Bad experience at London retailer

[kamaangir]

Be warned!

On monday just gone I was in the west end of london and had a few errands to run and after finishing them thought I would pop in to one of my regular retailers and get some smokes.
Poped into G.Smith and sons on Charring Cross Road and had a look in thier humidor, got myself a Bolivar and a R&J short churchill (which is my favourite and regular smoke at the moment). The bolivar had a small amount of green dust on it which the chap behind the counter using a shaving bruch cleaned off.
While I was there I saw a 50 cigar humidor and bought that as well, this little lot cost me just under a ton (28.50 for the cigars and 57.99 for the humi)
I done a lot of walking that day and settled down outside a coffee shop to smoke my churchil.
I tried to cut the cigar and it exploded in my hand, then the wrapper started to tear off exposing the filler up to the label.
Disappointed I tried to smoke the cigar and I couldn't, I put it in a bit of tissue and returned it to the shop the day after.
the same chap was in the shop, took a look at it and said "you cut too much off" I explained that I didn't and that it was a bit dry. He got agitated and said "na na you cut too much off" then he got another one out the humidor and we put them next to each other and from the bands I could see that I had not cut too much off.
But he was not having it and was rude about it, now what would you have done? I just informed them that, this would be the last purchase that I would be making from them and left, no tantrums or violence.
I am not sure if he was having a bad day or is this the regular treatment of customers?
Throughout the incident I was polite and kept my voice dwn so as not to cause a scene also I use a (what I believe to be) good quality double bladed cutter and proper cigar lighter (a colibri with a built in core cutter).
needless to say I will not be spending any money with that out fit any more.
sorry about the long story but I felt its important to convey all the facts.

[G-man]

kamaangir (http://www.ukcigarforums.com/member.php?u=304)
I believe U did the right thing by not lowering yourself to the clerks standards.:rock:
(28.50 for the cigars and 57.99 for the humi)
The clerk was full of $hit ,knowing the cigar was dry should have gave U another just for your effort to inform him of the problem! But he didn't. At that time I would have RETURNED the $57.99 humidor and said I didn't really need it. He would have 1 of 2 things.
1 refunded your $57.99
2 gave U another cigar and asked if that would solve the problem!
Either way were all proud of U for the way U handled the situation:rock:

[cohibaIV]

Sorry to hear about your bad day mate....Don't need it when all you want to do is enjoy a fine Puro...Nice one on keeping calm tho...:cool::cool:

[Pantomimehorse]

I stay clear of that store and the one in Covent Garden now, their sticks are all too often dry and they store you mentioned seems to have hardly any stock whenever I go in there. Next time jump on the tube or take the short walk to St James and visit JJFox sticks are in perfect condition and the staff very friendly.

[kamaangir]

And to think I paid £4.40 plus 10 pence handling charge for parking just to return the stick. I work in a customer facing role (in fact us engineers are the only people customers see from our company lol) and have even worked in hotels and, understand about complaints and confronntational management. This guy was straight out of one of those comedy sketches.
At the time it really annoyed me but thinking about it now I think thier loss.
I will certainly be going to JJ Ofxes from now on as it comes recommended.
Thanks for your replies guys appreciate it.

[Kdot]

his loss, guy seems like a [censored]

[Robusto]

Have used that store many times in the past when arriving in town at Charing Cross and was astounded at how much it had deteriorated when I went in to buy a few cigars for a herf in May.

Was my recommendation, Pant. Sorry. You do right to move along...

[G-man]

Maybe Deano can contact them and explain that we have alot of BOTL on this forum who would love to give them business and can place an add here. But they should make it right for U. Mistakes happen,everyone has a bad day.

[cj121]

Looks like they just got their first plug on here for free:smoke:

Sorry to hear about your experience Kam, Kule for keeping cool mate.

[Boss Hog]

I stuck my head round the door of the cupboard they have at covent garden last week, wasnt that impressed at all.

