Tescos selling disposables at tobacco counter

[birdy]

As for not failing i had 6 rechargeable - all failed after a relatively short time and cartridges were often duff .I also suspect the disposable type at best will last a couple of days but may well fail within a couple of hours or even less so the cost is ludicrous .

[birdy]

Let me start by saying, that the advertised '40 cig' quote is not entirely accurate. For one, it can take 3 pulls to get it to create vapour properly, secondly, the cartridge supplied lasts for about 40-50 inhalations, at best, and really, for the price paid, you are better off buying something three times the cost, for you'll appreciate a reusable one far better, the cost of this unit can't be justified by any blurb they've used. (this was a review taken from elsewhere just to show some of what i am getting at ) Got to start somewhere though and if even the disposable can cause user to look for a better alternative and stop smoking then it cant be that bad.

[badger]

Just to let you know --I bought one from Tesco in Chester--price £5.99 ( not £6.95) --I have to say it really works for me. I have tried everything to give up --and this is the only thing that has worked--2 days without fags and this ecig is still going--they say that they sell reghargables as well--but only from web site so I will try these and let you know what I think.

[birdy]

I suppose a lot depends on individual smoker - in years gone by some smokers hardly seemed to be without a fag in their mouth .Now with all the restrictions often people have to make their way out of a building and will often be time limited so grab a few puffs and go back in .I have watched a vaper who almost constantly vaped away stopping only to top up ,

[jaki]

Just to give you a bit more information about these.....

I am part of the team merchandising the 10 Motives disposables. I am working for an agency and have no affiliation to the company, so you can say what you like about them - I just go round making sure they are being displayed properly, on the tobacco counter. Some stores don't have room for this, so they have been put on the gantry, but won't get noticed there

They are being rolled out to ALL main stores and Metro stores between June and September. This is being done area by area, and more stores are getting them in. I'm doing mid and North Kent and SE London and around half my stores have them in stock.

I've not tried one - only way to get my mitts on one is by buying it myself - you'd have thought they would have given us a demo one at least, but no! Tescos are getting a tidy mark on them so it is in their interest to encourage the sales.

There is another brand being sold at the pharmacy counter in a few Tescos, but not many at the moment.

Every store I go into, I tell the staff at the kiosk to tell customers to look at them online as well.

[birdy]

It seems like vast numbers could be vaping pretty soon - it could even bring back previous smokers .

[foxy9212]

Jul 14, 2011 11:41:16 GMT birdy said:

It seems like vast numbers could be vaping pretty soon - it could even bring back previous smokers .

Let's hope not Birdy, I reckon the antis would have a field day with that. The e-cig is really only intended for smokers who wish to change to something they feel is less harmful to them, they're not intended to encourage those with the will to give up nicotine to start again.

I reckon the disposables will encourage users to look elsewhere for a 'better buy' and that can only be a good thing.

Fox

[birdy]

Don't forget millions of non smokers love the shisha pipe when on holiday so once they get to hear of this alternative they could also partake.

[deesigner]

I had a very interesting conversation at the ciggy counter in Tesco the other day. They've moved the ecig from the pharmacy to the cig counter, I said it was a much better idea. The woman on the till said they should be at the pharmacy bit as they are a giving up device. I explained that they're a healthier alternative and showed her my Provari with the Iatty on top LOL. She made a comment that it looked more like it should be an Ann Summers toy

On a more serious side though, they've got staff that haven't got a damn clue what they're selling, this can only be a bad thing!

[Tetsab]

I'm incredibly unsurprised to hear that Tesco's staff don't have any idea what it is they're selling!

But I do also subscribe to the notion that anything which draws the attention of the general smoking public to the fact that these things exist is a good thing!!

[Chrissie]

Thanks so much for the info Jacki & for giving out a website or 2 - no matter which websites they where - as Tesco would say - every little helps - or is that Asda

Sounds like the senior staff member I talked to at The St. Austell Tesco, got it wrong re they where only going to be sold at branches with a pharmacy attached.

I also still think that Tesco selling e-cigs is a good thing - it will help in a big way to make them go mainstream.

Sorry Birdy, Foxy is right. There is no way we want non smokers or folks that have previously given up, to start vaping. If that started to happen on a large scale, it would be ammunition for the MHRA & WHO to ban the e-cig.

Tetsy, I'm also unsurprised to hear that Tesco's staff don't have any idea what it is they're selling! I bet the staff at the stores Jaki is dealing with will be so much better informed

[jaki]

This is very true Chrissie. When the contract came up there was no requirement for any product knowledge and no training other than the stock lines that are repeated on the leaflets Considering I get half day training sessions or hour long conference calls on most product launches, I think this is potentially a false economy for the client.

Because I am so enthusiastic about the joys of vaping, some of my visits take ages. One store, where the staff member was really interested, sold half a box in their first day because she was encouraging the customers to give them a go. Other stores I have had to stand and stamp my feet to get them out of the stock room and on display! One member of staff was asking whether she should get one for her fiance, but then concluded she would still make him go up the garden to use it! I won't be buying a hat for that wedding!

I'm visiting every two weeks until mid September, then monthly for a further 9 months, so I will be able to give a fairly good overview on whether they fly or fail over the next year.

[Chrissie]

Jaki, is it Tesco's that are being half hearted about the training or 10 motives? Thank goodness they have someone as knowledgeable & as enthusiastical as you

[beeper]

Surely this this must be the start of something err, big!! it'll be extremely interesting to see if other major retailers catch on.

E-lites, think that they are another type of disposable, are being promoted at Waterloo station.

[Chrissie]

I also think it is the start of something big Beeper