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...

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.

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 ...

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

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.

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 ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

I forgot to say that I have bought a few cigars I wanted to try from there.

I am looking for a local florist where I can get a lapdance with my order.

I also like to buy at my local cigar shop. But paying the additional 28.25% for NYS Tobacco & sales tax makes it difficult.

Eleltea,When U find such a place,take me with U. X

Me too!!! I think your only chance is france, and it will be a whorehouse that smells like flowers...

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

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

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?

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! ~~(((((____(_(_)

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....