[deltawhisky]

Sad to hear this story. I've always had the said establishment in Charing Cross down as a snuff specialist; it does not spring to mind, from memory, as one of the renowned central London cigar dealers. Lets hope the said gentleman has a good smoke to calm the nerves (said in jest / with sufficient light-heartedness not to incur any offense).

[Simon-JG-hr]

I work in a customer facing role (in fact us engineers are the only people customers see from our company lol) and have even worked in hotels and, understand about complaints and confronntational management.I'm currently working in face-to-face sales, and it's a poor business that doesn't understand that the best customer is a returning one. I don't think anyone expects everything to be perfect (it's unrealistic) - I've sold goods which haven't worked (not that I knew that at the time :rolleyes:), and you often get the most thanks and respect for dealing with a poor situation in the best manner. You pay your money and you take something away when you buy something - the true service comes in when you have to resolve a problem.

Anyway, enough of that. Sorry to hear of your poor experience, and if I'm ever in London I'll probably avoid the shop (though there are a few others on my 'to visit' list anyway).

[TJCoro]

:mad:What a drag, mate. Oh well, we all have stories like this, I guess. Lesson learned...and thanks for sharing your experience with us so others won't can avoid this vendor.:cool:

Here's an :idea: idea senor KMart (http://www.ukcigarforums.com/showpost.php?p=24651&postcount=19), try using the "enter" key on the right side of your keyboard every now and then to break up your posts a bit.

Makes it easier for simple hombres, like me, to :shocked:endure.....:doh:err, I mean :ranger:READ your post! :sorry:

:bandit: Names TJ, TJCoro, and I'm my:stoned: eyes hurt. What time is it anyway?

:juggle: Besides, I'd rather play with my balls.

[Kdot]

How
is
this
for
you
TJ
.
:rolleyes:

and
what
b@$t%!d
censored
my
post
!
:mad:





Here's an :idea: idea senor KMart, try using the "enter" key on the right side of your keyboard every now and then to break up your posts a bit.

Makes it easier for simple hombres, like me, to :shocked:endure.....:doh:err, I mean :ranger:READ your post! :sorry:

:bandit: Names TJ, TJCoro, and I'm my:stoned: eyes hurt. What time is it anyway?

:juggle: Besides, I'd rather play with my balls.

[daverave999]

That sounds like a most unimpressive experience kamaangir. Well handled and thank you for the heads up.

[TJCoro]

How
is
this
for
you
TJ
.
:rolleyes:

and
what
b@$t%!d
censored
my
post
!
:mad:

Not
bad
senor
K.
Did
someone
really
censor
your post?
:eek:

:bandit:
Names
TJ,
TJCoro

[Robusto]

I
have
pupils
who
I
am
advised
must
read
everything
through
a
special
colour
layover
gel
because
of
reading
difficulties
so
they
can
understand
things
better
but
they
all
say
fuck
this
ToysRUs
for
a
laugh
and
somehow
manage
to
cope
funny
that

[Kdot]

Is
this
getting
annoying
yet,
anyone
?
.
.
.
and
yes
my
post
was
censored.
I'm
looking
at
you
mexican
:bandit:
or
even
:nerd:
or
:playball:
but
not
:cowboyic9:
he
seems
to
be
the
cool
moderator
.

[TJCoro]

:(I must appologize to senor :kev: kdot.

In my post (http://www.ukcigarforums.com/showpost.php?p=24531&postcount=13)to senor Kamaangir, :doh:I accidently referred to him as "Kmart" which we all know :deal:belongs to the :kev:Dot.

:nerd:So I would like to say that if anyone, ANYONE, (other than these jokers :mullet: :playball: :pipe: ) was offended or injured as a result of my reckless error, I sincerely apologize. :wink:

Henceforth, senor Kamaangir will be referenced in my posts "the K-man" or "senor Kman." :sad:

Again, my apology to those who frequent the forum.:shakehands:

:bandit: Names TJ, TJCoro, and I care...but not that much!:willy:

[TJCoro]

Is
this
getting
annoying
yet,
anyone
?
.
.
.
and
yes
my
post
was
censored.
I'm
looking
at
you
mexican
:bandit:
or
even
:nerd:
or
:playball:
but
not
:cowboyic9:
he
seems
to
be
the
cool
moderator
.

