Pipes and Cigars bought by Cigars International

[Commander Quan]

http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/pipe-news/pipesandcigarscom-acquired-by-cigars-international/

It's unfortunate that some people lost their jobs in the deal, and that another local business is closing.

However, CI has always always provided stellar customer service, and this will give the NY guys another source since the taxes previously made P&C cost prohibitive, so for pipers it may offer a slight advantage. Hopefully they will maintain and expand the hardware and software offerings.

As a small business owner, I can't blame Scotty for taking the big payday after working his butt off for years and years to grow a small business into a valuable brand.

 

[73mountaineer]

I guess I have mixed feelings on this. I liked buying from a smaller company and supporting them, but I have also always received consistently great service from CI.

 

[zatopus]

Glad to see Russ is still onboard. It's unfortunate that the rest of the staff wasn't as lucky though. Hoping this is going to be a good move for us consumers.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I'm sort of liking the part about them not being based in NY anymore, it makes it feasible to order actual bacci from them... That being said, I placed an online order for like pipe cleaners and a couple other small things last Friday morning... my order is still "pending" in the account manager online. I'm sure this is fallout of the migration, but hopefully they get that part fixed, since I was expecting my stuff to be here by Thursday this week, which is unlikely at this point.

 

[zatopus]

I'm sort of liking the part about them not being based in NY anymore, it makes it feasible to order actual bacci from them... That being said, I placed an online order for like pipe cleaners and a couple other small things last Friday morning... my order is still "pending" in the account manager online. I'm sure this is fallout of the migration, but hopefully they get that part fixed, since I was expecting my stuff to be here by Thursday this week, which is unlikely at this point.

Yeah I made an order last night with them....

 

[Shave_Rat]

Yeah I made an order last night with them....

I just emailed them to ask about an update on the status of my order, I'll post here if I get any reply of interest.

 

[zatopus]

I just emailed them to ask about an update on the status of my order, I'll post here if I get any reply of interest.

Awesome. Thanks brother.

 

[michiganlover]

I just emailed them to ask about an update on the status of my order, I'll post here if I get any reply of interest.

Keep us updated.

I plan to order May 1st (May special: buy 2 Dunhill tins, get 1 free), and would like to be assured that my order arrives in a timely fashion, like it has in the past.

 

[cb91710]

That sucks.
I mean, if it was a "do it or go out of business" issue, then I understand, but I really enjoyed conversing with their staff in my email exchanges when an order required it (item unexpectedly out of stock, offering an alternative for a backorder, etc...).
I always enjoyed keeping a light hearted tone with them and they seemed to appreciate it.

I hope that attitude continues.

 

[oc_in_fw]

That sucks.
I mean, if it was a "do it or go out of business" issue, then I understand, but I really enjoyed conversing with their staff in my email exchanges when an order required it (item unexpectedly out of stock, offering an alternative for a backorder, etc...).
I always enjoyed keeping a light hearted tone with them and they seemed to appreciate it.

I hope that attitude continues.

Me too.

 

[Kentos]

Wow. They are one of my Fav vendors. Hope things stay the same vs. the big corporation mucking everything up.

anyone know what it sold for?

 

[Shave_Rat]

I heard back promptly enough on my inquiry, I'm guessing that packing/shipping was a bit delayed due to the re-organization from the move, but my order shipped last night, so pretty decent odds it will still be here on the weekend.

 

[zatopus]

very good to hear.

thanks for the update.

 

[Shave_Rat]

According to the tracking, my order should arrive today, even. Well before the weekend.

 

[the_edski]

I have yet to order from pipesandcigars. Done all my 'baccy related shopping in person or on 4noggins. But glad to see that a favorite site of BL'ers is none the worse for wear (so far) after the buyout.

 

[Price]

Before I was introduced to the pipe by one of you enabling so-and-so's, I used to order cigars from CI. A lot. Never had a problem with them, and I'm sure once the kinks are ironed out this will be a good thing. Besides...

"As a result of the acquisition, Russ’ responsibilities will be expanded and additional resources will be made available for increased product development" sounds like a win-win.

 

[Jwolf24601]

Hope they continue to have great pipe and pipe tobacco selection. Was nice being able to order everything i wanted from one place.

 

[Commander Quan]

I recently got to ask Russ about the changes and this was what he said

As far as what I'm allowed to say about our situation, it's pretty simple- ownership aside, Pipes and Cigars.com is its own entity, with its own staff (except for order fulfillment, which handles all of the customer shipments). If I had any concerns about the customer experience that our loyal followers have come to know, I wouldn't have stayed with the company. If anything, our increased resources will allow us to do more for you, keep prices down (and even lower, in some cases), get orders out quicker and maintain higher inventory levels to reduce out of stock situations (unlike what we're experiencing right now, due to settling in after the move).
Additionally, I'll have a lot more to work with to expand the Hearth & Home line. The next year will give you some examples of what we can do with the greater access we'll have to tobaccos.
Thanks for everybody's patience.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I recently got to ask Russ about the changes and this was what he said

Sounds like he's really stoked and positive. Always a good sign. With them staying their own entity, and him still running that "division" of CI (for lack of a better term), I'd fully expect things to be as great as he's planning.

Like I said, I'm extra happy about the situation, since it opens me up to be able to order tobacco from them now, instead of just hardware.

 

[michiganlover]

I'd fully expect things to be as great as he's planning.

They already have some new interesting offerings becoming available this month:

Brigham Legend Series Pipe Tobacco

The Smoker Pipe Tobacco