B&M etiquette question

[Tenor CS]

I have become somewhat of a regular customer at a local B&M. Another member here, David (Screen Name Catfish) has also visited there a few times and we have hit it off. It's always nice to have a smoking buddy.

I wanted to throw out some stories of my "routine" at the B&M and see if anyone has any ideas, suggestions, or advice on things I could do better or more of.

1. I never show up just to "hang out." When I visit, it's to smoke and buy.
2. I usually show up with my 10 count travel humi. I tend to bring the travel humi with, say, 8 sticks in it. I will come in, sit, smoke, drink, watch TV, maybe play some Wii, and then on my way out, I will buy anywhere between 1-3 cigars to "top off" the travel humi for next time. Sometimes, I will not necessarily buy sticks, but some accessory - a can of butane, a drymistat tube (I have about 5 of them now, spread among various travel humi's and tupperdors) a pack of "smoker's mints," something like that.
3. So far, I have only smoked sticks purchased there. But even if I smoked an "outside" stick, I would still buy SOMETHING on the way out.
4. Here's where it gets a little tricky. They don't have a liquor license, but the owner gladly provides drinks, especially for the regulars. He has a tip jar next to the register, and it's kind of hidden. I generally don't drink liquor, but when I grab a soda or bottled water from the mini-fridge, I'll drop $1-2 into the tip jar. Not really "paying" for the drink, but this makes me feel like I'm not mooching. On the rare occasion that I do have some liquor, like a glass of scotch, I'll put $5 in the tip jar. I also offer to clean up after myself, but the owner always tells me not to worry about it.
5. I have gifted the owner (and his wife) some sticks, and he has smoked some of them in front of me. To be honest, I don''t think he really loved them, but he never said anything bad about them, and he was gracious in accepting them and at least tried them, which is all anyone can really ask of someone.
6. I don't have some of the super impressive collections of sticks that some guys here have, but I try to be generous. For every 5-pack I buy, I usually keep 3 for myself and give 2 away. Sometimes, I give a smoke to the owner or his wife, sometimes another BOTL from here.
7. I try to spread as much positive word-of-mouth about the place as I can. I know that I have brought at least 3 more regular customers to the shop, and for that the owner seems genuinely grateful. Occasionally, he will chop 5-10% off of my bill, or toss in an extra stick. I never ask for extra discounts, but I do sometimes splurge buy when he has a good sale, like 20% off everything in the store, or buy 3 sticks, get 1 free.

I'm especially interested to hear from people who own/work in B&M's. Besides spending money, what else can a regular customer do to help you out, business-wise?

Originally Posted by Tenor CS

I'm especially interested to hear from people who own/work in B&M's. Besides spending money, what else can a regular customer do to help you out, business-wise?

Word of mouth seems to work best in our hobby.

Just think of how much you've learned, been gifted, and enjoyed because of other BOTL's.
I believe the best thing that you can do to help grow your favorite proprietors business is to tell EVERYONE

So where's this B&M

[Tenor CS]

Originally Posted by dillio

So where's this B&M

Celebration, FL. Near Disney World. It's called Backroom Cigar Corp. I've posted about them a lot, because I've been spending a lot of time there.

I work at a B&M. I've been there over a year and I'd say you're doing all the right things. In my opinion, any shop would be happy to have you there. We have some real pains in the ass customers who leave HUGE messes, don't buy ****, and hog the T.V. We would welcome you any day, keep doing what you do.

P.S. 3 or 4 times I've found chicken wings in the stinky.

[Tenor CS]

Originally Posted by Darrell

In my opinion, any shop would be happy to have you there. [snip] We would welcome you any day, keep doing what you do.

Thanks, Darrell. If I make it to California any time soon, I will be sure to look you and your shop up. (PS, you're another one of the guys I was specifically hoping would put their two cents in on this thread)

Originally Posted by Darrell

P.S. 3 or 4 times I've found chicken wings in the stinky.

Now that's just gross.

Originally Posted by Tenor CS

Now that's just gross.

Their was some meat on a couple of them so I did not mind.

That was a joke.

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by Darrell

I work at a B&M. I've been there over a year and I'd say you're doing all the right things. In my opinion, any shop would be happy to have you there. We have some real pains in the ass customers who leave HUGE messes, don't buy ****, and hog the T.V. We would welcome you any day, keep doing what you do.

P.S. 3 or 4 times I've found chicken wings in the stinky.

That wasn't me!!! I swear!!!

