Two stores - a comparison

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  • KarlvB
    Member
    • Feb 2008
    • 681

    Two stores - a comparison

    I've been a loyal Buysnus customer for a year now but thought I would send some business Northerner's way and check out their service.

    I've used the main Northerner site before but I remember they used to have a site called swedish-snus.com. The latter has been completely redesigned and now has a system that resembles Buysnus.

    - Customer profile
    - Bonus points (10 per single can)
    - Order history with the ability to renew orders etc.

    So all in all a very slick website.

    Negatives:

    The tobacco tax is not added until right at the end.

    I find it quite a hassle to go through the process of entering my address and click through two more steps before I can see what I will be charged.

    Also the shipping automatically reverts to UPS once you go over a certain number of cans. This has been discussed before and I can understand why this is done but I still prefer the option of express saver as I don't care if it takes a couple of days more and I've never lost a package.

    On both those fronts I much prefer Buysnus because it gives me one simple price with no guessing involved. Buysnus will also include the cheaper shipping as an option no matter how large the order.

    Northerner won the battle on price today though with nearly a $20 difference. I thought that was significant.

    The other reason they got my order this time around was the new bonus point system they have that rewards customers for single cans.

    I don't buy rolls (as I've said before) and this is mainly because I prefer to do small orders on a regular basis. This means that I never qualify for any bonus points with Buysnus. Although I understand why Buysnus has set up their system that way (and they did send me a very nice email explaining the process) I still think they should reconsider their policy.

    Ultimately though I still think both firms are very good and I will continue to split my business equally between them.
  • Tony
    Member
    • Jan 2008
    • 61

    #2
    I just glanced at the site and couldn't believe the prices. Very cheap, several dollars cheaper than buysnus on roll purchases. I wish they would show the shipping rates up front like buysnus though.

    KarlvB, or anyone, when does Northerner kick you straight to UPS? How many cans?

    Comment

    • KarlvB
      Member
      • Feb 2008
      • 681

      #3
      I think it is when you hit 10 cans. I had 9 in the cart and when I added another can of Gotlands Julesnus it bumped me up. Or at least for EU/UK customers.

      The good thing is that the rate remains flat (or at least in the EU) which is handy if you are ordering a lot and worry about it getting lost.

      It is annoying though to not have the shipping rates (+ taxes) up front but the shipping does seem to vary more than with Buysnus which has weight limits (which from playing around on the Buysnus site seems to differ between the US and UK).

      For someone like me who might only order 4 cans and then do the same again a week or two later I think it is great that I don't get charged for postage weight I don't use.

      Here is an example of why the postage issue bugs me a bit. I know exactly what will push me to the Buysnus limit (3 cans of los and a can of portions). If I ordered 5 cans of portions though that will leave me with 35 grams before the next weight limit/bracket kicks in. So if I really want 6 cans I need to pay twice the postage? That makes no sense whatsoever.

      Major criticism of Northerner so far though has been a query I emailed them a couple of days ago regarding my log-in. Two days later I still haven't heard from them. Luckily I sorted it out myself or I would have been unable to access my account.

      Ps: I reread this and my previous post and I don't want to come across like I am bitching about stuff. Instead, I hope Buysnus and Northerner will both see this as constructive criticism. I'll always be a customer. Just make me an even happier customer

      Comment

      • Steel Blue 91
        Member
        • May 2008
        • 163

        #4
        Good job KarlvB.

        I opened a window for each of the listed snus houses. For each house I ordered 1 roll of Grovsnus. I proceeded to the checkout phase on each site. I submit the following for your consideraton:

        Please note this research is for price point only. Does not enclude free cans, points or any of the goodies.

        Northerner

        Grovsnus Portion
        15.0% discount
        - Tobacco tax not included. $2.90 $29.00 -$4.35 In Stock
        Price of all items $29.00
        Total Discount -$4.35
        Subtotal in US Dollars $24.65
        First Priority Mail - $8.10
        Total - 32.70

        Swedishsnus.com

        885 Grovsnus Portion 24gr (10-Pack) 30.00 USD 30.00 USD
        Total weight: 405.00 gr
        Snus weight: 240.00 gr Dispatch fee: 0.00 USD
        Way of delivery: Letter (1 letter) Freight: 7.90 USD
        Country of destination: USA
        Total: 37.90 USD

