Ever encountered an e-cig vender who was completely clueless...?

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Went to my local headshop recently. They sell a lot of different things... wraps, pipes, hookahs, etc... and also basic vapes. No mods, nothing fancy. That's where I bought mine and my boyfriend's eGo's since I was able to talk him down to a solid price on them. (This is where misogyny wins, but I digress.)

When I only have cash on me and I'm desperately low on juice i go back there although I regret it since their juices are limited: (knockoff?) Liqua's, Tsunami, V-Smoke, and Apollo.

God, the first time I went in the guy that helped me pick a juice to go with my vapes was so freaking clueless. Thank god I'd done research before buying juice, otherwise I would have ended up with a 24mg liquid. NO. I'M A 6MG PERSON, OKAY. Literally all he knew about was what flavors he had and that they were $15. For 10-15mL bottles. Like I said, if I'm absolutely desperate I'll get their expensive juices. You may laugh at my perception of expensive, but if you're a college student like me, you see how I can't afford a single bottle of $15 juice when I can get better deals elsewhere.

Now, I went in a couple of weeks ago during one of my dry spells; all I had left was my 0mg MBV liquids and I needed a kick. I felt so freaking bad because while the cashier was helping me check out, these two guys, really nice, came in and were really curious and asked him about the vapes in stock. Literally, the conversation went like this:

"So, what can you tell me about these things here?" (peering into the glass that held all the e-cigs)
"All I can tell you is the price. Couldn't tell you much more."

...I proceeded to meet those nice guys in the parking lot after I paid and give them a brief rundown on how they work.

It just annoyed me that someone who sells the product can't tell a customer how it even freaking works. Luckily I'm very open to learning more about vaping and I've found other shops that have knowledgable employees.

Anyone else come across something like this? A vendor that has no idea what they're talking about? Sad life. Don't sell it if you're clueless... easily goes for food, clothing, or other vendors as well.
 
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cmdebrecht

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I haven't come across anyone who's absolutely clueless...but when I look back on the purchase of my starter kit I am amazed at how little information I received about the product I bought and vaping in general. I could have shopped around I suppose, but I was days off analogs and was desperate for help! I have confidence in the product I purchased and believe I paid a fair price, yet somehow I get the feeling I was charmed by the guy's slick salesmanship. Went back yesterday to buy more juice and had a question about a replacement clearomizer, but I am not sure I got a straight answer and felt like he was trying to up sell me. I guess what it comes down to is that I'm not really sure I can completely trust the guy. I am so grateful for this forum where I know I can find good info.
 

msgnyc

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Yes... There is one local shop near me. Just one. Been in there 3 times.

The first 2 times I went the same woman was working who had no idea what i was talking about or asking for. I had to point out in the glass casing exactly what I wanted because she knew nothing about it. She told another customer that if he had questions he should ask me since it looked like I knew far more then she did on the subject o_O? She works there? WTH? She even acknowledged to me that she doesn't use any of the products, only smoke cigarettes and that I should come by when the other guy that works there is working... Came back the next day when he was there and everything went smoothly.

Sad
 

vicflo

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Ignorant retailers in small shops do bother me. Its not rocket science, its like a 5m youtube video and you pretty much have a good idea of how an ecig works.

If they only knew how much more of a cash cow ecigs can be as opposed to other headshop items. ecigs arent exactly a "one time buy" type of product except for maybe tips.
 
It's probably because its a headshop and not a vape store, he's probably very knowledgeable about glassware and rolling papers.

This is true, but cmon... the salesperson should at least have some kind of basic knowledge. I need to have some knowledge of my menu items even if I hate them or don't eat them. Honestly though, I think the only knowledge of anything in that shop those guys have is on hookahs. I already know all about those. Haha. A little knowledge and professionalism couldn't hurt him.
 

Rickajho

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Ignorant retailers in small shops do bother me. Its not rocket science, its like a 5m youtube video and you pretty much have a good idea of how an ecig works.

If they only knew how much more of a cash cow ecigs can be as opposed to other headshop items. ecigs arent exactly a "one time buy" type of product except for maybe tips.

