Clones... Why?

[ukeman]

I know many consider some mods to be work of arts, to be adored, lavishly and meticulously cared for, only properly displayed on it's own shrine while they say a silent prayer to the meaningless certificate of authenticity, framed as if it were a picture of their children.

I do not.

It is a tool, a tool I will use many hours a day, it will be dropped, it will be scratched, it will be dinged. It's only a matter of a time.

I'm not looking to collect art, or invest in a mod thinking it's value will hold or increase. I am buying a tool to use to keep me off analogs. I have no desire to sign up on wait lists for a chance to own a precious mod, nor prepay and wait an eternity for my number to come up to own the next big thing in the mod world. It's a metal tube, some in copper or brass (big whoop, not like these are precious metals here) with a connection point, a switch, and some kind of graphic.

Some tend to think of these things like they are fine high end Swiss watches, please. No real thought goes into the design itself of these things, no fine Swiss machinist slaves away for hours on it putting it together and tuning it. At best, maybe a day's worth of design time, a few weeks to have them built, most in some sweatshop in a third world craphole just like where the evil clones are built, but they do take their time with months to create the hype and buzz leading to its BS limited release. It's all artificially generated hype, pure and simple.

They could have these produced at fair prices and enough to satiate demand, but they don't. Instead they are in and out for the quick buck. The cloners do however, and until that paradigm changes my point of view will not change.

I.E. not to discount your thoughts, but look at BayCityVapors XXIX and Surfrider mechs... these are machined in USA afaik, and at the moment the most "innovative" AND best Vdrop spec mechs available (more or less since big whoop the innovation is to omit the top cap for a hybrid adapter; works great btw).
James is a straight up excellent CS guy; keeps everyone informed and takes suggestions from forum members. He is booked up through and beyond. His orders are on par with some of the more popular high end mechs (in the thousands). He can NOT get them out fast enough and he's been through what, 2 runs in the last 4 months or so....
No one seems to list the responsibilities of the honest professional mech builder but there's a bunch that involves a lot. At $160 per unit I don't think they can be discredited.

I know you are not dissing any one in particular but I'm Just saying.

 

[Vaslovik]

You made the comparison to tools. A mod is a tool to me. If you worked with tools, you would understand the difference between good quality and junk. If you had a quality mod, you would understand the difference, as well...

Spoken like a true snob. I guess that gives you the right to bash we who cannot afford "quality mods." Right?
Feel superior now?

 

[classwife]

Chill it out in here

 

[MotoMudder]

I've compared an authentic nemesis to my HCigar clone. And even the owner of said authentic couldn't find a noticeable difference. Threads were a little cleaner on authentic. Boo who, I'll spend the extra 150 bucks I saved on more mods, juice and RBA's.
Then again of I had money laying around I probably would get authentic to support the original manufacturer.
There's no need for any hard feelings from either side, most of us can't afford to spend half our paychecks on authentic stuff. If you can congrats.... and can I get a job application? Lol

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[lightbud404]

I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to geico

 

[Vaslovik]

I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to geico

I have Geico, and I'm eating chicken and broccoli for the rest of the month, but I have a vape I can enjoy. What a shame I had to buy a CLONE.

 

[lightbud404]

I have Geico, and I'm eating chicken and broccoli for the rest of the month, but I have a vape I can enjoy. What a shame I had to buy a CLONE.

your words, not mine

 

[Maurice Pudlo]

I've compared an authentic nemesis to my HCigar clone. And even the owner of said authentic couldn't find a noticeable difference. Threads were a little cleaner on authentic. Boo who, I'll spend the extra 150 bucks I saved on more mods, juice and RBA's.
Then again of I had money laying around I probably would get authentic to support the original manufacturer.
There's no need for any hard feelings from either side, most of us can't afford to spend half our paychecks on authentic stuff. If you can congrats.... and can I get a job application? Lol

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Do you mind being bitten on a fairly regular basis, any phobias against large toothy reptiles? I mean if you really want the job I can hook you up ...

It's as much about what you want as it is about what's available. I have Craftsman hand tools, but they get replaced with SnapOn when I can scrape together the money. There isn't much difference, but its enough when you work with tools often enough. I think the same goes for vape gear.

A tiny bit better today might just be what it takes to get a real mod to last through another generation or two.

Maurice

 

[ScottChensoda]

 

[neutrontech]

The OP is asking exactly what "more" do you get?
No mech is truly an original design.
They are all modifications of a flashlight body.
That's why they are called mods.

So what "more" would one get for paying ten times the cost of a clone?
And is it really worth the premium asked?
( not just price, cost of going through all the unprofessionalism associated with buying a legit mod).

Well I'm not sure I buy into the whole originals are superior quality thing. So what I believe they are getting is just the pleasure of owning an original, whatever that may be worth to an individual. So mod vs clone you don't get much more tangible, but buying satisfaction. And that's fine. Everyone is entitled to spend their money how they see fit.

I believe they are really different markets, and don't really affect one another. Those who want an original will buy an original, those who want cheap will by a clone. I'm not seeing any lost sales anyehere.

Just to throw in my .02....

Those of us who buy clones do so because we want a decent device but are too poor to buy the original item. Those of you who bash us for that are a bunch of narcissistic snobs and forum trolls who get off on putting us down because you had the money when we didn't. When I bought a Nemesis clone and posted about it the trolls came after me three times so far in that thread. They all ended up on my ignore list. A list I happily add to with the increasing trolls on ECF.

If I bought an original Poldiac I would not eat for the rest of the month. Same goes for the Nemesis clone I bought. If you want to bash me for that you are just an egotistical pig who needs to bash others to feel good about yourself because you had more money than I did. I'm not impressed with that.

