Wanna help us build a snus army?

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  • Fredrik_Northerner
    Just me
    • Aug 2009
    • 126

    #1

    Wanna help us build a snus army?

    Are you one of the countless snusers living in the US, looking for a local store that carries Swedish snus? Perhaps you have been talking with the owner of your local tobacco shop and wish you could give their information to a company that would be able to get them the snus they need. Well, if this sounds like you then we have a deal for you!

    We (Northerner.com) are looking for snus users in the States, just like you, to help us find local stores that are willing carry a variety of Swedish snus brands. Not just General but, almost every brand we are able to offer to US customers on our website can be carried by local shops that are willing to carry it. What we need from you is simply the name of the shop, a person to contact and their phone number. After we verify the the contact you give us, we'll give you $10 USD worth of snus for each lead you give! If the shops place an order to carry Swedish snus, you get $50 USD hard cash! What better way to get snus for something you already do and, if the shop orders, make money as well!

    To participate, just send the leads to fsoder@northerner.com making sure you include you name, address and phone number along with the name of the shop, name of the person you spoke to and a phone number where they can be reached. Pretty simple really! There are some terms we need to tell you, so our legal council says, so please read below before participating:

    The Northerner US snus leads program; Terms of participation

    The Northerner US snus leads program (henceforth referred to as “The Program”) is a sales lead generation program that is designed to generate new and viable, Brick & Mortar retail contacts within the United States. Participants taking part of the program will submit new and unique contact information from shop owners in their vicinity that includes the name of the retail establishment, the name of the shop’s owner, manager or buyer and a valid phone number. Participants will need to speak with the contact to let them know that a representative of Northerner Scandinavia Inc. will be contacting them to discuss becoming an outlet. Once contact has been made by Northerner’s representative and the submitter confirmed by the shop’s representative, the lead will become viable and qualifies for the $10 snus payout. If the lead turns into a customer of The Northerner, the lead becomes a Database customer and qualifies for the $50 payout.

    Participants taking part in The Program understand that they are not employed by Northerner Scandinavia Inc. or any of it’s subsidiaries nor are they representatives of the same. Northerner Scandinavia Inc. accepts no responsibility as an employer for participants (Affiliates) in the program. Affiliates understand and accept that they are wholly responsible for any state and local taxes, fees or expenses while generating leads or for any payouts that are received.
  • lxskllr
    Member
    • Sep 2007
    • 13435

    #2
    What do you have to offer the store owner, in the way of hardware and literature? There's a place close to me that that deals primarily in cigars and pipes, but also has nasal snuff, and I even saw a tin of Ettan sitting on the counter once. I was in a hurry so I didn't inquire, but that was a little unusual.

    The point is, I don't have the money to buy tobacco right now, and I thought it would be a dick move to badger the store into carrying products I'm not gonna buy :^D If they got hooked up with a professional setup though, where other people would get interested it would be worth it. That lonely can of Ettan was almost invisible, and the only reason I saw it, was because I knew what it was. If they had some snus in a Northerner branded fridge, with some color fliers sitting next to it explaining the history of, and what snus is about would be better for general interest, and keeping freshness. Something like those first blue Camel display fridges would be good, but less modern and hip, and more classic "tobacco shop" in appearance would be better. They use phase change cooling, should be cheap enough to have made in bulk, and inexpensive to run. They don't hold a lot in quantity, but I doubt you'd be selling quantity right away. They can keep a few cans of each in there for display purposes, and the rest of them at home in the freezer or something.

    The greater point is I'd like to see snus take off, and I'd like to see good instruction for the shop owner. A shitty dried out can of Ettan on the back shelf doesn't do anyone any good :^)

    Comment

    • Hanske
      Member
      • Jan 2011
      • 425

      #3
      I agree with lxskllr. Even though I live in Norway, I would like to see a network of Swedish snus resellers in America. But as most Americans don't know what it is, posters, fridges etc. is needed.

      Comment

      • LincolnSnuff
        Member
        • May 2010
        • 676

        #4
        Posters, fridges, flyers and the like will only go so far. I think if you really assessed where most people purchase cigarettes, it would wind up being Wal-Mart. Good luck convincing the manager at Wal-Mart to kindly wait for a call from Fredrik at Northerner to sell him something called snus that he has never heard of before.

        What we really need, is an activist grass-roots organization centered around harm reduction or the like to get the word out about snus. Money and members would be needed. But if we could grow an organization with chapters in every city where the members get the word out about snus and its benefits, then maybe public knowledge would increase to the point that various retailers would feel they NEED to start selling snus because of demand.

        Comment

        • chadizzy1
          Member
          • May 2009
          • 7432

          #5
          Originally posted by LincolnSnuff View Post
          What we really need, is an activist grass-roots organization centered around harm reduction or the like to get the word out about snus. Money and members would be needed. But if we could grow an organization with chapters in every city where the members get the word out about snus and its benefits, then maybe public knowledge would increase to the point that various retailers would feel they NEED to start selling snus because of demand.
          That's what I've been screaming. I've been talking to Larry at SnusCentral, some other bloggers, and I'd love to see Brad Rodu involved as well as some of the other harm reduction advocates.

