B+M over online? Despite price

[markosmo]

I have been purely going B+M. I have at least 4 with in 20 mins of me that i know of. New Haven county area in Connecticut.

I was wondering, if you are lucky enough to have some local shops, do you make major purchases at these stores, or go on line to save 20-30 dollars maybe?
I know i have been spending more....my mvp2 was 25 more than i see online at 101vape...but i love supporting local people....

Just curious what others do and if people try the old i "saw it online for cheaper" deal. I feel bad. all these stores are new....small...indy....just trying to scrape it together....

 

[hurricanegirl100]

It depends on the markup. I have a pretty good idea of how much I'd pay online before I walk into a B&M. If the markup is more than double what I'd pay online, then forget it. I like buying local too, but while I'm willing to pay a reasonable premium to get it "right here, right now" there's a limit to how high I'll go for that luxury! But if it's only a few dollars or so, then I will buy at the B&M.

 

[Fisheeboy]

I totally get where you're coming from and I too am all about supporting and buying from local businesses. Unfortunately for me I live in a town with only one smoke shop that is really more of head shop and they only sell a very limited amount of vaping "stuff" But that is not the biggest problem, they are not so great people that are only out to make a buck and will rip you off at every chance they get. Example: labeling a 15ml bottle of e-liquid as 20ml and then selling for $15. Not cool! I am very envious of folks that have great vapor shops to go to. Sure wish I did. By all means folks, support your local vapor shops. Just don't support the crooks.
I really have no other alternative than to shop online.

 

[k702]

so far I have left it up to the proprietor. If they are helpful, and courteous and at least half truthful (tell me a clone is a clone..) I can very easily overlook the markup. If they are too busy for me and then tell me that a clone is the real deal and they have them at a "Great price" I walk out and don't look back.

one place charged me a little over 20 bucks for a pack of 5 2.5ohm protank heads. I asked why so much, the guy's reply was "well that's the normal price you'll find them for everywhere." I knew that wasn't really the truth since I had three packs on the way from DV for like 6 bucks each, and could have got them elsewhere for a similar price. I needed them though so I got them, I won't revisit that shop or give them any of the most likely thousands of dollars I'll spend on vaping over the course of the rest of my vaping career. their loss.

 

[GPC2012]

I have to drive 70 miles round trip for a B & M so it depends on how bad I need it, and how much more I would have to pay for it. If I have to pay 15 to 20% more for it and then spend another 10 for gas, plus time it takes there and back. I have to need it pretty bad to go and pick it up.

 

[cantstopwontstop]

The way I do it is that I buy 95% of my juice from the Local B&M's like you I'm fortunate to have 6 within 20 minutes of my house and 3 within 5 minutes. The juice costs pretty much the same at the store as it does online and the only time I buy online is if 1. they're out of stock or 2. There's a promotion or a flavor not available to me locally. Hardware wise I buy from the internet. Buying mods/atomizers is tricky because the B&M usually stocks the lower quality clones at a higher price that the top quality clones sold on the web. Also they don't stock any high end stuff that I buy every now and then (though the recently got a bunch of Provari's but - not my thing). I want to support the stores local to me just in case internet sales are banned for some god awful reason in which case I just might go ballistic!! These are all small business for the most part, not just local brick and mortar stores but even various vendors and alot of the creators of atomizer's and mods and E-liquid out there. They aren't huge businesses and most probably don't have many employee's but do put food on the table for the people that own/operate them. I really hope the government doesn't come crashing down on them.

You can liken it to gun control, yes it could happen and may very well happen, but if it does then a good chunk of people stand to lose their jobs/businesses. Support your local B&M because if vapepocalypse comes they may be the only way you can get your juice or hardware.

 

[Razorback]

I've been buying my batteries and stuff locally, but I get my juice (since I DIY mainly) online exclusively. Especially since there were no B&M's in my town when I got started. I try to throw a little business their way when I can.... Good to do whenever possible, I agree!

 

[801Zenfidel]

For me unless the price difference is huge or I'm looking for an item that can't be purchased from a local B&M I will always purchase locally. Vaping, especially in UT where I live, is under huge scrutiny and having serious legal issues. Putting the money locally will keep them in business and keep the presence there, if the presence dies down because the B&M's aren't in business it's going to be all that much easier for the govn't to put down bans or unfounded restrictions like they've been trying recently.

 

[Miata GT]

I would prefer to buy locally, depending on the shop as other people have said, but for the most part the mods and attys I have bought either aren't sold locally (Provari, Semovar, Big Nasty, KFL+, etc.) or are cheap clones. Strangely with all the vape shops in my area most are the eGo stick and CE4 type of shops.

 

[Eivind211]

I have a shop less than 2 miles from my house, and I frequent it. I haven't purchased any hardware from them, except an 18650 battery, but that's probably because their selection was very limited. The last time I was there they were moving in several new glass cases, so hopefully that will change soon. Their markups are in my opinion ridiculous, but in a pinch, they'll do. Their juice is very reasonable and I like several of their flavors, I do buy some of that from them.

For me, when I am shopping for anything vape related or otherwise, I take several factors into account. First and foremost is when do I need the item? Everything else comes after that. Price isn't really a sticking point for me, unless there is a vast difference between stores. A little customer service to me is worth a bit more money, but not twice as much as the next store.

