So are you Deb, your cards are beautiful! I'm going over to take a longer look when I get back from my mother's later on!
Beat the Winter blues Contest
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So are you Deb, your cards are beautiful! I'm going over to take a longer look when I get back from my mother's later on!
2/23
#4
Thanks Kathi! I know I should be up on basic battery-vaping skills, but the fact is, these days I look something up and forget it. Just can't remember things as well. know I learned all about the batteries here on ECF back when I first needed to buy some too! I think the second I see any bulging or anything that doesn't look right I'll discard them. But for now, I'm happy that they still keep a good charge, even a after all this time!
#4
Thanks Kathi! I know I should be up on basic battery-vaping skills, but the fact is, these days I look something up and forget it. Just can't remember things as well. know I learned all about the batteries here on ECF back when I first needed to buy some too! I think the second I see any bulging or anything that doesn't look right I'll discard them. But for now, I'm happy that they still keep a good charge, even a after all this time!
2/23
#1
This not so much a post about what I want to see, but a post about what I am seeing. If that's not ok, disregard this post, 'cause I'm writing it anyways. However, at the end, there is something I want. And, I might be a bit long-winded.
You have been warned.
This last weekend I was a vendor (sub-vendor, really, but that's another long story) at the Arkansas Spring Flower and Garden Show held in the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. This is a HUGE event!
But this story is not about the event.
Since I was in Little Rock, I picked up my phone and said "Ok, Google are there any vape shops near me?" Google went to work and provided quite a list. The nearest shop was about halfway between my hotel and the convention center.
As I was on foot (I really hate driving my monster show van in the city), I decided to stop in on my way back to the hotel. The shop has incredible hours and would be open until 10 pm, so no worries about running late at the show.
The shop, it turns out, was in a little side shop of a massive video rental place. Apparently, it had once upon a time been a barber shop, as all the old barbers chairs were lined up against one wall. Down the middle of the store was a long, long glass case. Tanks and mods and drip tips and rbas and rdas... all laid out in some semblance of order. The back wall, behind the case, was lined with hooks holding ego kits in blister packs, several stackable drawer storage boxes, and a shelf of Nitecore 4 bay chargers.
The proprietor is a blond woman... maybe 30-ish. She's wearing jeans and a faded tie-dye long sleeve v-neck. When I walk in, she is helping a first time vaper decide on a flavor. One of the glass cases is filled with wooden planks drilled in a staggered pattern and each hole holds an evod tank. Each plank is a different company. The evod tanks are color coded for desserts, beverages, tobaccos, menthols, etc. She looks up, greets me, and says she'll be just a minute longer. "Take your time." is my response, and I settle into one of the barber chairs.
It's about a five minute wait, and I don't sit the whole time. I get up and wander slowly down the cases, looking to see if I can ID everything. At the very end are some products that I don't necessarily agree with with the names of notorious pot smoking rap stars emblazoned across them, but they're all in one case, and not plastered all over the place.
I do not have a problem with marjuana. I have a problem with its abuse. Since Arkansas and the Fed still say it's illegal, I'm going to be disapproving. If you're in Colorado or Washington, knock yourselves out. However, I see the connection to ......... giving vaping a black eye which it does not need.
But I understand being in business and needing to make a buck.
She's back and asks me how she can help, apologizing for the wait. I tell her it was find and that I was glad to see her help a novice get off if analogs.
What I wanted was a device capable of firing my Kanger Subtank Mini at .5 ohms. However, her case of vv/vw mods had a long line of Vamo, a couple Hana mods, a Cloupor T5, and some iStick 20s. Everything was either out of my price range or just as unable to fire that tank. She had just that morning sold out of iStick 30s.
She perked right up and grabbed a fresh battery out of a charger on the far wall. "Have you tried a mech mod?" She asks. In the case holding th ed mech mods she grabs a Kamry K100 and slips in the 18650 battery. Then she turns and grabs her mod, pulls off the Atlantis placing it on the k100, replaces the drip tip, and hands it you me.
Wow.