What? Since 2009 you have never cracked/lost/stepped on and smashed a drip tip? :p
 

Intervap

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All.The.Time!
My local Wild Bill's Tobacco (was previously a Smoker's Choice) just recently started selling vape gear. At first they only sold eGos, K100s, cheap cheap cheap clearomizers, and Jonhson Creek and Lava eJuices. No replacement coils, batteries, or drip tips. They are opening another store dedicated to vaping downtown, but they don't know squat!
First time in there I asked if they had any coils for my Protank. First, they didn't know what a protank was then they claimed that a coil usually lasts more than a year. The owner, whom I was talking to, is a dedicated mech vaper! Second time, I asked them about the pg/vg ratio of their juice and they had do idea what it was even after I explained it to them.
I decided to go in there a third time today to give them another shot. Now they carry Teslas, MVPs (which I had to drag myself out of there before I bought one lol), and dripping attys. Better, I thought. Maybe they've learned some more! Nope, they didn't know squat about their products still! And no batteries (if I'm buying a mod I'm getting more batteries too)! They didn't know the resistance of any coil in there and I had to have them pull out every box so I could find a 1.8 ohm.
I'm not giving them another chance until their other shop opens. I just started vaping two months ago and I'm more knowledgeable on the terms and lingo and mods than they are...I'm very disappointed, I want a nice B&M near me!
 

szot

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Yes..I have been in many vape shops where the guys behind the counter really had no clue what he was selling and many times they have admitted it, when I sense they were lost and could not answer a few basic questions, like what is the PG/VG ratio of their liquids etc.. ...and some of those ppl behind the counter were the actual vape shop owners, not just some part time kid...free enterprise, ya gotta love it...
 
Like anything else shop around until you find the right place.

Trust me... I have. I realized there's a Mighty Quinn on the same street a few blocks down. Still a headshop, but the girl there was WAY more helpful. Kind of played it dumb to see how knowledgable she was, and she passed that test! Lol! :thumb: :vapor: Unfortunately where I'm at there aren't any vape-only shops so Mighty Quinn and this other place... it's crazy, but it's a barber lounge that also sells vapes... are my go-to brick and mortar shops if I need anything immediately.

I just started vaping two months ago and I'm more knowledgeable on the terms and lingo and mods than they are...I'm very disappointed, I want a nice B&M near me!

I know! It's kind of annoying with me being a newbie and still knowing more than the people that are selling them... :facepalm:

Yes..I have been in many vape shops where the guys behind the counter really had no clue what he was selling and many times they have admitted it...and some of those ppl behind the counter were the actual vape shop owners, not just some part time kid...free enterprise, ya gotta love it...

Just salesmen...rarely know thier product..they are paid to SELL, so they learn how to get people to give them their money..they learn enough to entice you...

You see it everywhere, car lots, gun stores (this is always my favorite...listening to some pinhead try to sell something he barely knows about), hardware places anywhere where there is someone there to "Sell you something"

It's so unprofessional. I work in a restaurant and should have basic knowledge of every menu item, in and out, any and all allergens, etc even if I don't like it or have never personally eaten it. It's just part of being professional. I'm sick of all these unprofessional and unknowledgable (is that a word? I'm not finding the right word. But y'all get it right?) salespeople trying to sell these products to people who legitimately want to quit smoking.
 
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WarHawk-AVG

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Just salesmen...rarely know thier product..they are paid to SELL, so they learn how to get people to give them their money..they learn enough to entice you...

You see it everywhere, car lots, gun stores (this is always my favorite...listening to some pinhead try to sell something he barely knows about), hardware places anywhere where there is someone there to "Sell you something"
 

Train2

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It's definitely almost the norm - but it will eventually pass.
What's happening is people are opening shops that probably shouldn't. They're trying to catch on to a trend, or they're trying to make a business our of their hobby (vaping). Then - since they DON'T KNOW HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS, they make a bunch of mistakes. Like hiring their friends, or cute people, and thinking it's OK to have their store staffed by anyone who will actually show up to work.
Even if they DO hire their friends, they should teach them the product.

So we're going to continue to see
- underfunded vape shops - that can't afford to advertise, or stock enough of a variety of products
- vape shops in funky locations, because they're on a shoestring budget
- vape shops staffed by people who don't know anything

But it won't last a real long time - because they'll go out of business.
The one's that last will last because they avoid those mistakes - they'll have more product, they'll market, and they'll have some knowledge on staff.

'til then, I guess we just give them the benefit of the doubt, and then - if worthy - give them some business!
 

Evi|grin

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I sure have. A guy at one store showed me a new pyrex tank they got. It looks like a Pro Tank Mini but he said it was a new Vision Pyrex. It wasn't either and it took me nearly two days to find out its a Lomotech mini pro tank. Its actually sold under at least 2 brand names but they all come from the same factory in China.

