Davis & Son Tobacconists

cspen

3 months ago

★★★★★

Bought my Ben Wade here in 1971 (UNCW freshman) at their counter in a drug store. Great folks still. Where did the world go?

Ross Twiddy

10 months ago

★★★★★

An exceptional tobacco experience. Mr Davis was genuinely kind and extremely knowledgeable. Huge selection of Padrons! Awesome chewing tobacco selection too. Really really fun experience. Gem of a place.

Stephen Jackson

6 months ago

★★★★★

I just went into this store to purchase a cane for myself and a cigar for my dad after breaking my back. The people working the store were beyond helpful and nice. I had a great experience and the store just felt homey. They now how have a customer for life.

Brendan Moran

6 months ago

★

After a 17 year furlough from the hobby, I was excited to get back into pipe smoking. Seeing the wonderful reviews for this business, seeing their impressive pipe stock on their website, and upon the recommendation of a few friends, I felt confident making my purchase here. I was a bit indecisive about what pipe to buy, and the owner, Tim, brought me a Rossi 8622 Sitting from the back. I was a little curious as to why he didn't grab the one off the wall behind the counter, but I shrugged it off. I thought this seemed like a good starting point, and brought it home with me. Upon arriving home and making a closer inspection, I was vexed to find that loose soot was coming out of the bowl onto my finger, and the bowl smelled clearly of aromatic tobacco. I did some research to make sure this wasn't a trait of new Rossi pipes, and finding that it wasn't, I decided to bring it back to the store. I greeted Tim and politely shared my observation that the pipe was producing soot and smelled of tobacco. I made no accusations. I simply asked why this would be, maybe some mistake was made, and how could we make it right? He instantly became extremely heated and tried to tell me, in a quite loud tone, that this is the way pipes come from Rossi, and how dare I accuse him of selling me a used pipe. At this point, the interaction became much less friendly, as I insisted that this could not possibly be the condition of a new pipe, and I am just looking for a solution. I asked if he would accept a return, and he also refused. Now I had to threaten to contact Savinelli customer service and Amex to dispute the charge, at which point he slapped the same model pipe, the one from the wall behind the counter, into my hand, and said, "There, just to make you happy," with no shortage of bitterness and sarcasm. Sure enough, no soot coming off on my finger, no strong tobacco smell. So, apparently, they don't come from the factory sooty and aromatic. I would have liked to bury the hatchet and keep the bridge unburnt, but Tim continued to be extremely rude, insisting that I know nothing, the pipe was not used, and that he has 30 years of experience and can't be questioned. I tried to get a word in edgewise, offering an olive branch, to say, "maybe it was a mistake, just a mixup," but he was very angry and offensive, and insisted, "no, I took this directly out of the box from Rossi, you don't know what you're talking about." I had no choice but to use some very strong language on my way out. This man cannot be reasoned with; insufferably arrogant. It's probably also worth noting that he was charging $99 for this pipe, while it can be readily found online for around $70-80. I am sorry to say that I will absolutely not be doing business here again. EDIT IN RESPONSE TO OWNER: 1) Why would I request an even exchange for the exact same make and model of pipe, "just for the sake of it?" That is nonsense. The actually-new pipe you begrudgingly offered was in fact on the board, contrary to your claim that you did not have one on the board, and it did not smell of burnt tobacco nor did it produce ash and soot on my finger. So, is that normal, or not? You are contradicting yourself on multiple points. 2) I was not taking pictures of your merchandise. I was comparing models and prices online to make sure I was making a good choice for myself. You also said you had not heard of the Peterson 999, the classic Rhodesian shape, one of Peterson's best-known. I looked it up online and showed it to you to see if you would recognize it as something you had in stock. That you bring this up as some kind of affront demonstrates the fragility of your ego. 3) In our first encounter, I did not question what you said in a malicious way, but out of genuine curiosity. Again, you prove easily offended. However, you did say that the Peterson System contains a "saliva" reservoir. Out of respect, I let that slide without a word. Despite your aversion to people researching things, I would encourage everyone to do their own research on what the reservoir is actually for.

John Griffith

a year ago

★★

What an awesome shop. Great selection. Laurie and Tim are outstanding hosts and so much more friendlier than the shop I previously went to (Brookelynne). A family business that treated me like family. Looking forward to my second visit. Highly recommend. **Update: After a few inquiries, I find that the owner is a bit hard headed and doesn't take kindly to, at least me, offering suggestion and requesting other brand cigars being offered in the shop. Business has been taken back to online wear I rarely feel like I am an imposition..