Mall Freques and thier wares

[Catfishy]

I wish that I had starded my path with more research. I was sucked into the mall kiosk fools who were puffing away indoors. I was so taken in by the ability to "smoke" indoors. But as I went further into the path usiing the Fifty-One Duo the cost of the cartridges began to fluxuate for $15, to $18, and now $22 for only 5 cartridges. Then one day I found this rumor that they were refillable! I was like a rabid badger looking for the refill technique. I stumbled onto Dr. Vapor's videos and BAM! I was hooked on "REAL VAPEING!" I found a great starter kit at a smoke shop and although I did pay more than if I had bought it online it was well worth it. I know have the eGo and love it! I love the flexabliity for flavors and where I am allowed to vape. I hated smelling like an ashtray but still was addicted to nicotine. Hell I enjoy my nicotine. Now I don't smell like an ashtray and everyone is happy.

My point to my first post is this; if you are new to vapeing and see the mall kiosk or some other something that seems too good to be true research it and ask many questions. The ones from the kiosks DO NOT live up to the hype the salespeople present them with.

If you have questions about starting Vapeing and leaving tabacco cigarettes please feel free to ask me. One of my best and informative resources were Dr. Vapor's videos (easily found on YouTube).

Peace, Love, and vape.
Catfishy

 

[jj2]

Welcome and glad you finally stumbled upon ECF.

 

[TMellow]

No they don't. Even though they don't have them in our malls (Visalia, Ca. ) I can only imagine the crap they sell at sickenly high prices.

I would stand by their kiosk with my NoEgo and show their potential victims...I mean customers a different direction.

They and their products give vaping a bad name and stereotype.

Btw....welcome aboard! Glad you found us.

 

[malyden]

Glad you found the eGo it's a very good PV also here's the link to Dr Vapors ‪DoctorVapor's Channel‬‏ - YouTube

Just remember if it wasn't for that Mall Kiosk you might never have started using a PV so even though they seem they have there place in the world.
Best of luck!

 

[BardicDruid]

Well I found out that it's not a good thing to point out to a bunch of his customers in the mall that the guy still has a pack of cigarettes in his pocket. And then point out that everything he's saying is probably BS, and then that he takes breaks to go outside to have smoke every so often. I never seen the sucker punch coming, but when it was over he was lying under his cart in a ball. Next time I went to the mall someone else had taken his place.

 

[Amraann]

I think places like that make their money on the cartridges. From what I have read they totally over charge for them! (Just like a lot of those free e-cig online offers)
I order the refillable ones and liquid .... But I have also seen pre-filled ones 5 to a pack for 3.99.

 

[Amraann]

Well I found out that it's not a good thing to point out to a bunch of his customers in the mall that the guy still has a pack of cigarettes in his pocket. And then point out that everything he's saying is probably BS, and then that he takes breaks to go outside to have smoke every so often. I never seen the sucker punch coming, but when it was over he was lying under his cart in a ball. Next time I went to the mall someone else had taken his place.

HAHAHAH Did you really do that?

 

[malyden]

I think places like that make their money on the cartridges. From what I have read they totally over charge for them! (Just like a lot of those free e-cig online offers)
I order the refillable ones and liquid .... But I have also seen pre-filled ones 5 to a pack for 3.99.

While it may seem like they overcharge remember that they also have a lot of overhead which is part of why their stuff costs so much. That being said I truly believe they should educate their employees a lot more than they do!

 

[toddos]

While it may seem like they overcharge remember that they also have a lot of overhead which is part of why their stuff costs so much. That being said I truly believe they should educate their employees a lot more than they do!

If your business can't pay its rent unless you mark up your product 200% or more, you've probably chosen a poor location. I don't think mall kiosks are a good idea anymore if the rent is what people say it is. This is not a bad thing. It means that the e-cigarette market has matured to the point where it's no longer profitable to be a cheap chinese kr8/510 reseller without any other differentiation. That's good because it forces growth. Would a mall kiosk selling REO mods work? Probably not. But a "vape lounge/store" like the FreedomSmoke USA guys set up in Phoenix seems to be working out quite well (their differentiator is that they make their own juice).

