Friendly customer service is critical in this day and age for any retail establishment, not just cigar shops. It's why I love going into mom and pop shops and making purchases. The people there actually appreciate you walking through the door and understand the service. As far as cigar shops go, cleanliness and inventory are a close second to this. If the place looks like my basement, or has tons of empty boxes on display, I probably won't want to come back. But if I get ignored or treated rudely, I definitely won't be coming back.
Local B&M
- Thread starter jasonatjl
- Start date
Nacho Daddy
Irrepressibly Irreverent Inveterate Ignominy
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2009
- Messages
- 3,494
A B&M that really knows cigars is rare.
I have been lucky that my local really puts in the time and knows the product very well.
They know my palate, and will hand me a new cigar they are considering adding for my opinion, based on the current stocks.
Is this new cigar worth adding, or are there enough cigars in this category ?
This helps to keep things balanced, and insures there is a perfect cigar choice for the majority of customers.
Isn't this what you look for in a B&M ?
I have been lucky that my local really puts in the time and knows the product very well.
They know my palate, and will hand me a new cigar they are considering adding for my opinion, based on the current stocks.
Is this new cigar worth adding, or are there enough cigars in this category ?
This helps to keep things balanced, and insures there is a perfect cigar choice for the majority of customers.
Isn't this what you look for in a B&M ?
I am really big into Service and cared about customers. Maybe that is why I was busy for 30 years. Customer Service was my #1 Goal. Did I have jerk clients. Yes a few. But when I no longer need them, they called asking if I was available. I politely said I was working all week.
I realized my customers/client paid my Mortage, car payment, gas, insurance,. Insurances, etc. Last I knew they were the most important thing in my business, and keeping them happy was my #1 mission.
If you shop for anything and you are not treated OK, it your money, shop else where. I find some of the people at Wal-Mart care, they keep moving stuff, and I ask where is something now. Most point me to what I want. ITS THERE JOB.
As one young go getter told me. I am a Wal-Mart Associate my job is to help customers, if I can not I call someone who can.
Come down to doing what your competition don't, most customer service cost the company nothing in retail. When consider what it cost to attract new customers.
I realized my customers/client paid my Mortage, car payment, gas, insurance,. Insurances, etc. Last I knew they were the most important thing in my business, and keeping them happy was my #1 mission.
If you shop for anything and you are not treated OK, it your money, shop else where. I find some of the people at Wal-Mart care, they keep moving stuff, and I ask where is something now. Most point me to what I want. ITS THERE JOB.
As one young go getter told me. I am a Wal-Mart Associate my job is to help customers, if I can not I call someone who can.
Come down to doing what your competition don't, most customer service cost the company nothing in retail. When consider what it cost to attract new customers.
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BigSkySmoke
Lanceros, Cowgirls and Burritos
Service is dead! And unless it's is revived, the local B&M is gonna be just as dead. Why do you think they have to sell cigarettes, bongs and chew? I won't even walk into a local shop at this point. A woman in their 30-40s that is just there to run the register and dosent know a fucking thing about cigars...Prices close to 3x what can be had online. Which I will gladly pay when I can sit and enjoy the smoke in a lounge. There is one place in CDA that has fantastic service, selection and lounge. I've never thought twice about purchasing and supporting it. Since no place local has a lounge, they really have nothing to offer for me...YMMV obviously my area is shit compared to larger markets.
Well when you have the only rope in town people have to use your rope. You also have the choice of online retailer who most work had at getting your business. I was in an auto deal a couple of week ago, and was ignored because I dress down.
Two week later I am back in the same place and one of the salesmen who ignored me want to wait on me that day. I told he he lost his chance two week before because he assumed I could not buy or something.
There is a funny story about Howard Hugh's going into a Cadallic dealer, got kind of ignored by a young salesmen, two weeks later the sales manager fired the young guy. At request of new owner Mr. Hugh's.
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2017
- Messages
- 26
The profitability of vaping equipment, glass paraphernalia, and whatever the legal herbs the kids are smoking these days makes it tough to resist for struggling B&M smoke shops, but kills the traditional cigar lounge atmosphere. The more a B&M can combine good service with a loyal following they will thrive. I'm happy to pay a premium to sit in a comfortable lounge and chat or catch up on work. I travel a lot and one of my favorite places to stop and work are at cigar shops. Usually cheaper than sitting at a bar for a few drinks!
The more we can bring in new BOTLs and Herf up, the better our locals will be.
The more we can bring in new BOTLs and Herf up, the better our locals will be.
Coincrazed
"Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum."
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2017
- Messages
- 679
I about died laughing at this comment.
Unfortunately, not federally legal.....
Definitely true. Cheaper and the atmosphere is much more welcoming and close knit than a bar. Not to mention a night of cigars with the boys doesn't make you feel like garbage the next morning.
Having a product or service for sale, you are selling is nothing with out Customer Service, or After Sales Service to help keep customers.
Honestly I am not going to pick on Xikar as their Lighters, Cutters, and other Cigar Accessories are just as good as many others. The BUTS is their after Sales Service, No BS Warranty, and Product Support makes them IMHO one of the best companies to deal with.
There is another lighter/cutter out of Florida that put in their packaging a nice little card in each product. Card states a lifetime warranty, and a web-address. Truth is there are strings attached.
1. Must have original sales slip. Or the fee to fix, or replace item is $25.00.
2. If you have the original sales slip it is a $10.00 Fee.
3. All clams are subject to their inspection? What ever that means.
Honestly if you have to mail in your package 4 - 5 bucks, send $10.00 to replace an item that cost mfg $5.00 - $10.00 Wholesale, who is doing who. What warranty. They are just giving you on at cost.
My favorite cigar shop is within 10 minutes of my favorite casino. The B&M is a cheaper, quieter and friendlier place for my wife and I to enjoy a cup of coffee, a bit of conversation and maybe a ballgame. The air is a lot better too.
I’m 5 min from a Oklahoma casino. They have a damn walk-in also. Only good thing is there is no tax when you buy from them.