I completely understand, You have over head prices (building,insurance,product replacement,hourly wages) not to mention you would like to make some money. I buy from fasttech and my local b&m, but I make sure i always give my local b&m some of my money because what happens when my order from fasttech hasn't come in but they got put out of business because everyone went the cheaper route. Not to mention my local b&m has one of my favorite juices at the moment.
Fast tech is not the "real" price
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If I had a B&M close, I would check it out. Someone mentioned one that may be opening up in Middleburgh Hts which isn't far... so I may have to check that out.
With the prices here in Canada being so high online locally and B&M's practically non existent, 1 to my knowledge downtown.
Seeing as I'm mobility challenged I don't have a lot of choices, so to me it was a big savings.
At my age, waiting isn't an issue either.
Forgot to mention, shipping from my local online vendor is $15, so free shipping from Fastech is another plus.
I'm in Toronto and their warehouse is in Scarborough, not very far at all. Go figure
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Which shop do you work at schuff? I live in League city and might just drop in on you to check it out.
I wish you could but I'm in Tennessee. I love it when someone comes in to just hang out and doesn't ask a million questions about the basics. I mean I love the job but explaining the basics over and over gets repetitive sometimes.
You have a couple nice shops pretty close to you/Cleveland area see post #9 in this thread http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ohio-vapers/511982-akron-canton-area-b-m.html
There are a couple shops in Cleveland proper listed here Ohio E-Cigarette Vendors
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Good point. "Levis" jeans in the Hong Kong market start at $5.00 but you could probably talk em down to $2. How many folks complain to the JCP clerk about that.
"Expertise"
I have found exactly 2 employees at a total of 7 B&M vaping stores in my area that have *any* clue about *anything* outside what they sell..
I walked into a store just yesterday looking for a quick replacement carto for my IBTanked tank because my order from another online company took longer than I thought.
As soon as I pulled out my SVD with the tank on it, before I could even ask... the girl behind the counter asked me if I made it..
After telling her no, I asked if they have any carto's in stock she said they don't sell any. As I was looking at their display case.. I see a Smoktech DCT. I said "You sell the DCT, but not the cartos for it?" She was puzzled..
Another employee came up at this point and understood what I meant and said they have them.
"Oh, the DCT atomizer.. we have those, but they only fit our DCT. they won't work in that thing" (Pointing at my IBTanked)
it gets better, after ensuring them it will in fact work.
I ask them both.. if they are dual coil or single coil.. and what resistance. Simple question right?
"Oh they are dual coil, see they have two slots."
and no, she wasn't new.. i've been in there a few times before.
I consider myself still a newbie when it comes to vaping, I expect a B&M to be *much* more informed than myself. You should at least know a little bit about products you compete with.
My parents owned a Yamaha dealership for 9 years, every salesman knew about Honda/Suzuki/Kawi/etc product line. The customer is informed.. you better be.
It could just be my area, but the local B&M stores seems to be in business... cause vaping is a new trend they decided they can make money in. Like the coffee drive throughs, once upon a time they were not on every corner.
I have had almost every question answered I have ever had about vaping, answered by watching a youtube channel on vaping, lurking here, a few emails to online vendors, and have actually received the wrong info from the B&M stores on more than one occasion.
I look at fast tech but have never ordered from them, the notorious shipping times.. and the "authentic or not" question keep me from ordering. But all of the other places i have ordered online from have been great.
The one B&M that I do frequent, the owner is a cool guy that actually knows his stuff, *and* the competitions stuff. His prices aren't that bad either.
There is a reason online stores are killing B&M stores that do not have internet sales, and it's not just prices. It's not just vaping either, more and more the customer knows more than the retailer.
Backlash, I feel for you man. I've been all over and have never had a B&M experience like that. Besides working in a shop myself I also frequent a lot of shops. After being in 50+ shops I have come to a routine. I keep my device in the pocket and try to test flavors. If they charge for a tip I'm out of there. Then I work my way to tanks and mods. If the person can't answer my simple questions about them then I'm out. If they seem like vapors themselves that actually should be in the business while offering fair prices then I whip out my device and actually shop there. I despise vapor shops that open because it's profitable but don't actually use / know the product.
