lol :r
I feel betrayed, would you?
- Thread starter Addiction
- Start date
lol :r
The resturant idea I get, it would work the same with a bar. In fact I would never go into a B&M that I'd never been inside of and not buy something to smoke, tho I would very well smoke one of my own cigars if I had bought one. I even still buy things there, like last week forgetting that I had dropped out of the lottery bought one smoke every day I was there for my lottery package.
The MoBsters go to Cigar King for MoB Herfs at least 6 times a year, I go more often. We always buy something, and we smoke our own cigars.
A few months back one of the employees came over and let us know we could not bring outside cigars in. I explained to him the larger group we brought in regularly, and that each of us always buy cigars when we come. He said he was sorry, and that was OK with him.
Came back the next month, he recognized me and said "don't worry about it, you guys are welcome, you don't need to buy anything to smoke here". We all still buy some cigars every time we go anyway....but we appreciate his attitude.
A few months back one of the employees came over and let us know we could not bring outside cigars in. I explained to him the larger group we brought in regularly, and that each of us always buy cigars when we come. He said he was sorry, and that was OK with him.
Came back the next month, he recognized me and said "don't worry about it, you guys are welcome, you don't need to buy anything to smoke here". We all still buy some cigars every time we go anyway....but we appreciate his attitude.
It sounds like you care about the shop. Talk to him Bryan. I am sure he appreciated your business but B&M's are hurting. The local shop I hang out with is losing money during the slow months. He has become a good friend now. That's probably why I am a little sympathetic to B&M's flight.
I'd think that your friend would be willing to work out a compromise?
Maybe he'd allow you to keep a box of smokes there at his store that you've bought at his store so that you can smoke them at his store?
I can see his part, and I think it's senseless, but I've seen store owners do far sillier things.
It's like telling people to leave the mall if they aren't planning to buy anything.
The position leaves no doubt about what's most important to him.
I'd say my piece and hit the road.
Maybe he'd allow you to keep a box of smokes there at his store that you've bought at his store so that you can smoke them at his store?
I can see his part, and I think it's senseless, but I've seen store owners do far sillier things.
It's like telling people to leave the mall if they aren't planning to buy anything.
The position leaves no doubt about what's most important to him.
I'd say my piece and hit the road.
Yes, you're right. I apologize for taking the wrong tone. I really just wanted to emphasize that I think he should be talking to the shop owner to try to resolve his issue.
pbrennan10
Softball Pitcher
I wouldn't shop there.
Hey CS! Sorry I've been out for a few days. Had to take a Taboo break.
Anyways, this is unfortunate. My first experience with this type of thing was when I recently went to San Diego and wanted to meet up with some Brothers from CS and smoke some Taboo. I called the store ahead of time to talk to the owner and he shut me down really quick and was actually very rude. He said the same thing about we all would have to buy the cigars we smoked from him. I probably would have spent $200-$400 with him, just as a "Thank You for letting us use his place", but we had to meet at the casino instead.
I have had customers coming in here for years with their cc and nc cigars that they did not purchase from me. I never really thought about it much and it's probably because I focus more on the customer and the fact they are just here and not somewhere else! I don't think much about if they bought the cigar from me or not. I understand that most customers do not buy 100% of their smokes from me, but the fact that they want to come to my place and hang out is enough for me. I will get some or most of their business.
This B&M owner needs to pull his head out and learn to respect and take better care of his customers and not be so desperate and/or greedy. Also, learn to appreciate the fact that you came to his place to smoke your cigar and be smart enough to realize he is not going to get 100% of every customers business.
Send him to TX and I will teach him how to treat his customers. It may be a waste of time though. I believe this is something you either have or you don't. I love "people" that have an interest in cigars. So, I tend to treat them more like friends and family than customers. This guy may only be in this for the money. You have to have a "love for people" and respect our differences.
I would tell him that if he does not allow his customers to smoke whatever they want, he just reduced his opportunity to zero for possibly making an additional sale to a what would have been another happy customer.
