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Padron has very strict pricing policyies that retailers must adhere to, otherwise they shut the retailer off. In my opinion all brands should be like this as many auction sites are putting brick & mortars out of business.
Ive seen people come into a brick & mortar and smoke a cigar they won on a bid site. I mean would you bring your own beer to a bar?
If I bring my own smoke, I'd buy one from the b&m to take home...that's just rude not to buy something and smoke there...Quote:
Originally Posted by barry2guys
I wrote up a long response in regards to most of your statement but ultimately it didn't seem relevant to the post. Suffice to say, I doubt very seriously it's the fault of auction sites that B&M's are going out of business, at least in my experience with which local B&M's are successful and which aren't.Quote:
Originally Posted by barry2guys
Regarding Padron MAP, I had a feeling this would be the case, and it is unfortunate as I do thoroughly enjoy them but they aren't available locally for less than 100% markup over MAP.
I disagree with you about auction sites... They sell stuff a lot of times below wholesale cost, so brick & mortars can't compete with that. It has driven the customer out of the store. As far as your local situation don't forget that Louisiana has a state tobacco tax that they collect.
I wish more people were like you. Sadly, a lot of people don't believe you have to buy one to enjoy the lounge.Quote:
Originally Posted by droy1958
Again, I place responsibility as two fold, the B&M's not providing a good value to the customer (be it in merchandise or atmosphere/amenities), and the consumer not making a choice to support their local business. Trust me I do my best to support my local B&M's but it's not always economically feasible for me. Everyone has a choice to make on where to get their smokes...the auction site isn't forcing consumers to shop with them.Quote:
Originally Posted by barry2guys
And in regards to the other statement, I would never bring personal smokes into a B&M to smoke, that's just not right.
I always -- ALWAYS -- buy something when I even walk into a cigar shop. There are three main reasons: (a) it helps support B&M shops, (b) it lets the owner know I am serious and what sort of cigars I'm interested in, and (c) it just strikes me as the right thing to do. If I plan to use the lounge I always ask the first time whether I can smoke my own cigar assuming I pay for another there. So far everyone has been happy to oblige. Usually I buy 2 or 3, so I feel I've more than payed for my stay.
I don't like smoking the cigars bought at the shop because, and @Horseshoe will vouch for this, if there is only one bad cigar (draw, construction, tar, etc.) in that lounge, I will pick it. Atleast if I bring my own I can check the draw first and know it's at the right conditions for smoking.
I see it from both sides...
In one hand, the free market will decide who thrives and who fails.
On the other, it is not a level playing field. Auction sites are not subject to the same taxes (sometimes oppressive) as local B&M stores are, on top of a less efficient overhead model.
Short term, auction sites that can sell super cheap cigars are awesome for stocking up the humidor.
Long term, pricing B&M out of the market is going to have a very negative impact on the cigar industry (IMO). B&M is where most people are introduced to cigars. That introduction helps foster a long term relationship that grows our hobby.
Online is great for the established and growing cigar smoker, but it leaves a HUGE disconnect for new smokers to come to the table. On top of the fact that it's far more complicated for cigar manufacturers to get new cigars to market when dealing with mega stores.
There has to be a balance and most of the responsibility falls on us.
To be self disciplined enough to pay more to help out or B&M partners. In NY this is huge. With NYS taxes, a B&M has zero chance to compete with online sales. But without B&M, I have NO WHERE to smoke in the winter. I often pay more for a smoke to help support local B&M shops, because I have a serious interest in them sticking around.
I would NEVER walk into a B&M to smoke without purchasing. If I REALLY want a cigar that has been rested in my Humi, I make sure I bring one I purchased from them, and I still buy a few more to bring home.
Well said, and the point that ultimately I was trying to get across but I was much less eloquent about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Upstatemax
Seems Fuentes are back on the Devil Site - if you want to pay $8 for a Short Story.