Local B&M's

[Stephen1520]

vaping is big in my neck of the woods. In my area, there are easily a dozen B&M shops within a couple mile radius of my house. It seems like everybody who has been vaping for a couple months, wants to open a vape shop. Because of the fact that we have a fairly active local vape group, I know most of the owners, and have been inside most of the shops. Honestly, I don't know how a single one of them sustains itself. They have become hangouts for the young local vape crowd; lots of people sitting around, chatting. Nobody spending much money. Even most of the seasoned regulars buy their gear online, but hang out in the vape shops, fiddle with coils, and maybe sample some juice.
What I predict will happen, in the next year or two, is that many of these shops will close. I never thought I'd say it, a couple years ago; but there are too many shops now, in my area. There's no way the local vaper economy can support all of them. I hope I'm wrong. I hate to see any local business fail. But at the same time, eventually, the local base of new vapers, who seem to be the only ones willing to pay B&M prices, will become saturated.

This shop that closed was the same way. It was always packed but when I went in, I was the only one buying anything. There's nothing wrong with vape shop hang outs. I've always wanted to hang out and chat but I never did because my RX200 and aromamizer don't look as cool as a Maraxus Mech Mod and a SAT22 rda [emoji12]

 

[James Wilson]

I don't mind buying for one if they have good prices but I won't overpay. Money is tight for me and I usually have to go online cause it is cheaper. If we had a good B&M here in town I'd go. We got an actual vape shop in town last year but from what I heard from people they suck. I already know they charge at least double what I pay on juices and from what people have said the shop ain't all that great. So I am in no hurry to get over there. Plus I really don't have the time.

 

[BreSha6869]

I won't pay $200 for something I can get for half that online, but I just paid $45 for a tank I could get for $25 online. Not that bad when by adding a couple $15 30ml bottles of juice I needed and they threw in a third bottle for free. Not to mention that gave me 3 punches on a 10 punch card for a free bottle of juice. That left the almost "100% markup" at costing me just $5. As I said "my good shop."

Im the same. I bought 4 mods from my local in the last 2 weeks. They gave me a great deal on 3 Provaris and 3 RDAs and do stuff like throw in a free bottle of juice or waive the tax from time to time. I also bought a Reuleaux RX200 as it was only $15-20 more than Fasttech and they include a 3 month exchange warranty.

Most stuff I order online, but little things like doing Provari SW updates for free while I wait and show me cool new coil builds I never knew existed are worth a few extra bucks to me. Also, if I need Cotton Bacon or a spool of wire, I don't mind paying an extra $1-2 to get it immediately.

 

[cllmda]

Any time you want to question the impact of online purchasing, just look for bookstores in your area.

With books there's also the impact of audio-books, of e-books/Kindles...Im a huge reader, have been since i was a kid, but lately I hardly ever buy any books anymore...Whatever I can I get from places like Audible so as to be able to "read/listen" while out & about,or even at home while doing "boring" chores or else I buy ebooks-delivered immediately to your cell phone/tablet ...The only books I buy are ones that I want to keep long-term on my living room shelves because theyre classics or beautiful special editions.....


As far as vaping goes, there was a thread here a few weeks ago that asked people why they went to B&M's versus buying online and the general consensus was that most people started off at the B& M's when they were Newbies and not very knowledgeable but then moved on to online shopping ...That's pretty much my case too, even though I have 3 B&M shops within a two minute walk ,I only go there once in a while....

 

[Baditude]

The town I live in has (or had) 3 shops.

Depending upon the size (population) of your town, perhaps the competition got the better of them.

I once worked for a vape shop. When I first started, the shop was one of two in a moderate sized midwest city. When I left about a year later, it was one of about 20 shops. As more and more shops appeared, business suffered where I worked.

Honestly, I don't go into the B&M shops much anymore unless I'm just grabbing some coils or I'm bored and want to look around. I buy everything from my online vendors. Mods, juice, batteries, tanks, wire....everything. I understand that a local store has to make a profit and they jack up the prices some. I would love to be able to support a local business, plus a local vape business. But I can't bring myself to pay $20+ for 30ml of e juice when I can get 240ml for $30 online.

