Bridging the gap between old and young vapers?
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I've been there!
And yes - pleasantly surprised by their customer service:
Walked in cuz I had a need, and a weird one. Got a bad batch of cartos and was on my way out of town.
Two guys behind counter were helping several 20-something dudes test out spinners with protanks on them - or something like that. These were noob users. They were educating them, teaching them how to replace and even re-wick the coils. This was before the guys had bought anything. They did end up buying the setups they were vaping on...
One employee immediately asked me if they could help me and while I was doubtful, what I really wanted was low resistance Boge pre-punched 35mm cartomizers. I don't think he even knew what they were but he went looking and found them tucked away in back of a shelf. And I think it was $10 for the box - which is fair.
Edit- also, I like their events. "Free Build Friday" etc. Smart.
Last time I went to a shop in Sacramento, it was another GOOD ONE - it looked like a mini cloud-competition, but was just a few friends putting their mods and builds through their paces. This place I picked because I needed an airhole in an atomizer drilled, and when I found their website - THERE'S A DRILL PRESS right there in the photo!!!
They were all interested in my Reo.
They were laughing at how small my atomizer was (it WAS a tiny little one).
The guy behind the counter did an EXCEPTIONALLY professional job drilling the atty. Washed it. And wouldn't charge me anything.
So I bought pretty badass drip tip from them.
And yes - pleasantly surprised by their customer service:
Walked in cuz I had a need, and a weird one. Got a bad batch of cartos and was on my way out of town.
Two guys behind counter were helping several 20-something dudes test out spinners with protanks on them - or something like that. These were noob users. They were educating them, teaching them how to replace and even re-wick the coils. This was before the guys had bought anything. They did end up buying the setups they were vaping on...
One employee immediately asked me if they could help me and while I was doubtful, what I really wanted was low resistance Boge pre-punched 35mm cartomizers. I don't think he even knew what they were but he went looking and found them tucked away in back of a shelf. And I think it was $10 for the box - which is fair.
Edit- also, I like their events. "Free Build Friday" etc. Smart.
Last time I went to a shop in Sacramento, it was another GOOD ONE - it looked like a mini cloud-competition, but was just a few friends putting their mods and builds through their paces. This place I picked because I needed an airhole in an atomizer drilled, and when I found their website - THERE'S A DRILL PRESS right there in the photo!!!
They were all interested in my Reo.
They were laughing at how small my atomizer was (it WAS a tiny little one).
The guy behind the counter did an EXCEPTIONALLY professional job drilling the atty. Washed it. And wouldn't charge me anything.
So I bought pretty badass drip tip from them.
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hmmm i havent tried cultivapors yet, might give em a visit this week. but yeah the vapour house was pretty awesome, if it was closer id be there more often, id love to see them grow.
It was a "typical" kind of place - stip-mall storefront, some guys hanging out, blowing clouds - except that they WERE helpful, knowledgeable and friendly.
You're right, the vape shop scene will need to go through a shake out. That's what capitalism is for though. They aren't going to be able to undercut the online sources for hardware, not enough to pay the rent anyway. I think you are right about juice. That's one area where they would have a big advantage. I know it's going to take me years of expensive trial and error finding flavours I like online. Not too eager to fight my way through a crowd of vaping young'uns to do it though. Or ask stupid questions in the middle of a bunch of gawking kids.
I doubt the kids who like to hang out there spend a bunch of money per visit. Older long term smokers are likely to have a lot more disposable income. Not to mention an expensive habit they want to replace. And when I went to a shop there were maybe 8 customers there, and they were all milling around in front of the counter, vaping. The staffer who came to look after me had to come round to the back of the crowd to talk to me.
As someone said earlier part of the answer might be to get the hangarounds corralled into a separate lounge, or even just a corner away from the counter. And concentrate their attention on selling juice and dealing with people who need advice and starter kits and upgrades. There's a lot of people wanting to quit smoking, every vape shop customer who goes away happy could send half a dozen others along. If someone asked me today I would give them an old Evod and a list of url's.
I really don't understand why cape shops have become 'hang outs'. I'm not against it, by any means, I just find it interesting. When I used to smoke, I didn't go to the 7-11 where I bought my cigs, just to hang out. I have a smart (sort of) phone, but I don't go to the cell phone store to hang around and play with my phone. Here in my neck of the woods, we have a lot of cape shops, and more opening up all the time. Just about every one of them has a sofa, coffee tables, easy chairs, etc.
