Bricks and Mortar Shops

[Tubamatt]

Hi all,

I had a look earlier for this sort of thread and didn't really find anything so I thought I'd start one myself. Since I started vaping (originally in 2009) but more seriously 6 months ago I've discovered that I prefer to buy kit face to face. Not only do I benefit from the advice of people who are so passionate about vaping that they've staked their living on it but I generally get to try before I buy.

So... I thought I'd give a quick review of all of the bricks and mortar businesses I've tried so far. These are mainly in and around London and I'll be doing one per post. It would be nice if other people wanted to weigh in too?

Also, these opinions (good and bad) are only my opinion - I might have caught them on a bad day, etc. As with all things, YMMV!

Anyway, I'll kick off with my first one:

Hounslow Vaping Boutique - The Treaty Centre, Hounslow.

I decided to buy a kit from them as they were the only place I could find to buy one locally on the same day I decided to quit analogues. As far as I'm aware they don't really have an online presence and trade solely from a kiosk within the Treaty shopping centre in Hounslow. They seem to mainly stock eCigWizard branded products.

I opted for a starter kit which comprised, IIRC, a CE4, 900 MAh Ego battery, charger, case and 10ml bottle of juice. This set me back £50 which, on reflection, I think was a bit steep. The staff were pretty friendly and knowledgeable. I've returned a few times since when I've needed stuff and been in the area but I wouldn't necessarily recommend them as I think they're overpriced and don't seem to carry a lot of stock. I get the feeling that they're buying at full price and selling on at a markup. Also they're useless at replying to questions by email or Twitter - only a small thing but an annoyance! On the upside, you can park in the shopping centre car park, pop down to buy whatever you need, be back in your car having parked for free and driving away from Hounslow very quickly - always nice to be leaving Hounslow!

I'll always bear them in mind if I'm in the area and out of anything but, overall, I'd give them 5/10. Nothing intrinsically bad but expensive and no real redeeming features.

Matt

 

[Tubamatt]

Next up: Shop eCigarette, Kingston Electronic Cigarette E-liquid Shop | Kanger E Cigarette Starter Kits

This is mainly run online but you can visit their office - it is literally just an office with stock piled up on shelves. Run by a really nice bloke, very eager to help and quite reasonable prices. He'll also give you whatever discount he can and has thrown in some freebies in the past. Stocks Hangsen juice, which I'm quite partial to. He sometimes has had limited stock of various things but can generally find you something either one up or one down in quality or price from what you're after so not all bad. Not the best shopping experience in the world as you're just in his cramped and tiny office but I believe he's planning to open a proper shop in the future. I wish him well.

Some of his recommendations on kit have worked for me, some haven't but that's a very subjective thing...

Overall, I'd give him 8/10, one to watch in months and years to come.

Matt

 

[Tubamatt]

Next: City Confectionery, Chelsea, London E Cigarette Shop in London Stocking Totally Wicked Products

This is just a reseller for Totally Wicked in a small newsagents. A small selection of stock, same price as online BUT charges 50p or thereabouts for card purchases. The owner/member of staff seemed fairly disinterested. The products are as good as you'd expect but I didn't really get the personal interaction I'm looking for when I walk into a vaping shop.

Overall, 6/10. You're better off buying direct from the website but it's useful to know where it is if you happen to run out of anything when you're in the Big Smoke (vape??)

 

[djsvapour]

Hounslow Vaping Boutique - The Treaty Centre, Hounslow.

I decided to buy a kit from them as they were the only place I could find to buy one locally on the same day I decided to quit analogues. As far as I'm aware they don't really have an online presence and trade solely from a kiosk within the Treaty shopping centre in Hounslow. They seem to mainly stock eCigWizard branded products.

I seem to remember this store is owned/run by a Vaper on UKV "JayLav Enterprises" (Jonny)

He had a difficult time on UKV as for about a year he stood behind E-Lites as a genuine "alternative to smoking" product. Basically, if he's ditched those products and gone with another range, I am impressed.

I suspect he has kept them on (?) and added some decent gear after all. I, for one, wish him luck with the venture.

My truck with him was never his livelihood or business, just those darn £3.99 cartomisers, sold by E-Lites with the promise of 40 cigarettes.

