Mind is blown at Local B&M prices

[serenity21899]

My local B&M is known for their juice (they make it), and the prices are a bit higher than some other places, but it's worth it. Same in store as online. Maybe a bit of a markup, but in place of no shipping, it ends up about the same.

B&M #2 charges about the same price for not so great juice for other places, including some Chinese juice. Also a bit of a markup. But for the area it's in, they have no lack of business. A website is coming.

B&M #3 I will be visiting for the first time tomarrow. They do not make their own juice, but it is made locally. Their website prices are good, and they have positive comments here on ECF, so I expect the same when I visit.

I do not mind paying a bit more since I do not have to pay shipping, wait for shipping, and have gotten personal service from a real person.

As with online vendors, if I don't like the prices, I don't buy. If enough people don't buy, they will get the message.

 

[Spike64]

A B&M opened up in my area not long ago. The only one for many, many miles. A real vape shop. I got excited when I stumbled across them. The first thing I noticed was that their prices on most items were sky high. Stupid expensive. I know a B&M is gonna be a bit more expensive than online sellers, but come on...The only way I will buy their juice is if I'm out and in a panic. 22 dollars for a 30 ml bottle is WAY more than I will ever pay. 10 bucks for a 10 ml? I don't think so. Most of their stock is pretty good but priced extremely high and I wouldnt buy much of it. Some of it is ok. I bought an RSST for 19 bucks. That was a great deal. I dont think they knew what it was...it was quickly obvious to me that I knew more about vaping equipment than they did and I'm still a noob... 20 bucks for an iClear30? 6 bucks for a common, cheap plastic swirl drip tip? Not so much. They are part of a small chain of vape shops based out of Florida with stores in a couple of other states, including mine. They have an online site as well. I like having a local shop in my area so I try to support them buy making a few purchases now and then where I dont feel like I'm getting bent over too badly...maybe some competition will move in one day and force their prices down, who knows? Until then, most of my purchases will be online...I dont mind paying a little more now and then, I just dont care to be fleeced...lol

 

[Myk]

All I'll say is that people need to have some practical business experience before deciding whether a particular business model is fair/profitable or not.

A problem I see with ecig businesses is that a lot of them have no practical business experience. Granted they originally didn't really have a business model to work from so even those that had business experience still had no idea where to start. They kind of went with what they thought they could get away with by comparing to cigarettes, and that's what some seem to have stuck with.

The B&M prices are still cheaper than smoking so those who don't research or want the inconvenience may still be happy to pay the prices.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. The biggest complaint I hear about Blu is it ends up costing more than smoking.
Double the price of JC liquids and I'm just about at my cigarette costs. Take Cowdog's actual B&M JC pricing and I'm almost there. Where does that leave me for batteries and attys? If they treat hardware the same as they treat liquids I bet it would cost more.

 

[irwink]

I'm not bothering to read all the other replies. I'll say only this: a one off local presence in a b&m retail space can never compete price wise with an online vendor due to overhead. The economic illiteracy so evident in threads like this never ceases to amaze me. I'm not even going to why one should buy local vs. online. It probably wouldn't sink in anyway. I'm convinced the ignorant shall inherit the earth.

 

[klynnn]

As long as people do not know what they are doing, people will take advantage of them.

 

[degnr8]

I'm not bothering to read all the other replies. I'll say only this: a one off local presence in a b&m retail space can never compete price wise with an online vendor due to overhead. The economic illiteracy so evident in threads like this never ceases to amaze me. I'm not even going to why one should buy local vs. online. It probably wouldn't sink in anyway. I'm convinced the ignorant shall inherit the earth.

Don't you love how he says he's not gonna see what we have to say, but is confident we're stupid and don't know what we're talking about?

