Elitism in Cigar Shops?

Have any of you had to deal with people that work in shops that act like you know nothing and they have all the answers, including what you should like and if you don't you shouldn't smoke cigars? I ran into this a few weeks ago at a local shop. I don't go there too much as I don't like how some of their policy changes have made customers pay more. I did however like the employees there. Well it seems as though the two that usually work in the evenings have been let go or replaced (not sure) and there are people working there that are Aholes. Well one at least, the other doesn't say crap. I don't claim to say I'm an expert but hell when I go into a shop unless I want suggestions I don't like having someone follow me around and ask me a million questions, only to then say that the cigar I pick sucks or not. And to keep pushing me to buy overpriced cigars such as ESG's, Fuente limited cigars, and other high dollar smokes. Anyway End of rant. I'm curious though is this sort of an isolated thing or do you all have places like this?

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Martel

Not isolated. My wife went into a local shop to look for a gift and got treated horribly. I've been to that shop a couple of times, and the guys were all jerks. They sat around in front of the humis on their bar stools and didn't care if you were trying to shop...and they worked there...and view the inventory. They were condescending and unhelpful to her and condescending and rude to me. Needless to say, I don't spend money there any more. Unfortunately, this shop could be great if it had different people working it.

beatnic

There's one shop near me that I have quit going to. The owner follows you into the humidor and won't let you pick up any cigars. He says to just point them out and he will remove it. The last time was too much. I finally told him I didn't want his germs on the stick, so could he please wear gloves. Well, needless to say, I'll never go there again,and he probably wouldn't even let me in. LOL.

kuzi16

absolutely.

i went onto a cigar shop once looking for a cigar in the Lonsdale vitola.
i asked if they had the brand and they said they did. then i asked if they carried it in the lonsdale size.
he never told me if they had it in that size but he did make a point to tell me that i would not like a lonsdale because only people that "knew the right way to smoke a cigar" would like it.
way to insult me dude
i never went back

... and the lonsdale is my favorite vitola. what an a$$hole.

webmost

phobicsquirrel:
Have any of you had to deal with people that work in shops that act like you know nothing and they have all the answers, including what you should like and if you don't you shouldn't smoke cigars? ..... I'm curious though is this sort of an isolated thing or do you all have places like this?

Boy, I must say, I am a relatively new smoker, but I have been in every place I can find, and I have had exactly the opposite experience everywhere I went. I'm thinking, all you guys' stories, some of those people ought to chillax, have a cigar, and mellow out, or they won't be selling cigars for long. Everyone here very helpful, not the least pushy, just as soon have you buy a twenty buck bundle as a fancy coffin box twenty bucks a stick, long as you're happy, you'll be back.

Not just Dull-Aware either. Same thing when I travel.

Bizarre on your end.

Heavy

I've probably experienced condescending a-holes at B&Ms as much if not more than I have cool people.

mfotis

I picked up cigar smoking when I was in Iraq the first time, around 08-09 time frame and I really liked this Cameroon by RP. Well I rotate out of Iraq and before I went to my next post I had to spend a few weeks in DC. So here I am a brand spanking new cigar smoker and I'm looking for this cigar. The very first B&M I roll into has this fat pompous dude sitting on a bar stool with that “I’m better than you” air to him. I look around for a sec and then I ask him if he carried that particular cigar. His words, and I quote, were “ABSOLUTELY NOT but we do have other FINE cigars. I look at him for a sec and say something to the effect that his costumer service sucks and that I would look elsewhere and left. The sad thing was that my wife wasn’t really on board with me smoking but wasn’t going to ask me to stop and she was with me when this happened and on the way to the car she said something to the effect that the guy acted exactly how she perceived cigar smokers to be….a pretentious pr1ck. Talk about getting pushed farther behind the 8 ball on a new hobby. My wife still is not a fan of me smoking but on the plus side she thinks most of the cigars smokers I herf with are pretty cool and is helping me promote a Herf I’m trying to organize so things worked out good in the end.

KCW

Yes I have. I went into one shop looking for a specific cigar (I wanted to try), and the guy in there told me, "You don't want that cigar." Well, I thought I wanted it when I walked in but, apparently this guy (whom I've never met before) knows what I want better than I do.

Vision

webmost:
phobicsquirrel:
Have any of you had to deal with people that work in shops that act like you know nothing and they have all the answers, including what you should like and if you don't you shouldn't smoke cigars? ..... I'm curious though is this sort of an isolated thing or do you all have places like this?
Boy, I must say, I am a relatively new smoker, but I have been in every place I can find, and I have had exactly the opposite experience everywhere I went. I'm thinking, all you guys' stories, some of those people ought to chillax, have a cigar, and mellow out, or they won't be selling cigars for long. Everyone here very helpful, not the least pushy, just as soon have you buy a twenty buck bundle as a fancy coffin box twenty bucks a stick, long as you're happy, you'll be back.

