Excited... Then disappointed

[wbart]

A vape Store just opened in my hometown. I was really excited for it, I had ordered online through there a few times. Reasonable prices. And I have traveled to a few B&M's and 90% of them had exactly what was listed on there webpage for the same price. Anyway Friend calls me after visiting the grand opening telling me that everything was marked up significantly over what he was selling it for on his website. I was planning on buying a iTaste 134 but I am not going to spend 200 dollars on one. I have seen this happen before and I understand that B&M stores have more overhead but they also are there to convert new Vapors. I just do not see this as a sound business practice. Experienced Vapors will only go there for emergencies and new converts will quickly find out that there are cheaper options out there.

Sorry for the Rant. I just had to get my feelings out. I was planning on spending my free time there and now I do not feel right doing so because I will not pay marked up prices just because it is in a display case.

Let me know your opinions.

 

[TheDarthJager]

I with you. I just order a replacement SVD because the fire button on mine is going out and when I went to get an MVP while I'm waiting for the SVD from my local store the guy there asked how come I didn't get it there. I didn't tell him but the reason is their is $60 more, that's unreal. I still but juice, cartos, tanks and stuff but charging more than double what you could get it for online is too much.

 

[jp_cfc09]

same here, im only a month into vapeing and hate my local shops. well theres only three lol but I hate them as they only care about selling their high priced ego starter kits and dont know jack about anything else you need to know. one didnt even know how much pg/vg there juice was or what resistance ment on coils like seriously.

I only started two weeks into vapeing and learned this fast as when I went back to the shop I got my ego starter kit from looking juice I was ignored as a new customer came in who was there the day before looking a starter kit. they know their over priced alot and seem to depend on newbs to get a decent pay out on starter kits and juice then move on. I understood that day she wanted a easy sale but I was there first looking juice and bought a kit only two weeks back.

 

[Underwhelmed]

A local shop is selling chrome Vamos for over $100. No charger, batteries, juice, or delivery system included.

I had 2 Vamos, one chrome, one SS, neither cost more than $30 as I bought one from Health Cabin and the other in a co-op, and while I enjoyed them both, neither lasted more than 5 months before the silicon gasket in the 510 connection failed causing them both to error out.

 

[White Rabbit]

There is no use in ranting about this as it has been discussed in many other posts. B&M shops just can't compete with on line retail, even with shipping costs. Too much overhead, not enough discount from wholesalers and if they order lets say 5000 of one device in order to get a low price, they will never be able to sell that many because something new will be coming out next week. Just the nature of the market at this time.

 

[jp_cfc09]

There is no use in ranting about this as it has been discussed in many other posts. B&M shops just can't compete with on line retail, even with shipping costs. Too much overhead, not enough discount from wholesalers and if they order lets say 5000 of one device in order to get a low price, they will never be able to sell that many because something new will be coming out next week. Just the nature of the market at this time.

true but some just take the piss lol, the closet shop to me sells iclear30 clearomizers for £20, other one about another mile down the road does them for £14.99 and online I can get for £10. wouldnt mind paying the extra £5 but £10 is pushing it and near everything is like this even the cheaper iclear16 lol. wouldnt even look at all there mods as its just wasteing my time after I cheeked their itaste for £65 lol.

one thing I dont get is why the dearer shop does iclear16 for £7.50 but iclear30 for £20, its messed up. the other shop does iclear16 for £10, either there suppliers are what they think things are worth is mixed up lol.

 

[cocacola31173]

Well if the FDA has there way then they can charge whatever they want cause you won't be able to buy online. I wish there was one in my town in case of emergencies....right now I just make sure to keep my own "store" stocked up.

 

[belsenj]

Well, I need to chime in now because my local vape shop charges exactly what their online charges are. That shop is Fluid Vapors. Not only do they charge the same online or at the shop, they also throw in a free item as well. Not only are they the best, but they are also smart

 

[Acespeeed]

I am so happy to have a shop at least within 30 minutes of me, I have noticed the markup is about 20-25% more than the same products online. I also understand they need to do that to keep going and I am ok with paying a little more and supporting a local business, It's good to know if my battery dies I can take a quick ride and get a replacement or if my favorite juice I ordered online is delayed by a holiday weekend I can just go to my Vap shop and grab some to get by.