 

[Luvs5rugrats]

Mall Kiosks are one of those things where you don't know whether to praise or condemn them. I bought my first set from a kiosk. I paid way too much and believed all the lies they told me. For that, they suck. But I praise them because here I am today 11 months later (with a different set up, of course!) still smoke free. If I hadn't made that purchase there, sure, I probably would have found this wonderful site eventually. My only regret is I did the research after-the-fact and while the kiosk still would have helped introduce me to them, I know I would never have bought one. For what I paid, I could have tripled the batteries and atomizers I got with at least enough left for a six month supply of juice. I have to blame myself for some of it...I was impatient and wanted it right then.

I was actually just back at that mall yesterday (tax free weekend in SC--fun. Not.) and was sooo tempted to throw out a few business cards to the few folks I saw lined up to try one out. There was an unsuspecting guy swiping his credit card as I walked past and I cringed. My let's-please-not-make-a-scene husband was with me and told me to just keep walking. What infuriates me the most is not the cost (overhead is an understandable thing) but the lies they throw into that outrageous price are completely unethical. 1 cart = 2 packs my patooty. A mini-style battery that lasts 11 hours? Pfft--if you never use it, maybe. My eGo sometimes lasts me long if I am busy. They pray on their new, less-knowledgeable customers like lions on a baby impala.

The price was outrageous compared to the better stuff out there but compared to buying by the carton every two weeks, it was equivalent a two-week purchase that I would have spent anyway, just to light up and smoke.

 

[malyden]

I do agree with you it's just sometimes I feel the need to justify both sides

Mall Kiosks are one of those things where you don't know whether to praise or condemn them. I bought my first set from a kiosk. I paid way too much and believed all the lies they told me. For that, they suck. But I praise them because here I am today 11 months later (with a different set up, of course!) still smoke free. If I hadn't made that purchase there, sure, I probably would have found this wonderful site eventually. My only regret is I did the research after-the-fact and while the kiosk still would have helped introduce me to them, I know I would never have bought one. For what I paid, I could have tripled the batteries and atomizers I got with at least enough left for a six month supply of juice. I have to blame myself for some of it...I was impatient and wanted it right then.

I was actually just back at that mall yesterday (tax free weekend in SC--fun. Not.) and was sooo tempted to throw out a few business cards to the few folks I saw lined up to try one out. There was an unsuspecting guy swiping his credit card as I walked past and I cringed. My let's-please-not-make-a-scene husband was with me and told me to just keep walking. What infuriates me the most is not the cost (overhead is an understandable thing) but the lies they throw into that outrageous price are completely unethical. 1 cart = 2 packs my patooty. A mini-style battery that lasts 11 hours? Pfft--if you never use it, maybe. My eGo sometimes lasts me long if I am busy. They pray on their new, less-knowledgeable customers like lions on a baby impala.

The price was outrageous compared to the better stuff out there but compared to buying by the carton every two weeks, it was equivalent a two-week purchase that I would have spent anyway, just to light up and smoke.

 

[oldsoldier]

Well I found out that it's not a good thing to point out to a bunch of his customers in the mall that the guy still has a pack of cigarettes in his pocket. And then point out that everything he's saying is probably BS, and then that he takes breaks to go outside to have smoke every so often. I never seen the sucker punch coming, but when it was over he was lying under his cart in a ball. Next time I went to the mall someone else had taken his place.

Now that is absolutely hilarious! Though I cannot in good conscience advocate violence against mall kiosk drones I can certainly get behind your god given right to self defense. Especially when a sucker punch is involved.

 

[Missinglink]

First and foremost, Welcome to ECF Catfishy!

That being said, I have to agree with malyden. If it weren't for the over-priced mall kiosks, or in my case, Greensmoke, people wouldn't be introduced to vaping and would be stuck with analogs. So in a round-a-bout way, they're still helpful.

 

[XirishXeyesX]

Mall kiosk = fail. Makes me so mad that they get away with what they do glad u have your ego now thought Im sure you will enjoy it

 

[Whip]

welcome im new also. I have never even seen anyone locally selling e-cigs. Glad you at least found them somewhere you could touch and feel them before spending $. thats what the mall is good for , looking and buying elsewhere

 

[TMellow]

The real problem I see with the idea of Kiosks is not only the fact that they are overpriced and have claims that the carts last longer than they do....but when the unsuspecting lat-person victim buys into their crap and buys, then figures out the product is pure crap and the cart only lasts 3 puffs...most (Not all) people will automatically think all e-cigs are the same, that they are just a gimmick and tell all their friends don't even think about it as it is a gimmick.

