How'd you find V4L?

[2econd_draft]

I was originally looking into buying a BLU (ugh, I know. Don't get me started...) and I was watching some reviews of it on YouTube. I went through with it, bought it, and ended up returning it (two dead atomizers and one dead battery after 3 days' use, as well as very low-volume/poor-quality vapor)
I went back to YouTube for some ideas, and saw some great reviews for the Vapor King by users "ECigaretteVideos" and "MoobyGhost," who I know frequents the forum. They both seemed very, very satisfied with their purchase, so when I got the refund for the BLU, I turned it around and used the money to buy a couple of batteries, a PCC, and some cartos.

Since then, I've been giving lessons and V4L cards to complete strangers, left and right.

 

[ninjindustries]

I remember looking into ecigs a long time ago, but wasn't thrilled with their capabilities. For the past few months I had been hearing a lot of ads on the radio for Smoke Assassin and Smoke Assist. After doing some research on them, I was not impressed. However, the idea of an ecig continued to intrigue me, and thus I continued my research. I found several forums, with this one seeming to be the most popular. I also checked a bunch of videos on youtube. I was very close to ordering a Yeti from AltSmoke. After a few more youtube videos, I settled into this forum and decided to go with V4L.

I am glad that I did. Amazing shipping time, amazing hardware, amazing carts [only 1/10 carts have not pleased me,] all at a good price. I hope you guys at V4L see some more orders from the Cleveland area, I have been handing out business cards to all who are interested.

 

[callofthevapor]

I heard about e-cigs and found this forum as I was trying to figure it all out. So many types it was a bit overwhelming to me. Reading DonDaBoomVape guide to e-cigs lead me to believe the KR808D-1 would be the best choice for me starting out. Why did I pick V4L as my supplier? I kept seeing post where people made claims like V4L just rebrands the KR808D-1 they are nothing special. And while its true they will send you replacements its only because they have an inferior brand.
Another claim that's common was V4L has rabid supporters some how implying that it has nothing to do with customer service or how they treat people So I thought gee these people are exactly right I don't want to buy from a company like that. But sadly they didn't really provide me with a company that'd treat me like crap so I ended up ordering from V4L anyways

 

[Belletrist]

Another claim that's common was V4L has rabid supporters some how implying that it has nothing to do with customer service or how they treat people.

i find this really curious, because... why else would people be such avid fans? i mean, what with the inferior product, the less than stellar service, and so forth. *rolls eyes*

 

[DonDaBoomVape]

I heard about e-cigs and found this forum as I was trying to figure it all out. So many types it was a bit overwhelming to me. Reading DonDaBoomVape guide to e-cigs lead me to believe the KR808D-1 would be the best choice for me starting out. Why did I pick V4L as my supplier? I kept seeing post where people made claims like V4L just rebrands the KR808D-1 they are nothing special. And while its true they will send you replacements its only because they have an inferior brand.
Another claim that's common was V4L has rabid supporters some how implying that it has nothing to do with customer service or how they treat people So I thought gee these people are exactly right I don't want to buy from a company like that. But sadly they didn't really provide me with a company that'd treat me like crap so I ended up ordering from V4L anyways

The Vapor King is a Kr8, but it is not a crappy one (and certainly not the only branded Kr8). Vapor4Life is not the only good supplier, but it is right up there. I do take the claims made by V4L's "rabid supporters" with a grain of salt, but that does not tarnish the company or the man at the helm. Two of the reasons I respect Steve are:

1. He hired Leaford to do product development.
2. He represented us all so well on NBC Nightly News on the day the FDA released its misleading report.

So, if you ordered your Kr8 starter kit and/or cartomizers from Vapor4Life, don't feel regret. You have chosen wisely.

 

[jedrojam]

I found the ECF when first researching my initial e-cig purchase 8 months ago. Went through the 306, 510, Mini Pipe, Janty Stick, and Little Chuck models (in that order). Realized that my 2 main issues were battery life and cartridge life.

Thought I solved the battery issue first with Janty Stick which has the USB recharge port. But have slain the battery beast now via the Little Chuck, since 2 batteries last me well over 1 day.

The cartridge/liquid life issue, however, was much more elusive. I personally do not care to drip. I want to pick up my e-cig and use it without having to fill it. I've tried numerous different cartridge models and filler types, and even the edobit. Although I have had very good success with the aquarium foams, there is a problem with leaking/flooding/not wicking. I was sure that there had to be a better way, and that's when I stumbled across the cartomizer. I purchased some lower quality carto's from another vendor and wasn't too impressed with the performance. But, after reading hundreds of glowing posts regarding V4L, I took the plunge. Well, now the cartridge life issue for me is solved. The V4L cartos don't leak, taste great (except the rosy red-hots ), and just plain work when I need them to. They are easy to fill and maintain.

