Like I have posted on a thread before I buy most of my stuff online. I do like to support my local B&Ms but around my house that is hard to do. I went to two of them today and tried to make a box purchase. I was looking for the Holy Lance (natural or maduro), My Father No. 4, or a box of some Tatuaje Miami Especiales. They did not have any of the HL and less than half a box of the My Father No.4 and not a single Tatuaje Miami Especiales. So like I usually do I went online to my go to dealer Tim at ccom and he was able to get me a box of the My Father No. 4 at a great price plus free shipping. Does any one else have this issue with their local B&Ms?
Dont' get mad at me, I tried.
- Thread starter Koujo
- Start date
B&Ms aren't perfect. They will most definitely lack the selection and aggressive pricing of the huge online warehouses. If my preferred B&M doesn't carry a particular cigar, I have no problem whatsoever with buying online. Al long you tried at least one B&M, buying online doesn't bother me.
danthebugman
BoM Nov '10
Yes. The local here is more of a tobacco/alcohol/candy store. While they have a decent selection of the usual suspects, they don't carry LP, Tatuaje, or Padron (among others, but these are some favorites of mine). Also you have to watch what you get as there have been a few times things have been moldy. On one occasion I left very sad as they had the LGC Serie N that I have been interested in trying, but they were covered in white fluffy mold...very frustrating. The customer service has also been a little iffy at times. I haven't set foot in there in probably 4 months or more...been buying online and picked some stuff up at Outlaw when I'm up there.
Dan
Dan
Cigar Cowboy
BoY...in Hell!!!
I live in California. Lawmakers have taxed me away from supporting my local B&M. I buy online and save thousands of dollars.
If I do stop buy for a smoke I always buy one or two. That is the best I can do. A box can cost me twice as much locally than I can get it online for.
California is tax crazy.
If I do stop buy for a smoke I always buy one or two. That is the best I can do. A box can cost me twice as much locally than I can get it online for.
California is tax crazy.
B&M's can't carry everything. My B&M doesn't have especiales. They can only carry what sells. Their retail space is too expensive.
JNT
The Bull
Yea, I don't mind stopping by, and shooting the breeze. I'll buy a couple new cigars to try, but I would never dream of getting a box there. Not when you can get it for half that price or more online. Even if you get hit with duty, you usually still come out well ahead.
slave2theaxe
Anything worth doing is worth overdoing
Here in AZ, we don't have the tax issues other places do. Unless the online site is offering a significant saving, I'll buy from my B&Ms. If its a matter of just saving on sales tax or even a few bucks more than that, I'll give my money to the B&M. Now if we're talking $15-20 plus sales tax savings, then of course I'll go with the online store.
I support my B&Ms as much as possible because I don't want them to go away...can't go hang out and smoke a cigar at an online dealer (unless that online dealer is ALSO a B&M...in which case, this topic is irrelevant...lol).
I support my B&Ms as much as possible because I don't want them to go away...can't go hang out and smoke a cigar at an online dealer (unless that online dealer is ALSO a B&M...in which case, this topic is irrelevant...lol).
The closest B&M near me is about a forty minute drive followed by one over an hour from my house. The first sells Perdomo lot 23 robustos for 9.50 and Gas is near 4 bucks a gallon in Cali right now so can you guess where I buy my smokes? I do however buy accessories and such when I stop in. I have never set foot in the other shop. Neither has a proper smoking area so I do not feel obliged to purchase a stick. I do all my smoking by the sea or in my front yard. At least out here in the sticks I don't have to worry about offending my neighbors and having a complaint filed or violating some insane city ordinance against enjoying a smoke on your own property. Dennis Leary was right. Pretty soon we'll only be able to smoke in our rooms, under the covers, with the f*&%*n lights out!
Koujo,
I'm originally from Baton Rouge so I have a pretty good idea of what you're referring to. I remember when I still lived in BR I had a favorite spot with pretty good selection, but they rarely had much of the limited stuff that so many of us yern for. When I went back to visit in January, not much had changed, unfortunately. I also don't know of any retailers in BR or even NOLA that carry a wide array of Tatuaje, My Father, Illusione, etc. They may be there, but if they are, they've eluded me. There's a great shop in Lafayette called Piper's Haven that I remember having a pretty good selection. It's at least worth giving them a call. I have family in Prairieville and as many times as I've been out there, I think I've only spotted one B&M.
What shops have you tried in the BR/Prairieville area? Feel free to PM me if you'd like to chat. I always enjoy talking to folks from home.
By the way, I would never have a problem dealing with Tim over a local B&M. He just finished sponsoring me in my newby trade and I've got to say he's a great guy. Besides, as much as I like to support B&Ms, I think it's important to spend your money with the businesses (preferably small time) who carry what you're after, are courteous, and treat you well.
I'm originally from Baton Rouge so I have a pretty good idea of what you're referring to. I remember when I still lived in BR I had a favorite spot with pretty good selection, but they rarely had much of the limited stuff that so many of us yern for. When I went back to visit in January, not much had changed, unfortunately. I also don't know of any retailers in BR or even NOLA that carry a wide array of Tatuaje, My Father, Illusione, etc. They may be there, but if they are, they've eluded me. There's a great shop in Lafayette called Piper's Haven that I remember having a pretty good selection. It's at least worth giving them a call. I have family in Prairieville and as many times as I've been out there, I think I've only spotted one B&M.
What shops have you tried in the BR/Prairieville area? Feel free to PM me if you'd like to chat. I always enjoy talking to folks from home.
By the way, I would never have a problem dealing with Tim over a local B&M. He just finished sponsoring me in my newby trade and I've got to say he's a great guy. Besides, as much as I like to support B&Ms, I think it's important to spend your money with the businesses (preferably small time) who carry what you're after, are courteous, and treat you well.
Jfire
BoM 9/9' 9/11' 8/12'
I'm at my B&M weekly if I know I want something I'll have them order it so its comes in in a week or two if they already don't have it. But I still by online for things I can't find at my local. 
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2010
- Messages
- 2,212
In CA it is tough. I buy a lot from Tower. Prices are good, and if he doesn't have it he can usually get it quickly. It's a customer service thing for me. Lots of B&Ms won't do that and many online retailers have a rough time with individualized service.
blessednxs65
Is it Nicaraguan
All we can ever do is try. Thank God for me, my local B&M stocks almost 90% of everything I want and I am within driving distance of another 5%. Coupled with the fact that I have a friend at JMG Distributors who, by his standing in the industry, can reach out and get almost anything else I desire, I do the majority of my purchases in Cali.
As I have stated previously, depending on the timing of the purchase I can find the right price point. Either that or I have lived here so long that I have become oblivious to the pricing.
Again, thanks for trying and Ronald, be the man because you are the man!
As I have stated previously, depending on the timing of the purchase I can find the right price point. Either that or I have lived here so long that I have become oblivious to the pricing.
Again, thanks for trying and Ronald, be the man because you are the man!
Docbp87
Smoke Into Oblivion
One thing you can do is buy from B&Ms in other places. Shops like Burning Leaf, Empire Cigars, and Buckhead Cigar all do plenty of business with customers in other places, and are popular places to order from within the online cigar community. Heck, Buckhead even posts deals regularly on twitter.
I hit the local B&M for singles & to try new cigars... boxes are just too pricey so I look for sales online or at least free shipping.
Been buying Casa Manga singles lately since I cant find a box of colorados on line anywhere.:dunno:
Been buying Casa Manga singles lately since I cant find a box of colorados on line anywhere.:dunno: