B&M Guilt?

[LikeAPuma]

So today I ran into the local B&M to grab a few random sticks that I haven't tried yet. The owner is always there, offering recommendations based on what I tell him, & his staff is extremely friendly. I always enjoy the conversation I have there, no matter how brief.

Along with the reminder of the good atmosphere, I was also reminded of the mark-up a B&M charges for sticks (I understand the economics behind it). Whoa!

I would love to give them more of my business, but it's tough when I look at how much more I could buy online. Makes me feel guilty! Anyone else ever feel like a sellout (for lack of a better word lol), when you buy from a large online business rather than a local small business?

If it's any constellation, I'm hoping to go there more regularly once the mercury starts to drop!

 

[RamzaFreak20]

So today I ran into the local B&M to grab a few random sticks that I haven't tried yet. The owner is always there, offering recommendations based on what I tell him, & his staff is extremely friendly. I always enjoy the conversation I have there, no matter how brief.

Along with the reminder of the good atmosphere, I was also reminded of the mark-up a B&M charges for sticks (I understand the economics behind it). Whoa!

I would love to give them more of my business, but it's tough when I look at how much more I could buy online. Makes me feel guilty! Anyone else ever feel like a sellout (for lack of a better word lol), when you buy from a large online business rather than a local small business?

If it's any constellation, I'm hoping to go there more regularly once the mercury starts to drop!

I think most of the markup is due to taxes. IIRC, they're kind of higher in places like the NE, CA, and UT. Sounds like you need to talk to some of your state reps!

 

[plumber1965]

So today I ran into the local B&M to grab a few random sticks that I haven't tried yet. The owner is always there, offering recommendations based on what I tell him, & his staff is extremely friendly. I always enjoy the conversation I have there, no matter how brief.

Along with the reminder of the good atmosphere, I was also reminded of the mark-up a B&M charges for sticks (I understand the economics behind it). Whoa!

I would love to give them more of my business, but it's tough when I look at how much more I could buy online. Makes me feel guilty! Anyone else ever feel like a sellout (for lack of a better word lol), when you buy from a large online business rather than a local small business?

If it's any constellation, I'm hoping to go there more regularly once the mercury starts to drop!

I think most of the markup is due to taxes. IIRC, they're kind of higher in places like the NE, CA, and UT. Sounds like you need to talk to some of your state reps!

Yeah i defintely have to agree with this. UT does have really high taxes, but i do try to pass some of my business to my B&M. You can always buy all your accessories there and a few gars if you feel that you need to support them.

 

[LikeAPuma]

Taxes? Idk what taxes are! CT's new slogan is "still revolutionary", yet a revolution is what's needed, for the taxes they get from us

But that's a good idea... Accessories from them (and occasional sticks). I think I'm due for an upgraded cutter, as my gas station one is getting a bit iffy lol

 

[BraveSmoker]

I'll tell you what, I was just thinking about this last week ha. I usually treat the local B&M as a place to try new cigars and get solid recommendations from people much more knowledgeable than me. It is hard to overlook the markups sometimes especially when you can get a better bang for your buck online and in bulk.

I have started buying accessories from them more recently and making more of an effort to get there once a month to smoke in the lounge. I do see where you are coming from though.

 

[Hoshneer]

I buy all singles through my B&M. I hang out there on the weekend to smoke. My boxes I usually get online although I do have one shop that I buy boxes from on the cheap.

 

[Argus17]

I don't have a B&M. From day one I've bought all my cigars online, so I feel no guilt. Now, if I had a local retailer who mentored me, and provided a place for me to smoke, then yes, I'd feel some guilt.

 

[gravel]

As a rule I always purchase something from my B&M. It isn't due to guilt, just support.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

I buy locally and online. I go to my bm regularly in the winter.

They raised their prices dramatically recently but they have a great selection and good people, not to mention a warm place to smoke

 

[AdamJoshua]

Don't know about guilt, I like to help the local guy out. It's a very nice, comfortable place, so I'll go in and buy a couple of sticks, smoke the ones I bring and then stash away or gift out those that I bought.

oh and taxes here in CA, I believe are about 63%

 

[Griz]

I don't have a B&M. From day one I've bought all my cigars online, so I feel no guilt. Now, if I had a local retailer who mentored me, and provided a place for me to smoke, then yes, I'd feel some guilt.

yep, I am in the same boat, closest B&M to me is an hour and a half away, as a matter of fact, I am ordering on line in about 2 hours. I do stop and buy at a B&M when I am passing one, but that is only a couple times a year.

