Chinese clones Rant / Discussion

[Richard75]

I'll play the devil's advocate here and say, if the Chinese are undercutting the original mod makers with 1:1 clones and charging half less than the original mod makers...

It's the mod makers fault for losing money.

Wait, why am I even throwing my hat into the ring here? I couldn't care less about clones or the real deal. I only own one clone, I knew it was a clone, and it wasn't sold to me as anything other than a clone.

Also, no one cares whether or not you have a clone or the real deal. The only people who care about that are people who care about that, and they're few and far between; they only matter to each other, just like any other collectibles club. Show your genuine Nemmy or Caravela to someone who doesn't care either way and they'll say, "Hey, nice metal tube!"

"But... it's genuine... I paid three hundred dollars... Look at it! Admire it! Ooh and aah over it! Respect me more as a human being because I bought the original and not the clone! ADMIRE IT! LOOK UPON ME AND RESPECT ME!!!"

I have no stake in this argument. Peace out, yo.

For me, it's not even really about the self gratification of owning an original (although it does feel good to know I do). I don't really care what other people think (at my local vape shop, I'll have my Kayfun Lite + and most others will have a clone. The discussion goes:
"Is that a real one?"
"Yep!"
"Awesome! This one's a clone. Aren't they great?"
"Yeah they are!"

For me, my main joy in owning an original is knowing that it was made to do what the creator intended it to do. A clone is made to look like the creator intended it to look. It might be a 1:1 replica, and thus works the same way, but you look at the chromed brass posts of the many replicas out there, or how super well air holes line up on some, and you realize that either the people who make them are stupid, or that performance and functionality took a back seat to looks. China isn't stupid, so I'm guessing the latter.

 

[Rocketpunk]

This drama is why I find complete bliss in a run-of-the-mill regulated mod and a carto tank.

 

[Richard75]

This drama is why I find complete bliss in a run-of-the-mill regulated mod and a carto tank.

Where does that carto tank come from? Does it have chromed brass endcaps and a polycarbonate tank?

... Kidding!

The funny thing is... it's usually people from my side that start these threads.

 

[crxess]

Educational reference material:
18 U.S. Code § 2320 - Trafficking in counterfeit goods or services | LII / Legal Information Institute

(g) Limitation on Cause of Action.— Nothing in this section shall entitle the United States to bring a criminal cause of action under this section for the repackaging of genuine goods or services not intended to deceive or confuse.

Right China, Wrong Niche Market

Now, to truly discuss Counterfeiting we should switch topics to Beats, Apple, Sandisk, etc. Products perfectly cloned and continually sold as originals. <Often with knowledge of American Business to increase profit>

As far as what we want vs what is available, I'd just as soon have a metal tube with a Nice Eagle laser etched in the tube. I love the look of the Eagle, but I would still require it to have the functionality I desire.

If options are limited and quality is equal, I pick the less offensive.
If the option is THIS ONLY - then I must decide yes or no, have or pass. Since I am Knowingly choosing a Known Replica at 10-15% of an Original and it is solely for personal use - And there is NO Deception - I can make a clear and unencumbered choice.
I am knowingly purchasing something I know will NOT effect the original Designer, as I would not choose to purchase the original at its asking price at any point in time.
I have therefor not decreased their Sales nor the Value of their product.

Anyway, everyone has a point of contention and sits upon their High Horse on the matter.
Please remember the one with an opposing View has as much right to their beliefs.
No excuse for getting all nasty, condescending, or personal.

Advancements prove all to often, those that assume they are right - Are in fact wrong

 

[Rocketpunk]

Where does that carto tank come from? Does it have chromed brass endcaps and a polycarbonate tank?

... Kidding!

The funny thing is... it's usually people from my side that start these threads.

It's IBTanked, so yes, it comes from the grand ol' You Ess of A. The carto is Chinese, in that I understand ALL cartos are Chinese. I'm not misunderstood in that fact.

 

[Rocketpunk]

I have a genuine 1937 first edition Astounding pulp sci-fi mag that has the very first rendition of the very first story of my favorite space opera. It's dog-eared and worn and torn, and I bought it for only fifty dollars. After the transaction was done, I told the clerk I would've paid $150 for it. It was a one in a million find.

That being said, it probably sat in that box of back issues for YEARS upon YEARS and no one gave it a second thought. However, when I found it, my heart soared.

It is worth $150 to me, but if I handed the yellowed, dog-eared, tattered copy to you, you'd be like, "Why the eff did you buy this thing?"

Owning the real deal means everything to the owner, and diddly squat to the next person, so all your pride comes from the inside, and you hope others will dally on you for owning one and respect you more. Truth is, the next person doesn't give a bleep.

 

[Myrany]

I have a genuine 1937 first edition Astounding pulp sci-fi mag that has the very first rendition of the very first story of my favorite space opera. It's dog-eared and worn and torn, and I bought it for only fifty dollars. After the transaction was done, I told the clerk I would've paid $150 for it. It was a one in a million find.

That being said, it probably sat in that box of back issues for YEARS upon YEARS and no one gave it a second thought. However, when I found it, my heart soared.

It is worth $150 to me, but if I handed the yellowed, dog-eared, tattered copy to you, you'd be like, "Why the eff did you buy this thing?"

Owning the real deal means everything to the owner, and diddly squat to the next person, so all your pride comes from the inside, and you hope others will dally on you for owning one and respect you more. Truth is, the next person doesn't give a bleep.

Isn't it shocking when you find out how much some of those old mags and comic books are worth. When my ex moved out he left me his comic books. When I finally got them appraised I ended up selling them through a reliable auction house. Who would have known that a mint condition complete set of the Original X-Men Phoenix saga was worth so much.

