Beware of cheap stuff and knock-offs!

[samsmom]

I am new to vaping (been vaping for 4 weeks now).

I have had several fried batteries due to putting cheap accessories on my equipment such as cheap 510 cartos, NOT genuine JOYE.

I learned the hard way that you need to use GENUINE parts and accessories together or it can cause issues and you will lose your money because suppliers will tell you that if you don't use genuine cartos, attys, etc. on their genuine models (such as JOYE) that they will not replace them if you fry your batts with them.

From now on I will only purchase genuine products such as JOYE so I won't be wasting my money.

I am sure there is probably already a thread here somewhere about this (sorry if this is so) but I just don't want the noobs trying to save a few bucks by purchasing knock-offs and then having problems like I did!

I was told by one supplier today that a RIVA kit could be purchased wholesale for around $9.00! That explains why they give so many problems!

I have read a lot on ECF and never saw anything about the difference in GENUINE vs. generic - I assumed a 510 carto was a 510 carto! WRONG!

We live and learn and you DO get what you pay for!

I will not purchase anything else unless I know it is genuine - I'll email the supplier and ask if I have to.

I hope this helps someone.

Happy vaping!

 

[mgmrick]

Sorry not true

 

[kgeiger002]

You are right! Got to be careful for sure. I bought some ego knockoffs (not a Riva) about 3 months ago. One died within 3 weeks. Luckily the other still works but I have no misguided thoughts/hopes that it will last as long as an authentic.

 

[Mr.Self_Destruct]

Does anyone clean their battery connectors?

#1 problem for "dead" batts. usually can be resurrected. I have been vaping since April and have not had one batt die.

just sayin'


FYI, SLB and Boge are not generic in my eyes.

 

[kgeiger002]

Does anyone clean their battery connectors?

#1 problem for "dead" batts. usually can be resurrected. I have been vaping since April and have not had one batt die.

just sayin'


FYI, SLB and Boge are not generic in my eyes.

Everytime I put it on the charger - just sayin'

 

[DocWyatt]

I agree with the basic premise of the post - that you have to understand the quality of what you are buying - or not.

However, it seems to me that buying a Riva wholesale for $9.00 is likely literally an impossibility. I cannot imagine that the markup online is much more than 25% - 30% as competition online is fierce. So this seems VERY unlikely - to say the least.

In addition, many manufacturers do make quality stuff. Joye is simply a big one that people know.

 

[Mr.Self_Destruct]

Everytime I put it on the charger - just sayin'

Of course there are exceptions. But my cheapo ego batts are still going strong since june.

I guess this is the only thing in life I'm lucky with.

 

[Mr.Self_Destruct]

I agree with the basic premise of the post - that you have to understand the quality of what you are buying - or not.

However, it seems to me that buying a Riva wholesale for $9.00 is likely literally an impossibility. I cannot imagine that the markup online is much more than 25% as competition is fierce. So this seems VERY unlikely - to say the least.

In addition, many manufacturers do make quality stuff. Joye is simply a big one that people know.

I believe one Riva batt can be bought for $9. I mean I paid $15 per ego(Knockoff) batt retail.

 

[bernie510]

i agree with the OP

 

[kgeiger002]

Of course there are exceptions. But my cheapo ego batts are still going strong since june.

I guess this is the only thing in life I'm lucky with.

I was warned about the 900 mah's from TV but bought one anyways. That's the one that burned me. The 650 I bought from them is still going strong.

 

[ChrisToff]

Does anyone clean their battery connectors?

What's the easiest way to do this? I've just been grabbing a q-tip to clean my ego battery but I don't really feel it's getting down into the crevice that well.

 

[kgeiger002]

What's the easiest way to do this? I've just been grabbing a q-tip to clean my ego battery but I don't really feel it's getting down into the crevice that well.

Use a toothpick. I had one that would not clean with just a q-tip but a toothpick did the job. Just be careful and take your time.

 

[DocWyatt]

I believe one Riva batt can be bought for $9. I mean I paid $15 per ego(Knockoff) batt retail.

LOL, ok, buying ONE battery is far different than buying a Riva kit... I get that. I can buy a genuine Joye battery for my EGO for $17 all day... LiteCig has them for $16.95 - for example.

The OP clearly said $9 for the Riva kit. No chance. If you can, please send me the link as i may enter this business of 400% markeup. But I am telling you there is no chance that is accurate. None.

is it possible to maybe buy one Riva battery for $9 wholesale? Maybe, not sure.

 

[Liv2Ski]

I am a firm believer in "you get what you pay for" and "if it sounds to good to be true then don't buy it". I also only buy from 5 trusted hardware suppliers and 4 DIY suppliers. I would rather pay a few extra bucks and know the people I am dealing with will take care of any issues. I have also seen many posts about people waiting for packages from China. Yes I know the majority of our gear comes from China but I will only buy from US based suppliers. I happily pay them to take care of all the Customs BS and my packages are usually in my box within 3 days. Other than an manufacturing issue with a faulty eGo charger (which the US based supplier sent me a replacement and new batt before recieving defective parts) I have not had any hardware issues other than acceptable losses due to useage levels.

 

[Mr.Self_Destruct]

What's the easiest way to do this? I've just been grabbing a q-tip to clean my ego battery but I don't really feel it's getting down into the crevice that well.

I just jam a paper towel in there. You just don't want any juice build up. It can cause a bad connection and a possible short. No need to get in the grooves of the threads.

I prefer a harder paper towel like a c fold. you can fold a point and get in the bottom crevice.

 

[Mr.Self_Destruct]

LOL, ok, buying ONE battery is far different than buying a Riva kit... I get that. I can buy a genuine Joye battery for my EGO for $17 all day... LiteCig has them for $16.95 - for example.

The OP clearly said $9 for the Riva kit. No chance. If you can, please send me the link as i may enter this business of 400% markeup. But I am telling you there is no chance that is accurate. None.

yeah, not a chance, I think OP might have misunderstood.

 

[kgeiger002]

I just jam a paper towel in there. You just don't want any juice build up. It can cause a bad connection and a possible short. No need to get in the grooves of the threads.

I prefer a harder paper towel like a c fold. you can fold a point and get in the bottom crevice.

agree with this...but if you ever have one that you are ready to toss then it might be worth trying to dig out any gunk with a toothpick before filing it in the trash bin.

 

[DocWyatt]

On a related note, I just went through my High Caliber (USA made) liquid and got into the Dekang I got. I do not like it - on any level... I am not sure if it is the flavor, the straight PG instead of the 70/30 PG VG ratio or what. But it tastes like dog to me. I have tried both the 555 and another... same.

I have been trying to drain the last couple of drops out of the High Caliber bottles... LOL. Damn it.

 

[BobTheKlown]

I have to disagree with the OP, you do want to do some research on what you're buying, but my favorite 510 attys and cartos have been 'knock-offs', I've had the 'genuine' attys die in a couple of days, or last a couple of months, same for the 'knock-offs', but of course, they are not all created equal, so I do recommend finding some reviews of what you're about to buy... and a reliable supplier will warranty your batts when used with other attys and cartos (all my past suppliers have), but nobody (I know of) will warranty a carto or a LR atty itself....

-=BoB=-

 

[DocWyatt]

yeah, not a chance, I think OP might have misunderstood.

I agree, I think the wholesaler meant 1 battery or something and it all got confused. No big. The basic premise of the thread is correct though - make sure you know the quality of what you are buying. But that is the same with any product.

But as Bob just said, you cannot presume smaller manufacturers have less quality. In many industries smaller companies make better versions of the same as they have less overhead.