In my opinion guys like this are bad for all B&M owners and he should probably consider getting out of the cigar business.
Rob
Anyways, this is unfortunate. My first experience with this type of thing was when I recently went to San Diego and wanted to meet up with some Brothers from CS and smoke some Taboo. I called the store ahead of time to talk to the owner and he shut me down really quick and was actually very rude. He said the same thing about we all would have to buy the cigars we smoked from him. I probably would have spent $200-$400 with him, just as a "Thank You for letting us use his place", but we had to meet at the casino instead.
I have had customers coming in here for years with their cc and nc cigars that they did not purchase from me. I never really thought about it much and it's probably because I focus more on the customer and the fact they are just here and not somewhere else! I don't think much about if they bought the cigar from me or not. I understand that most customers do not buy 100% of their smokes from me, but the fact that they want to come to my place and hang out is enough for me. I will get some or most of their business.
This B&M owner needs to pull his head out and learn to respect and take better care of his customers and not be so desperate and/or greedy. Also, learn to appreciate the fact that you came to his place to smoke your cigar and be smart enough to realize he is not going to get 100% of every customers business.
Send him to TX and I will teach him how to treat his customers. It may be a waste of time though. I believe this is something you either have or you don't. I love "people" that have an interest in cigars. So, I tend to treat them more like friends and family than customers. This guy may only be in this for the money. You have to have a "love for people" and respect our differences.
I would tell him that if he does not allow his customers to smoke whatever they want, he just reduced his opportunity to zero for possibly making an additional sale to a what would have been another happy customer.
In my opinion guys like this are bad for all B&M owners and he should probably consider getting out of the cigar business.
Rob
Great post.
thats why we shop with you!!
You should actually thank him Rob. let me explain why, with a little backstory.
For those that don't know I got a Taboo from on of my good friends because he wanted to hear my opinion. I posted a true review but one that didnt put Taboo cigars in the best light. Rob took time out of his day to contact me and offer me a Taboo sampler because he knew they could be better. I was beyond impressed but as I shopped to Taboo site I was hard pressed because everything I wanted there was the stuff I typically bought from my own local guy and even after this experience I remain dedicated to supporting local retailers (tho I doubt it will ever be at the level it was).
So I have another cigar seller close to me who will support my Davidoff and Anejo habit and you will be supplying me with every thing else.
We are going to be getting to know each other REALLY well Rob.
For those that don't know I got a Taboo from on of my good friends because he wanted to hear my opinion. I posted a true review but one that didnt put Taboo cigars in the best light. Rob took time out of his day to contact me and offer me a Taboo sampler because he knew they could be better. I was beyond impressed but as I shopped to Taboo site I was hard pressed because everything I wanted there was the stuff I typically bought from my own local guy and even after this experience I remain dedicated to supporting local retailers (tho I doubt it will ever be at the level it was).
So I have another cigar seller close to me who will support my Davidoff and Anejo habit and you will be supplying me with every thing else.
We are going to be getting to know each other REALLY well Rob.
I was born and raised in New Jersey. During the twenty nine years I lived there I picked up the idea that you "take care" of Family, friends, and those who treat You well. Meaning; loyalty and honesty. That extends to vendors and business people as well.
The nearly thirty years I've been in Montana has seen some disturbing changes in how individuals and businesses operate. Loyalty to a good customer has gone the way of the Dodo except in rare cases.
Making a reasonable profit SEVERAL times over a lifetime has gone the way of ONE big profit and who cares where the customer goes. Simply make a sale no matter what....who cares if this guy EVER comes back again. Even the most basic Customer SERVICE is a joke.
I side with the original poster as I've had a few similar situations. You deal with someone for a period of time, drop a good amount of money there, then get treated like someone off the street who never stepped foot in the place before. Hurts Your feelings #1 and it's poor manners #2.
Personally I'd stay out of his B&M for a few months then revisit and see what he says.
