How in the world does this guy pay rent? Gruff and rude, with a remarkably limited inventory- it's a mystery how a place like this survives. I wonder why he keeps showing up. Maybe he quietly relish's satisfaction in contributing to the overall cancer rate or something. He is certianly not a fan of his customers. read more

I went into this shop today with my girlfriend (she went in a minute before I did as I was on the phone and didn't want to be rude. Ha!) When I entered the store the guy working there immediately became suspicious and quickly walked toward the entrance of the store and squinted at me. My girlfriend was near the rear of the store and I walked over to where she was. The guy again quickly followed me to where both my gf and I were standing. I looked at him sort grinned a little, like...ummm yes? He offered no greeting and didn't smile once. My gf went over to the jars of pipe tobacco near the front and I stayed at the back of the store looking at zippos, as I wanted a new one. She picked up one of the jars and took off the top to smell the tobacco. He quickly said "no no no, you cannot" and she said "well how am I gonna know if I want to buy the tobacco if I can't smell it?" He said something to the effect of "I can't have everyone picking up and smelling the tobaccos". I laughed and my gf said "fine, we'll go spend our money somewhere else." I told him that was a shitty way to treat customers and told him that we would be sure to let other people know how incredibly rude he was. There you have it. That guy was a complete dick. read more

It's hard to say how much of the experience at this store is condescension and how much is rudeness, but they're both present. Fun fact: other stores like this exist, and unless you're banned from all of them, or can't afford a ride share to one of them (and back), they are worth checking out before spending your (presumably) hard-earned money here. read more

Owner refused to redeem winning ticket even though I was only going to use the winnings to purchase more tickets. He kept saying it is a looser and that checking would result in his computer being taken away. This ticket was successfully redeemed at a firendly store unlike this one. I will be reporting him to lottery commission. Don't even bother getting lottery tickets here. read more

Jack's Smoke Shop - Winning ticket refused by owner and redeemed successfully later....owner sucks - Tobacco Shops Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I was in there last week. I wanted to buy some pipe tobacco. I wasn't sure about the varieties by name and asked for permission to smell the jars of tobacco. To my astonishment, he said no! He said that the tobacco would be wrecked if he opened the jars. I said that I didn't understand what he meant, as the jars are opened all the time in order to scoop out the tobacco for sale. He still refused to allow me to smell the tobacco before buying (and was actually pretty rude about it). Why anyone would shop here when Leavitt & Peirce is a few short T stops away is a complete mystery. read more

So, I read all the reviews and decided to stay away from this place. However, I couldn't find any place more convenient (I can see it from my office window) and so I put on my armor and ventured in. I'm not sure where the scary ogre was that all you Yelpers were talking about but he wasn't in evidence when I went. I would even have to say that the gentleman who helped me was "delightful" (not very manly but what can I say). He was pleasant, helpful, a tad flirty and even a bit of a jokester. I'm not a cigar aficianado but he agreed with the recommendation I got from someone else and didn't even try to sway me. I will happily go back and recommend to my friends as well. read more

Jack's has a nice selection, including a lot of uncommon brands that one typically doesn't see in the local tobacco shops. Avo (the owner?) has always been friendly and is quick to make recommendations - I've found some really nice cigars by taking his advice. I agree some of the prices seem high; others are reasonable so it balances out (plus Jack's is only 10 minutes from my house, so convenience wins). If you're looking for a nice cigar in the Cambridge/Arlington area, I would definitely try Jack's. read more

I have been in and out of Jack's for several years. I have bought cigars, pipe tobacco and other sundries and have never had any complaints; nor have anyone who I have given them to as presents. The person running the shop is attentive, knowledgeable and helpful. I have never been steered wrong by his suggestions. read more

best selection around, very decent prices. Avo is a very nice guy, you just have be nice first, he warms up.....trust me although i could see him doing that with the $30 lighter, you can read him a mile away, he is cheap tough business these days, selling tobacco, in The Peoples Republic of Cambridge,you might as well be selling porn keep this guy in business read more

Stopped in to buy wick and flint for a vintage 40s lighter. The shop clerk was so rude and dismissive, he laughed in my face for it not being a zippo, and muttered 'dumb women' as I was leaving. Avoid! read more

The one thing this place does not offer is reasonable prices if anything they seem to have bumped up the prices. For example a Cain F cigar should not cost $10 a stick, especially when you can get 5 packs for $25, how ridiculous. I've been here more then once and I have to say it's never been the most pleasurable experience. The owner himself is pushy and at times rude. It's bad business to, bad mouth a Product promoter in front of the customers. Another thing that's troublesome is that he doesn't come well informed about the products he sells. Say if you were too go too a restaurant and waiter couldn't tell you anything about the food or what's in it, would you eat? I know I wouldn't. That's my approach with Jack's. So instead of popping in here save some money and find a decent, knowledgeable, place too go to. You'll thank yourself I'm assured. read more

The man who runs this shop is incredibly rude and demeaning. I had previously bought cigarettes from his shop, several months ago, and the first time he was very skeptical about my ID (I was 18 at the time, 19 now) and acted very cold, but it went smoothly enough. Now, a few days ago, a friend and I were walking around and I had run out of cigarette papers, so we went in. As we walked in the door, no one was around. We stood there awkwardly at the counter until the owner walked out of the back room with a scowl. "What do you want?" he snipped. "...uh I want to buy the zig-zag cigarette papers", I replied, already taken aback. "Show me your ID", he demanded. I handed it to him, no problem, I get carded occasionally. He looked at it, handed it back, and commanded me with a scowl "Outside. Twenty-one." like I was a dog. I asked what he said. He said "You're not old enough, twenty-one". I replied "oh...I thought it was 18?", with which he told me again to get out. I walked out the door, turned and said "I thought it was 18, you don't have to be an asshole about it". read more

I agree with Anthony M., but it's not his age. The jerk behind the counter is rude and arrogant. Although he has an impressive collection including hard to find Calrlos Torano Exodus 1959 and Alec Bradley Prensado, he has no clue how to treat customers or manage the humidor. Frequently the cigars are over humidified and take days to dry out. As far as customers are concerned, when he's not on the phone ignoring you, he couldn't care less about pleasing you. I bought a $30 lighter from him. When I bought it he said if there is any problem with it, bring it back. Yesterday I did, and the first thing he did was deny I bought it there. Even though I was livid, I politely persisted and he finally fessed up "Oh the blue one!". Then he said it was a cheap lighter and there's nothing he could do. That is the last time I'm going there. When his cousin was running it a few years ago, it was a completely different atmosphere. read more

I visited the shop this evening and it has a very hostile atmosphere. Maybe the man in charge was just having a bad day, but he was downright rude. I'm 25 years old so maybe my age had something to do with it, but oh man did this guy make me uncomfortable! Would definitely recommend finding a different shop to take your business based on that alone. read more

I enjoyed my visit. The older gentleman behind the counter was very helpful and the selection was excellent. The pricing was somewhere in the middle not discounted and not off the charts. I'd go back again. read more