We talked for another half an hour or so, and I bought the Kamry and a Rocket rta - they were 50% off with the purchase of any bottle of juice.
That was a GREAT experience. She helped me find what I wanted and didn't try to up sell me or foist some subpar, overpriced equipment on me. She met my needs. Checking out was a bit funky. Since it's part of the video store, we went to their cash registers. My receipt says the movies are due back tomorrow.
I'll likely visit that shop again.
After packing up and loading out, I hit the road for home. Google maps has been programmed to take me past the other shop on the way... even though it's Sunday their hours on the website say it's open until 7.
On walking in I am assaulted by a hazy wall of vape. There's some techno rock leaking from a hidden speaker system. The first thing I see is the couches and chairs arranged around a round table at the back of the store. They are filled with 20-something adopting slacker slouch poses while comparing clouds with their drippers. Along the right side is an L-shaped glass cabinet. There's a shelf system constructed behind that. The carpet is purple, the walls are gray, the furniture black. Along the left wall are two small tables set up as tasting stations.
One of the crowd at the back gets up to greet me. She's wearing black, had black hair with blue streaks and several piercings, but she greets me nice enough. Wants to know what I'm looking for.
Actually, by this time, I have developed a want. I want that Kamry K100 - which was just the telescoping tube - to look OEM. It originally came with an xl dripping carto, an anodized beauty/drip shield, and a stainless drip tip.
She points to one section of the L case and says that's all we have. I look in the case, and there's a couple racks of drip tips.
I explain that I want the entire set up, not just the tip.
She literally smirks and tells me that cartos are just such old tech and that no one uses them anymore.
Hmmm.
I try a different approach. "What I'm really concerned about are the aesthetics of this setup", I say, holding up the Kamry with the Rocket mounted on top and overhanging badly. "Do you have a mod that might look better."
Again she gestures to another section of the case filled with mech mods. On the way there, I see a case with iStick 20s, 30s and 50s, and a Kanger K-box (which looks kinda nice in person). I stop and ask what the prices are on those units. The Kanger is $40 and the iStick 30 os $69.99.
The mods are labeled as either authentic and have authentic prices on them, or as clones and are unpriced. A stainless, carbon fiber patterned clone catches my eye, and I ask about the price. $58.99.
While I'm dithering, a regular comes in. He's greeted warmly by name, orders 2 bottles of his favorite juice - $19 - and leaves.
I tell the clerk that I'm going to have to think about it and check back.
"Ok" and she walks back to the couches at the back of the room. I show myself the door.
I will not be going back. Between dismissive attitudes, overpriced merchandise, and a wee lack of inventory... well, I can be laughed at get derided anywhere. I don't have to drive 2 hours to do it.
Here on the ECF Cactus is definitely like the first shop, and that's what I see and what I want to see. Don't imply that, because I'm not using some $200 authentic mod with some $100 authentic dripper, I'm not worth the sam ed consideration.
What I want in the store? An xl dripping carto and a threaded gold drip/beauty shield for my K100.
#1
This not so much a post about what I want to see, but a post about what I am seeing. If that's not ok, disregard this post, 'cause I'm writing it anyways. However, at the end, there is something I want. And, I might be a bit long-winded.
You have been warned.
This last weekend I was a vendor (sub-vendor, really, but that's another long story) at the Arkansas Spring Flower and Garden Show held in the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. This is a HUGE event!
But this story is not about the event.
Since I was in Little Rock, I picked up my phone and said "Ok, Google are there any vape shops near me?" Google went to work and provided quite a list. The nearest shop was about halfway between my hotel and the convention center.
As I was on foot (I really hate driving my monster show van in the city), I decided to stop in on my way back to the hotel. The shop has incredible hours and would be open until 10 pm, so no worries about running late at the show.
The shop, it turns out, was in a little side shop of a massive video rental place. Apparently, it had once upon a time been a barber shop, as all the old barbers chairs were lined up against one wall. Down the middle of the store was a long, long glass case. Tanks and mods and drip tips and rbas and rdas... all laid out in some semblance of order. The back wall, behind the case, was lined with hooks holding ego kits in blister packs, several stackable drawer storage boxes, and a shelf of Nitecore 4 bay chargers.
