America's #1 Online Cigar Auction
first, best, biggest!

Last post 21 years ago by esplendidoschick. 22 replies replies.
A Taxing Effect
Jump to Bottom | Previous Topic | Next Topic
busdaddy Offline
#1 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 6:27 AM EST
Joined: 09-16-2001
Posts: 45
Last Sunday my lady, her child and I went out for some ice cream. We opted for local shop (waitress, soda-jerk, confectioner(?) all in 1) instead of DQ, and paid at least twice as much. Our thinking is that without our patronage, that shop will close. It was good, don't get me wrong, but they make the meanest heath blizzards at the local DQ :) The point -- Even with the sting of taxes I find myself frequenting local cigar shops, albeit for a few sticks at a time (boxes I buy on the net) for much the same reason.

I'm interested in how others see the issue...
cwilhelmi Offline
#2 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 6:36 AM EST
Joined: 07-24-2001
Posts: 2,739
I buy maybe 10-20 cigars a year from my local shops, the rest I buy online, which is probably 250/year. I feel bad for not supporting my local shops more, but I'm not willing to pay twice as much for my cigars. Also there is a limited selection at my local stroes, they obviously can't carry every cigar, however online you can get pretty much whatever you want.
SteveS Offline
#3 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 6:44 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
I do the same (dunno where in the good ol' USA you are, but that 'sting of taxes' is spelled with an upper case S here in CA) ... there's another factor for me in the local cigar store too ... social interaction ... (a fancy way of saying I love to bullsh** with everyone I meet there) ... I really enjoy the experience of sitting around, enjoying a really good smoke, perhaps a glass of favorite beverage (yep, that's right ... a glass of beverage IN the cigar store) and some friendly, relaxed conversation ... not unlike the board here, but it's in real time and instead of 'LOL', one gets to see the smile. At my favorite local shop, they even have an occasional lunch brought in (a good one too), and one gets a cigar, lunch, beverage AND the real-time conversation all for one low price ... eating, smoking, drinking and talking .. hell, there's only one of my favorite things missing in that lineup, so I'm there every time one of these events is held ...
esplendidoschick Offline
#4 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 6:47 AM EST
Joined: 09-22-2000
Posts: 417
Yes, and I'd like to thank all of you guys who buy your flowers from 800-flowers instead of from my shop that I've spent the past 20 years trying to make a living from. Don't get me wrong, I love the convenience and selection on the net and purchase from it frequently IF I can't get it locally. It's just those that choose to save a few bucks with their faceless, impersonnable (sp) purchases have nearly forced us moms & pops to close our doors...Bottom line ____don't turn your back on us when we need it most. E-Chick
busdaddy Offline
#5 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 7:01 AM EST
Joined: 09-16-2001
Posts: 45
ss - chitown (and vicinity). me too on all accounts. i don't get food however, but my kids get bubble gum cigars and have fun with the Indian and Punch Jester.

