Tell Me What You Think

[ironpeddler]

I just received the latest e-mail offer from Holt's and does it reek of the same attitude of the last page of the Father's Day Catalog that trashed Ernesto Padilla that we are still talking about? The same forced cutesiness....nothing derogatory, just phony. I think this is the way they're going.

You guys be the judge.

As many accused Sathya Levin of after the apology....

I think I smell something....

 

[BlindedByScience]

Not sure. I've followed the other thread and read the considerate and well thought out posts. While I agree with the tenor and state of the general state of the cigar industry, I an not sure if it completely applies to Holt's. I just bought some of the discontinued 1932's, and was treated nicely, professionally, and with the best of courtesy. The phone ladies are quick to admit "....I don't know but I'll find out...." and that works for me. Given my limited interface to Holt's, I don't know if the whole show is going to "hell in a handbasket" or if it's just the catalog copy that's jumped the shark. I've never been in the store so I can't comment on that experience. When they have something on sale I'm interested in, I may (or may not) call them up.

I will completely agree with the post in the other thread that there are quality smaller retailers that are involved with CP and share fantastic deals and hard to find smokes. They get 95% of my business, without question. They know who they are..... :laugh:

Best Regards - B.B.S.

 

[JHolmes763]

I don't see anything wrong with the Indios ad. Just marketing making something look better than it actually is. Not a big fan of the Indios, but for someone who is, that's a good deal. :shrug:

 

[Phlicker]

I think the over-the-top hyperbole and marketing speak has been discussed at length in the other thread, but glancing back at the catalog I saw a "description" of their Father's Day sampler that seems a little more along the lines of what you're getting at, I think:

While cigar nuts nationwide stare wide-eyed at the Usual Suspects with drool hanging off of their chops, our shoddy competitors will be grinding their teeth and turning green with envy. If you’re a chump famous for putting out raggedy catalogs chock full of garbage, you need to throw in the towel. Holt’s is just too strong!

While not a direct shot at anyone in particular (though we could probably come up with a few guesses...most of which would probably be right), it certainly reeks of smugness and superiority, and isn't at all the way I think a 100+ year old company that has been built on a reputation of quality and service ought to be conducting itself.

 

[chainer]

I believe this smugness can be readily found at most juggernaut cigar retailers. Take for explain any magazine Cigar.com puts out... although they even overprice a lot of things, along with the smugness. Another trend that is floating around is that every cigar is somehow a 'must-buy' and is cigar of the year worthy. At least that seems to be what I am seeing...

 

[LilBastage]

I think the over-the-top hyperbole and marketing speak has been discussed at length in the other thread, but glancing back at the catalog I saw a "description" of their Father's Day sampler that seems a little more along the lines of what you're getting at, I think:

While cigar nuts nationwide stare wide-eyed at the Usual Suspects with drool hanging off of their chops, our shoddy competitors will be grinding their teeth and turning green with envy. If you’re a chump famous for putting out raggedy catalogs chock full of garbage, you need to throw in the towel. Holt’s is just too strong!

While not a direct shot at anyone in particular (though we could probably come up with a few guesses...most of which would probably be right), it certainly reeks of smugness and superiority, and isn't at all the way I think a 100+ year old company that has been built on a reputation of quality and service ought to be conducting itself.

Bad mouthing the competition is a sure-fire way to get me to shop elsewhere. Tell me why I should buy your company's product. Don't talk trash about your competition.

That's all I'm going to say.

 

[ironpeddler]

I think the over-the-top hyperbole and marketing speak has been discussed at length in the other thread, but glancing back at the catalog I saw a "description" of their Father's Day sampler that seems a little more along the lines of what you're getting at, I think:

While cigar nuts nationwide stare wide-eyed at the Usual Suspects with drool hanging off of their chops, our shoddy competitors will be grinding their teeth and turning green with envy. If you’re a chump famous for putting out raggedy catalogs chock full of garbage, you need to throw in the towel. Holt’s is just too strong!

While not a direct shot at anyone in particular (though we could probably come up with a few guesses...most of which would probably be right), it certainly reeks of smugness and superiority, and isn't at all the way I think a 100+ year old company that has been built on a reputation of quality and service ought to be conducting itself.

Phlicker,

When we all posted in the other thread about the comments about Ernesto Padilla, I made a reference to a different era of cigar shops. So I think when I saw this ad come out I realized that Holt's transformation is now complete, they have left the past behind and are putting a touch of Howard Stern in their marketing.....and as Wilkey stated, their business model has changed.

I wasn't looking to poke holes in this new ad and draw a comparison by any means, just that Holt's has left the founding virtues of a bygone era behind and embarked on a new path to sell their product.

I guess I'm more disappointed than anything. I looked at them as old time retailer, not some new kid on the block trying to stand out by making a big noise....or as you put it, resorting to use "over-the-top hyperbole."