The proprietor is a blond woman... maybe 30-ish. She's wearing jeans and a faded tie-dye long sleeve v-neck. When I walk in, she is helping a first time vaper decide on a flavor. One of the glass cases is filled with wooden planks drilled in a staggered pattern and each hole holds an evod tank. Each plank is a different company. The evod tanks are color coded for desserts, beverages, tobaccos, menthols, etc. She looks up, greets me, and says she'll be just a minute longer. "Take your time." is my response, and I settle into one of the barber chairs.
It's about a five minute wait, and I don't sit the whole time. I get up and wander slowly down the cases, looking to see if I can ID everything. At the very end are some products that I don't necessarily agree with with the names of notorious pot smoking rap stars emblazoned across them, but they're all in one case, and not plastered all over the place.
I do not have a problem with marjuana. I have a problem with its abuse. Since Arkansas and the Fed still say it's illegal, I'm going to be disapproving. If you're in Colorado or Washington, knock yourselves out. However, I see the connection to ......... giving vaping a black eye which it does not need.
But I understand being in business and needing to make a buck.
She's back and asks me how she can help, apologizing for the wait. I tell her it was find and that I was glad to see her help a novice get off if analogs.
What I wanted was a device capable of firing my Kanger Subtank Mini at .5 ohms. However, her case of vv/vw mods had a long line of Vamo, a couple Hana mods, a Cloupor T5, and some iStick 20s. Everything was either out of my price range or just as unable to fire that tank. She had just that morning sold out of iStick 30s.
She perked right up and grabbed a fresh battery out of a charger on the far wall. "Have you tried a mech mod?" She asks. In the case holding th ed mech mods she grabs a Kamry K100 and slips in the 18650 battery. Then she turns and grabs her mod, pulls off the Atlantis placing it on the k100, replaces the drip tip, and hands it you me.
Wow.
We talked for another half an hour or so, and I bought the Kamry and a Rocket rta - they were 50% off with the purchase of any bottle of juice.
That was a GREAT experience. She helped me find what I wanted and didn't try to up sell me or foist some subpar, overpriced equipment on me. She met my needs. Checking out was a bit funky. Since it's part of the video store, we went to their cash registers. My receipt says the movies are due back tomorrow.
I'll likely visit that shop again.
After packing up and loading out, I hit the road for home. Google maps has been programmed to take me past the other shop on the way... even though it's Sunday their hours on the website say it's open until 7.
On walking in I am assaulted by a hazy wall of vape. There's some techno rock leaking from a hidden speaker system. The first thing I see is the couches and chairs arranged around a round table at the back of the store. They are filled with 20-something adopting slacker slouch poses while comparing clouds with their drippers. Along the right side is an L-shaped glass cabinet. There's a shelf system constructed behind that. The carpet is purple, the walls are gray, the furniture black. Along the left wall are two small tables set up as tasting stations.
One of the crowd at the back gets up to greet me. She's wearing black, had black hair with blue streaks and several piercings, but she greets me nice enough. Wants to know what I'm looking for.
Actually, by this time, I have developed a want. I want that Kamry K100 - which was just the telescoping tube - to look OEM. It originally came with an xl dripping carto, an anodized beauty/drip shield, and a stainless drip tip.
She points to one section of the L case and says that's all we have. I look in the case, and there's a couple racks of drip tips.
I explain that I want the entire set up, not just the tip.
She literally smirks and tells me that cartos are just such old tech and that no one uses them anymore.
Hmmm.
I try a different approach. "What I'm really concerned about are the aesthetics of this setup", I say, holding up the Kamry with the Rocket mounted on top and overhanging badly. "Do you have a mod that might look better."
Again she gestures to another section of the case filled with mech mods. On the way there, I see a case with iStick 20s, 30s and 50s, and a Kanger K-box (which looks kinda nice in person). I stop and ask what the prices are on those units. The Kanger is $40 and the iStick 30 os $69.99.
