My New Infinity Has Arrived!

[BuzzKill]

That was a very concise review , I do not expect sugar coated reviews trust me !

We just did a business analysis of Notcigs and it was not very good , we have to tighten our belts over here in order to keep doing this . My companies have to have a certain profitability to them in order to keep them afloat and Notcigs is on the edge of that ledge.
The Infinity fiasco with my supplier almost took us out to be honest with you , we are doing a re-evaluation taking into consideration that we have 3 new devices to release. 50%+ of the parts I got are trash and cannot be used.

 

[5cardstud]

Sorry to hear that Mike. I know you like helping people and if it wasn't for you we would all be using fixed voltage devices.

 

[hairball]

I have 2 of them...one for each hand...I still have to reach over and pat my Buzz's once in awhile. Damn good PV's...all of them that Mike builds and best customer service around.

 

[BuzzKill]

Sorry to hear that Mike. I know you like helping people and if it wasn't for you we would all be using fixed voltage devices.

It is not over BUT I have to take a close hard look at this MOD thing Vs reselling vs. forget it LOL !
I have a bad habit of spending a lot on R&D ! , I have already spent many many hours on these new designs and I hate to let go of them , I believe that this new design and Tech is the answer I have been looking for and will make a KILLER PV in all forms . The market is limited for mods , I tried to break into the standard market with the Infinity but the supplier crap killed us (%($(%#^%*#!

I am sitting here looking a a super small PCB assem with the New Tech for the Infinity Pro it is KILLER IMO and If I can get it done exactly right it will be a hard act to follow trust me. I am older and everything is so small it is crazy !! .

I am going to have a talk with my employees and run this by them first ( they all have been with me for over 12 yrs min . !!) so it is partly their decision as well as mine . In any case all products will be supported and warranties honored .

 

[El Dee]

This is not good news...not good at all..............

 

[Poppa D]

Mike,
Start up crash, should turn into cash. Sort of like that first few months vaping was outrageously expensive. At least it was for me. Slow down the moons not going any where, just tie your laces and finish the race.

G,
A lot of your concerns, and suggestions are already addressed with the Buzz. Screwdriver or not its a simple, solid, dependable V V PV.

 

[Bovinia]

Mike, we will understand and support whatever decision you and your team come to. Would sure hate to see you give up but you have to do what's best for your businesses and your own and employees' sanity and pockets!

 

[greencity]

Should I be concerned about this having just orderedmy infinity yesterday Mike?

 

[5cardstud]

It is not over BUT I have to take a close hard look at this MOD thing Vs reselling vs. forget it LOL !
I have a bad habit of spending a lot on R&D ! , I have already spent many many hours on these new designs and I hate to let go of them , I believe that this new design and Tech is the answer I have been looking for and will make a KILLER PV in all forms . The market is limited for mods , I tried to break into the standard market with the Infinity but the supplier crap killed us (%($(%#^%*#!

I am sitting here looking a a super small PCB assem with the New Tech for the Infinity Pro it is KILLER IMO and If I can get it done exactly right it will be a hard act to follow trust me. I am older and everything is so small it is crazy !! .

I am going to have a talk with my employees and run this by them first ( they all have been with me for over 12 yrs min . !!) so it is partly their decision as well as mine . In any case all products will be supported and warranties honored .

One of the problems is your first mod, "the Buzz" is so good, so dependable, and so damn rugged that it lasts forever and it's a hard act to follow. Quit building them so good. Mike your people here on the notcig forum all loove ya and just want whats best for you so whatever you decide, like Bovinia said, were with ya. A business does have to show a profit to stay afloat though and you better than anyone knows that.
I also think everyone here knows your products will be supported and warranties honored. That's just the kind of guy you are.

 

[GMoney]

That was a very concise review , I do not expect sugar coated reviews trust me !

We just did a business analysis of Notcigs and it was not very good , we have to tighten our belts over here in order to keep doing this . My companies have to have a certain profitability to them in order to keep them afloat and Notcigs is on the edge of that ledge.
The Infinity fiasco with my supplier almost took us out to be honest with you , we are doing a re-evaluation taking into consideration that we have 3 new devices to release. 50%+ of the parts I got are trash and cannot be used.

Sorry to hear that. It doesn't shock me - it is costly to be a great innovator in any field, especially in the early stages of a business.

I have started and ran several businesses myself, although not manufacturing. I frankly did figure your margins were small and you were doing it out of love and expectation on future profits as the field matures. I got so excited after I started using a PV that I considered starting another business in this area, but I couldn't see how to make the numbers work for me without high risk and/or neglecting everything else I have going on.

I do think there are routes forward for you to reach sufficient profitability to continue, I think that we are looking at explosive growth in the field of e-cigs in general in the near future - IF the government doesn't completely screw us over. However, that is a big if.

Best of luck in whatever you decide is in your best interest. If you choose to continue, You know we support you and, at the very least, will help you out by spreading the word.

 

[BuzzKill]

Should I be concerned about this having just orderedmy infinity yesterday Mike?

