Stores that Hide the Premiums

[Shibumi]

For the last 4 months I have been visiting this local store with a huge walk-in packed with cigars. I have searched every inch by now and tried a ton of cigars. He charges MSRP (usually). Today I was looking around near the front door and on the floor, hidden under the bottom shelf was a brown dusty box. I pulled it out and low and behold it said Fuente Fuente. I opened it, expecting it to be empty, but $hit, it was packed with OpusX robustos. Then I look under the robustos and I see a couple of the Reserva D' Chateau's. I was so shocked at this find, I actually started shaking. BTW, I have a XXX aging in my humi, but have never tried an Opus yet. They are always way overpriced. So now for the big question..........how much? I went out to the owner and asked, he smiled and said $15. I quickly turned and grabbed 1 Reserva D' Chateau. The robusto was $.50 less he said. If I had more money I would have bought a few of each.

I went up to pay and said to him, "So you hide the good stuff"? He just kept ringing me up with a straight face. He wouldn't talk about it. A few months back I had asked for Opus and he told me he gets them once in a while. So anyway today I will smoke that baby! I can't wait.

It just goes to show you. You have to search those humidors. They're in there. Where else would they be? Behind the counter? This guy even has a special case with Ashton VSG's, Diamond Crown Maximus and other premiums, but the OpusX's were hidden.

The next thing I need to do is find the ISOM's. You think he would have them in there? I don't doubt anything now. :whistling:

 

[DevilsMilk]

Sounds like back advertising to me. Why would you not want to put them out on the shelf so they get sold? Unless he hides them for his special customers. Usually I have heard stories that those who spend the money get the specials on the hard to get stuff. I have yet to find easter eggs in my locals humi!

 

[Shibumi]

I think it's an, "If you know your in" type of deal. He wont move them if you find them, but he wont tell you about them either.

I just hope I like it. I'm not a huge Fuente fan. (don't flame me guys)

 

[lucasbuck]

It's a common practice among small independent retailers to hold rare stock for good customers. I'm guilty of this myself. My favorite local holds a couple things for me now and then. He also sells me whole boxes of stuff he normally limits two per customer. Loyalty is good for business

 

[DevilsMilk]

It's a common practice among small independent retailers to hold rare stock for good customers. I'm guilty of this myself. My favorite local holds a couple things for me now and then. He also sells me whole boxes of stuff he normally limits two per customer. Loyalty is good for business

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Lucasbuck,

I see your point on loyalty.

 

[The Master]

The last thing you want to buy is Cuban cigars from this guy. I have never seen real Cuban cigars being sold in a US tobacco store.

 

[Shibumi]

The last thing you want to buy is Cuban cigars from this guy. I have never seen real Cuban cigars being sold in a US tobacco store.

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Yeah your so right, I was just joking. But I'm sure store owners have their own stash.

 

[cigarsarge]

You have to ask for the good stuff at the Tinderbox in Memphis. They do email me when they get the goodies in.

 

[mrjinglesusa]

One of my local retailers does the same thing except he doesn't "hide" them. When he gets OpusX in, he immediately picks up the phone and calls Terry Bradshaw. Every time. And every time, Terry buys every box he has. They never see the shelf and no one else ever knows they even came in.

THe good news is OpusX is all this retailer knows are "rare". He'll put Anejo on the shelf at MSRP, no limit. He never gets in Hemi maduros but if he did, he wouldn't know they are rare. Pretty clueless. He even puts Ashton Heritage on the shelves and boxes of VSGs are on the floor under boxes of Fuente short-fillers. ???

 

[Fyodor]

My local guy keeps the good stuff in the back and only sells them to you if you ask for them, and then sometimes he lies and says he soesn't have any but may in fact have severall boxes. He says he doesn't want people just buying his top cigars. I bought some Anejos from him that have been there for a year and only about five were missing from the box. He also had an unopened box.

 

[Inthacup]

He'll put Anejo on the shelf at MSRP, no limit.

I love it when that happens. I hope you clean him out

 

[Inthacup]

He also had an unopened box.

ummm. If the price was decent, I'd be happy to relieve him of his unpopular Anejos

 

[Shibumi]

Well I smoked it today on a 2 hour trail hike with the pooch. It restored my faith in Fuente. Perfect construction, burn, ash, flavor(s), the whole package as they say. I smoked it to the nub for sure. Now that I found the stash, it will be a once a week pleasure.

 

[fetterjohn]

My local shop has more boxes of anything Fuente, Opus X, Anejo, BTL's, Maduros. But they are on the top shelf that not all of his customers know where to look...and you can't get to them. If they know you, they might sell them to you...but if they don't, you won't get them. Always well stocked, but only for the chosen few. Keeps me happy!! :thumbs:

-Fetter

 

[Jeffro600]

One of the stores around here is like that too...they hid the GOOD stuff in the back...

Mostly due to theft...

 

[Lumberg]

The last thing you want to buy is Cuban cigars from this guy. I have never seen real Cuban cigars being sold in a US tobacco store.

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Agreed.

 

[BurningDoDo]

i think that's consistant with a lot of tobacconists. i know for a fact that my local shop has a constant stock. some of the guys there keep it on the dl but the mgr will always hook it up. then again, i got a quote of $400 to $500 for a box or monte 4's

but i stil have to say, they've been good to me overall.

 

[atuck]

There's only one good shop in my town. And they have just about everything, all the high line stuff, even Cubans, and I can go grab anything I want. :laugh: :laugh:

 

[fetterjohn]

There's only one good shop in my town. And they have just about everything, all the high line stuff, even Cubans, and I can go grab anything I want. :laugh: :laugh:

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Yah Alan...It's called Casa de Atuck. And it's in your freakin' office. :thumbs: Best cigar shop than any of us have, that's for sure!!!

-Fetter

 

[bunyfreak]

my "local" (45 mins away, but the closest, good retailer) shop does the same thing. Frank (the owner) will hold stuff he knows i will like, anejo for example. He has a stash of isoms, but they're not for sale, they're for give. Example: when I was buying for my trip to Jamaica (honeymoon), he gifted me an opus x and a ciglo V from his personal humi (locked/hidden in the walk in). He also calls me when he gets new/good stuff in. Great place.