Brick and mortar woes.

[zachp0wer]

Hey all.

I live in a fairly small town that just opened a brick and mortar a few months ago. I've gone here many times to get juice and new heads for protanks etc.

Little background: I've been vaping on and off for 3 years or so and 3 months ago kicked analogs for good.

Anywho, I head into the shop with a buddy who I am teaching about vaping and they have King Mod for $45. What a deal! So I ask the employee how they can get such a deal when they are almost $200 more online, then must be clones. He insisted that his store bulked ordered them from some guy and the are the real deal. I checked it out, the threads aren't fantastic and the button sticks. I've never held a King but I imagine it has better machining.

I'm super peeved, the guy was starting to give me attitude when I asked how about he can sell them so cheap and blah blah. I need a new mech mod and was going to buy it, now they just left a sour taste in my mouth and I may not be a return customer.

Practices like this is going to screw new vapers. It's sad.

Anyone have experiences like this? Blatant lying? I'd assume in more popular, high class areas the store would be more respectful but I don't know.

-Zach


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Metroicon]

I'm sure he just does not know any better, perhaps he was told it was the real thing when in fact at that price it was a clone.

 

[bogmonster]

Unfortunately, with any kind of business, there will be folks who will be there just to take your money. Bad service and a bad rep shuts them down eventually, but until then some folks will get the short end. I'd go back and talk to the owner, if possible. If nothing else you might get an apology.

 

[Margate69]

They are clones. My friend has an ACTUAL KING Mod, and the threads are smooth as butter. They are all perfectly machined.

He has clones 100%

 

[serenity21899]

A lot of vape shops have opened recently in my area. I have realized that the owners do not always know much about vaping. The one that opened in my town is like that. But they are willing to listen and take suggestions from more experienced vapers. The store is slowly getting more of the stuff people actually want, at reasonable prices.

I also feel it is up to us as customers to know what we are buying, clones or not. There is another new shop that is selling the MVP v1 for $125. They are wrong for doing that, but I would also be at fault if I were to buy it knowing it is not worth it.

 

[Krazirob]

I've seen this also before.......they are usually the types that prey on new vapors.....once they realize you have some knowledge already about the scene and the products they have nothing for you because sometimes they do not also......i have tried to share my knowledge but sometimes they don't want it in fear of looking bad in front of other employees or customers........i call them predators for newbie vapors......nothing much you can do but give a bad review and spread your knowledge amongst your friends before they go there.

 

[Margate69]

A lot of vape shops have opened recently in my area. I have realized that the owners do not always know much about vaping. The one that opened in my town is like that. But they are willing to listen and take suggestions from more experienced vapers. The store is slowly getting more of the stuff people actually want, at reasonable prices.

I also feel it is up to us as customers to know what we are buying, clones or not. There is another new shop that is selling the MVP v1 for $125. They are wrong for doing that, but I would also be at fault if I were to buy it knowing it is not worth it.

I was at my local B&M on saturday, 3 of 4 of their counter workers are great and really know what they are selling. The girl behind the counter, not so much. She was selling a Gallileo to someone, and didn't know what the difference in batteries was. Then went on saying he would be totally fine using an ICR, but an IMR is just better because you can charge them many more times.

Ugh... I walked up and gave an explanation to the customer when she went back to mix some juices for him. When I was finished explaining the differences in battery composition (Credit: Baditude) he decided he would do some research here before buying.

Sorry to the shop for chasing off their business, but seriously, learn what you are selling, if it is a mech especially.

 

[cantstopwontstop]

Unfortunately alot of employees at many Brick and Mortar stores don't know what theyre selling. Unfortunately people are trying to pass of clones as the real deal. I'm all for clones I own several because i don't have 200$ to spend on a mod. One of my local vape shops has a Kamry K100 priced at 95$ and a trident clone going for around 50. You have to be increasingly careful buying these things, and if it sounds to good to be true it is. As far as buying clones I own a King clone myself and really like it. I on occasion try to support the local B&M's because i want them to stay in business, but i dont stand for blatant ripping of and disrespect. They put you in a tough spot man that sucks.

 

[Ahoy]

I love the fact that there are so many B&M's opening around my area. It's awesome. But with any new market, you will have people jumping on the bandwagon for a quick buck. Keep an eye on them and check back with them in about a year or so, if they are still there you know they aren't in it just for the quick buck. Usually if they are they flop due to many reasons all stemming from ignorance, in my experience anyways. It sounds like he might have just been gullible and fell in to the seller he got it from and he actually believes it. Or he could just be wanting to rip you off.