I try to support local vape shops when I can. I believe it is extremely important for there to be a shop presence for new vapers for education and advice. Finding the "right" e-liquid (flavor) is equally as important as finding the right gear for success. Being able to sample flavors prior to buying is a blessing; no more wasting money on flavors which were unvapable. You won't vape a flavor if you don't like it.

There's certainly something to be said to be able to walk into a shop and look/hold a mod or tank in your hand prior to buying. Something to be said for being able to ask for advice or someone to turn to if you have hardware issues. Or someone to teach you how to fill your first tank, change your first coil head, or build your first rebuildable coil, ect, ect.

Vape shops have a higher overhead than online vendors, so yeah their prices will be higher to support the business. Vape shops gain most of their profit from selling e-liquids; very little profit is made from selling vape gear. Employees need to make a decent living, too. Most of these shops are small businesses, and its tough to be successful in today's economy.

 

[Stephen1520]

Vape shops have a higher overhead than online vendors, so yeah their prices will be higher to support the business. Vape shops gain most of their profit from selling e-liquids; very little profit is made from selling vape gear. Employees need to make a decent living, too. Most of these shops are small businesses, and its tough to be successful in today's economy.

It's also tough being a consumer in this economy

 

[Baditude]

It's also tough being a consumer in this economy

Being unemployed (disabled) and destitute for over a year is tough, too. I understand your sentiments. I'm fortunate that my brother took me in.

I've been using up all of the e-liquids that I've accumulated over the last three years and can't really afford to buy more, some that I didn't particularly like in the first place. But when you're getting low and you can't really afford to buy more liquid either in a vape shop or online, you do what you need to do.

I got some Christmas money and spent $20 on two 30ml bottles of discounted e-liquid at my new local (10 miles away) vape shop just an hour ago. It was my last 20 bucks.

 

[sparkky1]

It's also tough being a consumer in this economy

How much did you spend on cigarettes a week ?

 

[Stephen1520]

How much did you spend on cigarettes a week ?

About $20-30

 

[sparkky1]

About $20-30

And if you "could" have bought them from an online Indian reservation, how much would they have been ?
There will always be better deals for anything, just ask Pierre Omidyar or Jeffrey Bezos or Sam Walton.
Some stores charge more than others but I can tell you this, enjoy your 8.00$ juice while you can ...........
Why didn't you buy cigarettes online at a deep discount ?

 

[James Wilson]

About $20-30

30 can get you plenty at vapewild. They have discounts a lot and they always include free samples with 3 mg nic 50/50 vg pg with each order. I love ordering from them. At 30 you get free shipping.

 

[coolerat]

I will be stunned if every vape shop in my area is still here a year from now.

Vaping has EXPLODED in the past year. A vape meet 2 years ago would have been held in a phone booth. Now you would need the Carrier Dome.

But many will go back to smoking.

Many will get clean and sober completely off nic.

Many will learn the innerwebs.

Many will become content with what they have and just need some juice.

As huge as vaping is right now I don't think many smokers haven't been exposed to vaping. At this point if they don't wanna vape they prolly ain't gonna.

How this culling is gonna come about will be interesting to watch. The places that are poorly run as a business will go first. Then the highest priced. The middle will survive with killer CS and fair prices.

 

[Rule62]

Might be a good way to increase attendance at Orange basketball games; allow vaping in the Dome.

 

[coolerat]

Might be a good way to increase attendance at Orange basketball games; allow vaping in the Dome.

You know I have never been in the Dome?? Strange right??

I think they sell out though don't they??

Wouldn't vaping in the Dome over inflate it and make it blow??

 

[Rule62]

You know I have never been in the Dome?? Strange right??

I think they sell out though don't they??

Wouldn't vaping in the Dome over inflate it and make it blow??

Attendance is way down, this year. I was reading an article about it the other day.
I've been in the Dome many times, prior to moving to Florida.