Not just Dull-Aware either. Same thing when I travel.

Bizarre on your end.

Other then Federal Cigar and Castro's Back Room in NH (Both are great places) I have had the exact same experience as most of you. People who think they know more about cigars and talk down to you when you don't smoke Rocky or Macanudo. My favorite is when you grab smaller vitolas and they say "you know we have it in bigger sizes?"

Bigshizza

I don't have extensive cigar knowledge but, I do have lots of experience in customer service. The B & M by my old house has this Turkish(?) owner who bothered me a lot in the beginning. He'd follow you into the humi and tell me how Gurkas were "the BEST smoke ever!!!" After awhile, it became a funny as I knew he'd lead me to the 60RG's and I pretended to be interested. This is the only store within 40 miles, so I got what I wanted and left. At the local casinocigar bar there was one really annoying kid who had to relay his personal friendship with JD and Matt Booth....so, impressed. It pissed me off when he opened up his locker in the humi to show me a box of Dirty Rats just so he could snicker and put them back. What an A-Hole!! How do these people get off being sooo pretentious?

Amos Umwhat

beatnic:
There's one shop near me that I have quit going to. The owner follows you into the humidor and won't let you pick up any cigars. He says to just point them out and he will remove it. The last time was too much. I finally told him I didn't want his germs on the stick, so could he please wear gloves. Well, needless to say, I'll never go there again,and he probably wouldn't even let me in. LOL.

Now That made me laugh out loud! Perfect response.

clearlysuspect

I don't really like cigar shops. I've rarely found one that I like the people, the atmosphere, the prices, and most everything. I found a few here and there in my travels that met any of my expectations: one in Jacksonville, NC, one in Herndon, VA, one in Annapolis, MD.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised when the people who are knowledgeable in this hobby call themselves "aficionados." The word just screams snobby to me.

I doubt I'll ever need anything other than Cigar.com, this forum, my back porch, and a good friend.

Roberto99

I went into my local shop a few times. First couple of times there were cute 20 somethings there and didn't mind they didn't know anything about cigars. They let me go in and out of the humidor, no problems. Last time I went in was about a year ago. Again there were 20 somethings but this time they were a couple of guys who were more interested in smarting off than customer service. Really disappointed me since it is the only B&M near me. Never went back since.

nickiam

I never had a store employee judge me for the cigars i smoked, but when i first started going to the shops near Fort Hood, and now Fort Lewis the employees would always follow me in or watch me on the cameras like i was going to steal something. I also always used to get the "can i help you' with an attitude, but once they realized i know what im talking about they leave/left me alone.

xmacro

Happy to say my local B&M, Tampa Humidor doesn't have this problem. The employees leave me alone unless I ask them if they have a specific cigar. They allow pipe and cigar smoking but forbid cigarette smoking Big Smile [:D]

jthanatos

Both my local shops have very friendly staff. One of the guys is very opinionated... but also is a firm believer in everyone having different tastes. The closest I have had to an issue is occasionally he will get a bit pushy about a cigar 'you have to try', but it comes off less as a hard sell and more that he is just genuinely excited about the stick and wants to share... so, friendly pushy I guess...

Lee.mcglynn

It's funny since I have had horrible experiences at b&m's needless to say I never return! Most places I find tend to sell down. Most of them have no clue I'm prepared to drop some money so they always say oh have you tried the new uppman or vegafina? I'm a one trick pony for the most part and like my good old go to's which most of the places know. But every now and again they will always down play me...maybe I don't look rich,classy or know anything...this might actually be very true lol

havanaal

The most common question I get asked on the way in is "What do you like to smoke?" A fair question. Unfortunately I like 1) Cubans so why bother to ask (unless you're in Canada, which is a whole nother story when it comes to elitism) 2) Pelo de oro blends, which are nearly impossible to find. Possibly in a high end DPG, which very few shops carry, GOF's which are usually $30+ out there and I'm not going to go for it. Maybe I'M THE ELITIST! The question is never what I like, but what I'm in the mood to plunk down $6-7 for. But come on , if the cigars are sitting out there in the humidors in full view, do I really need to talk about what I like? My favorite shop is a hole in the wall liquor store in Melbourne FL. They like AF's, which are always a great choice. And no conversation.

phobicsquirrel

Vision:
webmost:
phobicsquirrel:
Have any of you had to deal with people that work in shops that act like you know nothing and they have all the answers, including what you should like and if you don't you shouldn't smoke cigars? ..... I'm curious though is this sort of an isolated thing or do you all have places like this?
Boy, I must say, I am a relatively new smoker, but I have been in every place I can find, and I have had exactly the opposite experience everywhere I went. I'm thinking, all you guys' stories, some of those people ought to chillax, have a cigar, and mellow out, or they won't be selling cigars for long. Everyone here very helpful, not the least pushy, just as soon have you buy a twenty buck bundle as a fancy coffin box twenty bucks a stick, long as you're happy, you'll be back.

