I actually agree that there's some elitism among vapors. In my experience, it's less common in areas where it's been around and is more common than where it's newer and starting to grow. I really took the higher end plunge in Cali while I was on leave for my vow renewel. I spent like 4 hours in a shop in the Sacramento area and it was great. The people who worked there and the customers were all very friendly. It didn't matter what mod you were using, or whether you were a cloud chaser, or whatever, the bond was around vaping--this place really was more or less a lounge rather than just a shop. Actually, all four shops I went to were like that.
Well, after my leave ended, I came back to miserable Virginia and a buddy of mine looked at my stuff. He actually talked negatively because the coils weren't perfectly spaced, lol. He would go on and on about it, showing the true donkey within. I eventually got annoyed to the point I returned his jests in kind. I later asked him where he got that mentality from cuz no one outside of maybe VA, cares. Ideally, sure, they'd be evenly spaced all around but it really isn't necessary so long as it works and hits the desired mark you're aiming for.
The shops in the area (Richmond) are also much less inviting. They seem to have an, "Eh, haven't seen you before" kind of attitude that is very unattractive. Several of the employees are barely knowledgeable in their craft and don't bother explaining some of the most basic safety issues regarding ecigs (sub-ohm, non tamper resistant containers and infants, etc). Seems being equipped with the most basic info to make a sale is all that's required.
I'm truly lucky that all my Anchorage, Alaska shops are like family to me
BTW I was from Richmond, I'm sorry to hear it's like that