B&M Ripoff?

[John Lever]

Today I visited my B&M to get coils, juice, etc. I inquired about an Innokin VTR, which he didn't have in stock. He offered me an alternate box mod that I was unfamiliar with, a sigelei TMAX. $150. But with a 10% discount. I passed. I've just looked this up and it appears that his price is double or triple the online price.

I feel somewhat abused, just for the offer. I'd hate to think he'd take advantage of a repeat customer, but seems sketchy.


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[Derack]

That is a bit ridiculous.I can understand a markup because its a b&m but 3x markup...thats just wrong lol.

 

[AzPlumber]

Double is a bit too high but B&M's have more overhead than a online vendor so one should expect to pay more at a B&M.

 

[Krashman Von Stinkputin]

I always use the internet as a starting point for negotiating....and it doesn't need to be a contentious or emotion based discussion.

I usually say "I'm willing to pay you more because I understand you have overhead and appreciate your convenience but I simply cannot justify paying 2 to 3 times more." (And yes I will say it just like that)

The worst thing that happens is I walk out with all the money I came in with.

 

[Prometheus72]

an uninformed comsumer is a waiting victim. Know your products, know your prices and your competition then you won't fall victim to B&M scam artists. You can't really blame him for trying to get top dollar...he's in business to MAKE MONEY.

 

[Vaslovik]

Oh wow, a 3x markup? Doood, don't bother with that guy again, he's just out to cash in on the vaping thing as much as he can.

 

[Krashman Von Stinkputin]

BTW: I'll state perhaps the obvious although the issue seems moot since you didn't buy the item anyway.

The online price of any item no matter what it is will virtually always be less--significantly less--than that same item in a small specialty B&M.
The immediacy of having a product comes at an increased cost.

The words "abuse" and "victim" are strong words. If some future customer feels HE got $150 of VALUE out of that purchase, than he's not a victim.
That value may be the performance of the item itself, the service he gets from the store, or the fact that he thinks it makes him look cute in his jeans.

If you define being a victim as not getting the lowest price well than just wait 6 months and that online price will even be cheaper.
And 6 months later it'll be cheaper still.

My dad used to joke "He won't buy a computer until they make one that won't be obsolete."

 

[BMH70]

That's just ridiculous! I buy stuff all the time at the 2 stores I go to. But I also know the normal pricing for what I'm buying. I don't mind paying extra to get what I want right away, and both businesses treat me very well and are always helpful. They aren't price gouging either! I would love to name the stores incase anyone is in the area. But I'm not sure if it's against the rules.

I also buy online, just depends what I need. I also went to a few places that I will never revisit again!

Good luck, it is nice to find a good local shop. That guy you went to, doesn't seem to care....other then making big money!

 

[dmetzcher]

I understand the B&M stores have increased overhead, and that they provide a level of convenience because you don't pay for shipping and walk out of the store with your purchase, but charging 2x-3x more than the reasonable/average online price would be too much for me to justify. Better to test the item in the store, see if you like it, and then buy it online. In exchange for the store's time and for allowing me to test the item, I'd pick up a few bottles of e-juice or something else I might need that's not unreasonably marked up.

 

[John Lever]

Meh, I wanted a VTR anyway and ordered one on line this afternoon.


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[Davey59]

Yup, rent, lights, wages, insurance, etc etc. I have no problem with them charging whatever they think they can get. More than likely they won't get it from me but I DO spend some money at the local store. Would hate to see them go.

The guy said the VTR was marked down from 199 to 119. I did fondle it for awhile and the SVD too, I snuck a fast caress on the Giant before I left also. I was kind of tempted to buy, something to be said about instant gratification.

 

[John Lever]

Yep, I still bought all the other stuff I went in for, including an overpriced Spinner for the Better Half.


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[Cariessa]

Everything I've purchased for vaping up to this point except cotton and juice I've bought online. But my next major purchase will be at the local B&M.

I plan on buying a Provari and Kayfun in the next few weeks. I know I could get them both a lot cheaper online, but they don't come with someone to show me how to build a coil for that Kayfun, or someone who'll loan me a Provari if mine has to be sent back for some reason.

I figure I'm paying a little extra for the service, and if that covers the B&M's overhead a little then that's just fine.

 

[Penn]

Which TMAX? The most recent does 30 Watts. That one I only saw one place online carrying it at $119 (just a quick search, someone else may find more prices). The old 15 watt version is the one I saw at $50-75. So, again, which version did the B&M have?

 

[John Lever]

I couldn't say, but the rep mentioned 15w. It wasn't clear that he knew.

 

[smacksy]

I bought two Provari's online directly from ProVape...both have a one year warranty and no doubt they have the exact time and date recorded when I bought them.I have had no problems, but if I did it's great to know I have a company standing behind me with fantastic customer service just in case I did.. learn how to build your kayfun by reseachering it online..there are a ton of YouTube videos on the kayfun as well as most other RTA's...PersonaIly, I would never ask a salesman at a vapeshope for advise..he may actually know less than you do..he is there to sell you something he may know nothing about....but he won't tell you that...lol

 

[smacksy]

somehow I managed to post that last message in the wrong thread.I truly do apologize, my bad!

 

[bulldog63h]

I don't care what my local B&M shops price their stock at. If I think it's reasonable, I'll buy. If not, they lost the sale. Neither of our feelings are going to get hurt. Plus, there is certain to be someone who thinks that same item is worth the price. My local shops do charge more, but for the most part, it's only slightly more than the online price+shipping.

 

[bigbubba7373]

wow I seen them a few weeks back brand new on ebay for $39.99

 

[Prometheus72]

It's kinda the same as buying from FastTech...or buying online within USA/Canada. You're getting the same product, often the product is FROM FT...but you get it much much faster and that's worth something