As a B&M worker...what are the "must know the answer" questions?

[M3CH M0D M4DN355]

My best advice would be to show people the very basics, not just set up an e-cig for them without showing them how.

I say this a my friend recently started vaping and instead of coming to me and asking for advice (I could have also given him the setup and juice) he just went to a shop where they relieved him of £52 for a Vision spinner 2, a TS3 tank and 10ml of juice and just set it up for him and showed him out the door.
So he rings me saying yeah come up we will have a vape together, so I got there and he just didn't have a clue! He went to put more juice in the tank that was 3/4 full already, took it off the spinner and unscrewed the cap while the tank was drip tip side up and promptly had a lap full of juice! When I said why did you do that, he replied I dunno how to use it the girl I the shop did for me

I don't know what annoyed me more the fact the girl in the shop didn't show him what to do or that he felt that he couldn't ask me for advice, I was a little upset.

Anyway, the point of my rambling is to take the time to school these folks on the workings of these devices, even if its just the basics. That little bit of time will make the customer much happier, less frustrated and hopefully a vaper (or non smoker) for life.

Best of luck in your new job!

Edit: I would just like to add that with the pace the e-cig market moves it would be impossible to know everything, but I think your best asset will be past experience, that is invaluable and cannot be taught.

 

[AzPlumber]

Along with the suggestions above I think having some knowledge about the older equipment will be a plus. Telling a customer "I've never seen anything like that before" will not instill confidence.

If you really want to be a big hit, learn how to setup a Genesis.

 

[coalyard]

Like a lot of others have already said, LISTEN! It is important to know what your customer expects from their vaping experience. Customer service, first, last, and always. As your customers build trust in you, they will rely on you to help them in their journey. Internet stores have you beat on price. You have to give the customer something they just cannot get from them.

 

[Spazmelda]

This isn't really a 'stuff to know' kind of thing, but please tell your customers that they will have to change coils and give them an idea of how often and what the signs of an old 'needs to be replaced or cleaned' coil are.

I've been in so many B&M shops listening to employees explain their new setup to a newbie. I don't think I've ever heard an employee offer up, "coils are consumable supplies, you will need to replace them regularly. You might want to buy a few extras today". They will show them how to install a coil, but not mention that it needs to be changed periodically. In the beginning I'd stay quiet, not wanting to step on toes. After hearing newbies complain (here and IRL) about their vape not being as good, asking them if they've changed the coil lately, and hearing, "changed the coil? What are you talking about?", I've started speaking up and giving the employees a prod to divulge this information. I can't understand why they don't mention this right off the bat. Do they not want to discourage people with the idea of maintenance costs? Not want to overwhelm? Do they just forget?

 

[twgbonehead]

All that sounds great! I would also recommend you know what a carto-tank is (you probably know but I didn't see one on your list).

As to the different mech mods, don't worry about it too much. Fundamentally they all work pretty much the same. You can try the buttons for feel, check out the locking mechanism, and in general just handle the ones in the store a bit and you will figure out what the differences are.

I think you're more than ready. Good luck and enjoy the job!

 

[DavidOck]

OH, and the url for CASAA

CASAA - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association

 

[Pedrobear]

Support dripper juice samplings, taste from a heavy used cart to personal RDA is night and day.

 

[LupinIII]

Great suggestions so far. Don't forget that there is a wealth of potential questions right here on ECF in the New Members Forum. Browsing the common questions that pop up there as well as some of the new member introductions should give you plenty of "study" material.

Good luck with the new job!

 

[Nytebreed]

Don't sweat being unfamiliar with some of the mods on the shelf. On your down time tear them down and reassemble them, you'll be a pro in no time.
Confidence, patience, and the knowledge to set up a client with the correct setup for their needs, and not simply what will ring up the register the most, will be the recipe for success.

