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Post by trailboss on Jan 15, 2019 22:19:21 GMT -5
Edwards Pipe and cigar shop in Los Altos is another good one Martin, small but when I visited them they were friendly... they have a sister shop in San Jose I have heard good things about. Edwards Pipe & Tobacco Shop in Englewood, Colorado has a great selection of pipe tobaccos as well as a helpful and knowledgeable owner and staff. The decor is nice too. There's also a good shop in Colorado Springs, but I haven't been there and don't recall its name. ? www.stagtobacconist.com/?age-verified=41b67fca4fOne of our pipe club members went there a few years ago... they had boatloads of great tobacco’s, and a really nice pipe selection. |
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sablebrush52
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Post by sablebrush52 on Jan 15, 2019 22:21:35 GMT -5
Well, once tobacco is banned from being sold online you’ll be seeing some new B&M’s back in business..........JMHO........it’s inevitable. Your basic tin tobacco’s that sells online now for around $10.00 will be selling for $21.95.......another good reason to build a good size cellar for your future. My bolding. I read this statement before and asked the poster (I think it may have been trailboss) more info about the statement as he said the FDA was trending that way. I'd really like to know if there's a basis for the FDA taking that stance. And B+Ms Some good ones in my area. And otherwise/elsewhere, there are good, bad and indifferent ones. So, certainly some "deserve" to survive, even thrive. Interesting that you should mention this. Back in 2016, I read through the more than 400 pages of the transcript of the hearings that accompanied the publication of the Deeming Rules and the FDA was urged by anti-smoking groups to ban Internet sales, and they declined to do so. The FDA stated that they saw no reason to take this action at the time. That doesn't mean that it won't happen at some point. The relationship between the FDA and various anti-smoking organizations isn't exactly chummy. They are being sued by anti-smoking groups for delaying the deadline for compliance from 8/8/18 to 8/8/21. As for the original question, do B&M's deserve to survive, I don't think it's a question of "deserving". It's more a question of do badly run businesses deserve patronage, and my answer is NO. I have a good customer relationship with several B&M's and that's how I've been able to acquire hard-to-get blends, at normal retail, that disappear in a fraction of a nanosecond from the shelves of on line sellers. B&M's charge more because their costs are greater. And a lot of them have closed their doors. Here in La La Land, we used to have a lot of great tobacconists. Here is where the Tinderbox began, and we had Kramer's, Gus', and many others. Times changed, tastes changed, rents skyrocketed, property values skyrocketed, taxes increased, business was lost to on line sellers, and one after another, most of these places went the way of the dodo. Now, Los Angeles is a pipes and tobacco wasteland. You better hope that B&M's survive, especially if Internet or mail order sales do get banned. |
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Post by trailboss on Jan 15, 2019 22:39:25 GMT -5
I might have said in another thread that the FDA was trending towards getting rid of online sales, probably more of a threat is state legislatures. It is easy for me to blame the FDA for everything negative relating to our hobby. Whew. It's bad enough what they've already done, but way worse would be the elimination of online sales. And that after they've helped squeeze out the few remaining B+Ms. Regarding California, Mac...you cannot blame it on the FDA...from last year. www.modbee.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/biz-beat/article149549859.htmlThat story was what jogged me back to state legislature in my earlier post. Ed had a small pipe club that met there regularly..after he closed, I can imagine that online is the most convenient source...if that is taken away by the revenue seekers...to quote and old line..."ya got Nuttin" This kind of stuff needs to inform us going forward. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 22:39:26 GMT -5
You can improve your local B&M by engaging the staff more, whether they like it or not. When they realize you're not a one trick pony and will spend more money there they will learn what it takes to keep you. The only issue is paying more than on the net. However, they may give you breaks on prices, especially on pipes, which may save the difference.
All too often people buy several items and then when they find out what they are getting on a price break only buy that item. It's a two way street.
I buy from Pipe Nook when I can, and usually when I am not spending a hundred or more. He's not a B&M but the principle applies. His corn cob pipes are cheaper than at MM. His shipping is less than MM. Again, forget the free ship. I am only spending 30-40$. So, while I am at it, I add a tin or two of tobacco that might be a dollar more/tin. I still come out even or ahead. Even if I came out behind a few, Eddie is a person, not a major org.