 

[Rocketpunk]

To the right person!

 

[LEDBETTER122]

I have to agree with most of the posters. Clones give someone who does not make enough money to drop $200-300 on an "Original.

Frankly I wouldn't care how much I made, why pay up to 10x more for something that I can buy for 1/8 of the price. I have a Kayfun Lite clone and a Vamo v5 and I paid $50-60 for both (Including 2 - 18650 batteries and a charger). I brought my Kayfun clone up to my local shop to show the guy that owns it (He is skeptical about clones, and may I add gave me a stern warning about them). He personally vapes on a "Original" Kayfun Lite and he could not find a difference in the vape experiences.

I could save up and pay $100-140 for an "Original" Kayfun or I could get a

Steam Turbine Clone - $14.80- $14.80 Steam Turbine Genesis Style Rebuildable Atomizer (3.0mL) - w/ stainless steel drip tip at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping
Bliss Genesis Clone - $12.40- $12.40 Bliss Genesis Style Rebuildable Atomizer Kit (2.0mL) - glass tank / stainless steel at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping
Nimbus Clone- $5.32- $5.32 V5 RDA Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer - 4-airhole at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping
Pulse G Clone- $12.73 - $12.73 Pulse-G Style Rebuildable Atomizer (2.5mL) - reduced chamber at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping
Taifun GT Clone- $19.65- $19.65 Taifun GT Style Rebuildable Atomizer (5.0mL) at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping
Kayfun 3.1 Clone- $21.54- $21.54 SvoeMesto Kayfun v3.1 ES Styled Rebuildable Atomizer (4.5mL) - stainless steel at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping
Kayfun Lite Clone- $14.39- $14.39 Kayfun Lite Styled Rebuildable Atomizer (4.5mL) - clear tank section at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

And.... Throw in a Vamo V5 - $32.43 - $32.43 Vamo V5 Variable Voltage/Wattage Mod / APV - stainless steel at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

All for the same price ($133.26) , if not cheaper in some places than a single "Original" Kayfun.

 

[Rocketpunk]

I hate to say this, but in the day and age of 1:1 clones, if you walked in to show off your genuine Caravela, unless you are rich, I'd laugh and say you lost on that investment (unless you could afford it -- in which case, I still couldn't care less and by showing me your genuine you proved your superiority, and in that case, I don't compare man sizes.)

 

[boog]

I hate to say this, but in the day and age of 1:1 clones, if you walked in to show off your genuine Caravela, unless you are rich, I'd laugh and say you lost on that investment (unless you could afford it -- in which case, I still couldn't care less and by showing me your genuine you proved your superiority, and in that case, I don't compare man sizes.)

I've bought 5 caravelas, sold 4 of them... $4000 in pocket and still have one to play with I'd say I won on that investment lol

 

[TheJakeBailey]

I've bought 5 caravelas, sold 4 of them... $4000 in pocket and still have one to play with I'd say I won on that investment lol

Good lord! That clone looks pretty good from where my wallet is sitting! Lol

 

[tj99959]

Good lord! That clone looks pretty good from where my wallet is sitting! Lol

But now you see WHY someone decided to clone it.

 

[bluecat]

I hate to say this, but in the day and age of 1:1 clones, if you walked in to show off your genuine Caravela, unless you are rich, I'd laugh and say you lost on that investment (unless you could afford it -- in which case, I still couldn't care less and by showing me your genuine you proved your superiority, and in that case, I don't compare man sizes.)

The person that thinks he needs to compare "man sizes" already lost. He is the one in doubt of his manliness.

The funny thing about rich people? They just get ripped off for higher amounts of money.

For the op.

I'll buy what I want when I want it. Whether it be USA or Cloned. Only person that gets a say in the matter is my wife.

 

[SkvLTD]

Besides sheer cosmetic differences, I still say "clones" are the way to go for this stuff. As long as it keeps 100% of the function, its all that matters. My personal rule is to only get genuine products that lose functionality when they are duped. So, things like batteries, electronics, and anything functional like say, skateboard trucks.

With trucks, it's all very simple- knock offs simply feel like crap and it's a very noticeable difference. Authentic trucks are built to perform properly and don't have me guessing whether something may go wrong when I'm going 20-25mph down a hill.

With vape stuff, the same chimney size will produce the same clouds whether the threading is butter-smooth or not. And say, lots of mech mods are SO simple in design, I honestly don't even get why some manufacturers would charge as much as they do for a pipe that holds a battery.

I DO understand it from the creator's perspective- no one wants to make product that ends up making you $5/hr kind of rate if you're hoping to actually sell it, but hence why you have to be careful about the niche and keep up with the times. Also, no one's stopping our guys here from ordering/prototyping their designs via China to help keep their costs down and actually stand a chance on the market.

 

[ian91]

I hate to say this but we did this to ourselves. At least the big shots in our companies did it. We started with Mexico, went to Japan and went from there. Anywhere that we could get our costs down and up our short term profits. We are becoming a consumer nation that doesn't make anything.

 

[Baldr]

Note: All questions in preceding paragraph are rhetorical.

In other words, you know good and well that there is a major difference, but you enjoy trolling.

 

[tj99959]

I hate to say this but we did this to ourselves. At least the big shots in our companies did it. We started with Mexico, went to Japan and went from there. Anywhere that we could get our costs down and up our short term profits. We are becoming a consumer nation that doesn't make anything.

I'm 73 years old, and I hate to say it, but that happened in MY DAD's generation

 

[Rocketpunk]

73-year-old vaping! You rock!

 

[Rocketpunk]

Baldr, check yourself, everyone has a right to an opinion. I am a Christian.