Anything, at any cost, is better than E-Lites. They are the laughing stock of the "enthusiast" Vaping community in the UK as they claim the most and charge an obscene amount for the product.

...and yet, they grow and grow and are absolute "Titans" of the mini e-cig market with a £50 million turnover.

Jeez, the British public are just fools. It takes 15 seconds to google the price of a cartomiser.

 

[djsvapour]

Maybe Londoners can get here on the tube.

P-Vaper - BOXING DAY SALE!!!Smoke Smart Electronic Cigarette, Steam Smoking, E-Liquid, & Vaporizing

London E5 9DW

There is of course ukecigstore, but they are getting slaughtered on the UK forums at the moment.

Vendor status revoked from AAEC
Massive threads about failed customer service on UKV

I loved those guys, but they are making a huge mess of keeping people happy.

 

[djsvapour]

Actually, what am I doing?

Keep an eye of these guys.

Myepack.co.uk

They might well open a store next year. One of my favourite vendors. Best prices on Innokin and Kanger almost anywhere.

 

[tomvonc]

Vaporized Leith Walk Edinburgh. Lovely little shop run by a couple of enthusiasts. Good range from little eGo sets up to MVP 2's and SMOK SID's very good extensive range of juices, and friendly knowledgeable staff. Only about 5% more than shopping online.

 

[trouble1000]

I've only really had experience with 3 B&M's, I tend to buy mostly on-line these days. But here goes :

Vapor Man in Rochdale, no website as far as I know. I'll always be grateful to the owner, as he got me started on ecigs many months ago. He gave me some great start-up advice and would always put extra flavour shots in my juice for me. But he mainly sells basic ego kits and ce4 types, because that's what most of his customers want. Must admit, I've grown out of his shop now, I use RBA's more now - but he was great when I was starting out.

Liberty Flights, knowledgeable staff that vape themselves. Better selection of kit - like Genesis attys etc. Plus they have a mini juice bar to try out new samples. But be aware, not all the shops sell all the items on their website. The one I went to didn't have all the DIY flavourings in stock, so I had to order from their website.

Vape Escape in Heywood, probably the best so far, larger amount of kit - they sell Provaris there. Very good knowledge on vaping gear, juices etc. The guy that runs it is a keen vaper and very helpful. They have a great website too. I mainly buy Vision Vivi Novas from them now, as I like to rewick them with cotton, but I've had a couple of juices from them and batteries too. All top notch stuff.

 

[djsvapour]

Vape Escape in Heywood, probably the best so far, larger amount of kit - they sell Provaris there. Very good knowledge on vaping gear, juices etc. The guy that runs it is a keen vaper and very helpful. They have a great website too. I mainly buy Vision Vivi Novas from them now, as I like to rewick them with cotton, but I've had a couple of juices from them and batteries too. All top notch stuff.

Vape Escape get my vote as the no.1 retailer (with a shop) in England. No question.
I visited there in the summer en route from Newcastle (upon Tyne) to Aberystwyth, Wales.

Jason, the owner, recalled stories about the early days when there were less than 20 retailers on the scene.

I could say more, but if you are ever in the area (I was 2 minutes away on the motorway) a visit is a MUST.

 

[djsvapour]

There are some B&M stores in Birmingham. Not so long ago the choice was not good, with some really poor shops.

Now, there are a few. I've visited both of these and recommend them.

Grey Haze E-Cig Store - E-Cigs, Eliquid, UK E-Cigarette Store

and

InnoVapours

If you want enthusiasm, knowledge, products, whatever.... terrific.

 

[trouble1000]

Vape Escape get my vote as the no.1 retailer (with a shop) in England. No question.
I visited there in the summer en route from Newcastle (upon Tyne) to Aberystwyth, Wales.

Jason, the owner, recalled stories about the early days when there were less than 20 retailers on the scene.

I could say more, but if you are ever in the area (I was 2 minutes away on the motorway) a visit is a MUST.

I'd agree with you mate, he'll always spend time no matter how busy he is.

He's pretty local for me, just a 15 minute drive away, so I'm pretty lucky really

 

[Chrissie]

I also agree about Vape Escape - I know how much Jason goes out of his way to help people. He truly is one of the very best UK vendors.

