Death in my collection

[Rangertrix]

Fortunately, I have never had any issues with my smok mods but mine are slightly older ones.
It seems that about the time the TF series of tanks came out and smok's popularity skyrocketed they went from putting a new mod out every 3 months to every 3 days.
Since then their quality went to total crap.
They were never super high quality to begin with, but they weren't horrible until then.

 

[ScottP]

Problem is the price places tack on when it says DNA. I know how much I can get those boards for.

That is true of some mods, but certainly not all. The first mod I linked was an HCigar using the latest DNA 75W Color board and only costs $71 and the raw board is $50. There are a lot of them for around $100-$120. For that you get a board with 1year warranty, reliable, dependable, and accurate, with probably the most efficient battery management in the business. "You get what you pay for".

There are a lot of DNA mods out there though that are really expensive but they are like hand made and what you are paying for is the time making the housing. I do agree though there are a lot of 3D printed mods that are stupidly overpriced for what they are, but they get away with it b/c some people will actually pay those prices.

To me the MOST egregious pricing markup comes from squonkers. Take Lost Vapes for instance. They made a dual battery Therion and a single battery squonker Therion. Every where I looked (back when I actually wanted one) the squonk version was significantly higher priced. Why? All they did was cut a hole in the door, and add a $0.02 juice bottle and want an extra $50+ for that?!?!?

Mech mods are also guilty of being way over priced for what you get as well. $200 for a metal pipe, 510 and a button?? $300 if it squonks? $400+ if it was carved out of spare 2x4 and stained?

Then we come to toppers. How much does a legit Kayfun cost again? There are RDA's that cost in the hundreds of dollars range. Really? There is no reason most of this stuff costs as much as it does, other than there are people willing to pay that much. With the lower priced DNA mods I at least know I am getting some quality technology from the board.

Sorry if this sounds like rant, it was not intended to be.

 

[mackman]

Well stated Scott. Your "non rant" sums up what many of us have come to realize as fact....costing some more than others.

 

[Myk]

That is true of some mods, but certainly not all. The first mod I linked was an HCigar using the latest DNA 75W Color board and only costs $71 and the raw board is $50. There are a lot of them for around $100-$120. For that you get a board with 1year warranty, reliable, dependable, and accurate, with probably the most efficient battery management in the business. "You get what you pay for".

There are a lot of DNA mods out there though that are really expensive but they are like hand made and what you are paying for is the time making the housing. I do agree though there are a lot of 3D printed mods that are stupidly overpriced for what they are, but they get away with it b/c some people will actually pay those prices.

To me the MOST egregious pricing markup comes from squonkers. Take Lost Vapes for instance. They made a dual battery Therion and a single battery squonker Therion. Every where I looked (back when I actually wanted one) the squonk version was significantly higher priced. Why? All they did was cut a hole in the door, and add a $0.02 juice bottle and want an extra $50+ for that?!?!?

Mech mods are also guilty of being way over priced for what you get as well. $200 for a metal pipe, 510 and a button?? $300 if it squonks? $400+ if it was carved out of spare 2x4 and stained?

Then we come to toppers. How much does a legit Kayfun cost again? There are RDA's that cost in the hundreds of dollars range. Really? There is no reason most of this stuff costs as much as it does, other than there are people willing to pay that much. With the lower priced DNA mods I at least know I am getting some quality technology from the board.

Sorry if this sounds like rant, it was not intended to be.

I was actually looking at an HCigar DNA mod. Yes not all but many.

 

[Edward Denison]

That is true of some mods, but certainly not all. The first mod I linked was an HCigar using the latest DNA 75W Color board and only costs $71 and the raw board is $50. There are a lot of them for around $100-$120. For that you get a board with 1year warranty, reliable, dependable, and accurate, with probably the most efficient battery management in the business. "You get what you pay for".

There are a lot of DNA mods out there though that are really expensive but they are like hand made and what you are paying for is the time making the housing. I do agree though there are a lot of 3D printed mods that are stupidly overpriced for what they are, but they get away with it b/c some people will actually pay those prices.

To me the MOST egregious pricing markup comes from squonkers. Take Lost Vapes for instance. They made a dual battery Therion and a single battery squonker Therion. Every where I looked (back when I actually wanted one) the squonk version was significantly higher priced. Why? All they did was cut a hole in the door, and add a $0.02 juice bottle and want an extra $50+ for that?!?!?

Mech mods are also guilty of being way over priced for what you get as well. $200 for a metal pipe, 510 and a button?? $300 if it squonks? $400+ if it was carved out of spare 2x4 and stained?

Then we come to toppers. How much does a legit Kayfun cost again? There are RDA's that cost in the hundreds of dollars range. Really? There is no reason most of this stuff costs as much as it does, other than there are people willing to pay that much. With the lower priced DNA mods I at least know I am getting some quality technology from the board.

Sorry if this sounds like rant, it was not intended to be.

This is why at this point I may expand my mech hardware. I have one complete stick, I worked making those little bread boards and know they are not made to last. Put a zippo on top of a battery, all I have to worry about is a $10 dollar battery $7.50 if I get 2 at a time!My juice shop has the Athena,Gbox and Vgod all under a $100. All I know is next week when I go for juice it won't be Smok in the bag going home. They also have Snow Wolf and Smoant. Not gonna run all over hell's creation looking!

Sorry people, just ...... that I started the week doing the grenade toss twice.

 

[ScottP]

All I know is next week when I go for juice it won't be Smok in the bag going home.