The same guy had not even heard of the new Pro Tank IIs and he was using a V1.
 

FireMan7209

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Jul 2, 2013
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To add a somewhat positive note to this discussion; prior to July 1st my knowledge of vaping consisted of "Oh, Weigels sells Blu, have to try them sometime." I can't believe the spell checker here is flagging "vaping", but I digress. Just before that A good friend and heavy smoker had his 4th or 5th cardiac related surgery; the doc told him, "quit, find an alternative, or die". He had previously met a couple of people who were into eCigs and started researching. He initially settled on GS, introduced them to me, and the monster was born. Got my GSs on July 6th, smoked five more analogs till the 11th, and have been clean ever since. Now I can actually get to how this relates to this thread.

We live in East TN, not exactly a vaper's haven. After discovering the eCig (flagging that also :) culture we started earnestly investigating and discovered a couple selling from a flea market storefront 40 miles from us. From what I've learned since they have a very limited selection of hardware and liquids (compared to on-line at least) but for us it seemed overwhelming. They made up the difference in the knowledge we gained from them. They're hoping to open a brick and mortar and I wish them nothing but success. They are long-term vapers and were never hesitant or unable to answer anything we asked. Granted ours were noob questions but they tolerated us; we all start somewhere.

I had been using GS a week when we went up there, just to try and discover what this was all about. They were busy but always found a minute to explain, demonstrate, etc. what we were interested in. OK Bob (not his real name), how do we get started in this. Well we have these eGo starter kits and try these flavors, etc. So I'm at the register, I'd noticed he had something hanging around his neck he'd been subconsciously pulling on the whole time. Hey Bob, what's that? This? It's a Vision Spinner. How does that compare to this eGo?

You get the idea. We were lucky enough to have our first experience with someone who knew enough and cared enough to steer us down a rational path without trying to just make a sale. I left with the Spinner, a DCTank, a ViviNova, and three bottles of juice. Since then I have devoured this forum, vendors sites, product reviews and everything else I could find. I am hooked. I received my Vamo V2 today and can't put it down. I call it a passion; my wife says it's an obsession.

I've invested $300+ in liquids and hardware at this point but you know, at a pack a day I've pretty much recouped my investment already. Point is, if not for Bob and his wife I'd probably still be sucking smoke.

None of this is intended to negate what you guys have said, just sharing some recent history. I'm into electronics and, back when they were actually an electronics components store, I used to hate going to RS. Can I help you? I need a whatchamacallit. A what? Never mind I'll find it myself.
 

Skidbat

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Aug 6, 2013
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About two months ago I got the idea in my head that I wanted to look into this vaping thing. I had seen a few guys at work move off of cigarettes and it seemed to be working for them. Closest town with any supplies at all for me is about 45 mins away. There are exactly two vape shops. One I didn't know existed but only sells their own brand name stuff, and one that just opened but is insanely over priced with almost no selection.

Being a total noob, my first stop was the local headshop and yes they had the standard blister pack ego / clearo kits. I am so thankful for the guy behind the counter puffing away on his own setup because he had learned just enough on his own to give me the info I needed to get started. Turns out, he picked it up working at the store, and no one else there knows anything about vaping at all.

Since that day I have encountered a couple guys at the flea market trying to sell the same blister packs and faking it. I mean they both carry the things around but never seem to use them, and have little to no knowledge at all about what they carry. The guy actually mixes juice right there in his stall but has no idea what the flavors are like. If you ask him he says "Oh I used to smoke menthol so that's all I use". Saying that gets him out of having to answer questions about his own flavors which are terrible. X# of drops per bottle, shake and here you go. I cant imagine how many people have tried what he calls juice and sworn off vaping altogether. Its really sad. Clueless is one thing but fake is even worse.
 
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Rachy_B

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A while ago, I visited my family andwent into the local tobacconists with my stepbrother as he wanted some baccy. There was a beautiful display of ecigs in the cabinet- each identical in everything except colour of the clearomiser (I presume some type of Visions). That was the entire extent of their stock on display so I asked if they sold anything else and the woman behind the counter looked at me blankly. I asked how much they were and she replied £20. £20 for one clearomiser and one battery! I was horrified that they'd let people walk away with only one battery... Around Christmas I'd been in when they didn't have the nice display and asked for some Boge SR cartomisers to which I received the same blank expression. Luckily, a few days later I was going to the nearest big town and picked up some supplies there instead and they really seemed to know their stuff. On the flip side, online vendors are awesome- I think it could just be this one shop...x
 
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