Quick note: the layout of the store is that you walk in and there is a small room where the lighters, humidors, accessories, and pipe tobacco are. Then there is a walk-through humidor, and in the back there is a small lounge type area with a couch, a couple of chairs, and a TV.
Horrible experience at Davidus cigars in Maryland
- Thread starter Lumberg
- Start date
That is a drag. I easily lose my **** when I don't get good service, so walking away and writing that email leaves them much better off than if it were me!
Hopefully you'll get some kind of response, so at least you know they're aware of what happened.
Hopefully you'll get some kind of response, so at least you know they're aware of what happened.
BkCloud114
I hate Moochers !!!!!
I gotta give you alot of credit....
You were alot nicer than I would have been.
You were alot nicer than I would have been.
KayakinBoy
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion
Lumberg, if you are ever in Chattanooga, come by my store. Talking on your cell is ok in my humidor! 
What a little biotch to pull that on you. I doubt he had a name tag. I'm guessing he's one of those guys who works there as a job, and doesn't really apperciate the fact that he's surrond by cigars all day long. And at most shops, you can smoke while working. Ugh, I hope they fire his ass!
What a little biotch to pull that on you. I doubt he had a name tag. I'm guessing he's one of those guys who works there as a job, and doesn't really apperciate the fact that he's surrond by cigars all day long. And at most shops, you can smoke while working. Ugh, I hope they fire his ass!
I guess I should mention as a little more background, though I think you guys picked it up, that the cash register is also in the front room.
I guess they get so little business that the guy is used to spending most of his time chillin' in the back room, and has got to the point of resenting people coming in.
I can understand that feeling. I used to work at a gas station/garage where in the evenings I would be the only one around, and I would be trying to get some work done, either to my own car or to a customer's car, and when someone came in to gas up I would get annoyed that they were taking me away from my work, but I would always calm myself down and remember that it's my job to collect the money, after all.
This guy obviously thought he had to watch me cos I was pacing around as I was talking, as people are wont to do, and he probably thought I was gonna steal something.
Ah well, I was treated very respectfully at JR in DC today, and got a cutter for $1, and no one batted their eye that I spent 10 minutes browsing, asked a few questions, and only bought one cheapo cutter.
Interestingly enough, I was interested in checking out some LFD Oscuros, and found out JR doesn't do business with LFD.
I guess they get so little business that the guy is used to spending most of his time chillin' in the back room, and has got to the point of resenting people coming in.
I can understand that feeling. I used to work at a gas station/garage where in the evenings I would be the only one around, and I would be trying to get some work done, either to my own car or to a customer's car, and when someone came in to gas up I would get annoyed that they were taking me away from my work, but I would always calm myself down and remember that it's my job to collect the money, after all.
This guy obviously thought he had to watch me cos I was pacing around as I was talking, as people are wont to do, and he probably thought I was gonna steal something.
Ah well, I was treated very respectfully at JR in DC today, and got a cutter for $1, and no one batted their eye that I spent 10 minutes browsing, asked a few questions, and only bought one cheapo cutter.
Interestingly enough, I was interested in checking out some LFD Oscuros, and found out JR doesn't do business with LFD.
KayakinBoy said:Lumberg, if you are ever in Chattanooga, come by my store. Talking on your cell is ok in my humidor![snapback]187743[/snapback]
Thanks! Even though it's probably out of my range; besides I'd rather talk to you and the other guys at the store.
ggiese
Well-Known Member
That's just plain - not right!!! What about a welcoming atmosphere???
My local shop recognizes if it weren't for people talking on cell phones n the store, there wouldn't be people talking on cell phones in the store. We had a discussion in the shop I usually frequent recently, centered around it being a place where we could hang out and enjoy ourselves. It seems to me that talking on a cell phone in the shop is hanging out. What the heck do they have a lounge for if there isn't any reason for you to hang out??? IMHO - there is NO EXCUSE for that kind of treatment, especially when there are plenty of other B&M and online retailers dying for your business... Betcha you see a "for sale" sign on the business in a few months if he keeps it up...
My local shop recognizes if it weren't for people talking on cell phones n the store, there wouldn't be people talking on cell phones in the store. We had a discussion in the shop I usually frequent recently, centered around it being a place where we could hang out and enjoy ourselves. It seems to me that talking on a cell phone in the shop is hanging out. What the heck do they have a lounge for if there isn't any reason for you to hang out??? IMHO - there is NO EXCUSE for that kind of treatment, especially when there are plenty of other B&M and online retailers dying for your business... Betcha you see a "for sale" sign on the business in a few months if he keeps it up...
LC-Smoker
Have you seen my stapler?
You shoulda thrown some hot chocolate on the guy!! :laugh:
That's a bummer, but glad you handled it so well. Service, or lack there of, is very high on my list of reasons to choose one store over another. Its one reason I will never shop at Best Buy (hate their "service").
The local cigar shop I go to has very friendly people working there along with the working owner. They clip the cigar if you wish, always offer a chilled mug for my MGD, and if you are in the mood, they pull up a chair with you, have a smoke and talk sports, cigars etc. And the owner only employees cigar smokers, so the employees act like they really want to be there and really want to help you.
The local cigar shop I go to has very friendly people working there along with the working owner. They clip the cigar if you wish, always offer a chilled mug for my MGD, and if you are in the mood, they pull up a chair with you, have a smoke and talk sports, cigars etc. And the owner only employees cigar smokers, so the employees act like they really want to be there and really want to help you.
stevehawk
'Member? C'mon you 'member!
