One thing I do to support my local B&M is just going there. I typically buy something every time I go, but just being there and spending time with them let's them know I support and like them. Sure the prices are higher but I think it's worth it. They also support local vapers that make juices, so I figure I might as well help them help other business.
How should I support my local shop?
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ECF makes up probably .001% of the vaping community. It's not fair to think everybody is as educated and in-the-know as an online community dedicated to it. Shops have to make a profit, there's no question about it. If you think it's too high, make a reasonable offer and if you get declined, then go buy it from somewhere else.
Just don't go into their shop and tell other customers that they can find it cheaper somewhere else, that's bad juju.
Just don't go into their shop and tell other customers that they can find it cheaper somewhere else, that's bad juju.
Well that depends on if you're getting one or two of everything. Twist 1100mAh batteries are about $25 online (or a little less), CE4s are about $4 each. So that's $58 and if they throw in juice or anything else. $70 is a little pricey, but not crazy out of line pricey. Now if this kit is only one set, then that's crazy.
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Rebuildables represents the most minute fraction of the vaping community there is, and we on ECF are also but a drip in the bucket compared to average vapers.
This is understood, and has been talked about repeatedly on these forums.
Never say never. What you think how things are or should be, doesn't mean that's how it is. Different strokes for different folks. Some people are able to quit and stay quit using a simple ego and clearo. Some people turn this into a hobby and jump into the deep ends with mods. Rebuildables suffer from this weird mental state, like, "I am a buddha now, everyone must rebuild to be satisfied". It kind of bothers me.
So very not true. And not only that, taste is subjective. What you think is poor to terrible, someone else may love. What makes them wrong, but you right?
This doesn't even deserve the dignity of a response beyond the words I've just typed.
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My first b&m really ripped me off and I wont buy anything there again
Sold me a single battery knockoff ego that never worked right, two disposable tanks, and two bottles of juice for $80
Found another down the street that was much better, they get my money now
Last stinkie Oct. 15, 2013
Sold me a single battery knockoff ego that never worked right, two disposable tanks, and two bottles of juice for $80
Found another down the street that was much better, they get my money now
Last stinkie Oct. 15, 2013
If you mean you made them the bar out of the goodness of your heart, they should be cutting you a pretty damn good deal.
It was more out of my OCD
the one they had was 2 strips of wood about 24 inches long and 2 inches wide each just placed back to back which held EVOD tanks. The store has grown quite a bit since they made that one and just had loose tanks sitting on top. Everytime you would reach for a flavor you would knock over 6 tanks. also the holes were like :::::: so it was hard to read the tanks on the other side so I made them one about 42" long and 4" wide out of bamboo hadwood flooring I salvaged. with staggered holes (,',',',',','). They hooked me up with like $40 worth of juices for it. I didn't really even tell them I was going to make it I just kinda did it. I did break my hand in the process though. I had the tables saw kickback on me and break my knuckle and handbone behind my little finger on my left hand. Sorry for rambling.I have a couple of shops local to me. One has good prices, but they stock a limited amount of mods and cartos (no Kanger stuff at all), one of the employees said they stocked it mostly out of convenience for customers, but they're a juice company anyway, so that's where they make their money.
One marks stuff up by 10-20% or so, I can live with that. They stock all the popular gear, too.
The other two have laughable prices. $109 for a SiD is simply ridiculous. That's just the unit, no battery or charger. They may be in trouble, because their gear is so overpriced I don't think they sell much, and their juice selections are very limited and not very good quality. They may stay open selling to newbies, but I don't think they're going to get much business from people who know more. If you look at the market, the successful shops are the ones who sell to the public, and run an online business, and offer a wide variety of gear and liquids. These two shops don't even have online presences with any pricing or availability.
One marks stuff up by 10-20% or so, I can live with that. They stock all the popular gear, too.
The other two have laughable prices. $109 for a SiD is simply ridiculous. That's just the unit, no battery or charger. They may be in trouble, because their gear is so overpriced I don't think they sell much, and their juice selections are very limited and not very good quality. They may stay open selling to newbies, but I don't think they're going to get much business from people who know more. If you look at the market, the successful shops are the ones who sell to the public, and run an online business, and offer a wide variety of gear and liquids. These two shops don't even have online presences with any pricing or availability.
eGo Twist 650, 1x CE4, 1x USB Charger (no wall charger) and a zipper case = $67 + tax. The exact same same set that runs $11 when bought 10 at a time from china.
This is how I wish more stores were. Instead of trying to rape people on the hardware, give it to them for a small markup, and keep them coming back to buy moderately priced liquid. It is cheap enough to DIY eliquid, even in 500ml or smaller batches, that you have tons of room for markup and this could be where 90% of your money is made. I'd rather make $20 per week profit off of someone indefinitely, then screw them on the front end and let my profits end at the $50 or $60 from the kit.
