The last year and a half has been full of changes here at Pipes and Cigars.com. First, we had to physically move all our inventory and equipment to our new location, which was quite a task. Shortly thereafter, we realized that we wouldn’t be able to expand things the way we needed to with the web-hosting company we were using. It took about six months, start to finish, to build a new site on our own server, but (not without a few hiccups here and there) we got it up and running. Just recently, we launched the mobile version of our website, which affords a much better experience for shoppers using a smartphone or tablet.
A couple of things that never change: our customers offer us their input regarding what they feel can improve our site, and, we listen. We’re constantly on the lookout for products that you want, and if they’re not out there, we create them ourselves. We also continue to make shopping easier for you. Sometimes, what makes sense on paper doesn’t translate very well to the real world. One area was the look of our pipe pages. Our IT staff has come up with a number of ways to improve it, and they’re working right now on how to make it happen. Part of their direction comes from customer comments. I was just shown the concept of how the pages will look when the project is complete, and it will be great-looking and much easier to use.
We’re also going to refine and clean up the characteristics for pipes and pipe tobaccos, which will make searches a whole lot easier. I’ll be spending weeks looking at the copy for all the items on our site, and when I find descriptions that seem inaccurate or incomplete, I’ll rewrite them. When you consider that we’re looking at over 10,000 individual items, that’s a pretty daunting task, but it needs to be done.
The point I’m trying to make is that nothing is so good that it can’t be improved, and that the more feedback we get from a larger group of people, the better our chances of getting it right. Don’t hesitate to email me your thoughts and suggestions at russo@pipesandcigars.com, and keep looking at the site as we continue to make improvements.
About Russ
Russ, I’d be grateful if when you click the BACK button in the browser you’ll be taken back to the portion of the page you were last at. E.g., say you click on a tobacco to read about its particulars, but when you go back to the prior page you’re at the top of that page rather than half-way down it or wherever you were. I’m expressing this badly, so hope you know what I mean. Thanks!
Bruce, that’s a good thought. I’m not the right guy to fix that, but I’ll pass your idea along to our folks in IT. I’m sure that they know how to make that happen.
Russ
Russ – I recently found out (the hard way) that the pipe in the pictures is not necessarily the pipe a customer will receive. As a pipe smoker, I’m sure you understand that every pipe is an individual. Even mass produced rusticated pipes have variations, and grain varies considerably from pipe to pipe in the same line. Not to mention the individuality of a Butz-Choquin Brumaire stem or bowl. 🙂 It would be very helpful if the photos were of the actual pipe – I’ve become a bit gun-shy because of the experience. At minimum on pipes where the photo is not of the in-stock pipe, a notice should be put on the page that the pipe may vary from the photo. I know this means more work, but it would cut down on the return rate, and really help your customer satisfaction.
BTW – I just got to try your Blackhouse blend – AWESOME! It’s one of the best blends I’ve ever tried. Keep up the good work, and thanks!
Thanks for the feedback. I’ll suggest that we put a notice on the pages for pipes where the picture is a representation. I’m sure you realize that the reason for doing this is to save cost. We do this on mass-manufactured pipes only. We have a full-time photographer who does little else than to take pictures of pipes, and we’d have to add a second person if we did each pipe individually, which would affect our selling prices, and we want to keep our prices as low as possible. We really appreciate your letting us know your thoughts.
Russ
Russ, Love the site however I love Hearth & Home Tobaccos and the one problem I have at times is to remember what part of the list I am looking for. So an idea i have is when you pick Hearth & Home as the type your looking for have it bring up all the lines Then they can be Sub categorized for the type. Landmark, Marquee, Signature and Vintage could be all in one spot or the person can use a drop down to only pick one type to be shown. I always forget what one i have already looked at and when i go back always play the guessing game on what list the Tobacco I am looking for is in. Just an Idea.
James
Thanks for the feedback James, and your idea makes sense. Since that is more in the realm of IT, I’ll pass your thoughts along and let the technical wizards figure out if it’s feasible.
Russ