I have discussed this with a member here on the forum, and we both agreed that it is better to tell it to all, rather than apologize to individuals. Some of you may know, some of you may not, but I came here to CP back in 2008 and was quite immature and naive with some things. Here is the link I am speaking of:
http://www.cigarpass.com/forumsipb/index.php?showtopic=49992&hl=jzaid84&st=0
Here is what I have to say, and I hope there are no hard feelings. I'd like for it to be in open about my lack knowledge in the past, but I've grown since than and I hope you all can understand..
Back when I first got on here is when I first opened my store. Im a young guy, and I was young (relatively) for being the owner of a cigar shop. Excited, naive, and probably a few other things.
My father had been in the business for quite some time, so I knew a little about cigars. I knew of Opus and I knew their popularity, but I was clueless as to what their price should be. All I knew is that I had a demand for them.
Down here in Houston, specifically Pearland (where my shop is) there is almost no competition. The closest humidor to us is Specs (a very large liquor chain). Other than that you basically have to drive to the city.
The customers that were coming in upon us opening our store were locals...and they were USED to seeing Opus for $50 a stick at places like Specs. The reason I brought them in (the Reserve D' Cheateau) is because they were requested. The guy really did want to purchase them. I had told him, previous to me ordering, that they were expensive (not knowing the reality) and he said he knew....he simply just wanted them since he couldn't find anyone in Houston that had a box.
We purchased them from a Wholesaler in California called Phillips and King; they are a huge company and carry almost every tobacco product imaginable (including most cigar brands). However, because of this fact, J.C. Newman does not sell to them special released cigars like Opus. So they buy from B & M's...which is why my cost from them was high.
In the end, I learned something from yall (CP members) and I saved a customer tons of money. He was disappointed when I told him I sent it back...but I believe he understood why once I educated him...
That all was more than 2 years ago...since than I have grown as an owner/operator of my own cigar shop and now owner/operator of a cigar wholesale/distribution company. I buy direct from almost all manufactures now (including J.C. Newman) and I understand the nature of price gauging, etc. I cannot blame P & K...but only myself on being so naive to that whole situation.
Im quite sure there are some members here that I left a bitter taste in their mouths, and I don't blame them. They were right and I was wrong. I was cocky and uneducated. I am not sure how I can go about settling everything with them...and just clearing my name and "starting fresh". I don't doubt that there will be those that will always hold a grudge against me...but I believe in second chances...
I have now owned the store for almost 2.5 years. A man that doesn't know how to run a business, wouldn't still be open. Also, I pride myself on my prices...I work hard on keeping them low and keeping them the best in all of Houston. At times there may be a store that has something for less...but it's usually a brand that I do not buy direct from like all the General or Altadis products. It's almost like I have a vendetta against myself because I fucked up that one time back in 2008.
I hope this clears some things up, and I hope you understand where I'm coming from. Back than I was 23, I'm now 26...its a lesson learned.
I forgot to ask, if this is the correct location for such a thread/topic. The OP I made back than was in this part of the forum, so I figured I'd put it here. I guess the Mod's will move it, if need be.
http://www.cigarpass.com/forumsipb/index.php?showtopic=49992&hl=jzaid84&st=0
Here is what I have to say, and I hope there are no hard feelings. I'd like for it to be in open about my lack knowledge in the past, but I've grown since than and I hope you all can understand..
Back when I first got on here is when I first opened my store. Im a young guy, and I was young (relatively) for being the owner of a cigar shop. Excited, naive, and probably a few other things.
My father had been in the business for quite some time, so I knew a little about cigars. I knew of Opus and I knew their popularity, but I was clueless as to what their price should be. All I knew is that I had a demand for them.
Down here in Houston, specifically Pearland (where my shop is) there is almost no competition. The closest humidor to us is Specs (a very large liquor chain). Other than that you basically have to drive to the city.
The customers that were coming in upon us opening our store were locals...and they were USED to seeing Opus for $50 a stick at places like Specs. The reason I brought them in (the Reserve D' Cheateau) is because they were requested. The guy really did want to purchase them. I had told him, previous to me ordering, that they were expensive (not knowing the reality) and he said he knew....he simply just wanted them since he couldn't find anyone in Houston that had a box.
We purchased them from a Wholesaler in California called Phillips and King; they are a huge company and carry almost every tobacco product imaginable (including most cigar brands). However, because of this fact, J.C. Newman does not sell to them special released cigars like Opus. So they buy from B & M's...which is why my cost from them was high.
In the end, I learned something from yall (CP members) and I saved a customer tons of money. He was disappointed when I told him I sent it back...but I believe he understood why once I educated him...
That all was more than 2 years ago...since than I have grown as an owner/operator of my own cigar shop and now owner/operator of a cigar wholesale/distribution company. I buy direct from almost all manufactures now (including J.C. Newman) and I understand the nature of price gauging, etc. I cannot blame P & K...but only myself on being so naive to that whole situation.
Im quite sure there are some members here that I left a bitter taste in their mouths, and I don't blame them. They were right and I was wrong. I was cocky and uneducated. I am not sure how I can go about settling everything with them...and just clearing my name and "starting fresh". I don't doubt that there will be those that will always hold a grudge against me...but I believe in second chances...
I have now owned the store for almost 2.5 years. A man that doesn't know how to run a business, wouldn't still be open. Also, I pride myself on my prices...I work hard on keeping them low and keeping them the best in all of Houston. At times there may be a store that has something for less...but it's usually a brand that I do not buy direct from like all the General or Altadis products. It's almost like I have a vendetta against myself because I fucked up that one time back in 2008.
I hope this clears some things up, and I hope you understand where I'm coming from. Back than I was 23, I'm now 26...its a lesson learned.
I forgot to ask, if this is the correct location for such a thread/topic. The OP I made back than was in this part of the forum, so I figured I'd put it here. I guess the Mod's will move it, if need be.