The mods are labeled as either authentic and have authentic prices on them, or as clones and are unpriced. A stainless, carbon fiber patterned clone catches my eye, and I ask about the price. $58.99.
While I'm dithering, a regular comes in. He's greeted warmly by name, orders 2 bottles of his favorite juice - $19 - and leaves.
I tell the clerk that I'm going to have to think about it and check back.
"Ok" and she walks back to the couches at the back of the room. I show myself the door.
I will not be going back. Between dismissive attitudes, overpriced merchandise, and a wee lack of inventory... well, I can be laughed at get derided anywhere. I don't have to drive 2 hours to do it.
Here on the ECF Cactus is definitely like the first shop, and that's what I see and what I want to see. Don't imply that, because I'm not using some $200 authentic mod with some $100 authentic dripper, I'm not worth the sam ed consideration.
What I want in the store? An xl dripping carto and a threaded gold drip/beauty shield for my K100.
My but that was a post... hey I had warned you. And to think I typed the entire thing on my phone...
2/23 entry 2
I have every laptop and desktop from the late 90's and on all using up one big closet which is space I desperately need. I would get rid of them but I am kind of worried about strangers having access to my old hard drives with all my personal information. I researched how to take out the hard drives, but I got lazy and didn't follow through, but I still plan on it. I am not a hoarder, but don't tell that to some of my closets! Now my juice, mod and atty collection doesn't count as hoarding, because I use it all even if it is spiraling out of control!
I have every laptop and desktop from the late 90's and on all using up one big closet which is space I desperately need. I would get rid of them but I am kind of worried about strangers having access to my old hard drives with all my personal information. I researched how to take out the hard drives, but I got lazy and didn't follow through, but I still plan on it. I am not a hoarder, but don't tell that to some of my closets! Now my juice, mod and atty collection doesn't count as hoarding, because I use it all even if it is spiraling out of control!
2/23 entry 3
I lose hours of my life each day on youtube and Russ was the last thing I needed to discover! But I really love his vids! They are a bit long but I do like the way he does things - very enjoyable and helpful to me. I learn better when someone really goes through in such a thorough manner and doesn't skip over anything. The tension coils do make a lot of sense so we'll see if I actually do it or just forget about it. No matter what, I am learning tons. Surprised I never came across him before!
I lose hours of my life each day on youtube and Russ was the last thing I needed to discover! But I really love his vids! They are a bit long but I do like the way he does things - very enjoyable and helpful to me. I learn better when someone really goes through in such a thorough manner and doesn't skip over anything. The tension coils do make a lot of sense so we'll see if I actually do it or just forget about it. No matter what, I am learning tons. Surprised I never came across him before!
woopsy lol oh well, the time ya spend watchin him may help you add years to your life.....so it balances out!!
Jup, that's my story and I'm stickin to it!
There are a few that I watch. Some get on my nerves, but I like to really see how something looks/works. I'm a very visual person, so I learn much better from a video than trying to read something.
2/23
#5
Shawn, that was interesting to read,thanks! Good thing that the free market will take care of those with poor customer skills in the long run, but in the short run it is up to us to give business to those that exhibit the service we desire. So I'm glad you walked out!
I'm constantly amazed at the number of new and small businesses that put their livelihoods in jeopardy each day because they just don't get it. It doesn't seem that difficult to understand the basic concepts of knowing your customer base, listening to them and giving them what they want. With all the competition, it is a must!
As far as vape stores, I have been pretty impressed by the ones around me that I've visited. Not always by the prices, although they aren't terrible, so much as the good attitudes and service I've seen and experienced. I still prefer to shop online for a number of reasons, most of all affordability. Speaking of which, I had not heard of Cactus E Smokes before I saw this contest, but powerband's posts, the selection and prices, and everyone's glowing "remarks" about his company have really impressed me.
#5
Shawn, that was interesting to read,thanks! Good thing that the free market will take care of those with poor customer skills in the long run, but in the short run it is up to us to give business to those that exhibit the service we desire. So I'm glad you walked out!