Now, for those that think me dumb for not getting FS all the time: I am a Gold Badge FS Freeloader at SP. Problem: I just spent 150$ on an order there. Then I realized I wanted/needed a couple more items. Hello Eddie! If E doesn't have them then I may go back to SP or St Elsewhere.
You all don't know (maybe you do) how lucky you may have it to be able to get to one. A place to smoke. A place to look.
If you can't make it worth your while or help them to help themselves then... as Emily Latelle would say - never mind
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 22:45:53 GMT -5
Edwards Pipe & Tobacco Shop in Englewood, Colorado has a great selection of pipe tobaccos as well as a helpful and knowledgeable owner and staff. The decor is nice too. There's also a good shop in Colorado Springs, but I haven't been there and don't recall its name. ? www.stagtobacconist.com/?age-verified=41b67fca4fOne of our pipe club members went there a few years ago... they had boatloads of great tobacco’s, and a really nice pipe selection. Yep, that's the one, Charlie. I have a brother in the Springs and plan to visit Stag Tobacconist the next time I'm there. |
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Post by trailboss on Jan 15, 2019 22:47:24 GMT -5
Yep, that's the one, Charlie. I have a brother in the Springs and plan to visit Stag Tobacconist the next time I'm there. Ask if they have a time machine...they had stacks of McClellands in the past, I would like to pay admission for one ride. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 22:51:34 GMT -5
As for the original question, do B&M's deserve to survive, I don't think it's a question of "deserving"; It's more a question of do badly run businesses deserve patronage, and my answer is NO. Exactly. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 22:55:02 GMT -5
Yep, that's the one, Charlie. I have a brother in the Springs and plan to visit Stag Tobacconist the next time I'm there. Ask if they have a time machine...they had stacks of McClellands in the past, I would like to pay admission for one ride. Me too! My Edwards had a lot of McClellands as well, but was depleted in short order. |
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Post by greeneyes on Jan 15, 2019 23:18:26 GMT -5
there's a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation here. what were these B&Ms like when they were the only business for miles, before the internet, and hundreds of pipe enthusiasts were obliged to flock to them to get their wares? i imagine it was happier times for everyone involved.
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Post by trailboss on Jan 15, 2019 23:22:00 GMT -5
there's a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation here. what were these B&Ms like when they were the only business for miles, before the internet, and hundreds of pipe enthusiasts were obliged to flock to them to get their wares? i imagine it was happier times for everyone involved. A great observation, and well worth considering. |
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Post by blackmouth210 on Jan 15, 2019 23:32:42 GMT -5
"Do B&M's deserve to survive" is a very broad question.
I can't lump them all together.
There are some I really wouldn't miss if they did shut down.
But some certainly do deserve to stay open...and they deserve my patronage.
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Post by bigwoolie on Jan 16, 2019 14:32:36 GMT -5
"Do B&M's deserve to survive" is a very broad question. I can't lump them all together. There are some I really wouldn't miss if they did shut down. But some certainly do deserve to stay open...and they deserve my patronage. That was my thought exactly. I don't want to paint everyone with the same, broad brush. Tobacco is like any other business. Those who care and try deserve the chance to continue, and those who do not...not so much. |
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briarbuck
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Post by briarbuck on Jan 16, 2019 15:29:18 GMT -5
My closest shop is closing this month, so I would say no.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2019 22:28:02 GMT -5
My closest shop is closing this month, so I would say no. C'mon, don't be such a Gloomy Gus. Come to Missouri and we'll do some Cow Tipping |
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Post by Stearmandriver on Jan 17, 2019 17:25:35 GMT -5
Interesting question. I'll make two posts, for two points.
1. My local shop on the west side of Puget Sound is fantastic. Anyone in the sound area, you need to find a reason to visit the Cargo Hold in Poulsbo, WA. Run by a guy named Doug. A very cool shop with lots of nautical and aviation memorabilia, and a great selection of pipes, tinned and bulk tobacco, and cigars. Friendly, knowledgeable service; and a clean, bright, very pleasant shop. The kind of place you want to just hang out and talk. They run a local pipe club too. So, THAT shop certainly deserves to survive.
