This is another one of my weird questions. Cigar Gods can blast away if it makes you feel better
Last Friday I attended an event at my local tobacconist, sponsored by the makers of Partagas (General Cigar, I believe). Everyone got a freebie at the door, and we played "Cigar Roulette" for more freebies. It was the first such event I attended, and I had a great time.
I bought quite a few smokes as well, but I noticed that many of the attendees did not.
Question: Do you feel that it is good form to buy cigars at these events? Or, is the intent simply to introduce smokers to different brands?
Would be interested in reading input from our tobacconist colleagues and any cigar sales professionals out there.

Personally, I have a hard time entering a cigar store and not buying anything (unless they don't have anything I like).

These events are a kind of advertising for both the shop and the brand. The brand wins becuause people walk away with samples. Hopefully, they'll like them and buy more. The cigar store is basically holding an open house. Some people will buy and others won't. They're trying to get new people in the store who will hopefully come back to buy more.

Like Chris, I rarely walk away from a cigar store without making a purchase. They would have to have a pretty sh*tty selection for me to not find something I like or haven't tried.

At an event like that they usually offer a deal, like buy 2-3 cigars get another cigar free, or a percentage off a purchase of the cigars that are being showcased. I will make a purchase if the deal is worth it or if I like the cigar, but nobody is under obligation to purchase anything.

Reps for the distributors are happy to just get the product into the hands of the public, but they also like the event to show a spike in sales for the shopowner so they will continue to hold events and order their cigars.

I go to most of the La Aurora events around here because the rep is cool and I like La Auroras. I will always pick up some singles for the freebies and if I can wrangle a good deal with the shop owner, a whole box.

I do routinely buy things at these smokers and there is nothing in it for me. I have never been given a cigar at a smoker I haven't already tried. have never gotten a deal at a local shop that couldn't be beat online. The only reason I do it is to support a shop, owner, or rep, or even a cigar that I think deserves it.

When I go to these events I always buy a few cigars.

I also take advantage of the free food they usually serve.

quote:

Originally posted by pmpimbura:
I do routinely buy things at these smokers and there is nothing in it for me. I have never been given a cigar at a smoker I haven't already tried. have never gotten a deal at a local shop that couldn't be beat online. The only reason I do it is to support a shop, owner, or rep, or even a cigar that I think deserves it.

Yeah, the deals I get at a shop don't compare with my online purchases, but they are usually worth me considering making a purchase on the spot in term sof instant gratification. I went to a rolling once where if you bought a box, you got 10 free fresh rolleds on the spot, so in that case the deal was worth it. The fresh rolleds were better than the cigars I bought!

As someone who has worked many of these. It is pretty cool to give out free cigars (who does'nt like free smokes) , but it does Pi$$ off the the store when people come in only for the free smokes.

For me, not buying something is like going to dinner at your neighbor's house, and not bringing a bottle of wine. I think you should always buy a few sticks when you go to a cigar event. It's a good opportunity to try something new.

I always buy some thing at the events at least a stick or two.
Jim

I typically take advantage of the "deal," (buy 3, get 1 free, etc.) but never feel obligated to buy. I'm such a regular at my local shop that they don't care one way or the other (I'm in there at least twice a week and have a storage box in the humidor).

I suspect if they'd never seen me in there before they might feel differently. I never buy anywhere else.

While it is not a requirement to buy at a cigar event it is bad etiquette to come to one and not buy if you liked the free cigar. It is a mistake to believe that the cigar company rep is happy just to get his cigars in your hand to try. They are happy to gift the smokes but they do want to see you buy them as well. And they would prefer you buy them in the local because that is how they make their commission. Most of the reps you see at these events have a territory. They sell to all the shops in that territory and that's how they make their money. Now the big houses like CI, Famous, J-R's, Holtz, etc... are all "in-house" accounts and that rep you meet at an event doesn't make a dime from you buying through on-line "retailers".

I have a few pigs that come to my events just for the free smoke and I can't stand the sight of them. I put them on a level with the looters in New Orleans. These two guys in particular used to buy from me until they discovered Famous and now I only see them when they want a free cigar. F--- 'em, go to Famous's event you pig. If you don't go to your local because his prices "inflated" don't go there just for a free cigar you f---ing pig.

don't hold back shorthair, tell it like you see it ...also i don't see it as a requirement to purchase smokes from the shop, but if you like the free sticks, you should purchase some...on another note, alot of the stuff i purchase in my local, like fuente and the like, are better priced or equally priced in the shop compared with online...plus don't brag about seeing prices cheaper or purchases you made online or another shop, while talking with shop owner or other patrons...very piss poor etiquette....

Agreed, I never mention Internet purchases or other shops. However I have one piss poor shop near me where the guy is so clueless about cigars that he takes my suggestions about what to get. I have brought him cigar sthat he has never tried and then he says, "hey that's pretty good" and orders them.

It's my secret goal to open up a competing shop and put this cigar fake out of business.

its very rare that i go into a cigar shop and dont buy anything, i usually have to stop myself from buying too much! I think ive only been to 1 or 2 shops where i really couldnt find anything i wanted to smoke.

When the event is for a brand I stock by the box, like CAO, Partagas and such, I usually time some purchases so that my buying power is extended, the shop owner remembers me, and the rep includes some extras in the bag. If all works out, then the resulting discount is a few points deeper than internet + shipping.

Almost everyone here buys cigars at his or her local shop, on any given day that if you don't buy at the event most owners won't care. I know that the regulars that come to events just to hang and smoke. We don't care, as they are here and giving enough $$$ at any given time anyways. It is the "pigs" that only come in to get free smokes. That we get Pi$$ed at.

At the local shop I frequant, I will buy the three-pack which includes a raffle ticket. They give away nice prizes such as boxes of cigars, humidors, and other goodies. While it is not required that you buy, it is always good protocol on your part if you do.

quote:

Originally posted by Verno:

Holy Crap Verno...how have you been?

Remember this? CA Big Smoke

I always buy at these events. I like the deals, and most of the time the smokes aren't bad (except for the RP tasting I went to).
At the Monte Platinum tasting I went to a few weeks back, they gave away 2 freebies and had tremendous deals on Montes, RyJ, and Royal Jamaica gold - it was terrific.