Do you shop online or offline?

[patkin]

There's no way a single B&M is ever going to have what's available on the net or even at a single net store. So my shopping is done on the net. I have found one B&M fairly close that carries an acceptable (for my needs) selection of hardware and charges pretty close to what net stores do. But, having settled in to my setups, I seldom need any at this point. I do need close to monthly supplies of juice but they only carry one brand of juice and I won't risk buying it because of seriously bad reviews. In my case, the only advantage to using a B&M would be paying cash to avoid ID theft at a processing center.

 

[DaveP]

There's no way a single B&M is ever going to have what's available on the net or even at a single net store. So my shopping is done on the net. I have found one B&M fairly close that carries an acceptable (for my needs) selection of hardware and charges pretty close to what net stores do. But, having settled in to my setups, I seldom need any at this point. I do need close to monthly supplies of juice but they only carry one brand of juice and I won't risk buying it because of seriously bad reviews. In my case, the only advantage to using a B&M would be paying cash to avoid ID theft at a processing center.

I guess I'm lucky. Stormy's has everything right there in the store and the online store is next door. Some things aren't in the retail store, but they will walk next door and bring it back for you if they aren't swamped with customers. They have all the mods that are in the online web page right there in the glass counter, along with two sections of just about every atomizer/tank/carto you'd want. The wall is full of all their juices, boxed cartos, and accessories. If it's on the web page, you can get it in the store for the same price (that's the really good part).

 

[thefullhonkey]

I do a bit of both, although I've noticed now that my preferences have been nailed down I'm much more inclined to make larger online purchases intermittently (obviously this requires knowing how long your supplies will last, etc.)

 

[cocoloco]

On-line only. I don't seem to have much choice in the matter. To my knowledge, there are no vaping stores around here. I can get some cartos in the super market or convenience store, but as you might imagine, they are way over-priced. I have two or three different sites that I go to, depending on what I want, and I order in plenty of time so I don't suffer shortages. Maybe some day they'll open up a store nearby, but that just means that they'll probably have a limited selection (it's the nature of the beast) and I'll still have to rely on the Internet.

 

[patkin]

I just read on another thread that Colorado is one of the places where B&Ms are cropping up like wildfire... makes sense with the new substances laws there. I buy from Rocky Mountain Vapor which and excellent vendor and located in Colorado. I do so from Arizona though. Somewhere here at ECF there is a link to their list of stores by State... someone might know the link but it escapes me now... do an advanced search.

 

[BCWDragon]

I buy mostly online. We have stores popping up here left and right though. Have stopped at a couple but prices are ... high... But overhead rent taxes payroll etc I understand why but am cheep lol. I do grab a bottle now and then from them to do my part though as I love being able to try before I buy and at least one has really knowledgeable staff.

 

[cocoloco]

I just read on another thread that Colorado is one of the places where B&Ms are cropping up like wildfire... makes sense with the new substances laws there. I buy from Rocky Mountain Vapor which and excellent vendor and located in Colorado. I do so from Arizona though. Somewhere here at ECF there is a link to their list of stores by State... someone might know the link but it escapes me now... do an advanced search.

I've heard that too, patkin. They just haven't made it up the mountain to where I live ... soon I suppose. As you suggest, the new substance laws are attracting a lot of storefronts where I expect to see a ........-based e-liquid in no time. For the moment however, the distances involved are just too inconvenient for me, but as soon as one opens up in my neck of the woods, I'll be sure to check them out.

 

[patkin]

Wow, lots of input here. I appreciate all of the comments. True, it seems like in some states, Vape did not become popular yet. From where I live, Los Angeles, there are Vape stores opening up every month.. There are quite a few selection there as well. Prices tend to be O.K, although it definitely cannot beat the online prices.

It seems like the biggest con of a local store is the price. How much are the liquids selling for at your local stores? ( I am sure it differs from stores to stores and perhaps the brands).

Thanks! As always, Vape on...

The store near me sells its juice for exactly the same price the manufacturer of the brand (Located in Phoenix AZ) does online which really surprised me. The trouble is, I vape tobacco flavors and they only make one. Also, the reviews about the juice brand I've read on the net say its really awful juice. $7.99 for 10 mls and one 10ml free if you buy three... actually means $24.00 for 40mls.

 

[Jman8]

On-line only. I don't seem to have much choice in the matter. To my knowledge, there are no vaping stores around here. I can get some cartos in the super market or convenience store, but as you might imagine, they are way over-priced. I have two or three different sites that I go to, depending on what I want, and I order in plenty of time so I don't suffer shortages. Maybe some day they'll open up a store nearby, but that just means that they'll probably have a limited selection (it's the nature of the beast) and I'll still have to rely on the Internet.

Exactly what cocoloco said is my response. Word for word.

