Cigamate Eco-Friendly Portable Outdoor Standing Ashtrays

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Humidor

2009-10-06T22:23:00.006-04:00

Last week, I hung out with a friend of mine on Long Island, smoking cigars and catching up on things. Since we smoked the last of my Arturo Fuentes, I decided to buy a few more stogies on my way home. I stopped at a nearby BP gas station with a 24-hour walk-in cigar humidor. Waiting to pay at the counter, I asked myself, “Should I bring up Cigamate? I am really not a salesman.” With no other customers in sight, it was perfect timing for me to introduce myself and acquaint the manager with the Cigamate portable outdoor ashtray.

While my wallet was already open, I pulled out my Cigamate business card and casually handed it to the manager with my cash. I introduced myself and said, “I represent Cigamate, the uniquely designed portable outdoor standing ashtray. It’s becoming popular with the cigar smoking community because they are eco-friendly, have a compact design and they have bigger holes to deposit ashes and to accommodate larger cigar butts.

The manager’s interest piqued and the conversation kept going even as he assisted other customers. Since he was still listening, I continued, "...it's collapsible and has side handles...keep it at home, or take it to the park, beach, camping, tailgating...encourages smokers to throw their lit cigar and cigarette butts into outdoor smokeless ashtrays, not on the ground."

At this point, the manager was very interested and asked if I had a Cigamate I could show him. Now, I don’t typically drive around toting portable outdoor ashtrays, but that day I happened to have one with me to drop at a friend’s house. He saw the outdoor portable ashtray in action at a Father’s Day backyard barbecue and wanted one for his patio too.

I grabbed the Cigamate from my car and headed back into the store to give the manager a demonstration of how it operates and how simple and easy it is to collect cigar and cigarette ashes and waste. Just as I was finishing, another customer walked into the store and overheard me talking about the outdoor ash receptacle. Without any invitation, he jumped into the conversation, and what ensued was quite comical.

Customer: [As he pays for his items] "How much does that cost?"

Me: "It retails online at Cigamate.com for $39.99, but it you're interested I'll give it to you right now for $30.

Customer: "What's it made of? Will it burn or catch fire?"

Me: "Only use it outside." [I point to the words on the Cigamate’s base that says ‘For Outdoor Use Only’] "It’s safe, won’t crack and is weather resistant. It has been fire tested, meeting American Society for Testing and Materials D (ASTM D) requirements."

Customer: "I have an old one at home and I wanted to buy a new one. The outdoor standing ashtrays out there are all so expensive, like $50-60 dollars each. And, those aren’t even portable like this one."

Me: "Absolutely. These outdoor ash receptacles typically cost about $20 less than competitors, and we offer free U.S. shipping."

Customer: [He thinks momentarily] "Yeah, I'll take it!"

Me: "Great, thank you." [I hand him the Cigamate, he gives me the money and walks out of the store]

Me to Manager: "I swear that was not set up, I have never seen that guy before in my life! That was just really good timing!"

Manager: [Chuckling] "Don't worry, I know that guy. He comes in here a lot."

Me: "Oh okay, good, because that looked like it could have been a well thought out scam -- like the things you see on TV."

The manager said he would speak to his partner about selling the Cigamate at their cigar shop. I shook his hand and told him I looked forward to speaking to him again. As I picked up my newly purchased cigars, I thanked the kind gentleman for his time and walked out of the store. I started my engine, laughing to myself about the precision timing of that customer. Then I realized, before I could go home and enjoy any of these cigars, I had to go to the warehouse and pick up another Cigamate portable outdoor smokeless receptacle for my pal.

Cigamate Donates Outdoor Ashtrays to Cali Herf Cigar Party

2009-07-14T15:25:00.006-04:00

Cigamate, the portable outdoor standing ashtray, was a sponsor of Doc's 3rd annual Central Coast Herf / 2nd Annual Modesto Herf. Cigamate donated two revolutionary compact outdoor ashtrays, which were used by guests and raffled off at the two-day cigar party. This year the Central Coast Herf joined their friends in Modesto, Calif., to throw the ultimate celebration herf at Doc’s Rancho on June 27 and 28, 2009.