        Buysnus.com

        Grovsnus Portion 10 pack 31.09 31.09
        Discount code: 0.00
        The delivery will be sent in 1 envelope.
        Currently 90 grams to next postage limit.
        Freight: 6.41
        Order total: 37.50


        Getsnus.com
        (For US customers)

        Sub-Total $30.00
        Shipping $4.95
        Sales Tax $0.00
        Order Total $34.95

        So, as a recap:

        Northerner - $32.70
        Swedishsnus - $37.90
        Buysnus - $37.50
        Getsnus - $34.95

        Even adding the international correction (exchange rate change) fee of ~$1.00, Northerner would come in about 1 USD cheaper for me. As I said, this does not enclude any freebies, points or giveaways.

        Comment

        • holnrew
          Member
          • Jul 2008
          • 613

          #5
          I would use Northerner a hell of a lot more if they showed shipping and tax in the basket.

          Comment

          • captncaveman
            Member
            • Jul 2008
            • 924

            #6
            i am going to use swedish-snus.com for now on, i like their point i dea better than buysnus.com and you get to bank you points for sweet merch (i wan the grov and general t-shirts).

            Comment

            • bakerbarber
              Member
              • Jun 2008
              • 1947

              #7
              Wow,

              I've never seen that shop. Are they affiliated with the Northerner? Seems they link to their videos and have Norherner T-Shirts.

              Comment

              • Subtilo
                Member
                • Dec 2006
                • 524

                #8
                Originally posted by bakerbarber
                Are they affiliated with the Northerner?
                Yup. Both northerner.com and swedish-snus.com are owned by Northerner Scandinavia AB. It says so in the 'about us' section:

                http://swedish-snus.com/northerner/about_us_en.php

                I have no clue why they have two separate sites for their snus sales. Anyone?

                Comment

                • bakerbarber
                  Member
                  • Jun 2008
                  • 1947

                  #9
                  No points going straight to The Northerner.

                  The FAQ page says The Northerner.

                  Weird they would maintain two sites.

                  Selling cigars too.

                  Comment

                  • RobME
                    Member
                    • Jul 2008
                    • 387

                    #10
                    "Snus is the shit", "Stop the EU ban on Snus", "Snus and Booze makes happy dudes".

                    Who else? I like the Northerner.

                    Comment

                    • KarlvB
                      Member
                      • Feb 2008
                      • 681

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Steel Blue 91
                      Good job KarlvB.

                      I opened a window for each of the listed snus houses. For each house I ordered 1 roll of Grovsnus. I proceeded to the checkout phase on each site. I submit the following for your consideraton:
                      Please note this research is for price point only. Does not enclude free cans, points or any of the goodies.
                      I did the same thing with a roll of Ettan. I only checked with my two main suppliers. Also we can't order from swedishsnus.com or getsnus.com

                      Northerner
                      Ettan, Loose 10 £ 1,62
                      Price: £ 16,23
                      Tobacco Tax: £ 12,80
                      Delivery cost (UPS Express Saver): £ 19,66
                      EU Sales Tax (25%): £ 12,17
                      Total: £ 60,85
                      Charged in USD: $ 90.82
                      Total - USD90.82

                      Buysnus.com

                      Ettan loose 1 = 66.41
                      Freight: 21.88
                      Order total: $ 88.29
                      Price per can: 8.83
                      360g to next weight step

                      Order total: USD88.29


                      In this case Buysnus wins but Northerner is only losing by a small margin thanks to the UPS shipping being automatically added.

                      Comment

                      • lxskllr
                        Member
                        • Sep 2007
                        • 13435

                        #12
                        Ouch. $8.83 per tin :^(
                        The order I just made with Buysnus turned out to be $3.04 per tin.

                        Comment

                        • KarlvB
                          Member
                          • Feb 2008
                          • 681

                          #13
                          Originally posted by lxskllr
                          Ouch. $8.83 per tin :^(
                          The order I just made with Buysnus turned out to be $3.04 per tin.
                          Yeah it is pretty painful.....you guys have it so good...

                          Comment

                          • spirit72
                            Member
                            • Apr 2008
                            • 1013

                            #14
                            Yeah, it's true. We really are getting a sweetheart deal here in the States. But I don't expect that to last as snus becomes more popular here.

                            Comment

                            • bondzai
                              Member
                              • Apr 2008
                              • 362

                              #15
                              can you get that Triumph snus there in Ohio? I love that stuff

                              Comment

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