Losing plenty of money vaping

[steve in sc]

I can echo a bunch of the previous comments and argue others but neither will solve anybodies problems... What I will do is give my experiences out for ya' to ponder...

I gave up analog's Nov 1 2009. I was in South Korea and got my hands on a Janty Kissbox Extended system. I bought 4 bottles of juice and went on about my merry way. Burned through a bottle of Strawberry and went out and bought two more before leaving the Peninsula to head back to the good ole' USA.

I spent a year in VA vaping daily and then tapered off to just a once in a while thing until getting back home here in SC. I finally retired from the USAF and got some juices ordered. About that time, I decided to upgrade to a new system due to a burned out auto switch and dead battery on the Kissbox.

I've got the eGoTXL system and just got two new batteries as backups. Researching the atty market to get some backups of them as well. I have amassed a few bottles of juice that I like the flavors of and just opened a box that the mail lady delivered less than 10 minutes ago of all my DIY stuff from One Stop DIY Shop.

All in all from the very beginning over two years ago, I've got about $500 bucks invested. Now just take a minute to think about the smoke I've avoided, the stink I've avoided and all the absolute grossness all previous analog users understand... That in of itself is priceless.

All I can say is study, study, study - Research, research, research and then sample before buying quantities that you won't ever use. If I get any juices I don't like, I'll sell or trade before throwing them away.

Just my $.02 worth.

Vape On!
steve in sc

 

[steve in sc]

Oh, a sidenote to it all - The eGo atty dosn't work worth a crap until you do SimpleCJ's modification to the wick. It's an absolute chimney after that!!!

Vape On!
steve in sc

 

[Denise D]

Frankster, I'm glad to see you are starting DIY to mix your fav flavors but Please read up first on safe handling of that high concentrate Nic don't want you to learn about THAT the hard way!!

 

[FRANKSTER]

Frankster, I'm glad to see you are starting DIY to mix your fav flavors but Please read up first on safe handling of that high concentrate Nic don't want you to learn about THAT the hard way!!

Thanks for the info...I am going to wear gloves and be really careful with this.

Thanks again

 

[FRANKSTER]

Good for you. No after I had found my fave juice (all tobacco as I have allergies) I began by mixing 3 ml batches. I've found in DIY I'm making a mix of about 50/ 50 PG/ VG- just my personal choice. If the batches don't work out I put them in one bottle and keep a record of what is in there and the strength. I figure 1 day, if I run out, I can always vape it. Don't think that will happen though as I've got enough Nic juice to last me 1 1/2 years. One last point- put your nic juice in a glass jar to prevent plastic leaching.
Good Luck.

Thank you for the info

 

[Running Wolf]

Keeping it simple eGo, and a puck mod has been all I have needed so far.

The DIY juices save a good deal of money, but there are some juices out there I will still buy. After a month or two of not smoking I know I have just about reach the break even point.

Funny thing I have discovered about the DIY juices.... If you make a test batch and attach a flat toothpick to a dremel.... stir up the juice a few times for a few days, it seems to speed up the steeping process.

 

[Kind Head]

Well, I'm not sure if I can agree with the original post. Granted I've only been vaping for about a week. I don't understand why it was necessary for you to spend that much money on vaping gear/juice. I started out with a starter kit from Smokeless Image for under $30. Only came with 5 prefilled cartos, so after deciding I liked vaping, I ordered some juice to refill. I then also ordered some additional 510 gear and a 5V mod kit. I haven't even come close to spending what you have spent, and I can't imagine coming even close.

You really spent $300-$400 on juice in 2 months? WOW! About how much juice is that exactly? And how much you vape a day? Must be insane. I'm just taking a stab here, but maybe you went over board with ordering gear and juice. Sounds like you probably ordered way more than you needed. Is money not an issue for you? Did you buy from some bad suppliers or get some bad gear?

You mentioned in a later post that your made your juice choices off user reviews. Couple questions about that. Where did you get the reviews? If you got the reviews from the suppliers website, which supplier's site did you read them on? And why on earth did you keep ordering more juice based off good reviews if you kept getting bad juice? I would have stopped.

