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Post by roadsdiverged on Apr 20, 2018 18:01:48 GMT -5
So today after work I had some time to kill before an appointment. I decided to stop by my local smokeshop and planned on picking up some different types of tobacco some pipe cleaners and possibly a new pipe. Im very new to pipe smoking so i was hoping for someone there to help me out as a beginner. I started by browsing through the few pipes that he had. As i began asking questions he looked at me and said "I really have no knowledge in tobacco, especially pipe smoking." So i grabbed a Dr. Grabow Freehand, a pack if pipe cleaners and left. Was pretty disappointed since the shop has been here for ages.
Oh well.
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Post by papipeguy on Apr 20, 2018 21:26:58 GMT -5
Not an unusual story since most B&M's are cigar centric these days. At our local B&M I frequently help new pipe guys since the new owner is still learning the craft.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2018 22:22:18 GMT -5
Sad that they dont realize pipe smokers can be really good customers
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Post by Matthew on Apr 20, 2018 22:44:55 GMT -5
This reminds me of a trip to the Oklahoma State Fair several years back.
My wife and I had a chance to go on a sunny weekend without the kids,so
we took it.This was the first year this one vender had come to our fair.
He was selling Alligator meat products.On a stick,sausage,that type of
stuff.Well we bought a sample stick and asked the girl at the window
if the seasoning was the same for the sausage.She replied "I Don't Know,
I'm a Vegean".Evidently she made that answer to several people that day
because she made the morning paper and got herself a bus ticket home.
Getting back to the OP,My closest B&M is just as bad.They like to act
superior and correct you on every other pronunciation.I've decided
that if I don't have time drive an hour to the better ones,I'll just
order online and trade or give off what I can't handle.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2018 23:48:04 GMT -5
Ordering online is what is killing the B&M stores, shame they dont offer better customer service
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2018 0:30:27 GMT -5
Cigars are probably the lion share of my B&M's business, but they have an extensive selection of pipe tobacco as well and are very knowledgeable of both. I'm very fortunate to have such a great shop so close to home.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2018 0:33:50 GMT -5
If this was the B&M Owner, then shame on him. If it was a worker he just may not have had the chance or experience to know much.
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Post by Dramatwist on Apr 21, 2018 0:54:49 GMT -5
...on the plus side, you got a Dr. Grabow, which are generally reliable smokers. Pipe cleaners as well, which you can never have enough of. You can make your own way and we'll help you.
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Post by Dramatwist on Apr 21, 2018 0:58:20 GMT -5
...do you need some decent pipe tobacco? Happy to help if I can...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2018 1:48:03 GMT -5
You got it, DT. The Grabow is the treasure. I keep thinking of a couple more Kensingtons
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 21, 2018 3:21:01 GMT -5
Sadly it's the same with mine. And it seems like the owner doesn't want your business.
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Post by haebar on Apr 21, 2018 3:56:29 GMT -5
It's hard to find someone that's knowledgeable about both pipes and cigars that will work for minimum wage. Not impossible, but difficult.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Apr 21, 2018 4:32:19 GMT -5
I've been trying not to buy too much (not just tobacco related) online these days. It may be cheaper, but I'd rather pay a little extra and support the local "mom and pop shops." The pipe was only $7 more than average online prices.
I live an old city down here with a "historic" down town. Within the past few years the tobacco shop changed location but is still downtown. Im not sure if the owner sold it, or moved to a smaller building. Now its by the old taxidermist with a sign on the door that says "please go through the taxidermist shop." When I walked in I told them I needed to go over there and the man that has worked on animals forever is the one that took me over. Im not sure if they bought the business just to keep an "old store" open or what the deal is. Ill find out in time though.
I have 2 tins of tobacco that I bought just to have something while I was busy deciding and gathering opinions on what to start off with. They are Stanwell Melange and Davidoff Green Mixture. I was hoping the shop would have been more helpful giving me recommendations and a few small samples (not free) to try. But, I felt like I was taking up his time and that I was being rushed out.
Id rather start out with decently price, quality tobacco. Not stuff that has been sitting on the gas station shelf for 2 years. Im not looking for the most expensive stuff in the world because I know that I wont be able to truly appreciate it right now.
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jpberg
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Post by jpberg on Apr 21, 2018 4:52:13 GMT -5
Does the shop have any kind of lounge area? More specifically, does anyone hang around there and smoke? Could be a resource for you.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Apr 21, 2018 4:57:18 GMT -5
Not in the new building. Its very small.
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Post by Matthew on Apr 21, 2018 10:25:46 GMT -5
Does the shop have any kind of lounge area? More specifically, does anyone hang around there and smoke? Could be a resource for you. Good points,unfortunately I see that it was answered in the negative. A few years back I went to a cigar tasting with my son.Sitting there chatting with a few others was very helpful,comparing notes so to speak.Got home and was watching the news,recognized the gentleman on the screen and realized I had spent the afternoon smoking cigars with Coach Stoops from the OU football team. Great guy by the way. |
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Post by trailboss on Apr 21, 2018 20:47:56 GMT -5
I give him props for being honest...I wouldn't doubt that you were of a number of pipe smokers that can be counted on one hand that asked questions, the cigar smokers pay the rent.
Since he isn't a pipe smoker, it make s sense that under them conditions, he isn't in the evangelistic mode.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Apr 21, 2018 21:19:46 GMT -5
Yeh, I wasnt mad or anything. He thanked me for my business and I told him I'd be back.
On the other hand, he is a wonderful taxidermist. I walk through the shop about once a year just to look at his work.
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gav
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Post by gav on Apr 22, 2018 17:24:47 GMT -5
better than BSing you to get a sale. Have a hard time understanding how you can run a store and know nothing about what you are selling however. Of course, I generally research the crap out of even the most fleeting hobbies.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Apr 22, 2018 20:44:00 GMT -5
Im sure they bought the business just to keep it around. Old historic city and the smoke shop has been there forever.
Maybe in a few years I'll learn rnough to give him some pointers. Haha
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daveincollamer
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Post by daveincollamer on Apr 24, 2018 6:43:53 GMT -5
I can't say enough good about the BM I frequent, the gentleman running the shop is a pipe smoker and an avid estate pipe dealer. Consistently knows what his customers are looking for in the way of pipes and tobacco. Did not mark up McClelland, even though some of his customers would turn around and put them on Fleabay. You are always welcome to hangout and smoke. Tony is very, very well versed in pipe prices, repair and recommendations. Can't say enough good about this location (Riegals in Fort Wayne, Georgetown location). He has some of the rarer estate pipes on Ebay.
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Post by Dramatwist on Apr 24, 2018 6:46:22 GMT -5
I can't say enough good about the BM I frequent, the gentleman running the shop is a pipe smoker and an avid estate pipe dealer. Consistently knows what his customers are looking for in the way of pipes and tobacco. Did not mark up McClelland, even though some of his customers would turn around and put them on Fleabay. You are always welcome to hangout and smoke. Tony is very, very well versed in pipe prices, repair and recommendations. Can't say enough good about this location (Riegals in Fort Wayne, Georgetown location). He has some of the rarer estate pipes on Ebay. ...always good to read this kind of report... |
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