We already know the benefits of vaping.
We already know we love it and will never go back to smoking.
Someone brand-new to vaping has no idea whether they will like it and whether they want to fully invest in it.
There is NO way on earth that I would have started vaping with a big battery mod.
I wanted something that looked as much like a cig as possible. I even insisted on an automatic draw because I wanted it to feel similar to an analog too. I started on a 901, as Cat did, and again like Cat, I graduated to a 510 because it was time for me to try a manual device. It was mainly the crappy battery life that got me looking at mods.
Then you've got pricing. If you're able to make the slim cheaper, great, but even then, people want to make a very small investment when they are trying something new, you can't make the slim that cheap, and nor should you. It's a premium product as are all the GGs.
When anyone asks my advice, I still recommend starting with a cheap kit to double check that you will like the experience. Then upgrade to a mod once you know you will enjoy vaping and if you experience the common drawbacks/limitations of the standard chinese e-cig. If they know this information at the start, they are less likely to leave vaping altogether.
P.S. Dunno where you got your ideas on pricing, Imeo - my 901 starter kits are only £24.75 - I think that's the cost of about 4 packets of cigs in the UK now.
I side with Lisa on this, and here is why. Some of you may remember my introduction to this forum. I wanted to start with a GGTS, as I did a lot of research on mods and this seemed like the best choice for the money. Many members here tried to steer me toward a starter kit. For many, I still believe this is the best choice, though not for some.
I probably would have learned more to start with, but I consider myself fairly smart when it comes to electronic products so I knew I could learn as I went along. For many people, the learning curve of a "mod" is steep at first. They have to learn about batteries, chargers, safety, vaping at different voltages, atty choices, etc. And there are so many other choices and decisions to make. Cheap e-cigs will always have their place. The good news is that many websites and TV offers are money rip offs, and they defeat themselves, as newbies sometimes will spend 2-3 times more then they have to, and that is their own fault as many are lazy shoppers. As has been stated before some will be very disappointed with the results they get. Some will give up vaping, and some will wonder why the product is not fulfilling their needs and research better products and "mods". REMEMBER, until the mod makers can afford a TV commercial, finding and learning about them is up to the buyer to find.
Unlike most of my friends, I LIKE to do online research, so I found my way, but most will NOT. I look for the ultimate, many just don't have the time or interest or know how. For example, Imeo's own website is not finished, and therefore google cannot find it. A well setup website describing the advantages of a "mod" would be a cheap way to advertise. I've seen the other mod websites and they miss the point as well.
Imeo, PM me if you want to go further with your site, if you do not have some help already. If you do have help, then they have not been very busy, and you should not be doing it yourself. So knowledge is key, as well as ACCESS to the info.
The problem still exists, as e-cigs have been around for about 3 years now, and I only stumbled across them, the info and knowledge is still very skimpy out there, and mod makers need to learn how to separate themselves from the cheap starter stuff, and show the advantages to their products and make this info easy to find. I know most, if not all so far, do not have the budgets to buy TV advertising time. Advancing a product is ALL about ADVERTISING. That is how analog cigerettes have become a BILLION dollar industry, remember "Marlboro Man"?
I think the first thing to do, is recognize that in todays culture, most people will first buy by PRICE. Not everyone, but knowing that, is how you move forward in ones advice on these products. Some may not like e-cigs or vaping, so a low cost starter kit is the only way these folks are going to shop, regardless of ANYTHING ELSE. They may quit or move up, that is just a reality, but I think "baby steps" are still a viable first step for many that are afraid of new technology. I see this everyday when someone sees me vaping. I have to go through the entire "beginner" conversation, and even my so called "smart" friends often think of it as a joke, being small minded. Others have heard of it, and have a more open mind. If someone is happy smoking analog cigs, then I don't waste anymore time, but often these doubtful cig users are still VERY interested, as most people would really like to quit, health and cost being the two biggest reasons.
So here is what I am doing myself and for those that show interest. I recommend one of the PCC cases, that come with two batteries and the charging case for $50.00. I tell them to buy some pre-filled cartos, and some empty cartos, and some juice to start, as well as an A/C to USB wall unit, and a USB to battery charger. So for a real cheap starter kit at about $70.00, a newbie can start vaping, and not run out of battery power all day. This is IMPORTANT, to keep newbies away from going back to analog cigs. Using cartomizers, makes it easy for newbies to get started and not worry about attys and filling carts etc. If they like this, then they have already seen my GGTS, and I can give them my own advice on how to move up.
I have the same setup myself. Right now, I use my GGTS at home. I have tried it at work, I just have to bring extra batteries, but it is not as easy or tiny/small a profile as the carto rig I mentioned above. I don't own a "GG Slim", after buying the GGTS, I don't have the money to buy a smaller model. So as of now, I'm using my GGTS at home and my cartomizer PCC rig while at work, and for going out to bars and restaurants etc. At this point I use both products for two different situations. Having an entry level GG is still a good idea, but the product line has to define itself, just like Sony does. If you want to start with the basics, you can jump in at a certain price point, and if you want to move up, they you pay more, for features that are well advertised. Just my opinions, nothing more.
