Beginner

[JohanS]

Hi,
I recently quit smoking. I've been using the TopQ e-volve for the past week but want to upgrade on this current one for a better vaping experience.

Any recommendations on best e cig I could purchase in South Africa in relation to value and price? My price range is around the R700 mark ( South African Rand)

Help would be appreciated,
Thanks!

 

[djsvapour]

How about a joyetech AIO for 450-550? (quick search shows 429-599)

That's a good deal... cheaper than England.

In general, S.A. is only expensive in the rip-off brands, and there are plenty (like the rest of the world really). Find a product, compare the prices.... beware the sharks and their global franchising....

How expensive is tobacco? 1,000 buys you something quite good with variable power.

 

[JohanS]

Thanks in advance!

Know where I could get one ? Like do you know South Africa?
Another thing..how long does the coil last before have to replace it? Because the topQ's coil doesn't last very long..but can fortunately buy new ones at local story close to where I stay..so for the eGo one kit u recommended. .would I easily get new coil/equipment in hand..and are they expensive?
Thanks

 

[JohanS]

Oh..forget to say..I was thinking about the Twisp e cig..? Not a good option?

 

[BrotherBob]

Welcome and glad you joined. For a beginner to intermediate vaper, I like the Eleaf Istick 40TC battery.
Might like to read:
Beginner | Guide To Vaping
ECigarette Academy: Essential Need to Know for New Vapers
One Stop Reference Shop For New and Experienced Vapers
Learn About Vaping Here - Everything Ecigs - From Beginner To Advanced
Ch. 4 E Cig Battery Basics: Cig-a-Likes, Egos, and Mods - onVaping
(10) Advancing Up the Vaping Ladder with Egos and Mods | E-Cigarette Forum
(4) Good Starter Setups for a Beginning Vapor | E-Cigarette Forum
Could see: South Africa Forum

 

[djsvapour]

The #1 brand in SA is NOT GOOD in terms of value.

Oh..forget to say..I was thinking about the Twisp e cig..? Not a good option?

LOL.

From what I know, probably no.
The prices are just about bearable, but I'm not sure generally on the cost of things in SA.

They offer a 'low/medium' kit (package) for 699 which I would price at less good value compared to a Joyetech or Kanger 'medium/high' kit at 500 or so.
Not that it matters a great deal, 200 rand is not a lot of money, that's not rip-off territory.

The thing about e-cigs are there a thousands of products. Not everything is available everywhere.

In the most simple terms, 'brand' e-cigarettes tend to take existing products and re-badge/tweak products to overcharge. This is how in the UK and USA these self-proclaimed "No.1 rated brands" charge $120 US for a $30 US product.
Taken as a once-off purchase, it's not too bad, but the repeat purchases (accessories, liquids) soon mount up.

There is a lot of hype about products, far too much to save some newbies from making a bad decision.
It's the cynical way these brands market the products (fake reviews, fake reviewers, commission and 'money for clicks') that upsets me, not the charging double or triple per se.

 

[JohanS]

Seems like I have to do some more research on these vaping matters then! Not really sure which are the 'brand' ones etc. Just want to invest in one that I know would last me for a while without much further expense!! ( l'm still a student..so that is financially my case if you know what I mean! But I'll check oit the joyetech for sure!

Thanks so much

 

[djsvapour]

Seems like I have to do some more research on these vaping matters then! Not really sure which are the 'brand' ones etc. Just want to invest in one that I know would last me for a while without much further expense!! ( l'm still a student..so that is financially my case if you know what I mean! But I'll check oit the joyetech for sure!

I know, it's complicated. A 'brand' store (Twisp is one) sells seemingly unique hardware. Everything gets logos and branding on it. They know where they are getting it. We know where it's coming from (which factory, China) and then they set the prices according to their ambition.

The big names in e-cigarettes are
Joyetech, Kanger (Kangertech), Eleaf, Aspire (Eigate), Innokin, Sigelei, Smok, IPV (Pioneer 4 you). There are others too who specialize in less general products.

If a shop does not sell anything by these makes, you can bet it's a brand store.

If you are looking at a shop that has, for example a Kanger Subtank, Joyetech AIO, Eleaf iStick etc. that shop is selling well-known products at the prices they think they should pitch them at.

...if everything is called "Supa-Vape" (I made that up), you know "Supa-Vape subohm tank" "Supa-Vape 1,100 battery" and sells "Supa-Vape" liquid then it's all one brand. I would avoid those stores 99% of the time.

 

[JohanS]

Makes a lot more sense now. . . I'll invest in one of those names that you mentioned then! Just hope they could deliver to the West Coast in Langebaan!

 

[djsvapour]

Makes a lot more sense now. . . I'll invest in one of those names that you mentioned then! Just hope they could deliver to the West Coast in Langebaan!

I did have a look around and there are general vaping stores around. Unless there are 'legality' issues, most will do mail order. Ordering over the internet is how the e-cig industry has got so big.
Like I said (trying not to labor the point) if a shop sells a Kanger or Joyetech starter kit, then you can run a quick internet search to find out the general price, because you know what you are dealing with.
If a shop sells "Supa-hurricane subohm tank" and a "Supa-TC 100w box mod" then chances are you're going to pay well over the market value for something made by Kanger or Joyetech.

For some crazy reason, this has become my mission on the forums. It just makes me so cross when shops sell a $30 e-cig for $120. They do it by paying review sites and 'faking' the internet and...well, for these leeches, vaping is not about saving lives, it's about $$$.
The system I started with would have cost me 70,000 SAR per year. I'm looking to spend 7,000.

 

[JohanS]

That is still quite a lot of money!! But if it keeps you from smoking cigarettes, probably not!

And yeah, it is strange how these companies work..I mean, the one you recommended ( a legitimate one) cost about the same as the lowest Twisp you get here..

And yeah..get the whole Internet idea..just a bit sceptical on trusting that they'll actually deliver once I payed. .it is south Africa you know..

 

[djsvapour]

And yeah..get the whole Internet idea..just a bit sceptical on trusting that they'll actually deliver once I payed. .it is south Africa you know..

Ouch.

That bad? I feel for you.