Now I don't have to carry a chemistry set around with me all day to satisfy my vaping habit. Like smoking, when I would carry a lighter and pack of smokes, now I only need my little chuck, extra battery, and a few cartomizers.


(disclaimer: I am in no way suggesting any model or mod is better than another. I have only listed my start to present experiences with the equipment that I own, which led me to V4L)

 

[Belletrist]

i'll take any spare red-hots off yer hands.

i think one reason that people may need to take V4L'ers with a 'grain of salt' as dondaboomvape says is that... well, for some of us, the V4L KR8 has been our first and only e-cig, and V4L is our first and only supplier. i'm one of those people, although i will prob branch out into mod-land at some point, and i am def a V4L fan girl. but i do understand the frustration of people who use and enjoy other models/brands with other benefits.

having said that--i'll say also that V4L has a great thing going and i'm def a V4L pusher. it's fantastic for newbies who have just "heard about this e-cig" thing to start with a model as simple as the KR8, and customer service as personalized and painless as V4L. i've seen the guys offer to replace things that... well, were probably outright broken by the customer.

knowing me... i'm a born hobbyist... i will eventually dabble in modding at least and maybe get some other models for tinkerin' with. at <1 month of vaping, however, i'm still trying to just smother any cravings i have for analogs with V4L fervor, and this forum, the continually expanding selection at V4L, the fact that i'm not scared to order stuff, know that i can email/call/pm the guys for help, etc... right now i need that as a security blanket.

so does V4L prob inspire a lot of fan-fervor because they hold our hands and coddle us? you betcha. if this wasn't about getting off analogs for so many, that prob wouldn't matter so much. but giving up an addiction, even in a fun, user-friendly, delicious way like giving up analogs for vaping makes people insecure.

steve and mark, by being present and accessible, address that insecurity. by giving us direct phone numbers to call, they address that insecurity. leaford, by being in china and overseeing production, taking customer opinion into consideration, and communicating with customers about QC concerns, addresses that insecurity. by replacing parts no-questions-asked, they address it.

by including bonus gifts, they address it--allowing us to try out equipment and flavors we might not have, offer up ones we might not like for trade, or increasing our stash, they show confidence in their products. and it's a confidence well founded and a good business model, too. i've gotten 2 free bats from V4L, an XL auto and an XL man'l; because of them, i've ordered more XL batts and more manual batts than i would have otherwise. probably enough to offset the cost of giving me the freebies to start with; that's a win for everyone.

addressing the insecurities that are inherent in giving up analogs for new vapers, and assuring repeat customers that they stand behind their and appreciate their customer base... yes, it's hand holding, yes, it's coddling, and yes--it makes for 'i never shop elsewhere' mentality, esp in some newer vapers. but other providers should be grateful for V4L, too. because they've held my hand, and taken such excellent care of my friends and family when i've directed them to V4L, i'm now ready to look at other stuff. will i always use V4L as my main supplier, yeah. but now that i'm becoming comfortable with vaping, i can take the training wheels off, and i'll be far more likely to branch out just for the fun of it.

 

[callofthevapor]

DonDaBoomVape I found everything you printed very informative. I'm not sure I would have tried e-ciggerates if not for your guide. Like Belltrist eventually and sooner then later I will be branching out into other vaping. I think you have to admit though expecially in the new members forum there is a lot of negative things said about V4L. It's always careful not to be blatant flaming. Just seemed an effort to steer people away from V4L. And by this post it seems to be a coordinate effort

Edit: callofthevapor.... my sig line has actually attracted a lot of other people who feel the same way as me to message me and tell me their storys about the flunked stuff and customer service too, so it's actually good socialising on here for me too, i enjoy it.

Seems to me people are messaging him and cheering him on. At any rate as I said and me being an contrarian type when I seen post ripping on V4L that made no sense to me I came to this forum and checked what customers was saying.. Its not the only good company out there, just I took what people was implying about the company with a grain of salt and thats how they caught my eye

 

[critterbug]

great post belle!

 

[callofthevapor]

I really need to just let this go but .......eh I'm not. Here is an example of what I've seen in the new members section since I joined.

