Quick Question about B&M's
 

As some of you know I am sure.. I am underage, about 9 Months till I reach the "golden age". But I wanted to run into my B&M tomorrow or monday (depending on when they're open).

Will they try and card me when I walk in the door? Or will I be ok to take a look around? I know a B&M my uncle took me to in Cleveland carded me the second I walked in, and I got the boot. Are all B&M's like this or just some? Either way it is worth the risk to drive out there. I was just wondering as to what to expect.


Please take it easy on the age topic, I know many of you frown upon me being here.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

It depends on the B&M. Some card once you walk in the door, some card when you try to purchase.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

I dunno man, if you think they are going to card you I wouldn't bother. I don't think age matters much on this topic. You can always order online where they don't card.......

Wait are we referring to 18 as the "golden age" or 21? Most B&M's require 21 as they often serve beer. But since tobacco is 18....eh.... More information is needed before I further comment.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

18 is the GA. I know my B&M doesn't serve alcohol because a friend of mine had gone in there and there is a coffee shop next door that has a glass wall you can see straight into the B&M through. Hell, you can even walk through a door to get to the B&M from the coffee shop. I am 17 right now, with a little goatee going, and haven't been carded when buying chew before. So I assume I might look a little over the age? I don't know.

My thoughts were to go straight to the counter and start chatting up whoever is working, drop a few cigar names, things like that, and maybe they won't think too much about it? I wasn't planning on a purchase, just to look around, and chat.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

i've never heard of anyone being carded at a b&m before trying to buy stuff, but clearly it happens. there's no set rule that i've ever heard

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

I don't want to step on toes or look like a D-Bag, BUT.....not directly related ....liquors stores don't ever card me, I know more about booze then anyone I've ever met working at one. They feel stupid asking for my ID.


Food for thought.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Well yeah, but like I said, I wasn't planning on buying any cigars (too expensive there anyways).

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

then what are you looking to do there?

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

i don't go to a car dealer to buy a car every time i walk on the lot

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Then I doubt they would bother you....Again it's illegal for you to buy them. You just being in there.......I doubt they will give much of a crap. Chances are they don't care much about their job anyways, it's not exactly a high paying job to work a register at a cigar shop. If the boss/owner is there....But really man what's the worst that could happen they tell you to GTFO?

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

I was going for the atmosphere. They have a small area for people to smoke. Figured I could go chat it up, bull-**** with the locals. I don't know about smoking up there. Figured I would see how everything goes first before I thought about lighting one up.

Yeah, I guess all they could do is tell me to leave. Lol. It would be cool if I had a place to go and smoke and talk crap with some people. It gets lonely on the back deck or garage when no one else is smoking with me. Which is never. Haha

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Cigars are very different than cars, Kev. He says it's too expensive there so he's not going to be buying any. I'm not quite sure what the point of that would be... picking them up and looking at them and putting them back? I dunno sounds like a waste of time to me. But hey, however you get your jollies is fine

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Read my above post Emjay, if that doesn't clear things up, let me know and I will try to help as much as I can.

Hell, once I am old enough I will buy one or two there every so often. I need a new cutter and lighter, so that might be something I could pick up when I am there, depending on what they have.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Then I wish you luck, Man! Let us know how it goes.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Well, I doubt a B&M is going to like you going there and smoking with everyone and never buying anything. Usually they frown upon you doing that....smoking your own cigars that is.

If you can get away with buying one, they still even want you to smoke what you buy. Unless your B&M is very different than my few.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

call and ask. If you call first and explain that you are interested in cigars and just want to look around, then they can make a decision. Most B&Ms I have been to don't want underage people in the store since the owners view them as mainly there to shoplift. If you establish a connection before you go, your chances of getting the boot may drop. Just be sure that if you get the okay over the phone that you tell the shop who you are when you go in.

Chatting up the customers can be more dicey since it could be viewed as you looking for a source to buy you some sticks.

Your mileage may vary and all that.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Meh it depends on the place. My local B & M seems to ask some days, not ask some others. Well, I have been going there for a long time so they know me by name. The first time I went to the store they did not ID me.(Right around I turned 18) It wasn't until a couple weeks of going that I got asked. It is a gamble really. I would say just wait it out. If they don't ID you and they get caught for it, it can have bad consquences for the store. Even though the chances are low, still.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

How would the store get in trouble if I am just in there looking?..

Ehh, I see what you mean now

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

I'll chime in.

It is illegal to buy tobacco under the age of 18 that is known.

However it is not illegal to be in a place that sells tobacco products as long as they sell other things like food or other consumer good (ie gas stations, mini marts, and other stores)

Same goes with alcohol

However when it is a specialty store like a b&m or liquor store it is presumed that you have to be a Certain age to buy any of the goods in that store. Therefore that is why underage people are not allowed in liquor stores.

If the shop owner allows you to come in I highly doubt he will allow you to smoke while you are at his place of business because if something happens or someone reports him to the ATF, police, or state he can and will have his permits pulled. Even if it doesn't go that far he could still have a bad rap around town and take away his business.

My .02 cents would be browse online and read up on things. Then make a wish list of things you know are cheap and easy to find at the b&m. Then once you turn 18 you can go buy a stick or two and socialize with the regulars and owner.