“First, thanks for your generous contributions to my 3rd Central Coast Herf. What a success! We had 25 people from all over the state of California and as far as New Jersey and Panama! The guys who made this herf are core-level cigar enthusiasts and have a tremendous ability to promote products in their respective spheres of influence.”

– "Doc" David Diaz, StogieFresh.com; Central Coast Herf
(top photo, left - @Doc_StogieFresh on Twitter)

“I just wanted to write you a quick note to express my thanks for your support of Doc’s 3rd Annual Central Coast Herf / 2nd Annual Modesto Herf. Our event was a great success, and your generous support was a crucial part of this success, and I cannot thank you enough. The Cigamates were used by everyone in attendance, and we were all very impressed by how well they worked and how convenient they were to use!”

– Bill Berris, Modesto Herf

(top photo, right)

See more Doc's 3rd annual Central Coast Herf photos here

Cigamate portable outdoor ash receptacles can be purchased at Cigamate.com. If you're intested in wholesale or dropshipping sales, visit Cigamate.com/wholesale, e-mail info@IXImport.com, or call 516.804.8700.

Cigamate Featured on Radio Show's Great New Camping Gear Segment

2009-05-20T08:00:00.024-04:00

Listen To Radio Segment Here (MP3 Audio, 784KB)
3 minutes 20 seconds

Cigamate portable outdoor ashtray was featured on Internet radio show “Opening Your Intuitive Eyes” on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, on Achieve Radio (AR) -- an Internet radio station that receives more than one million world-wide hits per month. The online show, hosted by Sherri Lee Devereau, kicked off the camping season by featuring great places for families to camp and the best new camping gifts and camping gear.

Prior to the show, Sherri was mailed a Cigamate portable outdoor standing ashtray to review and try out. In an e-mail to Cigamate, she wrote that she thought the cigar and cigarette butt receptacles “are great” and that she was “excited to talk about them with high recommendations on the show.” Another was sent to Sherri for auction to raise money to purchase Automated External Defibrillators (AED) for volunteer fire departments across the country. AEDs are timely, life-saving electronic devices.

On the show, Sherri began by reminding the audience how often we hear that a careless cigarette butt was the cause of a forest fire. "It always saddened me that so much land was burned...and wildlife, furry critters lost their lives in fires," she said. "Here is a great fix for that while you're out in the woods camping or even in your own yard. I really really like this thing. It's unique. It's easy to carry. I love it, so check it out."

The host continued, telling listeners "Cigamate is a new revolutionary, eco-friendly, compact outdoor ashtray that keeps the environment clean of smokers' litter. Cigamate portable outdoor ashtrays effectively keep outdoor smoking areas clean, keep unsightly cigarette or cigar waste hidden from view, eliminates annoying odors and prevents irritating ashes from blowing around."

Keep Cigamate outdoor smokess ashtrays in your backyard, on your patio, deck or porch; and thanks to its portable compact design and side handles, you can also take the standing ashtray with you to outdoor events, parties, barbeques, and other activities. Cigamate portable outdoor ash receptacle even has a textured table top for drinks, and two grooves to rest cigars or cigarettes on. With Father's Day coming up, this is an excellent gift for under $40 for cigar or cigarette smoking dads. So versatile, fathers can use it at home and bring it along with them when they go camping, fishing, tailgating, boating, hunting, or the beach!

The Cigamate outdoor receptacle sells for a low price of $39.99 each and is available in two decorative colors, Cigar Brown (left) and Adobe Beige (above right animation). Also receive FREE U.S. shipping. Cigamate is fire tested and is for outdoor use only. For more information and to make a retail purchase, visit Cigamate.com or call 516.882.3110.

If you are interested in wholesale and dropship orders, e-mail info@IXImport.com, call 516.804.8700 or click here.

