Have you had problems with Smoking Everywhere / Anywhere?

[hifistud]

OK, we've all seen tons of compalints, and Kate among others have asked me to review them. I have some reservations about soliciting a review copy from a company with this reputation. If I got a good device by some miracle I would be in the awkward position of having to give a good review to a company I know by the reputation is bad.

What are you reviewing? Is it the product, the company or the deal? As a reviewer, you have a duty to make it clear from the outset: thus, you may have an excellent product that is part of a shoddy deal from a poor company.

But beyond that there's another problem. It's still not clear to me who these guys are. Part of the confusion is over the name. I was searching a while back and there are several variations on those names. SmokingEverywhere, Smoking-Everywhere, etc, etc, etc. Then there's Smoking Anywhere, which is Smoke 51's company name, but is also used by a totally different website.

Smoking Anywhere is SLB/SaiLebao's soubriquet - it's on all their packaging.
It's entirely possible, then, that multiple vendors are re-selling SLB product in its original packaging, and you'll have all manner of folks doing that. Smoking Everywhere, though, is (as far as I can see) a company all of its own.

[Mac]

My kiosk is called smoke anywhere and we sell smoke51 products. We carry other products as well. I think if you spoke with some of my customers you would hear about a vastly different experience then those who bought direct from 51 or greenpuffer. I keep hearing about kiosks not honoring their warranty and I just don't get how they retain any customers at all. I have one customer I had replace devices for 6 times. sure we lost a little money on postage and tying up stock but She reccomends us highly and is a loyal customer! Well worth it! Our customer retention is very high. What are these people thinking by not honoring their warranty? I don't get it.

Note: I didn't respond to the email because I am an employee not a customer.

[whistlrr]

(also sent as an email as requested)

1. Company name?

SmokingEverywhere

2. Was it a Website or a Mall kiosk?

website

3. Location or web address?

smokingeverywhere.com

BUT was actually seen on an unrelated site as a small corner advertisement, sorry no idea where now, as an advertisement for a free e cig simply for cost of shipment. the advert that did not identify as being 'smoking everywhere" -- details of the arrangement including indicating it was actually a 'subscription' and with whom didn't popup until *after* I'd signed on for it.

4. Type of e-cig (pen,mini, disposable, etc) and model number if known.

its their "Gold One" model -- no idea otherwise

5. Owner or operator name?

? -- at one point I was on the telephone with a customer rep,
self identifying as either 'Hugo' or 'Huzo,'
Employee ID #42589, ext 202

6. E-mail address?

support@smokingeverywhere.com

7. Brief description of your experience with them. ANd I do mean brief. Key details only please, not every step along the way, OK?

They are apparently refusing to acknowledge and respond appropriately to the fact that I have no business arrangement/no subscription with them:

first refused to acknowledge cancellation of canceled 'subscription' free trial (canceled immediately within the hour of having placed it), so product was never sent, never received, never wanted.
They also kept and did not reverse charges for a $9.95 "non refundable shipping fee" for this unsent item.
Acknowledgment by email of the cancellation was eventually received.

A month later I was billed by cc for $99.02; when I contacted by phone (see answer #5 above) I was assured this charge would be reversed & situation resolved on my card within 72 hours, however instead 3 days later an unrequested shipment of the "Gold One" arrived.

[leaford]

What are you reviewing? Is it the product, the company or the deal? As a reviewer, you have a duty to make it clear from the outset: thus, you may have an excellent product that is part of a shoddy deal from a poor company.

This is an old thread, and the issue of reviewing a good product from a bad company is one I'd resolved when I revamped my review system. Basically I seperated my ratings system to 5 purely performance based measures, andone overall "top shelf vs bottom shelf" reccomendation, which is more subjective and can include factors like horrible, horrible customer service complaints. So a device might get high performance ratings, but still be put firmly on the bottom shelf.

Smoking Anywhere is SLB/SaiLebao's soubriquet - it's on all their packaging.
It's entirely possible, then, that multiple vendors are re-selling SLB product in its original packaging, and you'll have all manner of folks doing that. Smoking Everywhere, though, is (as far as I can see) a company all of its own.

Again, I cleared this up elsewhere. The main company operating under the Smiking Anywhere LLC name is Smoke51, and also a subsidiary, Greensmoke. As far as I was able to determine, they are unconnected to Smoking Everywhere, although there are some pretty fishy coincidences and similarities.

They do both appear together in some mall kiosks, but those are franchise operations, and some have contracted with both companies.

