Has anyone seen General Los (loose) snus for sale in the US? Their website says that it's here, but I haven't seen it in any of the few places I've seen carrying the portions.
I might have to go that route, then. There's a cigar shop near my office that I know carries General. I tried to stop in and check if they had los yesterday, but they were closed. Worst case I'm sure he'd be happy to add a roll to his next order for me.
I feel like this snus odyssey that I've found myself on would have been a lot easier if I'd started it 4 or 5 years ago.
I think with the Swedish made stuff barely starting to break into the US market really in most places, 4 or 5 years ago would have been even harder to find the few options we can find on the shelves now.
You sir, are correct. 5 years ago, you could ONLY find Swedish snus in certain "test" markets in the US. So, to buy it from Sweden you'd have to order from one of the few online vendors and wait for it to be delivered Swedish Post (normally 14 days or so) to your house. Now with the PACT act and Tobacco Control Act in place...these online vendors should (most do) charge you the state and federal taxes and then you have to wait for it to be delivered to your home, via UPS..which is far more expensive than Swedish Post. This is why it's generally less expensive and more convenient to buy your Swedish snus locally now. And if you're local tobacconist isn't yet carrying snus, let me know their name and number and I'll have my sales team contact them asap
Sadly, here in NY, there is no real option that is less expensive than others for snus. I found that if I go through a few online vendors and bought in some serious bulk, that was the best price per tin I could manage. I just ended up with dozens of tins in the fridge, and I don't go through it nearly that fast. *sigh*
Was able to get my hands on two cans of Los and just attempted to make my first prilla. Hand baking is harder than it looks! Once I got the prilla formed I attempted to put it in my mouth and had a good chunk of it land on my tongue. After some pushing with my tongue and spitting out the excess I've got it in. Definitely need to get a prismaster or an Icetool if I'm going to stick with loose.
ETA: Anyone have suggestions on where to get an Ice Tool without paying $30 for shipping?
You know, sadly I hear this quite a bit. Part of the problem is that once I sell the snus to a retailer, that retailer can turn around and add whatever margin he wants. Essentially pricing himself/herself right out of the market. Also part of the problem is taxation in some states is wicked high, and forgive me but I don't remember the tax rate on snus in NY. I know MA is crazy high, as is WA...anyway, the brick and mortar retailer HAS to add the taxes to the snus and certain online retailers from other parts of the world choose not to do this. Right or wrong, who knows...but it's makes it difficult for retailers in high tax states to compete with these smart (or unscrupulous depending on your view) online vendors.
Now, all that crap being said, lol....I always try to tell the retailer what snus should be priced at retail. That doesn't always mean they listen. Whenver I find a retailer "gouging" on pricing...I go out of my way to find another retailer right across the street from him that is willing to carry the same brands for less money. Somehow the pricing on the brands always finds a nice equilibrium
Out of curiosity..what was the shop?
I'm still up in the air on loose, though it's only been a couple of days, so I can't judge yet. I feel like I get more flavor out of a fluffed portion than I do from a pris. If I do stick with loose, I'll probably want to get an IceTool just for the cool factor. Do you know of a place to get them state-side? BuySnus and SnusCentral force me to UPS since I'm in the US, even without snus in the order.
I'm still up in the air on loose, though it's only been a couple of days, so I can't judge yet. I feel like I get more flavor out of a fluffed portion than I do from a pris. If I do stick with loose, I'll probably want to get an IceTool just for the cool factor. Do you know of a place to get them state-side? BuySnus and SnusCentral force me to UPS since I'm in the US, even without snus in the order.