88 / 258
Give the people who patronize you value received
for their money, and you will win out in the long
run. Establish a reputation for good goods, and
while your profits may not be so large on the go in,
yet you will eventually build up a steady, substantial
trade that will be worth having. Remember that
every time you sell a good cigar you are getting the
finest kind of an advertisement for your place, and
don't forget that the keeping of good cigars will
frequently bring you trade that you could get under
no other circumstances.
When you buy cigars, don't buy in large quanti
ties, because the wholesaler can keep a large quantity
in better condition tban you can. When a cigar
becomes dry it loses its flavor, and with its flavor
goes its value.
Have the proper kind of a case or humidor to keep
your stock in, and see that they are exhibited to ad
vantage. Cigars are easily kept in summer, the main
thing being not to have them too moist. Natural
heat produces moisture and that is what you will
have to guard against. It is in the winter that you
will need to watch your stock carefully. Artificial
heat is verv drying, and when cigars become too
dry they not only smoke badly, but the wrappers
are easily broken, and the stock becomes unsatis
factory, not only to look at but to smoke as well.
Modern and well-equipped cigar cases are fairly rea
sonable in price, and no man who sells cigars ought