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Post by Stearmandriver on Jan 17, 2019 17:44:56 GMT -5
However:
2. I'm always on the road for work; I spend an average of 2 nights a week in hotels all over the lower 48, Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico. Often on these overnights I'll look for a local tobacconist to check out. I've found a few decent ones, but overall I have been shocked at the state of these businesses. Dirty, dingy, disheveled and staffed by an apathetic proprietor who glances up and then back down dismissively at his magazine as soon as he sees I'm not a member of the good old boys club. The few times I have found something I wanted to buy in spite of the atmosphere, I have been rung up with what seemed genuine annoyance that I took the guy away from his reading. The very worst experience was at a historic shop in Alexandria, outside of Washington DC. I bought a cob and a tin of GL Pease, and after waiting patiently for seriously 10 minutes while the proprietor talked with his friends and carefully ignored me, I finally had to interrupt to ask for the tin. The guy slammed it down on the top of the display case with such aggravation that I was expecting the filthy glass to shatter.
I've basically given up seeking these places out. For me, the bad experiences have outweighed the good. I have my great local shop at home as mentioned above, and online for the rest. WA is a state that claims it's illegal to order tobacco online, but several large online merchants ignore this as it doesn't apply to them, not being in the state. It's basically an unenforceable law.
I have sympathy for the changing world these B&M shops have dealt with. I can understand becoming cynical in the face of regulations and climbing rents in downtown areas squeezing your family business out, while your customer base dwindles because of public demonization of your product. That sucks. But taking it out on any prospective new customers who aren't part of your inner circle? Nope, that's a business that deserves to fail.
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Post by trailboss on Jan 18, 2019 0:09:47 GMT -5
I have been shocked at the state of these businesses. Dirty, dingy, disheveled and staffed by an apathetic proprietor who glances up and then back down dismissively at his magazine as soon as he sees I'm not a member of the good old boys club. ... Sadly that describes some of the gun stores that I have been in.... I wonder why someone involves themselves in a retail business if they don't have a desire to serve the customer...doesn't make sense. |
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Post by trailboss on Jan 18, 2019 0:14:21 GMT -5
I stopped in at Ye Olde Pipe Shoppe in Phoenix tonight to meet up with some of the Thursday night crowd they have...instantly greeted by a cheerful staff letting me know that they were there for me if I needed anything...very genuine, great crowd of welcoming pipe and cigar smokers.
They really need to move, and up their game with a nicer facility..if they added beer and wine they would really do well.
If I wasn't married, I could easily be a cigar/pipe lounge bum in this valley.
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Post by pappyjoe on Jan 18, 2019 9:21:35 GMT -5
In my opinion....
1. Many B&Ms are businesses that are struggling to stay open and to reduce overhead they only stock what they can easily sell and the mark-up - which is necessary to turn a profit - makes the retail cost higher than what the large on-line retailers charge. This is true for small stores of all kinds when competing with on-line or big box retailers. They (big box and bigger on-line shops) get better wholesale prices because they buy in larger quantities or are able to negotiate better pricing. (This is how Walmart is driving smaller grocery stores out of business.) I know, for example, my local B&M is basically paying the same price as the retail on on-line sites for tinned tobacco. That means they price they sale tobacco for is going to be higher so they can make a profit.
2. Local B&Ms have to contend with things on-line retailers don't. A local B&M has limited space, usually have one distributor they deal with who may or may not carry a wide variety, and is required to charge not only state, but local sales taxes. In addition to paying competent sales people.
I'm fortunate in that the local B&M I go to, has two main workers who are knowledgeable about both pipes and cigars. They both were long time employees at a Tinderbox before it closed down and another company stepped in and opened a new location by buying the Tinderbox's stock and hiring Joe and Larry. While the shop is near a large mall and they only have parking for about 20 vehicles, it is clean, well-lit and well stocked. They also usually have a number of people sitting around and smoking. It also has two smoking lounges and an outdoor covered patio. I would hate to see it close, so I spend my money there.