Vaper King
Just started sucking on a Vapor King yesterday. I seem to be doing more sucking than vaping. The first cart was vapor poor. The second cart was very acceptable until I vaped it dry. The 3rd one was clogged or something so I figured it was defective (will probably open it up this weekend). The 4th one is "vapor" poor again.

There was a video is saw on how to refill the juice on a one piece cartomizer and he metioned that the atty in sometimes not centered in the cart. Could this be the issue with the loss of vapor production?

I am already fed up with this, so I ordered an E9 from Greensmoke hoping for a decent, repeatable vapor hit. Already spend $250 hoping for room fogging vapor. I will spend $250 more if someone can tell me what it takes to get a good vapor hit. (Please don't say that a slow draw works better - I have tried that too.)

here was my reply

I have to wonder what you bought that you spent $250 on. If its the vapor4life vapor king your talking of you really need to complain to them and get your money back. I see your a new member if you like I can start a thread in the Vapor 4 Life forum and then you can provide your order number and your complaint and lets see if we can get your money back. No one should have to endure an inferior product like you are. Just a simple matter of you providing an order number so they can see who needs their money back.

Well unless your another bull....er that claims you have some service issue with them. Answer here if you want me to start that thread

First off the guy is new with 5 posts. He claims to have spent $250. I spent a bit over that and I have 4 batteries, 2 PT and damn probable close to 100 carts. I'm willing to bet he could get a refund if its all as bad as he says all he needs to do to prove me wrong is provide a order number Now I don't know why hes making those claims or if some one put him up to it. But that kind of thing is going to have the opposite effect on me then that person hoped. I don't like smoke blown up my .....now vape maybe depends if its a flavor I like

 

[critterbug]

yah cotv, i read that and thought the same thing. maybe it is the ol' captain reincarnate.

 

[DonDaBoomVape]

DonDaBoomVape I found everything you printed very informative. I'm not sure I would have tried e-ciggerates if not for your guide. Like Belltrist eventually and sooner then later I will be branching out into other vaping. I think you have to admit though expecially in the new members forum there is a lot of negative things said about V4L. It's always careful not to be blatant flaming. Just seemed an effort to steer people away from V4L. And by this post it seems to be a coordinate effort

Thank you, callofthevapor! [That's a neat username and avatar, by the way: a vivid image, especially if one has read Jack London.]

I believe that the the V4L fanclub (not the Vapor4Life company) brings some of this negativity on itself. Many V4L fans are quite strident and "in your face." It puts off the rest of us.

 

[Taryn]

It goes both ways DDBV, the V4L fan club may be a bit intense at times but I've found an amazing amount of attacks from other forum members aimed at the V4L customers. We get plenty of people who will jump down in the V4L subforum to troll and stir up trouble not to mention those in the main forums. I had to take a few days break from the forums myself because it was making me feel defensive.

The internet is not always a friendly place, in fact it's rarely a friendly place which is why I find it so nice in this subforum.

 

[Belletrist]

Many V4L fans are quite strident and "in your face." It puts off the rest of us.

hmm. this is interesting. not something i've noticed, mainly cause i don't chit chat in the forum at large, i imagine, i just go there looking for information when i have a non-V4L specific question. again, i haven't seen it, but not denying it may be true. i'm sure you don't just mean being a V4L fan, or recommending V4L cause... well, you seem like an unbiased type who engages in productive discussions around the board, pretty much everywhere. in fact, if i ever had a random question that i couldn't find the answer to here, or on the rest of the forum, i'd prob pm you.

i'm sure it does go both ways, and it ain't just the interwebs to blame.

people can be strident and in your face and frequently are, more's the shame. but because V4L fans are fans of a brand vs. a model, and because there's a relatively tight, active community in the V4L subforum, we're certainly perceived more as a group or clique... which means a strident, in yo' face V4Ler reflects on the rest of us more than say... a strident, in your face fan of the 510.

it'd be great if forum members who weren't fans of V4L remembered that V4L fans are just V4L customers, individuals with no other tie than being customers of the same company, and didn't take one obnoxious example as evidence that "we" are "all that way."

but it'd also be good for the members who frequent this subforum to remember that we're V4L customers, individuals with no other tie than being customers of the same company.

if people become friends on the forum, that isn't (shouldn't be) because we use the same brand, but because we support each other, etc. if we are fans of V4L it's because (should be because) they're a great company, not because they're Better Than Your'n.

as a forum owner elsewhere i'm all too familiar with the mob mentality that is so easily exercised on the internet. it's a shame that it's being perceived/exercised in regards to the V4L brand and company because that doesn't do steve any favors. and it is a great company. i look forward to comparing other models to those offered by V4L because i'd like to be helpful on ECF other than just saying "V4L is great." no doubt it is but also, no doubt it's not the only good product or company out there.

if we are fans of V4L and want to promote the company here on ECF that's best served by being members with constructive, worthwhile contributions. if that's just in the V4L subforum, that's okay, but if it's on ECF as a whole, that's even better.