Just out of respect I would not go nor smoke in the b&m because you put yourself and the owner at risk that can easily be avoided.

I'm sorry to sound like the bearer of bad news but I'm just trying to tell you how i see it. 8 months goes by quick just wait it out buddy.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Alright, well what if I were to go to the BM just to buy say a new cutter? I mean, like I said I haven't been carded when buying chew before, so apparently I seem over-age. If no one asked me how old I was if I did smoke, how would anyone think to report them?

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

This is great advice :tu

Time might go slow, enjoy it. Before you know it you'll be 18 and can do as you would like. Then it may take eternity but after that you'll be 21....then 25. (There will be a few "forgotten years")

My point is I 2nd Drez recommendation. Time flies....FAST. If you think it doesn't wait till you're there. Go In when you're 18 and don't worry about it. It takes a lot off your shoulders and makes it enjoyable.

If you really need a cutter.....order it online. You're time will come. It's just not worth ruining it with them before you turn 18. They might never allow to return.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

I understand that you just want to hang out and get to know people but it's the what if's that you need to think about.

Realistily will you get caught... Prob not

Will they card you .... Maybe

Is it ok to got a new cutter.... Sure but what is wrong with getting one on the net. It will prob come out cheaper anyways.

It's your call man. I just look at it as a repect thing. I know that if inwas a b&m owner and found out now or even later on down the road that a underage guy was coming to my store knowing he shouldn't be there would prob tick me off a bit.

Like has been said do what you want. If you think you will be ok and they will just you stand around and bring your own sticks and smoke then that's fine. If you think they might I'd you and kick you out then stay home.

Remember in the end it's your choice on what you wanna do.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

In my experience I've never been carded until I was making a purchases. Having said that I didn't start smoking until I was 18, so it's never been a problem.

Here's my advice though: I would advise you not to go. It sounds like it's out of your way, you may not be able to purchase anything, or even walk in, and they wont let you hang and smoke with them. You are under the legal age to smock tobacco, depending on the state laws they can get in a lot of trouble for allowing you to smoke with them, and they have no reason to protect / allow you to smoke with them seeing as you can't be a "real" customer of theirs. Find some friends who are interested in cigars and share a stick with them, that's my advice.

What ever you choose, good luck.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

If you go in my shop, I'd kick you right straight out. It's not worth the risk of fine to allow someone underage to stay. If you ever want to do business at that shop again, or enjoy it's amenities, stay out for now and go visit when you're legal.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

I've never been carded at a B&M, even when I go in there asking for recommendations.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

There are other issues here as well... Think about this too: if you're there, and they let you smoke there and hang out with everyone there, don't you think anyone there will be like, "Dude, you look young. How old are you?" Then you're stuck in a position where you'll have to lie to a fellow BOTL or risk getting kicked out of the store.

I don't know, if it were me, I wouldn't risk it... I'd just wait it out for the couple months that you have until you turn 18. Time flies man, and I can tell you that firsthand: I've been smoking since right before I turned 18, and I'm turning 20 in 2 months.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

How old are you? And how old do you appear to be?

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Wise words.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

I still get carded...
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...CN09610002.jpg

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

AARP card? :r

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Hahaha damn it, Tom! You beat me to it!

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

I know here in NC if you can smoke in the B&M you have to be 18 to enter. At my local you get carded at when you walk in. New state law was passed. Normally if I was just going in to pick up a smoke I could walk in with the kids and have them sit on the couch while I picked up a smoke. Now they stay in the lobby. Bottom line you know your under age and that those are the rules. I would think twice about putting a business owner in a position where they could have a licence pulled because you dont want to wait till you are 18. Just my opinion. I think it is great that you are excited about the cigar lifestyle and are ready to legally get some smokes. I would not burn a bridge with a B&M that you could be enjoying in a few months when you turn 18.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

I don't see any problem going in and buying a cutter. But, I've also been THAT asshole that has bought other tobacco products starting at age 16 and not thought anything of it (I look 5 years older than I am, always have). I'd call and ask if you have to be 18 to enter...if so, don't go.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

When I first start going to my B&M, I would get card. so it really depends on the store...

EDIT: Time really does fly back fast. I start smoking when I was 19, I just turn 21 and I've been drinking scotch since I got into cigars. Now I can finally walk into one of my favorite liquor store and pick up a bottle with out bugging my older friends.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Screw the law. Go in and buy some cigars at 17, then drive home drunk.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

I guess it depends if you wear your seatbelt and drive the speed limit or not. If you choose to ignore some laws you probably will ignore others. Just remember if you do get tossed they may ban you from coming back after you are 18 just something to consider.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Agreed. :rolleyes:

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

You forgot the hookers.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Yay another DUI arrest for me.......

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

And the dead hooker in the trunk.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Colin, you can probably read up on some info here:

http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title35/ar46/ch1.html

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

hookers are implied

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

That you shot with a crossbow.

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

It happened to my wife and she's 33 lol She got carded before she even was allowed to step into the humidor when she was trying to buy and send me sticks to Iraq!

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Wait...you have to be 18 to kill a hooker?:sh

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

I wasn't going to say that Tom :r

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

18 for credit cards, other wise cash and carry

Re: Quick Question about B&M's
 

Fixed it for ya Dave!;):r:D