dues to high

**Elendil** · 06-15-2009, 03:51 AM

Originally Posted by Rockbassray

I agree Bill, but i am presenting the statement that Mac claims the fee for the ECA is steep when his boss can afford 2000-4000$ a month , and i know they do because i have asked to the 2 largest malls in my area the price, as well as current Kiosk owners. If you boss can afford a kiosk, employees, i dont see how 300 a month to help ECA and their very own business sake is an issue

The 2 largest malls in your area, happen to be 2 of the largest malls in the U.S..... 2-4 k is at the top end. You can get a kiosk at 2 malls in my area for 400-600/mo.

**Kewtsquirrel** · 06-15-2009, 04:50 AM

Originally Posted by Elendil

The 2 largest malls in your area, happen to be 2 of the largest malls in the U.S..... 2-4 k is at the top end. You can get a kiosk at 2 malls in my area for 400-600/mo.

Not sure where you live, but thats definitely on the very low side. I used to own and operate Kiosks all throughout Texas, and my rent was never under $1500/mo, even at the 'ghetto' malls.

Edit: It is also virtually universal that you pay a % of your gross sales over X amount to the mall as well, and its generally a fairly low number, 10-20k gross and you start paying.

When I first got into the business, I was working for some Israeli's that didn't like paying that particular fee, oh the fun we used to have reprogramming the cash registers on the 30th and printing out a new set of receipts for management.

**ccure** · 06-15-2009, 05:04 AM

For countries as mine, the application fee + the first month is equal to the minimum salary of 4 employees. The $300 per moth is more than a minimum salary of 1 employee. So, yes, for me the fees are too high!

Also, I can not see really any service directed to the international suppliers that do not sell to the USA market.

I contacted Chad by email and explain this situation long time ago and I do not have any answer yet.

**Rockbassray** · 06-15-2009, 03:13 PM

Good point CCURE, International Members will have a difference is what is considered high to steep for a monthly fee, because of the currency exchange rate

**ccure** · 06-15-2009, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Rockbassray

Good point CCURE, International Members will have a difference is what is considered high to steep for a monthly fee, because of the currency exchange rate

And it is not only the currency exchange rate that is a risk, also our market size is very small compared with any of the developed countries. Not because of the smoker's population, but the % of it that can afford to buy and to keep using and e-cig. In my case, just the 4% of the TOTAL population of Colombia, can afford to buy and keep using the e-cig!

That 4% is the TOTAL population that earns more than $650 dollars per month! Now, just 20% out of that 4% are smokers!

And to worse the picture, here, analogs are by far more economical than e-cigs. People can buy a analog's pack for as low as $0.30. So they are not saving money at all with the e-cigs.

You can see in my "I have been vaping for...." that it shows I have saved $29.xx avoiding 6335 analogs. But that is because I am using wholesaler prices.

So, yes, for underdeveloped countries an application fee of $500 and a monthly fee of $300 just to be allowed to use a sign (because it is not clear how ECA services will add value or help to a non-USA supplier) are just too much!

**Vapor Pete** · 06-15-2009, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Spikey

Are you serious???? No wonder peopple aren't jumping to sign up! I think I need to get involved with that...

Off topic... Spikey, your avatars are getting better, keep it up!

LOL

My best,
-VP

**ozrick** · 06-15-2009, 04:03 PM

The ECA for all intensive purposes is an e-cigarette lobbyist. That takes a ton of cash to get a presence in Washington. If people are serious about vaping and want to see it around in the near future, money is required to get it started.

It may seem steep but it's the cost of doing business in these political times (and most other political times as well!)

**tescela** · 06-15-2009, 04:15 PM

For international suppliers that sell their products into the U.S., it is VERY much in their interest to find a way to support the ECA...unless they want to see a ban dry up demand.