Cigar Weekly

bigipps · 02-11-2005, 06:21 PM

I went to a B&M store today. I was looking to pick up some singles of the cigars suggested by CWers...so I took a list, and a friend and headed off to a local store.

Problem #1...the layout. So this store had two walls of glassed in shelfs, starting waist high and going up to 10'. Now...how am I supposed to see whats up there? Most of the boxes didn't even have the brand name on them, so I had no clue what was there. I'd have liked to poke around and check things out. But no dice. So, after walking around for a little bit, I asked for some help.

Problem #2...the help. Ok, so I am a newbie, and I am not afraid to let people know that, but I have been paying attention to what I smoke and what I like. I gave her the list, and she reads it over. Her comment was that the list had a lot of maduros on them, and they are strong smokes...suggesting that I wouldn't like them. Well, I tell her, I've had a Sancho Panzo DM, and it wasn't too much for me...I just would have liked more spiciness in it. But, she doesn't listen, and starts trying to sell me other stuff. Which leads me to...

Problem #3...the prices. She did find one of the cigars on the list (La Aroma de Cuba), but it was $8. That's 2x MSRP. I think it was one of the few cigars under $10 in the shop. Macanudos were $13. I mean, the house blend was $24 a stick. Are you kidding me?

I told her, "Hey, right now, I am not looking to spend more than $10 on a cigar."

Problem #4...the help. But, she doesn't listen. She tries to sell me four or five more cigars, all of them over $10. She even tries to sell me the "CA #2 rated cigar", La Aurora 100 Anos Belicoso...for $25. Definately NOT under $10. Thanks though.

Oh well. You can keep your $25 cigar, I'll shop somewhere else.

So, does anyone know of a good cigar store in the West LA / Santa Monica area? hahaha

sm.scoles · 02-11-2005, 06:28 PM

I've heard several Cali residents bitch about the taxes out there, that may explain the prices, or at least most of the price!

The 10 foot high shelves are just silly and salespeople who push house brands and stuff you didn't ask for specifically are piss-poor salesman.

Larigitis · 02-11-2005, 06:53 PM

Wally's is a great place. The guy who minds the store, Paul, is an excellent chap. Get to know him and he'll hook you up. He gives great recommendation by the way. Wally's is on Westwood Blvd.

It's north of Pico and there's a wine shop right next to it. It's a small place, but has a great selection.

Check it out. Oh, and he has received his latest shipment of Opii...

Hope that helps.

-L

Cigar_Jack · 02-11-2005, 07:42 PM

Went in a place like that.. wall to wall Arturo Fuente... Barely a CAO to be found and absolutely no Carlos Toranos.

tedski · 02-11-2005, 08:15 PM

Due to the 46% tobacco taxes, you should expect to be handed a tube of KY and told to grab your ankles when walking into any Calif cigar shop. I have not bought more than a small handful of cigars here in quite a few years.

Your best bet is to go to online shops that sell singles or fivers :

Duke City Cigars ... http://www.dukecitycigars.com
Serious Cigar ... http://www.seriouscigars.com
Nice Ash Cigar ... http://www.niceashcigars.com

Garster 44 · 02-11-2005, 08:22 PM

Yjere's only one solution ... c-bid. Rare to see a cigar over $5, and they have a pretty good selection and lots of good "brand" names. Forget the B&M, they can't compete on price.

7070 · 02-12-2005, 03:31 AM

The only good place to buy cigars at a B&M in California is in Arizona.

tmdeguy · 02-12-2005, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7070

The only good place to buy cigars at a B&M in California is in Arizona.

windsorlacorona · 02-12-2005, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7070

The only good place to buy cigars at a B&M in California is in Arizona.

amnesiacv2 · 02-12-2005, 10:54 AM

bigipps -- Keep in mind that CA has a 47% cigar tax. This means that no matter WHAT tobacconist you go to, expect to pay at LEAST 2x Retail, plus tax.

West LA is a TERRIBLE place to get smokes, because all of the tobacconists over there cater to the elitist "in crowd."

Drive down to Long Beach, and check out The Board Room. The manager, Morgan, is a great guy and will definitely be happy to help you out.

