Before Buying a E-cig

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Joie58

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Feb 19, 2012
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New Philadelphia, Ohio
I am a 54 years old, 3 pack a day smoker, my wife smokes almost 2 packs a day. We are not in it for the "vaping" or to look "cool in clubs", but because of cost and health issues. After smoking for 40 years it does take its toll on the body. Being a smoker, not only are you addicted to the nic and "smoke" sensations, but also that feel of a cig in your hand.

We tried quitting 4 years ago and purchased 2 of the "Red Dragon" starter kits. At that time the kits cost about $200 after shipping and tax. They felt like a heavy cig, they did have "vapor" coming out, they were'nt the best tasting thing, but they tried to fill the void of the analog, when the cartos ran out we ordered another supply, after a month we were right back to analogs, and only used the e-cig when in restaurants or in public place where you couldn't smoke analogs. Last year, I stopped at a gas station and bought a kit of "Fumas" it was just an impulse buy, thought I would try qutting again Lol, that didn't even last a month.

This January, my wife and I made a pact to try and stop smoking, the cost of 12 cartons a month ($500 plus) and the health issues, we decided to do a lot more research into the e-cig. We were determined to actually quit this habit for good. We read and watched videos about e-cigs, e-juice, mods, reviews, health reports, everything we could find. Every company claims they have the best on the market, and each brand has their own followers, and with Youtube everybody can be a "star" and give their review. We narrowed it down to 4 brands.

After doing the R & D on the products we went to the Alt Smoke shop in my town. They did carry the Volt and Ego, and Yeti e-cigs, plus Mods, and drip tips, e-juice, chargers, extra batteries, cartos, etc. etc.. The Volt by SmokeLess Image got alot of thumbs up, and was one of the 4 brands we were interested in.

My wife and I was there for over an hour listening to other customers, asking questions, sampling different juices, and cigs, even tried a mod. It made it so nice to be in a "real store" than buying something over the net that you just hear or see, at the store you actually can try things before you purchase!! Plus, it opened my eyes to the e-juice, and to be able to talk to people that are knowledgeable on their products.

We decided to get the Volt, it has plenty of smoke and the cig feel, although heavier it does fill the void. We got a Standard starter Kit and a Pro Starter Kit (for the portable charger), with the .78 808 batteries we also got some blank cartos, and some e-juice and drip tips. I just like the feel of a cig in my hand, that's why I passed on the mods. the store also accepted the SmokeLess Image coupons for our purchase. The total purchase was less than 2 cartons of analogs, which is well worth it if it helps.

That was 3 days ago, going from a 3 pack a day smoker, I'm down to 5 analog cigs a day, my wife is down to 4 analogs a day. I actually think we can do it this time, we are not gonna beat ourselves up because we slip back and have an analog cig here and there, it will be a process, we will drop down to no analogs, and hopefully ween ourselves off the nicotine, and just do straight flavors. Quitting analogs after 40 years of smoking isn't gonna be an overnight accomplishment, it is a process, and so far I think we are on the right track, and I do think the VOLT is the e-cig to do it.

Before purchasing any item, do your research, and if you can find a "brick and mortar" store where you can actually try the product and engage with other people to share information. We have tried a few e-cigs in the past, before this purchase and doing alot of research, I beleive that the VOLT e-cig is the best fit for us, and would highly reccommend it to people just starting out with the e-cig.
 

Joie58

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Feb 19, 2012
21
13
New Philadelphia, Ohio
Yes, it is very nice to have a shop where they allow you to sample. It is actually a win/win with sampling the salespeople as well as the customer knows what the product is like. The customer will obviously buy more product if he enjoys the taste, plus the salesperson will know what flavors and items he can reccomend to the customer.
 

PumaSpeed

Full Member
Feb 7, 2012
61
22
Illinois
Welcome to the ECF forum!
Congratulations on taking that next step!, which is not easy! I know, I was there too! :) ( smoked 1 to 1 1/2 packs a day) It is great you did your research on the products out there, and found what is going to work for you! Like me, I ended up getting the Halo G6 (which is an 808D-1 ), which has worked great for me, I also ended up getting an eGo as well, which is awesome also, for the reason that it doesn't look like a real analog (color of battery and glowing tip), so more people are not looking to point fingers or raise a fit.

I agree that a "hands on" is a lot better than over the net, but for some people, like me, that option is not available but wish it was, so all we have to go by is reviews off of youtube and other websites. That is one reason why I joined this forum, to get the best possible information I possibly could of users who bought the products and continue to use them daily or so, and the people here are very nice and helpful!! :) ***Thank you ECF members!!!