Yeah the two shops I frequent, one the owner is a cool guy like I said and he does know his stuff. Decent prices and always fun to BS with. I do buy the iClear 16D clearomizers I use for testing new stuff from him and a couple of flavors as well.
He has a girl that works for him that I guess is pretty knowledgeable on mixing flavors and stuff, haven't really talked with her.
The other store, prices are not exactly good.. but the lady that works there knows probably everything there is to know about vaping. I can start asking a question, pause to look for the right word.. and she already knows where i'm headed and has the answer.
The store I was talking about, I've been in there 2-3 times and it seems like every time I'm treated like I'm in the way. I asked if I could get a flavor in 0 Nic, and was pretty much snubbed at that point and was told there is only like 2-3 out there that can be purchased in 0 nic... This store is the closest to me, and it's probably the worst i've been in.
After I posted the story last night.. I found out about another B&M in the area I drive a block away from 1-2 times a week and never knew it was there, heard some good stuff about it so i'm headed out there tonight to check it out. I skimmed through their website and found a few flavors I *really* want to try
Hoping the place and the flavors turn out good.
He has a girl that works for him that I guess is pretty knowledgeable on mixing flavors and stuff, haven't really talked with her.
The other store, prices are not exactly good.. but the lady that works there knows probably everything there is to know about vaping. I can start asking a question, pause to look for the right word.. and she already knows where i'm headed and has the answer.
The store I was talking about, I've been in there 2-3 times and it seems like every time I'm treated like I'm in the way. I asked if I could get a flavor in 0 Nic, and was pretty much snubbed at that point and was told there is only like 2-3 out there that can be purchased in 0 nic... This store is the closest to me, and it's probably the worst i've been in.
After I posted the story last night.. I found out about another B&M in the area I drive a block away from 1-2 times a week and never knew it was there, heard some good stuff about it so i'm headed out there tonight to check it out. I skimmed through their website and found a few flavors I *really* want to try
Hoping the place and the flavors turn out good.
You've got to use a shops strenths and weaknesses to your advantage; if is store is selling stuff and you know alot more about the stuff than they do, have a look around at what they have and at what prices; chances are you'll find alot of stuff that's way overpriced, but a few little gems selling cheeeeeep.
Visited a new B&M last Saturday, we have a few decent ones in our area, prices are marked up compared to on line, but reasonable as expected .........last sat was an exception...the mark ups were to say the least insanely high. it was set up like a jewelry store with everything under glass( were talking $15 mecanical clones displayed like a Rolex and prices to match) , very nice juice tasting area with a vast selection of juices ......a cross between dekang and mt baker( i frequent baker) but priced at $22 for 30ml.............really tried to like the place but after hearing the manager feed a new vaper a line of bull i had to go...........Purely all quick profit with inexperienced newbies and no passion for vaping........it actually made me sick
You can buy authentic mods from FastTech as easily as anyplace else.
I have a pile of them.
Anyone expecting delivery times comparable to Amazon should look at a globe.
Anyone wanting better customer service from FastTech should learn to speak Chinese.
They are not coming to us.. we go to them and they are what they are.
And an ill informed customer is just an ill informed customer.. so when someone compares a US retail shop to FastTech.. just pat them on their little head and smile at the humor in who is allowed to run around loose.
I have a pile of them.
Anyone expecting delivery times comparable to Amazon should look at a globe.
Anyone wanting better customer service from FastTech should learn to speak Chinese.
They are not coming to us.. we go to them and they are what they are.
And an ill informed customer is just an ill informed customer.. so when someone compares a US retail shop to FastTech.. just pat them on their little head and smile at the humor in who is allowed to run around loose.