The SLB affiliated one you mention may be that one website I found that seemed unconnected to either SA LLC, or to SE, except for the similar website name.

My kiosk is called smoke anywhere and we sell smoke51 products. We carry other products as well. I think if you spoke with some of my customers you would hear about a vastly different experience then those who bought direct from 51 or greenpuffer.

All I can say is that I haven't heard anywhere near the amount of complaints about either of those online operations as I have heard about the mall kiosks, or SE's online service.

Online, SE seems like one of the worst companies I have ever heard of, with complaints and returns ignored, money never refunded or only after a long battle, and a "guarantee policy" which seems designed to make it impossible to use, and is pretty much ignored anyway if you try. Not to even mention a basically sub-par product.

OTOH, the online S51 and Greensmoke operations seem no worse than any other online retailer in that regard. A complaint here or there, but that's unavoidable in retail.

The kiosks, by the volume of complaints, seem just as bad as SE online. Whether they carry S51, SE, or both. I attribute it to the nature of turn-key franchise set-ups. People who are really interested retail business, and thus understand the realities of retail and importance of customer service, generally build their own business. People who buy turn-key operations are either looking for a self-running cash-generator, or have no clue about business and retail to begin with.

You may well be an exception. But, again, as evidenced by the litany of complaints on this and other forums, you sir are in the minority. And I will stand by that.

And the next quote is a good case in point:

They are apparently refusing to acknowledge and respond appropriately to the fact that I have no business arrangement/no subscription with them:

first refused to acknowledge cancellation of canceled 'subscription' free trial (canceled immediately within the hour of having placed it), so product was never sent, never received, never wanted.
They also kept and did not reverse charges for a $9.95 "non refundable shipping fee" for this unsent item.
Acknowledgment by email of the cancellation was eventually received.

A month later I was billed by cc for $99.02; when I contacted by phone (see answer #5 above) I was assured this charge would be reversed & situation resolved on my card within 72 hours, however instead 3 days later an unrequested shipment of the "Gold One" arrived.

Whistlrr, thanks so much for sharing. I'm sorry for your experience, but hopefully it'll help warn other consumers away.

[Mac]

All I can say is that I haven't heard anywhere near the amount of complaints about either of those online operations

OTOH, the online S51 and Greensmoke operations seem no worse than any other online retailer in that regard. A complaint here or there, but that's unavoidable in retail.

The kiosks, by the volume of complaints, seem just as bad as SE online. Whether they carry S51, SE, or both. I attribute it to the nature of turn-key franchise set-ups. People who are really interested retail business, and thus understand the realities of retail and importance of customer service, generally build their own business. People who buy turn-key operations are either looking for a self-running cash-generator, or have no clue about business and retail to begin with.

You may well be an exception. But, again, as evidenced by the litany of complaints on this and other forums, you sir are in the minority. And I will stand by that.

Yes I think I am a minority. Yes the kiosk perception in general (regardless of product) is usually negative. I strive to rise above that and do everything above board. No gimmicks and no hidden fees. With outstanding service. I just don't see any other way to do it. I could choose to be a jerk and force my customers to send bad electronics directly to 51 but in my opinion that would be foolish. If everyone local was saying how bad we were it wouldn't take long for my cartridge business and new sales to dry up. I am not willing to see only the short view. These other vendors will eventually be sorry for engaging in cut-throat practices.

[galady]

Yes I think I am a minority. Yes the kiosk perception in general (regardless of product) is usually negative. I strive to rise above that and do everything above board. No gimmicks and no hidden fees. With outstanding service. I just don't see any other way to do it. I could choose to be a jerk and force my customers to send bad electronics directly to 51 but in my opinion that would be foolish. If everyone local was saying how bad we were it wouldn't take long for my cartridge business and new sales to dry up. I am not willing to see only the short view. These other vendors will eventually be sorry for engaging in cut-throat practices.

I ordered the Smoking Everywhere 14 day trial 9/20/09 on line with $9.95 shipping. Not received 9/28/09, called and was told delay and would mail in about 2 days with tracking info and 14 days would start when mailed. Called again 1-899-613-0037 on 10/8/09 and told it had been shipped and given tracking number. Product was delivered 10/10/09. I returned product 10/13/09, very much overpriced after checking with this forum. I returned with delivery confirmation of 10/15/09. On 10/18/09 SE charged my account with $99.02. I again called SE and they credited my account 2 days later.

I had ordered another 7 day trial from Smoke51.com online 10/1/09. As of today I still have not received anything except a charge 10/31/09 in the amount of $89.95. After the bad experience with SE I called to cancel the Smoke51 order 10/19/09, got recording of how to cancel and responed with email to cancel. Cannot find any phone number for a real person, all recordings. Email responce to cancel states that order in process and will extend the 7 day trial.

