Local Cigar shop support (or lack of...)

[stevecairney]

Where I live, there is one tobacconist/cigar retailer proper. It's been family owned for 119 years, has a website and does ok.

I'm one for supporting local businesses, but in these supposed times of hardship they just can't compare to most of the sites that have been recommended on here. I'm community minded, but I'm not stupid enough to pay at least an extra ?100 for a box of 25's

It's a shame that I probably never will buy a box from them. I was just wondering how many people here try to help out their local shops and whose fault is it the UK pay crazy money for a good smoke?

I should add, I don't feel too guilty since apparently they make nigh on all their income selling CC to the US. So they're not going hungry...

[PoohBore]

The high prices are due to level of taxes that are added.
I use a couple of local shops for singles for tasting purposes.

My boxes are from abroad either from Holiday trips or from CoH

[Simon-JG-hr]

Set up your own shop, in competition, like me. (Actually, mine's not in competition, there's sod all of worth in Plymouth )...

You've got a double whammy of taxes plus monopoly at the moment. Take out the monopoly, and you'll probably see their prices fall by 5% or more.

The website is coming...

[Pantomimehorse]

I go to a local shop if I fancy a smoke after work and don't have anything, or if I fancy trying something new... other than that its all online

[Paulie]

I am one for using as many local shops as I can for as much as I can to support the local community. The trouble is that often the prices of products are quite higher than elsewhere.

Like others I will use a local cigar shop to buy singles to try out or anything I spot I like the look of.

I do like the personal 1-2-1 experience of shopping for specialist items such as cigars as you can get great conversations with the people in shops and end up trying a cigar you have previously overlooked. Not a sales pitch though as I can just as easily walk away buying nothing.

[deltawhisky]

Hi Guys. I have yet to use one of the cheaper suppliers on the net. To be honest, I prefer dabbling with different sticks, instead of purchasing a big box and receive the benefits of lower pricing. But then again, I am not burning cigars morning, noon and night.

I try and support my local tobacconists as much as possible. Where I live, and where I study, they are a dying breed, vending cigarettes to commuters and machine-mades to ... commuters.

The help I get from the shops is superb; they're friendly, not judgemental, and understand what it's like to be a cigar hobbyist.

[Jimmeh]

Set up your own shop, in competition, like me. (Actually, mine's not in competition, there's sod all of worth in Plymouth )...

You've got a double whammy of taxes plus monopoly at the moment. Take out the monopoly, and you'll probably see their prices fall by 5% or more.

The website is coming...

Site is taking shape - wont lie - it doesnt look like a cigar website. lol.

I go to a local shop if I fancy a smoke after work and don't have anything, or if I fancy trying something new... other than that its all online

I do a mixture - i have ordered online, but mostly i will stop at casa in soho on a friday night or other and have some single sticks of my choice.

[jpmoore]

Set up your own shop, in competition, like me. (Actually, mine's not in competition, there's sod all of worth in Plymouth )...

You've got a double whammy of taxes plus monopoly at the moment. Take out the monopoly, and you'll probably see their prices fall by 5% or more.

The website is coming...

Nice to see the idea moving forward, was simon from H&F useful on saturday?

I do visit local shops really to have a look at anything special they may have in, but i'll never buy a box simply because of the taxes.

[daverave999]

I try to get the odd single now and again as a taster, or if I want something quick but will generally purchase overseas.

The website is coming...

This resized my browser window. Is it meant to do that? I would strongly discourage this for a business website.

[stevecairney]

This resized my browser window. Is it meant to do that? I would strongly discourage this for a business website.

heh, I was going to say that. People don't like that!

[Simon-JG-hr]

Apologies Steve... seemed to have hijacked the thread slightly...

Will continue this elsewhere.

[Lascaux]

i wish i could support the local shops. ajays in teddingtons, foxes, sautters etc, id love to buy boxes from the UK but im just not in the position to do that at the moment.

i buy singles all the time from UK stores, and all my accessories etc

in the future ill have enough cash to band about then ill buy from UK,
its so much nicer getting to know your cigar seller and going off recommendations, much better face to face than off tinternet.

[Robusto]

I have no Havana shop in my part of Kent. The nearest is a stockist in Rochester some 40 miles away.

If I had a stockist locally, I would buy singles when out and about.

The only places to pick up tubos in my area are at the local large supermarkets.

It's all a great shame.

[deltawhisky]

That's it, Lascaux. I know who I'm dealing with face-to-face. First time today, I was classed as one of my local's regulars...grappling with a thoroughly unpleasant photo ID (due to all under-25s looking like babies), she said 'We've had you in often enough!'

[misterbulgarin]

I do love a retailer, seeing a humi and picking singles IS great. But if I tried stocking up my humi with UK prices, I'd be bankrupt in no time at all. I could only dream about my humidor(s) and cigars that I have now if I didnt have the swiss sites and online retailers