Originally Posted by Darrell

I work at a B&M. I've been there over a year and I'd say you're doing all the right things. In my opinion, any shop would be happy to have you there. We have some real pains in the ass customers who leave HUGE messes, don't buy ****, and hog the T.V. We would welcome you any day, keep doing what you do.

P.S. 3 or 4 times I've found chicken wings in the stinky.

Originally Posted by TripleF

Great rules of the heart brother!!


I work in a cigar bar. We sell cigars, cigar accessories and beer and wine - no liquor. I receive tips as a bartender would.

We don't mind people bringing in their own smokes, but as an unwritten rule we hope they buy beverages from us, however we won't kick 'em out if they don't.


Basically I think if you support your local B&M with purchases they will take care of you. I know when I used to frequent another B&M on a weekly basis (before I got my part time job at the current cigar bar) the owner would toss me a stick, give me a discount, or other accessories such as hats or shirts.

I think gifting the owner of the establishment is not really necessary. Maybe give him a bottle of Port at Christmas time or something.

That's my 2 cents.

I totally echo these sentiments. Working at the Davidoff shop at Columbus Circle NYC we have our fair share of customers who show and respect good service with equally respectful patronage. However, there are a fair share of entitled and disrespectful guests who try to get by without buying anything. You're doing all the right things as a BOTL. Just saying thank you on the way out goes a long way. Any business owner or worker at a B&M who has a good head on their shoulders will recognize and appreciate your support.

This past week I was on vacation, but felt like stopping by a B&M for a smoke (other than the lounge at our shop). I visited the Cigar Aficionado lounge at the Cigar Inn (E 53rd and 2nd Ave) in NYC. Being in the industry and knowing the guys there I could easily just bring in my own smokes and not buy a thing, but I wanted to support them for providing really great hospitality so I bought two smokes (one that is exclusive to their shop: the La Aurora Cien Anos Preferido #1). It was a great visit and it felt good to not mooch. Everyone loves a free cigar, but I think most people don't understand how much work behind the scenes is required to create a successful B&M.

Dustin

[Footbag]

Originally Posted by dschmidt20

I totally echo these sentiments. Working at the Davidoff shop at Columbus Circle NYC we have our fair share of customers who show and respect good service with equally respectful patronage. However, there are a fair share of entitled and disrespectful guests who try to get by without buying anything. You're doing all the right things as a BOTL. Just saying thank you on the way out goes a long way. Any business owner or worker at a B&M who has a good head on their shoulders will recognize and appreciate your support.

This past week I was on vacation, but felt like stopping by a B&M for a smoke (other than the lounge at our shop). I visited the Cigar Aficionado lounge at the Cigar Inn (E 53rd and 2nd Ave) in NYC. Being in the industry and knowing the guys there I could easily just bring in my own smokes and not buy a thing, but I wanted to support them for providing really great hospitality so I bought two smokes (one that is exclusive to their shop: the La Aurora Cien Anos Preferido #1). It was a great visit and it felt good to not mooch. Everyone loves a free cigar, but I think most people don't understand how much work behind the scenes is required to create a successful B&M.

Dustin

I'm visiting NYC as I type. And I happen to be staying in the building that Cigar Inn just opened up in. Yesterday, I bought a box of Noellas, and returned later in the day. I bought a Zino Platinum and relaxed in their lounge. I considered bringing back a Noellas, or even bringing one of my own, but even if I did, I'd likely buy at least one smoke. I chose not to and smoked my Zino. No regrets, their lounge is worth it!
I'll be back there later! And I'll do my part to make sure their business is successful!

The same it true when I visit Davidoff Columbus Circle of course!

[Cigarcop]

Originally Posted by Darrell

P.S. 3 or 4 times I've found chicken wings in the stinky.

And we all know you have OCD with your ashtrays

[floydpink]

Christian,

I think it says a lot about your character that you care about doing what's right in regards to a place you visit a great deal.

I wrestled a bit with the same question, but with the larger B&M across town where we herfed.

I meet friends there once in a while and we normally buy drinks, but smoke our own cigars, most of which they can't sell.

To complicate matters further, my friend works at a small B&M in the mall and sells boxes much cheaper than the bigger guy and also calls me when Opus arrives and doesn't limit my purchase. No lounge though....

[Tenor CS]

Originally Posted by floydpink

Christian,

I think it says a lot about your character that you care about doing what's right in regards to a place you visit a great deal.

I wrestled a bit with the same question, but with the larger B&M across town where we herfed.

I meet friends there once in a while and we normally buy drinks, but smoke our own cigars, most of which they can't sell.

