Having big problems with Apollo over broken tube - looking for advice.

[tab223]

Hello,

I purchased my new SS Vtube from Apollo about 3 weeks ago. Had been working great. I had it in my pocket with a clearomizer on it and I must have bumped the wall or something because the clearomizer broke at the base and the "pin" popped out of the vtube when I took the clearomizer off. I popped the pin back in but it no longer produces any vapor even with the drip tip provided by Apollo. So, I talked to customer service and sent them a picture of the pin out and they told me they couldn't honor the warranty because it was a non Apollo clearomizer and that may have been what caused it to break. The customer service person said she could get me a discount, but she right away went into how she can't sell just the Vtube, they only sell the kits, she doesn't think she has any in stock etc. I feel somewhat culpable as I probably banged in into the wall in my pocket but this purchase is only 3 weeks old and I am frusturated it broke so easily. What would you do if it were you?

 

[iznogood1]

Must have been an failure on it when it arrived and it just showed up later on ?
Could it be so ?
Ole F

 

[minyddol]

a warranty covers component failure if the fault/damage was caused by accidental damage as in dropped or as you say banged in your pocket this will not be covered by both the retailer or the manufacture..if it was a high priced item this is were home insurance would come in or extra product cover

 

[chunkmeister]

What would you do if it were you?

I'd buy another one, and stop walking into walls

 

[Flyer]

Sounds like Apollo is trying to do a solid for the customer. Take their offer to fix it

 

[tab223]

They are not offering to fix it. They said the best they can do is give me a discount on another one. They said once that pin comes out the device is finished. I would be happy with a fix it scenario. I will be happy if they give me maybe a 50% discount and if they sell me just the Vtube not the whole kit since it is partly my fault for banging it. BUt another part of me says it shouldn't have broken so easily - I wasn't playing Rugby with it in my pocket.

 

[Needeles]

Personally I'd be mad as hell but at the same time I'd understand where Apollo is coming from. Like any other product out there that has a warrenty if you break it then the warrenty won't cover it. A warrenty covers defects of the product but not accidents from the user. Yes it sucks but if companies did allow this type of return(s) they would simply go out of business. It don't matter if it is a PV or a brand new $30,000 car, if you caused the damage the warrenty doesn't cover it. I know this might sound a bit harsh and please don't take it that way. I'm just showing a couple examples. I can say I do feel your pain tho, I would hate to get something such as this to only break it shortly after. Best bet is to find a place that simply sells the tubes for a low cost and in the future just try to be alittle more careful, even thuink about using a carring case to help prevent problems. Good luck to ya, hope you get this resolved.

 

[tab223]

That sounds reasonable Needles. Anyone know anywhere that sells just the SS Vtube without the kit?

 

[gimmieshelter31]

I have never seen a Vtube in person . Is the pin you are talking about the positive center pin? 510 connecter ? If so, it is probably shorting to the mod body. I.E. When that pin came out, I believe there is an o-ring/ gasket material that goes on the pin on the underside (from inside the cap or tube). Also could be the wire from switch to pin has severed
I've had the above scenario occur with my Roughstack and fixed it by sliding that O-ring back over the pin.
Good luck . I'm in Perry Hall. Are you nearby?
I'd like to see the pic with the pin out. You could email it to me if you like at my user name at yahoo.com with my user name being the one I use here . Hope you find a solution. You must be terribly disappointed.

 

[Needeles]

That sounds reasonable Needles. Anyone know anywhere that sells just the SS Vtube without the kit?

Actually I do beleive there is a way to take the top and pin completely off. The issue is getting it back together from my understanding. I know I saw a video on youtube where a guy did remove it and was able to get it back together. Maybe if your lucky this might be the issue and can be fixed with a simple removal and reinstall of the pin. Here is a video of a good review about this unit, Check out the video at 7:55 and you will see where he is able to remove the cap.

A couple places with replacement Tubes/Devices. Most places also offer the use of Codes to make them even cheaper so be sure to check for any useful codes here on the forum. Another good spot in the classified area of the forum. Ppl are always selling lots of goodies there.

http://www.volcanoecigs.com/lavatube.html
http://www.liberty-flights.com/product.asp?id=146

You could also check out the following link which is for the newer V2 tube. Do some checking but the battery and assesories you have should work on this one as well.

http://www.ecigcharleston.com/StarFire-Knight-Rider-Lava-Tube-p/starfire-black-large-single.htm

Hope this info helps ya out at least alittle, good luck to ya and happy Vap'n

 

[jkmtwo]

I will put it like this- There are plenty of PVs out there that will not break from a bump. the fact is, Apollo knows, what you don't. they sold you cheap chinese crap, period. I have had plenty of PVs take horrible bumps, and scrapes, a while back I dropped my PS Legacy, tank attached, on a concrete floor, the carto broke off at the connector, the CV ming tip broke at the base, but guess what? Not a scratch on the Legacy, not ever even the hint of a problem. Had there been, I know for a fact that Steve and the folks at PS would have taken care of it. I had to send my Darwin in recently, the current sense went out, most likely caused by a shorted adapter, and then me trying to fire it over and over, I explained all of this to Brandon, and Brandon had me send it in, it was gone a total of 7 days, with the 4th of July in there as well.

Point being, buy American.

 

[jkmtwo]

Also, btw, I don't have much patience when a company gives me the "it wasn't one of our .....fill in the blank...." line, thats a crap excuse, they all have the same connectors, and its not like Apollo has theirs specially made for just Apollo

 

[dgm76513]

I wonder how well a PV/Mod repair service would fare in America. I know most people here are competent and resourceful enough to repair their own broken equipment, but for those who arent? Are they supposed to just eat the loss and throw it away? That doesn't seem right.

It's 3am here and my brain is foggy, so perhaps a repair service does exist. But to my best hazy recollection, I can't think of one.

 

[Largo]

I imagine a repair service would do okay, although the fact it would probably deal with a LOT of mail-in-and-out business would be frustrating for a lot of people.

That being said, my vTube is pretty chunky, I'm kind of surprised it broke so easily. They DO sell the regular (not SS) one separately, though depending on what discount they offered you, I don't know if it'd be worth it. Kits seem reasonably cheap as is, though. Maybe look into something you know has better warranty/support? jkmtwo up there may have a.....harsh assessment of the situation, but I gotta admit that Legacy he mentioned looks pretty sweet.

 

[tab223]

Thanks for all the great info. I ended going through Apollo and they gave me a good discount and are sending another SS VTUBE!

 

[tab223]

They were actually great, very easy to work with and understanding. I recommend them!!!

 

[bmarley5780]

"Buy american"----- lol id be runnning around naked if i did ha,lol