Flavors, Candy and Buying Online... Dear Vendors...

[SmokinRabbit]

Maybe I'm overstepping, sharing my opinion on this, since I'm relatively new to the community. But I wanted to share an observation and opinion on something.

I know there's a lot of talk about the FDA and regulations and how it relates to flavors. Especially flavors that seem to "appeal to children". I'll state it right now to get it out of the way, I think the idea that flavors relate to kids is a bunch of ... well... bull-you-know-what. Alcohol comes in cherry and lemon and peach and so forth... and lots of other things aimed at adults comes in flavors. Just because something comes flavored like cotton candy, doesn't mean it's specifically aimed at or meant for children. AND all those flavors are helping me stay away from tobacco cigarettes!

However...

In my relatively new vaping adventure, I've ordered quite a bit of online stuff... and I don't think online juice vendors are doing themselves any favors by including free candy, toys, stickers and other nonsense with their orders. Three different companies have included things like this in my orders. We are adults. We don't need candy, toys and stickers. While it seems innocent and fun (and in a vacuum would be), the industry is only hurting itself by sending truly "child-like" prizes, like an order of ejuice is a box of cracker jacks.

Sure, it is innocent enough... and if it weren't for what's going on with the FDA I wouldn't think much about it. But why give ammunition to a crowd of ANTZ just looking for it?

I'm an adult. Send me coupons for my next order. Send me referral cards with a code, so I can share with friends and get a bonus for doing so. Put me in a rewards program and send me free juice after so many orders. Throw in a free juice sample, send me a free drip tip or vape holder. Toss in a lanyard or send me a free keychain. Whatever. Just don't send me candy, stickers or toys as if I'm 12.

Anyone agree?

 

[mac63]

I like candy. But I'm kind of picky about it. So don't send me just any candy, I want the good stuff.
Never cared much for stickers so they can keep them. Chances are it's going to be something dealing with their company anyway. So unless they're going to pay me for doing their advertising it's going in the trash.
I like toys. Send me something that's fun to play with and not break in five minutes. (been told lots of times that I act like 12)

But I do agree with you on the overall concept - the freebies should be associated with the product they sell. One place that I have made a few orders from has a reward program and on the last order they threw in a 5ml bottle of juice and some kind of disposable dripper tank. Juice is a flavor I like but low nic. Figure I'll try it in that tank and when it's done maybe try taking it apart to see if I can rebuild it.
Got a sticker from another place - it was their name/logo - in the trash.

 

[Peter_C]

I agree overall with your premise. MBV for example, give free juice samples with any order over a certain level - you can even go so far as to tell them what you'd like to try or a NIC level, etc.

 

[tmel]

If Nicoticket ever stopped sending my ZOTZ, I might lose it.

 

[bluecat]

I am an adult. I like bubble gum, strawberries, watermelon, apple pie and trying new things. I don't know why someone would think that when I turned into an adult that I would somehow stop enjoying flavors. I absolutely love sugar cookies. I do not like to vape them though.

Every time I get candy or whatever I toss it in the trash. When I buy liquid I choose those that give a freebie liquid bottle. Sometimes I like it other times I don't. What I do like is trying something that I would not otherwise have chosen. Heck, I'll even take those cheap plastic beer bottle openers. I go through 1 a week it seems.

 

[baseballmom]

I agree, I open vape mail when my kids not around due to some of the goodies in the orders, luckily I have an idea of what to expect from what vendor now, but still do just in case. They get stuff(toys, candy-don't get stickers, don't need vape brand stickers) at later time, so they don't associate my orders with "prizes". I'd prefer getting drip tips and small vape related goodies/coupons only instead, and appreciate when I do get that kind of stuff instead.

I also am the one who handles the mail, just because.

 

[bigaug]

Disagree completely. They can include whatever they want. You didn't pay extra for it, so don't complain. What each vendor chooses to include is part of what they want to do with their own brand. I enjoy getting cool/weird/interesting freebies with orders of all kinds. The fact that some people might try to use it as evidence of marketing towards children is an all together different matter. These companies are and should be aloud to include whatever they want. The fact that you think it draws unnecessary attention just further highlights the real problem you should be focusing on.

 

[Iffy]

So glad I'm not a vaping vendor... damned if they do, damned if they don't!

 

[Bob Chill]

I suppose we can argue what is appropriate to send as a freebie but I like the personal touch regardless. It's missing these days in many ways. I'm not even sure a human (other than ups driver) actually touches my amazon orders.

A simple hand singed "thank you bob, hope you enjoy our ejuice!" makes me feel good. The human touch with small vendors is enjoyable. I personally wish they would send a 6 pack of Samuel Adams but that may be asking too much.

 

[Rickajho]

I guess this means I'm bad vaping person because I ordered a vaping Easter basket from an apparently equally bad vaping vendor. Not only did it include candy, it included the basket, easter grass and the liquids were in those plastic 2 piece eggs. (buzzkill...)

 

[ckquatt]

Ehhh... I ask for stickers whenever I order from a new company to put on my carrying case! It lets people know where I buy my stuff. I don't mind a little free advertising when I'm out and about. Zotz are like crack in my house! Me and the wife fight over them every time a purple package gets dropped off at the mailbox. If I don't eat Gummi Worms at least once a week I'm a sad Panda! I also collect toys and watch cartoons, and I'm 38 years old!


So speak for yourself when saying we (as adults) don't need this sort of stuff! I'm an adult and I ASK for the stuff!

We are adults. We don't need candy, toys and stickers.

 

[runitskat]

I enjoy all the personal things that vendors put into packages. Even though most of the time I don't eat the candy because having celiac means I don't eat anything unknown, but I still enjoy the thought. I've never gotten a sticker though so that's a bummer. Toys would be even better!

 

[havinfun1]

The only kid in my house is me, so I don't mind the free stuff. Got the personal note & candy from One stop DIY, wife ate the candy. From RTD I received a key chain flashlight which is really cool. Happy with the freebies.