 

[freerangehuman]

Well, I'm hesitant to admit it, but I was driving home from work, and heard for the umpteenth time the radio ad for the 'Smoke Assassin.' I'd been meaning to quit analogs, but couldn't ever go a day without. I decided to research a lil when I got home, stumbled across ECF and learned about the aforementioned product and their racket. Did not realize there were so many different suppliers of real E-cigs though. I don't recall how many people were browsing this sub-forum at the time, but it was(as usual) more than any other. I read a few, ummm exuberant posts, bit the bullet, and here I am...nearly 2 months not smoking!

Now I'm lurking here just bout everyday, ordering stuff almost every week, and still saving big money and lung tissue!

 

[DonDaBoomVape]

...The internet is not always a friendly place, in fact it's rarely a friendly place which is why I find it so nice in this subforum.

Gosh! That has not been my experience. Of course there are exceptions, but 99% of my interactions (at least on the vaping forums like ECF) have been very cordial.

Belletrist, in the interest of bandwidth*, I'm not quoting your most recent post in this thread, but it is just shortly before this one.

* You are an intelligent, thoughtful writer, but you display a bit of the DaBoomVape syndrome (i.e., verbosity). Just a bit. I still claim the Guiness Record of the world's (or, at least, ECF's) longest post.

I think you identified an important aspect of the tension between fanclubs in your previous post: "for some of us, the V4L KR8 has been our first and only e-cig, and V4L is our first and only supplier." And such is often the case with other cliques.

There is so much about vaping that I love. Perhaps more than anything else is the exponentially growing variety of quality choices: in models, e-liquids, suppliers, video reviewers, forums, subforums, etc., etc. ... even illustrated guides (yes, I read Birdy's masterful work).

Sometimes our passions about such choices get the better of us. Perhaps we can draw a lesson from the man whose birthday we have just celebrated. I have my own dream where users of Vapor Kings and penstyles "will be able to join hands with" users of 510s and big battery mods "and walk together as sisters and brothers."

Can't we interact with each other with mutual respect: I love my e-cig model and supplier (and here's why) and I realize that there are other good models and suppliers as well. I'm interested in learning more about your choice.

Oh, where is Dr. King or even Dave Garroway when you need him?!

 

[Doublexl85]

One of my employees came into work one day and told me about one his friend bought and told me how much he liked it. So I went home and spent hours researching it (The Chemicals, dangers, price, reviews, chemicals in reg cigs, etc.) Then checked out all the sites till I found V4L and House of Vapor bought a Joye510 some juices and been loving it for 8months now.

 

[Belletrist]

on the forum i run, "belle-length" is actually defined in our glossary.

& yes, i totally agree, fanaticism is rarely helpful, never good, and down right silly when it comes to a brand.

 

[justcloves]

I lurked on the forum for about 4 months since I quit smoking and finally joined so I could post and say thank you to the vendors who have helped me kick a 20+ year habit.
I had already purchased a KR808d-1 from another supplier before visiting the V4L subforum. This is a special, family type atmosphere. We didn't feel this way about the people we bought cigarettes from, did we?
When I needed supplies for my e cig, I placed a V4L order and am so glad I did. Good products, lots of flavors to try, variety of colors make it easy to keep track of which carts have been refilled with what, and nothing but great experiences with the V4L customer service.
I can't say I have had bad experiences with any e cig company I have ordered from, but now that I found V4L, I feel a sense of loyalty to people who showed me that they care about their customers.

 

[keyzygirl]

I have used penstyles,510s,mods,and V4L.When I am asked by new people what I would recomend to be easiest,longest lasting ecig without to much fiddle factor,I always recomend V4L xlong batts and cartos.I have shopped and tried and wasted alot of $$,I figure if I can save someone else the hassle and expense,Im gonna do it.Ive gotton defective merchandise from other companys and they give you a hard time about it and you have to pay and wait to mail it back so they can see the defect.Ive never had a single problem getting things made right with V4L.I dont consider myself a fangirl,just a well informed consumer who finally found an awesome product and a wonderful company that stands behind it.Thats why I recomend V4L out there in the ECF forum.