 

[coalyard]

Bought my VMAX at a store in town, one of 2 we have here. It came with a charger and (2) 18350 batteries. They tossed in an Iclear 30s and a 10ml bottle of juice for $80, and out. Since then, the sold me a replacement head for the Iclear that turned out to be for a 16, not a 30 (it didn't look right, and I even questioned it) and I never returned there.

The second shop turned out to be much better, better prices and better staff. I bought my VTR there for $107, which isn't too much more than online. Also bought lots of juice 3 PT2's, and 3 Iclear 30s's. I rebuild the coils for the PT's, and the price of the replacement coils for the Iclears aren't too much more than online, so I will get those there when I need them. I now buy all of my juice online, as well as rebuilding supplies, batteries, etc. I will also get my Russian 91% from online, simply because they don't have it available.

I like having a real shop with real people in it to go to for things I need, and I am lucky to have a good one in the area.

 

[Bolivar]

If I like the place ( good customer service, friendly people, etc...) and they have what I am looking for or can get it quickly- I'll take the B&M every time. I like supporting local business. If they can't get what I'm looking for, or don't give a flip about my business....I'm off to online shopping. I know I usually pay more buying local, but my money stays in the community and I see that as a plus.

I happen to have 2 good stores where I live. I went to one last week and bought 3 bottles of juice and an IClear 30S tank. The owner charged me for juice only and gave me the tank ! Hard to beat that kind of service. He knows he'll make the cost of that tank back over a dozen times in the long run.





Sent from the north 40 via messenger cow

 

[pman3255]

I love my local b&ms and for some stuff, man is it convenient.

I have 3 around me, possibly a 4th I haven't seen yet. They have great juices, but i try and just sample the ones I like specifically from online vendors and if I run out of a flavor I like, ex cherry, I can run up and grab some.

I usually keep hardware to online, unless it's within 10-15%. Then I can support my local vape shops and buy from them, but things like tanks run super expensive...

 

[freeatlast!]

There is only 1 actual vaping shop in my small town but I usually go in about once a week to buy something. They have new products constantly, although they don't sell much of what I've come to prefer. Their prices are decent, IMO, for what they have, and they are friendly and knowledgeable about their products. They make their own juices and sell my all-time favorite, caramel popcorn. Love it and keep stocked up!

There are 2 convenience stores that sell some ejuices, one a locally distributed brand that I like. So I even buy ejuices at those stores fairly often. I

I do believe in supporting local businesses as long as they are priced reasonably and have good customer service. If you live in a smallish town, I feel it's especially important to support the local businesses.

 

[GaG8tor]

I'm pretty fortunate living in Metro-Atlanta B&M's are pretty much popping up everywhere. I have 3 relatively close. I've been in 2 of them and from what I've heard there's no reason to ever visit the 3rd. One is my go-to exclusively. The other I've only been into one time and that's because I happened to be in the area and just wanted to check them out. Bought a couple of juices from them and a new tank for my GFS. My go-to shop is a little pricier than online but I get it. They have overhead and need to turn a profit. I've never bought anything online and unless they get really ridiculous I don't plan to. Much rather pay a couple of bucks more for service and piece of mind knowing I have exactly what I want and need.

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[XxBLUExX]

It all depends on price say i can get 10 to 15$ off online on items I will then look at shipping. In most cases where I am It ends up costing the same or more so i would be better off heading to the B&M Unless it is something that i can't get in shop

 

[IcarusLives]

I got to a B+M but then again i love the shop i go to and try to support them as much as i can. The prices are higher then the internet but they shoot straight with me and i know what im getting.

 

[Markus765]

I don't have many B&M's close to me, but I found one about 15 minutes south of me that I felt welcomed & comfortable in, and they make what has become one of my favorite juices. They just opened a 2nd store that is north of me, but on my way to work, so I stopped in to say "Hi" today. Very comfortable, not completely stocked up yet since it's a new store, and they didn't have my favorite juice, but I tried a bunch of flavors, and found one I liked. I wound up buying a couple of things "while I was there". Cost didn't even cross my mind, I want to support my locals as much as I can, within reason, of course. When I order anything in bulk (coils, etc) I'll most likely still order online, but if I find flavors I like that are locally made, that's what I will do.

 

[MsAgro]

I'm kinda half and half with purchasing from B&M vs online.

I enjoy supporting local small businesses, but sadly a handful of the shops in my area are elitist snots with poor customer service. I won't give my hard earned money to a place like that, no matter how hard up I am for tech or juice. I did find one B&M that just opened up that looks promising. Laid back atmosphere, the owner made us feel really welcome, and his prices aren't too shabby. So I was happy to drop $$$ on an ego twist for the hubby (he's not into mods) and several bottles of juice. Sure, I could have saved myself $15 bucks and bought the same stuff online... but I'm all about a good store experience and the instant gratification of being able to walk out with goodies in hand instead of waiting for shipping. Plus I love being able to taste a new juice before buying, instead of flying blind or buying based on hype

It also depends on retail markup, if i'm planning a huge purchase and the B&M's price is over double what I'd pay at a reputable online site? I'll stick to an online purchase.

 

[B4ttleT0ad]

For me it is a mix of both. The B+Ms around me didnt have the mod I wanted so I got that online with some other gear but I strictly buy my juice from B+Ms. It is decent quality and pretty affordable plus a slew of flavors. To me it is worth the 15 minute drive than maybe saving a few dollars and having to wait a week.