Not at all we will support all of our products in any case !

My employees are having a meeting today to talk this over , I include them in these kind of decisions because of their loyalty to me and my company ( they have been with me 12 yrs + ! )

 

[BuzzKill]

Sorry to hear that. It doesn't shock me - it is costly to be a great innovator in any field, especially in the early stages of a business.

I have started and ran several businesses myself, although not manufacturing. I frankly did figure your margins were small and you were doing it out of love and expectation on future profits as the field matures. I got so excited after I started using a PV that I considered starting another business in this area, but I couldn't see how to make the numbers work for me without high risk and/or neglecting everything else I have going on.

I do think there are routes forward for you to reach sufficient profitability to continue, I think that we are looking at explosive growth in the field of e-cigs in general in the near future - IF the government doesn't completely screw us over. However, that is a big if.

Best of luck in whatever you decide is in your best interest. If you choose to continue, You know we support you and, at the very least, will help you out by spreading the word.

We are taking a close look at this , the margins are not very good yet but we have not really marketed very hard because of supply problems , I do feel that the new designs are WAY BETTER and will set a new standard in the market , I will have to increase my prices some to cover the increase in MFG costs obviously ( not a large amount )

Our goal was to get the products mature enough to have them made in large volumes BUT that has not panned out , I am streamlining the MFG process to minimize the labor involved per unit , this is where our biggest cost is right now .

 

[Ruppy]

Not at all we will support all of our products in any case !

My employees are having a meeting today to talk this over , I include them in these kind of decisions because of their loyalty to me and my company ( they have been with me 12 yrs + ! )

Thats great Mike. Allowing employees to help make decisions is a great thing. Thats most likely why they have stood by you all these years.

We are taking a close look at this , the margins are not very good yet but we have not really marketed very hard because of supply problems , I do feel that the new designs are WAY BETTER and will set a new standard in the market , I will have to increase my prices some to cover the increase in MFG costs obviously ( not a large amount )

Our goal was to get the products mature enough to have them made in large volumes BUT that has not panned out , I am streamlining the MFG process to minimize the labor involved per unit , this is where our biggest cost is right now .

I really dont think I can picture anyone complaining about a little higher prices. Frankly you are considerably less than most now and they are basically selling the same thing. Ive said it before.....If you build it I will buy it.

 

[BuzzKill]

Well I just talked to the employees and they said keep going ! ( hell this paid their bonuses last year LOL ! ) as long as we release the trio of the Inf. Pro , Buzz Pro and VVPV Pro .

We will take out time and do them right so we minimize the issues and our Mfg time and costs , I have prototypes of all three in process right now , I asked Mike M at work to be my drawing and PCB layout checker to reduce our time and double our QC in this process.

From all of the tests that have been done so far this new design will kick some serious ... IMO

so We will continue with this new product line and see how it goes.

 

[Bovinia]

That's great news Mike...ROCK & ROLL baby!

 

[GMoney]

Well I just talked to the employees and they said keep going ! ( hell this paid their bonuses last year LOL ! ) as long as we release the trio of the Inf. Pro , Buzz Pro and VVPV Pro .

We will take out time and do them right so we minimize the issues and our Mfg time and costs , I have prototypes of all three in process right now , I asked Mike M at work to be my drawing and PCB layout checker to reduce our time and double our QC in this process.

From all of the tests that have been done so far this new design will kick some serious ... IMO

so We will continue with this new product line and see how it goes.

Oh Great - 3 more products I have to buy! I thought quitting smoking was supposed to save me money! j/k

That's great news Mike. I wish you the best of luck. When you are ready I'm sure some of us can help with your marketing efforts. Even though I am pretty new here, I genuinely feel that you're someone I would like to see succeed. I'd be happy to give you some SEO tips to drive some more traffic to your site, if you are ever interested.

 

[BuzzKill]

Thanks Guys , I think we can make it work , like I said we have to tighten our belts and take into account the massive shipping charges we have at times .

The Employees were all for it even though they have to work harder !

 

[5cardstud]

That's kind of what I've been waiting for is the new tech designs to come out. They should be some great sellers as battery longevity is why people go to mods and HV PVs in the first place. I'm behind you 100% but you already know that. Congrats on the employees decision.

 

[Ruppy]

Thanks Guys , I think we can make it work , like I said we have to tighten our belts and take into account the massive shipping charges we have at times .

The Employees were all for it even though they have to work harder !

Shipping is getting outrageous..............I can imagine on your end with everything coming in and going out. SUre we pay for shipping to us but you still gotta pack and box them......... You know you have a handful of volunteers around here. If we can help in some way I know I will. You know how to get hold of me.

 

[Bovinia]

Shipping is getting outrageous..............I can imagine on your end with everything coming in and going out. SUre we pay for shipping to us but you still gotta pack and box them......... You know you have a handful of volunteers around here. If we can help in some way I know I will. You know how to get hold of me.

Same here, and I'm sure Ruppy and I aren't the only ones