Yes that is a clone, way to cheap to not be. But you got to give the guy credit for helping out the vape community at least a little!

 

[Muero]

i my experiences, some ppl know what's up and others dont. I've always paid more at b&m stores for stuff i could get cheaper online but i dont mind too much since it supports my community so to speak. i dont like ordering online myself.

 

[Keeferes]

As a noob, this is one of my pet peeves. It's kind of like buying a computer IMO. If you went to best buy and ask the salesman the difference between processors, he would need to have the answers. When a consumer walks into a specialty store, they expect the sales people to be knowledgeable about the products. Now the average consumer doesn't understand the difference between processors like the i3, i5, or i7, let alone the diference in speeds of each type. This where the salesman should be able to explain things.

Vape shops should be the same. Unfortunately the almighty dollar to often seems to controls things. The reason it's a big pet peeve to me is because in my area 1) shops are very few and far between 2) a large majority of people in my area don't have internet, let alone a computer or smartphone to research products online. New vapers rely on trustworthy B&M's to get them off to a good start. This in turn leads to leaving the new vaper with a bad taste in their mouth. No pun intended... Now with having a bad experience in person and so much information to be overwhelmed with online, if they can go online, they are frustrated and just go right back to smoking.

When this happens it further aids the media in fighting to ban PV's. These new shops opening everywhere is a great thing, I don't dispute that at all, but I wish they would do it to help their community and not just to cash in on a booming industry. Up north, this same thing is happening with tattoo shops. Anyone with the money can open a tattoo studio regardless of training or knowledge on the art. I'm not advocating steep legislation for opening a vape shop, but something needs to be done to help out the new people coming in just looking to be healthier and happier.

I think shop owners should step up to the plate and remember... Each one was once new and had question about their first PV. Stop acting like secret elite vapor ninjas, and help teach new vapers the information we need to know to be safe and get healthier.

I'll jump off my soapbox now and go back to scrolling.

 

[Smallville]

The first day I decided to quit smoking, was almost the day I decided to just continue smoking.

I went into a B&M that was recommended by a friend. I stood around for nearly 20 min until I was greeted by an employee. I told them I was a pack a day smoker that had tried Blu's but was really wanting to quit but didn't know where to start with vaping. They threw and ego down, a disposable clearo and a bottle of juice. $55.00, and made me feel like I was interupting thier day because I had question. I almost walked out without buying anything, but I really did not want to buy another pack of cigs.

The next day I went to a different B&M and explained what happened the day before at the other shop. The guy behind the counter took the time to go over everything I had bought, and answered EVERY question I could come up with. I didn't buy a thing from his shop that day as I already had "everything" I needed (LOL, remember when you thought all you needed was that setup). The guy KNEW I wasn't buying yet still wanted to make sure that I stuck with it.

Now I am very loyal to the second shop, *Shout-out* Good Nature E-Vapor in Appleton, and rarely go anywhere else. I drop about $50 everytime I am in the shop, sometimes more. And all because they took the time to know thier stuff, and care about a customer.

Ok enough about praising... I went into a shop this past weekend... Looking for a new mod... Guy was selling a Tesla for $140, and had the "new" 134's in all the colors for $199 each. I politley asked the owner if he knew those were clones, he flat out said no they weren't they were the real deal. I own a 134, I know what they look like.. and there are similarities, but no dice. I should have asked him for the Innokin sticker. I again told him that they clones, and that it's cool to sell clones, BUT don't try and polish crap and tell me it's gold and charge me gold prices. I walked out, never to return again.

 

[Smallville]

So one more thing to add to my soap box lol. If someone walked into your shop with a high-end mod, Kayfun3.1 and was tooting away while asking questions, would you still try and pretend like you knew more than they did if you didn't? Ugh. Stupid people.

 

[yzer]

Unfortunately, many brick and mortar vape shops are lot like head shops in terms of general atmosphere. The employees are often barely functional as clerks let alone experts on vaping gear. Most smokers are accustomed to buying their smokes at gas stations or convenience stores like 7-11. There can be culture shock when they enter a vape shop door.