LC-Smoker said:
...and here I was refraining from the hot chocolate jokes. Never again, I tell ya! (Lumberg, that was a classic!)
Well I spoke with the owner and he said there is a no cel phone policy but a) I didn't see a sign b) there was no one else around to disturb and c) the rule is mainly for the humidor and lounge area, for obvious reasons.
He apologized; I guess I may go back one day; but JR and Davidus was like night and day.
He apologized; I guess I may go back one day; but JR and Davidus was like night and day.
opusxfiles
Smoke Shackin'
Lumberg said:
No dude...don't go back...screw him. In fact, if ou send me his number, I will call and complain too...in fact, we all should. Don't forget that we are a community of cigar lovers..if you aren't welcome to do your business there, then I am not either. screw them. :angry2:
Allofus123
Here ducky, ducky, ducky!
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A cell phone policy? WTF? Why in the hell would anyone have a cell phone policy? That just makes no sense at all.
The loudest voice you have is your wallet. Take your business elsewhere and be done with it. You had your say and the owner doesn't appear to be concerned about losing your business.
PS - calling this shop to complain when you have never stepped foot into it carries no weight.
The loudest voice you have is your wallet. Take your business elsewhere and be done with it. You had your say and the owner doesn't appear to be concerned about losing your business.
PS - calling this shop to complain when you have never stepped foot into it carries no weight.
ggiese
Well-Known Member
Allofus123 said:
E-mail already sent!!! This was total BS!!!
The Cell Phone policy is BS. WTF would possibly cause a shop to do that??? None I know do...
As far was not stepping foot in there... They didn't know where I was from when I sent them my e-mail. Certainly, if I visit Maryland they're not going to have my business - screw 'em. They should hear what customers and potential customers think about their policies. One complaint isn't going to change their minds, but if they receive a dozen it may change things...
....movie theaters, etc. I can buy, but not in a business where you WANT folks to hang out and feel comfortable. Just dumb.....Allofus123 said:
You handled it extremely well. I'd take my business elsewhere and if asked tell them directly it's the way you were treated due to their stupid cell phone policy.
My $00.02 - B.B.S.
opusxfiles
Smoke Shackin'
Allofus123 said:
I disagree completely. First of all, they have no idea whether you have been there or not. Secondly, business is business, and anytime you feel that you have insulted a customer...even a potential one, you are forced to re-think your policies. How many times do you see people who are travelling around and post on here about where to go to buy a cigar? Alot. I will never buy a cigar from these people, and the fact is that I am in a band that travels all around, and I buy from alot of different cities...but I will never go tp davidus now.
Allofus123
Here ducky, ducky, ducky!
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I understand completely and should I ever find myself in that town would take the exra measure to find a different shop for my business but to suddenly start getting phone call complaints from people they never heard of won't add up to lost sales in the owners mind. He already established how he felt with a known customer.
Most of yall know that cigar shops have a somewhat small base of regular customers. These customers are what keeps the doors open for them. Everyone knows each other and in most cases on a first name basis. If you are not on that first name basis with your local shops or at least have a recognized face as a regular paying customer don't expect the sea to part when you come in looking for a cheap cutter while "cherry picking" their inventory. That will prob piss a few of you off, especially those of you who shop almost exclusively through the mail, or those that'll shop at "shop B" instead of "shop A" because the cigar you want is .50 cents cheaper at shop B.
I'm not trying to defend the stores stupid cell phone policy or the way they treated a potential customer, its the craziest policy I've ever heard of for a cigar store, but know that a sudden rash of phone calls coming from out of state will be very transparent and obvious to the owner. BTW, the fact that they have 5 stores means that when you call you'll prob be speaking to the same $10 @ hr employee that Lumberg dealt with.
A wise person picks his battles when the fight has a chance to produces a result worth fighting for. Of course... to each their own.
Most of yall know that cigar shops have a somewhat small base of regular customers. These customers are what keeps the doors open for them. Everyone knows each other and in most cases on a first name basis. If you are not on that first name basis with your local shops or at least have a recognized face as a regular paying customer don't expect the sea to part when you come in looking for a cheap cutter while "cherry picking" their inventory. That will prob piss a few of you off, especially those of you who shop almost exclusively through the mail, or those that'll shop at "shop B" instead of "shop A" because the cigar you want is .50 cents cheaper at shop B.
I'm not trying to defend the stores stupid cell phone policy or the way they treated a potential customer, its the craziest policy I've ever heard of for a cigar store, but know that a sudden rash of phone calls coming from out of state will be very transparent and obvious to the owner. BTW, the fact that they have 5 stores means that when you call you'll prob be speaking to the same $10 @ hr employee that Lumberg dealt with.
A wise person picks his battles when the fight has a chance to produces a result worth fighting for. Of course... to each their own.
ggiese
Well-Known Member
Allofus123 said:
Well - they can choose to listen, or choose to ignore - that's their choice. I think a simple e-mail from those that are disturbed by their policy can't hurt. It didn't take me any more than about 2 minutes to put mine together. I've not received a response - so I suspect they got it and didn't think much of it. I would suggest if I were a store owner and received a few e-mails related to a policy I had that was having a negative impact on potential customers, I would revisit the rule (unless of course the rule already had serious negative implications to my business). Maybe he offers an explanation as well, which certainly would be welcome...
Allofus123
Here ducky, ducky, ducky!
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ggiese said:
I think the key words here are "potential customers". That is what makes this a non issue to the owner. If we're being honest I doubt anyone with the exception of Lumberg even knew they existed before this post and none of you were going to be "potential customers".
I'm sure somebody will want to say we're all "potential customers" ...... yea, ok.... right!
