B&M vs. Internet

[ElectricMayhem82]

So I have a question for the brothers. What percentage of cigars and merchandise so you buy at B&M vs. online?

I personally am a fan of B&M stores for all things, not just cigars. I'm a supporter of small business in all forms. And I love to go in, look over cigars, and pick the ones I like. And a nice cigar lounge to relax in is always a good way to spend an hour or two.

That being said, the price differences are so extreme that I can't afford to purchase my cigars regularly through local shops. I still visit a couple of stores at least every other week. Whe I'm there I buy a couple cigars (one to smoke there), my butane, and a couple odds and ends. But if you look at my spending, I would say it's spread 20/80.

Sometimes I feel guilty, I mean I still spend money, but not nearly as much as I do online. My only justification is that here in Indianapolis, cigars are generally 150-200% more inside a B&M than when I find them on sale or CBid. Does anyone feel this way? What percentage do you spend in B&M vs. online?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[memphsdad]

I buy almost exclusively online. When on vacation I tend to check out the local B&Ms and see if I can find singles of stuff I've been wanting to try, or really good prices on favorites. For the most part however, I'm an online shopper. I very rarely need a place to smoke since I do so on my patio, so I would say that is a huge part of not spending more in B&Ms. But, CA prices are outrageous which is another reason why.

Would love to support the little guy, but in doing so it would be significantly harder to support my own part in this hobby.

 

[CVAC085]

I'm usually online shopping most of the time. I try to support my local B&M's especially the one I have a locker at with a buddy of mine or if they're hosting events.

Plus if I'm traveling out of state I'll buy some singles at the local shops.

Percentage wise- 75% online, 25% at the local B&M



Sent from my cellular device via tap to talk.

 

[Yarddog]

I buy almost exclusively online. When on vacation I tend to check out the local B&Ms and see if I can find singles of stuff I've been wanting to try, or really good prices on favorites. For the most part however, I'm an online shopper. I very rarely need a place to smoke since I do so on my patio, so I would say that is a huge part of not spending more in B&Ms. But, CA prices are outrageous which is another reason why.

Would love to support the little guy, but in doing so it would be significantly harder to support my own part in this hobby.

This says it very well for me...I couldn't care less about the cigar lounge aspect...hey, I don't know these guys, don't need to hang around 'em, got a great patio to smoke at my pad, or go to my neighbor's house.

I'll add that in my area...Santa Clarita...I have found that the B&M's that I used to frequent have sneaked in additional charges on my card...like a thirty dollar lighter that goes for ten bucks anywhere else...or the proprietors are obnoxious, or in the case of my former favorite B&M, simply don't bother to maintain and stock the humidor any more, for whatever reason. I used to get a coupla three 'treat/special' ceegars each payday locally...anymore, I just don't bother.

And that's really too bad, because I, too, would like to support local business. But if you're gonna charge a premium for goods...and I get the reasons why...then you'd better damn well step up and offer sparkling customer service. And that starts with keeping the merchandise up to day, and continues to being honest as the customer pays and goes out the door. In the meantime, don't get surly if I'm only getting two sticks, because if you are, those are the LAST two stogies I'm buyin' from ya!!!

 

[bassboat]

99.9% online. B&Ms are few and far between here. The one I used to stop at regularly took out their walk-in humidor and converted the place to a vape and glass shop, with just a few packaged handmades at the counter.

 

[RacFocus]

I buy almost exclusively online.

Tough to find CCs at a B&M in California I would imagine.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[memphsdad]

Tough to find CCs at a B&M in California I would imagine.

 

[bostoneo]

What percentage do you spend in B&M vs. online?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Probably 80% online, 20% in store. I have 2 lockers at 2 different BM's in the area, so that cost money every month but get it back 100% in store credit. So I try to buy things I know I can't get dirt cheap online, or something more expensive like some pardons or something. Sometimes one of the dudes will beat online prices for me if I order a box.

 

[davo]

I don't even know of any b&ms here in Australia lol that's how bad it is over here sorry actually the extremely overpriced Asian fella at the casino that's it. I'd like to have a b&m to go to occasionally chill out smoke a cigar or 2 maybe a drink buy a couple cigars to try every now and then etc . But for me its all online be it trading swapping buying all online , cigars are an expensive habit anywhere I can save my hard earned I will


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mossome]

I buy singles of cigars that I want to try from one of several local B&Ms. Anything 5er and up, I purchase online.

 

[navyvet]

I think it depends on what you buy, no local is going to be cheaper than cbid. So cross that off your list. You are doing your job supporting local business with your bi weekly visits. I buy most of my stuff online because the prices cant be beat. But we go to shops when we have time and we usally buy way more than just one stick inbetween food drink and sticks we go for date night to shops or with my grampa for an afternoon

 

[ar2381]

90% of my purchases are through b&m

 

[StogieNinja]

If I go to a lounge, I will always buy food, drink, and a cigar (which I take home and rest before smoking), but I almost never purchase cigars in bulk from them because a)I just don't have the time to drive over to a B&M, and b)when I do, they rarely have exactly what I'm looking for. Interestingly, prices at the local lounges are quite reasonable, my busy work and family life just don't allow for me to take off to the lounge.

We only have a couple B&M's locally to me, and they're all doing quite well, so I don't feel bad about it. In WA, smoking lounges are illegal except on tribal property, so they don't have much competition and are always doing brisk business.

 

[memphsdad]

90% of my purchases are through JR

Fixed

 

[Mossome]

90% of my purchases are through b&m

Says the guy who works for a cigar retailer.

 

[ChuckMejia]

90% of my purchases are through b&m

But you get a large discount.


99% of my purchases are online and phone orders on CCs. State taxes and B&M Markups are just ridiculous in California.

 

[ar2381]

Says the guy who works for a cigar retailer.

Even before I worked for a cigar retailer, I always did the bulk of my buying at b&m. I rarely buy by the box, and and I like walking into a store buying a cigar and smoking it there. I also was at a cigar store or lounge like 6 days a week.

 

[ChuckMejia]

Even before I worked for a cigar retailer, I always did the bulk of my buying at b&m. I rarely buy by the box, and and I like walking into a store buying a cigar and smoking it there. I also was at a cigar store or lounge like 6 days a week.

6 days? That's some dedication!

 

[memphsdad]

6 days? That's some dedication!

Altoneo

 

[ar2381]

6 days? That's some dedication!

Nah. I just had nothing else to do with my life. Also, it was quite the entertaining group of people who used to hang out there.