I'm just at total loss with your statements. Maybe I'm just a cheap a** or something, because I refuse to spend that much on just starting out. I don't even get why veterans spend $100-$200 on PVs or fancy mods, sometimes even more. I just don't get it. Why can't a simple 510 or KR808 satisfy you peeps? I must just be a poor man in a rich man's forum, LOL.

But I am so confused at your vaping expenses. And you only spent $50/month on analogs? I typically spent more than that in a week on my analogs. Honesty at $50/month I probably would have never considered trying vaping. The money is what made me consider even looking into vaping. And so far, only a week, and the money I spent on startup gear/juice, I spent less than analog cost. So I can't begin to understand your situation.

But if vaping cost me half of what it does you, I'd for sure quit, and go back to analogs. It might kill me, but at least I could still pay the rent!

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

I can vouch for the fact that as a new vapr it won't be CHEAPER then cigarettes...you are figuring out which methods work best for you, trying different flavors, etc...it will take months before you figure it out. When you do THEN you'll be home free! But yea...unless you'll vape any flavor or use any system be prepeared to cough up some change. I've spent easily 1K in the past 6 months since starting, and that's probably laughable to most people...I'm sure people have spent way more than that when they started as well.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

I think you guys might be pushing to hard with regards to DIY with Frankster, I'm picturing a "BLANK" lab exploding on someones street any minute now! .... I've been vaping for 6 months now and wouldn't touch DIY, it's just another layer of confusion that I don't need. I had a few people over at Volcano chat try to explain it to me on how to do it but I ran the other way...no thanks!

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Yep it all depends on the individual and whether or not they are: precise, open to new concepts and willing to do the research required. I began DIY after 1 month of vaping but prolly spent about 150+ hours researching. I have all the proper equipment and ONCE messed up a small batch. That one mistake reinforced the idea that I must be VERY FOCUSED, ACCURATE and DOUBLE CHECK everything when mixing. I have a printout and as I add each individual component I write down on the list the amount I put in. I then place that container aside in a metal box. It sounds very simple and complex at the same time but I have found the complexity of DIY rests on the shoulders of the individual. Preparation, lists, proper equipment and a quiet area are imperative to achieve good results.

I think you guys might be pushing to hard with regards to DIY with Frankster, I'm picturing a "BLANK" lab exploding on someones street any minute now! .... I've been vaping for 6 months now and wouldn't touch DIY, it's just another layer of confusion that I don't need. I had a few people over at Volcano chat try to explain it to me on how to do it but I ran the other way...no thanks!

 

[FRANKSTER]

I think you guys might be pushing to hard with regards to DIY with Frankster, I'm picturing a "BLANK" lab exploding on someones street any minute now! .... I've been vaping for 6 months now and wouldn't touch DIY, it's just another layer of confusion that I don't need. I had a few people over at Volcano chat try to explain it to me on how to do it but I ran the other way...no thanks!

I guess you are saying that I am going to blow up something...and why is that? I spend alot of money starting out...I am sure I am not the only one. When I get started on a new venture...I always start off making mistakes like anyone else that likes nice things and prefers quality above quantity.

Then I become very precise in what I am doing like keeping records and such. I am trying to figure out your point?

 

[markfm]

It isn't magic. I started diy at about 2 months.
I use a small plastic tray with decent sides, from a dollar store. It keeps everything confined, fast cleanup.
I switched to primarily 60 mg/ml base fairly early as it was simpler to measure than 100.
I always do the nic base first, then cap it and put it on the side.
I use small spiral bound notebooks to capture everything.
Not everyone has the time or patience for diy, it does take precision and patience. That said, it is highly rewarding for those who do have the traits.

 

[classwife]

Keep it nice in here please.


Everyone.

 

[BiffRocko]

Thank you...I have that calculator...I am going to need it...thinking about stating off with 2 tobaccos and four flavors at small quantities...do you think that is too much...I really do not want to pay up in the beginning for diy...Then I will have to make another thread based on that....lol

Mix zero nic to test your flavors and save the expensive unflavored nic for when you've got your recipes down. That will help to keep DIY costs down too.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

FRANKSTER you just go out and prove all those naysayers wrong. And if you screw up know that we ALL have at one point. I know you can do it and have no misgivings of giving you advice and encouraging you. Just kinda bugs me when I see the $$ you've spent trying to achieve vaping nirvana but that will soon all be in the past.

