First B&M visit

[winton]

When I finally decided to smoke a pipe a few months ago, I went to a local tobaconist to get some good tobacco. Nice place with several guys enjoying the smoking lounge in the rear. I told the old guy I wanted to start smoking a pipe and wanted advice on what to begin with. He asked what I smoked now, and I advised him I had never smoked before.

At this point he decided I was an idiot and wanted to get rid of me. He pointed to one jar out of about 20 and said this is what you need. He insisted the policy was minimum of 2 oz. I also asked for some cherry flavored tobacco, which increased his bother. I wanted to get several different flavors, but not there. I have not been back. I hope he is comfortable in his chair.
Winton

 

[domd]

I've seen this alot. Sorry to hear of your troubles. I find that alot of people who work at tobacco shops arnt the kindest at first and even when you are overly nice it doesn't help. I sometimes try to go on a different day so I can get somebody different.
After awhile I've also learned that some that didn't help me or we bothered by me don't know half as much as I do at this point. Theres a couple guys at a local shop here that don't even get up when I ask for something. They just sit there and watch tv.

 

[hobie1dog]

I know the feeling well, my local guy acts like someone just shit in his lunch box most of the time, and that I'm really creating an inconvenience for him to dispense some bulk for me. Personality of a dead rat. The more people I meet, the more I love dogs. :wink:

 

[collin]

What a shame.....doesn't it sometimes just make you wish there was something you could do other than just not go back?

 

[pstlpkr]

You guys make me feel damn lucky.

 

[johnnyrebel]

We've got a cigar shop that sells some bulk and a small selection of pipes and tins in a locked case. They're pretty stiff down there as well. I just go in and get what i want and leave. Do some research here at the house and then head over for my quick stop. I spend no more than 3 or 4 minutes there. Faster than the gas pump!!

 

[hobie1dog]

IT makes you want to buy the place and run it alot differently. Like on the old TV program "Cheers" when Norm walks in the all hollar, " Norm " :D

 

[papipeguy]

I don't understand merchants who won't help a willing customer. I'm very lucky to have our local B&M where not only the owner helps new pipe smokers but the "regulars" usually chime in and welcome the newbie and act as coaches.

I've seen the owner spend 45 minutes with new pipers explaining the nuances of loading and lighting as well as explaining the differnt types of blends and making expert recommendations.

Too bad you had a ghastly experience on your first visit. Shop around, if you can. You'll find a special place that respects your wants and needs.

 

[krgulick]

Great advise papipeguy. I definitely would be looking elsewhere for some much needed customer service. I do hope you can find a better shop in your area, winton. If not, there are several online places that have very good customer service, like smokingpipes.com or pipesandcigars.com.

 

[obelus]

I was at Rich's the other day looking to sample something new-- the girl behind the counter (I'm not being sexist, she had to be about a third my age) told me, "my passion is connecting people with tobacco they'll love." We talked a bit about the sort of things I am liking at the moment, and she sold me some new stuff to try. Everybody happy. I left thinking how rare that kind of experience has become.
If I were you and if your B&M options are limited I'd just use the "contact us" info on the websites of good e-retailers (I'm thinking of places like smokingpipes.com and pipesandcigars.com) to see about getting some quality advice and good product.

 

[winton]

Actually Sterling Tobacco has been very helpful and fun to deal with. I like his website and the new tobacco arrived yesterday in the mail. I am also hearing good things on this forum about Boswells and Just for Him. Also the Chicago Pipe Show is coming up and it is on 15 minutes from where I live. I intend to stockpile tobacco when I go there.
Winton

 

[mlaug]

I'll rise to the defense of the "old guy".
Granted, there were opportunities for some old fashioned customer service that were lost here, but...you refer to him as the "old guy" and then decide he holds a low opinion of you because you are a beginning smoker? How was this relationship going to go anywhere?
I don't know why every pipe noob wants cherry flavored tobacco, but they do.

I did too.

