How many visits to your local B&M before you are considered a regular?

W

WillieDiesel

Young Ape
How many visits do I need to make to my local B&M before I become a regular? Is it 5, 10.

Is learning the names of the fellas in charge of B&M going to earn me extra brownie points?
 
I consider myself regular if I go to the bathroom every day. So I'd say at least once (if not 2-3 times) per day.

Seriously, if you never talk to them, you'll never be considered a "regular". I'd say when they stop trying to feed you some line about buying their more expensive cigars, you're in!
 
WillieDiesel said:
How many visits do I need to make to my local B&M before I become a regular? Is it 5, 10.

Is learning the names of the fellas in charge of B&M going to earn me extra brownie points?
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Why do you care?

Not trying to be a jerk, but If they consider you a regular great, if not, their loss.
 
I go about twice a week. I talk to the guys they all know me by name now. I hope they consider me a regular, if nothing else they all like me :tu
 
Legend said:
Why do you care?
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FWIW, regulars at my b&m gets extra perks(shwag) and deeper discounts every now and again.

It's always good to know the clerks/owners name and always make small-talk. When they know what smokes you like, you're a regular in my book.
 
Legend said:
Why do you care?

Not trying to be a jerk, but If they consider you a regular great, if not, their loss.
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I completely disagree with this statement. If you want to have an open relationship with someone who probably knows a ton about cigars and cigar-related activities, your best bet locally is your B&M. I know all mine...fact is: I get to try new cigars for free from one of them because he likes to hear what I thought of them.

It might just be YOUR loss and not theirs. You are a paying customer and they will want your business, so if you are looking for a new friend, one that sells you cigars is a GREAT friend to have.

Also, why join this site if you don't want to talk about cigars with people who know a lot about them?? If you don't want to talk face to face, well, you must smoke by yourself, which gets very boring...

My vote is to introduce yourself, some have memberships you can sign up for that give you a % off your total purchase, plus they tell you about cigar news happening such as tasting. I bet you notice good things as soon as you meet your supplier.
 
Legend said:
Why do you care?
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I care because I go from being "can I help you" to "hey, how are you doing we got some new cigars you might like". On days when I want to browse around the humidor, they leave me alone to pick out what I want. Other days they're excited about the new cigars they got in and tell me what they thought of them. :tu
 
tsolomon said:
I care because I go from being "can I help you" to "hey, how are you doing we got some new cigars you might like". On days when I want to browse around the humidor, they leave me alone to pick out what I want. Other days they're excited about the new cigars they got in and tell me what they thought of them. :tu
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This was the relationship I had with my local....until the people's republik of Ontario banned the visible sale of tobacco products. I can't even look at a cigar before I buy it now.... :BS The local B&M got a lot of my business, now it will go to internet sales, personal 'imports' and mail packages from friends. It is too bad as I use to enjoy supporting the local.
 
When they consider you a regular, you are a regular. I enjoy the open relationship i have with my B&M. They know my name, are kind, and though they don't always recommend good stuff (Nub Habanos is better than R&J Habanas Reserve? Seriously?) they take time to care.

I think if you are lucky enough to have a B&M willing to work for your patronage, that is awesome. Sounds like some of you have had bad experiences, and let me tell you, some shops don't care. But don't penalize every B&M just because a few suck, just like you don't penalize every Cigar because there are a few Dog Rockets out there...
 
tsolomon said:
I care because I go from being "can I help you" to "hey, how are you doing we got some new cigars you might like". On days when I want to browse around the humidor, they leave me alone to pick out what I want. Other days they're excited about the new cigars they got in and tell me what they thought of them. :tu
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Agreed.
If you are friendly and try to be part of the group and they let you then cool. But if they are the type that won't. Find a new place. That was my point.

Being around for awhile will generally bring anyone into the circle. But if not. Go elsewhere. That was my point. Which I did not really out down well or even at all.

:)
 
The last time I went in I was shown the sticks in the bottom of the humidor, hidden from view - the stuff that not everyone gets to see. I believe I'm a regular now.
 
I knew I was a regular at my B&M when I walked in and 1) everybody knew my name 2) the owners asked for my opinion on a cigar 3) they ordered cigars based on my opinions 4) they have special events and they make sure and ask me if I'm going to be there 5) they let me keep my own tab with no questions asked and 6) and I walked in one day and one of the owners (a photographer) asked me to go to the back to take a picture for the "Top 40 Wall of Fame" - which was quite an honor. I think I'm in good.

It took about a year of 2 - 3 visits a week and just being a friend to them. Just like here, it takes a little while to gain trust.
 
I know I'm a regular because all the staff and the owner know me by name (And I them) and we joke around with each other, trade cigars from personal collections, talk about other things, etc. The manager told me last week: "Tyler, either I'm going to have to give you a membership or I'm going to have to call the cops on you for vagrancy." Needless to say I now have a membership even though I'm not old enough to have one and I don't get charged for it. I get access to a locker, the lounge and the TV as long as I don't bother "The Guys."

It didn't take a particular number of visits.
 
roarknumber1 said:
You'll be a regular when they recognize you as one. There's no formula.
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This is, without a doubt, the most honest explanation.

For some of us, having our picture on the wall from our last tour in Iraq with a sticky note saying "Safe at Home" means more than just being a "regular".

It's become a tradition that we send a pic back of us wherever we are - and when we come home, they update the pics.

It's not being a "regular", it's the honor of being considered that special.
 
I think the advice here is sound for almost any B&M. Personally I tend to order cigars online and only occasionally stop in at the B&M so I do not expect special treatment. But I have been a regular at other place like restuarants and smaller electronic stores and the same deal applies, good places will remember you after a while and if they dont, find another place.
 
Legend said:
Why do you care?

Not trying to be a jerk, but If they consider you a regular great, if not, their loss.

WillieDiesel said:
How many visits do I need to make to my local B&M before I become a regular? Is it 5, 10.

Is learning the names of the fellas in charge of B&M going to earn me extra brownie points?
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Click to expand...

Not to jump on the "who cares" bandwagon but I think you are a regular right from the first visit if you click with the dude (or dudette) behind the counter, based on questions you ask, experience you demonstrate while you are there. Do you help other customers by answering their questions and supporting the owner with answers, suggestions, etc. then you'll be considered a regular. :2:tu
 
One, two, thre-hee, CRUNCH!

Being a regular has more to do with the folks that run the place and how good their customer service is than a number.

I go to two B&M's back home. One is right by my office and I go in to pick up lunch smokes maybe twice a week. They never say "Hey, howzzit goin'?" or anything when I'm there. I'm just another customer in line to them. The other I go to maybe twice a month, and they treat me very well there, throw in extra sticks every once in a while, etc.
 
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