The primary objective of any business is to make money. "Big oil", "Big tobacco" and "Big pharma" are in the business to make money, not to kill the planet and their customers so they can get drunk off the tears of grieving widows. They want to provide products and services that 1) customers have a demand for and 2) are economically feasible.
How many of you previous smokers have written to the tobacco of choice company and asked them if they have or are looking into the e-cig business? Let them know that you've been a loyal user for X years, you know and are comfortable with them. You're not so thrilled with all the complicated e-cig devices that are out there and if they offered a device from a trusted company, you'd be interested in trying it out. Maybe even throw in a little xenophobic "dangerous Chinese juices" for good measure.
Of course we know what's going on in the short term. ALL tobacco companies are looking closely at the e-cig market. It's currently minuscule compared to tobacco so they may not be doing much with it but it's certainly on their radar (as is legal <what is now legal in CO> and any number of other similar products).
Realistically all we can hope for short term is a form letter back saying thank you for your interest, we hope to keep you as a happy customer. In the longer term, with enough letters and inquiries, they may start looking at the market OPPORTUNITY that e-cigs provide rather than the threat. Especially if we show interest in their products rather than immediately dismissing them as just "big tobacco". After all, if you're looking to and are likely to stop buying Camel cigs, they'd rather you get their e-Cam starter kit with Bactrian e-juice (twice the nicotine than the regular Dromedary!) than switch to some other company completely.
I know Lorilard recently purchased Blu and they seem to be looking to promote it rather than squash it. Other tobacco companies are definitely looking into e-cigs and it would be better to let them know that you'd be interested in their product rather than are looking to someone else to get away from them. Frame it as a way to keep you as a customer rather than loosing you to someone else.
Thoughts? Comments?
How many of you previous smokers have written to the tobacco of choice company and asked them if they have or are looking into the e-cig business? Let them know that you've been a loyal user for X years, you know and are comfortable with them. You're not so thrilled with all the complicated e-cig devices that are out there and if they offered a device from a trusted company, you'd be interested in trying it out. Maybe even throw in a little xenophobic "dangerous Chinese juices" for good measure.
Of course we know what's going on in the short term. ALL tobacco companies are looking closely at the e-cig market. It's currently minuscule compared to tobacco so they may not be doing much with it but it's certainly on their radar (as is legal <what is now legal in CO> and any number of other similar products).
Realistically all we can hope for short term is a form letter back saying thank you for your interest, we hope to keep you as a happy customer. In the longer term, with enough letters and inquiries, they may start looking at the market OPPORTUNITY that e-cigs provide rather than the threat. Especially if we show interest in their products rather than immediately dismissing them as just "big tobacco". After all, if you're looking to and are likely to stop buying Camel cigs, they'd rather you get their e-Cam starter kit with Bactrian e-juice (twice the nicotine than the regular Dromedary!) than switch to some other company completely.
I know Lorilard recently purchased Blu and they seem to be looking to promote it rather than squash it. Other tobacco companies are definitely looking into e-cigs and it would be better to let them know that you'd be interested in their product rather than are looking to someone else to get away from them. Frame it as a way to keep you as a customer rather than loosing you to someone else.
Thoughts? Comments?
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