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Haha it was actually a conscious decision to not include the names of the stores in this post. I don't want to smear their businesses because I know the majority of what they do is good work for the community. Selling PVs and flavors to help people quit is a valuable service imo. I'm sure those of us who care THIS much about the quality of the team are in the minority (however good or bad that may be), and I also am pretty sure that the owners of the B&Ms don't have any malicious intent. Sure they might be profit-hungry. We all are at some point.
Like I said, I wrote a personal response to the owner of one location when I felt that his/her employees lack of basic battery knowledge could prove dangerous. I felt that would be a better route than putting their business on blast on ECF
I got way angrier than I arguably should have at this quote. The fact that someone whose JOB it is to market these products. There are way more knowledgeable, appreciative, and overall more valuable members of the vape community who would love to have this guys job.
This rebuild-able craze is kinda wonky. It's such a tiny slice of the vaping experience, but the people into it are INTO IT, and it's hard to answer their questions.
It's an easy day when someone finally figures out how to prime a carto.
Explaining rebuilds to the average layperson? They want none of that.
Yes, it's awesome for tinkerers, but you have to understand that you represent the minority.
Do not saunter into a B&M and assume the employees know how to wick and rebuild an RSST. If they offer such services and know what they're doing, awesome. If not, go no further. Turn right back around.
Also, as an RSST'er, or a rebuild-able person, don't talk down to the employee who doesn't get it or isn't into it. Being smarmy is never cool. Cool, you can blow awesome clouds. Nifty. I'll pat you on the back. Feel wicked cool? Good. Expect the customer to recreate that experience?
Hopefully, if the B&M employee can steer you in the direction you'd like to go, don't be all high and mighty. Understand that not all vapers are into rebuild-ables, rda's, RBA's, and RSST's. Some veterans may not even get it.
Don't judge, and if you choose to educate, do it in a nice fashion and only to people who are asking about it specifically, and not in a condescending tone. I have negative zero patience for cocky, know-it-all vapers who come in spouting, "Yeh. I wrapped this .25 sub-ohm coil using 24-guage Kanthal wire and oxidized SS mesh blah blah blah" while some poor eGo noob user is standing there with their testes shrunken.
Be aware, is all.
Edit: I just re-read this and I totally came across as a nanny. I apologize for assuming people should feel the way I do. But... since I still stand behind my words, I wont edit the post.
Edit: Except the edit I just did.
It's an easy day when someone finally figures out how to prime a carto.
Explaining rebuilds to the average layperson? They want none of that.
Yes, it's awesome for tinkerers, but you have to understand that you represent the minority.
Do not saunter into a B&M and assume the employees know how to wick and rebuild an RSST. If they offer such services and know what they're doing, awesome. If not, go no further. Turn right back around.
Also, as an RSST'er, or a rebuild-able person, don't talk down to the employee who doesn't get it or isn't into it. Being smarmy is never cool. Cool, you can blow awesome clouds. Nifty. I'll pat you on the back. Feel wicked cool? Good. Expect the customer to recreate that experience?
Hopefully, if the B&M employee can steer you in the direction you'd like to go, don't be all high and mighty. Understand that not all vapers are into rebuild-ables, rda's, RBA's, and RSST's. Some veterans may not even get it.
Don't judge, and if you choose to educate, do it in a nice fashion and only to people who are asking about it specifically, and not in a condescending tone. I have negative zero patience for cocky, know-it-all vapers who come in spouting, "Yeh. I wrapped this .25 sub-ohm coil using 24-guage Kanthal wire and oxidized SS mesh blah blah blah" while some poor eGo noob user is standing there with their testes shrunken.
Be aware, is all.
Edit: I just re-read this and I totally came across as a nanny. I apologize for assuming people should feel the way I do. But... since I still stand behind my words, I wont edit the post.
Edit: Except the edit I just did.
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I completely agree with this approach. Or, I guess, "retreat." As I've said throughout the thread, the reason why it got to me was that every employee in the shop was rocking a high-end mod on an even-higher-end rebuildable. They were also building for people who came into the shop, recommending which techniques to use to build which RDAs, etc. In other words, they did "offer such services," but they did NOT "know what they were doing." That's a dangerous contradiction right there. To themselves and the consumer.
I get that not everyone is into RBA/RDA/RSSTs. I myself didn't get into the whole mech/rda scene until about 2 months ago. The difference between me and them is that I made SURE to get informed. Especially on issues dealing with safety. If a vape store employee is going to recommend that I buy an unprotected ICR for my mech/rda build, I will look down on that decision. The conscious decision to fake that he knows what he is talking about. Or maybe he really has no clue. Either way, he didn't do his research. I have nothing against the guy personally, and I apologize if I came off like that, but from an objective standpoint he is failing to do his job correctly.
I also completely agree with you about cocky, know-it-all vapers. They annoy the hell out of me too. That's why I chose to stay quiet when I was in the store, and instead vented my thoughts to ECF. Trust me man I feel you.
The B&M here in town has two locations. Prices are reasonable, usually comparable to what I would pay online once you tack on shipping.
