Troubling sights at my local B&M

Originally Posted by Lonely Raven

So I stopped into a B&M that's just blocks away from where I work a couple a days a week. They carry Tatuaje and the Hemmingway Work of Art, so I figured I'd poke in, ask about Wolfman, see if they have Tatuaje Black, and maybe pick up a short story and Work of Art.

While I was poking around there, I saw they had some Opus X Lost City. Expensive, but it's nice to know they were there...so I open up the tubo, only to find it spotted with mold. I tried to brush it off to see if it was just "bloom" from the oils, and no, it was a white mold. I found several other sticks around there looking the same way. That's disappointing, especially on such nice sticks..

So on my way out, I'm asking about Tatuaje stuff, and was flat out told that nobody really wants the Wolfman stuff, so he didn't even bother asking for it. As he's telling me this, he's "repairing" several sticks that clearly have beetle holes in them, by gluing bits of wrapper over the holes using a typical vegi glue used on cigar bands.

So I inquire, "these aren't for sale, are they?". He says "No, I'm repairing these for a customer". Then I'm like, "but they have beetles", and he says, "all cigars have beetles, you've probably been smoking them for years". I say "any cigar can have beetle's eggs, but if they hatch, you're smoking beetle crap!" and he pauses...shrugs and says "more protein".

So, this reputable local shop, I think just lost my business.

That is Crazy! Some people just do not understand certain aspects of The cigar hobby.

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by Sherlockholms

That is Crazy! Some people just do not understand certain aspects of The cigar hobby.

The majority of cigar shops do not exist to service the hobby. Hobbyists are but a small percentage of any market including cigars. An enthusiast or hobbyist will seek out the limited or hard to find item, but usually shows no loyalty to a particular retailer. The shop owner on the other hand is interested in regular, long term customers, those who come in every week and buy a few smokes or even a box for a special occasion.

In California, our tobacco taxes are extremely high, yet at event after event I see people buying boxes that are 20-30% over internet cost. They buy because they are loyal to the shop and dont have the time or inclination to check pricing. Most dont care how much CI or Famous might discount the same box. They also have the disposable income to support this kind of buying.