What is the reason for the disposal of bands on cigars that the B&M does not carry?
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Never thought of that, but I will remember it. Great idea Mark!:-)
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Zeuceone:

The reason I dispose of a band from a cigar that was not purchased at that store is I believe its poor etiquette to show products from somewhere else. Why? That does nothing to promote the store you are frequenting. It may be OK to smoke a cigar purchased from somewhere else if you ask permission first. I think its a delicate balance. Try bringing a bag of Burger King burgers into McDonalds, sit at a table and start eating! Would you do that?


Cheers,


Mike T.
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my local B&M does not mind if you bring your own as long as you spend $$ there. Usually when herfing there I bring my own, and purchase alcohol or food there, sometimes a stick or two. If i bring my own i usually tip a larger sum of money as well. YMMV
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Its not that you can't use your own stuff. A cutting fee is basically a cover charge so you can smoke there not not exactly a fee to cut cigars.

One local around here will charge a $7 "cutting fee" if you want to smoke there but don't buy a cigar from there. So either way, they get some money coming in.
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One of the worst things one can do at a B&M is being boorish. Show some class and respect for the shop and clientele that visit.
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Now if we're discussing a lounge or club type setting where fees are paid, then by all means bring in your coolidor and toke away! Buying at least one single if you're going to smoke your own serves two fold.....you are supporting the local shop and in addition, you're replenishing your own supply.

In regards to the "cutting fee", this is analogous to a "corkage" fee finer restaurants will charge for opening a bottle of wine supplied by the customer.......usually between $20-$25.00
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:-)
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Instead of a cutting fee, I would just buy some of their cigars. If i were able to engage one of the employees about one or two cigars they have in stock that I never tried, I might get a recommendation/suggestion as to which one or two cigars I might like based on what I already smoke. Or, ask about a cigar from somewhere other than the Dominican, which I normally smoke.

I don't like "cover charges", but I understand that there's no such thing as a free lunch. :-)


Cheers,



Mike T.
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Flynnster, first of all you should have been greeted when you stopped by. I apologize for that, no excuses. The first thing I was told when I got the job here is that every single person who walks in our shop gets treated the same. If you decide to stop by again I can assure you you will be treated right.

Second, no problem with you bringing a cigar or two with you. Stop by, say hello, smoke a cigar and hang out for a bit. No need to purchase anything right away, I know funds can get tight while you're going to school. I know that if we treat people right and provide a great place for them to smoke they'll be back and they'll make purchases.

I just added wifi to the shop so if you have any classwork you need to do you can bring your computer with you...of course you need to make a purchase if you want me to provide you with the password:-)

Please stop by when you get a chance, I love meeting folks from Cigar Asylum (except when I meet icehog3 on the ice :-))

Tom, playoffs are starting now. Our first game is this Saturday. Good luck to you and the boys.

Eric
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After reading this, and the other threads on B&M owner/cutomers. It sounds like you have a great place and your a ture BOTL. :-)

And I totally agree with treat them right and they'll be back.
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What a fantastic thing for a company/employee to do. I will for sure be stopping in for my next cigar purchase to you guys. I still would feel bad not buying anything and using your space, but the fact that you say that is acceptable shows how much service (idk if that is the proper word) means to yall. :-)
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Very nice Eric :-)
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If you feel the need to make a purchase we have some Davidoff Mini Cigarillos that are $.90/ea....just don't pay with a credit card:-).

If you need butane we fill lighters for free so bring your lighter(s) with you if you need a top off.

I wonder if I was around the last time you stopped by. I was on vacation for the last two weeks of February. Do you remember seeing an incredibly handsome, overweight bald guy when you came in?

Hope to see you soon, Flynnster!
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Good luck to you guys, too, Eric....Hope see you soon, on or off the ice. :-)
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Jack Schwartz sounds like a classy place to do business in the Chicago area!
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WOW, some have a cutting fee... :-)
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Some establishments have a "cutting fee" if you dont purchase cigars from them. can be anywhere from $5- $25.

Sometimes it just makes more sense to buy a cigar out of their humidor. Sometimes (Stanza di Cigari in Boston is an example) the cutting fee is half the cost of their least expensive cigar.
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