A big issue with every vape shop I've been to

[Calicam]

So we have quite a few brick and mortar vape shops in LA. I've been to four so far and at every one there were issues with the e-juice delivery devices they have available for sampling. I'd say around 75% of the clearomizer/cartomizers they use for tasting were old or poorly functioning. Dry hits and burnt flavor over and over again. Once in a while I'd try one that actually wicked correctly but for the most part they performed very poorly.

This is an issue in two ways.

1. For someone who already vapes, it may dissuade you from purchasing certain flavors that taste good but you judged them based on a faulty delivery system.

2. For people who are looking to take up vaping it may keep you from moving forward with the hobby at all.

These shops are not run by amateur vapers. These guys are all using mechanical mods with Genesis RBA's or drippers; they know how a properly functioning delivery system should work and taste. My guess is that they just don't bother to test their equipment. To a lesser extent I also run across sample tanks that are empty. C'mon guys!!

TLDR: If you work at a vape shop, keep properly functioning cartos/clearos in your sample platters and top them off once in a while!

 

[tj99959]

I don't plan on vaping something that every AIDS/hepatitis infested scumbag on the planet has been spitting in anyway.

 

[Calicam]

That's gross....and a good point.



Sent while driving and eating a burger....and vaping.

 

[RosaJ]

I bring my own dripper or I buy a cheap one on the spot, they're only about $6. I don't use anything that has been used by people I don't know.

 

[Rocketpunk]

There are rubber tips that can slide snuggly over tasting cartos. They are disposable, but I've always kept mine. They come in individually sealed plastic bags. They look like this:



Maybe suggest to your local B&Ms to stock them? The B&M here gives them away free to each person wanting to taste the flavors.

 

[chrisplague]

That's gross....and a good point.



Sent while driving and eating a burger....and vaping.

the only b&m ive been to is The Vapor Spot in Sherman Oaks (I think there is one in LA as well) but they did give me a sealed disposable tip to use when tasting the flavors. I definately would not put my mouth on it if not.

 

[MrStik]

Yeah.. I bring my own tips when I go tasting.

I think the issue is (depending on the location) what they have on display. I go to one that displays about 75 sample tanks. Maintenance on that many testers can be a daunting task. I have alerted the employees of an empty tank or 2 and they were either filled or taken off the tasting table.. but 75% being bad is either exaggeration or just a poorly maintained shop.

 

[kindnugs]

I find that most of the places in LA are kind of rude and snobbish. In fact some who think they know everything don't even carry rebuildable stuff like kanthal.

BM's in LA are dead to me.

 

[Rocketpunk]

...............

 

[Hokus]

That's terrible to hears that stores in LA are doing this to new and old customers.. In my local shop, they have a juice bar and fill a bogo carto for you if your new to let you try flavors.

 

[Calicam]

Yeah.. I bring my own tips when I go tasting.

I think the issue is (depending on the location) what they have on display. I go to one that displays about 75 sample tanks. Maintenance on that many testers can be a daunting task. I have alerted the employees of an empty tank or 2 and they were either filled or taken off the tasting table.. but 75% being bad is either exaggeration or just a poorly maintained shop.

Not exaggerating. The employees will fix them if mentioned so its not like they don't care. I just don't think they test them very often and most new vapers may not be experienced enough to know the taste is not what it should be.

 

[hottierockstar]

I don't plan on vaping something that every AIDS/hepatitis infested scumbag on the planet has been spitting in anyway.

who in their right mind would do such a thing?! or are you talking about "backvape"? LOL

"my" local b&m (north of l.a.) provides sealed, disposable "tip condoms" if you don't bring your own drip tip

 

[EagleTa2]

My local B&M here in phoenix (mesa) actually got a new tip and atomizer out of the case when I first visited to let me try different flavors and to let me try vaping for the first time. Between flavors the guy cleaned out the drip tip and dried it out so I would get a fresh flavor hit the first time...and probably to give me a better vape experience. It worked.

They explained that using an ego system would be a huge upgrade to the blu disposable that I had tried. They were right on that too.

The entire experience earned my business and I bought my initial setup from them. I suspected I could save a few bucks by going online to buy the kit and juice...but I didn't think it would be much different. Boy was I wrong!

The B&M that provided me with excellent service the first time actually ended up being stupid expensive!

Live and learn. Wish I would've found ECF before I dumped that first $100

Thanks,
Geo

 

[Rocketpunk]

The prices online don't include overhead.

A B&M store will obviously up the price because of overhead.

A B&M store isn't making a shady profit off of you for having higher prices. It's to pay for rent, employees, insurance, and any and other sundry bills that come from running a B&M store (ink alone is an issue. Think about labeling. Printers *do* run all night long).

Once you order your gear/juice on-line, figure in the sales tax and the S&H. It's probably only cents less than what you pay in-store.

 

[Rocketpunk]

Also, and I may be snippy here because it's finals week, but if you can't afford it, don't go shopping there.

 

[EagleTa2]

Also, and I may be snippy here because it's finals week, but if you can't afford it, don't go shopping there.

I don't mind a little snippy..I can take it.

I never said I couldn't afford to shop there... in fact I will continue to shop there because of their service. But if I can buy my supplies online for 75% less than my B&M, I will. I plan on continuing to frequent the B&M because they have my current favorite juice...even if it is $12 for 10ml...

Thanks
Geo

 

[Rocketpunk]

Sorry, Eagle. It IS finals week and I slipped into my old server mentality.

"How much extra is it for bacon on a baked potato?"
"It's free, sir."

"How much do you charge for refills?"
"They're free, sir."

"How much are your small drafts?"
"They're two dollars, sir."

"TWO DOLLARS?!"

"Yes, two dollars."

"Damn, son, I get fifty cent beers at the bar down the corner of my street!"

"We're not a bar, sir, I'm sorry."

"Well, how much would it cost to get a bigger beer?"

"One dollar, sir."

"J## C%%T! That's ridiculous!"

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Is ketchup extra?"

 

[Clearo-Mizer]

My local B/M...has boge "service grade" cartos...they only last a day or two....75 cents each...i go in with friends and we all pitch in and get about 5-6 then we go to the tasting couch and they have a 3 teir carosell with about 100 bottles and we taste away ...Vaperite in Woodstock Georgia ...they know whats up.

 

[hottierockstar]

I don't mind a little snippy..I can take it.

they do exist!!!