Advice for B&M owners anyone? - Page 4

357 · 03-07-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dukeuni

Video Cameras- Why don't more B&M's install video cameras in the humidors if they are so worried about shoplifting? Is there a problem with the cameras and the humidity?

Any CA members have video cameras in their B&M's?

I've seen them in many B&M humidors. I much prefer that to the human shadow.

NCRadioMan · 03-07-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dukeuni

Video Cameras- Why don't more B&M's install video cameras in the humidors if they are so worried about shoplifting? Is there a problem with the cameras and the humidity?

Any CA members have video cameras in their B&M's?

Yep. We have them set up throughout the store. It really helps, especially when I am working alone.

awsmith4 · 03-07-2011, 02:40 PM

I actually like the shadow thing when it is preformed under the guise of wanting to show off the humidor, especially if the person has a genuine passion for their stock.

N2 GOLD · 03-08-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dukeuni

Video Cameras- Why don't more B&M's install video cameras in the humidors if they are so worried about shoplifting? Is there a problem with the cameras and the humidity?

Any CA members have video cameras in their B&M's?

Very good point, waaaaay better then the shadow & look...

03-07-2011, 02:43 PM

I have to agree with most of these. Very good points.

Adding: Just because I am a woman does not mean that I do not appreciate or have knowledge of cigars!! I am relatively new to this hobby, but I am an intelligent woman and demand to be treated as such!

Don't just assume that all I want to smoke is little flavored cigarellos!!

Please acknowledge me when I walk in, and then let me check things out(drool @ your goods). I will ask questions if I have them.

Thanks,
That is ALL!

markem · 03-07-2011, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christiel49

Adding: Just because I am a woman does not mean that I do not appreciate or have knowledge of cigars!! I am relatively new to this hobby, but I am an intelligent woman and demand to be treated as such!

this goes for the patrons as well. Just because a sister of the leaf comes in to the store doesn't mean that it is date night at the OK corral.

tsolomon · 03-08-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christiel49

I have to agree with most of these. Very good points.

Adding: Just because I am a woman does not mean that I do not appreciate or have knowledge of cigars!! I am relatively new to this hobby, but I am an intelligent woman and demand to be treated as such!

Don't just assume that all I want to smoke is little flavored cigarellos!!

Please acknowledge me when I walk in, and then let me check things out(drool @ your goods). I will ask questions if I have them.

Thanks,
That is ALL!

My wife is with you on this one. She likes Tatuajes and Illusiones and they always want to steer her towards milder sticks. It's fun for me to watch the B&M staff get chased out of the walk-in by her.

loki · 03-07-2011, 03:36 PM

don't be cheap

03-07-2011, 11:00 PM

This thread is a GREAT! Customers meet B&M employees and owners! Its nice to get both sides of the story.

Some of the things I've run into:

Their hours are too short. Being open until 5pm everyday doesn't do anything for me, I work too. I would love to have a B&M that stays open until 7pm so I could stop there after work.

Inventory. I've read posts complaining that B&M's stock only the common brands or something to that effect. My problem is the opposite. The local B&M doesn't have any brand name I recognize. I'm not as knowledgeable as many of you fine folks here, but I have heard of a lot of common brands. When I walk into the local B&M and don't recognize anything, if the owners don't engage me, I leave.

Just a note: I guess I shouldn't be surprised that people will steal cigars in a B&M, but I was. I "thought" that anyone that would be interested in purchasing a cigar would not be a thief too. Maybe thieves just go into any retail store and try to steal anything, I don't know.

Now, I'm not saying I'm perfect. However if I would ever entertain stealing, it would be a Brinks job or nothing.

Cheers,

Mike T.

NCRadioMan · 03-08-2011, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miket156

Just a note: I guess I shouldn't be surprised that people will steal cigars in a B&M, but I was. I "thought" that anyone that would be interested in purchasing a cigar would not be a thief too. Maybe thieves just go into any retail store and try to steal anything, I don't know.

$700 gone in minutes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNVL1nNaEgw

It's always the people you wouldn't expect to steal that does.

03-09-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miket156

I "thought" that anyone that would be interested in purchasing a cigar would not be a thief too.

Never met a lawyer, huh?

Ogre · 03-09-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Finger

Never met a lawyer, huh?

03-09-2011, 01:02 PM

1. Don't disrespect me because of my age. Yes, I look young, but after 4 kids and 3 wives...I need a stogie.

2. When I ask about a top 25 NC stick, don't look at me like I'm the crazy one if you don't have it. "HUH? Whats a Liga Privada? Who makes it? Is it a generic?" LOL

Yeah Rich's in Portland....I'm looking at you! You've been promising to get me a box for over a year.

3. (Already been mentioned) When I come into your store wearing a sweatshirt, don't expect me to be looking for the dog rockets. Last time this happened, I ended up buying $200 in sticks.

4. When I ask if you have the new thing I'm looking for, and you tell me "yes we do, but they are in the back and I haven't priced them yet", prepare for me to call you a lazy bastard.

5. Get off your damn computer and interact with your customers. Yeah, forums are fun...but customers bring you money. Save the forum updates for after work please.

6. Don't mark your sticks up with more than a 70% profit margin, and I'll be willing to bet that your "theft problem" might go down some. Ever bought a stogie on the strip in Vegas? Talk about price fixing!

awsmith4 · 03-09-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Finger

6. Don't mark your sticks up with more than a 70% profit margin, and I'll be willing to bet that your "theft problem" might go down some. Ever bought a stogie on the strip in Vegas? Talk about price fixing!

Just out of curiosity how do you know what there profit margin is and how does that make theft justified???

03-09-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awsmith4

Just out of curiosity how do you know what there profit margin is and how does that make theft justified???