I have cancelled my card so they will not be able to charge the monthly fee for cartridges $29.95. I again sent emails about this but got the same response of extending the 7 day trial. Still don't have anything to try.

Any of you know how to get to a live person to correct this and get my $$$ back?

galady

[Mac]

I ordered the Smoking Everywhere 14 day trial 9/20/09 on line with $9.95 shipping. Not received 9/28/09, called and was told delay and would mail in about 2 days with tracking info and 14 days would start when mailed. Called again 1-899-613-0037 on 10/8/09 and told it had been shipped and given tracking number. Product was delivered 10/10/09. I returned product 10/13/09, very much overpriced after checking with this forum. I returned with delivery confirmation of 10/15/09. On 10/18/09 SE charged my account with $99.02. I again called SE and they credited my account 2 days later.

I had ordered another 7 day trial from Smoke51.com online 10/1/09. As of today I still have not received anything except a charge 10/31/09 in the amount of $89.95. After the bad experience with SE I called to cancel the Smoke51 order 10/19/09, got recording of how to cancel and responed with email to cancel. Cannot find any phone number for a real person, all recordings. Email responce to cancel states that order in process and will extend the 7 day trial.

I have cancelled my card so they will not be able to charge the monthly fee for cartridges $29.95. I again sent emails about this but got the same response of extending the 7 day trial. Still don't have anything to try.

Any of you know how to get to a live person to correct this and get my $$$ back?

galady

Not sure what to tell you about SE as I have no dealings with them. As to smoke 51 A live person can be reached by phone mon-thursday from 9-4 by calling 888-766-5351 (EST).

My personal advice is to you is that you should probably avoid ANY product claiming a free trial. Those types of offers are never what they seem.

Smoke51 is a great product if you have a local retailer who operates with integrity. Otherwise I would probably buy something cheaper, if you are gonna buy online.

[maureengill]

I am one that did the free trial....It took over a month to get the ecig and by then I had found this site and ordered a 510 starter kit from cignot (which i recieved in three days). I was charged the 99.02 on 10/8 (a month after ordering the trial) and finally recieved the package later that week. I refused the package and called smoking everywhere (800-613-0337) and after calling 18 times in a row and holding for operators who hung up on me 17 times in a row I finally got someone on the phone who would actually do their job. They were tracking the package through usps and said that they would refund me as soon as they recieved the package back. I was so shocked to see the refund has actually been credited to my credit card. I didn't recieve the 9.95 refund that I was promised, but is it worth it to aggravate myself by calling another 20 times? Also if i did decide to call them back would I even get someone who gave a crap?? questionable. I was just thankful they refunded the 99.02...like i have that kind of money to just throw away....

Maureen

[Brewster 59]

I just got some Smoking Everywhere starter packs from a friend. they were a completely new concept to my household when he showed up with them and since there are three smokers in this house, myself, my wife and our roommate, we got three of them.

I must say our first impression was amazement. I am a two pack a day smoker and I completely stepped away from tobacco. of course we didn't order any juice in time so had to go back to analogs for a bit.

I did absolutely no research before getting these and am happy to say that they have at least worked well for all of us. but I don't like to work with companies that have poor customer service - quality is more than the product alone, it's how well a company stands behind their product - so I'd like to find a better purchase. is there one company/product that stands above the others? I know when it comes to vaporizers quality is dictated by price and the only one I'd use cost $500. does the same apply to nicotine vapes? is there a model out there that is the top of the line? or should I just look at these as disposable items?

I appreciate any input.

Genesis

I don't want to alarm you but a lot of people that bought from this company complained that they got into a subscription with SE sending them over priced lousy quality merchandise. If you have a subscription with them cancell your credit card and get a new one as these people also said SE continued to charge them even they cancelled.

PVs are pretty much disposable with the battery lasting about 100-200 charges, the attomiser lasting anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months.

The best model to choose is a highly debated issue which comes down to the users opinion

[awf40]

Well I already posted about this on another thread.. I too ordered 1 in sept & I also cancelled right away.. They billed me 9.95 & than 99.02 even though I had cancelled it.. I had my credit card reverse this 99.02 charge. So if u did order this & cancelled get a hold of your credit card company as soon as possible cause they still will charge u for it.. After all my nasty emails to them, they finally emailed me & said they were going to refund me my 9.95 & 99.02. Must not of liked my emails LOL.