What do the "Brick & Mortar's" need to do to compete with online companies?

To my CigaRobbie Crew members, I hope you enjoy the blogs and my new radio show, "The CigaRobbie Radio Program." I really want this show to be about you, the cigar smoker, and the 4.4% of your life that you live on your terms. With this in mind I am constantly trying to find better options for you "Pimp the Sticks" one of my show sponsors is www.cheaphumidors.com but I do believe nothing beats the true fellowship experience of sitting down at your local tobacconist and learning what other people are doing and smoking.

One of my newest sponsors is a quaint, local Sarasota cigar shop, it’s called Maduro's Cigar & Bar its run by two gentlemen Kim & Adrianne, they have been doing cigar wholesale to golf clubs and hotels for about ten years and decided to progress into a full tobacconist shop with beer, wines and coffee's with deep rich brown leather furniture and art deco meets Soho sheik decor, and every wall with a large plasma television it sets a inviting mood. Oh wait! I forgot one of the most important features Erin, a young, friendly blonde with a cute Australian (?) accent, I don't know but she is knowledgeable and never forgets a face or name.

Of course customer service is essential and most shops give it! I also think you get to touch, feel and purchase right there the smoke you want. They really try hard to earn your business, inviting the reps of the companies to do events and give specials plus most of them parlay food, drinks & giveaways! I every so often see guys walk into these Brick & Mortars and sit down in the furniture provided, pour a complimentary drink provided, use the lighter & cutter provided & sit down and watch the cable television, also provided by the proprietor, but not once go buy a cigar, wrong, wrong, that’s absolutely wrong!

They (Brick & Mortar's) have to charge tax; they don't have those cool sampler packs with some type of J.Peterman Catalog with funny poetic sayings, telling you how they put this awesome deal for you together. But the truth they (Brick & Mortar's) give you the option, or should I say the power to put the sampler pack together yourself, I've watched tobacconist lower prices right at the register because someone said it was cheaper at another retailer. You don't get that with the online companies, and they usually ship in four to nine days depending on the purchase day.

I really don't want to discourage you from buying cigars at the best place you can afford like: Cigar International, JR Cigars and Famous Smoke. But remember about your friend just around the corner who greets you with a smile, works hard to get the smokes you enjoy and calls you his best customer; remember the prices he pays to provide that environment: rent, product charges, utilities, insurance, tax, advertisement cost, and accessories for the customers like matches, cigar bags, lighters, cutter and toiletries! Yes it is an expense. Plus employee benefits, Christmas parties, and well you get the idea it never ends. He does it for you the customer so act like one!

You want established? Here is W. Curtis Drapers the oldest in American: http://www.wcurtisdraper.com/

The one that throw's the best events, Outlaw Cigars: http://www.outlawcigar.com/Default.aspx

The one that moves the most cigars, Corona Cigars Orlando: http://www.coronacigar.com/

The best prices, Tampa Humidor: http://www.tampahumidor.com/

Maduro's Cigar & Bar Sarasota: http://www.maduroclub.com/