I'm constantly amazed at the number of new and small businesses that put their livelihoods in jeopardy each day because they just don't get it. It doesn't seem that difficult to understand the basic concepts of knowing your customer base, listening to them and giving them what they want. With all the competition, it is a must!
As far as vape stores, I have been pretty impressed by the ones around me that I've visited. Not always by the prices, although they aren't terrible, so much as the good attitudes and service I've seen and experienced. I still prefer to shop online for a number of reasons, most of all affordability. Speaking of which, I had not heard of Cactus E Smokes before I saw this contest, but powerband's posts, the selection and prices, and everyone's glowing "remarks" about his company have really impressed me.
2/23 #4
For computers, use Darik's Boot And Nuke | Hard Drive Disk Wipe and Data Clearing. Despite the warnings on the home page, this program does a pretty good job of wiping out hard drives.
My way of controlling vape stuff is that if I have more than will fit in the space allotted to it (I still have a little room), then it's time to stop until some things find a new home.
For computers, use Darik's Boot And Nuke | Hard Drive Disk Wipe and Data Clearing. Despite the warnings on the home page, this program does a pretty good job of wiping out hard drives.
My way of controlling vape stuff is that if I have more than will fit in the space allotted to it (I still have a little room), then it's time to stop until some things find a new home.
2/23 entry 4
I am this way too. Specifically with something that I need to physically take apart, clean, rebuild and understand the parts. Just seeing someone do it - and where I can watch and even try to mimic in real life what I am seeing them do. Very helpful to me.
I agree with you and Joan about the ones that get on your nerves and/or are obnoxious and full of themselves, they are definitely out there and they are not on my list either. In fact a lot of the videos I watch are by people that really don't have many subscribers and view counts. I just search and stumble upon something that I need help with and keep clicking until I find one that works for me.
I am this way too. Specifically with something that I need to physically take apart, clean, rebuild and understand the parts. Just seeing someone do it - and where I can watch and even try to mimic in real life what I am seeing them do. Very helpful to me.
I agree with you and Joan about the ones that get on your nerves and/or are obnoxious and full of themselves, they are definitely out there and they are not on my list either. In fact a lot of the videos I watch are by people that really don't have many subscribers and view counts. I just search and stumble upon something that I need help with and keep clicking until I find one that works for me.
Oh no! He was so cute! They are all so adorable! I love the bag on the head
I LOVE chihuahuas I grew up having chihuahuas, and they are the sweetest and cutest! Alot of people do not know how long chihuahuas can live. Growing up my family had 2 that lived to be 21 (Fideo) and the other 17(Whitesocks). My Mom and Dad still have my Abbi. I got her the summer before my senior year of highschool(summer 04), and when I went to college I could not take her. When I finally got a place where I could have pets (2 years ago) I decided to leave her with my parents because she lived her whole life there and I was afraid what a big change like that may do to her
Plus we were always afraid Ram would accidently step on her. This is my Abbi:
Powerband.....I just realized you are the vendor (or from) [emoji5] I have no idea why it did not click in my brain! Lol
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2/23
#1
I want this:
Innokin iClear XI iClear 30B iClear 30S
It is so pretty! I like small or medium tanks! For me I think I get better performance and taste than big tanks That is just me though! Lol
#1
I want this:
Innokin iClear XI iClear 30B iClear 30S
It is so pretty! I like small or medium tanks! For me I think I get better performance and taste than big tanks
That is just me though! Lol
02-23 #2
As long as they are not swollen or show discoloration signs. What you will see is that they don't power your device as long as they used to. I have some 18350 and 18650 ICR (GASP!!!