 

[Burner52]

There are only 2 vape stores anywhere near me. Which is amazing because I'm in a metro area. I went to a shop near by recently but it turned out to be more of a "head" shop masquerading as a vape store (and I guess vaporizers are used for more than just eliquids!). I wanted to know about wicking. and how to put some wicks in there and I found youtube was more helpful than they were. So I'd say be familiar with all those little parts on the inside and how to work with them. Plus they did'nt stock anything but higher PG juices and so were not accommodating or maybe not even aware of the fact some people cant vape high PG juices. Know what juices work best with different methods. I'd also be upfront with people and let them know that there is a learning curve to this- it is'nt really a care free substitute for regular cigs. Maintenance is required. From reading your OP you probably would have been of more help than the store I went to.

 

[wonkeypickle]

try to stay on top of the new gear and industry rumor mill, guys like me only go into b&m's to grab random things i need quickly and don't have time to order, and so when i go into a shop if there's nobody to chit chat with i don't go back to that shop usually.

 

[Astron]

Hey guys, just want to do a quick follow-up to my initial observations of working at a B&M.

Our store carries a very wide range of products, including some really up to date tech. Basically if you've read about it here and it's not too terribly niche, our store will have it or a close variant. So I'm proud of that.

Prices are definitely B&M prices...not obscene, but anyone who has done his or her homework will be able to find the same products online for a much better price. As is obvious, I think people are paying for advice...mainly about Evod battery life but more so than that, tank issues.

Lots and lots of Aspire BDC issues. Number one question/complaint is BDC coil lifespan. Being able to advise about the new BVC coil is a relief, to be honest. So far, customers are understanding when I explain about QC issues. Since I use an iStick with a Nautilus Mini as one of my setups, I can pick it up and explain that as a customer myself, the BVC coils are far superior.

Another surprising fact is that most of my customers are newbies to Vaping. I had to reacquaint myself with starter kits in order to advise with confidence and authority.

Since I had been out of retail for a handful of years, I also have had to realize that many customers don't want to step up in gear. They are happy with their Evods and it seems they are very hesitant to get more advanced products. This is to the point that I am hesitant to even recommend a better tank for some people. It's frustrating only because I can tell some customers are struggling with disposable products when a better alternative is available to them.

One more observation and I will put this away for the moment: Some customers are desperate for good advice. I'm not an expert by any means but I have studied Vaping and Vaping related products (Hat Tip to Hank Hill) religiously for about five months. Even products I don't use or plan to use -- I watch all the YouTube videos about RBAs and mech mods, box mods, tank systems, etc., that I can. Customers are EXTREMELY APPRECIATIVE of confident (but not false) knowledge. They want patience and empathy, not braggadocio and big clouds, necessarily (at least not at my shop). They don't want to feel inferior or outclassed by the people who are selling to them. Sure, does it make them feel more at ease to know I can build my own coils? Sure, maybe. But I know they feel comfortable with me since I seem to have gone through the same issues and have used they same products as they have.

So, that's what I've observed thus far. Thanks for reading

 

[Rocketpunk]

Try to accept that no matter how much wisdom you try so desperately to dispense, you're never, ever going to stop hearing the words, "This thing leaks". I could live the rest of my life and gladly never hear "this keeps leaking" again and die a very happy man.

Sent from my KFOT using Tapatalk

 

[Zelphie]

Hey guys, just want to do a quick follow-up to my initial observations of working at a B&M.

Our store carries a very wide range of products, including some really up to date tech. Basically if you've read about it here and it's not too terribly niche, our store will have it or a close variant. So I'm proud of that.

Prices are definitely B&M prices...not obscene, but anyone who has done his or her homework will be able to find the same products online for a much better price. As is obvious, I think people are paying for advice...mainly about Evod battery life but more so than that, tank issues.

Lots and lots of Aspire BDC issues. Number one question/complaint is BDC coil lifespan. Being able to advise about the new BVC coil is a relief, to be honest. So far, customers are understanding when I explain about QC issues. Since I use an iStick with a Nautilus Mini as one of my setups, I can pick it up and explain that as a customer myself, the BVC coils are far superior.

Another surprising fact is that most of my customers are newbies to Vaping. I had to reacquaint myself with starter kits in order to advise with confidence and authority.

