How do I avoid ordering from overseas ?

[wizardofozone]

I might be a little slow but due to lack of brain 'smarts' I try hard to stick with Amazon, madvapes, or Discount Vapers simply because I've been tricked too many times into thinking I'm ordering within the U.S ... But those 3 places do not always sell what I want.

My new Itaste VTR has been a 24 day wait so far and is certainly not worth that long wait to save $11 dollars ... The problem is when you search for any item the dealers pop up but very few have that beautiful 'shipped from' info. The China dealers fool me by stating 'shipped in 24 or 48 hours' but that only means they process the order from thier own warehouse that fast, but the item of course is still in China, Germany, etc ..... Is there a list anyone has found of strictly U.S. warehouse companies ? fasttech is going to be absolutely the last time I'm fooled by a company in this manner ...

 

[Azarias]

Some China vendors like Angelcigs and Focalecig have US warehouses.

If I'm not sure if a store is located in the US I just browse their website (about us, contact, etc). If I can't find any information on where the store is located or from where they ship, I just order from another shop.

Vapecrawler is pretty useful to find cheap shops.

 

[wizardofozone]

Some China vendors like Angelcigs and Focalecig have US warehouses.

If I'm not sure if a store is located in the US I just browse their website (about us, contact, etc). If I can't find any information on where the store is located or from where they ship, I just order from another shop.

Vapecrawler is pretty useful to find cheap shops.

Sometimes you run out of shops that have the item, and that's when I start to wonder if wider choices overall is simply because the item in fact is not within the U.S at all ...at any time .

 

[Azarias]

Sometimes you run out of shops that have the item, and that's when I start to wonder if wider choices overall is simply because the item in fact is not within the U.S at all ...at any time .

That sure is possible. I searched for an atty once that I know is available in dozens of shops in Germany. In the US I couldn't find a single shop. Can't recall right know what topper it was.
Had the same issue with the Kangxin VF Mini and the Cthulhu.
That's where Vapecrawler came in. Yes they list chinashops also but I usually know what shops are in china.
Fasttech
Gearbest
Angelcigs
Focalecig
3Fvape

these are the most common, I think.
If you really don't know where a shop is located just write them a mail and ask. Or ask here. I think we have members all over the world who could help you figure that out.

 

[wizardofozone]

That sure is possible. I searched for an atty once that I know is available in dozens of shops in Germany. In the US I couldn't find a single shop. Can't recall right know what topper it was.
Had the same issue with the Kangxin VF Mini and the Cthulhu.
That's where Vapecrawler came in. Yes they list chinashops also but I usually know what shops are in china.
Fasttech
Gearbest
Angelcigs
Focalecig
3Fvape

these are the most common, I think.
If you really don't know where a shop is located just write them a mail and ask. Or ask here. I think we have members all over the world who could help you figure that out.

Thanks, Azarias ... I think those popular U tube reviewers might just add to thier popularity by mentioning if the item is within the US , although I do realize that most of thier stuff probably was given to them directly from overseas ...

 

[Azarias]

although I do realize that most of thier stuff probably was given to them directly from overseas ...

Yep. Either from a domestic vendor or the manufacturer itself. And they are often located overseas.

 

[Ou2mame]

Ebay you can exclude put of country items. And you can always email the seller and ask before purchasing.

 

[Steamix]

The unholy trinity of sourcing : good, fast, cheap .
Two out of three are doable. Three out of three...
The chinese mail order houses ( add chinabuye to the pile too ) have something to offer - if you've got time. They also offer express shipping - which eats up the cost advantage. Local/domestic suppliers might cost a tad more, but you don't get to finish watching all of youtube before it reaches your mailbox. Then there's vapers who have no choice but to order overseas - cuz their own authorities are kinda unrelaxed about vaping gear.

Seein you based in the USA you've got 'local access' to pretty much anything and everything that's haveable vapewise, plus a shop that offers 'molecules' ( aka base chemicals to blend flavours ). And they don't ship overseas - a lot of these base chems are volatile. The paperwork, processing and shipping makes it impracticalbe. So enjoy your blessings .

Whether to order from abroad is an option for you ( vs. a necessity ), whether it's worth the hassle/wait may depend in large part on the grumpyness factor of your local customs office

 

[wizardofozone]

Lol ! ... that's another quirk I have Ou2mame, when I see exactly what I want I guess I'm an impulse buyer ... I have tried sending various questions to companies but hate that 1 to 2 day wait just for the response ... by the time they answer I've usually purchased from somewhere else or bought a totally different item .

 

[steven03]

Some China vendors like Angelcigs and Focalecig have US warehouses.