Contrast this to another small B&M about 30 miles from me. They cater mostly to cigar smokers but carry a selection of pipes and bulk pipe tobaccos. This place is about worthless. They claim to blend all their bulk tobaccos in house but do this by placing a sticker with the shops name on it over the Sutliff label on the jar. When asked about tin tobacco, they tell you that tinned tobaccos don't sell well are manufacturers are phasing out all tinned tobacco. They could close this shop and it wouldn't be missed by pipe smokers.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2019 0:15:31 GMT -5
Good one's do. I am fortunate to have a good one in my locale.
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Winton
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Post by Winton on Jan 19, 2019 10:09:19 GMT -5
First, I want to praise the shop where the CPCC meets monthly. They have mostly cigars, but listen to us about what pipe stuff we recommend. For example, they have a few churchwarden pipes for sale. I recommended that they stock some churchwarden pipe cleaners. The response was they were already on order.
But, as I look at the several inches of snow that was dumped last night, I am reminded of my favorite feature of a local B&M. It is warmer than my unheated garage.
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Post by Legend Lover on Jan 19, 2019 12:27:52 GMT -5
Haven't read all the posts yet, but I'm surprised that place is still open.
I think they deserve to servive if they care about their customers. If they actually gave a crap about you then I'd say you'd be happier to return.
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smokershavenwny
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Post by smokershavenwny on Jan 24, 2019 15:57:55 GMT -5
Yeah!!! You have to find the good ones we've been open for 40 years Smokers Haven in West Seneca, NY. Come visit anytime it's a cool shop!
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Post by kbareit on Jan 24, 2019 16:01:39 GMT -5
Yeah!!! You have to find the good ones we've been open for 40 years Smokers Haven in West Seneca, NY. Come visit anytime it's a cool shop! Welcome to the patch. Go to the welcome and introduce yourself thread so we can welcome you properly. |
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Post by skeeter456 on Jan 27, 2019 13:54:02 GMT -5
Only thing we have is a small cigar show and the owner is an arse
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Post by Kerley0319 on Jul 30, 2019 7:46:09 GMT -5
There are a few tobacco shops near me but only one that I like right here in the city I am in. One Eyed Jacks in Rogers.It is a cool place for pipes , cigars, tobacco and also has a bar with a selection of good scotch. Good people good time.
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Post by pepesdad1 on Jul 30, 2019 8:44:37 GMT -5
After reading all the thoughts of those who posted...I'm left with only one thought..."Bad businesses don't deserve to stay in business" whether it is poor customer service or prices that are just ridiculously high...the bottom line is....see above highlighted portion.
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Post by oldcajun123 on Jul 30, 2019 8:53:12 GMT -5
 Josh you can’t judge a book by its cover, my Grandfather all 6 ft 4 inches of him in his old Fedora and patched overalls went to the sale barn to buy a bull, he saw what he wanted and young salesman tried to steer him away because it was too expensive, when he asked his boss about the old man, the boss said that man owns half the bank in Abbeville,, he bought his bull. Business today is so turblant, the internet has doomed most of them, sad but true, I haven’t stepped in. B&M in years.
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stone
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Post by stone on Jul 30, 2019 9:08:30 GMT -5
There is one large B&M near me that also has pipes and pipe tobacco and while they have a good selection of bulk tobacco I am pretty sure they don't blend anything themselves and it's 100% aromatic. Tinned tobacco is double to triple what you can get it for on line and their pipe selection is crazy expensive.
Quite frankly, be it pipe or cigar, the only reason I visit a B&M is to browse, buy an accessory, or if it's the only place I can smoke at that particular time. It just isn't worth $25 for a $10 cigar or $18 for a $7 tin of pipe tobacco just to sit and smoke when I can smoke in my man-cave and choose from a better inventory that typically has some nice age.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2019 15:28:40 GMT -5
I've noticed several reports on the poor customer service at Irish shops the past couple of years. It is one thing when the country is mostly anti-tobacco, but when the employees of a B&M act in consort of those attitudes, it would certainly drive me to go online exclusively.
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Josh you can’t judge a book by its cover, my Grandfather all 6 ft 4 inches of him in his old Fedora and patched overalls went to the sale barn to buy a bull, he saw what he wanted and young salesman tried to steer him away because it was too expensive, when he asked his boss about the old man, the boss said that man owns half the bank in Abbeville,, he bought his bull. Business today is so turblant, the internet has doomed most of them, sad but true, I haven’t stepped in. B&M in years.