If you buy from a B&M you are going to pay a lot more for a mod, especially a quality one. I mean it is your choice, but I would spend that extra money on a better mod rather than B&M markup. I do understand the desire to support local businesses though.

 

[Myk]

If you buy from a B&M you are going to pay a lot more for a mod, especially a quality one. I mean it is your choice, but I would spend that extra money on a better mod rather than B&M markup. I do understand the desire to support local businesses though.

At least one of my locals isn't bad, they're very comparable to online. The other one that went out of business was way more expensive than online. I think who bought them out is comparable to online but I haven't been there much. Those are the only 2 locations I've been to.

The main local problem is what's available. If they have what you want it's probably worth it to get it there. My problem is do I want to bother going there to see they don't have what I want and leave empty handed.

 

[Edward Denison]

If you buy from a B&M you are going to pay a lot more for a mod, especially a quality one. I mean it is your choice, but I would spend that extra money on a better mod rather than B&M markup. I do understand the desire to support local businesses though.

Not the shop I buy from, he looks for deals he can offer below online price. Their house juice made to order is $50 for 500ml's while you wait so when I go for juice I'll see what he has on the shelf this next week you never know!

 

[stols001]

I wish I could afford a DNAC chip right now but I can't.

BUT, LOL if I did it wouldn't be a squonk OR a two battery mod. I remain fairly unremorseful that my DNA mod is the Steamtuners mod which won't upgrade, but yes, battery life for days. Also not crazy expensive for a dual battery DNA mod, so I'm not complaining. Unless/Until the leather on it starts peeling off or something (IDK I could see it happening at some point.

Anna

 

[Opinionated]

Not the shop I buy from, he looks for deals he can offer below online price. Their house juice made to order is $50 for 500ml's while you wait so when I go for juice I'll see what he has on the shelf this next week you never know!

Your local B&M is the exception not the rule..

Ive yet to walk into a B&M (I've visited vape shops in 4 counties in my state, and one in another state which is located in a large city) where the prices didn't make me choke..

The one in my town and one town over has a mark-up between 100% - 300% what I can buy online for.. when your looking for a 60 - 100 dollar mod those kinds of prices make a difference.

The majority of us on this forum do not have a reasonably priced shop we can walk in.. it's not just me.

 

[Edward Denison]

The majority of us on this forum do not have a reasonably priced shop we can walk in.. it's not just me.

I'm well aware of that, but I also know that blanket statements like ScottP made are the mother of all .... ups. Not all B&M stores are out to scalp people. My wife used to change diapers on the owner of this particular shop at daycare.

 

[Myk]

Your local B&M is the exception not the rule..

Ive yet to walk into a B&M (I've visited vape shops in 4 counties in my state, and one in another state which is located in a large city) where the prices didn't make me choke..

The one in my town and one town over has a mark-up between 100% - 300% what I can buy online for.. when your looking for a 60 - 100 dollar mod those kinds of prices make a difference.

The majority of us on this forum do not have a reasonably priced shop we can walk in.. it's not just me.

300% over internet was like the one that went out of business.

 

[Letitia]

I haven't been to shop here in town since I started diy, they mostly carry Smok and the authenticity of their batteries is questionable. The one does have reasonable pricing, just nothing I would buy.

 

[stols001]

My local vape shop is great for juice, but they mostly carry KT and Smok products. The prices are decent (and definitely for premade juice) but those are two brands that I just can't buy. I think I asked them about a MTL vape once (recently) and they pulled out an original Nautilus. It was dusty. LOL.

Anna

 

[AngeNZ]

Sorry people, just ...... that I started the week doing the grenade toss twice.

I would be too - I'm four months down the track and have a similar amount of mods as you. If 2 of mine spat the dummy I'd be fuming - especially since you've had zero support from smok.

Although you save money from quitting smoking - getting a collection you like and enjoy using, still takes a lot of money and time.

Good luck with your future mods

 

[ScottP]

I'm well aware of that, but I also know that blanket statements like ScottP made are the mother of all .... ups. Not all B&M stores are out to scalp people. My wife used to change diapers on the owner of this particular shop at daycare.

I never said they were "out to scalp people" I said their prices were higher. They almost have to be in order to cover the cost of the rent on their business space and other such costs that online only businesses don't have to pay.

Seriously though, "mother of all .... ups"? I better not respond to this, I would be banned for sure.

 

[j3000]

Sorry to hear about your procolor, but i love mine, I put mine threw hell and back and it keeps on going, I guess I got lucky.

 

[Rangertrix]

I never said they were "out to scalp people" I said their prices were higher. They almost have to be in order to cover the cost of the rent on their business space and other such costs that online only businesses don't have to pay.

Seriously though, "mother of all .... ups"? I better not respond to this, I would be banned for sure.

Vape Scott, vape......
Feel better?

He's still upset about losing 2 mods in one week.

A statement about the majority, does not a blanket statement make.
It's ok, we still love you both.

 

[Doctorvapes]

The back light issue and battery life are the only problems I'm having with the Legend SO FAR.

My aegis legend just had the back light turn on but it wouldn't turn off with 5 clicks, it was stuck on the back light. I had to remove the batteries and put them back in to get it functional again.

So very disappointed as I had big hopes and paid 63 dollars which might not seem like much but I'm on a fixed income. My girlfriend paid the same and the back light comes on on hers randomly even when the mod is off but with hers with one click, it turns off.

 

[Bigbob2322]

I have to press either the up or down buttons for it to show a regular screen.