Let's Talk e-Liquid Prices (How much is too much?)

[Levitas]

I've tried enough Vendors and flavors, and I've learned my lesson to just start purchasing mass amounts of juice from multiple vendors.

Fortunately, I've found a juice that I can vape all day, every day, without breaks and never get tired of it. That juice is Boba's Bounty from Ave. For the better part of the last year, it's all I have been vaping. I find that even though it's $50+ for 100mls, I am still saving money... this is because if I were still experimenting, well, I'm sure you get the point.

Now, I've been a little curious to see what new and exciting juices have come about since I went in limbo. I refuse to purchase a juice, or any product for the matter speaking, without extensive research and reading multiple reviews of said product(s).

$1.00/ml - most likely will never happen with me.

 

[Davenkay]

The cost of shipping is my sore spot. I have dealt with a vendor that uses a $4.95 priority mail box (that is free from the post office) and charges $7.50 for shipping. 3 bucks and change for nuthin! I do not tend to be a stingy person and will spend whatever if the product is exceptional and the service is exceptional. When I first got into vaping on July 3rd, I went to a local shop that just opened up and bought 10 ml bottles for $12.95 and was happy as all getout. Then I found this forum and found out what these vendors are really charging and even with shipping, most juices are still a better value even with the shipping charge. It still gets my goat to pay 3 bucks and change for nuthin!

 

[Hondo69]

Shipping is always a nightmare, no matter what products you are selling. There are so many inherent problems they are just too numerous to list. But the important thing to know is that software is determining your cost for online shipments.

Most suppliers are just trying to break even on shipping. Some packages loose money, others make a little. In the long run they just hope it all evens out.

Now the shipping settings can be tweaked, but the problem is finding a happy medium. For example, if I knew 90% of all shipments were small enough to mail out in a padded envelope I could tweak the settings accordingly. But the other 10% would be skewed too low, so those would be money losers.

In reality, no one can predict what will be ordered one day to the next. The best we can do is tweak the software so it is as fair as can be. But you also have the subconscious factor inherent ih purchasers. Most people will typically overpay for a product if they feel their shipping price is low. Many vendors tweak their shipping prices downward for this reason.

 

[jcamacho]

Vapor Renu is the place for me at about $8 for 30 ml delivered in 3 days! With renu code it's 10% off!

 

[Mr.Mann]

Shipping is always a nightmare, no matter what products you are selling. There are so many inherent problems they are just too numerous to list. But the important thing to know is that software is determining your cost for online shipments.

Most suppliers are just trying to break even on shipping. Some packages loose money, others make a little. In the long run they just hope it all evens out.

Now the shipping settings can be tweaked, but the problem is finding a happy medium. For example, if I knew 90% of all shipments were small enough to mail out in a padded envelope I could tweak the settings accordingly. But the other 10% would be skewed too low, so those would be money losers.

In reality, no one can predict what will be ordered one day to the next. The best we can do is tweak the software so it is as fair as can be. But you also have the subconscious factor inherent ih purchasers. Most people will typically overpay for a product if they feel their shipping price is low. Many vendors tweak their shipping prices downward for this reason.

Obviously this doesn't apply to most here...

Ahlusion, who just so happens to be my new obsession, ships free to in-state custmomers. I think this is an awesome practice and I wonder if other vendors do this for in-state shipments.

 

[DantesInferno]

Obviously this doesn't apply to most here...

Ahlusion, who just so happens to be my new obsession, ships free to in-state custmomers. I think this is an awesome practice and I wonder if other vendors do this for in-state shipments.

I think shipping for me from ahlusion was only like 4$. I can't argue with that and their packaging is absurdly professional.

 

[Mr.Mann]

I think shipping for me from ahlusion was only like 4$. I can't argue with that and their packaging is absurdly professional.

Yeah, the shipping was like..uh, professional. It seemed as if they have every intention on cultivating a business, not just selling e-liquid--there is a difference.

 

[DantesInferno]

Yeah, the shipping was like..uh, professional. It seemed as if they have every intention on cultivating a business, not just selling e-liquid--there is a difference.

I had never seen safety seals on e liquid bottles before, and vacuum sealed bubble wrap? Not to mention everything they put on the label. It's very nicely presented.

 

[HighlanderNorth]

This thread is nicely timed, because I have been looking around high and low at different e-liquid dealers, and the prices are all over the map! I think there should be 2 distinct categories here: 1. non-nicotine flavors 2. pre-mixed e-liquid

I'm no expert here, but when I got my 1st order or different stuff, I got both pre-mixed e-liquid that was ready to vape, and non-nicotine concentrated flavor. With the flavor, you have to follow a general recipe and add x-amount of nicotine as well as a large amount of either PG or VG to complete your DIY e-liquid.

Thats being the case, I think the prices should probably be different for these 2 products.

