Is the market leveling

[Shadowtao]

As in most any new product that sells well, thousands flocked to set up internet sale sites, hundreds opened brick & mortar shops. I see the number of net sites backing down , not sure how B&M stores are doing. Here in Miami, it seems like one opened on every street. There are lots less now, but many have survived.
Hardware has ans is improving, technically devices are providing more abilities and better vaping.
At first the clones were mostly crap, but now many areas good and some even better that the original they copied. As some of the companies grow I see quality improve and better devices at less cost being produced. This will hurtles all American manufactures and I am betting we see several great brands leave the landscape.
My MPV and eleaf give me more pleasure and use that my two ProVari's.
So sitting here vapeing away on my leaf, I wonder what is happening with the industry in other places. Is my view incorrect because it is based only on my limited area of Miami?

 

[WharfRat1976]

No it is not leveling. On the contrary, it is in full tilt mode. I do not see an end other than.....regulation of some sort.

 

[VHRB2014]

R&D is at its highest level ever. The number of vapors is increasing exponentially.
Its the fear of regulation (IE: TAXES!) and government over reach that is stifling the business right now.

See the post from Tiawan. And be glad you dont live there.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo.../641124-new-no-smoking-law-update-2015-a.html

Simple as that.

 

[Rickajho]

Take the current market.

Add to it the number of potential customers - current smokers - who still haven't given up on the idea of quitting, despite a bazillion failed attempts based on "approved" NRT - which means they are still current smokers.

Deduct from the market the unfortunates who threw themselves under a bus trying to quit on Chantix. Or threw someone else under a bus while on Chantix - people in prison don't buy much of anything.

Throw in a revolving door of fad-bois: The people who never smoked and are only doing it because it's new and kewl - until they get bored of it. That group will always be a section of the market that is constantly coming and going.

Factor in the harsh reality that staying away from smoking is a lot harder than people want to think it is. You don't lose decades of smoking history in a matter of a few weeks of vaping. A lot of us are in this for the long run - to stay away and keep off smoking. While vaping nicotine may not be as addictive, the pull that smoking can have on you to light up again - even after years of having been quit - is insidious.

Add it all up and I don't see the market leveling off for a long time coming.

 

[ronnbert]

I agree the market is getting better with R&D as well as weeding out the bad apples in it to make money with subpar product or rediculous mark-up. As long as there are still smokers and current vapers, the market will grow.

Since I have no faith in the government to do anything right I would prefer no regulation at all, but I don't mind a slight "sin tax" (my state is one of the first to set up a tax, but not in effect yet) to appease the loss from cigarette taxes and to keep their greedy hands away from the market. They have to make their money one way or another, so I am fine with a reasonable tax. I wouldn't be opposed to a slight bit of regulation on liquids, just to make sure they aren't using crazy chemicals and are made safely, but to impose sonething like this would require major funding to get juices tested and approved, and I fear small but respectable businesses with good intentions would be shut down for not having capital for testing. Especially since we know the government won't pay to have the testing done. This loss of jobs for hardworking Americans is unacceptable in my book, and the industry has brought more jobs back here as companies are realizing consumers will pay a bit more for better quality goods made locally.

This being said, I feel bad for all the vapers stuck in places like Taiwan with strict laws against vaping. After reading that thread, I feel blessed to have the ability to vape openly without fear of fines or harassment. Knowing that others out there are struggling to even get gear into their country and through customs makes our slight regulation pail in comparison.

 

[smokinGAVIN]

I agree too. I think most of the moneymakers are weeded out and the vape shops owned and or run by real vapers are the ones left standing. At least that's what I noticed in my country.