Local vs Online?

[grandmato5]

It's one thing to need to cover the cost of running a B&M and an entirely different thing to rip people off. Just like in any other business, there are stores that have reasonable prices and stores that will sell the exact same thing for much higher prices. Ultimately the customers decide which stores stay in business and which ones close.

I have a great local vape store with very reasonable prices and great customer service. Sure, I can sit home and surf the web and find everything for a cheaper price BUT my vape store's prices are reasonable for being able to see and feel what I'm purchasing before I buy not to mention the convenience of buying "now" and not having to wait for items to ship to me if I were to need something now.

 

[DavidOck]

Just like in many things, let the buyer beware.

Know what stuff is going for online - and don't forget shipping.

I have several good B&Ms relatively close, and I do like to support my local biz - if they're close to online. So I keep track of the expendables online costs, hardware costs, and so on. If I'm looking for something, I'll see what my locals charge and compare. Reasonable markup? I'll probably get it local. UNreasonable markup? I'll support the post office.

 

[Ohms Lawbreaker]

This may be a little sneaky, but my strategy now, after learning a thing or two, is to play a little dumb at first and get a feel for the shop owner. If he or she isn't full of it and I get a good vibe, I'll open up the honesty valve a little. If they don't know what they're talking about or trying to sell me an overpriced something I don't want or need, I leave. All depends on who's running the joint. As a 7-month-old-noob and no expert, I sure have met a few shop owners who need to spend more time in these forums, to put it politely.

 

[Steamix]

Seems to me a lot of new shops are opening that focus on first-time users and juice buyers. Not much in the way of inventory or DIY stuff,....

Of course not, they want to sell their juices. If you walk out of there with a bottle of nic base and fistful of flavour bottles they won't be seeing you again for a while.

Had something similar with a B&M in my hometown. Prices for hardware were of course higher than online and on top of that they sold me clones. Just started on my vaping 'career' and not nearly as informed about it as I'm now ( I hope ). Went there like three times asking for wick and wires , which they promised would be there soon...

Then of course common sense set in : I could go there till doomsday and wick and wire would always be there 'soon'. They like me coming back, and by clearos and coil heads. They don't like me rebuilding 'em..

Top that with a battery that decided to quit on me after like 20 charging cycles and I'll stick with online. FT sells clones just the same - but for less...

 

[Barbara21]

Of course not, they want to sell their juices. If you walk out of there with a bottle of nic base and fistful of flavour bottles they won't be seeing you again for a while.

Had something similar with a B&M in my hometown. Prices for hardware were of course higher than online and on top of that they sold me clones. Just started on my vaping 'career' and not nearly as informed about it as I'm now ( I hope ). Went there like three times asking for wick and wires , which they promised would be there soon...

Then of course common sense set in : I could go there till doomsday and wick and wire would always be there 'soon'. They like me coming back, and by clearos and coil heads. They don't like me rebuilding 'em..

Top that with a battery that decided to quit on me after like 20 charging cycles and I'll stick with online. FT sells clones just the same - but for less...

In all fairness, I see things like wire/wick and diy flavorings to be items that would appeal to a very small percentage of prospective customers.

The people here on ecf are definitely not the 'average' vaper.

 

[maybeshewill]

I'm lucky to have a local store that has a good variety of juice -obviously the main item I buy regularly-. It lacks a variety in other things, but there are stores near my University and workplace which cover that gap.
Overall I go local 9 times out of 10. Not out of principle, it just seems practical. I'm willing to play a little extra if it means helping the local economy too. Of course, not to the point of getting ripped off, I use the net as a price checker before I do my shopping.

 

[GetVaked]

Ill buy some juice or an old school dripping atomizer (I love the Stingray 1.5 long barrels) or batteries from my local B&M, but that's about it...

 

[Mapultz]

I love my local b&m. The juice prices are *barely* more expensive than the exact same brand online, and once you factor in shipping, it's about the same if not cheaper.

The equipment is definitely more expensive. I try to buy the bigger stuff online.

 

[Steamix]

In all fairness, I see things like wire/wick and diy flavorings to be items that would appeal to a very small percentage of prospective customers.

The people here on ecf are definitely not the 'average' vaper.

Agreed.

Bread 'n butter for any shop - be it online or B&M - is the majority of vapers who want to go about vaping with minimum fuss.
Ready made liquids, worn atty for the recycling bin, new one for the battery... Many of them know that they could get their stuff cheaper online but prefer the quick drop-in-buy-drop-out. Compared to analogs here in the EU they're still ahead of the game moneywise.

And I'm sure that there's lots of B&M's that deliver, price- amd servicewise. But like any fast growing market, vaping attracts it's share of dealers who value the quick buck more than their customers...

Amd of course there are lots of shops

 

[Papajohns]

I buy most of my gear online, but for juice, I always buy local. There are a few California brand juices that I love, and are only sold in local shops. The only thing I would hesitate to buy from a shop, is batteries. Most of the shops sell clones. To date, I've only found 1 shop in my area selling legit Ego batteries.