But what I now see is e-liquid being sold with the option of getting it with or without nicotine, but yet paying the exact same price if you opt out of getting nicotine in it. Obviously without nicotine the price should be lower!

But as far as pricing ready mixed e-liquid, I agree that anything over $1 per ml is too high.... I bought 2 bottles of e-liquid from Aromaejuice, and they charge a fortune because they add something called "WTA", or whole tobacco alkaloids into their e-liquids. This is supposed to give ex-smokers the additional chemicals they are missing from cigarettes so that it makes their vaping experience more complete and easier to quit smoking. I tried it about 10 minutes ago it and I cant tell you yet if its true. But they charge $12 per 10ml, with no option for buying larger amounts to save money!

Another top company(from what I can tell) is Vermillion River e-juice. They charge $8.95 for 15ml. Thats about .60 cents per ml. Thats not too bad. Apparently their juice is good too, and you can buy larger bottles like 60ml for $32, which is about .54 cents per ml. Less than half what aromaejuice is charging.

But there are others that seem to be a little less expensive that even that. I think that anything over .70 cents/ml is too high IMO.

 

[CDnerds]

MtBakerVapor.com is the cheapest American handmade e-juice I can find. Its really good to.

15ml - 4.99
30ml - 7.99
50ml - 10.39

Shipping is good too.. about $2.00

Lots of different PG/VG ratios - a lot more then most high priced vendors.

There are a few select juices I will send a bit more on because I can't get them anywhere else. However, I won't even consider trying an e-juice from a vendor that charges absurd prices. I don't fault the vendors, if people are willing part with the $$, vendors will continue to charge high prices. I just won't be a part of that.

I also use them to do my DIY. They have a great do it yourself flavor section that is just as reasonable as their normal juice prices. So I have them make my 1st batch for 5.99 / 15ml and if its good - I just simply reproduce it with my own nic base and their flavorings. The only thing I don't buy from them is their nic base its extremely expensive. I stick with Wizardlabs / Myfreedomsmokes for that.

If anyone has another other reasonable priced vendor close to, or cheaper then Mt Baker please let me know, ill give them my business as well.

 

[Salt&PePPer]

This.

I said in another thread i'd spend that much on something that tastes exactly like a reeses cup.

So far my favorite juices have been gorilla juice and ECBlends, and ECBlends is very affordable.

Thanks for the heads-up on the ECBlends website!

I'm generally a cheapskate but I will pay for quality once I find it. At the moment I'm without a job and care for my father full time - so any dollar I do spend must get stretched pretty far. I went from making over $60K a year to nothing caring for my father because my mother needed the help.

I'm more than happy to pay around 50-70 cents per milliliter for good quality juice that I like. It's just at the moment locating that juice I cannot afford.

I really want to move away from buying the DeKang juices - they are what I pretty much bought at the beginning but now I have found a few vendors that have some excellent juices that work well in my Kanger T2 Clearos. It seemed that the DeKang juices always would produce Hot Dry hits off of the Short Wick`ed T2s - which is very troublesome for me.

I bought the 10ml 10 bottle sampler from AquaVapor and cannot be more happy. It cost a few cents less than $30 and for 100ml total that is a steal. Especially for something made in the USA. Dunno why it wicks better than the DeKang, perhaps it has more VG in it which lends itself to wicking better than the PG Dominant juices. All I know is I'm enjoying what I bought.

I will be getting some Boba's here sometime next week and I think I found the cheapest place on the net for it. But once I get another job I will be getting quality liquids.

Thanks again,.

 

[SmokinBones]

I absolutely can not bring myself to spend more than $.50/ml. I don't care how good the juice is, I'm just stuck on that. I have a local shop where I can go to buy acceptable flavored juice and it's $5 for a 10ml bottle so I just don't see any reason to spend more than that. Maybe one day, if I find the perfect flavor that I just can't live without, I might break this rule but for now I will not spend more than $.50/ml. Especially now that I've started mixing my own and see how cheap it is to make the stuff.

If (or when) the government starts regulating e-cigs and juice, we all may be forced to pay more for everything and I will have to pay more. Until that time comes though, I'm likely to stick to this limit.

Another thing is that vendors charge so much for shipping. It's near impossible for me to bring myself to buy just 10ml to try out a new flavor and whether you buy 10ml or 100ml, vendors still charge ridiculous price for getting it to you. It really ticks me off to pay them so much for shipping when I know it doesn't cost $5+ to ship 10ml of liquid....especially First Class. I don't mind paying for shipping costs really, but don't gouge me on it! I've never made a profit on shipping anything and I hate it when others do it.

 

[SmokinBones]

Thanks for the heads-up on the ECBlends website!

I'm generally a cheapskate but I will pay for quality once I find it. At the moment I'm without a job and care for my father full time - so any dollar I do spend must get stretched pretty far. I went from making over $60K a year to nothing caring for my father because my mother needed the help.

