Buy from your local shop or go online???

[Illadelphia215]

I started changing from smoking cigs to vaping about 3-3.5 months ago. I started with a ego starter kit from my local shop and have been using them for all of my vaping needs, exclusively. But I noticed that I could get the same products for much less online. My dilemma is that I still want to support my local shop but, I can not bring myself to outrageously over pay for the same exact product.

Not sure if anyone else has run into this situation and if so, how'd you handle it?

I understand that brick and mortar retail stores need to mark up prices but, I also want to save money. How much of a mark up is fair? 20%? 50%? Even 100%?!?!?

 

[H Niemand]

I have been buying almost exclusively online for about 6 months. I have found that the price point and selection is much greater this way. As for mark up, it's always what the trade will bear. Too high, you lose customers. Too low, you lose your business.

 

[djsvapour]

I buy mostly online. Unconsciously, my "big" mods have all come from the same place (popular independent UK store). My mechanicals have with come through classified sales (UK, another forum) or are clones from China.

We have 3 stores in town. One, is a famous "brand" store which you would only see me in if I died on the street and was messing up the pavement (sidewalk).

Another is an over-priced rip-off store that marks up to x3 the online price. They give all their "items" an exciting name. The newbie kit I recommend a lot (EVOD, by Kanger) is £30 online in the UK. This store charges £79.99. They won't be open much longer, not since the arrival of the famous brand store.

The last is a nice, modest shop selling all sorts of basic kit. I go in there once and month, chat to the owner, buy some homemade liquid. I would say the prices are +50% compared to online. That's fine with me.

 

[flagreekguy]

I've always ordered online since I first started vaping. That being said, that game has changed drastically since then. I have a new theory now that is, If there is a quality B&M in my local area, I will purchase from them 90% of the time if the pricing is fair. My reasoning is simple, support your local vaping community first and foremost, And if you can afford to spend a little more, order some stuff online.

Your local B&M's need your support though, definitely splice off your vaping funds to afford to support both if possible though.

 

[ykalon]

Mods & Attys online. Kanthal, batteries, bottles etc from b&m to keep them going.

 

[Illadelphia215]

I've always ordered online since I first started vaping. That being said, that game has changed drastically since then. I have a new theory now that is, If there is a quality B&M in my local area, I will purchase from them 90% of the time if the pricing is fair. My reasoning is simple, support your local vaping community first and foremost, And if you can afford to spend a little more, order some stuff online.

Your local B&M's need your support though, definitely splice off your vaping funds to afford to support both if possible though.

I started the opposite of you and used a local B&M exclusively because I, like you, feel that supporting small local businesses is very important especially in Philadelphia where businesses are folding everyday and moving to surrounding states or cities which offer more of a small business incentive. But with that being said, I can not bring myself to pay a %100 mark up or sometimes greater at these local stores. One quick and simple solution I was thinking of implementing was to buy mech mods online and continue to purchase the majority of my ejuices from my local shops...I just hate the idea of cutting B&M out completely

 

[Illadelphia215]

I agree with you DJ, I don't like to go to those trendy stores that refuse to carry anything but the big $ brand name products. I've found that they're usually the ones with snobby employees and equally annoying customers.

There seem to be a lot of those overpriced rip off stores popping up around the Tri-State area in the States (Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York). I think they are the ones who are pushing the majority of customers towards online shopping.

I need to find a nice little shop that knows how to appreciate their customers and properly price their products

 

[Blk04Snake]

The local B&M near me is a dive. All he has are Egos and a few juices that he makes himself out of who knows what. I went in there for my first and last time last week looking for an 18650 battery and he looked at me with a dazed look on his face and had no clue what I was talking about. At least if you're going to be in this business try to get a general knowledge of all the products out there within reason, even if you aren't going to sell them.

I have ordered online from another company that is somewhat local and has 7 shops within a couple hours of me. If I order today I get it tomorrow and I'm still supporting "local" business. In the mostly rural area that I live in I think the only way a good B&M is going to survive is by also doing online sales.

 

[Ratchet]

Order most of my juices online - better selection, lower prices. But, I also support the local economy. I attend vape meetings and pick up juices there from local vendors. And local B&M's are great in a pinch if you let yourself run out.

 

[Equilibrium]

I prefer to buy from my local store for 2 reasons - 1.. I hate to wait. 2.. I like to support my local business.