 

[wbart]

I would be happy to pay it as well. The disturbing fact is that he is phasing out his online store for the Brick and Mortar. I understand overhead and expenses as well but there are quite a few B&Ms that are doing great and not raising prices. It seems to me that that you would lose more customers in the end because once they get there inexpensive starter kit they will start researching for better options. And then you find that you can get the same thing for cheaper. I do not think a Vape shop could survive on just New Vapors and Emergencies

 

[Pstarsr]

I would be happy to pay it as well. The disturbing fact is that he is phasing out his online store for the Brick and Mortar. I understand overhead and expenses as well but there are quite a few B&Ms that are doing great and not raising prices. It seems to me that that you would lose more customers in the end because once they get there inexpensive starter kit they will start researching for better options. And then you find that you can get the same thing for cheaper. I do not think a Vape shop could survive on just New Vapors and Emergencies

That guy has no idea how to run a business in today's world. Why would you stop selling online when it reaches a larger customer base than your store has the potential too, most companies start online and expand to b&m. But the backbone is still online.

That's the strangest idea to phase out online sales.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Which doesn't work 50% of the time

 

[wbart]

Thank you for your input. I agree completely. I loved shopping on his online shop because I could meet him at the post office and pick up my new gadgets... Yes that is how small my town is

 

[soba1]

I with you. I just order a replacement SVD because the fire button on mine is going out and when I went to get an MVP while I'm waiting for the SVD from my local store the guy there asked how come I didn't get it there. I didn't tell him but the reason is their is $60 more, that's unreal. I still but juice, cartos, tanks and stuff but charging more than double what you could get it for online is too much.

You should have told him, mark ups are one thing but gouging.
Or if they stand behind what they sell and deal with the manufacturer

 

[soba1]

But one thing to consider to. They do provide a nice place to go and sample juices though.

 

[wbart]

That is true but I feel bad knowing that I will not spend the kind of money that he needs to stay in business there.. And I hate to think that he will end up closing because of it

 

[cramptholomew]

That is true but I feel bad knowing that I will not spend the kind of money that he needs to stay in business there.. And I hate to think that he will end up closing because of it

I'm in Cambridge, and was excited about him opening. His prices have ALWAYS been a little higher, but the convenience has always mediated that fact. I can't believe he's shutting down the online shop. That sucks. Like you said, I'll probably only get stuff from him in emergencies now. He's got the full sized Protank 2 and Protank 2 Mini at the same price... Why?

That said, I am going to buy a couple vape safe fuses and drip tips from him on Saturday.

 

[Rocketpunk]

With a B&M you can sample flavors, handle hardware, and ask direct questions with an immediate response. Live chat can do one of those things, but not all.

There is a place for online sales, and a place for B&M's.

 

[Thepinfamily]

I was traveling recently and looking for a new device while on travel. I called and went to 6-8 shops and all of them were gouging. I dont mind paying 10-20% more than online prices, I understand overhead. Even 30% I could swallow for some instant gratification but 100-150% over online prices I will not do. Those shops dont want to serve us. They want to serve the new and uneducated vapors. The one big score while they have a hair up their .... They want to get all they can before the newbie Google's ecig prices. Its a profitable business practice for those who want make a buck while the Industrys hot. Its not how you build a customer base and help people quit smoking. It shows you the retailers mind set.

 

[Barbara21]

I would be happy to pay it as well. The disturbing fact is that he is phasing out his online store for the Brick and Mortar. I understand overhead and expenses as well but there are quite a few B&Ms that are doing great and not raising prices. It seems to me that that you would lose more customers in the end because once they get there inexpensive starter kit they will start researching for better options. And then you find that you can get the same thing for cheaper. I do not think a Vape shop could survive on just New Vapors and Emergencies

Not to argue, but I really wonder how many vapers actually do research?

 

[Rocketpunk]

Not to argue, but I really wonder how many vapers actually do research?

Not enough, Barbara, not enough!