Since I had been out of retail for a handful of years, I also have had to realize that many customers don't want to step up in gear. They are happy with their Evods and it seems they are very hesitant to get more advanced products. This is to the point that I am hesitant to even recommend a better tank for some people. It's frustrating only because I can tell some customers are struggling with disposable products when a better alternative is available to them.

One more observation and I will put this away for the moment: Some customers are desperate for good advice. I'm not an expert by any means but I have studied Vaping and Vaping related products (Hat Tip to Hank Hill) religiously for about five months. Even products I don't use or plan to use -- I watch all the YouTube videos about RBAs and mech mods, box mods, tank systems, etc., that I can. Customers are EXTREMELY APPRECIATIVE of confident (but not false) knowledge. They want patience and empathy, not braggadocio and big clouds, necessarily (at least not at my shop). They don't want to feel inferior or outclassed by the people who are selling to them. Sure, does it make them feel more at ease to know I can build my own coils? Sure, maybe. But I know they feel comfortable with me since I seem to have gone through the same issues and have used they same products as they have.

So, that's what I've observed thus far. Thanks for reading

I think this is a wonderful attitude, and as far as someone having trouble with certain setups when you know there are better ones, you seem to know it will only work when someone feels ready. The look and feel can be very important especially in the beginning, and they always know where you are if they want to upgrade.
If more B&M places were like yours, and didn't make feel kinda stupid for not knowing how many things work, Id shop there frequently. Good job!

 

[Baditude]

Try to accept that no matter how much wisdom you try so desperately to dispense, you're never, ever going to stop hearing the words, "This thing leaks". I could live the rest of my life and gladly never hear "this keeps leaking" again and die a very happy man.

Yup

 

[Rocketpunk]

"Oh god they have a bag..."

I.e., the bag their initial purchase came in.

Seeing one always means something isn't working.


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[r77r7r]

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[realsis]

It would be nice to let people know up front especially when dealing with a rba that things can be very build dependant. Meaning they should know how to build, know the ascents of safety and ohms law BEFORE they use a rda. I've seen lots of posts where people want to take back their rbas because of user errors. Leaking ect. If a employee could make sure they know how to build before they buy a rda I think it would be very helpful for your shop and for the person. Maybe let them know rebuildables are for more advanced vapors who know how to build and know saftey up front. This will save you a lot of "returns" later. Hope this helps.

 

[Jake67]

I was in my local B&M yesterday to pick up some juice. The shop is very well stocked. Everything from starters, to Provari's and more. No clones. While tasting a young guy walked in stating he wanted to quit smoking. The store manager and resident mixologist says" you can either get a starter kit,or go full blown with a mechanical mod and a rebuildal". He then proceeds to drip and show the guy how huge a cloud he could blow if he he goes that way.
How stupid and irresponsible was this sales tactic? This new vapor could either hurt themselves or get so frustrated that they went back to smoking.
Glad the shopper was smart enough to make the right decision.
I go into every shop I see in my travels. I've yet to find one that is really upfront and honest.
Between the "take the money and run "shops and some of the Internet rip offs it makes vaping look bad.
Glad that you care about the service and advise you provide to your customers.



Sent from my iPhone

 

[Astron]

Thanks, Jake67.

I've been given bad advice from B&Ms before -- innocently, I hope. Mainly because I think that particular store at the time was trying to push what they sold. Their inventory was low and they only carry two brands of e-liquid. Not sure if they will stay in business, and that's a shame.

The situation you described sounds very irresponsible. I've only seen one guy come in asking for an RBA with no prior knowledge. I'm proud to say my co-worker spent a ton of time working with that customer. The customer left with a regulated mod instead of a mech, so at least that was a small relief.

So far even the really young customers (and I mean 18 years old) are coming in asking for starter kits instead of mechs. They think the mechs are cool but they also seem to be coming in with a friend or two who also are using starter kits, so their peer influence is guiding them to responsible choices.

There has only been one guy who has come in with a really low ohm build. His battery looked like crap and the guys I worked with told him to toss it.