)) from the very first regulated tube mod I bought in Aug 2013. These have outlived the mod. I don't try to sub-ohm with them. I have some year old IMR 18350s that survived 2 drops. The last drop killed the mod. The flashlight battery site mentions that you can expect 300-500 recharge cycles on most good quality batteries. That's almost 2 years if you recharge them every other day, and that's on the low end. I sure I will incur the wrath of a battery guru, but I know how mine preform.
you can tell when they need to be disposed of when they lose charge quickly and recharge quickly it means they have lost their capacity. always dispose of or stop using a battery if it is damaged or bulged take caution if the wrapper skin is dameged particularly in a mechanical mod, its not such a worry in regulated box mods. there are places that sell wrappers for batteries where you can re wrap yor own also some shops will do it for you as well. as long as you are getting good operation (cycle time) then they are still worthy. life span depends on how much you use them for the most part. try tp prevent them from freezing and in Arizona here, keep them out of direct sunlight in the summer
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2/23 entry 5
I have been looking at this one too. I did not like the Iclear30 ( I think that is the name, it is the one with the silica wicks that hang down), but I love the Iclear30s. In fact I am using it right now. The flavor is really good and it is such a maintenance free tank. It never leaks and the heads last me a very long time. Plus you can wash and dry burn the heads and get a few uses out of each one (just have to remember to remove the rubber piece at the top before dry burning).
I would probably like any version of this that is improved, so I might give this one a try when I run out of Iclear30s heads.
I have been looking at this one too. I did not like the Iclear30 ( I think that is the name, it is the one with the silica wicks that hang down), but I love the Iclear30s. In fact I am using it right now. The flavor is really good and it is such a maintenance free tank. It never leaks and the heads last me a very long time. Plus you can wash and dry burn the heads and get a few uses out of each one (just have to remember to remove the rubber piece at the top before dry burning).
I would probably like any version of this that is improved, so I might give this one a try when I run out of Iclear30s heads.
2/23
#1
I want this:
Innokin iClear XI iClear 30B iClear 30S
It is so pretty! I like small or medium tanks! For me I think I get better performance and taste than big tanks
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2-23-4
Decided it was time to stop making juices for a bit and clean up the kitchen... ended up doing a few more that were quick and easy. Had vaped most of the Virginia Tobac so made 10 ml more that fit into the bottle on top of what was already there. It was Hangsen in there but the new one is Tobacco Express Golden VA. Vaped 6 drops fresh and I think it will be nice in a bit. Same with a Black Honey Cream Tobac I found a recipe for that uses 10% FW Vanilla along with the Black Honey Tobac and Bav. Cream and Whipped Cream. If the Vanilla Tobac is still giving me problems, I may add a drop of strawberry but from the initial taste, to me seems to be screaming for Peach I also did up 30 ml of a mint/menthol tobac using Flavor Express SLM. Found my Jamaican Rum while putting all the stuff away and also the FA Black Tea that I am so fond of. Hopefully I have enough juice made that I don't have to make more for a couple months at least.
Decided it was time to stop making juices for a bit and clean up the kitchen... ended up doing a few more that were quick and easy. Had vaped most of the Virginia Tobac so made 10 ml more that fit into the bottle on top of what was already there. It was Hangsen in there but the new one is Tobacco Express Golden VA. Vaped 6 drops fresh and I think it will be nice in a bit. Same with a Black Honey Cream Tobac I found a recipe for that uses 10% FW Vanilla along with the Black Honey Tobac and Bav. Cream and Whipped Cream. If the Vanilla Tobac is still giving me problems, I may add a drop of strawberry but from the initial taste, to me seems to be screaming for Peach
I also did up 30 ml of a mint/menthol tobac using Flavor Express SLM. Found my Jamaican Rum while putting all the stuff away and also the FA Black Tea that I am so fond of. Hopefully I have enough juice made that I don't have to make more for a couple months at least.Yea, right there you just described many shops here in Phoenix/Glendale except for black or purple carpeting Ha Ha!>
"On walking in I am assaulted by a hazy wall of vape. There's some techno rock leaking from a hidden speaker system. The first thing I see is the couches and chairs arranged around a round table at the back of the store. They are filled with 20-something adopting slacker slouch poses while comparing clouds with their drippers. Along the right side is an L-shaped glass cabinet. There's a shelf system constructed behind that. The carpet is purple, the walls are gray, the furniture black. Along the left wall are two small tables set up as tasting stations."
the iStick 30 should have been in the $40 to $45 range... $69 bux good lord!
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