"Can I Help You?"

Yesterday I took a little trip to my local "brick and mortar" cigar shop. I had to pick up a few humida-bags to ship some cigars in to a few friends. I also wanted to talk to one of the shop's owners about possibly hosting a CRA event as both him and I are CRA amabassadors for Minnesota.
Now, let me preface this story with the fact that I wouldn't call myself a "regualar" customer of this particular shop, but I am there at least a couple times a month, and had just spent $150 on cigars and travel humidor last week.
I decided to light up a cigar on my way over to the shop, as I only have an hour for lunch, and I didn't want to waste any time tucking into this cigar. I drove over to the shop, and walked in, took off my coat and grabbed a couple of humida-bags to get ready for purchase. About that time, the other owner of the shop came over to me and greeted my with the customary "Can I help you?" This wasn't the warm, fuzzy, I am really glad you are here, how "Can I help you." Instead this was the cold, annoyed, who the heck to you think you are coming into my shop, kind of "Can I help you." I was slightly taken aback, as I had been there before, yet he was treating me like I was some sort of outsider. I politely told him that I didn't need any help, that I was here to just pick up these humida-bags, and finsh my cigar (which I had bought at the shop the week before). His next response sounds reasonable on paper, yet the way he came across would make a grown man blush. This shop's owner cocked his head, looked at me from head to toe, and said "Well, we appreciate it if you would buy a cigar."
I was blown away! I would understand if I was just some kid off the street, who walked into his shop smoking a swisher sweet, then yes, that comment would be warrneted. But, the fact that I was already going to spend money, AND I spent $150 with him the week before, AND I was smoking a cigar I had bought in HIS shop already, made my blood curdle! My timid response didn't express the steam coming out of my ears, as I responded with a simple, "Of course."
As I sat in the lounge, reflecting on what had just happened, I some how gathered up the courage to talk to this man again.
I went over and tried to strike up a conversation about the CRA and possibility of hosting an event. This attempt was futile and foolish as I was treated rudely once again. He was surfing the internet on his phone, not even once looking at me as I was talking. I told him my idea, and he compleatly shot it down. I wasn't asking for money, I was asking for a place to host the event. He just wasn't interested in me, and had already written me off.

I am a big supporter of the Brick and Mortar movement. I do believe that it is becoming harder and harder for these shops to compete with the online stores. These shops are having to put lounges in and other amenities to attract a buisness clientele, when laws are getting harder and stricter. I feel for the local shops as they were delt a bad hand, and are forced to make the best of it. But, that doesn't mean writing off people who walk in their shops. Even if I was a kid, smoking some swisher sweet, I believe the proper thing to do would be to nurcher this kid's interest in cigars, and enlighten him in the ways of premiums. If a shop is open to the public, the owners and employees need to be open and warm to all customers that walk in their doors. Unless someone is obviously abuseing the privalege of smoking in their shop, why be rude?
Who knows, maybe this guy was just having a bad day. But in the customer service industry, you need to hang it up at the door!

The cigar industry lives in delicate balance with the world, local shops don't need anymore enemies than they already have. As for me, I will be frequenting a different shop from now on.