There are clones because they meet a need. That's the reality of the market. Always has been. If you have a problem with that it's because you want to be an elitist snob who can look down on the rest of us.

Not something I have any respect for.

Ummm, I can pretty easily afford an original mod, but I don't because I'm not in the market for one. Not everyone who buys clones does it because they can't afford an original. Its a price vs value thing for me. What I'd gain by buying an original just doesn't justify the price difference, for me. Especially because I'm starting to think I won't be using mechs for a whole lot longer. I am finding myself happy with coils a little over 1 ohm, and the battery life sucks compared to my mvp.


Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[classwife]

Here...go put your bickering to use :

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...s-urged-request-extension-comment-period.html





Get active or there won't be anything to argue about.

 

[MotoMudder]

Do you mind being bitten on a fairly regular basis, any phobias against large toothy reptiles? I mean if you really want the job I can hook you up ...

It's as much about what you want as it is about what's available. I have Craftsman hand tools, but they get replaced with SnapOn when I can scrape together the money. There isn't much difference, but its enough when you work with tools often enough. I think the same goes for vape gear.

A tiny bit better today might just be what it takes to get a real mod to last through another generation or two.

Maurice

Hmm. Only phobia is against spiders... Lol.
And I like your comparison, I too have craftsman but prefer SnapOn, of course who wouldn't.
It's easy to replace a craftsman tool but locating a SnapOn truck can prove difficult at times.
I agree with you fully, but there are allot of decent manufacturers of tools between, as is there crappy ones.
I believe there are the same level of clones, but most consider a clone just a clone. Which could be why this thread even exists.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[Vaslovik]

your words, not mine

Yup, but I do have Geico

 

[Vaslovik]

Well I'm not sure I buy into the whole originals are superior quality thing. So what I believe they are getting is just the pleasure of owning an original, whatever that may be worth to an individual. So mod vs clone you don't get much more tangible, but buying satisfaction. And that's fine. Everyone is entitled to spend their money how they see fit.

It would seem the pleasure of owning an original includes the pleasure of bashing all who do not here on ECF. I've had quite enough of that sorry and snobish act here and I really wish the monied elitists would back off on their superiority trip. They are not helping at all.

 

[Bad Ninja]

I have over two dozen clones and probably 30 RBA/RDA clones.
I could buy any mod I want.
I choose to spend more wisely.
My goal isn't an heirloom brass tube.
My goal is to experience different concepts and gear.
For me it's the journey, not the destination.

I can afford to buy all legit mods, but I see that as a waste of my money that could b spent on trying another concept.

If you think people buy clones because thy can't afford originals you are kidding yourself.

 

[Vaslovik]

I have over two dozen clones and probably 30 RBA/RDA clones.
I could buy any mod I want.
I choose to spend more wisely.
If you think people buy clones because thy can't afford originals you are kidding yourself.

Well some of us can't afford the originals, but you raise another very good point. At the end of the day it's about market forces and dynamics, as well as economic sensibilities. We can split hairs all day on the issue, but clones are here to stay, for a good variety of reasons.

 

[Kahuna Cowboy]

You made the comparison to tools. A mod is a tool to me. If you worked with tools, you would understand the difference between good quality and junk. If you had a quality mod, you would understand the difference, as well...

Oh please. Just because I do not buy originals now does not mean I never have. I still have several about. I have been vaping a long time, I come to my opinion by experience.

That experience is gens are ridiculously over rated, and in most cases, the higher end clones are just as nice as most gens with few exceptions. In some instances the clones have even improved on the gens. Wider airflow Kayfuns, Pyrex in the Squape, fixing the locking ring of the Hades and brass Caravela's from sticking, etc...

That doesn't mean every clone is a winner, if you've only seen a lame Fasttech clone and formed an opinion from that you have closed eyes.

The ironic part, those who sit around looking down their noses at the cloners, calling them contemptible dirtbags and morally wrong. The cloners have done more to further vaping by offering quality products at affordable prices to the masses then most of the gen companies combined. With the gen companies they do not care about furthering vaping as a whole, or benefiting the community, much like cloners they just care about the money. But at least with the cloners, vis-a-vie their actions have helped the community far more than the gen guys who's sole motive is to fool you into buying a $2 dollar stainless, brass, or copper tube and making it seem luxurious somehow.

 

[Kahuna Cowboy]

I.E. not to discount your thoughts, but look at BayCityVapors XXIX and Surfrider mechs... these are machined in USA afaik, and at the moment the most "innovative" AND best Vdrop spec mechs available (more or less since big whoop the innovation is to omit the top cap for a hybrid adapter; works great btw).
James is a straight up excellent CS guy; keeps everyone informed and takes suggestions from forum members. He is booked up through and beyond. His orders are on par with some of the more popular high end mechs (in the thousands). He can NOT get them out fast enough and he's been through what, 2 runs in the last 4 months or so....
No one seems to list the responsibilities of the honest professional mech builder but there's a bunch that involves a lot. At $160 per unit I don't think they can be discredited.

I know you are not dissing any one in particular but I'm Just saying.

That's why I have been very careful not to say "all". I would not throw BayCityVapors in my generalization.

 

[stevegmu]

Oh, I see. Those selling counterfeits aren't in it for the money; they just want to advance the cause of vaping...

 

[Kahuna Cowboy]

I just wish China would make more mods that were 1/10th the price and WEREN'T clones. I just ordered a clone, but I would have been happier if there were more interesting non-clone choices.

Agreed. It's not that I relish buying someone else's logos.