echick - good point. "my" flower shop is 3 doors down from the local cigar shop.
SteveS Offline
#6 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 7:23 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
sad to say, I'm old enough that my kids don't want the bubble gum cigars anymore ... it's gotta be the real thing ... of course, except for birthdays and other special occasions, they're on their own to buy them. While he was in the USN, my third amassed a pretty good collection of Cubans, but the doggone kid never thought to send his dear ol' dad one ... ah, kids ... but I digress ...
delarob Offline
#7 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 7:53 AM EST
Joined: 06-28-2001
Posts: 5,318
I mostly buy online. If the prices were better in my shops, and their conditions were better, I would probably split the purchases. Here in DE, the taxes aren't all that bad, but the shops leave a lot to be desired. While I'm all for Mom & Pop shops, I'm also for not bankrupting myself.
cwilhelmi Offline
#8 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 7:54 AM EST
Joined: 07-24-2001
Posts: 2,739
Sorry Echick, but it makes it kind of hard to justify paying twice as much for the product and then sales tax on top of it, just to help local businesses. And don't get me wrong, I love and support most of my local businesses, but not when it will cost me hundreds of dollars more a year.
sammydaddy Offline
#9 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 8:02 AM EST
Joined: 10-29-2001
Posts: 201
I live in a small town in rural CA. The only cigars I can buy in town are from the local liquor store, not a very good selection. I have been buying mail order and on the net for many years and would find it hard to pay $8, $10 or more dollars for the same cigars I purchase for 2 or 3 bucks. I do try to support local business when I can.
bud451 Offline
#10 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 8:03 AM EST
Joined: 09-11-2010
Posts: 2,237
I do support all my local "mom and pop" stores in my town. From lumber to flowers, I shop mainly at small shops. But....cigars I buy on the web or from contacts on the web. The prices are at least triple at my local shop.
bud451 Offline
#11 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 8:06 AM EST
Joined: 09-11-2010
Posts: 2,237
I forgot to say that I have bought a few cigars I wanted to try from there.
eleltea Offline
#12 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 9:05 AM EST
Joined: 03-03-2002
Posts: 4,562
I am looking for a local florist where I can get a lapdance with my order.
PETERCOB Offline
#13 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 10:06 AM EST
Joined: 05-30-2002
Posts: 11
I also like to buy at my local cigar shop. But paying the additional 28.25% for NYS Tobacco & sales tax makes it difficult.
xibbumbero Offline
#14 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 11:58 AM EST
Joined: 01-25-2002
Posts: 12,535
Eleltea,When U find such a place,take me with U. X
cwilhelmi Offline
#15 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 12:03 PM EST
Joined: 07-24-2001
Posts: 2,739
Me too!!! I think your only chance is france, and it will be a whorehouse that smells like flowers...
BMW Offline
#16 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 2:23 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 3,010
I love to frequent my local shop, especially since it's down the street, has a great selection, and are great people. I have bought a box or 2 from them but under special circumstances. Usually I get singles of primos or hard to find smokes (OpusX, Padron Anniv.,Hemingway Anejo,untold story, etc.) or just try new ones without having to buy a bunch. I shop hard on the net to find what I want and how much I want to pay for it, alot cheaper. Barry
xrundog Offline
#17 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 2:39 PM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
I get my bundle smokes at the local Tinderbox. I love these particular seconds and have seen them nowhere else. Designer brands I look for here. At the shop,$8 for 1 Acid? 9 for a Cupido? I think not!

Tim
eleltea Offline
#18 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 4:00 PM EST
Joined: 03-03-2002
Posts: 4,562
I would prefer the personalized service of a local shoppe, the cameraderie, the perks, the ego trips. But guess what? Their local, state, and federal business partners are greedier than the Mafia eveer was, and in the same protection racket. The shoppe owners could compete if it weren't for the taxes. Am i in the right forum?
DrMaddVibe Offline
#19 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 4:29 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,556
I purchase most of my smokes here. Today I went to Ybor City to buy an Opus X and a Hoyo only to be talked down to by the 19 year old know-it-all clerk! At the prices here I can sample whatever I want and not feel like I've been raped. I appreciate most of the comments(and sarcasm!)here in the forum area. I check out CI(and yes,other sites too!)to make sure the prices are in order and that I'm getting a good deal. I haven't thought too much about the tax issue because I've substituted the IRS with UPS! ~~(((((____(_(_)
mmay Offline
#20 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 5:15 PM EST
Joined: 06-10-2001
Posts: 121
Shopping for cigars on the internet is just too easy. I shop on the internet when I want to shop, be it midnight on Sunday. The local cigar shops are not open when I go to work and are usually closed when I come home. What free time I have I play golf, not spend shopping. There is all of the social interaction one could want, including cigar smoking, drinking, wagering, tale tales....
Guv Offline
#21 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 5:16 PM EST
Joined: 05-10-2002
Posts: 198
I buy the vast majority of my cigars online but I like to visit a locally owned Irish cigar shop where the owner always has complimentary Guinness in his fridge. It's nice to sit and relax with a fine cigar, a great stout and good conversation. - Mike
delarob Offline
#22 Posted: Mon, May 20 2002, 5:27 PM EST
Joined: 06-28-2001
Posts: 5,318
One of the locals here, well, he has 2-3 stores. His 1 store had a GREAT selection. Then he opened another, and it went downhill, big-time. CAO became a closeout, and he became a sellout. Then a buddy and I went in one day, and I took a box down from a higher shelf. The smokes looked like a drill had been taken to them. I went to his other store, just to see if the product looked the same, and I noticed a new humidifier. Salesperson admitted they had a major beetle problem, and were trying to fix it. Guy seems nice enough, but you gotta take that stuff out. Maybe he overlooked it? Nah. You got a stock like he did, you should have better accountability. Anywho, one of the other locals is more interested in Porn videos, and the other guy is too $$. Online is best for me. Sorry for the rant.
esplendidoschick Offline
#23 Posted: Tue, May 21 2002, 9:34 AM EST
Joined: 09-22-2000
Posts: 417
Sounds like cigars need to be LEGALIZED...
Users browsing this topic
Guest
Back to Top