I guess you are saying that I am going to blow up something...and why is that? I spend alot of money starting out...I am sure I am not the only one. When I get started on a new venture...I always start off making mistakes like anyone else that likes nice things and prefers quality above quantity.

Then I become very precise in what I am doing like keeping records and such. I am trying to figure out your point?

 

[Kind Head]

I just hope this thread doesn't scare away anyone thinking about tying vaping for the first time. If I never tried vaping, and read the original post, I would have not bothered reading any of the replies. After I read how much $$ you spent on just start-up cost, I would have avoided PVs like the plague. Luckily I stumbled onto this thread after making my first PV purchase. Otherwise I wouldn't even be a member here, making this post.

So to all you folks out there reading this, thinking about giving electronic cigarettes a try, PLEASE read all the comments and responses to the original post, and make a good informed decision. IMO, vaping is way cheaper than smoking analogs, doesn't even come close in my book. But I'm still young at vaping, and pretty modest as far as my gear goes. I'm just using the basic inexpensive gear, but it works wonders for me! So please, read all the comments before you decide not to try vaping.

Merry Christmas to all you!

 

[FRANKSTER]

I just hope this thread doesn't scare away anyone thinking about tying vaping for the first time. If I never tried vaping, and read the original post, I would have not bothered reading any of the replies. After I read how much $$ you spent on just start-up cost, I would have avoided PVs like the plague. Luckily I stumbled onto this thread after making my first PV purchase. Otherwise I wouldn't even be a member here, making this post.

So to all you folks out there reading this, thinking about giving electronic cigarettes a try, PLEASE read all the comments and responses to the original post, and make a good informed decision. IMO, vaping is way cheaper than smoking analogs, doesn't even come close in my book. But I'm still young at vaping, and pretty modest as far as my gear goes. I'm just using the basic inexpensive gear, but it works wonders for me! So please, read all the comments before you decide not to try vaping.

Merry Christmas to all you!

" Happiness is a warm Gun "

 

[lasttango]

Two years in...and its never really been cheaper than smoking... it becomes a hobby... if I focused... had some discipline... I could make vaping cheaper than 4 cartons a month of merits... but thats because I already own the hardware... atties and juice... maybe 4 atties, 180 mls.

I have a couple buddies that are suppliers... juice etc... they work really hard... but the market isn't at the point where they can hire employees... growing isn't realistic... not yet... and they regularly sell out of their most popular juices.

It's their flavor suppliers... they get limited on how much they can buy... these aren't mass produced flavorings... they could switch to a mass-producer... but then their flavors wouldn't be so popular...

 

[steve in sc]

I thouroughly believe it's a user's market and not a supplier's market now. It'll take a while for it to turn into a big thing for suppliers. The end user, DIY enthusiast, is going to make out the best for now.

Let's hope we can keep it a user's market and not let it turn into a "Big Vape" thing cause' then the ole' feds will dig their meddling paws into it all and ruin it for us all.

Vape On!
steve in sc

 

[mtliu]

Most of the time before I vaped, I was doing RYO (actually MYO). I was saving money over OTC smokes to begin with but wasn't saving my lungs.

I've been vaping for less than 3 months and have purchased complete kits for 501, 808D-1, 808D-2, and 401. The most expensive kit was $30. The least expensive was $5. Total for all was under $100. I've seen comparable kits with different brand names selling for over $100. It depends where you get them from.

Purchased cartomizers for 501, 808D-1, and 4081 (no batteries though). Total $15.

Investigated lots of e-juices at about 40ml per $10. Spent about $150. Still have more than 80% of it left.

Total for 3 months is about $265.

If I was smoking my preferred brand of American Spirit - I would have gone through 3 cartons a month or 9 cartons so far at $45 per carton. That means I spent $265 instead of $405 and I don't have to go out and buy anything more - although I certainly will go out and buy more.

If I was still living in NY, instead of spending $405 on those 9 cartons, it would have been over $1000.

Yes, I did save money but what I find the most important is that I am saving my health. No more hacking in the morning and I can smell things again (including other people's bad breath - maybe that wasn't so great).

Plus I can say more words without having to make another breath.