It's because of this type of thing, non-smokers and politicians won't take us serious.

 

[malyden]

welcome im new also. I have never even seen anyone locally selling e-cigs. Glad you at least found them somewhere you could touch and feel them before spending $. thats what the mall is good for , looking and buying elsewhere

If your looking to go somewhere you can touch and feel you may want to check out my son's store depending on where in Ohio you're located it may not be too far from you!AltSmoke.com | Personal Vaporizers | Electronic Cigarette | Ecigs | Brick & Mortar Stores

 

[ThreePutt]

I was sucked into the mall kiosk fools who were puffing away indoors. I was so taken in by the ability to "smoke" indoors.

My point to my first post is this; if you are new to vapeing and see the mall kiosk or some other something that seems too good to be true research it and ask many questions. The ones from the kiosks DO NOT live up to the hype the salespeople present them with.

Welcome to ECF, Catfishy. Same story here. While my first go-around two years ago with the mall eciggy didn't pan out (went back to analogs after two weeks), it planted a seed to come back and see how the products matured. I found ECF and was knocked out by the variety of products, cartos, juice, and accessories. And the ECF members are outstanding, and will help you with any question.

I took the members' advice, wrote down a few starter models, and headed to the local brick-and-mortar. The manager sat down with me to discuss my smoking habits, and directed me to an eGo-T. Total night and day difference to what I had tried before. With the brick and mortar, I still paid more than I could get it online, but the personal help they provided more than made up for the price.

So, I chalk it up as a learning experience. One that lead me to ECF and vaping full time. Five weeks now without an analog, and I don't think I'll be falling off the wagon anytime soon. The vaping is much more enjoyable!

Now, the enterprising person would DIY and partner with these kiosks to sell their juice - either on consignment, or give the salesguy a kickback for each bottle he sells. And have him throw in your business card with website... He gets the initial juice sales, and you get the refills.

I need to learn how to DIY...

Welcome to ECF! Enjoy the journey!

 

[Pamdane]

I also feel mall kiosks serve a better purpose- it makes the mall vape friendly. If they go out of business, its another place we cant vape in public. Go sit down somewhere you can be seen near the mall kiosk and let the people see you with the working product. If they get curious tell them more!
There is nothing wrong selling lesser products at higher prices. It keeps the store there. Someone has a job, and some of the employees actually are helpful. I got my first 2 e-cigs at convenience stores. I stopped by the mall kiosk and the guy asked if I knew I could refill my cartos? Then he showed me how! I bought a 10 ml 24 mg bottle of rebranded juice for $12.99. I then decided to e-bay for juice, but found e-bays anti cig policy included e-cig, which led to another search, which led here....
I went to another local mall that was outrageous and uneducated. So I asked the employee technical questions. He had to call HQ to get answers. I then told him where to get the info online etc... When I went about my business, the guy at the phone kiosk asked me about my Riva... Turns out he bought an e-cig from the guy next door, but wanted more info. I gave him leads.
So I guess my point is: make the best of it. When we get a bug up our butts to get something, we do it impulsively. Its a beginning. Its a learning experience, and also, how can you know if something is good, if you never tried something bad? People who WANT to quit smoking will keep trying, once they learn the principle of the thing. Its a mall kiosk. That means something better really is out there. Go find it!
But I'm glad I didnt get the $500 FireFly kit the 2nd mall was selling....

 

[BardicDruid]

Now that is absolutely hilarious! Though I cannot in good conscience advocate violence against mall kiosk drones I can certainly get behind your god given right to self defense. Especially when a sucker punch is involved.

He waited until I was turning to go when he let it rip, come to find out later that I wasn't the only one he'd gotten physical with. The mall security guard wouldn't go into details but that was the last straw, he was escorted off premises and banned from returning. The guard couldn't keep from smiling while he was telling me.