 

[ItsBarbarino]

I used to have a B&M where the regular guy knew me. I would bring him sticks, and he would give me discounts. Nothing insane, but he world round down a dollar, or toss in a few freebies if I bought in bulk. It was enough to make me not feel like I was being ripped off for spending $8 on a $4 sick. He ended up leaving the shop, and I'm not so much a fan of the owner and his new employee. So, now I order online.

No guilt here: my experience is that most shops around me mostly carry big box sticks (General, Altadis, and overpriced Fuentes, Ashtons, and LFDs.) Not really my thing

 

[jritman77]

I have Holts so I never order from the big online companies because they sell enough to compete with them in price, both online and in store. They always have buy 4 sticks get 1 free and online weekly deals. Plus PA taxes are fairly cheap. If I had to deal with a small local guy I would probably order most online, but would pay The markup when the winter comes for a warm place to smoke.

 

[RacFocus]

I'm with Hoshneer. I like to buy singles at the local, but if I am making a large purchase the web is the way to go.

 

[problemsolverjc]

I buy stuff from two B&Ms, since they both carry different selections. One in Scranton owned by a member of this forum, that I try to give as much business as I can. The other is Famous-smoke. They don't care if I buy from them online or at their retail store. So I do a little of both. I hang out at both when I can.

 

[Catawbamatt]

I have the B&M guilt. I like to go in to the store once a week and just browse around, but then I feel obligated to buy something. Which leads to buying multiple sings and before you know if I've spent $50 on 4 singles after taxes that I could have got online for $25-30. It's just hard when an $8 cigars ends up being closer to $10 after taxes. I do want to support local shops and buy small. I feel like I do my part. It just stings sometimes.

 

[DanLAXX1]

Like some others, I buy singles at my b&m's. I don't feel guilty about not going to them more often. At the end of the day, I have to do what's better for my pocket. I'd be broke if I bought all my cigars at the b&m!

 

[mdwest]

I don feel guilty buying online.. online is the way the entire world is going these days... I have bought televisions, furniture, sporting equipment, clothing, and even a vehicle online.... why not cigars?

that said.. I also support my local B&M as well as others.. not out of a feeling of obligation.. business is business.. I as a consumer am going to purchase things where I feel most comfortable, get the best prices, etc.. My local B&M has a lounge that I occasionally enjoy sitting in (I cant get that online).. I pay for a locker there as well as lounge membership.. and buy occasional singles to smoke whenever I am around.. whenever I travel, I just enjoy stopping in shops, looking around, seeing whats out there.. and will pick up a thing or two to enjoy while I am on my trip... I usually make a point to visit "other" local B&M's (other than the one I have a lounge membership at) whenever there are events scheduled.. its a good chance to usually meet a couple of other smokers in the area.. visit with a rep... and pick up a few event items at a good price..

I cant remember the last time I made a "major" purchase at a B&M though... all of those over the last several years have been online.. the one exception I can think will probably occur will be with the CH Tennessee Waltz gets released.. I'll likely run down to my local CH dealer and grab as many of those as they will let me... I would have done the same thing with the Mule Kick had I been smart..

 

[JDog]

Plus PA taxes are fairly cheap.

Unless things have changed in PA in the last 5 years, the tax on cigars is just the sales tax... For the Philly area that was 6% the last time I was there... If I had access to a B&M in PA, I don't know why I would ever order anything online... unless its an store released LE.

Since we're on the topic of guilt, the more interesting question is if the B&M sold you the cigars without collecting the tax similar to the online retail shop, would you start going to the B&M all the time?

I rarely buy cigars online if I can find it at a local B&M or a B&M that I visit when I travel. I prefer knowing how the cigars are stored prior to purchasing them. If I would buy from an online retailer, I would be very selective. Plus, when a HTF stick is sold, I know that the B&Ms will likely sell me a cigar since they know me as a good customer. The internet seems a bit impersonal. I feel guilty just contemplating the idea of buying cigars online... thanks.

 

[mdwest]

Since we're on the topic of guilt, the more interesting question is if the B&M sold you the cigars without collecting the tax similar to the online retail shop, would you start going to the B&M all the time?

I dont think I would.. I might shop at a B&M more often... but.. I would still likely purchase online quite a bit... In addition to the better pricing I can almost always find online.. I like the convienience as well... I dont have to get up and go anywhere.. I can take a 2 minute break from work, hit the emerson/atlantic/federal/CI/famous/etc website.. make my order.. and be back to business as usual in less time than it would take me to walk outside to the truck and put the keys in it...

Ive gotten in the habit over the past few years of buying a large percentage of all the things I purchase online.... not just cigars..