Stopped in a cigar lounge today and..
- Thread starter Boudie
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Casa and Fed (used to, don't know about Fed now though.)
I was wearing blue jeans and tennis shoes but I guarantee you the son of a gun has no idea of my net worth or the amount of money I can spend. It was just bad business and if the boss wants a private club for his friends and expect the retail store to pay for his bit of luxury then fine, but say that and save me a 30 minute drive
Depending on the cigar, my preferred RH is about 62-65%
I've never been in a B&M that maintained that
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I've never been in a B&M that maintained that
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Who knows, maybe these uppity shops have long lines of anxious people waiting to get in, - patiently in a line that extends all the way down the block, and around the corner. Maybe the crowd is so large that they need a bouncer/doorman to control the on rush.
And then again, . . . . maybe not.
Most customer service offered to consumers is mediocre to horrendous today IMO. Many of these cigar shops follow that trend.
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And then again, . . . . maybe not.
Most customer service offered to consumers is mediocre to horrendous today IMO. Many of these cigar shops follow that trend.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Maybe he didn't know who you were bought you were? ; )
OleVaSmoker
Leafman
Cigar lounge snobbery....
What a world.
Their is one in town nearby me but never bothered with it. The owner is an old chum from high school. He was an arse then and a gaping one now. I will make it to a good one one day. Bucket list.
What a world.
Their is one in town nearby me but never bothered with it. The owner is an old chum from high school. He was an arse then and a gaping one now. I will make it to a good one one day. Bucket list.
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- Apr 19, 2016
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Why does this need to be publicly posted and visible? Your third sentence is what's inherently wrong with American society today. What would be the basis of that lawsuit? Unless they were discriminated against because they were a minority/woman/handicapped/etc, there is no basis simply because a shop requires a minimum cover charge or purchase (not to say some ACLU lawyer wouldn't run with it to "make a stand").
Keep in mind they do want you to visit the lounge, but like I said earlier, they also want to pay the bills and make a profit. I asked earlier, what do you think the mark up is on that $12 cigar? Even at a 50% margin of profit, he's making a whopping $6.00 on that sale. It probably costs more than that to run the humidifiers in his humidor for the day. These shops put these lounges in for their good paying, regular customers, who spend money on a regular basis buying more than one stick at time. They are not there for the casual smoker who comes in once to smoke his own stick, or the one he purchased at the time he came in. The fact that they list "Come visit our lounge" isn't an invitation to come, spend a buck or two, and take up space I 'm paying for for an hour or so. It means "stop by, visit our lounge, check out our selections, buy some cigars, enjoy a comfortable place to smoke, then come on back next week".
Don't you think it was a waste of time to drive 30 miles to smoke one cigar at a shop you've never been to? In that thirty miles you could have grabbed a couple sticks from your own humidor, enjoyed one on the way up, had a nice dinner, then enjoyed the second on the way home (assuming the AC/Heater works in your car).
To look at it from another point of view, I frequent a cigar bar about 15 miles from home. I go there once a month for his sponsored tastings. This bar is located in the basement of a pretty upscale restaurant (where dinner for two can set you back a c-note or better). I've had dinner in the place once, and attended a wine tasting event there once. I only attend this place during his tastings, but I go there on a consistent basis (maybe missed a couple in the past three years). I get welcomed with open arms, get personally escorted and introduced to the factory sales rep of the day, and given other, small, special considerations while I'm there. Why? Because, in addition to the $10 each I pay for my son and I, I also buy several drinks, and will more likely than not t walk out with a box of cigars at the end of the evening. Same reason I don't have an issue walking into a strange shop in a strange city. Because I browse the humidor, select some (not one) sticks, pay for them, then sit down to enjoy a cigar in the lounge.
I think a lot of misconceptions regarding customer service arise because of the customer, not the business. Too many think "I'm the customer, I'm always right" and, "Gee, I'm gonna spend 10 or 12 bucks in this place that probably has several hundred thousand invested in the business, he should bend over backwards and kiss my ass, because after all, I'm the customer". Even if his business is slow, that 6 or 7 dollar profit you offered probably doesn't come close to paying his costs for the hour or so you were going to be there. So he risks losing 7 bucks, instead of 15 or 20.
And the "I couldn't afford his prices anyway" excuse doesn't fly either. I'd love to drive a new Lexus, but can't afford one. Do I expect the dealer to drop the price to the level of Chevy Cruz, then complain about bad "customer service" when they refuse? Nope, I go buy the Cruz then call it a day.
Yeah, the "he has no idea of my net worth and what I was going to spend" comment was pretty uppity. That statement really has no bearing on the situation at hand. He had a general idea of what you were going to spend ($12), didn't know you, and had no idea whether you'd be back again.
Valid points and like I said the comments where not phrased well. Maybe "arbitrary and capricious" is a term you would hear in court. And no I don't think you should refuse service to people that don't fit your "model customer" profile
All I'm asking is if you have a rule about who can do business with you make it public.
All I'm asking is if you have a rule about who can do business with you make it public.
Usually the problem in these sorts of situation is the same thing I see in gun shops. It is people who know and love the hobby that think they can turn that into a business without knowing anything about running a business.
Taking a business man and teaching him about cigars will net a much better cigar store than taking a cigar lover and trying to teach him business. Every now and then you can combine the two and you end up with a very successful business, but the business man side has to always take priority over the cigar lover side.
