Decline in Cartomizer Quality?

[Sol-Blackguy]

At first I thought this was all in my head but I did a comparison. I mainly ordered from Vapor King when I first switched over to the KR 808 from by 510 and learned how amazing cartomizers were. I could get almost half a day's use without any noticeable loss of flavor. They were convenient, efficient, and being able to from flavor to flavor was the best selling point. After a while, I was able to get up to 7 or 8 refills out of one before ever having to think about throwing one away. Eventually, I began to slow down on vaping and they began last about a day of use. I still break out my 510 from time to time, at bars but my 808 was my main go to, especially at work. But, now I've been seeing a decline in quality.

The free samples that I usually get seem to lose flavor within 3 or 4 vapes, and the empty ones aren't able to hold as much liquid, lose flavor faster and I'm barely able to get 2 or 3 uses without having to trash them. I've been using the same flavors and mg for months but even after cutting my vaping in half just by pure habit, these things just don't last. Eventually, I decided to order in bulk from a wholesale site and didn't have any issues like my recent orders from Vapor King. In fact, I noticed that the interior of the VK cartmizers is a lot thinner and isn't as deep as the wholesale cartomizers.

Did VK just get a bad batch of cartomizers, or are they intentionally trying to sell cheaper cartomizers to make more money?

 

[lorikay13]

IMO I seriously doubt that Vapor Kings is intentionally trying to sell cheaper....etc,etc...as you put it. Vapor Kings is a highly repuatable company. Almost all big suppliers that sell KR8 stuff are continually experimenting with "tweaks" to cartos...mostly based on what customers say they want. While it is technically possible that they recieved a bad batch, again I doubt it. If they have however, I am sure they would appreciate knowing about it. That can be done by sending a private message to them through their subforum or website.
I use their 510 cartos everyday. Each batch is a little different due to said "tweaking". My last order was a the first batch of soft caps and I couldn't be happier with them. That said...I'm sure Vapor Kings will be happy to help you figure out what the problem is once you contact them personally. In private. That is usually the best way to start.

 

[northtx]

I've had good and bad from same supplier too. May have just gotten a bad batch. Each mfg run is different.

 

[Sol-Blackguy]

Did some research and disregard my first post. Didn't know about the condom/spin filling method. This is what happens when you don't visit the forums often enough. Thanks for witnessing me make an ... out of myself

 

[zoiDman]

I tend to agree with the OP. But I don't think it is the retailer who is trying to sell an cheap carto. I think it is the manufacture who is to blame.

No matter what some retailers say, I think all cartos are made in China. And as demand for cartos has increased, the quality control on cartos has gone down. They are just mass producing cartos as fast as they can to make a buck.

The thing to me that is frustrating is that since there are no "Name Brands" related to cartos, it's hard to order and recieve the same type of carto twice. I have purchased a 5 pack from a seller as a test of the carto quality. I like them so I buy 10 more two weeks later. But when they arrive, they are different.

If cartos were branded then I could search out brand "xyz" and feel it should be the same carto as the one I am vaping on right now.

 

[lorikay13]

Did some research and disregard my first post. Didn't know about the condom/spin filling method. This is what happens when you don't visit the forums often enough. Thanks for witnessing me make an ... out of myself

Hey it's cool......I've certainly done it enough times myself. (being an ... that is) I got really frustrated at first because I resented the fact that I even had to come here...why can't the sellers just put the info you need on their sites,dammit!? I really hate it when I go to a FAQ page and see...go to the ECF forum!!! But alas....such is life..it is the reality of e-cigs so now I just deal with it. I still sometimes send questions to sellers without checking the forum first just out of laziness.

YES! I totally agree about manufacturing and identification of products!!! What is the big damn secret anyway????? It should be right in the product description of the website. You have to be a forensic technician right now to figure this stuff out....I'm to the point of counting the tool markings around the battery connecter to try and figure out who is selling what...total BS. SELLERS.......what is the big secret?!?!?!? I buy from people who tell me what they sell....AquaVapor....I loved that all I had to do is ask and they answered me right away telling me exactly whose products they sell and why. SLB btw....

PS...Sol-Blackguy....if it helps any....at least to me the fact that you came back and corrected yourself says alot more about who you are than the OP you made. That takes integrity.

 

[lorikay13]

what idontknowdu said. Totally agree. I believe I have found a couple of those vendors...but I will wait to see what idontknowdu has to say....I am betting at least one of them is going to be the same for both of us.

 

[NuGalicia]

I'm a newbie (6 wks now), but I've also noticed differences in cartos. I just started refilling and quickly learned I don't prefer the messier condom method. Some condoms have a small stopper in them I can use to block off the battery side before I refill from the top (drawing) end. I'm finding the stopper doesn't fit in the poorer quality cartos because they have a smaller hole in them. What are some alternatives to use? I'd hate to break off toothpicks, but without the rubber stopper in the bottom end when I fill, juice will drip through. Sometimes the hole size even varies in the same batch of cartos! Any ideas?

 

[River Rafter]

I recently purchased some carts (a pack of 10), when I went to use them - some don't even fit into the atty! Too big. They were advertised as 510. Strange. Now I know better - check for fit BEFORE wasting juice!