Most are bad....real bad. Good cherry flavored tobacco is rare. If a new smoker, especially one that never smoked before, came to me for tobacco advise and wanted cherry....I'd steer him in another direction if at all possible. There are much better starter tobaccos than a heavily cased cherry glop pile of sludge that ends up over packed into a beginner's bowl and then expect him/her to keep it lit and have an enjoyable experience they want to do over and over again.

After 30 some years of pipe smoking I still don't know if I've found a cherry flavored tobacco I like.
Maybe he offered a better choice? How was the stuff he suggested?
My B&M is hardly local...70+ miles away, but on last visit I noticed he had a sign up that stated one must be 18 years old and provide an ID to purchase a Bic lighter.

Why? Kids from the school across the street were lighting fires/playing with them and the local PTA and school administration blamed his lighter sales. :crazy:

He sold lighters to some kids, which isn't illegal by the way, but he was being held responsible for the way the kids used them. I guess these kids don't have parents.
My B&M also has a 2 oz. minimum, I don't know why, but it's his business and he makes the rules. He sells so little tobacco and cigars he has had to stock inventory such as pewter dragons, crystals, warm fuzzy posters, and such to keep paying the bills. I would guess keeping a steady cash flow is a bitch in a state that has such strict smoking limits placed on smokers here in Iowa.
I'm not picking on winton, maybe I'm just crabby this morning, but there seemed like a lot of lost opportinity here among a dwindling herd of like-minded people.

 

[jsharp]

What a terrible experience. I have two tobacco shops pretty close by my place. Both are always willing to help, offer free samples and usually tell you to "fill up a bowl" as soon as you walk in the door. Props to the "Thomas Tavern and the Gatlinburlier"

 

[admin]

I have had some really good experiences and some really bad experiences.
With all the antis making things harder and harder for tobacconists, you would think they would all be offering excellent service.
I mean, if they aren't ringing up a customer, there is nothing else more important for them to be doing but helping their customers, especially a new customer.
Aside from acting indifferent or bothered by your presence, the other horrible thing I have seen is when the guy in the store tries to help, but is uneducated or misinformed, but thinks he is giving you the right advice.
One time when I was in a store the guy advised me to put a piece of apple in my pouch to keep the tobacco moist. At least he was smart enough to advise me to be careful with Middleton's Cherry blend biting me.

 

[winton]

OK, I called him the Old Guy because that is what another unfavorable reviewer of that B&M called him on a local website. I really like the selection he gave me. But I was looking for a couple blends to try. I kinda picked the cherry at random, for lack of better suggestions. I wanted to ask if I could get an oz of five different blends, but he did not seem in the mood.
Actually, the longer I was in there, the more I realized how smoky my clothes were getting. I was concerned this would hurt my asmatic wife on the drive home. I was rushing also. When I smoke now, I quickly shower and wash clothes.
Winton

 

[atwageman]

My local B&M is awesome (McCranie's Park Rd). Never an issue to sample the bulks. But yes there is a 2oz minimum rule. Staff is always friendly and knowledgable. Its a full service tobacconist...period! No fuzzy posters, no fake crystal wizzards, and no K2.
Also its a real pipe shop.

 

[julesholling]

Wish there were a few more of these sort of shops in the UK. Most are either nowhere near me or in London which is a pain to get into. Gonna make the effort to go to one someday though.

 

[buckeye]

that`s to bad. i would have loaded you up with baccy.

 

[buck67]

Jsharp, I've had the pleasure of visiting the Gatlinburlier tobacco shop a couple of times. It's a real neat place, even if you're not a pipe smoker. The times that I have been in there was a treat just to browse the tobaccos and enjoy the aroma of the place. I haven't been back to Gatlinburg for a few years but I will visit the shop again next time I'm in town.

Winton, sorry for your bad experience. I've only had good experiences with my local B&M. Try them again soon and see if things are different. You never know. :?

 

[stevewales]

Actually, the longer I was in there, the more I realized how smoky my clothes were getting. I was concerned this would hurt my asmatic wife on the drive home. I was rushing also. When I smoke now, I quickly shower and wash clothes.

:roll: