Now I'm Irritated

[Neo Opulence]

So months ago I corresponded with Pete Johnson and Andy about when Pete was going to be in the Tampa area, as Pete and I had talked about doing an interview for my website. Andy sent me three dates and locations. Since then I have been planning on attending all of the events. Today I call one of the locations (I will leave names out of this, but it is the one he is at tonight) to get an exact time for the event to start and I am snidely told that the event is for local members only. I respond with "do you mean local customers" as I have shopped at this location a few times and have never heard of a membership. I am promptly told "no, members only, I'm sorry" and then they are gone. At this point I'm about to explode and I start to recount every Tatuaje event I have ever been to and can not remember one that was at all exclusive, it just doesn't seem like something Pete would do. Okay... sorry for the rant, I just had to get that out somewhere before I flamed the shop on my site.

 

[Danilo]

That's pretty messed up.

 

[Phi Delt]

Agreed. Very uncool of that B & M.

 

[Moro]

I doubt Pete'd approve this. Check it out.

 

[Neo Opulence]

I'm trying to... posted on Tatuaje's facebook account, and I'm emailing Pete.

 

[twenty5]

Not cool, Pete seems like the kinda guy that would not approve of this.... Bad sales idea for that store, I would show anyway.

 

[rick12string]

Not cool, Pete seems like the kinda guy that would not approve of this.... Bad sales idea for that store, I would show anyway.

I agree. Go and if they give you a hard time at the door, tell them Pete is expecting you which is true based on your correspondence. I’m sure Pete will get you in.

 

[Moro]

I agree. Go and if they give you a hard time at the door, tell them Pete is expecting you which is true based on your correspondence. I’m sure Pete will get you in.

That's badass: "Hi, where's the event, mate? Pete's expecting me."

 

[rick12string]

That's badass: "Hi, where's the event, mate? Pete's expecting me."

Damn Straight!

 

[Neo Opulence]

That was my plan immediately following the phone conversation, but then I realized I have two goals (well three if you count buying a crap ton of cigars) for Pete's visit. First is to get an interview with him, then second, and most important, is to get the photos etc I need to write an article using Pete as an example of the changes in cigar culture and about the things alot of other labels need to do to catch up, so to speak. I'm not going to get that material at an event like this. This just doesn't reflect Pete and his diverse following.

 

[rick12string]

That was my plan immediately following the phone conversation, but then I realized I have two goals (well three if you count buying a crap ton of cigars) for Pete's visit. First is to get an interview with him, then second, and most important, is to get the photos etc I need to write an article using Pete as an example of the changes in cigar culture and about the things alot of other labels need to do to catch up, so to speak. I'm not going to get that material at an event like this. This just doesn't reflect Pete and his diverse following.

Then blow this one off and go to the other two where hopefully they are more accommodating as they should be and more in line with Pete's attitude about the cigar industry and customers.

 

[Neo Opulence]

That is my plan. I was just bothered by the actions of a shop, and I feel bad for the people (quite a few) who I know were planning to attend (who I am sure are not members) that might be turned away at the door.

 

[dpricenator]

Well I'm sure we have all heard of private clubs...whether they be country clubs, or Mom's clubs, cigar clubs, or fraternities. If this was advertised as a public event then I can see everyone getting upset at this. It seems the person you talked to made a mistake, and should not have mentioned this event to you, as it is held at a private club. I know at SDSU our Frat had a band come and play for us and our sister Sorority. We were allowed 1 guest each and that was it. It was a PRIVATE show. I feel for you in that you got jerked around, most likely by mistake, but Pete is allowed to present and sell his smokes to anyone he likes. Did you confirm with Pete or his people that you had a time slot for an interview at this venue at a particular time? If so, make sure Pete gets you in. Otherwise, buy a membership. I don't mean to be a dick, but private organizations are allowed to do what they want.

 

[Neo Opulence]

I have no problem with private organizations (I am a member of a couple). This is not a private organization exactly, it is a B&M that apparently has a private club. I do know that they were initially telling people who are not members about the event with no mention of membership. I do not have a "time slot" with Pete at this event, but he does expect me to be there (as he is the one who told me about it). I do want to make it clear that I have no problems with B&Ms and cigar lounges selling private memberships (I have a membership to my local lounge), my complaint was more that a private event in an area that has a lot of Pete's fans does not seem like something he would do and that the shop should have made it clear from the beginning that it was private.

 

[Phi Delt]

Well I'm sure we have all heard of private clubs...whether they be country clubs, or Mom's clubs, cigar clubs, or fraternities. If this was advertised as a public event then I can see everyone getting upset at this. It seems the person you talked to made a mistake, and should not have mentioned this event to you, as it is held at a private club. I know at SDSU our Frat had a band come and play for us and our sister Sorority. We were allowed 1 guest each and that was it. It was a PRIVATE show. I feel for you in that you got jerked around, most likely by mistake, but Pete is allowed to present and sell his smokes to anyone he likes. Did you confirm with Pete or his people that you had a time slot for an interview at this venue at a particular time? If so, make sure Pete gets you in. Otherwise, buy a membership. I don't mean to be a dick, but private organizations are allowed to do what they want.

Very good points as well. If the event was advertised as private, then so be it. Well thought out response, bro.

 

[Cuban Pete]

That's a crappy thing to do by the B & M. Has anyone told them how bad the economy is? It looks like the rather sell memberships than cigars. Just my opinion, but if they advertised it as a public event and then changed it to "members only" to sell memberships I would never go there again.

 

[dpricenator]

I have no problem with private organizations (I am a member of a couple). This is not a private organization exactly, it is a B&M that apparently has a private club. I do know that they were initially telling people who are not members about the event with no mention of membership. I do not have a "time slot" with Pete at this event, but he does expect me to be there (as he is the one who told me about it). I do want to make it clear that I have no problems with B&Ms and cigar lounges selling private memberships (I have a membership to my local lounge), my complaint was more that a private event in an area that has a lot of Pete's fans does not seem like something he would do and that the shop should have made it clear from the beginning that it was private.

If Pete is expecting you...then go anyway and make a stink about it.

 

[Neo Opulence]

I just wanted to update and finish this story. I just got off the phone with Pete. He is very much unhappy that this is a closed event (it sounds like he found out after it was booked) and even more upset that people had been given the impression that it was open. That being said at least he has another event tomorrow that is open and he hopes everyone who wanted to come to this one will go to the one tomorrow.

 

[strife]

Hey! Shouldn't Pete be training?

 

[Neo Opulence]

hahaha... didn't think to ask him on the phone... I will tomorrow though and I'll post his reply