Yes, You can look up their warehouses info on its official website. Taking SMOK as example, you can find its authorized distributor in US on its website, including Madvapes, Uvaper,VapeNW,Vaporworld, then you can buy your items on these authorized US distributor websites.

The safest way is to ask how long you can get the item after payment before your purchase.

 

[Azarias]

I have to (honestly) say that I'm more satisfied with the prices, shipping etc from US vendors than I ever was back in Germany.
(As long as my mail isn't stolen out of the lobby )

 

[edyle]

I might be a little slow but due to lack of brain 'smarts' I try hard to stick with Amazon, Madvapes, or Discount Vapers simply because I've been tricked too many times into thinking I'm ordering within the U.S ... But those 3 places do not always sell what I want.

My new Itaste VTR has been a 24 day wait so far and is certainly not worth that long wait to save $11 dollars ... The problem is when you search for any item the dealers pop up but very few have that beautiful 'shipped from' info. The China dealers fool me by stating 'shipped in 24 or 48 hours' but that only means they process the order from thier own warehouse that fast, but the item of course is still in China, Germany, etc ..... Is there a list anyone has found of strictly U.S. warehouse companies ? FastTech is going to be absolutely the last time I'm fooled by a company in this manner ...

Here's my advice:
If it's 50% off overseas: order it
If it's only 10% savings overseas, just order it locally (hey give another guy a break!)

It's all supply and demand.

 

[edyle]

Lol ! ... that's another quirk I have Ou2mame, when I see exactly what I want I guess I'm an impulse buyer ... I have tried sending various questions to companies but hate that 1 to 2 day wait just for the response ... by the time they answer I've usually purchased from somewhere else or bought a totally different item .

lol

I guess I'm an impulse buyer too.

I'm embarrassed to say it but back in the late 1990's early 2000's I paid $700 on a 2 megapixel Olympus digital camera. Part of my reason was I knew it was the right direction. I put my money where my head was.

Now when I look at my $5 video webcam right there 1ft from my face, or the cellphone(s) that have not only a camera in the 'front' but another camera in the back, I feel like my money helped those people make those thingies!

ok so the embarrassing part is I never used the 2megapixel Olympus digical camera and I probably have that thing somewhere but I don't know where

 

[Jugband]

I used to be HUGE on not ordering overseas. A couple orders ago, for just a drip tip was lost. After waiting for several weeks! Then I needed screwdrivers and voltmeters, couldn't beat China's prices, finally tried again. Gotta say, shocked, but got it a couple weeks later. Got tempted and just tried again for some cheap BF attys, according to tracking they will be here tomorrow, just ordered a week ago! If they come tomorrow, and good shape, I'll be swayed to order again

 

[Ou2mame]

It all depends on ebay you're willing to spend. I think fasttech has a great selection and their mobile app is awesome. If more companies here had the selection and ease of use, I would look at them. Amazon has a horrible interface so I never use them. My gf has prime and I could do 2 day shipping but I hate shopping on their site. If fasttech was in the US, I would be so poor.

 

[Bunnykiller]

I have ordered from Fasttech several times... and they shipped my items within 36 hours.... the delay occurs when it gets to the US and customs decide to play hide and seek with it... they can delay arrival anywhere from 9 days to 3 weeks...
so in effect, Fasttech did their part on time ... if the packages were allowed to skip US Customs, it would be a 3-5 day delivery.

 

[edyle]

It all depends on ebay you're willing to spend. I think fasttech has a great selection and their mobile app is awesome. If more companies here had the selection and ease of use, I would look at them. Amazon has a horrible interface so I never use them. My gf has prime and I could do 2 day shipping but I hate shopping on their site. If fasttech was in the US, I would be so poor.

I think fasttech is an example of what online shopping will look like in the future. Their business is more about information than warehousing.

When somebody orders something from fasttech,
- 'fasttech' probably does not HAVE it,
- but they just know where to get it.

that would be why there is :
-ships next day (that means they have it in possession)
-in stock (that stuff is sellin fast so they're constantly ordering)
-ships in 'x' business days (don't have it, but "we can get it ... fast")

 

[edyle]

The most important is not where they are from, but in stock or not and the custom. Ask the customer service before you put an order to make sure it is in stock and can skip customs. Then you can get it in days

I am reminded of the guppy I ordered; took about 2 weeks for them to say .............. sorry, we don't have any; then a couple months later, it show up in stock again; ordered one again.... waiting

 

[jseah]

....I try hard to stick with Amazon....

Unless the item is sold by Amazon or fulfilled by Amazon, there is no guarantee that the item is shipped from the US. Especially with electronics items, or stuff like cell phone accessories.

 

[hashtag]

I use myfreedomsmokes and myvapestore quite a bit. Both solid US based stores, quick shipping, top notch customer service and reliable.