 

[JasonK94Z]

Last week, as one of my last throwaway clearomizers was dying, I went to one of my local B&M's for a replacement. The young man at the counter explained that while they sold toss-out clearo's for $6.00, they had EVOD style tanks at $11.00 at their other store, 30 miles away. Instead of me driving over there, he called over and had someone bring a handful of EVOD's to the store closest to me. For $11.00 plus tax and no shipping, I had a better tank and they threw in a coil replacement at NEC.

That's worth something to me. I'm not sure what kind of premium I'd be willing to pay for it, but at least what I do spend lets a young man keep his job and a local entrepreneur maintain his business.

And, as always, the business of America is business.

This is the kind of service and a store that I would give all of my business too. This is an example of how to run a successful business!

 

[Navy4life]

Yes I was shocked at my store. I pay 8 dollars for 5mil juice (crap) no name brand, one vendor, when I get quality juice from Mount Baker. His Vivi Nova tanks look like they have been used. The DCT crack when you look at them. I just can't stand it! I had to take a EGO battery back 5 times.

 

[irwink]

Don't you love how he says he's not gonna see what we have to say, but is confident we're stupid and don't know what we're talking about?

Yes, i'm pretty confident. I've already seen what gets said in these threads. I've already seen the average level of economic literacy evidenced in this forum and elsewhere for that matter.

 

[JC Okie]

I have been volunteering at a B&M in my town for over a year, and at first I was sort of uncomfortable that I could get all the stuff on-line cheaper than they were selling it for....a little. But here's what happens with the "older" people who come in (who don't have internet or know how to use it.) People just walk up to the counter and say something like, "I heard these things work. I have COPD and my doctor told me to check it out.".....or some variation of that. Somebody sent them to "check it out." We end up spending AT LEAST 30 minutes educating them on vaping in general, then figuring out (lots of questions) what kit would be best for them, THEN spending another 10-15 minutes teaching them how to use it, charge it, clean it, refill it, etc. Even if you're a minimum wage earner, the company has just spent about $10 worth of labor on that ONE customer. And....I know that if someone didn't take the time to do this for them, then their money would be down the drain the first time the carto runs out of juice. It's good business in that we get their return business, but it's also (as I see it....like I said, I VOLUNTEER there) a service to smokers who need to quit. I do it because I want to help people make this work for them. Many (most, actually) B&M customers DON'T access something like ECF. We have to try to replicate that somehow in the real world or these people are just lost. I very much feel that I'm performing a real service when I teach someone all about vaping and how their e-cigs work, and how to maintain them. You should see how LITTLE they really know....and how clear it is that vaping will absolutely not "take" for them without this kind of TLC. That's all.

 

[Barbara21]

Don't you love how he says he's not gonna see what we have to say, but is confident we're stupid and don't know what we're talking about?

The poster was speaking specifically about the 'economic illiteracy so evident in threads like this'. I hate to tell you but he's right. And I'm sure he didn't go into more detail is for the same reason I didn't - it would simply take too long and most people would ignore it anyway.

Seriously, if you really think you can open a store, buy stock at eight dollars and sell it for ten dollars - well, more power to you. Please come open a store near me.

 

[Barbara21]

Don't you love how he says he's not gonna see what we have to say, but is confident we're stupid and don't know what we're talking about?

The poster was speaking specifically about the 'economic illiteracy so evident in threads like this'. I hate to tell you but he's right. And I'm sure he didn't go into more detail is for the same reason I didn't - it would simply take too long and most people would ignore it anyway.

Seriously, if you really think you can open a store, buy stock at eight dollars and sell it for ten dollars - well, more power to you. Please come open a store near me.

 

[JC Okie]

I'm not bothering to read all the other replies. I'll say only this: a one off local presence in a b&m retail space can never compete price wise with an online vendor due to overhead. The economic illiteracy so evident in threads like this never ceases to amaze me. I'm not even going to why one should buy local vs. online. It probably wouldn't sink in anyway. I'm convinced the ignorant shall inherit the earth.

How rude...........and arrogant. hmmmm

 

[Myk]

Seriously, if you really think you can open a store, buy stock at eight dollars and sell it for ten dollars - well, more power to you. Please come open a store near me.