I'm more than happy to pay around 50-70 cents per milliliter for good quality juice that I like. It's just at the moment locating that juice I cannot afford.

I really want to move away from buying the DeKang juices - they are what I pretty much bought at the beginning but now I have found a few vendors that have some excellent juices that work well in my Kanger T2 Clearos. It seemed that the DeKang juices always would produce Hot Dry hits off of the Short Wick`ed T2s - which is very troublesome for me.

I bought the 10ml 10 bottle sampler from AquaVapor and cannot be more happy. It cost a few cents less than $30 and for 100ml total that is a steal. Especially for something made in the USA. Dunno why it wicks better than the DeKang, perhaps it has more VG in it which lends itself to wicking better than the PG Dominant juices. All I know is I'm enjoying what I bought.

I will be getting some Boba's here sometime next week and I think I found the cheapest place on the net for it. But once I get another job I will be getting quality liquids.

Thanks again,.

Hey man, I'm sorry to hear about your father. I know what it's like going from $60 grand down to nothing since that's what happened to me when the GM plant I worked for shut down. It just plain sucks! With you though, you gotta do what you gotta do for family ad I admire that!

This is totally off topic but thought maybe I might e able to help you with some advice. In my state, all that's necessary to become a health care worker is to take a 2 week course at a tech school or community college. Many people take advantage of this when a loved one needs 24 hour care. They will take the course and then file with medicare as the loved one's care taker. This way they get paid for taking care of their sick family member.

I know of several people wo have done this and it works out well for them. It may not make you $60,000/yr but it's better than no pay at all. It's not unethical at all as it's money that would be paid to a hired health care worker if you chose to get one....why not be the hired health care worker yourself since it's what you're doing anyway?

I have heard that in other states the 2 week course isn't even required and all you have to do is file as te family member's primary care taker. Research the laws in your state and see if you could take advantage of this. It's a lot of work taking care of someone who isnt able to take care of themselves, more work than most people do in their workday. You deserve compensation for it...take advantage if you can! Definitely something to look into.

I do hope this helps you.

 

[Mr.Mann]

Sometimes I look in the mirror and see windshield wipers moving back and forth! I vacillate so much that posting is more of an exercise in seeing how I can be as contradictory as possible. I have come to the conclusion now that I don't care how much eliquid costs as long as it is perfect for me. All the money that is saved in not buying stuff that doesn't fit the bill, easily makes up for any perceived exorbitant prices!

 

[recidivus]

My limit is .50/ml, and usually wait for sales and place a larger order for ~.30/ml

I suppose if I got a juice that was ridiculously godly I could break that rule, but so far even the best ones I've bought don't pass that.

 

[Mr.Mann]

My limit is .50/ml, and usually wait for sales and place a larger order for ~.30/ml

I suppose if I got a juice that was ridiculously godly I could break that rule, but so far even the best ones I've bought don't pass that.

Getting to that place admittedly takes some time and money. But now I know what exactly it is that I want, so the whole back and forth from site to site is gone. Also, as Tez pointed out, time is money and I don't waste time searching anymore...THANK GOODNESS!

 

[Mr.Mann]

I just want to expound a little on that post above ^

Man, I can remember sitting around watching countless YouTube videos, searching sites, cross-referencing customers reviews, emailing vendors, and doing mock cart fillings for price checks. Most of the time that all lead to a big fat non-purchase. I probably have spent way more than an entire week of my life searching for "flavors" that ended up not doing jack shpit for me. Now, it is so amazing to know where the holes are in my stash and exactly what it is I need to order to fill it. That ish right therr is priceless!

 

[Tezcatlipoca]

Yeah, time certainly is money. This may be a tangent, but I remember a few years back in an In-and-Out Burger opened in Tucson, AZ. People were waiting 4 hours in the drive-through to get a burger! The line of cars was holding up traffic. Even if we conservatively estimate that the average person waiting in that drive-through line makes $10/hr., in my view that's like $45 for a burger! It made no sense to me, but I guess it made sense to them. Admittedly we've collectively lost something when we measure everything in terms of wage labor, but this is how the world works these days, I suppose.

 

[Mr.Mann]

Yeah, time certainly is money. This may be a tangent, but I remember a few years back in an In-and-Out Burger opened in Tucson, AZ. People were waiting 4 hours in the drive-through to get a burger! The line of cars was holding up traffic. Even if we conservatively estimate that the average person waiting in that drive-through line makes $10/hr., in my view that's like $45 for a burger! It made no sense to me, but I guess it made sense to them. Admittedly we've collectively lost something when we measure everything in terms of wage labor, but this is how the world works these days, I suppose.

So we've got

wasted time: (TIME) + In-and-Out Burgers: (MONEY) = Wasted Time and Money

 

[Tezcatlipoca]

So we've got

wasted time: (TIME) + In-and-Out Burgers: (MONEY) = Wasted Time and Money

Indigestion has to factor into that equation somewhere too.