Pipe Club Members Unite

[Themayor]

Pipe Club has been dwindling and the meetings have been less attended. There are members we have not seen for months-can we be honest here-is the interest gone?? There are a few core members left but quite a few do not attend. It seems we were more active when we met at the other shop upstairs -BY OURSELVES! We now share a room with cigar smokers watching sports on a TV. We have no structure as we did in  the past -we have no guest speakers and no planned dinners. We get to sample some tobacco once a month (if that date doesn't interfere with a cigar event). We are no longer "The Best Damned Pipe Club". CAN THIS BE TURNED AROUND?? Hopefully this will be read and responded to.

Themayor

[cramerjd]

I was actually thinking things are picking up slowly.  There are more people attending then 8 months ago but, yes, still less then 2-3 years ago.

I do absolutely agree that we've become 2nd class in the shop.  We are frequently moved and bumped because of some cigar event (even if it ends up the event is canceled as with the last meeting).  That turned me off big time.  I never even thought to look around for other pipe meetings but I did this month.  Just to see if anyone else was closer to me or had more pipe focus.

Although I look forward to going because I enjoy sampling Russ's blends and relaxed conversation, we really don't even need to have a "club" to do what we do.  What we do is the same thing everyone else in that room does on a daily basis.  Go in, find a chair, smoke, and chat. 

I'm always hoping we get a a quick lesson/education, some show and tell of new pipes (since they now hide 3/4 of their inventory from the customers that would rather buy in store then online), and maybe some planned outings sprinkled in to spread things out.  If we had a session of 30 minutes to an hour then time to discuss at the end that would be great and I know I could get more people to come check it out.

I realize each time I go and buy a couple cigars that my pipe hobby is much cheaper.  I'm not sure what the markups are on these items to say how much more profitable cigars are to pipes and pipe tobacco but I assume that me spending $3.00 on pipe tobacco that lasts me 3 weeks is not as profitable as $12 on a cigar (which I bought 4)  Maybe they aren't making enough off me to get their attention.  Maybe they need to offer us more ways to be entertained and spend a reasonable buck in the shop to do it.  Its all about the business, I understand that.  We need to find a place in the middle that keeps us entertained (with "some" money left in our pockets) and them interested in entertaining us.

 

[Themayor]

Once again our May meeting was cancelled. We  can understand but to not inform the members by e-mail (some of us live an hour's drive away) is pretty disrespectful. I suppose we will have to call and check on the June meeting standing in June.

Themayor

[cramerjd]

I ALWAYS call the day of. More then once things were canceled or rescheduled and although I got the  Habanapalooza or whatever reminder that week (and on one occasion that morning) I got nothing about the cancelation. The guys at the counter couldn't even tell me if it was cancelled or not when I called at 11am. They finally called me back at 4pm that day to tell me it was officially called off.  I'm to turn my garage into a man cave and buy online like everyone else I guess?

 

[Chip]

Frankly, I've entertained bailing out a few months ago.  I keep telling myself things will get better.  But, there is no enthusiasm anymore.  Our last club meeting was one of our best in the past year because we all sat together and conversed.   Scotty walked in and spoke to the cigar customers on the other side of the room; and Russ left very early because he had a show to prepare for.  Sarah appears to be an interested party; and she is very accommodating to our needs.  She may be are only hope for some sort of success in keeping the club alive
Just think of Jules.  He lives quite a distance away.  I searched for his telephone number, and left messages on his answering machine.  I don't think he even bothers to review them.  Several of us must have come into the store during the past two cancelled meeting dates.  It's a shame that we are obviously second class citizens because we are only pipe smokers.  I purchased three pipes from the store this year.  However, I found two expensive one's on the web, and not the shelf, and the third was an Eric Nording which I just lost $45 on by placing it in an auction.  Nobody at the store can give me an immediate price toward a trade.  I got $10 for the $15.25 tobacco tin, the $55 pipe, and signed sleeve.   A grave mistake.  There was nothing wrong with this recently purchased and slightly used pipe.  I chalk it up to experience - it appears that everything is about money.  That's why cigars overrule pipes at the store.  Most of the store's pipe and tobacco customers are out-of-state; and the store is afraid of pipes being handled before shipment.  That's one reason why you don't see them on a shelf.  Inventory readiness is another reason.  It also takes a store representative to walk away from the register to show you a pipe.  Not all of us have computers.  I have more than enough pipes, but I always like to look at and handle new one's.  I just tell it like it is.  Forget about political correctness.   Something has to be done to keep the club cohesive and lively.  If the club disbanded, we would not be like old soldiers. 

[cramerjd]

Anyone going to try to make it out tonight?  With or without Russ being there?

[Themayor]

I think the best thing we can do is wait to hear from Scott or Ginger about when or if the Pipe Club will resume. If we don't hear and the sUMMER GOES BY -MAYBE WE CAN PLAN ON AN impromptu meeting. Our problem is communication since few use this forum format. 

Themayor                     

[maestro]

Alcalde: I agree. I miss getting together each month but I guess It is what it is.  To tell the truth, I'm more than a little disappointed that noone from Habana has seen fit to give us an update on the health of our good friend Russ. El Maestro

[Themayor]

I recently learned from Chip that a few members got together on Wednesday night and Russ was there. Again -a matter of communications-I guess I will go in July -but the first Wednesday is the 4th ( Holiday) . It would be nice if they would post a notice or send an e-mail when and if there is a meeting.

Themayor