You pretty much summed up the thread. Yes, you "can" get authentic mods from fast tech but you pay in the long haul IMO. For instance what happens if you are one of the lucky ones that gets a DOA Vamo V5 or a Kayfun clone with a broken positive post insulator? You may get a refund 2 weeks later but you still don't have that mod / atty you wanted for about two months now.
I say those two because those are the ones that specifically happened to me out of three fast tech orders. How much money would I have saved by using fast tech rather than the store I work in buying those two items? Exactly $51.73, except I would have never been sold the Vamo or Kayfun because the employee would have tested it prior to handing it to me. Plus, a few months after the purchase if I slam my firing pin underneath my cheap Vamo o-ring or lose my Kayfun insulator instead of waiting 3-4 days ordering online to get it back to functional I can just return to the B&M and have the guy behind the counter fix it.
You have just made the perfect case for why people should buy at B&M stores.. and when I need/want something now, I visit my neighborhood store.
FastTech, however, isn't for that.. it's for hoarders like me.
I'll admit it.. when it comes to vaping and not letting myself relapse into smoking again, I've become a bit of a hoarder. I order often from FastTech and they do carry many interesting things that I have not seen available stateside. I won't go back to smoking and if I can keep the people I care about off smoking as well.. then a hoarding I will go. I've got a large cabinet over a freezer.. I'm filling it with all things vape and the freezer with all things vapor. That is where the savings that FastTech offers really adds up.
Thanks jwoode, I think most of us are vape hoarders. I know personally I have bought tons of mechs, APV's, tanks etc. just because this one has silver contacts, looks cool, uses some new board etc. and I totally understand the justification for using fast tech. I would never condemn someone for their personal choice on where to buy merchandise.
I started this thread because I get tired of the two to three people a day that come in and quote a fast tech price trying to compare it to a fairly priced B&M price. Trying to explain to them that you aren't only paying for convenience but also consultation, 7 day instant return / replacement, try before you buy etc. doesn't seem to resonate with a lot of people. Then these people will post crazy things online saying how overpriced that b&m is. I just had to rant a little.
I started this thread because I get tired of the two to three people a day that come in and quote a fast tech price trying to compare it to a fairly priced B&M price. Trying to explain to them that you aren't only paying for convenience but also consultation, 7 day instant return / replacement, try before you buy etc. doesn't seem to resonate with a lot of people. Then these people will post crazy things online saying how overpriced that b&m is. I just had to rant a little.
FT's pricing is pretty real to me. I pay listed price and got what I paid for.
Vape shop is good for two things: ripping off newbs and selling juice to newbs.
$1/foot of kanthal when the 100 foot roll is less than 5 bucks on amazon is just murder.
Have visited about 10 vape shops so far and I seriously could care less if they cry.
Vape shop is good for two things: ripping off newbs and selling juice to newbs.
$1/foot of kanthal when the 100 foot roll is less than 5 bucks on amazon is just murder.
Have visited about 10 vape shops so far and I seriously could care less if they cry.
Definitely agree with this. I order stuff online quite often, but sometimes I like browsing around any little B&M. You can see so much with a quick glance, shoot the breeze and have an enjoyable few minutes or an hour. It's worth paying extra sometimes just for the social and entertainment aspect.
Plus how many people have seen something in a B&M that they've never seen before because they wouldn't have ever known to search for it? My local vape stores get good reviews from friends who visit them, but they're way behind the times for me. Most are quite happy to stick to Ego type devices, and it's amazing how many friends start a conversation with me that goes something like 'You will never guess what I found there. COLA flavoured juice!!' I've learned not to try and explain the qualities of high end complex juices. It feels a bit like showing your Grandpa your iPad when he's perfectly happy with a notepad
I know you don't have your location listed but formerly being in the military and stationed all over I'm going to guess SoCal, New England or Canada. I have despised every B&M I've ever seen in those areas for that reason.
However the vape shop I was specifically talking about sells 22 - 32 gauge A1 Kanthal for $9 - $15 for a 30ft roll depending on gauge. Obviously it isn't as cheap as online but the $5 - $7 more per roll is reasonable IMO.
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