02-11-2005, 08:15 PM	#5
tedski Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Looking up at the Pleiades ... Posts: 1,490	Due to the 46% tobacco taxes, you should expect to be handed a tube of KY and told to grab your ankles when walking into any Calif cigar shop. I have not bought more than a small handful of cigars here in quite a few years. Your best bet is to go to online shops that sell singles or fivers : Duke City Cigars ... http://www.dukecitycigars.com Serious Cigar ... http://www.seriouscigars.com Nice Ash Cigar ... http://www.niceashcigars.com __________________ There are lies, damn lies and statistics ...

02-11-2005, 08:22 PM	#6
Garster 44 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Withheld Posts: 1,389	Yjere's only one solution ... c-bid. Rare to see a cigar over $5, and they have a pretty good selection and lots of good "brand" names. Forget the B&M, they can't compete on price. __________________ Life is just a matter of when!

02-11-2005, 06:21 PM	#1
bigipps Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 324	A BAD example from a Brick and Mortar I went to a B&M store today. I was looking to pick up some singles of the cigars suggested by CWers...so I took a list, and a friend and headed off to a local store. Problem #1...the layout. So this store had two walls of glassed in shelfs, starting waist high and going up to 10'. Now...how am I supposed to see whats up there? Most of the boxes didn't even have the brand name on them, so I had no clue what was there. I'd have liked to poke around and check things out. But no dice. So, after walking around for a little bit, I asked for some help. Problem #2...the help. Ok, so I am a newbie, and I am not afraid to let people know that, but I have been paying attention to what I smoke and what I like. I gave her the list, and she reads it over. Her comment was that the list had a lot of maduros on them, and they are strong smokes...suggesting that I wouldn't like them. Well, I tell her, I've had a Sancho Panzo DM, and it wasn't too much for me...I just would have liked more spiciness in it. But, she doesn't listen, and starts trying to sell me other stuff. Which leads me to... Problem #3...the prices. She did find one of the cigars on the list (La Aroma de Cuba), but it was $8. That's 2x MSRP. I think it was one of the few cigars under $10 in the shop. Macanudos were $13. I mean, the house blend was $24 a stick. Are you kidding me? I told her, "Hey, right now, I am not looking to spend more than $10 on a cigar." Problem #4...the help. But, she doesn't listen. She tries to sell me four or five more cigars, all of them over $10. She even tries to sell me the "CA #2 rated cigar", La Aurora 100 Anos Belicoso...for $25. Definately NOT under $10. Thanks though. Oh well. You can keep your $25 cigar, I'll shop somewhere else. So, does anyone know of a good cigar store in the West LA / Santa Monica area? hahaha __________________ Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

02-11-2005, 06:28 PM	#2
sm.scoles Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 728	I've heard several Cali residents bitch about the taxes out there, that may explain the prices, or at least most of the price! The 10 foot high shelves are just silly and salespeople who push house brands and stuff you didn't ask for specifically are piss-poor salesman. __________________ - Sean

02-11-2005, 06:53 PM	#3
Larigitis Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 413	Wally's is a great place. The guy who minds the store, Paul, is an excellent chap. Get to know him and he'll hook you up. He gives great recommendation by the way. Wally's is on Westwood Blvd. It's north of Pico and there's a wine shop right next to it. It's a small place, but has a great selection. Check it out. Oh, and he has received his latest shipment of Opii... Hope that helps. -L __________________ "Betty has gone too far. Killing is wrong, and bad. There should be a new, stronger word for killing like badwrong or badong. YES, killing is badong. From this moment, I will stand for the opposite of killing, gnodab." - The Chosen One

02-11-2005, 07:42 PM	#4
Cigar_Jack Club Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 2,300	Went in a place like that.. wall to wall Arturo Fuente... Barely a CAO to be found and absolutely no Carlos Toranos. __________________ Cigar Jack's Cigar Blog What would you do for free cigars?

02-12-2005, 03:31 AM	#7
7070 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,348	The only good place to buy cigars at a B&M in California is in Arizona.

02-12-2005, 10:54 AM	#10
amnesiacv2 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 133	bigipps -- Keep in mind that CA has a 47% cigar tax. This means that no matter WHAT tobacconist you go to, expect to pay at LEAST 2x Retail, plus tax. West LA is a TERRIBLE place to get smokes, because all of the tobacconists over there cater to the elitist "in crowd." Drive down to Long Beach, and check out The Board Room. The manager, Morgan, is a great guy and will definitely be happy to help you out.