Notice for out of production blends

[HawkeyeLinus]

What I am referring to is when a company like Sutliff decides to stop making a certain blend, it is "out of production" when you go to order it. The company hasn't failed or out of business, it is just the blend that they decide not to make anymore.

Totally understand, I was just responding to a different post that seemed more semantics driven.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I think that the downside of such an announcement would be that the retailers might be tempted to increase prices or stock in in order to sell at a much higher price through other platforms. The result will be that the same amount of tobacco would be sold at a much higher price, when the retailers make the profits and not the end customers.

The problem with that idea is that retailers have already bought the product, and the tobacco company could really care less what the retailers do with it once they cash the check.

 

[ThermionicScott]

I think that the downside of such an announcement would be that the retailers might be tempted to increase prices or stock in in order to sell at a much higher price through other platforms. The result will be that the same amount of tobacco would be sold at a much higher price, when the retailers make the profits and not the end customers.

As long as it's a reasonable increase, and not outright gauging (very subjective, I know), I think I'd be okay with that. They suddenly have a limited edition product on their hands, and retailers need to eat, too.

 

[bullet08]

At this point in hoarding cellaring tobacco and way I smoke, I really couldn't careless. Bu if the vendors announce discontinue of their products in advance, I can see few things happening. Panic by buyers. Dishonest vendor taking advantage along with bringing back the product saying "due to overwhelming demand for this product, we brought it back!" Taco Bell Mexican Pizza anyone?

 

[anotherbob]

The companies are probably thinking oh when we needed people to buy it nothing and now you guys suddenly care

 

[JimInks]

I recall seeing a story about how @JimInks got the makers of EGR to not kill off that tobacco. If tobacco companies put out an EOL notice for a blend, I wonder how much feedback they would get that could turn that tide and reverse the decision. I know that some blends die out simply because the original ingredients are no longer available, but I wonder how many are simply a matter of not being big sellers.

And @huntertrw and I got Lane to bring back Lane Ready Rubbed, even if it didn't last. But, EGR became a fairly decent, steady seller.

 

[K.E. Powell]

I think, somewhat ironically, some of the posts here answer the original question. The constant fear of scarcity makes those willing and able to repeatedly buy and stock their favored blends, even when they have enough to last well beyond their lifetimes. I'm not hating on that. Far from it. I'd do the same if I had greater space and income. (Though, as an aside, I wish to say I am rather happy with my lot, in terms of this hobby and just in general.) But if you have a small but devoted consumer base willing to buy your product at bulk quantities for individual prices, well shieeeeet. There's some good money to be made from that.

Make no mistake: tobacco is a tough business, and a niche system like piping even more so. Still, why tell anyone a popular brand is being discontinued, when the simple but omnipresent fear alone propels your customers to buy?

 

[woodsroad]

Y'all are WAY over thinking this.

 

[sablebrush52]

Tobacco companies are not your friends. They're in the business of manufacturing and selling a product that is known to damage your health and to promote addiction. Any such idea of personal connection is, logically, ludicrous.

That said, I love my pipes and tobaccos, so that's on me. But I don't fool myself about the nature of the relationship, which is solely commercial, regardless of how friendly or folksy is the pitch.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

For what it's worth, P&C previously advertised certain blends were no longer in production and wouldn't be restocked.

Orlik Mellow Mixture was the main one I recall, but there were about 3 others at the same time.

There isn't always a large announcement, but there are signs.

 

[woodsroad]

Tobacco companies are not your friends. They're in the business of manufacturing and selling a product that is known to damage your health and to promote addiction. Any such idea of personal connection is, logically, ludicrous.

That said, I love my pipes and tobaccos, so that's on me. But I don't fool myself about the nature of the relationship, which is solely commercial, regardless of how friendly or folksy is the pitch.

Yeah, people imagine all kinds of weird stuff, like were all in this "community" and down with the struggle, man.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Y'all are WAY over thinking this.

Agreed. And hence I am closing this thread.