Taking a business man and teaching him about cigars will net a much better cigar store than taking a cigar lover and trying to teach him business. Every now and then you can combine the two and you end up with a very successful business, but the business man side has to always take priority over the cigar lover side.
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He didn't refuse you service, if I remember correctly, he was willing to sell you the cigar. He just wasn't willing to let you take up his space to smoke your small purchase. Big difference. He did this based on the amount of money he was making off your sale, not the color of your skin, what God you worship, your gender, or any other criteria (unless I missed something in your original post).
Understand that the owner has invested several hundred thousand dollars in his business. He's taking all the risk. He stated business was slow, but is it possible he's expecting more of a crowd later? It's your first trip in, he's been running the shop how long? Who knows the business trends there more? As a business owner, it may be less of a loss to just close down the business than it would be to continue to to sell nickel and dime customers* who want to spend as little as possible and still enjoy the space he pays good money to maintain. Keep in mind, I don't know you, and if you showed up at my house, offered to buy a stick from my stash, and sit in my lounge and smoke it, I'd probably tell you get lost. If I knew you, you probably wouldn't have to make the purchase, but would be more than welcome to take one and stay. Not a good comparison, but keep in mind I don't have nearly the investment in my home as shop owner does in his business. And I don't rely on my home as an income producer. The business owner is making his money on volume sales, and provides the lounge as a perk to those who make those volume purchases. I'm still not sure why you'd be upset enough about this to make it an issue. I think you're confusing "policy" with "Business Model", this doesn't have to be posted anywhere. You made an assumption based on a web page, took a chance, and found out it wasn't what you wanted. The fact that we want something doesn't necessarily mean we deserve it. The guys who get to enjoy the lounge pay for that privilege (and that's what it is, a privilege, not a right) by volume buying or paying a membership fee to the owner. Welcome to life. Perhaps instead of relying on a web site, a phone call to the establishment prior to driving 30 miles may have been a better alternative. Hate to take sides, but I gotta go with the shop owner on this. The fact that you were disappointed doesn't mean you got bad customer service.
*Don't take offense at this, my intention was to compare the one or two stick at a time purchaser to the one or two box at time, pay an annual membership fee purchaser, as the latter is the guy who brings in the most profit.
@omahaorange where do I even begin? As to your point about a $6 profit not covering expenses...no shit. If any cigar lounge in the world planned on selling one stick a day to cover overhead costs, they would be the most foolish business owner in the world. And turning customers away is historically a great way to build your business. Thats a solid model and I forecast enormous growth using the "fuck off with your purchase" method. Business schools should teach this shit.
As to the driving/smoking thing, I don't smoke in my car. I dont want my car smelling like smoke. I also don't want to get in my car, drive somewhere and come out smelling smoke. Not a good look.
The "come visit our lounge" thing: Maybe my English comprehension skills aren't too sharp, but I think "come visit our lounge" means come visit and make a purchase. Unless its a radio commercial and the super fast talking auctioneer guy comes on with terms and conditions I wouldn't expect roadblocks to enjoying a purchase I just made from the humidor. Any of my local lounges also serve drinks and a couple additionally serve food. It's foolish to turn away my business when my $10 purchase can easily balloon up to $50+ after a few beers (or more), a meal and possibly a second smoke after the meal.
As to the lounge you frequent: You get personally escorted to meet cigar reps and shake their hands? No fucking way bro, thats cooler then hanging out with Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Mick Jagger all at once. I don't mind dropping some coin at your business to help support you, but I'm not buying boxes from any of my locals because I dont like the idea of spending an extra $100+ over what I could acquire the same box for online. I would consider that a foolish waste of money. Supporting your local is great, but I consider botl.org my online home base for cigars. As such, I like to support the businesses that sponsor and support botl.org, if at all possible. And hey think about this: if you stop pissing away all that money being a superstar baller at your local you might be able to afford upgrading to a Lexus from your Cruze after all!
As to the driving/smoking thing, I don't smoke in my car. I dont want my car smelling like smoke. I also don't want to get in my car, drive somewhere and come out smelling smoke. Not a good look.
The "come visit our lounge" thing: Maybe my English comprehension skills aren't too sharp, but I think "come visit our lounge" means come visit and make a purchase. Unless its a radio commercial and the super fast talking auctioneer guy comes on with terms and conditions I wouldn't expect roadblocks to enjoying a purchase I just made from the humidor. Any of my local lounges also serve drinks and a couple additionally serve food. It's foolish to turn away my business when my $10 purchase can easily balloon up to $50+ after a few beers (or more), a meal and possibly a second smoke after the meal.
As to the lounge you frequent: You get personally escorted to meet cigar reps and shake their hands? No fucking way bro, thats cooler then hanging out with Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Mick Jagger all at once. I don't mind dropping some coin at your business to help support you, but I'm not buying boxes from any of my locals because I dont like the idea of spending an extra $100+ over what I could acquire the same box for online. I would consider that a foolish waste of money. Supporting your local is great, but I consider botl.org my online home base for cigars. As such, I like to support the businesses that sponsor and support botl.org, if at all possible. And hey think about this: if you stop pissing away all that money being a superstar baller at your local you might be able to afford upgrading to a Lexus from your Cruze after all!
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memphsdad
But I don't live in Memphis
ChuckMejia
The General
Man now I understand why some people at the lounge are grumpy and bitter and sit all alone all the time. I figured that's the same way they would come across on the internet.
ChuckMejia
The General
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