Not just Dull-Aware either. Same thing when I travel.

Bizarre on your end.

Other then Federal Cigar and Castro's Back Room in NH (Both are great places) I have had the exact same experience as most of you. People who think they know more about cigars and talk down to you when you don't smoke Rocky or Macanudo. My favorite is when you grab smaller vitolas and they say "you know we have it in bigger sizes?"

lol, that would be a good one. I think i could come up with some witty comebacks too!

phobicsquirrel

havanaal:
The most common question I get asked on the way in is "What do you like to smoke?" A fair question. Unfortunately I like 1) Cubans so why bother to ask (unless you're in Canada, which is a whole nother story when it comes to elitism) 2) Pelo de oro blends, which are nearly impossible to find. Possibly in a high end DPG, which very few shops carry, GOF's which are usually $30+ out there and I'm not going to go for it. Maybe I'M THE ELITIST! The question is never what I like, but what I'm in the mood to plunk down $6-7 for. But come on , if the cigars are sitting out there in the humidors in full view, do I really need to talk about what I like? My favorite shop is a hole in the wall liquor store in Melbourne FL. They like AF's, which are always a great choice. And no conversation.

Yeah I would fit into this as well. I do like some high end smokes and cubans. I am also the kind of guy who looks around and IF I have a question I will ask. However that isn't how places like to tell their employees how to act as it seems I'm in the minority when it comes to "leave me the F alone" so I get that. Maybe I'm anti-social when buying .. I dunno.

Glad that I'm not the only one who has these issues, and that I am not some anti-social ass clown who just seems to rub everyone the wrong way. I guess at times everyone can be an ass and that's fine but like what some of you said, you don't need to be treated like morons. As I have seen in shops where a person really doesn't know crap and it's truly evident and that's great they get helped. But for many of us, I'm sure it's easy to tell we have a good idea.

clearlysuspect

That squirrel is making dizzy and nauseous while I'm trying to read!!!!! After a while, he stands still and the whole computer moves back and forth. LOL

catfishbluezz

I'm lucky... I have one of the best shops I've ever been to around the corner. Otherwise, I can think of very few positive experiences other then the random shop where the owner had a closet full of Cubans behind a book shelf.

ehehat

I've had a grab-bag honestly. The owner of the "newsstand" is awesome and will take time to help and answer any questions I've had but he's not there much anymore and the people he puts in charge don't know sh!t and act like your asking questions is above their pay grade. I can't get help even when I want it. Another place I go to has a great selection and will treat you with respect only if you act like you know what you're doing, if not he treats you like an idiot. Its sad, really.

phobicsquirrel

catfishbluezz:
I'm lucky... I have one of the best shops I've ever been to around the corner. Otherwise, I can think of very few positive experiences other then the random shop where the owner had a closet full of Cubans behind a book shelf.

That takes some balls. I mean if just one person talked!

rzaman

I felt this way when I went to GeorgeTown Tobacco cigar store in George Town, Washington DC. I went there with couple of well known Lobbyist and Washingtonian. The sells guy took us inside the walking humidor and started with Opus X, Padron Family Reserve series. All of my friends picked up $40 cigars. When he asked me- "Sir, do you want a Opus X, these are the best cigars in the world. Padron is also good but they are second class compares to Opus." I said "How long have you been into cigar business." he paused and gave me a look like I don't know what I was talking about. I told him, liesten I do not buy cigar from over smart sells people who doesn't know what he is talking about. I have a reputation to be blunt sometimes and my friends told me come on just get a Opus and enjoy. rather than enjoying, I took all my friend out of the store and I went to Four Season hotel next door and brought a cigar from my travel humidor. I always gently refuse to buy any cigar from this kind of sells man and the B&M. I always like when they ask me about my preference first and provide recommendation. Anyway, this is the Washington culture- it is all about power, money and woman...sign.

catfishbluezz

phobicsquirrel:
catfishbluezz:
I'm lucky... I have one of the best shops I've ever been to around the corner. Otherwise, I can think of very few positive experiences other then the random shop where the owner had a closet full of Cubans behind a book shelf.
That takes some balls. I mean if just one person talked!

