Guilt over a discount?

[Senor Perfecto]

That's horrible business that they'd rather you buy elsewhere than try to work with an existing customer.

 

[fsfrancis]

Buying a lot of stuff from a good B&M will pay dividends down the road if you want to get HTF or limited release stuff. If you're smoking only production regularly available stuff, then it won't matter and you should shop on the internet, or catch deals on the auction sites (best cheapest alternative) But if you want to be first in line for the one box of Dirty Rats, or FFP, or UF-13 etc.. that they're going to get this quarter, you better pony up the cash and buy most or some of your regular smokes there. When I say good B&M, I mean one that has the requisite accounts to get the stuff you like. Not everyone carries Liga, Opus, Tatuaje etc...or whatever you're in to.

 

[Skitalets]

That's horrible business that they'd rather you buy elsewhere than try to work with an existing customer.

Not necessarily. Pricing is a difficult and complicated discipline. The shop likely knows their margins and what effect discounting has on the prevailing prices they can charge better than you do from a distance.

 

[Jtone_FB6]

I would have said local B&M but I shop elsewhere too because the only B&M in my areas hours don't meet my hours except for weekend but fortunately my B&M has the best prices in the area and a rewards program. I've only bought one box of cigars and that was a while back and I still have those cigars in my humidor. If a shop treats me well and everything I will usually not mind paying a little higher price for good business instead of a cheaper price for poor business. Not always the case. Just me tho.

 

[Master Shake]

Buying a lot of stuff from a good B&M will pay dividends down the road if you want to get HTF or limited release stuff. If you're smoking only production regularly available stuff, then it won't matter and you should shop on the internet, or catch deals on the auction sites (best cheapest alternative) But if you want to be first in line for the one box of Dirty Rats, or FFP, or UF-13 etc.. that they're going to get this quarter, you better pony up the cash and buy most or some of your regular smokes there. When I say good B&M, I mean one that has the requisite accounts to get the stuff you like. Not everyone carries Liga, Opus, Tatuaje etc...or whatever you're in to.

That doesn't even necessarily translate to everyone though, it really depends on your local B & M situation. At some places its easy to get on a known by your name basis simply by showing up every once and a while and picking up a few boxes a year. In the Detroit area, best I can tell, it doesn't work like that. At a premier B & M in the area, their membership with lockers is pretty damn full. Unless you're one of those customers, you can't expect to get anything, and even then only if you are a top buyer. They recently were considering making the lounge "more exclusive" and would only be available to those who spent a certain dollar amount per year and then paid a yearly fee on top. I'm not talking peanuts here either, I'm talking $2000+ per year in cigars and then a fee right around $600 a year. Those are the customers who will get the HTF stuff. Not some random dude who bought 3 or 4 boxes in the past year.

 

[Deathskin]

Buying a lot of stuff from a good B&M will pay dividends down the road if you want to get HTF or limited release stuff. If you're smoking only production regularly available stuff, then it won't matter and you should shop on the internet, or catch deals on the auction sites (best cheapest alternative) But if you want to be first in line for the one box of Dirty Rats, or FFP, or UF-13 etc.. that they're going to get this quarter, you better pony up the cash and buy most or some of your regular smokes there. When I say good B&M, I mean one that has the requisite accounts to get the stuff you like. Not everyone carries Liga, Opus, Tatuaje etc...or whatever you're in to.

That doesn't even necessarily translate to everyone though, it really depends on your local B & M situation. At some places its easy to get on a known by your name basis simply by showing up every once and a while and picking up a few boxes a year. In the Detroit area, best I can tell, it doesn't work like that. At a premier B & M in the area, their membership with lockers is pretty damn full. Unless you're one of those customers, you can't expect to get anything, and even then only if you are a top buyer. They recently were considering making the lounge "more exclusive" and would only be available to those who spent a certain dollar amount per year and then paid a yearly fee on top. I'm not talking peanuts here either, I'm talking $2000+ per year in cigars and then a fee right around $600 a year. Those are the customers who will get the HTF stuff. Not some random dude who bought 3 or 4 boxes in the past year.

one of the local b&ms here has a kick ass lounge called "the club" they charge a yearly membership fee but this place is set up. its even got a kitchen you can use several flatscreens nice comfterble chairs and a discount on your purchases. i would get a membership but i'm on a limited income and cant afford it

 

[Highlander]

The b&m where I work part time gives 20% off box purchases. And they are already cheaper than any of the local competition.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[Mr.Maduro]

Would of probably got your biz if met you half way. What's $10? Then you both feel better. Can't help the helpless...

 

[The EVP]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say buy from your local. This is your first box purchase--use it to establish some additional cred with your B&M as a customer who appreciates them. (Though I agree with the suggestion to ask how much they can do in the way of price matching.) On top of that, B&Ms where you can smoke are getting to be few and far between--if your B&M is a place where you sit and lounge, consider the $20 a contribution to the lounge side of the business.

This^^^^^ :applause:

 

[Mr.Maduro]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say buy from your local. This is your first box purchase--use it to establish some additional cred with your B&M as a customer who appreciates them. (Though I agree with the suggestion to ask how much they can do in the way of price matching.) On top of that, B&Ms where you can smoke are getting to be few and far between--if your B&M is a place where you sit and lounge, consider the $20 a contribution to the lounge side of the business.

This^^^^^ :applause:

He already does twice per week. Most of "contribute" plenty to B&M when we can. Not like he is asking for matching if CI or something.

 

[Mr.Maduro]

On a side note, I find it funny at times between certain B&M's that treat you like its a privilege to buy a few sticks and sit down. When in reality it is a two way street, both sides should feel appreciated.