          Comment

          • Hanske
            Member
            • Jan 2011
            • 425

            #6
            Originally posted by LincolnSnuff View Post
            Posters, fridges, flyers and the like will only go so far. I think if you really assessed where most people purchase cigarettes, it would wind up being Wal-Mart. Good luck convincing the manager at Wal-Mart to kindly wait for a call from Fredrik at Northerner to sell him something called snus that he has never heard of before.

            What we really need, is an activist grass-roots organization centered around harm reduction or the like to get the word out about snus. Money and members would be needed. But if we could grow an organization with chapters in every city where the members get the word out about snus and its benefits, then maybe public knowledge would increase to the point that various retailers would feel they NEED to start selling snus because of demand.
            America is a to big and tough market for a Scandinavian company. Especially when snus isn't produced by one company. I don't think a Scandinavian company has a chance of getting in to Wal-Mart when they have no idea what the product is, or if it's even gonna sell. This you've already pointened out. They've got no chance other than trying small tobacco stores. If it turns out to be a hit, maybe Wal-Mart or other nationwide chains picks it up, and starts selling it.

            And I don't think a Northerner branded fridge would do the job. It's better to promote the product, not the Swedish exporter.

            Comment

            • precious007
              Banned Users
              • Sep 2010
              • 5885

              #7
              Originally posted by Hanske View Post
              America is a to big and tough market for a Scandinavian company. Especially when snus isn't produced by one company. I don't think a Scandinavian company has a chance of getting in to Wal-Mart when they have no idea what the product is, or if it's even gonna sell. This you've already pointened out. They've got no chance other than trying small tobacco stores. If it turns out to be a hit, maybe Wal-Mart or other nationwide chains picks it up, and starts selling it.

              And I don't think a Northerner branded fridge would do the job. It's better to promote the product, not the Swedish exporter.
              Either way it's money for the one that sells the most ;-)

              And of course snus available largely in stores...

              Hasn't Swedish Match already pushed offers on the U.S market?

              Fredrick, I think you can start collecting tons of leads/partners simply using Google..

              Just a thought.

              Comment

              • stubby2
                Member
                • Jun 2009
                • 436

                #8
                Originally posted by LincolnSnuff View Post

                What we really need, is an activist grass-roots organization centered around harm reduction or the like to get the word out about snus. Money and members would be needed. But if we could grow an organization with chapters in every city where the members get the word out about snus and its benefits, then maybe public knowledge would increase to the point that various retailers would feel they NEED to start selling snus because of demand.
                It already exist

                http://www.casaa.org/index.asp

                CASAA (Consumer Advocates for Smokerfree Alternatives Association) This was started by some electronic cigarette users over at the ECF (electronic cigarette forum). It is not just about e-cigs as they are a consumer based non-profit group that advocates for the concept of harm reduction. I was in on the discussions when the idea first came up at the ECF and at first there was a split as to what it was going to be. One side wanted it to be just an advocate of e-cigs and the other side wanted it to advocate for the concept of harm reduction and include all the products associated with that. Fortunately our side won. They advocate for smokeless tobacco, especially snus, NRT, and electronic cigarettes.

                Comment

                • Hanske
                  Member
                  • Jan 2011
                  • 425

                  #9
                  Originally posted by precious007 View Post
                  Either way it's money for the one that sells the most ;-)

                  And of course snus available largely in stores...

                  Hasn't Swedish Match already pushed offers on the U.S market?

                  Fredrick, I think you can start collecting tons of leads/partners simply using Google..

                  Just a thought.
                  You're right, General is on the market. But who cares if it's possible to buy, when only 0.38% of the stores carries snus?

                  Comment

                  • chainsnuser
                    Senior Member
                    • Jan 2007
                    • 1388

                    #10
                    Originally posted by LincolnSnuff View Post
                    What we really need, is an activist grass-roots organization centered around harm reduction with chapters in every city where the members get the word out about snus and its benefits ...
                    How about a "Church of Tobacco Harm Reduction"?

                    Cheers!

                    Comment

                    • lxskllr
                      Member
                      • Sep 2007
                      • 13435

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Hanske View Post

                      And I don't think a Northerner branded fridge would do the job. It's better to promote the product, not the Swedish exporter.
                      The reason I suggested a Northerner branded fridge is because it's brand agnostic, while still driving home the point that the product is Swedish, and not some gimmick by the American tobacco companies. WalMart and gas stations would be great, but you'll likely see those places carrying a line of sex toys before they carry snus :^D Snus is currently the smallest of niches, and won't generate the volume necessary to get big distribution. You gotta start somewhere, and I think tobacco shops are a good place to start. People that go to those places are already amenable to tobacco, and with an interesting display, I think it'll get people to try it out. No one in the industry can talk about harm reduction, but I don't think that applies to a tobacco store owner. An educated staff can give advice and knowledge, and still stay away from the boot of the FDA.