Likewise, you don't lease a high value location for a niche business that forces you to charge $24 for that $8 expense when everyone else charges $16.

 

[rd2ruin]

Don't you love how he says he's not gonna see what we have to say, but is confident we're stupid and don't know what we're talking about?

I have to apologize for skewing the bell curve here to the left, my economics degree is only from a state school.

 

[Rocketpunk]

10 bucks for 10 mls at a B&M isn't bad.

20 bucks for 30 mls at a B&M isn't bad.

No one can beat online prices, but when you figure in shipping and handling, it averages out to about equal, give or take a few cents.

You're paying for: a) overhead (way more than you would think, ye who do not own or run B&M's), b) convenience, c) immediate person-to-person communication, d) potential "try before you buy" options. [EDIT: Most trustworthy B&M's have warranties, typically 90 days. If something goes wrong, a manufacturing defect, etc., if you bring it back within that set time frame you'll get your device replaced and the B&M can get their money back from the manufacturer].

If you think you would save money online, go that route. You have every right to create a rant thread about B&M's, but you must remember, they WILL charge more. It's up to you to decide if it's worth it.

 

[The Ocelot]

Partial cross-post (the original rant included the mark-up and the possible-manager-guy glaring at me. I guess a ProVari on a lanyard is the vape world equivalent to "IN-COMING!," when one gets within 5 feet of a clueless potential customer).

"I drove to their store (add cost of gas) and paid (including sales tax) $32.29 for 3 10ml bottles of juice. After I got home I looked at their website and the exact same 3 10ml bottles of juice would cost (including shipping) $24.96 if ordered online. Not a huge difference, but I feel penalized for taking the time to drive down there; plus, the pg/vg ration couldn't be customized and the lowest nic level was 11mg, then zero (I wanted 6mg). Now that I don't feel like patronizing them anymore, 3 10ml bottles of the same flavor juice from my favorite vendor, with choices of pg/vg, 6-8mg nic and flavor shots, would cost $16.47 (free shipping). They also have a B&M and they are nice.

Driving 17 miles (about 1 gallon of gas in my truck) to pay 1.08 per ml in support of my local B&M (with no other shop within 100 miles), verses paying $0.55 online to support a B&M in Texas (with at least two shop nearby) is hard to justify.

As is my inability to post without ranting..."

 

[sluers]

Comparing overhead, a B&M store is much more costly. When you operate a specialty retail storefront your 'bread n butter needs to be products purchased wholesale or items produced in-house at a low cost. Rule of thumb is, at least 100% mark-up. When your competitors are all internet websites, it puts a whole different spin on price point. When your an authorized retailer, the manufacturer will sell in bulk at a discounted cost. Typically, unless the retailer can buy in large quantities, a 100% mark-up is not possible and still remain competitive.

The only advantage B&M ecig shops have over internet sales is convenience and the ability to see, feel, and smell the item. The local gas station/convenience stores are prime examples. Or the Mom & Pop corner stores that purchases their inventory from Sam's and charges twice what you would pay at the chain grocery store.

Is it 'right'? The answer to that question depends on the consumers needs and the owners conscious.

 

[Rocketpunk]

You have no idea the amount of money I wasted trying new flavors from online vendors. While it took me nearly a year to narrow down what I like and what I dislike, and the number of vendors on my "go to" list have shrunk considerably, nothing beats a B&M store where you can actually taste juices first and then choose. If that isn't worth an extra two bucks, I don't know what else to say to help you.

 

[The Ocelot]

You have no idea the amount of money I wasted trying new flavors from online vendors. While it took me nearly a year to narrow down what I like and what I dislike, and the number of vendors on my "go to" list have shrunk considerably, nothing beats a B&M store where you can actually taste juices first and then choose. If that isn't worth an extra two bucks, I don't know what else to say to help you.

My local B&M won't let you taste juices. There is no other shop within 100 miles.