 

[jiminsandiego]

First post from a complete newbie. After 3hrs on you tube, I went to the nearest shop. Bought a Ego twist 1000, and a Kanger E-vod.($60). Guy was great, everything works fine, excited about vaping …..But I think (from you tube videos) that I bought a "knock off", "generic" or whatever battery. It says "Ego C Twist" on it but the base doesn't have the logo. So…. should I be ...... off? Is it like getting "knock off" Rayban sunglasses from a store or is this common practice?
Any input is much appreciated (and I have a lot more questions)
Cheers,
Jim

 

[somdfisher]

A friend and I went to a vape shop last weekend for the first time. Another friend of mine gave me my first set up so I was already vaping, but I wanted to try some different juices as the juices I was given weren't great for me. The b&m was top notch, sucks they are well over an hour away, not only were they getting us the samples, but they were also helping new people to get started. After they went through and found out what they smoked to get them a similar flavor to try, but they also asked questions to find out what the customer liked that wasn't cigarette flavored. After they sold the people the starter kit they made sure everyone else was good, and went and sat down with the customer to help them learn everything about their new set up. One of the guys spent 20 minutes going over the Russian RBA with us, and then let us try his own mod he built himself. I bought a Zmax from them and they charged the batteries for me while I was sampling the juices and I was good to go when I walked out.

They will be getting more visits from me in the future, I don't mind the drive for quality customer service. The mods they had were similar in price as they would be found on the internet.

 

[somdfisher]

First post from a complete newbie. After 3hrs on you tube, I went to the nearest shop. Bought a Ego twist 1000, and a Kanger E-vod.($60). Guy was great, everything works fine, excited about vaping …..But I think (from you tube videos) that I bought a "knock off", "generic" or whatever battery. It says "Ego C Twist" on it but the base doesn't have the logo. So…. should I be ...... off? Is it like getting "knock off" Rayban sunglasses from a store or is this common practice?
Any input is much appreciated (and I have a lot more questions)
Cheers,
Jim

No, I found that if a store buys a certain amount they can have their own logo added to the eGos. One of my eGo's has MVS on the bottom and I bought it from My Vape Store.

 

[foliagegreen]

sorry to hear that you guys are having issues with your local B&Ms. out of the 4 i've visited around me, 3 were very good. i'm especially impressed with the one closest to me. they're always asking me what i'd like to see in their shop and always had the customer in mind. the owner even encourages me to go online if it's a better deal for me. the way i see it, if the owners are in it for the right reasons and not just to make a quick buck, you will get good shops. i love supporting my local shops.

 

[Jonathan Tittle]

I've had mixed experiences with B&M's. One local shop is small and rather new, yet they are the most friendly bunch you could ask for. One of the co-owners knows I mix my own liquid and that I'm most likely not going to buy theirs (nothing against theirs, btw), but he doesn't go on and push everything in my face. Instead, he talks about what mods I'm using, what RDA's/RBA's/etc I've used etc. He asks if I've tried X and Y and if so, what I think.

I believe I sat at this one shop for a good hour and walked away with minimal. Just a piece of mesh for my RSST and some Ekowool as I've not yet tinkered with it as much as I have silica and cotton. Despite that, they were eager to just chat, shoot the breeze and even went as far as selling me a few 30ml empty bottles on the spot because I needed them for my own (unrelated) business.

On the other hand, another shop makes me feel rather unwelcome and I stay away from it. They don't train their employees and mods and rebuildables are just "there" as it seems eGO batteries are the only things that truly matter. Beyond that, the cost of the mods are so far above what they sell for elsewhere that even the buffer for a B&M exceeds what I'd be willing to pay.

 

[Keeferes]

First post from a complete newbie. After 3hrs on you tube, I went to the nearest shop. Bought a Ego twist 1000, and a Kanger E-vod.($60). Guy was great, everything works fine, excited about vaping …..But I think (from you tube videos) that I bought a "knock off", "generic" or whatever battery. It says "Ego C Twist" on it but the base doesn't have the logo. So…. should I be ...... off? Is it like getting "knock off" Rayban sunglasses from a store or is this common practice?
Any input is much appreciated (and I have a lot more questions)
Cheers,
Jim

It could be, but IME, which is very limited, Ego twist is an ego twist. No real pro or con between top names and knockoffs. Now this doesn't apply to all ego's, but the majority. If I am wrong and giving misinformation, Please, someone else speak up. I have two Evod tanks. The one that came with my kit was a knockoff, and the extra I bought was legit. I pointed out the differences to the guy I was buying from and he just exchanged the tank on the spot. Don't think it would have caused me any trouble, but I'm just funny about branding if that's what I am paying for. Had he told me it was knock off from the start, I probably still would have bought it anyways because of the honesty.

Don't hesitate on questions. Folks here are so helpful, it's great.