Local B&M vs buying online?

[funkejj]

I have for the last few years only purchased cigars from my local B&M. Before meeting a fellow BOTL in Mexico I never really considered buying online. As my wife can attest I am a person when I go to the B&M I buy 4 or 5 boxes at a pop every month or two.

Well after being on here for two weeks and wanting to support the sponsors and such and the cigar deal thread I have seen how much of a savings I can get buying online. My local B&M is significantly higher than what can be bought online. I went in last week to say hi and found a great deal on tat's (they claim they are a no name brand and they can't get them sold. Box dates were from Nov 07).

So I just wanted to ask people if they buy local more even though it is higher or if they order more online. Oh and my local B&M does not have a lounge so it is not like I can go in and hang out with a smoke. Just wanting some opinions.

 

[twenty5]

I purchase almost everything online. No one at my locals ever took me serious so I stopped going. Their loss IMO.
As for your local, what kind of Tats do they have sitting around since 07??:halfgrinw

 

[ealfotd]

Generally I buy single sticks at the B&M and boxes online. There is a B&M in Clayton, MO that has very competitive 5 pack prices that I occasionally swing down to. The B&M by my house also has a monthly blind taste test, and if the smoke is any good I'll usually buy a fiver to give to any of my friends that couldn't make it that month. This same B&M has a cigar lounge that requires a pretty significant fee to be a member of, and I feel that this makes up for my not buying boxes from them.

 

[Drac]

It is no secret that online retailers generally are cheaper than B&M stores. I have a huge disadvantage with my high state tobacco tax and cannot compete with online shops in low or no tax states.
Before I had the shop I did buy from local only just for the sake of building relationships and supporting local business. With that, there are some guys that do not have a good local shop to buy from so I get the online habit completely.

 

[funkejj]

Drac as I know you own a local shop I mean no disrespect. But I can go 50 miles or so in any direction and get the same cigar from another B&M for 2 pr 3 bucks less. Rocky Patel Vintage 90 is going for $10 or so. and Missouri has a smaller tobacco tax than most. I think they are over charging but that is just my opinion.

And they had 3 boxes of Tatuaje Havana VI's. I asked if they carried them and she said yeah we have been trying to get rid of what we have since they wont sell. I said I never saw them until she showed me that day. I bought what they had left to both smoke and bomb/trade with. I thought it was a good find since they still have the original price on them. They like to raise prices monthly and not just on the new stuff coming in but what they have in stock.

 

[Drac]

No disrespect taken bro. Not all local shops are friendly, priced right for their state and such. I understand when guys save a good amount of money online. It is a personal choice and to each there own, I just found buying from a guy I liked , trusted and was priced right for my state reaped many benefits beyond just the retail purchase. The guy I bought all my sticks from always hooked me up when new stuff hit and when time came he helped me so much with opening my own store since he is like an hour away from me.

 

[funkejj]

I have always had the mentality of buy local stay local then it dawned on me one day that the owners own several stores and they don't even live in this state. I wish I had a variety to go to. The people are nice but the prices just keep creeping up. I feel by not going there I am a trader of sorts. Oh well I don't feel as bad now for ordering online.

 

[dk_fxn]

I'm not a huge box purchase guy, I like to buy mostly singles and local B&Ms are best for that. So when I do decide to go out shopping every other week or so I'll hit up my local. I will however buy online, but that is mostly if I run across an extremely good deal (ie, box of LaRiqueza #5 for $100 or so that I nabbed in August).

The benefit to the B&M is the conversation and information that you can get out of the employees there. If you go often enough, they get to know your taste preferences and are able to recommend things to try. Plus it's fun. I'm not a big shopper, but going into a B&M today at 31 makes me feel the way I did in toys 'r us at 10 or at the music den at 20 [do music stores even exist anymore ]

 

[Moro]

For general questions, try and use the Search function, for they probably were asked before: [ame="http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=29688"]BOTL Cigar Forums - Brothers of the Leaf[/ame]

EDIT - If ye can't see the thread, ye need join the Debate group (further instructions in a sticky, if I'm not mistaken)

From that thread, though, I want to rescue this particular post: [ame="http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showpost.php?p=537758&postcount=44"]BOTL Cigar Forums - Brothers of the Leaf[/ame]

 

[tmoney2007]

I buy from my B&M unless they are out of/don't carry a smoke and I find it online, if I am buying from an individual or if it is a ridiculously good deal.

My B&M has a lounge where you can hang out and smoke, so I buy there to keep them open. It helps that they have a great selection and practically never sell over msrp and we're in Texas so there is effectively no cigar tax.

The times I have bought things elsewhere included deals from brothers of the leaf that were way less than where I could get it anywhere else and on box of cabaiguan from cbid where they didn't make any money.

We don't have a membership fee so I'm willing to pay a little extra to have a place to sit and smoke.

 

[strife]

Generally I buy single sticks at the B&M and boxes online. There is a B&M in Clayton, MO that has very competitive 5 pack prices that I occasionally swing down to. The B&M by my house also has a monthly blind taste test, and if the smoke is any good I'll usually buy a fiver to give to any of my friends that couldn't make it that month. This same B&M has a cigar lounge that requires a pretty significant fee to be a member of, and I feel that this makes up for my not buying boxes from them.

