Got Hustles and Poor Decision Not Researching

[TheRightChoice]

Hey guys, technically new to vaping. Quit smoking since June and was using the V2 pens until today. I was annoyed constantly buying their cartridges and felt I needed something stronger - heard great reviews about this franchise (Avail). They were awesome and very nice and helpful. Leaving I felt I had an idea what to get.... So I go to my nearest Vape Store. Cool people and very friendly, but definitely made a quick (EXPENSIVE) buck off me. Suggested to me (after explaining I'm new, but tired of disposables and cartridge pens) to buy the Kanger KBOX 70 MOD with an Amigo Riptide Top Fill tank. Now I love the Kanger MOD but the Tank's mouth piece is too wide and pulls way too hard while leaking sometimes (adjusted the air valve too). Not only that I went online for tweaking recommendations, and came to realize I paid $180 for this where online I could of paid $80 max!! I am so ...... at myself for not researching better but damn! Recommendations? Am I to be intense like I'm at a car dealership for Vape Stops? I thought consumers licensed with the SEC have more strict retail pricing unlike EBay or Craiglist?! Thanks all, yes I'm a complete dope paying that kind of money for something I wasn't certain with.

 

[dcfluegel]

howdy - and welcome!

don't beat yourself up about it - but do take the lesson to heart. I spent a LOT more money at some B&M's than I should have (and still spend a little more than I should) - but if the staff is knowledgeable and helpful, those can be some good relationships to have... that being said, I get the VAST majority of my gear online, after getting feedback here, doing some research, checking some reviews

you're in the right place - on the upside, it IS money you didn't spend on stink-sticks

keep the faith - and breathe

 

[TheRightChoice]

Thanks DC!
Already loving this forum, and learned some things about my devices. Yes, I was sure to remind myself what I purchased today was no where close to all the cartons I purchased the past 15 years! Nice meeting you man!

 

[dcfluegel]

no worries - it's all part of the journey, brother

next time you are tank shopping, check out the uwell crown - comes with a .25ohm and a .5ohm coil, i tend to run the .25 about 45 watts and its a great vape - top fill, very user friendly - and i have seen them in the $25 range lately online...

big things to keep in mind - with an internal battery, like the kbox70, make sure you have a good usb cable and wall wart (capable of 1A current for charging, if i am reading specs correctly)... for an external battery mod - (lol - for when the shinyitis kicks in and you start thinking you need a new one - and you old one can be your backup... always have a backup...) never skimp on batteries or a charger - even if the mod has 'onboard charging' - i stick to an external charger - safer, more consistent and reliable and better for battery life, imo - illumn.com tends to be my go to site for batteries and you can pick up a nitecore d2 or d4 charger very reasonably there

 

[TheRightChoice]

Awesome, thanks for the tips and recommendations, I truly appreciate it!

 

[Two_Bears]

Hey guys, technically new to vaping. Quit smoking since June and was using the V2 pens until today. I was annoyed constantly buying their cartridges and felt I needed something stronger - heard great reviews about this franchise (Avail). They were awesome and very nice and helpful. Leaving I felt I had an idea what to get.... So I go to my nearest Vape Store. Cool people and very friendly, but definitely made a quick (EXPENSIVE) buck off me. Suggested to me (after explaining I'm new, but tired of disposables and cartridge pens) to buy the Kanger KBOX 70 MOD with an Amigo Riptide Top Fill Tank. Now I love the Kanger MOD but the Tank's mouth piece is too wide and pulls way too hard while leaking sometimes (adjusted the air valve too). Not only that I went online for tweaking recommendations, and came to realize I paid $180 for this where online I could of paid $80 max!! I am so ...... at myself for not researching better but damn! Recommendations? Am I to be intense like I'm at a car dealership for Vape Stops? I thought consumers licensed with the SEC have more strict retail pricing unlike EBay or Craiglist?! Thanks all, yes I'm a complete dope paying that kind of money for something I wasn't certain with.

EXACTLY!

That is why I recommend people buy their gear online instead of at vape shops.

The Amigo is almost unrestrictive.

You are new and you should have been sold something like a Nautilus Mini so you didn't feel as if you were drowning in vapor.

I have one of the old Amigo tanks around here in a drawer. The SXK Nebula Wine has more airflow than the Subtank mini and Kayfun Monster put together, and the SXK is restrictive compared to the Amigo.

 

[KayP]

Congratulations and welcome to ECF.

I unfortunately don't have any 'brick-n-motar' vape shops nearby, so online shopping was it for me. I bought a Kanger Subox Kit and I was happy with the MTL I got from it's Subtank Mini V2. Don't worry about the Amigo, it may be something you'll fall back to and appreciate when you want more airflow. Just be cautious of the shinytus!

 

[Two_Bears]

no worries - it's all part of the journey, brother

next time you are tank shopping, check out the uwell crown - comes with a .25ohm and a .5ohm coil, i tend to run the .25 about 45 watts and its a great vape - top fill, very user friendly - and i have seen them in the $25 range lately online...

big things to keep in mind - with an internal battery, like the kbox70, make sure you have a good usb cable and wall wart (capable of 1A current for charging, if i am reading specs correctly)... for an external battery mod - (lol - for when the shinyitis kicks in and you start thinking you need a new one - and you old one can be your backup... always have a backup...) never skimp on batteries or a charger - even if the mod has 'onboard charging' - i stick to an external charger - safer, more consistent and reliable and better for battery life, imo - illumn.com tends to be my go to site for batteries and you can pick up a nitecore d2 or d4 charger very reasonably there

Absolutely correct. I would 10 times rather ruin a charger than my mod.

