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Mraia
Connoisseur Topic Starter

2 years ago

Every year when raises and bonuses come I take the day off and treat myself to something. So this year I went to one of the bigger shops here on long island and spent a few bucks.
I did it willingly, as I just wanted to buy stuff then and there. But....
Johnny Tobacconaut...$12.50. $8.55 online
Assorted Fuents that are about $8 to $10 on line were all about $14
couple of Tatuaje...same kind of markups.

Now like I said, I bought these so Im complicit but come on! Im all for the community business but a few cigars ended up costing about $110 and I could have gotten the same online for $65 to $70. And as for the experience...I wont miss being continuously asked by the owner if "anything caught my eye" and trying to get me to buy a whole lot of Opus X that cost around $48 a pop by telling me how rare they are. He had a full display case of them, so they arent rare in his store...

Im not going to make a habit of this anymore.

[ram27bat]

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drglnc
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

Every year when raises and bonuses come I take the day off and treat myself to something. So this year I went to one of the bigger shops here on long island and spent a few bucks.
I did it willingly, as I just wanted to buy stuff then and there. But....
Johnny Tobacconaut...$12.50. $8.55 online
Assorted Fuents that are about $8 to $10 on line were all about $14
couple of Tatuaje...same kind of markups.

Now like I said, I bought these so Im complicit but come on! Im all for the community business but a few cigars ended up costing about $110 and I could have gotten the same online for $65 to $70. And as for the experience...I wont miss being continuously asked by the owner if "anything caught my eye" and trying to get me to buy a whole lot of Opus X that cost around $48 a pop by telling me how rare they are. He had a full display case of them, so they arent rare in his store...

I'm not going to make a habit of this anymore.

[ram27bat]

Mraia wrote:

Not just Cigars, Buying ANYTHING from B&M stores are more expensive. that is not going to change. if you want the instant gratification of getting it now, if you want to see the environment and verify the humidity levels and quality of the storage are good, or want the in person ability to browse and shop you will have to pay more. If you want the more impersonal experience and cheaper price... and don't care that you may get cigars packed with no humidity control and in some cases no packaging material to protect the cigars (yes, i know smaller more reliable companies package better, they are also more expensive) shop online...

Telecaster52
Aficionado

2 years ago

I like to go to the local B&M. Usually good conversation.

I don't buy bulk from them you can find it cheaper online but for a single of something I want to try I come out better.
10 or 20 bucks. When I get online I have to buy enough to get free shipping. Lol

danmdevries
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

B&M in some states can be decent. Not by me. First off is the b&m markup, then huge taxes on tobacco. A $3 Oliva online is $6-8 at the shpo, then about $5-6 in tax.

There was a shpo I used to hit up in Knoxville when I'd drive south and always dropped a couple hundos. Prices were the same or better than full price online retailers but they always had like 10% off 5 20% off 10. I'd often buy a basket of super premiums. One time I bought 4 Opus, leaving 3 in the box, and some other stuff. The opus were $20ea dude said go get the rest and take the box I'll take $100 for 7. Deal.

Last time I stopped at the shpo I took 2 mid-level cigars, and paid $40. Would've been $10 on sale online maybe $20-24 full price.

LeeBot
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

The most recent cigar I purchased at a b&m was a Padrón 6000. I was expecting to pay may $10 or so, it being a b&m, but it was $15! I almost put it back. I think I'm going to limit my instore purchases for cigars that I am going to smoke at the shpo. I figure I'm paying for the privilege of sitting there taking up space.

I like supporting local businesses like that, but when I do, I know I'm paying more than I have to. The last box I bought in a b&m was some EPC Pledge's about 3 years ago, and they were $40 more than I would have paid online. I'm not doing that anymore.

Mraia
Connoisseur Topic Starter

2 years ago

yup. I agree with all the above points. For a few singles I DO like to go to the Shpo, but dont want to spend almost double the cost of the online. I honestly havent had any packing issues with any of the online sites, but Im pretty sure I will eventually.

Huzza3045
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

I usually only go to B&M shops to have a nice smoke inside and some good conversation. I don’t think I’d ever consider buying bulk there.

JGRAZ
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

I typically try to avoid NJ B&M's when I can. My locals are not only priced bad but the selection is horrible in a couple and the one with a good selection has an owner that just hovers over you constantly. I will usually head over the bridge into PA to a store that I thoroughly enjoy, better price and selection then anything in NJ and just as close. If I'm really up to it I'll take the 2 hour drive to the mothership megastore.

Lee, not sure if you get out of Philly often, but there's a good shop in Yardly that I like a lot. Might be a little hike for you though.

