Do You Tip your Budtender?
Dispensaries are quickly becoming go to spots for users and here in Los Angeles they are popping up everywhere. From cool lounges that play live music and serve snacks and coffee to to your friendly pot shop up the street. Chances are after you’ve tried a few you’ve found a specific place to call your own. When talking to other users and someone mentions the same dispensary I use, my reaction is always “yeah that’s my spot”. It has now become the local “Joint”.
I visit “my spot” roughly once a month to refill my needs and always waiting for me with a big smile is Chad my regular Herb(Bud)-tender . Chad’s who’s probably in his early thirties has now been working at the dispensary for a couple of years and is really one of the best budtender guru’s i’ve come across. He’s always making suggestions on new strains for me to try. Chad knows I only smoke high grade Sativa’s and he always provides me a customized experience when reviewing products. He knows what type of Mary Jane i like and doesn’t waste my time with items i would most likely not be interested in. I give Chad good tips every time i make a purchase. Usually a minimum of $5. In return, i not only get great customer service but lots of extra goodie favors that i might not have tried otherwise. Open cig style papers that you pack tight they look just like a cig and smoke better then any cone’s or pre-roll papers i’ve ever had. Not sure if i would’ve tried this method had it not been for my awesome Herb(Bud)-tender Chad. The great service doesn’t stop there. Just last week i was given exclusive access to a new strain they just received and was given a solid free sample to try before i buy on my next visit. “I’ll set some aside for your next visit”, Chad said as i was on my out. I love that. The next visit ended up coming much sooner then I thought as I was back a week later purchasing Cherry Blossom (a Sativa dominated Hybrid) as my new favorite strain. (review coming)
I asked Chad about tips and regular customers and this was his reply:
”I generally have the same demeanor with all of our customers. Some people are not as friendly as they've maybe had a tough day, or are really in need of medicine to help them deal with stress, or some kind of chronic pain, so i try not to over do it on my chattiness with them. I always remember that we're providing something that people put into their bodies. I can tell when some customers just want to get their medicine and get on with their day or evening. Then you have the normal regulars that come in and seem to feel like this is their own spot. They feel extremely comfortable here and have made us their main choice for supplying their medicine. Usually these people (points at me) are our best customers and we try to go out of our way to give a little extra. Sort of a VIP type of treatment. Either they're tipping, or giving us a great feedback on our products and we like to show that we appreciate that.
So keep that in mind the next you visit your local Joint that you like to call your own. Your “Budtender” is your buddy and will usually take even better care of you then you do them. I appreciate the insights, access and freebies Chad does for me. I’ll take the VIP treatment any day over just getting my medicine and getting on my way. Establishing a relationship with Chad has been one of the most beneficial and positive experiences with my go-to Joint and it keeps me coming back. Let us know your experiences with your Herb (Bud)-tender.
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