I know... Apparently he's been doing it a long time. While I was there, a customer walked in, looked at him, and asked to get in the "closet." All it took from me was a little cigar knowledge and he offered immediately. Any ATF agent with minimal cigar knowledge could walk in and get in there...

SleevePlz

catfishbluezz:
phobicsquirrel:
catfishbluezz:
I'm lucky... I have one of the best shops I've ever been to around the corner. Otherwise, I can think of very few positive experiences other then the random shop where the owner had a closet full of Cubans behind a book shelf.
That takes some balls. I mean if just one person talked!
I know... Apparently he's been doing it a long time. While I was there, a customer walked in, looked at him, and asked to get in the "closet." All it took from me was a little cigar knowledge and he offered immediately. Any ATF agent with minimal cigar knowledge could walk in and get in there...

Honestly, though, are ATF agents even remotely looking for Cuban cigars in the US? I have to imagine they have slightly bigger issues that take precedence. Maybe I'm wrong and naive to think that government agents would spend their time on real issues. Lol.

catfishbluezz

rzaman:
I felt this way when I went to GeorgeTown Tobacco cigar store in George Town, Washington DC. I went there with couple of well known Lobbyist and Washingtonian. The sells guy took us inside the walking humidor and started with Opus X, Padron Family Reserve series. All of my friends picked up $40 cigars. When he asked me- "Sir, do you want a Opus X, these are the best cigars in the world. Padron is also good but they are second class compares to Opus." I said "How long have you been into cigar business." he paused and gave me a look like I don't know what I was talking about. I told him, liesten I do not buy cigar from over smart sells people who doesn't know what he is talking about. I have a reputation to be blunt sometimes and my friends told me come on just get a Opus and enjoy. rather than enjoying, I took all my friend out of the store and I went to Four Season hotel next door and brought a cigar from my travel humidor. I always gently refuse to buy any cigar from this kind of sells man and the B&M. I always like when they ask me about my preference first and provide recommendation. Anyway, this is the Washington culture- it is all about power, money and woman...sign.

That's funny... I tend to be blunt when dealing with people like that as well. For the most part, I am always polite and reserved. When I hear stupidity or blatant dishonest sleazy salesmen, I typically jump in and say my peace. It's funny to watch the customer immediately gravitate away from them. I heard something similar once, but it was Padron over Davidoff, and the guy was pushing a Padron 80th for $100 to a customer, saying Davidoff could not touch Padron. When the guy left the humi to ring someone up, I told the customer taste is subjective and both were fantastic, then to go across town where the Padron is 1/3rd the price...and he did.

IMO, the worst thing a B&M salesperson can do is sell a noob some overpriced Gurkha crap, a full bodied huge RG cigar, or something opposite of their palette and completely ruin the customer's experience and I see it all the time. The second worst is to approach seasoned smokers like us with no passion, and obvious penchant for profit margin instead of sharing the love of cigars.

P.S. And there is a special place in BOTL hell for all the moron's peddling mold...

catfishbluezz

SleevePlz:
catfishbluezz:
phobicsquirrel:
catfishbluezz:
I'm lucky... I have one of the best shops I've ever been to around the corner. Otherwise, I can think of very few positive experiences other then the random shop where the owner had a closet full of Cubans behind a book shelf.
That takes some balls. I mean if just one person talked!
I know... Apparently he's been doing it a long time. While I was there, a customer walked in, looked at him, and asked to get in the "closet." All it took from me was a little cigar knowledge and he offered immediately. Any ATF agent with minimal cigar knowledge could walk in and get in there...
Honestly, though, are ATF agents even remotely looking for Cuban cigars in the US? I have to imagine they have slightly bigger issues that take precedence. Maybe I'm wrong and naive to think that government agents would spend their time on real issues. Lol.

Oh yeah...I completely agree... It's obvious no one gives a crap. He probably sells the $100 Behike's to all the judges and lawmen in town anyways. But you gotta think if one person complained and they investigated, it would be easy.

Rain

"Who put those cubans in my wall behind the book shelf?!"

Big T smokes

It was a struggle when I first got into cigars. The jerks who act like "You're not gonna buy that cigar and go outside and throw up are ya?" Like you're in some exclusive club instead of enjoying a centuries old hobby that people all around the world, both rich and poor, enjoy. I also saw alot of people who smoke the pricetag instead of the stick. There are some circles in cigar smoking I just don't wish to be a part of.