 

[Hitcat44]

Welcome former Camel Cowboy
As DC said,,, don't sweat it. Everyone here has been through at least one "Retail Ravaging" and paid Way Too Much for Way too Little at the beginning of this Awesome Journey. Whoop-a-Dee-Doo,,, we've all been screwed. Education costs money. Now ya have an Associates Degree in Vape Shop Violated Victimization with a Minor in Full-Pop Bend-Over aka Over-MSRP Mauling.
You're in a great place to get your Advanced Degree and further your education in a more prudent and affordable fashion and be overwhelmingly satisfied with the results and Gear you pick up and use along the way.
Research, Inquire, Participate, then Give Back.

Whatever ya do, Stay the Course! It IS worth it and it IS much better, healthier, and infinitely more Enjoyable. You've traded a Habit for a Hobby.
Vape On & Enjoy

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

Welcome to the forum @TheRightChoice . NOBODY in this forum has ever overpaid for a vape device or been ripped by an unscrupulous vendor, you are the first! (Now I shall wait for lightning to strike me for telling a lie).

Enjoy the journey,

 

[Bunnykiller]

vape shops are almost always 2X the price of online....
best thing to do... go to a vape shop, play touchy feely with the item in mind and then order from online...
at least you held it in your hand and saw what you will order...

 

[Two_Bears]

Welcome to the forum @TheRightChoice . NOBODY in this forum has ever overpaid for a vape device or been ripped by an unscrupulous vendor, you are the first! (Now I shall wait for lightning to strike me for telling a lie).

Enjoy the journey,

LOVE IT!

I certainly understand the situation. I had a vape shop sell me a clone of Subtank OCC heads for authentic heads.

 

[KayP]

I'd imagine the Vape Shop would be equivalent to a Pub/Bar: The drinks are more expensive but it's still a watering hole.. No? As I said, I don't have any 'brick-n-motar' vape shops nearby.

 

[KayP]

LOVE IT!

I certainly understand the situation. I had a vape shop sell me a clone of Subtank OCC heads for authentic heads.

LOL

 

[Falconeer]

If you listen to any of the guys in a West of Scotland bar you'd think nobody ever got ripped off for a car...and in fact some would almost convince you that they were paid to take one away - but back in real life as has been said we've most of us been where you were and overpaid for kit in the early days...and when you first research online/join a forum you sure as Hell get reminded of that as your knowledge increases.

As has been posted you just have to take it as a learning cost or Tuition Fee.

Oh and btw - I've been ripped off for cars too!

 

[suprtrkr]

Welcome to the board. Everybody has made the same mistake, and there is value in cultivating your local B&M, if you have a good one. But next time you get shinyitus, do come here and read the thread about whatever you think you want, or ask about it.

 

[TheRightChoice]

You guys rock! So happy I researched (yes after my first mishap ) this place and was told this is the Vape Granddaddy of all the sites. Can't wait to meet, learn and have a great time with you all. I appreciate the warm welcome and advice!

 

[Kaezziel]

Yep, been there, done that... didn't even get a complimentary t-shirt. I started vaping a little over 6 years ago. Back then there were no vape shops, but there was a mall kiosk for a company called "Smoking Everywhere". There was a girl sitting there with a cig-a-like, and she was just puffing away at it. I got curious and stopped by... well, I walked away with (2) 510 batteries, (1) atomizer, and about two dozen cartridges... at the low, low price of around $200. I was told that each cartridge was equal to a pack of cigarettes and told nothing about the atomizer only lasting about 4 days. Oh, and each cartridge lasted about 2 hours (AT BEST!). I stuck with it though, found better gear at WAY better prices... and I'm still vaping today!

 

[KayP]

Yep, been there, done that... didn't even get a complimentary t-shirt. I started vaping a little over 6 years ago. Back then there were no vape shops, but there was a mall kiosk for a company called "Smoking Everywhere". There was a girl sitting there with a cig-a-like, and she was just puffing away at it. I got curious and stopped by... well, I walked away with (2) 510 batteries, (1) atomizer, and about two dozen cartridges... at the low, low price of around $200. I was told that each cartridge was equal to a pack of cigarettes and told nothing about the atomizer only lasting about 4 days. Oh, and each cartridge lasted about 2 hours (AT BEST!). I stuck with it though, found better gear at WAY better prices... and I'm still vaping today!

Eeep! Things have certainly changed since then, and for the better might I add.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

 

[Kaezziel]

Eeep! Things have certainly changed since then, and for the better might I add.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

LOL... you have NO idea! We did all sorts of things back then to try to make things better. We pulled out whatever crappy wick they put in those cartridges and stuffed them with tea bags, blue aquarium filter foam... made our own battery packs using AA batteries... all just to stay off the stinkies. Now, there are so many options that it's hard to choose which path to awesomeness you want to take!