Advice for B&M customers anyone?

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Silound

We, as the shop, DO NOT owe you anything, regardless of how good of a customer you think you are.

Except that without customers, there wouldn't be a shop.

Just curious, do you own the shop or work there?

[Kreth]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Except that without customers, there wouldn't be a shop.

I think he might have been talking about the people who drop in once in a blue moon, spend $10 and expect to be treated like royalty...
Posted via Mobile Device

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Kreth

I think he might have been talking about the people who drop in once in a blue moon, spend $10 and expect to be treated like royalty...
Posted via Mobile Device

You might be right, Jeff, considering the post as a whole, I am not sure.

[Silound]

Originally Posted by icehog3

Except that without customers, there wouldn't be a shop.

Just curious, do you own the shop or work there?

Worked there for three years before I graduated.

Unfortunately, I feel that a cigar shop is no different than any other business, which means that while I'd make every effort to make a customer happy if they want something reasonable, but I'm not going to make sacrifices to store policy, or give you special treatment over other customers, or let you get away with anything that other people can't, or give them steep discounts. Wal-Mart doesn't give you a %25 discount because you bought some high dollar item that sells real well, even if you badger them about it incessantly like a spoiled child.

Some people simply feel entitled just because they spend some money there. Again, it's the whole "spend a little, expect to be treated like royalty" attitude.

Really, there's no pleasing some people, but some people want too much. If it's not a one time thing, or if it could set a dangerous trend for the shop, it's not something to just agree to lightly. You can't let one guy start making a scene about a discount and get away with it, or you run the risk of others seeing it happen and trying to imitate it, which leads to either a loss for the shop, or multiple pissed off customers instead of just one (because eventually you have to put a stop to it).

It is very much a balancing act to keep people pleased without it being of detriment to the shop.

"spend a little, expect to be treated like royalty" attitude"

Yep, that's a problem. If you buy one cigar, sit and smoke it and mind your business. Don't make a nuisance of yourself. Be thoughtful of other people that are in the store. Just because you spent 6 or 7 bucks on a smoke doesn't mean you own the place.


Mike T.