Comments on: Stogie Commentary: The Most Unkindest Cut

By: TimD

TimD — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:52:06 +0000

Great article, ironic that this was posted as I was just pondering something similar to write up.

I’m lucky to have a large variety of B&M’s around me that are excellent and take care of everything quite well, I’ve also been lucky when I travel, too.

People pay a premium to shop at a B&M due to the lounge and personal service, I know that and don’t mind it. But if I don’t get great service and the accessories all mediocre then it kills what I’m paying the premium for.

By: George E

George E — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:44:31 +0000

Dmjones – Good to hear your endorsement of Burns. I’ve never been there, but I have heard good things about that shop from several smokers.

By: George E

George E — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:39:39 +0000

John – I’m sorry to say that I have yet to visit St. Pete Pipe & Cigar. I don’t get down there all that often and, unfortunately, the last few times I’ve had the opportunity to go it was Sunday and the shop isn’t open then. But I too have seen their videos and it looks like a very nice place. I do intend to get there!
Mighty – Sounds like you work in a great shop, like several of those near me. It’s always a pleasure to spend time in a fine cigar shop.

By: John

John — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:48:32 +0000

George, you are lucky to be in Florida. What is your opinion on St. Pete pipe&cigar? I have seen owner Ed Nazare do reviews online and it looks like he has a nice shop. Corona cigars in Orlando area is one of the finest shops I have ever seen anywhere. Here in upstate N.Y. if you buy a cigar from a B&M there is a 53% state excise tax and then an 8% sales tax. If you had’nt guessed, 95% of my cigar purchases are done online-I can buy a box of cigars from an internet retailer and only pay maybe 5 bucks for shipping and no tax.

By: George E

George E — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:09:18 +0000

CigarCraig — You know, this is such a common complaint among smokers, you'd think shops that still ask their customers to do this would get the message. Yes, some do have a lot of cigars. But Macy's has a lot of shirts and Best Buy has a lot of CDs and Barnes & Noble has a lot of books. I can't recall any of them asking me to price their merchandise.

By: CigarCraig

CigarCraig — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:58:55 +0000

I'm fortunate to have pretty good shops in my area, as well as being within and hour and half drive of CI, Holts and Famous. One thing that does irritate me is the shops that ask me to note the prices. I understand there are a LOT of different cigars and prices, but what other store have you ever been in that asks customers to do this? I know that cigar smokers are probably better customers than most, but I don't like to work so hard when buying a couple cigars

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:22:07 +0000

Sorry to hear your bad experience. I have to say that I almost never have a good experience at local B&Ms, which is what pushed me online. The ones near me all have owners that seem to not care at all about cigars. Asking for a recommendation or the low-down on a particular stick is useless. I just get answers like “it’s good” or “it’s medium bodied.” One shop owner recommended me a Macanudo when I said that I was looking for a spicy cigar.

And they don’t maintain their stores or humidors properly, and don’t take care of their customers. One shop owner tried to convince me the mineral deposits on his cigars (due to using un-distilled water in his humidifier) was “plume.” Another shop’s cigars are so moldy there is no way of spinning it, so when I pointed it out, he just chuckled and said “yeah, we’re having some issues with the humidity.” Another shop’s owners rant every time I’m in – about some cigar maker (just as I ask about that line!), some other customer, or some gov’t something or other – full-on f-bomb ranting.

As for having to go back into the humidor to check the price, that’s the norm here, except at one store that puts a price sticker right on the band of the cigar (hope you’re not giving it as a gift!) and another that makes you write down all the prices as you shop.

Basically, I’ve found B&Ms to be overpriced and offering service that would put any other type of small business out of business. Can you imagine going into a restaurant that had broken refrigerators, ranted about the companies that make the food they were serving you, ranted about other customers, and then made you wait on your own table and write up your own bill? I like the idea of the B&M in theory. I like supporting local small businesses. It’s just that around here, these particular businesses haven’t earned the business.

By: mighty

mighty — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:44:26 +0000

The cigar store where I work on a part time basis is just great. The owne does TWO major things: cigars and wine. He also carries some pipes and bulk blends. His humidor is stocked with a ton of variety of cigars, even the great boutique makers. He has super tiny easy peel off stickers that stick to the cigar band that has a barcode on it so I can scan in the price. For stogies that dont have a band we wrap a tiny piece of tissue paper to put the sticker on, one by one.

The few people that work there are all very knowledgeable about the cigars. Ideally we know most of the wrappers, body, and finishes of a particular cigar as much as possible for our tastes.

I have been to other shops where I get the same I could care less attitude that many of you have posted here. It's very disappointing because I want people to enjoy their cigars, and learn to notice the different flavors, depths, body, etc.

By: dmjones

dmjones — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:26:53 +0000

I've seen both good and bad, but I am lucky enough to have a great B&M in the relatively close vicinity…actually about 45 minutes away. Burns in Chattanooga, TN, is a high-class establishment with a knowledgeable staff and fair prices. They've got a nice big screen and comfortable chairs in the smoke shop, with even more in the members-only room. It's connected to a billiards club so you can play darts, shoot pool, eat at the full-service restaurant or have a drink at the bar.

It's the only game in town (2 locations of the same company, actually) but at least it's a good one. Since moving to the area a year ago, I've only made about 3 or 4 online purchases because this shop is good enough that I want to support them whenever possible. On the other hand, some online vendors just have deals too good to pass up.

By: Dave in Ashburn

Dave in Ashburn — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:40:55 +0000

I didn't realize how good our B&Ms are in Northern Virginia until I went to Seattle (Redmond, actually) on business last December. There I paid $9 for Fuente Chateau, which in Reston or Ashburn would cost me $5. I also picked up a Tatuaje and a Padron, and all three were ill cared for and suffered split wrappers shortly after lighting.

I'm torn about the internet. I want to do everything I can to keep the B&Ms around, but when box prices start nearing double the internet price I start to get a little bit frustrated.