 

[YoursTruli]

The area around where I live has become saturated with vape shops over the past several years and some of them have already closed. I do think though with the new deeming being able to buy eliquid (and possibly gear) online is going to be the first thing to get shut down. If not the states will take care of doing away with online eliquid sales, it is already happening, just look at AR, their only option is to buy from a local B&M so I am not sure how much longer buying online will be a viable option.

 

[Rule62]

The area around where I live has become saturated with vape shops over the past several years and some of them have already closed. I do think though with the new deeming being able to buy eliquid (and possibly gear) online is going to be the first thing to get shut down. If not the states will take care of doing away with online eliquid sales, it is already happening, just look at AR, their only option is to buy from a local B&M so I am not sure how much longer buying online will be a viable option.

Some of the shops in my area seem to specialize. There is one that tries to carry a huge selection of juice, from the premium brands, down to some local brews, and many brands in between. Another shop specializes in the 'latest and greatest' TC and VW boxes. Another is heavy into a large selection of beginner type stuff; like eGos, clearomizers, and the like.
It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out, once the regulations come down.

 

[Train2]

Too many shops opened, and most of them run by people with no experience running a shop. Just because you know a bunch about vaping doesn't make you qualified to own a business.
The costs of running even a small storefront are a kick in the pants for most of these pop-up vape shops, and they'll fold when they run out of money.

How's a store supposed to cover rent, utilities, even a tiny payroll, and insurance? Even a tiny shop in a relatively cheap location, they need a few hundred bucks a day positive cash flow. That's not gonna happen selling a few mods and tanks - certainly not when a lot of purchases are $40 mods or $20 clones! The ONLY way I can see a shop successful is with an online store adding to their gross, or with a healthy flow of juice - which can have an 800% markup and still sell.

Look at the ones that have been around a while - they probably have a steady customer base for in-house liquid. And they probably provide real services that keep people returning: coil-building classes or real consultative assistance, etc.

 

[Rule62]

Too many shops opened, and most of them run by people with no experience running a shop. Just because you know a bunch about vaping doesn't make you qualified to own a business.
The costs of running even a small storefront are a kick in the pants for most of these pop-up vape shops, and they'll fold when they run out of money.

How's a store supposed to cover rent, utilities, even a tiny payroll, and insurance? Even a tiny shop in a relatively cheap location, they need a few hundred bucks a day positive cash flow. That's not gonna happen selling a few mods and tanks - certainly not when a lot of purchases are $40 mods or $20 clones! The ONLY way I can see a shop successful is with an online store adding to their gross, or with a healthy flow of juice - which can have an 800% markup and still sell.

Look at the ones that have been around a while - they probably have a steady customer base for in-house liquid. And they probably provide real services that keep people returning: coil-building classes or real consultative assistance, etc.

One of the oldest, and most successful, in my area, a few miles north, has 3 shops, currently. They also have a very good online business, that is kept completely separate, in location, inventory, and even employees. They have done well, with some very good house juices, made in their own facility; and have been very thorough in carrying a complete spectrum of gear, from beginner level to advanced. I had the opportunity to co-teach a couple building seminars in one of their shops, back in the old ss mesh genisis days. The owners, husband and wife, have continually attended our local vape meets, as well as donating door prizes for drawings.
When a lot of other shops begin to drop like flies, I suspect they will be one to survive.
Why? Because they run it like a business, not a hobby.

 

[Stephen1520]

The area around where I live has become saturated with vape shops over the past several years and some of them have already closed. I do think though with the new deeming being able to buy eliquid (and possibly gear) online is going to be the first thing to get shut down. If not the states will take care of doing away with online eliquid sales, it is already happening, just look at AR, their only option is to buy from a local B&M so I am not sure how much longer buying online will be a viable option.

I would have to agree and that is very discouraging. To think I will have to go back to paying $20+ for 30ml of juice instead of $8. And the sad thing is it will probably be more than $30 once the all powerful, all knowing government gets their greedy hands on it