1. YES!

2. NOT ME, DUDE!

3. THAT'S YOUR OPINION (if by cool, you mean :bored:)

:bandit:

[Kdot]

I was in the middle of rallying the troops there TJ for all out war, but lucky for you, you backed off in time avoiding catastrophe. Kind of reminds me of the cuban missile crisis...well sort off but with mexico and Scotland and cigars.



:(I must appologize to senor :kev: kdot.

In my post (http://www.ukcigarforums.com/showpost.php?p=24531&postcount=13)to senor Kamaangir, :doh:I accidently referred to him as "Kmart" which we all know :deal:belongs to the :kev:Dot.

:nerd:So I would like to say that if anyone, ANYONE, (other than these jokers :mullet: :playball: :pipe: ) was offended or injured as a result of my reckless error, I sincerely apologize. :wink:

Henceforth, senor Kamaangir will be referenced in my posts "the K-man" or "senor Kman." :sad:

Again, my apology to those who frequent the forum.:shakehands:

:bandit: Names TJ, TJCoro, and I care...but not that much!:willy:

[TJCoro]

I was in the middle of rallying the troops there TJ for all out war, but lucky for you, you backed off in time avoiding catastrophe. Kind of reminds me of the cuban missile crisis...well sort off but with mexico and Scotland and cigars.


:kev: senor kdotty, my apology was for an honest mistake that involved your handle and nothing more. :cool:

:nono: So don't read nutin into it, dot!!! If you think you and your mates are up for another :damnmate:"smack down." then as the former POTUS once said..."Bring It On, Byach?" :boxing:

:bandit: After all, I'm TJ, TJCoro, and I didn't get this way sitting around :hippie: counting flowers on the wall.

[Stevieboy]

Steady on dude! Never censored anyone in my life...not my style. Swearing is a way of life for me lol
PS As for cool, I hear Bryan wears Hush Puppies and reads The Daily Mail :-)



yes
my
post
was
censored.
I'm
looking
at
you
mexican
:bandit:
or
even
:nerd:
or
:playball:
but
not
:cowboyic9:

[Simon-JG-hr]

:puke:
...to the Daily Mail...

[Kdot]

Steady on dude! Never censored anyone in my life...not my style. Swearing is a way of life for me lol
PS As for cool, I hear Bryan wears Hush Puppies and reads The Daily Mail :-)

So the mystery continues...I'm actually offended at someone finding it offensive. Maybe it was the context it was used in rather than the word. In a broad sense it could be seen as mild slander and the mod was afraid of the suits getting involved... :spy:I've seen much f*&king worse language used here.

[TJCoro]

So the mystery continues...I'm actually offended at someone finding it offensive. Maybe it was the context it was used in rather than the word. In a broad sense it could be seen as mild slander and the mod was afraid of the suits getting involved... :spy:I've seen much f*&king worse language used here.


Why don't you Pm your dubious post to one of us so we can see what the fuss is about.

:bandit:

[Kdot]

Why don't you Pm your dubious post to one of us so we can see what the fuss is about.

:bandit:

I'd rather try my at at my own detective skills first, i've got ways to make people talk.

I'll start with you TJCoro, if that is your real name...where were you on sunday night between the times of 9.30 and 9.35?

[TJCoro]

I'd rather try my at at my own detective skills first, i've got ways to make people talk.

I'll start with you TJCoro, if that is your real name...where were you on sunday night between the times of 9.30 and 9.35?


:41:Scrubing your posts, of course. Why do you ask?:cool:

After all, damn it! I'm TJ he Magic Moderator and I roll with the Coros.