I'm not justifying ANYTHING. But when you've gone to conventions, know what wholesale is, and then see those sticks in certain stores for 25% more than your regular B&M's, yeah..something is up and it stinks.

$40 45th Padrons

$20 Nostrosos

$25 Camacho Triple Maduros

These are why I don't go into certain stores. When something is above MSRP, who is the real thief in that equation?

replicant_argent · 03-09-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Finger

4. When I ask if you have the new thing I'm looking for, and you tell me "yes we do, but they are in the back and I haven't priced them yet", prepare for me to call you a lazy bastard.

Really?

No... I gotta ask, are you serious on this one?

03-09-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

Really?

No... I gotta ask, are you serious on this one?

Nope. Paul's Cigar Shop on Beaverton-Hillsdale HWY.

Asked about Warlock (by omar ortez), and the older salesman told me "yep, we just had some dropped off in the back for promo, but i haven't inventoried them yet".

I laughed all the way out the door.

03-08-2011, 10:32 AM

Very interesting reading in this post......I have been in many, many B&Ms throughout Florida and many other states and have experienced just about every reaction/action from the owners/managers that are listed here in this post....all but the Eating Pizza in the humi....that is a new one. If most places in the United States require you be 18 years old or 21 years old to purchase tobacco, why don't shop owners require picture ID when you first walk through the door, like a night club does? In addition to cameras in the humidor, it would tell you who was in the store. I mean, I am asked for picture ID many places that I go already, wouldn't bother me one bit and it should make the rest of the time I spend looking around the store much more enjoyable!

Kreth · 03-09-2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandJCigars in the Customers thread

...explaining that 5 Vegas is just some garbage CI came out with,

Don't slam brands you don't carry.

Posted via Mobile Device

Ogre · 03-09-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kreth

Don't slam brands you don't carry.

Posted via Mobile Device

I would have to agree!!

03-07-2011, 02:40 PM	#3
awsmith4 Simple Pleasures - 2oL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Albert Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,602 Trading: (111)	Re: Advice for B&M owners anyone? I actually like the shadow thing when it is preformed under the guise of wanting to show off the humidor, especially if the person has a genuine passion for their stock. __________________ Its THIS easy to support our troops

03-07-2011, 02:43 PM	#5
Christiel49 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Advice for B&M owners anyone? I have to agree with most of these. Very good points. Adding: Just because I am a woman does not mean that I do not appreciate or have knowledge of cigars!! I am relatively new to this hobby, but I am an intelligent woman and demand to be treated as such! Don't just assume that all I want to smoke is little flavored cigarellos!! Please acknowledge me when I walk in, and then let me check things out(drool @ your goods). I will ask questions if I have them. Thanks, That is ALL!

03-07-2011, 03:36 PM	#8
loki H.A.T.E Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh pa Posts: 1,484 Trading: (7)	Re: Advice for B&M owners anyone? don't be cheap

03-07-2011, 11:00 PM	#9
Miket156 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Advice for B&M owners anyone? This thread is a GREAT! Customers meet B&M employees and owners! Its nice to get both sides of the story. Some of the things I've run into: Their hours are too short. Being open until 5pm everyday doesn't do anything for me, I work too. I would love to have a B&M that stays open until 7pm so I could stop there after work. Inventory. I've read posts complaining that B&M's stock only the common brands or something to that effect. My problem is the opposite. The local B&M doesn't have any brand name I recognize. I'm not as knowledgeable as many of you fine folks here, but I have heard of a lot of common brands. When I walk into the local B&M and don't recognize anything, if the owners don't engage me, I leave. Just a note: I guess I shouldn't be surprised that people will steal cigars in a B&M, but I was. I "thought" that anyone that would be interested in purchasing a cigar would not be a thief too. Maybe thieves just go into any retail store and try to steal anything, I don't know. Now, I'm not saying I'm perfect. However if I would ever entertain stealing, it would be a Brinks job or nothing. Cheers, Mike T.

03-09-2011, 01:02 PM	#13
Bad Finger Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Advice for B&M owners anyone? 1. Don't disrespect me because of my age. Yes, I look young, but after 4 kids and 3 wives...I need a stogie. 2. When I ask about a top 25 NC stick, don't look at me like I'm the crazy one if you don't have it. "HUH? Whats a Liga Privada? Who makes it? Is it a generic?" LOL Yeah Rich's in Portland....I'm looking at you! You've been promising to get me a box for over a year. 3. (Already been mentioned) When I come into your store wearing a sweatshirt, don't expect me to be looking for the dog rockets. Last time this happened, I ended up buying $200 in sticks. 4. When I ask if you have the new thing I'm looking for, and you tell me "yes we do, but they are in the back and I haven't priced them yet", prepare for me to call you a lazy bastard. 5. Get off your damn computer and interact with your customers. Yeah, forums are fun...but customers bring you money. Save the forum updates for after work please. 6. Don't mark your sticks up with more than a 70% profit margin, and I'll be willing to bet that your "theft problem" might go down some. Ever bought a stogie on the strip in Vegas? Talk about price fixing!

03-08-2011, 10:32 AM	#18
mackhaus Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Advice for B&M owners anyone? Very interesting reading in this post......I have been in many, many B&Ms throughout Florida and many other states and have experienced just about every reaction/action from the owners/managers that are listed here in this post....all but the Eating Pizza in the humi....that is a new one. If most places in the United States require you be 18 years old or 21 years old to purchase tobacco, why don't shop owners require picture ID when you first walk through the door, like a night club does? In addition to cameras in the humidor, it would tell you who was in the store. I mean, I am asked for picture ID many places that I go already, wouldn't bother me one bit and it should make the rest of the time I spend looking around the store much more enjoyable!