BUT...

There is only one store that is close to me and they're rather new, so the selection is a little slim, especially when it comes to juices.

I really like the customer service though. I have bought several items from them and one of the tanks was messed up from the factory. They refunded my money with no questions asked.

I will continue to shop there and hopefully they will expand their inventory.

 

[Illadelphia215]

Agreed! Most of the B&M stores here in Philly and surrounding counties have a online shop to supplement their business. What I don't like is that some have lower internet prices with free shipping and higher B&M prices...Sometimes a big difference in $...strange

 

[Completely Average]

I price check online and then check my local stores to see if anyone comes close to the price. If I'm within a couple of dollars I'll buy it local. I prefer to have the ability to use it the day I buy it, and return it the day I buy it if something is wrong with it.

If there is a large price difference between online and local stores I'll buy online.

 

[Illadelphia215]

I like B&M stores for the reason of having a tangible person or place to hold responsible for the products that you buy. I haven't had any issues with any vaping gear from my local shop but, I did have a slight issue with the flavor of one of the juices. I brought it in and they made me a new one right away! They also have like over 900 flavors and they can customize a flavor for you as well so, I really find that aspect of this particular B&M to be very attractive especially since I'm a huge flavor junkie and like to try flavors before I purchase them. I have purchased juices online and have had a simply fantastic experience with Virgin Vapor and their customer service. Their 100% VG Peach, HoneyDew and Orange are delicious!!!! I want to try Heathers Heavenly and that Mixology place in New York soon

 

[Illadelphia215]

I think I'm going to do the same thing

 

[leeboy]

Go online to reomods.com and get the best before wasting money on junk

 

[cruze808]

I like to buy the small stuff from the B&Ms, wire, juice, tips, etc they still make a profit and I'm supporting the local vendor. My Mechs and atties I am currently buying online. For me its about the money mostly if I can find a Kayfun clone for $25 online versus $75 at a local shop ill buy online.

 

[VapoKev]

I face the same dilemma as the OP. I like my local vape shop, like the employees who are knowledgeable and helpful vapers themselves, and the clientele is interesting and eclectic, plus I like the ambiance of the place. But, while they carry good, name brand gear, obviously their prices are considerably more than can be found online. But they have nice line of their own juices, competitively priced, with an appropriate concern for the quality of their ingredients and product. So, it's a cool place to buy juice, or run in for a pack of overpriced atomizer cartridges in a pinch (which I've done). But I can't bring myself to pay their price for a vv battery or tanks, etc. Still, I'd like them to stay around. I enjoy going in the place and it's a comfortable walking distance from my home.

 

[patkin]

Many won't agree with my take on this but I believe in allowing capitalism to do its thing. If a local B&M is scalping, I won't do business there no matter what they're selling. The only exception would be if they carry a decent line of juices and allow tasting. So far, I haven't found a local store with decent juices so I continue to buy online. I expect a small markup over online but, so far, haven't found one like that except one that sells in a store that sells other products so its not exclusively ecig stuff and their prices are the same as online I guess because they just rent space in the store... but they don't let you taste test and researching the brand of juice they sell its pretty bad so I haven't tried it. "Support you local B&M" is not something I fall for without consideration. If the regulations prevent online sales, more of them will crop up locally and they'll have to compete with each other for my business. Competition is always good for the consumer.

 

[Sthur]

I like to go into my local b&m store to be able to look at what I am purchasing and see if the reviews and stuff are what I want. If the store has a markup for a few bucks more I rather buy from the store instead of waiting for the post man. You get it now without the wait. Same with juice I like to try before I buy to avoid getting something I won't like. Most places have juice for 5 bucks for 10ml which is not bad. In all we have to support the local guys and the economy. If we don't then all the b&m store will roll up and all you will have is online.

 

[Tom Servo]

I'm fortunate to have a good B&M near me. They've given good advice, and it means something that they're able to demonstrate it on the spot.

I've paid about 20-30% over online prices on my mods with them, but I feel it's worth it. I'll pay a reasonable premium for informed service and on-the-spot support. They also have some juices that are part of my regular rotation, and they didn't mind me testing heaven knows how many to settle on those. Ordering juices online is always a bit of a gamble.

I do get some of my juices online (Vapor Chef and such), and I buy coils online because they're massively cheaper. Otherwise, I prefer to support a local business for a reasonable premium.