Havana Phil's Cigar Company — Local services in Greensboro

It took me over a year to decide to write this review. In the time since my last visit to Havana Phil's, I have had the opportunity to experience and appreciate a truly great cigar store. That experience has only strengthened my belief that Phil has truly missed in his attempt at a welcoming and appreciative business. As a customer, with whatever knowledge you may have of cigars, you want to be treated with respect and consideration. Phil does not possess the ability for these two such things. My final visit at Phil's was laced with contempt and being belittled for my knowledge and questions. You would have thought a customer who had done hundreds of dollars worth of business with him would be valued rather than treated as if he was stupid. Phil is a blowhard. He is arrogant, disrespectful and blinded by his pursuit of exclusivity. If he spent the same amount of energy on customer service as he did on being a pompous ass, his business would thrive in ways he could only dream of. It's true, Phil has a fantastic selection. However, he looks down his nose at the customers who prefer something different than what he feels are the "elite" brands. Phil would be better off putting automated bill acceptors on his humidor and being absent, than being there himself driving people away. I have had very few experiences where I have left a store saying to myself, "I wouldn't set foot back in there if he had the last store on earth". The polar opposite to Havana Phil's is the Pipe and Pint on Spring Garden St. in Greensboro. Just a few miles from Phil, you will find the shop with the two smiling faces of Pete and Larry. Their levels of respect and appreciation are some I have very seldom seen in retail. Where Phil failed miserably at educating his customers, Pete and Larry jump at the chance to help their customers be satisfied with their selection. If nothing else shows the disparity between these two establishments, the fact I visited Havana Phil's 4 or 5 times and the Pipe and Pint almost 100 should be proof enough. While I can't tell you where to go, I can simply say this: in the mood for being belittled and treated like a nobody? Go to Havana Phil's. Prefer a welcoming environment where you feel comfortable and appreciated? Go to the Pipe and Pint and see Pete and Larry. No matter what your level of knowledge is, Pete and Larry will reward your business with friendly conversation and the desire to want to return again. Don't make the same mistake I did. Avoid Havana Phil's as it wreaks with arrogance and exclusivity. Go to the Pipe and Pint and be treated as a...

I had been looking for a particular, sough-after cigar made by Davidoff. I know Havana Phil’s generally has a strong selection of Davidoff cigars. But, they’re located over 90 minutes from me. On 12/26/21, I called the store before they opened, and asked the person who answered the phone if they had the cigar I was looking for. He took a moment, then came back and said they had 5 in stock. As I was saying thank you, the man hung up on me. I decided to get ready and make the 70-mile drive anyway. Almost 2 hours later, I arrive at Havana Phil’s to find that they did not have the cigars I had just inquired about in their humidor. I asked the man behind the front counter if they had the cigars, thinking maybe they kept them elsewhere. I recognized his voice from the phone, and he recognized me as the person who had just called. His name is Kent. He told me their computer system counted 5 of the cigars in stock, but they had recently had a Davidoff event, and they “must have all been sold”. I explained to him that I called before they opened, all he had to do was get up and walk 10 feet into the humidor and look for the cigars for me. But he decided to be lazy and look at the computer he had beside him instead. I made it clear that I had just driven 70 miles in one direction to buy a cigar he said they had. He should have called me back or something! He acted passive, like it wasn’t his problem, and he never once said sorry or apologized in any way. He wasted my time, gas, and effort, and he didn’t care at all. But the other folks who work there are never that polite either, they’re very condescending and act like they’re higher-class than everyone they don’t recognize as a regular. So I don’t know why I was so surprised by Kent’s absurd behavior. I always like stopping by Havana Phil’s when I’m in the area. But I won’t be going back, and I’ll be sure to tell all of my cigar-smoking friends about my negative experience...

Once you mature…you stop chasing “things”and start chasing “feelings”. With wisdom comes understanding of oneself through deep introspection and you learn how you generally want to feel. Your actions will start to align with this pursuit. Havana Phil’s has many “things” (cigars)….a good portion of which can be found many places. However, the ambiance…the atmosphere…the milieu…the “feeling” you feel that manifests itself while sitting on the breezy patio with a full bodied stick is something distinctive. The Spanish Jazz plays lightly in the background but just heavy enough to provoke a rhythmic foot tap amongst 93% of its patrons. I counted… The imported palm trees sway in the winds as the earth blows away the rich tobacco clouds of smoke you create. The gas lanterns burn while perched atop the brick wall fortress that separates and protects you from the wicked world outside. It’s a transformative experience. I mean…what more do you want front a tobacconist? It’s the great escape and I suggest it for any cigar lover who knows their worth. I hope this review graces the eyes of someone looking to catch that “feeling”. Follow along as I continue to travel the states and review damn near everything that inspires me. @realreviewseverything coming to TikTok soon. For now…a thumbs up will do.

-ReaL

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