28
TOBACCO BUSINESS
JULY/AUGUST 2013
there are no issues with wind or outside
weather conditions (or with humidity
levels, for that matter). In fact, this is one
of his suggested selling hooks. “I have
two or three golf courses around my
stores and customers are coming in a lot
and complaining that their cigars get dry
and they can’t light them on a windy golf
course,”he says.“I direct them to e-cigars,
telling them you just take it out of your
pocket and take a puff. Plus, there’s a cost
saving because there’s no throwaway. You
can start an e-cigar and put it in your
pocket and puff on it whenever you want.
You’re not forced to start and finish it in
an hour or snuff it out.”
Because e-cigars are not nearly as
well known or requested by customers
as e-cigarettes, Saroya is very overt with
his merchandising. E-cigars are housed
in glass showcases right at the front of
the stores, and he and his employees
tout them to all cigar customers, praising
them as a cigar alternative on a windy
golf course, but also when “you don’t
want to go home smelling like cigars.”He
says this tactic is especially effective with
women buying cigars for their husbands
or boyfriends.
Saroya is also big on allowing
customers to sample the e-cigars in-store.
“I tell them to take a couple puffs and see
how they like it,” he says, explaining that
Logic is one manufacturer that provides
sample “tips” that can be utilized by each
customer and then discarded. “My idea
is that they might see it and like it, but
unless they taste it and take a couple
puffs, see the mouthful of smoke they can
get, they’re not going to buy it.”
While he does not stock any of the
pricier ($60 and up) rechargeable e-cigar
versions currently, Saroya is considering
them—especially if manufacturers refine
their products as he expects them to do
moving forward.
Relatively new e-brand CIGR8 is
one of those: it is already on its second
generation premium Maduro e-cigar,
with improved technology and a lowered
price point. The Maduro is backed by a
Take Good E-Care
Rechargeable e-cigars are pricey and meant to last. Here
are some care tips from cigdr.com, a website designed to
provide information and education on electronic cigarettes
and cigars.
First of all, make sure that the parts are of good quality,
preferably bought from one brand and not a mixture of two
or three. This can solve a majority of future hassles for the
user.
E-cigars have several parts that need to be cleaned and
maintained periodically; the care instructions are as follows:
Battery:
First and foremost, any battery-operated device
comes with strict instructions for its recharging and use. As
every brand is different, the manual should be read carefully
for instructions regarding the charging time of e-cigars.
Over-charged or under-charged are both conditions that are
harmful to the battery. Usually, most brands instruct eight
hours of charging for the first time, and then approximately
three to four hours of charging after usage and battery
consumption.
Secondly, rechargeable batteries contain lithium and
need to be cleaned. A cotton swab dipped in alcohol can be
used to clean off the point where the atomizer is screwed.
By cleaning that spot, the life expectancy of e-cigars may
increase and give around 300 charges to its user.
Atomizer:
The atomizer is the main heating element of
e-cigars. Not taking care of this part may result in choking
it up and inhibiting smoke production. As liquid nicotine is
used in the device, sometimes there is a certain quantity of
liquid that does not vaporize and thus clogs the atomizer.
To keep it clean,again use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol
to wipe the inner part. Use a tissue to soak any excess.
Blow into the wire mesh that is cone-shaped. Connect the
atomizer to the battery without adding the cartridge. Take
two or three puffs, and any residue left behind will simply
burn and come out.
The connecting points of the atomizer can also be cleaned
with a Q-tip.Having taken good care of an atomizer means
an approximate life expectancy of three months.
Cartridge:
E-cigars that have prefilled cartridges do not
need too muchmaintenance because they are disposable and
can be thrown away after use. However, most have refillable
cartridges that need care.
To keep the cartridge from leaking liquid nicotine and
holding good quantity, occasionally clean it with an alcohol-
dipped cotton swab or pad and it will be ready to deliver up
to 15 to 20 times. A good electronic cigar will perform at
premium levels with maintenance and care, although there
will be a time when the device will reach its maximum life
expectancy and will require replacement.
SOURCE: Cigdr.com
