So I’ve come across a dilemma. I had decided to never carry Oliveros because their ads are particularly demeaning to women, like in a woman-fellates-cigar sort of way, and I don’t see any need to support them because of it.
Now I have a semi-regular customer who keeps requesting them, and I don’t know what to do. Should I just order the one size he likes and set principle aside, or should I tell him that I refuse to carry that brand?
Get the cigars for him, and contribute the profits to some sort of charity or other pro-woman org.
Link | December 30th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
What’s more important, 1 customer or your principles? If he really wants them, there are a myriad of places to get them. I’d love to carry everything my customers want, but it’s not possible. You’ll earn more customers for sticking to your guns, and being upfront and honest.
Link | December 30th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I don’t like their cigars anyway, so I wouldn’t carry them and I doubt you’re going to lose a lot of business because you don’t carry Oliveros XL for Men. But he is your customer – tell him if he wants you to carry them he is going to have to buy at least a box of those cigars and put a hefty premium on them.
Then use that money to donate to a charity or buy different and better cigars.
Link | December 30th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
It’s your shop, your decision. You might want to explain your rationale to your “customer”. A good customer will respect your prerogatives. But the bottom line to me is that you should in no way endorse or support a vendor who compromises your sense of proper decorum.
Link | December 30th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Stick with what your heart and your morals say to you.
Link | December 30th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Yeah! What those guys said! You GO Girl! I wouldn’t offer to broker a box for him, though, as it still supports the object-ification of de wimmin. He can hit the Adult Store for that, because that is not what Fumee is about.
Link | December 30th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
You should just tell him why you don’t want to carry this brand. At the same time, give him some recommendations for other cigars with similar taste profile. This way, there is a chance that you won’t lose the customer and you’ll also defend your values.
Link | January 4th, 2009 at 3:27 am
Didn’t recognize the brand by name, so looked up the site.
Maxim is making cigars now?
F’cryin’ out-loud.
I’m with Cigar Inspector above. Assume a friend recommended it to him and the potential customer is not, himself (I assume it’s a guy), a misogynist.
If I walked into a cigar store and ignorantly asked for a cuban because I’d heard they were the best and knew nothing about the ban, you wouldn’t win any points by giving me a lecture on the evils of socialism.
If, instead, you explained why you didn’t carry them then proceeded to help me with a small mix of taste-alikes, you’d have a loyal customer on your hands.
If the e-stores beat you on price, you only have personal service and ambiance in your favor. I suggest you let those be your strengths…
Link | January 8th, 2009 at 3:55 pm