 

[cocoloco]

The store near me sells its juice for exactly the same price the manufacturer of the brand (Located in Phoenix AZ) does online which really surprised me. The trouble is, I vape tobacco flavors and they only make one. Also, the reviews about the juice brand I've read on the net say its really awful juice. $7.99 for 10 mls and one 10ml free if you buy three... actually means $24.00 for 40mls.

I get my e-liquid from FastTech. I like tobacco flavored juice too. Mine is 18mg nic in 30 ml bottles. It can take a while to arrive but I think the price ($4.27/30 ml bottle) is good. It's gotten a bunch of good reviews, and you get volume discounts.

When I got it, I first mixed it with what I was using at the time. This helped in the transition between one flavor and the other. For now, I'm on the FastTech liquid exclusively. If you want to take a look at it, go here. They have many more combinations of blends, flavors, nic contents and brands, so don't be afraid to poke around.

 

[Ld3441]

I have only been vaping for 5 weeks but I also buy both online and offline. There was one B&M in my area. I first walked in there just to see what e-cigs was all about with no intentions of buying anything and walked out with my first kit. There are 2 very knowlegable guys that work there, one being the owner. Their business is growing by leaps and bounds. I guess the biggest draw back to shopping there is the wait because the place is never empty! I think their prices are good for being offline. 15ml bottles of juice $8 and you can try all you want. They do have a mark up on equipment but not overly so.

There is a second shop that just opened up and their prices are crazy. I wonder how long they will be around because everyone I have talked to says they are too high priced and I agree. This place doesn't seem to know much about what they are dealing with either which is a big turn off for me since I am a newbie. They were asking me about my MVP2 when I stopped in after work to pick up some juice (the other store was closed). The only good thing about this new shop is they are open late so if I need something I can get it but it will be few and far between that they see me.

Now that I am finding flavors that I like online, I will be stocking up!

 

[John_]

If I lived near The Vapor Chef's store I would order less online...

 

[lissa5168]

Both. But I am lucky to have two great local (within 30 min) B&M stores near to me that were opened by friends from our local group, as well as a semi-local major manufacturer (Mountain Oak Vapors) within a couple hours or so.

 

[Mountain_Rain96]

I'm a recluse, so I do all my vape related shopping online. Don't know of any B&M stores anywhere near me, but I don't care, because the general consensus is that most of them are overpriced anyway. I extensively google every vendor I order from, before I ever order from them for the first time. I spread my business around to 7 different online vendors, and I'm happy to say that they've all been outstanding. I'm lucky.

Plus...who doesn't love waiting for and getting vape-mail?

 

[Coil]

I usually buy all my Mods in B&M's... All my Kanthal, Wick, Mesh, Atty's and juices are usually from online vendors. I won't order from places unless I see a lot of good traffic on the forums about them.

 

[loislolalane]

And they KNOW not to mess with Sally!!!!!

So far I've bought everything online, including lots of stuff from FT, because there just aren't any B&M's nearby.

MadVapes just opened up a store that's only about 45 mins away from me, so I see that as a good sign. Can't wait to visit my first B&M!! Not like I live in the boonies, though, which mystifies me. Before this one, there were only 5 b&m's listed in MA, and one of those was actually in Maryland (Or perhaps Montana, or Montenegro)

I have a local MadVapes too and they are really nice! But don't be shocked because the in store and online prices are quite different.


Living, loving, and laughing all the time!

 

[Zealous]

I do mostly order online. I have not had good experiences in the B&M near me. It's just easier to order online & the vendors I use are more friendly, helpful & informative than what I have experienced in the B&M.

It would be nice to get a look up close at certain things before I buy them. But that's pretty impossible in the one near me since it's always packed with people. Not much incentive to shop there for me.

 

[pufZeppelin]

I do mostly order online. I have not had good experiences in the B&M near me. It's just easier to order online & the vendors I use are more friendly, helpful & informative than what I have experienced in the B&M.

It would be nice to get a look up close at certain things before I buy them.
But that's pretty impossible in the one near me since it's always packed with people.
Not much incentive to shop there for me.

haha

a group of people talking about going out to eat...

"well what about x`x`x`x` ", "naw, nobody goes there anymore..." /// ..."it's to busy" "

 

[Rabbit Chaser]

I live in the Bay area so I have tons of B&M shops to choose from. I like shopping locally because my regular shop knows me by name and knows my preferences. They always let me know what juices to sample and are willing to teach me anything about building coils or upgrading. I feel very lucky to have such a great shop nearby.

 

[SuperLamer]

I am fortunate to have a vape shop five minutes away. Although the cost for mods and batteries, let's say, is higher, even twice as high as internet pricing, it's worth it to me to keep the shop open. For that reason I pay exorbitantly, compared to internet, for wick and wire. The place has a tasting bar with over thirty flavors. Although retail for juice is similar, and the selection is good, I can't stop buying flavors I read about on ECF off the internet, if they are not stocked. I do what I can.