When I peruse online cigar forums, I occasionally see posts from people showing off their B&M hauls. And when I say “haul,” it means at least 5 sticks. When I see those posts, I wonder why they’d buy retail when those same sticks can be purchased much less expensively online.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand that some hard-to-get sticks like AF Rare Pink are hard to get online and B&Ms are the ones that carry them. But I’m talking more about the high production stuff like Oliva Vs. For instance, I saw a post a while back where a guy had purchased several Oliva V Melanio Maduro sticks from his local B&M. Those are $27.95 each at the lounge I occasionally go to but you can get a box of 10 of these for less than $70 online. The retail markup is enormous.
That said, I occasionally go to a couple of different lounges, but I will buy sticks I’ve never had, even if I know I can get them cheaper online. But I won’t get a bunch. I’ll usually only buy one or two to smoke while I’m there, then if I like them, I’ll order a bunch online. It’s a great way of discovering new sticks. I did that with the Tatuaje Black. And of course, there is the social angle. And I’m willing to pay for a couple of sticks at a lounge when I’m sitting with friends. But usually, we bring our own sticks to share.
But to buy whole boxes or a bunch of sticks at retail? I just can’t do it. I’m willing to wait several days for a shipment than pay retail. And the primary reason is that I smoke two or three cigars daily so paying retail is out of the question. It would make the whole hobby way too expensive.
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