I'm not sure if there is a gap to bridge as much as many people need to be a little less judgmental. I think the older crowd needs to be less judgmental when it comes to the younger folks.....and vice versa as well.
A good businessperson will figure out a way to meet the needs of as many customers as possible, and do so without discrimination. We're just starting to see niche markets with respect to B&M's, but it'll work itself out one way or another. The trendiness will eventually subside and the businesses remaining will be the ones that cared in the first place.
I'm "middle aged" (55). I don't get intimidated by people who don't look like me. Tats and piercings? I don't have any, but they don't put me off either, and in the year I've been vaping, I've found that crowd to be nothing but helpful and friendly, at least the ones that work in vape shops.
If you walk into a shop that isn't helpful, walk out, it's that simple. But don't be put off by the employees' appearance.
The one thing I think shops could do to improve their appeal to newbies is to install some ventilation. Not being able to see one end of the shop from the other puts me off far more than youngsters with body art.
If you walk into a shop that isn't helpful, walk out, it's that simple. But don't be put off by the employees' appearance.
The one thing I think shops could do to improve their appeal to newbies is to install some ventilation. Not being able to see one end of the shop from the other puts me off far more than youngsters with body art.
Ahh - the cry of ages!
But there's a subtext here: i'm old and i smoked for 30 years. So i expect a red carpet when i
They look at me and see a coffin dodger. I look at them and wonder who will pay my pension! Workshy layabouts.
The obvious solution is to have shares in the tattoo parlour.
T
Middle aged (55). My father said the same thing.
How many 110 year olds do you know?
T
How many 110 year olds do you know?
T
I'm probably going to walk into a vape shop, when one opens here, buy a quality product and they won't see me for a year or so.
What they will see and sell to, is all the people I've yapped to about my great product and where I bought it.
What they will see and sell to, is all the people I've yapped to about my great product and where I bought it.
I get a kick out of dealing with the youngsters, keeps me on my toes. When you go in to a shop as an old lady with a mech mod and talk coils the young people really like to help. They were telling me about another gal who can build any coil...she's a bomb disposal expert. I learn something from them every time I go in. Got to try a 400.00 special order box mod with 2 giant batteries that about put me on my but. Came home and ordered an istick .
I had a similar experience here the first time I went into the local vape shop. I'm 46. One of the young employees actually said to me, "Oh, we have another old guy like your age who comes in.". I thought, hey, that little **** just called me old!
Its funny that now that I rebuild and talk mechs, they suddenly treat me like one of them, lol! But, that doesn't help the newbie vapors or those who don't care to rebuild feel welcome.
Yeah, I buy most of my gear and juice online. And come here to talk vaping. Plenty of middle aged and senior members here as well as young ones. And seem to have a comraderie whatever our ages.
Its funny that now that I rebuild and talk mechs, they suddenly treat me like one of them, lol! But, that doesn't help the newbie vapors or those who don't care to rebuild feel welcome.
Yeah, I buy most of my gear and juice online. And come here to talk vaping. Plenty of middle aged and senior members here as well as young ones. And seem to have a comraderie whatever our ages.
Hey, another oldie but goodie here! Ha! I enjoy it all and am blessed with vape shops not 10 min. from home. This past yr. saw 15 new ones open up in town. If the manager of my favorite store sees me coming, he's at the door to greet me although the most I buy are juices. All the stores around town have vapers vaping, but seemingly the clouds are kept small. Admittedly I only make a once a month run to resupply my stash; but during that time, I try to visit with young and old alike, tat or not, beginner or pro, new to me or met before. I find their stories of discovery interesting and their enthusiasm exciting.
Another place to go, if available nearby or next town, is a vape meet. Believe me when I say that when 70+ somethings (hubby too) walk in a "vaporized" room and start hollaring "I can't see! It's getting dim! Where IS everybody!" , people start talking which is exactly what I want them to do. Easier for them to feel they're dealing with a "nut case" and will relax.