Edited by user 2 years ago | Reason: Not specified

LeeBot
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

I did not know about the Yardley store. PM me.

deadeyedick
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#10

I don't mind dropping a little coin occasionally at some of my shpo's that protect me. Nice to have air conditioning, a big comfy leather chair and multiple TV on the wall when the weather is bad on the home patio.

Even the monkey has some weird prices. Recently looked at a cigar I wanted:

5er were $25 x 5 = $125
Box of 25 were $138

WTF is that?

Edited by user 2 years ago | Reason: Not specified

Jakethesnake86
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#11

I get a box of pepin blue toro from my shpo. I can dig through to the old boxes that way. Last box was 2016. I like those aged.

I’m the snake

tonygraz
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#12

They need Frank - he's good with numbas. And he might alphabetize the selection.

Edited by user 2 years ago | Reason: Not specified

jeebling
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#13

The closest place for me to buy a handmade “premium” is 30 minute drive and the premiums , if I’m using the term correctly. Are Punch and Montecristo. They have a few other cigars but I’m pretty sure they’re not long filler hand made cigars. They are prepackaged in 4 or 5 packs in a humidity controlled bag hanging on the wall. I believe there must be a cigar shop in Tyler, TX which is 45 minutes from here and I am never over in that direction. When I have to go to VA hospital in Dallas there are several high end cigar store / lounge B&M and I pay for the privilege of shopping there. I will say that I enjoy going there, the service is excellent, and the cigars are in tip-top condition. I’ve had great conversation (just simple chitchat) with the employees and they are a fount of knowledge and seem happy to answer all of my questions. In my situation, where I’m trying to smoke the widest variety of cigars possible to grow my palate and enjoyment of cigars, it is cost prohibitive to buy everything in the B&M.

Stogie1020
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#14

I also think it depends on the place a lot. The spot I have been going to recently is also a restaurant/liquor store (but also has a well stocked humidor and very nice smoking lounge) and they consistently only upcharge a buck or two for cigars (even premiums) over regular prices at a page/neptune type place.

Timing may also be an issue for you. I bet your shop had ZERO discounts around "raise/bonus" time because they new everyone was flush with cash.

JGKAMIN
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#15

I usually only go to B&M shops to have a nice smoke inside and some good conversation. I don’t think I’d ever consider buying bulk there.

Huzza3045 wrote:

I always said the same thing, i went into my my favorite local shop and the last thing i needed was a cigar, i had plenty at home. I went in and enjoyed the company, hanging out with the other ‘usuals’ and smoking in some friendly confines. 🇨🇮

ZRX1200
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#16

Man does it suck when your shpo doesn’t protect you.

*laughs is superiority*

Palama
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#17

Not too many “real” B&M cigar / tobacco shops here. And by “real” I mean a standalone shop basically devoted to the smoking experience. Well-stocked, properly kept humidor(s) and an area to smoke a cigar. At best only a couple would qualify but there are a few adult beverage places that have decent humidors but none of those have an area to smoke. With our 50% cigar tax, I haven’t bought any singles in close to 10 years. I will, however, buy Hawaii exclusives almost everytime they’re released.

CamoRoon
Connoisseur

2 years ago

#18

"ended up costing about $110 and I could have gotten the same online for $65 to $70." .................The STG companies (C-Bid, CI, Cigars.com, Thompsons etc) have giant warehouses moving cigars by the ****load. That B&M probably gets sporadic business, has rent or a mortgage and has to cover their own retirement and benefits, as well as heat and air condition that shop. I like the lower prices of online but realize the little shop owner cannot match the mega operation prices. I remember Lew Rothman telling us thirty years ago that you can sit on cigars for a year waiting to get your desired profit margin or you can sell them cheaper and make it up in volume with rapid turnover of inventory and keep reinvesting the cash flow. You need a steady flow of customers to do that. It is a David and Goliath situation since the internet was developed..

MidnightToker( • )( • )
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#19

After reading this thread I appreciate my local shpo even more. It's a 2 mile drive, USMC combat veteran owned, Great ppl, always packed, nice recliners, several big TVs, free 8ft. pool table in a seperate room with 6 couches, and he sells cigars all at MSRP and gives a 10% discount to military, vets, and 1st responders and a 20% discount to everyone on 20+ sticks and discount includes hardware/merch.
He doesn't sell food or liquor but its BYOB. Just cigars and lots of them. Huge 2-room walk in humi +4 lg cabinet humis. Probably 400 facings. Owner is a Vietnam vet who gave a limb amongst other sacrifices for this great country and is now rockin an awesome robotic arm and hand. Dude can give the bird and make his hand rotate 360° it's hilarious.

Edited by user 2 years ago | Reason: Not specified

LeeBot
Herf-A-Holic

2 years ago

#20

^Damn, now I'm jelly.

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