B&M over Internet
- Thread starter gwynclan
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Every B&M is 30 minutes out of my way here. I shop more online, but it's mainly for cost/selection reasons.
4oz of bulk at the B&M is more than an 8oz tin of the good H&H stuff I like.
4oz of bulk at the B&M is more than an 8oz tin of the good H&H stuff I like.
In Canada, going to a local B&M is a decision I make solely to support a local business. The cost of tobacco in Canada is due mainly to our government's tax greed but somewhat bolstered by the prices set by the B&M as well. I can order online, pay shipping, Canadian taxes AND duty and still get my pipe tobacco for 50% of local prices. Something is very wrong with that.
I like to support local business. I make a lot of purchases in the B&M for pipes, accessories, snus, etc. However, because of the local (FL) tax situation, buying tobacco at the B&M is not an option for me. If that ever changes, I would gladly buy tobacco at the B&M as well.
I went to a B&M here in The Woodlands, TX. Although they advertise themselves as a cigar shop they did have quite a selection of bulk tobaccos, tins and a few pipes. When I told the man I was looking for a stronger tobacco, something with a bit of a nic hit. He scoffed at me stating that "all tobaccos come from the same plant and have the same nicotine content". Then just stood back staring at me like I was stupid or something. When I asked about his bulk tobaccos, blends and types of ingredients he basically shrugged his shoulders. I knew then I was in the wrong place. I have used the internet ever since. I would like to support the local shop, but if that is how they treat their customers I would rather order from the internet. He made me feel inferior because I smoked a pipe. His attitude was definitely off.
I'd love to spend alot more at my local B&M but they only have a few goopy bulk tobaccos and pipe cleaners. My way of supporting them is buying my cigars from them as they have a much better cigar selection.
30 min is no big deal for me. I have one small B&M down south that I have made the trip down to visit a time or two. I usually try to hit a couple when I'm in the Dallas area as well.
Thankfully the two that I do majority of my local business with are fairly close. My primary one is about 3 min from the house. Typical B&M pricing but I try to make it a point to support them by stopping in and picking a tin or two and a handful of cigars here and there.
Thankfully the two that I do majority of my local business with are fairly close. My primary one is about 3 min from the house. Typical B&M pricing but I try to make it a point to support them by stopping in and picking a tin or two and a handful of cigars here and there.
The B&M in my town is similar to others mentioned already, in that they have a great cigar selection, but the staff is largely unhelpful when it comes to pipe stuff. They are near my home, and actually have a decent selection of pipes and tobacco, but I wonder if anyone there smokes them themselves. Price-wise, they aren't too far off of many sites online, and may even be cheaper than some. Their 1-Q is good and is only about a dime more than the sites I've visited. Of course, price varies by blends. The tinned stuff is way more than online, though. I go there to support a local business and get certain inexpensive blends, but not expecting to find anyone especially passionate about the hobby to discuss things with. That's why I have you guys!
I would go to the B&M over internet unless the owner and staff were consistently pricks with no good merchandise or knowledge. I can put up with jerks for quality product. Nice people with a limited selection is ok too.
Another consideration is that I want my B&M to be there when I need it for "emergencies" (run out of pipe cleaners, lighter fluid, etc.). Whenever I go in there for any reason, I always buy at least a tin of something, even though I can get better prices online.
I'm lucky to have a very good B&M about 20 minutes from my house. Huge selection of tins with a good smattering of older tins and pretty regular stock of hard to get stuff. One tin + tax is the same cost as ordering online. Always fun to drool over the $500 pipes I can't afford !
Like the other FL member above, I buy from the local B & M supplies and cigars. Pipe tobacco, I buy online due to the obscenely high tax in this state on pipe tobaccos. There is a movement to try to do the same on cigars, but the cigar industry in FL is largest in the US and the tax dogrockets probably won't have any success here - for the immediate future. Still, probably worth putting a few tins away for later!
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