What really gives me great satisfaction is when a total noob to the vaping scene, comes up and asks my opinion on their setup or how do I like mine or help them find something suitable. I walk around like I belong there and once more I'm danged happy to be there with everybody!
An interview with Dimitris Agrafiotis, the Vapin Greek follows.......Next time I'll ask for wardrobe and makeup artists!
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/fda-regulations/564009-i-think-theyre-crazy.html#post13168784
Another place to go, if available nearby or next town, is a vape meet. Believe me when I say that when 70+ somethings (hubby too) walk in a "vaporized" room and start hollaring "I can't see! It's getting dim! Where IS everybody!" , people start talking which is exactly what I want them to do. Easier for them to feel they're dealing with a "nut case" and will relax.
What really gives me great satisfaction is when a total noob to the vaping scene, comes up and asks my opinion on their setup or how do I like mine or help them find something suitable. I walk around like I belong there and once more I'm danged happy to be there with everybody!
An interview with Dimitris Agrafiotis, the Vapin Greek follows.......Next time I'll ask for wardrobe and makeup artists!
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/fda-regulations/564009-i-think-theyre-crazy.html#post13168784
I'll be considered old next year by most new vapers , so don't see how I can bridge the gap, as I use e-nic as NRT and most new vapers seem to want to subohm to blow clouds...
Speaking of bridging the gap- we talk of older people being intimidated by the younger set with their high-end gear & clouds yet I had a chance to experience the opposite of that. Was in a vape shop about 7 mos ago & every single 20-25 yr old person lounging in there was drinking tea, listening to music or conversating with each other while vaping their MVP2's.
To them, their setup was high-end & they knew nothing about blowing clouds.
Oddly, I found that refreshing & boring at the same time.
I came in with my REO & clouds. Yes, it garnered interest & conversation & some actually learned a thing or 2 from me.
What started off as boring became a lot of fun. I ended up spending most of the day there. If it wasn't too far to get there I would've gone back more often.
And the owners- he & his wife were 2 of the coolest people I ever had the pleasure to meet.
To them, their setup was high-end & they knew nothing about blowing clouds.
Oddly, I found that refreshing & boring at the same time.
I came in with my REO & clouds. Yes, it garnered interest & conversation & some actually learned a thing or 2 from me.
What started off as boring became a lot of fun. I ended up spending most of the day there. If it wasn't too far to get there I would've gone back more often.
And the owners- he & his wife were 2 of the coolest people I ever had the pleasure to meet.
I think it's more like the traditional pipe shop, where hanging out was fairly common. Not at all like getting a pack at 7-11, but where folk with similar interests could talk about different blends, the latest straight grain briar or hand carved meerschaum, or how to clean the gunk off a pipe bit. And also folk just coming in to get supplies, i.e. loose tobacco, pipe cleaners and so on. So not a lot different in that sense, at least to me. Although, of course, it's been years since anyone in the US could actually light up in a pipe shop...
I'm "middle aged" (55). I don't get intimidated by people who don't look like me. Tats and piercings? I don't have any, but they don't put me off either, and in the year I've been vaping, I've found that crowd to be nothing but helpful and friendly, at least the ones that work in vape shops.
If you walk into a shop that isn't helpful, walk out, it's that simple. But don't be put off by the employees' appearance.
The one thing I think shops could do to improve their appeal to newbies is to install some ventilation. Not being able to see one end of the shop from the other puts me off far more than youngsters with body art.
I'll see you and raise you 11, Rossum
And excellent advice, both on the walk out, and on ventilation.
My biggest problem with cloudy shops is that I find it difficult to actually get a good taste of a new flavor, since it's overpowered by what's in the air. Since I, like many, get the bulk of my hardware online, my B&M trips are generally for new flavors. And if I can't taste them through the fog, I don't buy any. Tats? Piercings? Youth? Nope, not an issue for me, either. Heck, all of us in the shop have common bonds that go beyond appearance. And differences that make it fun
Wow, if you are 70 and she is 30 yes older then I wish to have her genes.
I stopped going to vape shops. Too many tats and too much vapor around. I looked like I had three heads when I walked in with a double breasted suit on. They were nice enough though.
To each their own.
I stopped going to vape shops. Too many tats and too much vapor around. I looked like I had three heads when I walked in with a double breasted suit on. They were nice enough though.
To each their own.
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