Cigar & Pipe 101- Buying Cigars from a Shop Vs. Online Ordering
Buying online versus buying from a local shop is different, but one isn’t necessarily better over the other. By recognizing the deeper reasons of why you buy and knowing the pros and cons of both methods, your shopping experience would surely be great and deliver as you expect!
New research finds shoppers still prefer to make their purchases inside an actual store despite the convenience of an online store. Nearly 40% of consumers make purchases inside a physical store at least once a week, compared to 27% who do the same online, according to PwC’s annual consumer survey.
Just like other products, buying a cigar online or at a local store has pros and cons too, let us take a look at them before you decide whether to place that order online or head to your local cigar shop.
Variety: Online cigar stores tend to have a wider inventory of cigar brands and accessories including those you haven’t heard before brand names. While local cigar shop mostly carries the usual best selling cigar brands and accessories and the Quantities depends on the size of the store. Find a Cigar Shop that can offer a tremendously wide selection of cigars to browse.
Quality: There is a bigger chance that the quality of cigar you purchased online is not what you expect it to be. It’s almost impossible for those cigars to be in optimum smoking condition when you received them because it has likely gone through temperature and humidity change during the handling and delivery. Buying from a local cigar shop, on the other hand, will give you a chance to feel and touch the cigar. Thus, you can ensure its highest quality before buying it.
Customer Service: A phone operator sounds efficient but talking face-to-face to a cigar expert is the way to go. Most local cigar shop managers are also tobacconist and will help you make a right choice based on what you like. Moreover, most local cigar shops have a smoking lounge (like The Tobacco Pouch!) where you can enjoy and interact with other cigar enthusiasts.
In summary, buying cigars online means you only have to rely on the photos and cigar reviews. Whereas if you buy from a local cigar store; there is something classic about walking into a cigar shop, strolling through a walk-in humidor and savoring all the rich aromas, holding a fine cigar and rolling it in between your fingers, and lastly, enjoying the store’s unique ambiance. Both sides have its advantages and disadvantages. Nonetheless, it is up to you to determine what makes your experience the best in the end and where you find the best cigar help.
Feel free to ask questions and make a comment below, we'd love to hear from you! Want to learn more tips, tricks & ideas? Visit us at the Tobacco Pouch at 61st & Yale in the Kingspointe Village; we're eager to lend a helping hand!
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