I wanted to tell my story about how I ended up here, and how I almost didn't make the jump to vaping.
So I heard about these e-cigs.. I'd been smoking analogs again after quitting for 3 years (smoked for 30 before that!), and saw the Krave disposables at the drug store. Figured I'd see what the hype was all about. 500 puffs sounds like a lot! It was "okay" and I thought that I could see myself getting off the analogs using these, if only it wasn't so expensive. The Krave lasted about a day and a half, and that was with analogs in-between. I needed something less disposable.
So I looked up and found the biggest local smoke shop. I went in and asked if they had e-cigs. I had no idea what I was looking for ...
This place is huge, they have a giant cigar room, sell all kinds of DIY tobacco products, bulk too. She walks me to the end of the counter and points to a small section behind her, where they have the blu disposables and a starter kit, some refill packs. Very tiny section. She just points at it and asks me what I want. I ask to see the starter kit. She picks it up and says it's a starter kit.. and stands there holding it. Well... can I SEE it? Can you bring it over to the counter here so I can look at the $70 item before I purchase it?? She just says "do you want it or not?".. I'm frustrated at this point.. My wife is up my ... to quit smoking, and I really wanted some info on vaping.. (I hadn't found this forum yet, and much what I found online was confusing).
So we went back and forth.. she wouldn't let me touch the kit, I could only strain to see it from 5 feet away .. I started getting mad.. told her I wasn't going to grab it and run or anything, really, ...?. She calls over a co-worker and says right in front of me "I can't deal with this guy" and hands her the kit. The next girl asks me if I want to buy it. I told her I didn't know because useless employee over there wouldn't let me see it (made sure ms. useless heard it too). So she finally puts it on the counter, it's shrink wrapped, and she warns me not to open it, because then I have to buy it. I asked her what she knew about it, and she said they are decent, and the only e-cigs they sell.
I ended up buying it, and a refill pack, only to be bitterly disappointed with how fast I went thru the carts. ended up here, the rest is history. I came very close to walking out and just giving up on ecigs.. they treated me like a jerk, and this crap is expensive. If it's going to cost as much or more than analogs.. why bother?
The whole point of posting my story was just to point out the arrogance and disdain the tobacco shop had towards e cigs.. they clearly hated the whole idea of them and seemed bitter that they even had to carry them. I know it's hard to deal with something new making your product obsolete, but most people (I would think) would see the opportunity and embrace it, and make some money off it, not treat customers like they betrayed their god... I dunno, it just really angered me to be treated like a jerk, and it seriously makes me ponder the idea of opening up my own vape shop nearby.. there's nothing in the area with exception to one store an hour away. There's a huge opportunity here, and those ...... should be jumping all over it!
So I'm glad I bought teh blu kit just because it was good enough to peak my interest and then I found this place..
So I heard about these e-cigs.. I'd been smoking analogs again after quitting for 3 years (smoked for 30 before that!), and saw the Krave disposables at the drug store. Figured I'd see what the hype was all about. 500 puffs sounds like a lot! It was "okay" and I thought that I could see myself getting off the analogs using these, if only it wasn't so expensive. The Krave lasted about a day and a half, and that was with analogs in-between. I needed something less disposable.
So I looked up and found the biggest local smoke shop. I went in and asked if they had e-cigs. I had no idea what I was looking for ...
This place is huge, they have a giant cigar room, sell all kinds of DIY tobacco products, bulk too. She walks me to the end of the counter and points to a small section behind her, where they have the blu disposables and a starter kit, some refill packs. Very tiny section. She just points at it and asks me what I want. I ask to see the starter kit. She picks it up and says it's a starter kit.. and stands there holding it. Well... can I SEE it? Can you bring it over to the counter here so I can look at the $70 item before I purchase it?? She just says "do you want it or not?".. I'm frustrated at this point.. My wife is up my ... to quit smoking, and I really wanted some info on vaping.. (I hadn't found this forum yet, and much what I found online was confusing).
So we went back and forth.. she wouldn't let me touch the kit, I could only strain to see it from 5 feet away .. I started getting mad.. told her I wasn't going to grab it and run or anything, really, ...?. She calls over a co-worker and says right in front of me "I can't deal with this guy" and hands her the kit. The next girl asks me if I want to buy it. I told her I didn't know because useless employee over there wouldn't let me see it (made sure ms. useless heard it too). So she finally puts it on the counter, it's shrink wrapped, and she warns me not to open it, because then I have to buy it. I asked her what she knew about it, and she said they are decent, and the only e-cigs they sell.
I ended up buying it, and a refill pack, only to be bitterly disappointed with how fast I went thru the carts. ended up here, the rest is history. I came very close to walking out and just giving up on ecigs.. they treated me like a jerk, and this crap is expensive. If it's going to cost as much or more than analogs.. why bother?
The whole point of posting my story was just to point out the arrogance and disdain the tobacco shop had towards e cigs.. they clearly hated the whole idea of them and seemed bitter that they even had to carry them. I know it's hard to deal with something new making your product obsolete, but most people (I would think) would see the opportunity and embrace it, and make some money off it, not treat customers like they betrayed their god... I dunno, it just really angered me to be treated like a jerk, and it seriously makes me ponder the idea of opening up my own vape shop nearby.. there's nothing in the area with exception to one store an hour away. There's a huge opportunity here, and those ...... should be jumping all over it!
So I'm glad I bought teh blu kit just because it was good enough to peak my interest and then I found this place..