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If people knew the mark-up on a side of french fries in restaurants, there'd be riots in the streets.
Well then that's about twice as much as I would consider reasonable at a B&M store.
When I started vaping I went to my local B & M. I spent a fortune on clearomizer's and juice. The clearomizer's were knock off's and cost 14.99 and the juice was 10.00 for a 10ml bottle. I bought the MVP1 thinking it was the MVP2 and they took the I clear out of the package so all I got was the MVP and the charging cord. Then I discovered the internet where I could get better deals. I would love to support them but I just can't see myself paying their prices. Even if I was going to buy their juice I would be paying 10.00 for 10ml and I can order 2 15 ml bottles from MBV for the same price and get a 10ml extra. I found out from their vendor that they pay 2.00 for their juice so they are making $8.00 on 1 bottle of juice. I don't blame them for making money but this is just insane to me and maybe all B & M's do this. Am I wrong for thinking this way? I live on a very limited income so every penny I can save helps.
I have 2 local shops to me, one that I bought my starter kit at. I have been back a few times to buy e-juice as they hdo have good prices and they mix them to order. Their hardware selection tends to me more along the lines of Smoktech products.
The other that has a nicer lounge only has basic eGo kits and prepackaged e-juice in only one (small 8ml) size with limited selection for nico choices. Their prices tend to be outragiously expensive, IIRC their 'starter' kit in a blister pak with one 650mah battery, USB charger and cheapo tank is like $60. I'm not sure I would be into vaping if this has been the only shop I had ever been to.
Like most of you guys I would rather spend locally but I can't justify such a disparity in pricing.
The other that has a nicer lounge only has basic eGo kits and prepackaged e-juice in only one (small 8ml) size with limited selection for nico choices. Their prices tend to be outragiously expensive, IIRC their 'starter' kit in a blister pak with one 650mah battery, USB charger and cheapo tank is like $60. I'm not sure I would be into vaping if this has been the only shop I had ever been to.
Like most of you guys I would rather spend locally but I can't justify such a disparity in pricing.
Wow, I can't believe some of these prices. I'm feeling more love for my local stores. They are a bit high, but nothing like that. Even if I had never looked at prices on the internet, $60 for one battery and cheapo clearo would make me wonder what's up. I'd almost be tempted to picket and pass out flyers in the front of a store like that. They are preying on people's desperate desires to quit smoking.
I love my local vape shop, its where ive gotten all my hardware and most of my juice since i start in march. However, his juice is kinda pricey at 17$ for 30ml and since discovering flavors at MBV that i love ive been getting juice mostly from them. I will continue to buy tanks, batteries and attys from him because he stands behind his stuff and he isnt too high on that stuff, usually just sells at MSRP. Cant justify paying double for juice anymore though.
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My vape shop is kind of like an old school tobacco shop. It's a place vapors can hang out, vape and have a good time. They also make great juice and will teach you how to build a coil, etc.
My local is pretty right on price wise with online for hardware...but juice is pretty much $1/ml. I DIY so I don't care about that.
My local shop is a little shady. Their name is eerily similar to another popular store in our state, everything is at a ridiculous markup, and they don't label clones as clones. They also continue to try to sell me stuff that is below my current vaping level (ex. Trying to sell me vivi novas when I'm using a Kayfun). I use the store for emergencies and to educate some of my friends (whom I will later push to buy their mods online).
I'm pretty sure a lot of the stuff is off of fasttech too, which makes the $45 eGo and CE4 kit even more of a slap in the face. I have nothing against them, they will do business how they want to, but I won't shop from them.
I'm pretty sure a lot of the stuff is off of fasttech too, which makes the $45 eGo and CE4 kit even more of a slap in the face. I have nothing against them, they will do business how they want to, but I won't shop from them.
A shop opened recently near me but they're in the same building as a very large pawn shop which carries the insurance, etc. so their prices are competitive with the net. Its the only B&M I've found that I'll support. At others I've been to (further away) if their prices had been slightly higher than the net, I would support them but they're not. I call them ecig sharks frankly. Until there are more B&Ms with which they have to compete I'm afraid this will continue. It makes me mad because they serve as a deterent to people getting off smokes. I know this is true because I've talked to people (lot of them at VA hospital smoking areas) who decided not to vape due to expense. When I go to the VA (once a month,) I take net vendor cards with me to hand out. Yeh, it makes me that angry. These people don't have enough money to buy from the B&Ms as many are living on disability and RYO smoke supplies from the local Reservations is less expensive. When I explain what they could vape for buying from the net, they go for it.
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