                      It's a small start, but that's how good ideas get spread. Pipe and cigar smokers learn about snus from the local tobacconist, and spread the word to others who don't frequent those establishments. After awhile, there's enough demand where the gas stations, and WalMarts start taking notice. The process isn't gonna happen this year, or next year, and someone not in the biz likely won't even see the growing demand. Suddenly one day you'll be in the line with toilet paper and cat food, and you'll see a fridge full of General behind the counter. Being shortsighted has hamstrung American tobacco, and it's gonna take someone with patience and vision to see success.

                      Comment

                      • sgreger1
                        Member
                        • Mar 2009
                        • 9451

                        #12
                        I think this program is a great idea and I will be participating. I am almost positive I can get the liquor store on the corner to buy some, the guy who owns it is indian but he just came back from spending 10 years in sweden. When I pulled out my can of thunder last time I was there, he was like "IS THAT SWEDISH SNUS???". If I can convince him that someone in the area (me) may buy it, he may buy a case or two.


                        For those who are questioning Northerner's motives on this, I think Northerner is making a great decision. For the mere price of $50, they are getting to tenmporarilly employ one of their strongest existing customer bases to go out and do what they already like to do: convince tobacco shops to sell snus. It's a great deal.




                        Fredrik: Just to clarify, after reading the legal stuff it makes it clear that you can't just get the guy's name and number, you have to tell him that northerner will be calling and ask that he remembers your name for when they call? Not sure if that's going to be easy to do.


                        "Once contact has been made by Northerner’s representative and the submitter confirmed by the shop’s representative, the lead will become viable and qualifies for the $10 snus payout."

                        Comment

                        • Jwalker
                          Member
                          • May 2010
                          • 1067

                          #13
                          I know everyone hates big tobacco but they've done more to bring snus to the U.S. than swedish match has. Millions of people know what snus is now, how many people here started with camel or marlboro snus? I think SM could do something like ask or pay them to find out where their biggest sales of snus and dip pouches are. I figure people who buy 12 pouches of skoal mint for 4-6 dollars are those would be the most likely to try something like general mint.

                          However this is northerner we're talking about here and not SM. I can think of a store that might carry more snus flavors. Most stores will have to sell at least a 100 cans a week before they'll want to buy more brands they want the product to move fast. On the other hand if a store in the south sells say 3000 cans of dip a week they'll probably be willing to stock snus. I don't know if it's possible since they're not a manufacturer but northerner should get in contact with groups that market products to stores and set up.

                          Comment

                          • rickcharles606
                            Member
                            • Mar 2009
                            • 2307

                            #14
                            Originally posted by sgreger1 View Post
                            I think this program is a great idea and I will be participating. I am almost positive I can get the liquor store on the corner to buy some, the guy who owns it is indian but he just came back from spending 10 years in sweden. When I pulled out my can of thunder last time I was there, he was like "IS THAT SWEDISH SNUS???". If I can convince him that someone in the area (me) may buy it, he may buy a case or two.


                            For those who are questioning Northerner's motives on this, I think Northerner is making a great decision. For the mere price of $50, they are getting to tenmporarilly employ one of their strongest existing customer bases to go out and do what they already like to do: convince tobacco shops to sell snus. It's a great deal.




                            Fredrik: Just to clarify, after reading the legal stuff it makes it clear that you can't just get the guy's name and number, you have to tell him that northerner will be calling and ask that he remembers your name for when they call? Not sure if that's going to be easy to do.


                            "Once contact has been made by Northerner’s representative and the submitter confirmed by the shop’s representative, the lead will become viable and qualifies for the $10 snus payout."
                            I'd prefer name, number, address and email, and the name of the point of contact. I'll contact each and every one of them to verify too. You can let them know I'll be calling on them. It really helps the retailer come to a buying decision knowing that they already have a customer willing to buy the product. I've had many people give here on SnusOn give me leads that have worked out, so this model has been working.

                            At this time we do not offer a fridge for our snus, we are using a counter-top display. Our manufacturers tell us that snus will stay fresh and will not lose moisture (if unopened) for 4 months. Many of the retailers that I speak with don't care for the bulky fridge that they have to place on the counter anyway, and that's why they like our display....it doesn't take up too much space, but is still very visible and effective. We will be offering a tri-fold handout that the retailer can use to help educate his clients.

                            Feel free to ask Fred or myself if you guys/gals have any other questions.....good luck

                            Comment

                            • Hanske
                              Member
                              • Jan 2011
                              • 425

                              #15
                              I just thought of another thing. Is Northerner allowed to sell snus to other resellers? Sounds a bit odd to me.

                              Comment

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