Intrusive B&M Sales Help

B

BlackDog

ChestBeater
There are several nice B&M's here in the Minneapolis area, two of which are in the Minnetonka area, on my way home from work. I've stopped at both to buy sticks, and they each have a nice selection. But what bugs me is that they both basically follow a customer into the humidor and stand and watch while you make your selections. I realize I haven't been in their stores enough that they "know" me, but it really puts me off. I'm usually dressed in slacks and a button down shirt, so I'm not "sleezy" looking. Since I'm new to cigars, I want to be able to take my time and make my selections, read the little signs, compare prices, etc. It's very off-putting to have someone follow me up one side of the humidor and down the other.

So, if you happen to be reading this, please back off. If I want help or have questions I'll be only too happy to ask.
 
BlackDog said:
There are several nice B&M's here in the Minneapolis area, two of which are in the Minnetonka area, on my way home from work. I've stopped at both to buy sticks, and they each have a nice selection. But what bugs me is that they both basically follow a customer into the humidor and stand and watch while you make your selections. I realize I haven't been in their stores enough that they "know" me, but it really puts me off. I'm usually dressed in slacks and a button down shirt, so I'm not "sleezy" looking. Since I'm new to cigars, I want to be able to take my time and make my selections, read the little signs, compare prices, etc. It's very off-putting to have someone follow me up one side of the humidor and down the other.

So, if you happen to be reading this, please back off. If I want help or have questions I'll be only too happy to ask.
Click to expand...

So why not just ask them to give you a few minutes to peruse on your own?
 
I usually get this too...I've learned to deal with people's prejudgements and prejudices...I usually just start talking cigars and flavors...it usualy helps calm their nerves...chit chat always helps...but I agree it does suck to have that big brother thing over your shoulder.
 
pnoon said:
So why not just ask them to give you a few minutes to peruse on your own?
Click to expand...

It's what I did back when I wanted time to shop but please understand that alot of people are dropping in for a special occasion (wedding, birthday, job promotion, divorce-HA!) and have no clue as to what they are looking at and need alot of advice to get them pointed in the right direction; this is what the sales guy is looking for. Just turn to him and tell him you're good - just shoppping like a kid in the candy store and he'll move on to the next guy I would imagine.
 
pnoon said:
So why not just ask them to give you a few minutes to peruse on your own?
Click to expand...

:tpd: I don't follow anyone in unless they have been in there a while and then I stick my head in and ask if they are finding everything ok. However, I do keep and eye on them through the glass door and cc camera.

They probably have had recent problems with cigars coming up missing and unaccounted for. When that happens here, I do watch people more closly. FWIW, I have caught several that stuck cigars in their pocket and they were very nicely dressed. You're best bet is to visit them often and get to know some of the folks that work there.

:2
 
My favorite part about going to a B&M is perusing the stock. I'll spend 30+ minutes in a humidor. I love the smell! Usually I'll tell the staff that I like to look and I'll be awhile or I'll start up a conversation. I think the staff are just bored:ss
 
Thansk guys, I'll just strike up some conversation next time like you suggest. The possibility of theft crossed my mind. These two B&M's are within a mile or two of one another, so it is possible they have been experiencing some theft. Thanks for the advice.
 
My guess is that you are talking about Cigar Jones, and maybe the Grove?

about 1.5 years ago, the day that the opus shipment arrived in town, 2 boxes walked out of Stogies on Grand - since then, several stores have moved their highest $ cigars into cabinets in sight of the counters.
With the way that the Grove is laid out, they can't move their GOF, etc up front - they send someone back to the humi for everyone, even if you know the owners personally - part of it is a customer service issue, part of it is security - just my :2

Same thing happens out in Vegas at Casa Fuente, even though they all know me by name


BlackDog said:
There are several nice B&M's here in the Minneapolis area, two of which are in the Minnetonka area, on my way home from work. I've stopped at both to buy sticks, and they each have a nice selection. But what bugs me is that they both basically follow a customer into the humidor and stand and watch while you make your selections. I realize I haven't been in their stores enough that they "know" me, but it really puts me off. I'm usually dressed in slacks and a button down shirt, so I'm not "sleezy" looking. Since I'm new to cigars, I want to be able to take my time and make my selections, read the little signs, compare prices, etc. It's very off-putting to have someone follow me up one side of the humidor and down the other.

So, if you happen to be reading this, please back off. If I want help or have questions I'll be only too happy to ask.
Click to expand...
 
