting to buy a box then the bargains don't apply......

 

[sofc]

U know I noticed the same....If you wanna buy a 5 pack, a sampler, or a single they have all sorts of deals online. But if you are wanting to buy a box then the bargains don't apply......

It must be that we are looking at different cigars because I've usually found that boxes are cheaper.

 

[rdomfoto]

It doesn't say where you live, but be careful about the "no tax" concept of buying online. Many states, including here in Illinois, require that you pay tax on online tobacco purchases. But, since the state doesn't have the authority to enforce collection by the out-of-state seller, they go after the purchaser/resident. It's technically called a "use tax".

There was a big issue here a few years ago when the (under-funded) state went after people who had been buying cigarettes online for years without ever paying taxes. All of a sudden, people found themselves with tax bills for thousands of dollars and an unsympathetic state.

I wish I could find links to the news stories - it was about five years ago or so, I think.

 

[Cigary43]

Sounds like you can afford to support your B&M. I would suggest you stick to that then, and save the online stores for stuff you can't get from your local guy. There is nothing magical about buying online, really, so it isn't like you are missing out on much.

In California, it is entirely the opposite, so I am stuck with a lot of online purchases and save the single-stick buys for the local B&Ms.

You hit the nail on the head with States that charge a significant tax on tobacco where as other states like PA are very low. There are two schools of thought in play with B&M's and Online Stores and supporting both is something we should do because it keeps businesses growing and going. Knowing pricing and how an online store operates is key because not ALL online stores are alike just as every B&M isn't the same. Sometimes a good B&M owner will work with you to at least keep your business by price matching an online store and if you can find them...I'd advise this route because you have a place to smoke your cigars if your wife or G/F don't like the smell. You can buy online all you want but if there isn't a place to smoke them then you have to wait out the cold winters like a lot of us do. I'd rather have a leather chair, MNF, baseball and just being able to sit back and people watch.

 

[UnBanded]

www.cigarsatyourprice.com gets most of my son's college money.

 

[biddnez]

That's pretty cool you can name your price.

 

[rdomfoto]

That's pretty cool you can name your price.

I'm torn on "name your own price" sites. Great for consumers but it can be problematic for an industry or small companies who are forced to 'voluntarily' sell for just a bit above cost or, in some cases, below cost.

 

[biddnez]

I see your point but how can you say no to a box of padrons 80th anny at 350 on 1 site and 300 on this one.

 

[Craig Mac]

Just buy those 80th's at Emerson's for $225 a box

 

[Stillinger]

some of the name your price sites are working in a volume where a slight profit is going to help them, and they can also make a deal off others who aren't as picky in price shopping (and think they're getting a deal on a different product).

Either way, there's no magic place to buy online. Shop around, find what you want, and purchase where you want.

I rather spend a tad more at the places that support this place (or that have given me good customer service) if I can, than save a few dollars in the long run. I also rather support my local b/m than save a few bucks as well if they're competitive. My few dollars doesn't make the complete difference, but it still makes me feel better about it.

Good luck on your search, but there's no end all place to shop or not.

 

[remy swagger]

often a box purchase equates to free shipping, depending on the dollars and site.

 

[NCost]

I buy my singles from the B/M...occasionally a box from him, but 90% of my box purchases come from Emersons or Atlantic Cigar...both site sponsors.

You all need to realize that internet sales tax will go into affect in 2014...this means sites will be required to collect sales tax on all purchases. Not sure what some sites will do, I assume they'll have a % discount to make sure the customer sill has a reason to buy from them or else their sales will drop.