Bringing your own sticks to a B&M

[Zeede]

With temps over 105 for much of August I seriously considered going to a lounge to have a cigar. But then I remembered that the ones near me are all cliquey and unfriendly.

The one that is really friendly is the one that SmallBatchCigars has, but that's pretty far for me to drive to.

[Rocket Scientologist]

And I was happy to see so many encourage you to talk with them and get it to a $5 min purchase or some credit for buying the box there in the first place.

But when I see you posted that they say no slack for anyone and they're encouraging customers to not come back if they don't like it - there's not much to defend there.
I wouldn't so much have a problem with the policy, but the attitude and service level of the shop is another story and I'd sit on my deck and purchase elsewhere if that were me.

A minimum purchase requirement for those smoking in the lounge would be a much more reasonable and acceptable policy. Not to mention easier to enforce.

[Demuths1770]

A minimum purchase requirement for those smoking in the lounge would be a much more reasonable and acceptable policy. Not to mention easier to enforce.

thats what they did! they put a minium purachase of buying a cigar??!!?? thats better than having a month purchase requiremnet because you chase away customers that come in and just buy afew sticks. its better to have a buy a stick smoke a stick policy which is what they have done

[WNYTONY]

thats what they did! they put a minium purachase of buying a cigar??!!?? thats better than having a month purchase requiremnet because you chase away customers that come in and just buy afew sticks. its better to have a buy a stick smoke a stick policy which is what they have done

Yes but the way they did it seems to discourage box purchases, which I can't believe they would want to do

[Trackmyer]

Like Tony, my opinion changed from your first post to your follow up.

Min. Purchase requirements, employee to customer attitude, closing shop early and running folks out. The management of this establishment sounds more like this is a hobby business than a professionally run joint.

I'd shop elsewhere.

Having no B&M close to me, there are a couple I use an hour or so away. Both have lounges, and I've come to know owners and managers by name at each. They know I'm good for purchases, and neither have ever questioned me on what I'm smoking or where I bought it. If I'm in their area and want a break I may stop in and smoke something I brought. Other times I may purchase and go and not enter their lounge. The key difference between them and yours is that they try to make their patrons as comfortable and be as friendly as possible to gain loyalty. Yours just seems to feel that the customers owe them something.
Placed in your shoes I'd buy from online before giving these clowns another dollar of my money.

[droy1958]

The manager pulled me aside last week to tell me about the new policy - this applies to everyone.



That's just the thing, the owner and manager (2 different guys) don't seem to want to make money. They've changed store hours multiple times, right now they close at 6pm on Saturday and are only open 12-4 on Sunday. And football's starting back up, how stupid is that? Of course, they might change the hours again. They've also closed early several times because it was slow, kicking out the people who were there. It's happened to me a couple times.

As far as not losing customers, someone told the manager after hearing the policy that he just won't come anymore and the manager's response was, "Fine, go ahead."

The weather's cooling off, I think I'll just sit on my patio for now.

Well that just sucks doggie bubble gum. Many moons ago my daughter seen dogs doing it and said she seen one of the dogs had bubble gum. I like to $h!t my pants...From the mouth of babes...

[Cool Breeze]

Yeah I'd say it was time to stop giving those idiots money.
Online is cheaper anyway.

[omahaorange]

I think we need to look at the whole picture. How long has this place been in business? How many patrons does he have at any given time? Is it usually crowded, or are there plenty of empty seats? The op states he buys boxes, but what kind and how many? Keep in mind it takes volume to keep the lights on. A consistently half-filled room probably spells a losing proposition. The primary reason for their existence is to make money. If the public doesn't cooperate by buying enough to make it worthwhile, then it's time to cut costs.

I'm pretty lucky. There is cigar bar about 30 minutes away. I only go there once a month for his tasting events. Never draws a big crowd, and I've only been going to these events since March. I usually buy a box. He discounts, so it's only slightly above the online prices. But I think I'm the exception rather than the norm. Most of the other event patrons pay their 10 bucks, smoke the free stick, buy a drink or two, eat the food, taste the featured liquors, then leave. The staff, and now the regulars, treat me like one of their own. They know me because i consistently drop some cash before I leave, if not for the featuered cigars then something i smoke regularly (he knows what i prefer). But how he's able to do this is because this is simply a side business attached to his upscale restaurant.

[Ropey]

Sounds like OP's cigar lounge is pretty close to going out of business. If a place starts treating regulars like crap to get more money out of them, then the proprietors are thinking short-term, which indicates they have a cash flow problem that has to be handled immediately. And that's never a good sign for a business.

[Sticky B]

I'm pretty lucky. There is cigar bar about 30 minutes away. I only go there once a month for his tasting events. Never draws a big crowd, and I've only been going to these events since March. I usually buy a box. He discounts, so it's only slightly above the online prices. But I think I'm the exception rather than the norm. Most of the other event patrons pay their 10 bucks, smoke the free stick, buy a drink or two, eat the food, taste the featured liquors, then leave. The staff, and now the regulars, treat me like one of their own. They know me because i consistently drop some cash before I leave, if not for the featuered cigars then something i smoke regularly (he knows what i prefer). But how he's able to do this is because this is simply a side business attached to his upscale restaurant.

Name Please - I'm in PA and travel West pretty far to leave via I-81 a good bit. Wouldn't mind stopping somewhere for a cigar one of these days... If it's a great joint, which it sounds like, let us know who/where it is!