Beagle Boy said:
My guess is that you are talking about Cigar Jones, and maybe the Grove?

about 1.5 years ago, the day that the opus shipment arrived in town, 2 boxes walked out of Stogies on Grand - since then, several stores have moved their highest $ cigars into cabinets in sight of the counters.
With the way that the Grove is laid out, they can't move their GOF, etc up front - they send someone back to the humi for everyone, even if you know the owners personally - part of it is a customer service issue, part of it is security - just my :2

Same thing happens out in Vegas at Casa Fuente, even though they all know me by name
Click to expand...

You might be a redneck... err... cigar nut, if...
 
I know what you mean man.

I'm a very confident guy. I don't have any problem talking to women or expressing myself. But for some reason I have a bit of anxiety around sales people--I clam up and come off like an amateur (except for when I bought my car a few summers ago, I was stone cold reptilian about that one). There's just something about being deep in concentration and consideration, like when I'm staring at a massive wall of stogies, and then having it broken by the "Can I help you?"

Obviously I'm not going to fault them for it, it just throws my personality off and I end up feeling rushed/look like an amateur. "Oh, no...I'm just...here for, yknow cigars." Obviously, Andy.

Question on etiquette though: I was in my B&M once and I wasn't really sure what I wanted. The salesman introduced himself and I said I was just looking, so he stepped out. About 5 minutes later he comes back in and starts off with "Andy, I see you touching a lot of sticks, bla bla bla, can I help you find anything specific?"

Is it bad form to touch cigars? Keep in mind these are in cello--I'm not squeezing, sniffing, or snotting them. Just like to get a closer look. My logic is that if I'm paying 16 bucks for something I want a look at it. I guess with how young I am he might have thought I was going to pocket a few...
 
Not only can we not go into most of the humidors we'd been able to do so previously, but the ones you do go into are almost always chaperoned. Some won't even let you grab your own sticks. I understand they don't want everyone touching them - to which I scoff, why can they touch them. This is the second reason why I take my business to accommodating shops in the US - the first being price.
 
ActionAndy said:
Is it bad form to touch cigars? Keep in mind these are in cello--I'm not squeezing, sniffing, or snotting them. Just like to get a closer look. My logic is that if I'm paying 16 bucks for something I want a look at it. I guess with how young I am he might have thought I was going to pocket a few...
Click to expand...
I don't think it is. This is just specualtion but maybe he thought you one of the uneducated mass of cigar smokers and he was trying to "help" you with some knowledge. I see many folks that really know nothing of cigars and they pick up alot of cigars just to look at the bands and alot will choose a cigar based on the band.
 
Ya, they probably had a lot of thefts...
also, nothing sucks more than to see a customer rub a cigar on his nose then put it back!!
 
mdman said:
Ya, they probably had a lot of thefts...
also, nothing sucks more than to see a customer rub a cigar on his nose then put it back!!
Click to expand...

I thought that gave more flavor to the cigar? :r

I know what you guys mean when you say you feel uncomfortable....Almost every cigar shop Ive been to they always follow you in the humi...Its annoying but I can see where they are coming from with thefts and/or helping noobs
 
ActionAndy said:
Obviously I'm not going to fault them for it, it just throws my personality off and I end up feeling rushed/look like an amateur. "Oh, no...I'm just...here for, yknow cigars." Obviously, Andy.
Click to expand...

Out here in phoenix, I haven't been followed in any of the B&Ms that I go to... But, and I suspect they do this on purpose, they sneak in up on me when I am in deep concentration checking out the cigars. Usually getting me to jump a bit. Then I give them the same statement you do Andy... "oh no.. ahhh. i'm good thanks." feel like a dork then. :)
 
Almost as bad as theft, B&M's have to deal with the "Mr. Cluster-F" persona who is bound to be in the humidor:

Licking cigar wrappers
Smelling them to see if they are plugged
Dropping them on the ground

Consider it quality control, once they know you they'll stop.
 
Spect said:
Almost as bad as theft, B&M's have to deal with the "Mr. Cluster-F" persona who is bound to be in the humidor:

Licking cigar wrappers
Smelling them to see if they are plugged
Dropping them on the ground

Consider it quality control, once they know you they'll stop.
Click to expand...


i get the same treatment as the OP about 50% of the time in my B&M. Im curious though, how do you tell from smelling the cigar that it is plugged?
 
i just thought it was sop. im still new to cigars i dont ask questions that mutch any more but i still do shop by the band more now by name than the way the band looks like. having someone thare to ask about sticks helps alot but some times i just want to look and waving someone in there with me makes me fill rushed. trying to get used to that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top