So far I've learned a few things about the staff's knowledge level:
1. Most don't know what variable wattage is, and the one that does has no idea what it's good for.
2. They all swear up and down that the Provari does VW. (They will also tell you that the Provari will jump start your car, walk your dog, and make your morning coffee if they think it'll get you to buy one. I'm sure they would also regale me with tales of the Provari's sexual prowess if I were to inquire along those lines...)
Also heard one of the staff tell a customer buying a Twist to NEVER, EVER set the voltage above 3.8. I showed her my SVD set at 4.7 and she looked legitimately concerned for my health and safety and said "Oh god, you're not supposed to do that!" I tried explaining about the relationship between ohms and volts, and how if you know the 2, you can figure out the watts, and that watts are the number that actually matter, but I can only explain things to a glazed over, blank stare for so long....
Finally gave up and asked for a box of Protank heads in 2.5 ohm. Had to convince her that, yes, I really wanted 2.5. Really, really tried to push me to the 1.7's because they're better. Even on a VV device? Yeah, on everything! But what if you just turn up the volts? "But you're not supposed to go above 4!"
Ugh....
Having said all that, it's still a better experience than pretty much any other type of retail store I ever shop in. The staff, even if misinformed, does seem to actually care, and does try. I just treat it like a trip to Walmart. Do my research ahead of time online, and then walk in, grab what I want, pay, and leave.
One rule that has served me well is to NEVER make a purchasing decision based on advice received from the person that you'll be handing your money to.
So far I've learned a few things about the staff's knowledge level:
1. Most don't know what variable wattage is, and the one that does has no idea what it's good for.
2. They all swear up and down that the Provari does VW. (They will also tell you that the Provari will jump start your car, walk your dog, and make your morning coffee if they think it'll get you to buy one. I'm sure they would also regale me with tales of the Provari's sexual prowess if I were to inquire along those lines...)
Also heard one of the staff tell a customer buying a Twist to NEVER, EVER set the voltage above 3.8. I showed her my SVD set at 4.7 and she looked legitimately concerned for my health and safety and said "Oh god, you're not supposed to do that!" I tried explaining about the relationship between ohms and volts, and how if you know the 2, you can figure out the watts, and that watts are the number that actually matter, but I can only explain things to a glazed over, blank stare for so long....
Finally gave up and asked for a box of Protank heads in 2.5 ohm. Had to convince her that, yes, I really wanted 2.5. Really, really tried to push me to the 1.7's because they're better. Even on a VV device? Yeah, on everything! But what if you just turn up the volts? "But you're not supposed to go above 4!"
Ugh....
Having said all that, it's still a better experience than pretty much any other type of retail store I ever shop in. The staff, even if misinformed, does seem to actually care, and does try. I just treat it like a trip to Walmart. Do my research ahead of time online, and then walk in, grab what I want, pay, and leave.
One rule that has served me well is to NEVER make a purchasing decision based on advice received from the person that you'll be handing your money to.
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Well, I must say that I am a very lucky customer to live in this area, then. It takes me about a 1/2 hour drive to get to my B&M, and when I get there, there is lots of help from from serious vapors who know what they are doing, RBA's, sub Ohms, it is what it is. But these serious vapors are some fantastic people as well. We hang out and talk in the vapor lounge and have created nice friendships. They also sit and help and teach.
The owners, well..they are the basis of the establishment, and I am glad to know them. It it truly a family operation, and if one can't help you another will, and they do it with want and style. It's Fluid Vapor in Bohemia, NY.
The other vendors around have hardy a clue what it means to vape. Yes, they have e-cigs, but that's about it. Wouldn't know what a VV/VW or even a mech means.
I have been trying to educate these little mom & pops as I go along, but they just don't want to understand these things from a 53 year old woman
The owners, well..they are the basis of the establishment, and I am glad to know them. It it truly a family operation, and if one can't help you another will, and they do it with want and style. It's Fluid Vapor in Bohemia, NY.
The other vendors around have hardy a clue what it means to vape. Yes, they have e-cigs, but that's about it. Wouldn't know what a VV/VW or even a mech means.
I have been trying to educate these little mom & pops as I go along, but they just don't want to understand these things from a 53 year old woman
I agree with you wholeheartedly , except for Fluid Vapors. They are everything our vaping community needs.
We have a lot of shops here, which has its plusses and minuses. Most are not up-to-date on the products available, which is understandable, but the reasons for not being current are sometimes laughable. One shop in particular sells one version of a BCC, and it's an obvious Protank clone. They're looking for part-time help right now. Being unemployed, I'm tempted to apply, but at the same time, I'm not sure I want to associate myself with the place.
At the other end of the spectrum, there's a new shop that sells everything we use (or dream of using LOL), and their juices are locally-made, 50 cents a ml. I would love to work there!
At the other end of the spectrum, there's a new shop that sells everything we use (or dream of using LOL), and their juices are locally-made, 50 cents a ml. I would love to work there!
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Words to live by right there^
Especially in the vape market as it exists now!
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