 

[Tubamatt]

Vaporized Leith Walk Edinburgh. Lovely little shop run by a couple of enthusiasts. Good range from little eGo sets up to MVP 2's and SMOK SID's very good extensive range of juices, and friendly knowledgeable staff. Only about 5% more than shopping online.

They're next on my list...

 

[djsvapour]

They're next on my list...

Doing a bit of travelling then.

Looks OK, at least it's not the other stores (Vapourised and Vaporiz)... both of which are less attractive.

 

[Tubamatt]

Next one: Vaporized, Leith Walk, Edinburgh Vaporized - Inhale the Freedom - Electronic Cigarettes Specialist

I spent almost all of August in Edinburgh for work. Conveniently, my daily commute from the house I was staying at and the city centre went past this shop so I popped in a few times. Very enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff, nice looking shop, reasonable prices, good stock levels and quality merchandise. They run a loyalty card scheme which I am only one stamp short of getting a freebie on (if anyone is local to there and wants it, PM me). They didn't carry one thing I was looking for but suggested something else which turned out to be better.

Overall, 9/10 - I'm docking them a point for being so far away from me in London!

This is how ecigarette shops should be run!

 

[Tubamatt]

V-Revolution, Neal Street, London V-Revolution | e-Cigarettes | London

From the sublime to the ridiculous. I'm making it my mission to try all the shops in my area until I find one as good as Vaporized. I went out to Covent Garden to give them a whirl. The shop staff made me feel like they were doing me a favour by deigning to talk to me, I tried several of their limited range of liquids, most of which tasted nothing like what they were supposed to. I asked about a few bits of their hardware to be told they were out of stock of most things. The prices were pretty eye watering of what they did have in. In the end, because I was running low, I bought a 20ml bottle of Mint which mixed with the last of my Menthol tastes OK-ish. I wouldn't go there again unless I was absolutely desperate. For a start the bottles of juice are rubbish, really thick tip, no needle and a very awkward child safety cap so really hard to refill on the go.

Overall 1/10. They sell e-cigarette related items and the shop looks quite nice. I'm not sure I can say anything more positive than that.

 

[djsvapour]

Doing a bit of travelling then Matt?

I'll visit the V-rev for some cheap kicks next time I play at the 'garden or St Martin's.

Keep 'em coming.

 

[Tubamatt]

OK, another one: UK Ecig Store, Wembley UK Ecig Store

I was in the area with work and due to my own incompetence I'd left my spares kit behind (battery, charger, liquid etc.) so all I had was a smear of liquid left in the bottom of the clearomiser and a dying battery. Panic set in for a moment as I knew I was going to be hanging around all day but then I found this place - two minutes walk away from where I was. The shop itself is very basic, just a white square with a few bits of merchandise quite artistically placed in alcoves around the room. The staff were enthusiastic and seemed knowledgeable and the prices are OK. I ended up buying a small battery, smaller than usual charger, a Davide mini and a 10 ml bottle of liquid. I'm very happy with everything, my only niggle is that they seemed to have a lot of liquids out of stock so I ended up vaping bananas all day!

BTW, the Davide mini knocks the socks off the mini Protank II that I was using!

Overall - 8/10 because of the out of stock liquids. It could have been just an off day, in which case they'd get a 9/10.

 

[djsvapour]

UKecigstore?

Ouch. You should check out the UK forums (not that this isn't UK, but some people will know what I mean).

 

[Tubamatt]

Sweet Cloud, North Camp, Farnborough sweetcloud

Again, I was working in the area and this time I'd picked up the wrong spare battery (a drained one). Popped into their shop, it was mega busy, they're obviously doing a really good trade. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Lots of people trying out different bits and pieces and different flavours. I bought another spare battery and also picked up some spare atomiser heads. They look like they've got a good range of stock, decent prices and know their stuff.

Overall 9/10. Almost perfect but the store was so busy, I felt a bit rushed. I hope they can do well enough to maybe expand or take on more staff. I would definitely recommend these to anyone and when I'm back in the area, I'll pop in for some more bits and pieces!