Awesome job, on cutting down that much over such a quick period of time! AMAZING!!

Thank you for your insight and information, this will give a bit of advice for people looking to make the switch. I think the hardest part, after buying your device, is figuring out which flavours you like, which can change as time progresses. You may like one at first, and only to find out down the road your tastes have changed and don't care for it anymore, then the same is true for other flavors, you didn't like them in the beginning, but now find you enjoy them quite a bit. Thankfully some places offer a "sample pack" of flavors. check some of the great places that people talk about, if your akin to that direction.

Don't beat yourself up if you have an analog here or there, like you said, "its not an overnight accomplishment, it's a process" which is different for everyone.

Thank you again! and Happy Vaping!!
 

r77r7r

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  • Feb 15, 2011
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    Yeah, it's a process. There are many here that didn't quit the next day. Towards the end of my cig use, I allowed myself to light one, take a few puffs, and then I'd take a few hits off my ego. Always ended up putting the cig out.

    Best wishes on your and your wifes' cigarette recovery! It's great that you can both do it together.
     

    Dad2daBone

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    Jan 7, 2012
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    Congrats on your new lifestyle! I wish there was a store I was able to physically visit and make a choice, but nothing like that around me. So I had a little trial and error and a few unneeded bucks shelled out, but I'm happy I did and I have found what works for me. If yer down to that few smokes from multiple packs a day already you'll be analog free in no time :)
     

    Cheechako

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    Feb 11, 2012
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    I applaud your attitude and wish you the best of luck!
    I too decided not to beat myself up and just have an analog if I decided to...
    made it easier for me to transition to vaping.
    My signature lists the last time I had a real cigarette, but had been tapering off at just one or two a day
    for week prior to that.
     

    JAX-TX

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    Jan 26, 2012
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    Dallas, TX
    Congratulations! I had been smoking analogs for 17+ years and was able to quit successfully with my EGoT and I have even been able to get 3 co-workers to quit as well. The main thing I am dealing with now is ridding myself of the analog smell. Plus after my taste buds returned, I had myself a DrPepper. WOW! I was missing all those yummy subtle flavors all these years!
     

    mindshatter

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    Jan 31, 2012
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    Chicago, IL
    Welcome to the forum Joie. Thanks for your story. I also recently picked up a Volt and am enjoying it with my short experience so far. I agree that being able to visit a B&M is huge. There are not any where I live but I did get to see a great one called Vape On while on a business trip to Los Angeles. Having moved away from the ProSmoke and into the Volt and an eGo I can say confidently that I am on a good path to stay permanently away from analogs. I am testing lots of different flavors and finding many that I like from different vendors.

    I am also super excited to go to Chicago Vapefest in about 6 weeks. All those vendors and juices in one place should be amazing. I can see and touch so much in one place, unfortunately that means I will also probably spend a bunch of money.

    Anyway, best of luck in staying off the stinkies.
     

    nansc

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    Dec 11, 2011
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    Congratulations ,I was the same as you but I wasted a lot of money on bad kits first.We don't have any shops locally.I wish I had found this forum first.I quit the same way as you did,if I get stressed and need a cig I have a few drags off my husband's I found the less stress you put on yourself the better,it still works.Good luck to you.
     

    dlsw

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    Feb 11, 2012
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    Yes, it is very nice to have a shop where they allow you to sample. It is actually a win/win with sampling the salespeople as well as the customer knows what the product is like. The customer will obviously buy more product if he enjoys the taste, plus the salesperson will know what flavors and items he can reccomend to the customer.

    Where is New Philadelphia Ohio? I am in NW Ohio and looking for a brick and mortar shop.
     

    khilpaine

    Full Member
    Dec 13, 2010
    67
    15
    ohio
    congrats !! a bunch of us started together only 2 went back and it was because they did not want to explore other flavors and other devices.the excuse they made was why do i have to do that i smoked the same brand and didn't switch ( lame excuse #1)
    and i have to spend to much time ordering stuff i can just go to the store and pick up my brand ( lame excuse # @ that's where a brick and mortar would be nice) i am at 14 months no analogs making my own juice have and ego, rough-stack, and just ordered a lava tube , i have four different brands of cartomizer and 3 different atomizers my advice is keep changing it up it never gets boring with all the choices and between me and the girlfriend we are at about $55 a month on average including hardware ( diy juice is the secret there) good luck answers here in the forums and many great reviews on you-tube also
     

    etrnldrk

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    Jan 30, 2012
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