How do you buy your smokes?

[alfredo_buscatti]

Although I would like to preview the cigar in which I'm interested by buying a 5-er from my B&M, both to support him and to get an idea of what the cigar is like, doing so means I drop ~1/3 of the value of a box in that purchase, and I don't have the money to do that and buy a box. This is a wonderful B&M with an outstanding humidor, but you have to gently twist the owner's arm to get a discount on a 5 cigar purchase; he normally charges you 5 Xs the singles price, and I dislike the arm twisting.

Also, as I don't have the money to pay his prices on a box, about 40% higher than the cost from the lowest price e-tailer, I've never bought a box from him and doubt that I ever will, although I've tried. For instance I got a box of the Don Carlos Presidente for $208.00; when I ran that number past him I was told that getting the box through him for that price was dreaming.

Also, about 50% of the time, a 5-er is an inadequate preview; in these cases I need to smoke 10-15 cigars to judge a cigar.

Instead what I do read 3 pages of Google output of reviews of the cigar, get a consensus of how the cigar performs, and make my decision. Only unusually do I get cigars that I don't like.

I usually buy big samplers on line. I get singles at the local b&m, usually when I go in I smoke one in the lounge and take two home. I have been out of the cigar world for about 20 yearss, as the divorce didn't leave me enough money to smoke what I enjoy. Now that I can afford it (again), I've found the brands have all changed, as has my palete. I will start buying bundles or boxes soon, as I have found pretty much what I'd like to smoke on a regular basis at a decent price, but will continue buying samples, singles and fivers because I love the variety!

[shilala]

Originally Posted by alfredo_buscatti

Also, about 50% of the time, a 5-er is an inadequate preview; in these cases I need to smoke 10-15 cigars to judge a cigar.

Really???
Here's how I do it...
Smoke cigar. It's either good enough for a box purchase, or not. In very remote instances I'll smoke two before making a box purchase decision. In 100% of those situations, I don't buy a box.
But really, 10 or 15 cigars to make up your mind? I think you're jerking our collective chain, or you've not been made aware that there's hundreds, if not thousands of other cigars to move on to. If a cigar doesn't make you shine the first time, don't doddle, brother. There's likely 14 gems you're missing while you're guessing if you like that first cigar.