To complicate matters further, my friend works at a small B&M in the mall and sells boxes much cheaper than the bigger guy and also calls me when Opus arrives and doesn't limit my purchase. No lounge though....

I think most of us, in our own good-hearted way, like to see businesses that we frequent do well. I love the "big cigar shop across town," and will continue to visit there, by myself and with friends. The good thing about cigar shops is that they're more forgiving than women. You can give your heart to more than one.

On a positive note, the owner of Backroom has said numerous times that he's not trying to necessarily "compete" with anybody, just trying to run HIS store as well as he can. He has never said anything disparaging about any of the other cigar shops in town, and I respect him for that.

BTW, how's the quitting cigarettes thing coming?

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by Tenor CS

I think most of us, in our own good-hearted way, like to see businesses that we frequent do well. I love the "big cigar shop across town," and will continue to visit there, by myself and with friends. The good thing about cigar shops is that they're more forgiving than women. You can give your heart to more than one.

On a positive note, the owner of Backroom has said numerous times that he's not trying to necessarily "compete" with anybody, just trying to run HIS store as well as he can. He has never said anything disparaging about any of the other cigar shops in town, and I respect him for that.

BTW, how's the quitting cigarettes thing coming?

Well, since you asked.... next week will be 2 months without so much as a puff on a cig!!! Feb is a short month, but for the first time in a long long time, I don't even think about cigs. Thanks for remembering!

[eboniknight]

Originally Posted by Tenor CS

Celebration, FL. Near Disney World. It's called Backroom Cigar Corp. I've posted about them a lot, because I've been spending a lot of time there.

Wow that's great to know. I'll be spending a week near Celebration in August for family vacation.....looks like I have found me a refuge when the stress level gets too high!!

I pretty much follow those same "rules" when I visit the local B&M here in VA. Always good people there and the owner treats you well.

You are one of those good customers who plainly think of the business owner but at the same time you go there to relax and hang out,,,and the owner or manager should know you by your first name at least. With that being said, you should have a relationship that gets you some inside goodies,,,it's a very reciprocal type of relationship between a good customer and the management. If you aren't being treated as a "special" customer at this point there is something wrong and that means at the very least 10% off. The only thing that matters is that you feel good and the owner feels good.

[TripleF]

Great rules of the heart brother!!


I work in a cigar bar. We sell cigars, cigar accessories and beer and wine - no liquor. I receive tips as a bartender would.

We don't mind people bringing in their own smokes, but as an unwritten rule we hope they buy beverages from us, however we won't kick 'em out if they don't.


Basically I think if you support your local B&M with purchases they will take care of you. I know when I used to frequent another B&M on a weekly basis (before I got my part time job at the current cigar bar) the owner would toss me a stick, give me a discount, or other accessories such as hats or shirts.

I think gifting the owner of the establishment is not really necessary. Maybe give him a bottle of Port at Christmas time or something.

That's my 2 cents.

[Tenor CS]

Originally Posted by TripleF

Great rules of the heart brother!!

Thanks, Scott!

Originally Posted by TripleF

I work in a cigar bar.

I know, I was hoping you especially would chime in.

Originally Posted by TripleF

I think gifting the owner of the establishment is not really necessary. Maybe give him a bottle of Port at Christmas time or something.

Eh, it's not like I'm giving him Opus X's or anything. Couple of Taboo's, some 5 Vegas. Stuff that's not super expensive, but stuff that I like, stuff that I think he might like, and stuff that I think he might want to consider carrying.

Originally Posted by TripleF

That's my 2 cents.

But worth so much more!

[Tenor CS]

I used to work at an Italian restaurant (rhymes with "Slap a Bony Shill") and this one server used to make a habit of picking at uneaten food after he brought it back to the kitchen, before he scraped the plate to put it in the "to be washed" area.

One day, a manager accosted him and said "Dude, don't do that, you might catch AIDS from that pizza!"

To which he replied, "Not unless they [insert slang term for masturbated] on it first!"

[Mugen910]

Originally Posted by Tenor CS

I used to work at an Italian restaurant (rhymes with "Slap a Bony Shill") and this one server used to make a habit of picking at uneaten food after he brought it back to the kitchen, before he scraped the plate to put it in the "to be washed" area.

One day, a manager accosted him and said "Dude, don't do that, you might catch AIDS from that pizza!"

To which he replied, "Not unless they [Choke their Chicken] on it first!"

[Volt]

Hmm from another customers POV, sounds like your doing it as well as you can. I have one B&M that trats me good and I try to buy from them as much as possible, no lounge though and that hurts them IMO.