FN in MT:cb
The nearly thirty years I've been in Montana has seen some disturbing changes in how individuals and businesses operate. Loyalty to a good customer has gone the way of the Dodo except in rare cases.
Making a reasonable profit SEVERAL times over a lifetime has gone the way of ONE big profit and who cares where the customer goes. Simply make a sale no matter what....who cares if this guy EVER comes back again. Even the most basic Customer SERVICE is a joke.
I side with the original poster as I've had a few similar situations. You deal with someone for a period of time, drop a good amount of money there, then get treated like someone off the street who never stepped foot in the place before. Hurts Your feelings #1 and it's poor manners #2.
Personally I'd stay out of his B&M for a few months then revisit and see what he says.
FN in MT:cb
I agree--I think this probably what I would do.
As mentioned, I would talk to the guy but I would not predict any improvement in the relation.
You really do not have to explain yourself. If he changed to color of the lounge and you hated it, that is a perfectly good reason for not going.
We wanted to rent a local bowling ally for 2 hours for a company family function. Offered to pay full price for all the lanes plus a fee to cover shoes and food.
The guy said no, what if someone came in and wanted to bowl, I would be losing money. Could not explain it to him. Even offered to rent it during a slow period. He could not get over the thought of lossing money if another customer came in.
Best of luck my friend. Sorry you may have lost a nice hang out.
You really do not have to explain yourself. If he changed to color of the lounge and you hated it, that is a perfectly good reason for not going.
We wanted to rent a local bowling ally for 2 hours for a company family function. Offered to pay full price for all the lanes plus a fee to cover shoes and food.
The guy said no, what if someone came in and wanted to bowl, I would be losing money. Could not explain it to him. Even offered to rent it during a slow period. He could not get over the thought of lossing money if another customer came in.
Best of luck my friend. Sorry you may have lost a nice hang out.
ssutton219
The Grumpy Old Troll
WOW...I have read through this 2x now and I think I have something to add...
a while back I agreed to meet up with a local guy to smoke a few cigars and BS, there is only one local B&M I know of here in town who has an area to smoke inside. I brought my otterbox and proceded to go. I met up opened my otter box and handed the other gorilla a couple cigars and then headed to the humi where I bought a couple sticks and then placed them in my otterbox and pulled out a stick he did not carry and asked if he minded. he did not and so I enjoyed the stick. I never thought about how he might feel when I walked in with the travel humi or how he felt when I lit up the stick I brought in...never occurred to me, I have been gifted new sticks to try and have always brought a couple of my own for him to try is he would like. I can't believe this owner would jeopardize his name and business with you Bryan...I can't imagine that you haven't spoke about the forums you belong to or the new Cigar Club you helped charter....sounds very short sighted and I am sorry.
Shawn
a while back I agreed to meet up with a local guy to smoke a few cigars and BS, there is only one local B&M I know of here in town who has an area to smoke inside. I brought my otterbox and proceded to go. I met up opened my otter box and handed the other gorilla a couple cigars and then headed to the humi where I bought a couple sticks and then placed them in my otterbox and pulled out a stick he did not carry and asked if he minded. he did not and so I enjoyed the stick. I never thought about how he might feel when I walked in with the travel humi or how he felt when I lit up the stick I brought in...never occurred to me, I have been gifted new sticks to try and have always brought a couple of my own for him to try is he would like. I can't believe this owner would jeopardize his name and business with you Bryan...I can't imagine that you haven't spoke about the forums you belong to or the new Cigar Club you helped charter....sounds very short sighted and I am sorry.
Shawn
Any businessman worth his salt weighs pros and cons before making decisions that will affect his bottom line. I have to believe this guy understood and accepted the risk involved in clamping down on you. Believing that, he should have been/be prepared to reap what he sowed. Do what you will and let him live with it.
roarknumber1
ChestBeater
Have you considered hitting him upside the head with a frozen trout? It works wonders. Stopped all that pesky backtalk and nagging from my wife.