New guy...rough start

[Charlie B]

So I tried the vaping thing a couple months ago with the cig-a-likes and it didn't work. Didn't taste like an analog, feel like an analog, no throat hit, just not the same sensation.

A couple weeks ago, a couple I know both started vaping to quit smoking and it worked, he had an MVP and she had a VV 3 and I was just like "what are those?" I had more questions than they could answer so I went to where everyone goes when they want to know the truth...the internet!

Actually I just did a lot of reading, watched a ton of videos and lurked on this forum for the past week. Last week I had decided I was going to start vaping and went to a local B&M to ask a few questions and purchase a set up...bad experience.
Once I walked in I instantly realized I was the oldest person in the place but so what, doesn't bother me. It was definitely an 18-early 20 crowd hanging out and I was just like "What's up" and turned to the guy behind the counter who might be 19-20 and told him I'm new to vaping and just wanted to ask a few questions, his response was a blank stare, and a huff like I was just bothering him. I thought maybe the kid is having a bad day, maybe he's had 50 people that day asking questions he finds stupid after answering the 1st 5 times? I don't know but give him the benefit of the doubt. So I say I want to start vaping and am looking to get a decent start.....he just walks away and picks up a mod and comes back. I'm thinking cool, he has just the thing in mind for me, this kid's awesome! Sadly, I was wrong. He says "what did you need?" and then just starts vaping but blowing all the vapor directly into my face. I'm not a small guy...he was a tiny guy (but in his mind obviously a funny guy). I started saying I was looking for a good starter kit and he just kept blowing vapor in my face. Then I realized another guy behind the counter obviously saw this and it must be a joke thing cause he chuckled. I said "Obviously you can't help me" and left, and I will never set foot in that place again.

I was ......, smoked a few analogs and then thought "I'm not going to let this discourage me". So to make a long story short, I went online and just got a VV 3.0 and 2 aspire ET-s and some juice I had read good reviews on. I got it all on Monday so I started Tuesday...April Fools Day, I figured that will make it easy to remember for when I hit a year!

Just taking it day by day so far... but so far so good!

Since I've been lurking and reading so much on these boards just thought I'd say hello. Sorry for writing a book here, and yes I've thought about going back and ramming that kid's mod straight up his a....

 

[Ms.P]

Welcome Charlie! I'm so sorry you had a bad experience. But don't give up! My first start wasn't so great, either. The kit I got leaked like a sieve. Started over with the right stuff at a better shop and it's all good now. This forum is such a great place! Everyone is warm and welcoming and helpful. You'll be overwhelmed with all the good stuff here. Gives you warm fuzzy feeling all over.

 

[Phlotsum]

I went online and just got a VV 3.0 and 2 aspire ET-s and some juice I had read good reviews on.

That is the setup I started with, I think you'll be happy with it. I know I am.

Its my backup in the car now.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Charlie B]

Thanks! There is a lot of great information on here.

 

[Buggainok]

Hi Charlie, and welcome to the forum. So sorry for your horrible experience in the vape shop. Glad you got yourself some good gear online and got started anyway!

Wish you lived in my town, and we could go where I got my set up. I was really lucky, I guess. I'm a grandma, age 71, and I walked into a shop full of 20-somethings with piercings, tattoos and purple hair, too. But they could not have been nicer to me. They thought it was so cool that a golden oldie wanted to start vaping. They were very patient explaining everything to me, and demonstrating the equipment.

I left with a starter kit and some juice and came home and started on this great adventure. I haven't smoked a cigarette since. I went back to the shop in about a week to get juice while I was waiting for an order to arrive in the mail.

They treated me like it was a reunion and were happy to hear of my progress. The little gal who had helped me to start with said she had told her boss about this "Cool Grandma" that she helped get started!

Glad you have joined us, and I wish you continued success!

 

[ouzel]

hello charlie!

i'm really new here too and i think you and i pretty much got the same set up.

as for the bleep-bleep at the store, i think once vaping becomes more mainstream and more and more shops pop up a lot of these vape snobs will be driven out of business. i've heard a lot of that going around, snobby clerks, people pushing equipment too hard, only trying to sell what's most expensive, etc.

i can't wait until every smoker sees the light, comes on over to our side and therefore the market will have to adjust and people with bad business plans will be driven out.
that's my hope

and welcome once again!

 

[Cool_Breeze]

Hey, Charlie...welcome aboard.

I can understand your experience in the vape shop.

None-the-less, it seems like you got what you needed and you should have relatively smooth sailing from here on out.

 

[kahzmoe]

Keep Vaping, Charlie B. I continued to smoke analogs at the normal times, wake up, after eating and such. I went thru about a pack or so until I was running late for work (as always!) and forgot to smoke my morning cig. The previous night was the last full smoke I had. A few puffs here and there during the next week and 100 percent analog free since then. Chantix, Nicorette, lozenges, patches, none of it worked until now. Vaping has changed my life. Rock on Charlie B, never give up.

 

[Charlie B]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Funny, I first tried chantix to quit and discovered I was quite allergic to it! I definitely enjoy vaping much more now than when I 1st tried on the cig-a-likes. I found a couple other Vape Shops around my area, atleast within a 30 minute drive that I want to check out, definitely not going to let one experience deter me from trying for a better one. Actually the couple I know told me of a place I'll check out this weekend. Just really want to be able to feel how something fits in my hand, see how large it is and also just want to be able to try different vapor flavors and not rely on buying online.

Thanks again!

 

[patkin]

Congratulations on surmounting the first hurdles and welcome to ECF!

 

[Bojeda]

Definately check out other vape shops until you find one that you like. They are always handy to have if you run out of something and USPS is taking its sweet time.

 

[Susan W.]

Welcome to ECF Charlie!! I've had a bad experience at a local vape shop too where I was discriminated because I wanted to learn how to rebuild and was told they don't teach woman because they don't understand. Where I live there's vape shops every two miles it definitely isn't the way to run a business. Glad you were able to get your stuff online which probably ended up to be cheaper anyway.

 

[MelvinTheDude]

Dude, what is up with those young kids at the vape stores! I get the same thing around here and I'm only 30. Well to be fair, there's at least two guys there helping people and not just sit there looking 'pro.'

I quit smoking very quickly after vaping, but I don't knock anyone who needs to transition. It's not easy and figuring out the equipment and everything doesn't make it easier.

I would recommend going to the B&M and picking up a couple different styles of tank than the ones that came with the starter ASAP, not only to try what else is out there, but so you have backups. Failures at the wrong time can drive you nuts.

@Susan W: I asked some questions about rebuildables and the kid at the vape store told me "that's outdated. No one does that anymore. You don't want to do that." I think they want you to buy atomizers. Going with women don't understand is total crap though.

 

[JustB'nMe]

Welcome Charlie B and congrats on getting started! Glad you didn't let the bad experience deter you.

What happened to you reaffirms my belief that vaping is just something "cool" to do with the young 20-something crowd. They don't realize or care there are those of us that have been lifetime smokers looking for a way to get off the analogs permanently.

Despite your first experience, I hope the recommendation from your friends works our for you.

Good luck and happy vaping!

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