Cigamate Outdoor Ashtray Receptacle & Creator Featured in Long Island Business News

2009-04-15T20:30:00.004-04:00

Cigamate’s creator Allan Bergfeld, president of IXImport, is featured in the April 10, 2009 edition of Long Island Business News. The story, written by Ambrose Clancy, titled, “Startups ignore the odds, gamble in bad economy,” highlights nine of the most confident and optimistic Long Islanders who’ve started businesses in a tough economy. Cigamate, the compact portable outdoor standing ashtray that collects cigar and cigarette waste, was launched two months ago.

Allan, who conceived and developed the revolutionary eco-friendly outdoor smokeless ashtray, said, “Instead of betting on someone else, I’m looking to put all the chips on me,” when asked why he took a risk during a bad economy. Also discussed; the product concept, marketing, and Allan’s pre-launch concerns.

The LIBN reporter reminds readers that companies such as Microsoft and FedEx (formerly Federal Express) were startups during the 1981-82 recession. He asks experts what they predict during the worst economic conditions since the 1930s. Their perspective is that it all, “depends on the business,” but they recommend that small business start ups should have enough to fund themselves for at least one year.

Allan is extremely positive he has a terrific niche product and is already receiveing great testimonials from Cigamate outdoor cigar and cigarette receptacle customers. Many retail stores are jumping at the opportunity to open wholesale or drop ship accounts with the company, and many more have expressed great interest.

Retail sales have also been impressive via the retail website Cigamate.com, as well as through other online outlet stores where the product is sold. Cigamate outdoor ashtray retails for a low $39.99 and is shipped to U.S. customers for FREE! That's about twenty dollars cheaper than competing brands, and many competitors don’t even offer free shipping.

After two months of retail selling, the Cigar Brown colored model was an early favorite, but after a fast and furious run of sales in late March and early April, the Adobe Beige style is now leading the race as the more popular selling color of the two available portable outdoor ashtrays.

You can weigh in and comment below to tell us what Cigamate color you enjoy best.

Cigamate Outdoor Cigar & Cigarette Ashtrays: Wholesale & Dropship Sales

2009-03-06T17:00:00.000-05:00

CIGAMATE Portable Outdoor Ashtray – a new wholesale/drop ship eco-friendly outdoor living product that has some really cool features unlike any other outdoor standing ashtray! Look at the animated image to your right to see it in action. Cigamate portable outdoor ash receptacles are available in two stylish colors, Adobe Beige and Cigar Brown.

->Fill Out Wholesale/DropShip Contact Form<-

Cigamate portable, decorative outdoor ashtrays keep smoking areas clean from unsightly cigar and cigarette litter. It effectively hides ashes from view, eliminate annoying odors, and prevents irritating ash from blowing into faces. Aren't people tired of bending over to have to pick up cigar or cigarette butts off their lawns? How about when cleaning up smokers' waste after your party or barbeque? Cigamate is the answer! Cigamate decorative outdoor smokless ashtrays, which are for outdoor use only, are simple and safe to use and is easy-to-clean and maintain.

Wholesale and Dropshipping
Cigamate outdoor standing ashtrays can be purchased at unbeatable wholesale drop ship prices. As a customer, you receive an exclusive low whole selling price that is offered only by Cigamate. Cigamate is a trusted drop shipping specialist. Let us drop ship your Cigamate portable outdoor cigar and cigarette receptacle inventory directly to your customer base, ensuring that repeat customers continue doing business with your store. Drop ship cost includes shipping. Container sales are available.

Clients have the opportunity to customize their order with pewter company or brand logo designs. Each Cigamate portable outdoor smokers' pole is professionally packaged in recycled cardboard containers, assembled and ready for immediate use.

If you're interested wholeselling Cigamate or becoming a drop shipping customer, please complete this contact form and a Cigamate wholesale department representative will contact you within 24 to 48 hours.

If you have questions about the Cigamate portable outdoor smokless ashtray or need assistance, please call 516.882.3110 or e-mail info@Cigamate.com.