http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/the-diary/the-diary-the-snuff-of-legend-1-4786017 This should be a fun one to discuss here… It’s intended to be a soft story on the anniversary, but here’s a couple choice quotes that may generate some discussion here: 1) “…company sold some 50 tonnes in more than 60 flavours – including bubblegum, Irish coffee and the legendary Sheffield Pride 100 …” 2) ““Why have we been so successful?” shrugs Dave, who has been with the company 15 years. “I don’t know. There have been some health issues around snuff – although it’s obviously not on the same scale as smoking tobacco – but it provides pleasure.” 3) " No-one knows the company’s exact anniversary date but a party for customers and suppliers is being held on Friday." Where did this gentleman get “Sheffield Pride” from? I don’t suspect it’s ‘definitive’, since this topic has already been taken straight to the mill, but… What, specifically, were the ‘health issues’ that weren’t as bad as smoking? And most importantly of all, who amongst us is going to the party?
“Unfortunately, we are no longer able to ship snuff to non-EU countries. It has become increasingly difficult to ship outside the EU and, following advice, we have had to make the frustrating decision to halt all sales due to ever increasing legislative restrictions. We are, of course, very sorry to lose you as a customer but there is very little we can do about it.”
I don’t think there will be too many Americans going to the party.
@FrigginSantaClaus If Wilson’s of Sharrow loses their ability to process credit cards altogether, they might be at risk of closing their business after 275 years. Their lawyers believe (true or false) that they assume some liability or risk by shipping to the US. I agree it doesn’t seem to be a very likely outcome, but I haven’t been steward to a business that’s run continuously for 275 years. I suspect that requires some risk aversion. I’m also not a lawyer in the UK. The reality is that there are very few US orders, and the risk of losing their ability to process EU credit cards far exceeds the cost of losing 100% of their US business. If they shut the doors, I wouldn’t even be able to purchase their fine snuff from less risk averse retailers – yes, at a markup, but I am able to accept or decline that today. Personally, I hope that markup covers some of the perceived risk taken by said retailers, and that they’re still able to profit (some ) after everything’s all said and done. Thank you to the retailers who are still willing to take that risk. You know who you are. With all due respect, please grind your axe somewhere other than my thread. I’d go to the party if I could, even as a US customer. Sadly, the airfare for a weekend trip is topping 1200 USD, so I hope someone in the UK is there to report back to the less bitter Americans on Snuffhouse.
Doh! You do know who you are! >:D< It’s only a 3.5 hour drive for you! The article said the party was for customers and suppliers, and I count myself as a (small, indirect) customer, so I was looking at flight costs today thinking I might just show up. 8-} Someone here must have gotten an invitation. If not any of us, then who?
Wilsons have never shown any interest in this site or it’s members. The few business type emails I have sent them have not even got a cursory reply.
They may be clueless to marketing, but they sure make some of the finest snuff I have ever had! My direct dealings with them were very involved, and complicated, but I did enjoy the rather formal process. And, they bungled one small portion of my large order, when I called Carol to bring it to her attention, she dropped everything and made it right. I have an engraved “With compliments of Wilsons of Sharrow” card that was sent to me along with a pound of “Gold Label”. That was a happy day and it is a prized possession now! It may be true, that as an American, I will be physically unable to attend the party, but I am happy for them and still wish them all of the best. Dave get off yer duff and invite yourself, please! You can be my proxy. “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”! I am just trying to understand “What is” the “friggin” problem! I think it is the karma, seems to be trending downward. Thanks, Puff
50 tons of snuff a year … whoa someone must be taking it then
I need something to fill in my swimming pool you know.
If I had to pick one snuff company to save at the end of the world it would be WoS. I love them, they just have their oddities. But at 275 who can really blame them. Dear old Aunt Wilson.
@Snuffster That last post pretty much sums up my feelings about Sharrow Mills. They don’t make my absolute favorite snuffs, but they make almost every kind – no one else has such a broad range. If only 1 mill could be saved, that would have to be the one. I knew they didn’t care about Snuffhouse – I mean, the whole internet might just be a fad… =)) But I thought maybe a couple of our members might be on their radar. If even Dave has been looked over, and no one else has replied, guess I was wrong. Hopefully I’m just being impatient and someone will post a report and pictures soon. =((
it would probably be a pain in their ass if business picked up too much. I think they do check out this site as they seems mildily aware of us.
@corvette69 In order to sell a snuff legally across the counter in the USA it must be approved by the FDA. Roderick has worked hard at this with the Silver Dollar snuffs. There are also a couple others available. As for Wilsons of Sharrow snuffs, who knows if the effort is being made. I would expect Poschl being the big business that it is to be here sooner.
How do cigarettes and chew get approved by the FDA? I hope the only reason WoS isn’t approved is since it won’t give the FDA its centuries-old (in some cases) family recipes.
@TomStrasbourg, that is exactly the reason. We talked to Wilson’s about advertising in our magazine, but that was just after the FDA law passed and they decided the limited market in the US was not worth the effort involved in complying with the new laws.( or spending advertising dollars with us). I do grant they may have had a point. In fact I’m a bit surprised Toque took the time and effort. Grateful, but surprised.
that’s cause toque isn’t stuck in centuries old outlooks. They realize snuff will become much bigger. Wilsons and poschel have been on cruise mode for a while.