How About Those 7 or 8 oz Tins?

[mso489]

In the past year or two, we've seen a number of old standard blends moving more toward 7 ounce tins and away from 12 or 14 ounce tubs (or what used to be 16 ounce tubs). No one announced this shift, it just showed up online and in hardcopy catalogs. The inference was and is that it is easier to sell a smaller quantity even if the per/ounce price is higher, because the purchase cost is less. It appears this has proven successful, and we'll be seeing more 7 ounce tins and fewer 14 ounce tubs.

I have seven ounce tins of Iwan Ries Three Star Blue, Seattle Pipe Club's Potlatch, and another of Spilman Mixture ( a gift ), all bought or received before this shift from the larger tubs.

Have you bought any 7 ounce tins? Would you have bought the larger tubs if they'd been available? Do you find the lower cost but higher per-ounce cost preferable?

 

[warren]

It's sometimes called "shrinkflation." I first noticed it in iced cream when the retail sizes shrank while the prices remained stationary. Now "shrinkflation" seems to be the response of choice for many wholesalers as a respnce to increased production costs. Customers seem to accept this situation with little to no complaint.

 

[FurCoat]

I'm not a fan. SWR and Granger 7oz tubs are priced at what I was paying for the 12/14 oz tubs last year.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

I like tubs. The tub tobacco seems to stay fresh and my go to blend is Half and Half. Like a good friend, it rarely lets me down and comforts me when in need.

After sampling a tin or 2 ounce sample of a blend, I tend to buy more in larger quantities. I also enjoy savings (yes I know saving money by buying stuff is an illusion). As a result, I do not enjoy lower cost but higher per-ounce cost when it come to tobacco.

My threshold is about $5 per ounce, so most tins are getting out of range. As a result, tubs are in my wheelhouse and I was surprised at how fast I go through one given their size (and that I don't typically smoke a pipe during the week). It must mean I like the leaf.

 

[bullet08]

Not sure. Those 12 oz tubs were huge. But charging 7 oz tub at price of 12 oz is just nuts.

 

[mso489]

I have unopened tubs each of SWR and SWRA (Sir Walter Raleigh and SWR Aromatic). By the time I open them, I suspect the tubs will no longer be available. Indeed, shrinkflation has hit ice cream, breakfast cereal, pasta, bacon, and many/ most other products.

My wife has noticed that online prices often penalize people for buying multiple items rather than buying singly. At first we thought it was just an error, but we've seen it repeatedly. Things are not cheaper but more expensive by the dozen. I guess the distracted customers just don't compare and notice this.

 

[anotherbob]

worst part is it seems like that's what happens to blends that are more likely to be go to blends. Ones that are the single blend or the major blend a person smokes.

 

[mso489]

Yeah, tubs are perfect for the loyal smoker who mostly prefers a few of the traditional blends. In two cases, i have refilled and relabeled a tub and a large coffee can and filled them with bag tobacco, OHM Red burley and Turkish, and D&R Two Timer twice toasted burley.

 

[sablebrush52]

Curse those dinky tubs and the greedy debased crooks promoting them.

Otherwise, I have no particular position on the matter.

 

[mso489]

sable', I knew you'd have an impartial and disinterested point of view. When those "dinky tubs" cost a lot less than the same blend in tub quantity, I thought it was a nice middle way. Now I feel about the same as you do.

 

[KruegerFlap]

It's a sad state of affairs to see shrinkflation hit tobacco, but just more proof that it's never cheaper than right now to stock up on your favorite blends and look for bulk versions or suitable bulk alternatives to tins and tubs. I try to stick to the $5 per ounce limit like others but that is quickly becoming a thing of the past at the rate prices are going. Taxes and shipping are another hit to the pocket on top of everything else so always keep your eyes out for the free shipping deals.

 

[Warlee]

Working in an unrelated commodity processing industry this doesn’t surprise me. Our raw material costs have doubled in under 2 years. Labor up 30%+. Energy costs also doubled in that time. Same with parts etc. inflation is real and it is showing it’s ugly head. Consumers are very resistant to price increases so they will change (lower) the product amount vs the price when feasible. Total cost is definitely a thing for people on fixed income.

 

[OverMountain]

I like the tubs for SWR and SWRA. The moisture is good right out of the tin and stay that way. The cardboard can be damaged, sometimes I miss the metal cans.

 

[K.E. Powell]

Forgive me father, for I have sinned. Yea, I bought a 7oz tub of SWR, knowing full well that the 14oz tubs were only marginally more expensive. I know it is shrinkflation at play, and I'm contributing to it by demanding less of my favorite codger blend. That being said, it's hard for me to go through 14oz of any baccy in addition to my other baccys, and the 2oz pouches go by quickly. The 7oz hits a sweet spot for me.

 

[OverMountain]

Concur! 7 is a good size, shrinkflation be damned!

 

[Warlee]

Forgot to answer the question. It would take me way too long to go through a 16 oz tin. I don’t think I would buy one other than to cellar something in bulk.

 

[Zero]