Same here, almost exactly the same! The one shop that has a lounge for non members has a limited selection. Who knows, with winter bearing down maybe I'll frequent them more often. I'll definitely be looking for someplace to smoke other than the Elks lodge.

 

[Craig Mac]

For general questions, try and use the Search function, for they probably were asked before: BOTL Cigar Forums - Brothers of the Leaf

EDIT - If ye can't see the thread, ye need join the Debate group (further instructions in a sticky, if I'm not mistaken)

From that thread, though, I want to rescue this particular post: BOTL Cigar Forums - Brothers of the Leaf

So I can't respond here? I have to first join the Debate Room and bump an older post? I thought we weren't allowed to bump older posts, I'm confused :dunno:

 

[funkejj]

Ok so how do I joing the debate room? Am I not seeing something?

 

[Moro]

So I can't respond here? I have to first join the Debate Room and bump an older post? I thought we weren't allowed to bump older posts, I'm confused :dunno:

No bumping old intros. Though I did note it being in the Debate room, thus making sense for him not finding it via a search.

 

[twenty5]

From that thread, though, I want to rescue this particular post: BOTL Cigar Forums - Brothers of the Leaf

Believe me, I wish I had a place like that around me. The place that I have been to a few times has a card table with 4 folding chairs and an ashtray in the middle. I automatically know nothing about cigars because I am in my 20's and the older gentlemen laugh when I ask about Tatuaje or Illusione... They like to point out cigars like Camacho, CAO and Fuente curly heads and laugh as they say "If you want to spend a little for a real cigar, Gurkha is the way to go.. Although its not the type of cigar to fool around with on the golf coarse.." Free lighter refills? Nope. Accessories for sale? Yes! But Xikar X2s cost around 100 bucks..
I really would love to go to a nice B&M, sit down and experience everything Wade described. Some places don't have things like that and for me, I would rather take my money elsewhere. :crytears:

 

[rduke10]

Easy answer for me. I have to buy online as we have only one B&M where I live and there is no selection there. We have a good one about an hour away and I stop in and buy something when I am up that way.

 

[ealfotd]

Believe me, I wish I had a place like that around me. The place that I have been to a few times has a card table with 4 folding chairs and an ashtray in the middle. I automatically know nothing about cigars because I am in my 20's and the older gentlemen laugh when I ask about Tatuaje or Illusione... They like to point out cigars like Camacho, CAO and Fuente curly heads and laugh as they say "If you want to spend a little for a real cigar, Gurkha is the way to go.. Although its not the type of cigar to fool around with on the golf coarse.." Free lighter refills? Nope. Accessories for sale? Yes! But Xikar X2s cost around 100 bucks..
I really would love to go to a nice B&M, sit down and experience everything Wade described. Some places don't have things like that and for me, I would rather take my money elsewhere. :crytears:

That's why I love the B&M by my house. I can walk there, the lounge is huge with two big flat screens with satellite tv, xbox, and a large dvd collection. Lots of comfy chairs, couches, and tables, a large group of friendly members of all ages, and they rarely kick you out even after the store closes. Plus its the only place you can smoke indoors in the town.

 

[funkejj]

My local B&M does not have a lounge nor do are they thinking of adding one when they move to their new location because "that will cause to many headaches" Have I had my lighters filled for me, sure when I bought all 4 or 5 of them there. Do I get good conversation? Not really it is sad when I am in there making a purchase and the manager gets a question from another customer and asks me cause she does not smoke cigars. I ask a question about a brand or such and get the well all I know is what I read in CA. I would love for there to be a b&M around me that cared about more than a purchase. I have made roughly $9000 in purchases from them this year. After seeing prices on RP's onling I would have saved $500 ish. Am I going to stop going to them no. But I wanted to see others opinion about this subject. Moro thanks for letting me know of other groups out there as I am a noob to this forum and never knew they were there. Sorry I posted a topic about such a sore subject.

 

[Moro]

No need to worry, Jason.

 

[tmoney2007]

My local B&M does not have a lounge nor do are they thinking of adding one when they move to their new location because "that will cause to many headaches" Have I had my lighters filled for me, sure when I bought all 4 or 5 of them there. Do I get good conversation? Not really it is sad when I am in there making a purchase and the manager gets a question from another customer and asks me cause she does not smoke cigars. I ask a question about a brand or such and get the well all I know is what I read in CA. I would love for there to be a b&M around me that cared about more than a purchase. I have made roughly $9000 in purchases from them this year. After seeing prices on RP's onling I would have saved $500 ish. Am I going to stop going to them no. But I wanted to see others opinion about this subject. Moro thanks for letting me know of other groups out there as I am a noob to this forum and never knew they were there. Sorry I posted a topic about such a sore subject.

Man... I would blow that place off too.

We are always welcoming but you are going to catch crap if you hang around because everyone does.

The guys that work there are knowledgeable (or getting there) and the place is comfortable with a nice big tv.