I guess that is exactly what I was thinking, along with most others in attendance. I don't think I've ever been to an event and seen less of the hosting manufacturers product being smoked than his competitors. Like I said, the whole evening just seemed odd.
Paying for samples?
- Thread starter discdog
- Start date
I guess that is exactly what I was thinking, along with most others in attendance. I don't think I've ever been to an event and seen less of the hosting manufacturers product being smoked than his competitors. Like I said, the whole evening just seemed odd.
Jason_of_Texas
Evolving Lead Gorilla
To me its like having a car salesman charge you to test drive the car you are interested in purchasing. How can you get anyone interested in a product that you don't at least "tease" them with free of charge.
My only experience was a Bolivar event a couple years ago in Illinois. The first thing the B&M owner did when you walked in was give you a Bolivar. Then asked you if you would like him to cut it for you. 
Then asked if you would like to enter a raffle for a free humidor, hats, etc. Nice day and no pressure to buy anything.
Then asked if you would like to enter a raffle for a free humidor, hats, etc. Nice day and no pressure to buy anything.BlueHavanaII
Evolving Lead Gorilla
I've had this discussion with a number of my reps, who have said that the industry is moving away from the free cigar due to the number of people who come in and get the freebee, eat, drink and leave. In my limited experience here, this is a minor issue and I insist that my events include a free cigar on entry. If the deadbeats become an issue, I plan to institute a $20 "Cover Charge", and give a $20 gift certificate (to be used only that night) to each attendee. There are too many good cigar companies willing to do events. If they won't play by my rules, I won't hold their event. Most realize that this is a mutually beneficial endevour and are willing to work with me.
BTW... I am hosting an Oliva Serie V event this Fri. and Olive IS playing by my rules!
Jim
BTW... I am hosting an Oliva Serie V event this Fri. and Olive IS playing by my rules!
Jim
I've actually experienced this a lot in GA. A Torano event had the buy three get a free fresh rolled. Ashton "Taste of Excellence" buy three get one free. Helll even a LFD event. Same regional rep Brad that was at the PuffnStuff event, but at this B&M they just had the normal 3 for 1 deal. Hoping the Oliva V event at Jim's this friday doesn't follow this trend.
Edit: Looking forward to Jim's event =)
Edit: Looking forward to Jim's event =)
The first event I went to was a Perdomo event. They were great! Very knowledgable reps, free cigars, buy 3 get one free. The next event I went to was the same, with Perdomo. Exactly the same promotions, boxes upon boxes of free stogies passed out. They didn't even care how many you took. Nick Perdomo was there handing out cigars like they grew on trees. I talked to the owner after the event, and they made an huuuuuuuge amount of money on the event. Then La Aurora came a few months later. No freebies, no raffles, just a buy three get one free deal, and they were only on the realllly expensive stuff (the cheapest was an $8 Don Lino Africa). Needless to say, I bought something else and just left and the owner didn't make much (they said they still had box after box of La Auroras they purchased from them to stock the sale). The same thing happened with the C.A.O. people, although they gave me and my friend free Vision hats. I don't really know. I suppose it varies vendor by vendor, but one would think that you'd draw more people to the store if you explicitly said you were giving away free things. Free stuff draws people like bears to honey and it's great publicity to boot, as it makes you look generous. Dunno, might just be me here, but if I had a company, I'd definitely set aside budget money for giving away cigars.
I never expect to get anything free from a retail establishment. If it happens, I'm very happy to accept. If it doesn't, I'm not upset. The retailer has to make a minimum order to get the factory rep in the door with product and he wants to sell cigars. Many feel that discount pricing achieves this end better than free product.
Jason_of_Texas
Evolving Lead Gorilla
I have never been to a cigar promo yet,but have attended plenty of different kinds,from golf-paintball. The last callaway promo day they had at a local course they gave away X18 6 irons to anyone who wanted. Also tons of balls,tees,hats,towels,and even bags. I know I go to a promo with the intention of getting some kind of goodies,if I know they wont be offered,I wont go,ill wait and try the stick on my own time. That is opinion on it,maybe others see else wise.
AUGH!
No one near me will have them until at the earliest September 3rd. I've tried one, which I found to be somewhat uneventful, but I blame that on the vitola. I want to lay my hands on some other sizes to try.
Just as I don't expect to get anything for free at a retailer's cigar event, I don't expect to pay an entry fee to attend a promotion.
I wouldn't expect anything free from the retailer either, many have a small profit margin. But if a manufacturer's rep. attends, I certainly think the manufacturer might want to give attendees a free taste to potentially gain some future paying customers. :2
Looking at this from the retailers side, if you have an influx of deadbeats that eat, drink, smoke and scurry, I could see charging to discourage that. I mean, if the retailer is willing to put out 3/5 K to host an event, I don't see a problem with him wanting to make it profitable. That was never my issue. But I've been around long enough to know that what I experienced last night was hopefully not the wave of the future. I can honestly say that when the reps started giving away the door prizes and were being heckled, I knew I was not the only one who noticed the "cheapness" of the event.
As far as Jim's events. I'd be more than willing to pay for a twenty dollar discount coupon. If it allows him to concentrate more on the serious guys and less on the "just there for the free stuff crowd", yeah, I'll pay for that service. Fortunately, with him and many others, I don't see that as an issue.
I am attempting to look at this from the retailer's side. Selling a gift certificate as the price of admission just may discourage traffic. And giving away cigars just may discourage a purchase. When retailers host a factory event, I expect to get discount pricing on a smoke I might otherwise not buy.
If the retailer requires me to make a purchase, I probably won't attend. If the rep gives me a cigar, it could be one less that I would buy.
If the retailer requires me to make a purchase, I probably won't attend. If the rep gives me a cigar, it could be one less that I would buy.
Maybe some of you fellas that get to go to the events should pay for your "SAMPLES" and smoke'm about half way down and ask for your money back since they WERE "samples"?
Then again I can see the "VALUE" -KUPON as an entry fee to cover costs of smoked stogies by the ones pilferring profits by not even buying something.
Then again I can see the "VALUE" -KUPON as an entry fee to cover costs of smoked stogies by the ones pilferring profits by not even buying something.
BlueHavanaII
Evolving Lead Gorilla
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BlueHavanaII
Evolving Lead Gorilla
I don't expect to have to do this as my customers seem to be pretty good about things, but, it doesn't seem unreasonable to ask someone to spend $20 to buy additional merchandise while they eat, drink and smoke free.
Dzrtrat
Smokin' Cheetos
:tpd: I wouldn't expect a freebie from my vendor either, however, if someone is trying to peddle cigars they may want to give some incentive to buy. Punch came to my B&M and I had a choice of 3 different cigars, and then if I bought something I got to take 3 more home with me, thats great P.R. work IMHO. And the vendor...well....why would he publicize something like that? get everyone out and then ...... they have to pay for their entertainment....makes no sense.
ssutton219
The Grumpy Old Troll
I have been to 2 differnt events, a rolling event and a tasting. At the tasting I paid $10, got a free cigar 2 raffle tickets and $10 off my purchase..on both purchases actually. The rolling event I didnt pay to go and I was given 4 cigars free and I bought 8 or so cigars. Difference between the 2...nothing at all one gave away cigars and I purchased more because the Owner and rep were handing out cigars, and @ the tasting it was woth my $10 to get in, I got 2 raffle tickets and a total of $20 off my purchase...not a bad deal either way. Go enjoy a cigar and if you get a cigar say thank you and if you like buy more...if you dont pay, and dont get a cigar...buy from the store for the Owner..hes putting it on to gain business. Just my limited :2
Shawn
Shawn