New Variable Voltage device from smoktech?

[VAPNJ350]

West..you described it pretty perfectly. I think most new-comers (75-85%) will follow that exact road. That was spot on to my experience. And honestly I think I would prefer to do it the same way all over again, if it weren't for those little peice of crap 510 look-a-like ecigs I don't know if I would have the same appreciation for what I have now. And more so would not be able to help a new person near as much due to not having experience the transition myself. I kinda glad I spent $70 bucks on a volcanoe V-pack (super mini) it showed me it was possible,did I overspend,ABSOLUTELY !! The battery lasted 45 min. to a hour at best, but on the 1st day, I sat down and told myself I'm going to see if this thing REALLY works,I sat for as long as I could without a cigarette or a drag off my ecig. 2 hours went by watching a movie (long time for me without a smoke), I was close to having a nic fit, then with a fresh charged tiny battery and a full cart of tabacco flavor I took a couple long slow drags off my ecig and waited...............AND WOW !!!!!! My erge for nicotine went completely away,I felt a nice calming feeling, and right at that moment I knew I could finally drop the bad habit of something that would inevitably kill me slowly in the future. Since that day its been a journey of nothing short of pure enjoyment and having a certain passion for vaping and spreading the word to other smokers and trying to help them in anyway to quit also. Now,2 years later, I have 9 devices that all serve a certain purpose at certain times and particular enviroments. But now that I have my VMAX I think for the 1st time since I started with V V, I don't need to but another device, I have found exactly what gives me the vape I was looking for,,......and a little more. You guys and gals take care, and please try to help our new comers any way you can with positive reinforcement and accurate information. Be safe out there.........

 

[fuzzione]

Warning: bit of a rant here. May not be the right thread for this but since certain posts here touch on relative costs, as a new vaper I simply cannnot appreciate that ecig outfits are charging fair prices for most of the equipment being sold. I mean, most of this equipment appears barely more costly to produce and sports little more technology than a basic flashlight. Even a cheap computer mouse has vastly superior technology than these things and you can pick some of those up for less than $20. I really feel most manufacturers and suppliers are taking unfair advantage of smokers' psychology here. That we can still justify paying $200 + on (fairly basic) equipment and $100 / month on juices (don't even get me started on juice markup) because it's cheaper than buying cigarettes so we'll pay the price. Doesn't make it right.

It was a little bit of a shock for me to attend my 1st recent vape meet wherein this one fellow had a collection of what amounted to steel tube housed batteries with heating elements and the odd digital display....for which he must have spent over $3000 on. Now don't get me wrong, I understand this can become a pleasurable hobby for some who will, for instance, pay top dollar for fine hand crafted wooden art housing the basic devices...I'm not talking about these people who likely represent the minority.

I for one welcome the cheaper Chinese knock-offs as a step in the right direction. Might just knock enough sense into some of these companies as to adjust pricing to more realistic levels. I hope some price wars begin in earnest, and before most of us are 'conditioned' to believe that some of the pricing out there represents reasonable markup.

 

[fsroq]

Thats basicly how I think about the "Hightech" volt regulators sold at 150-250$. Can´t but agree with you.

 

[John D in CT]

Freddie ... I don't know quite how to say this, but a real friend will tell you the truth, so I just hafta say .... your setup sucks.

You should have gone with the chrome DCT tank with a black drip tip.

View attachment 95739View attachment 95740View attachment 96393View attachment 96394


John...Didn't you know Chrome should go ALL the way up...... lol..lol......purdy's one thing but beauty....well thats a whole different ballgame. All in good fun brotha. Glad to hear you got it ....and you like it. ....... J

With that chrome drip tip, you have gone from "tasteful and understated" to "gaudy and ostentatious". Were you by chance raised in a cheap whorehouse?

YOU mean like this JOHN...HAHAHA...LOL!

Freddie, is that a fuschia-colored drip tip?? If so, I applaud your courage in choosing such a public place as this to "come out of the closet". lolol

Warning: bit of a rant here. May not be the right thread for this but since certain posts here touch on relative costs, as a new vaper I simply cannnot appreciate that ecig outfits are charging fair prices for most of the equipment being sold. I mean, most of this equipment appears barely more costly to produce and sports little more technology than a basic flashlight. Even a cheap computer mouse has vastly superior technology than these things and you can pick some of those up for less than $20. I really feel most manufacturers and suppliers are taking unfair advantage of smokers' psychology here. That we can still justify paying $200 + on (fairly basic) equipment and $100 / month on juices (don't even get me started on juice markup) because it's cheaper than buying cigarettes so we'll pay the price. Doesn't make it right.

It was a little bit of a shock for me to attend my 1st recent vape meet wherein this one fellow had a collection of what amounted to steel tube housed batteries with heating elements and the odd digital display....for which he must have spent over $3000 on. Now don't get me wrong, I understand this can become a pleasurable hobby for some who will, for instance, pay top dollar for fine hand crafted wooden art housing the basic devices...I'm not talking about these people who likely represent the minority.

I for one welcome the cheaper Chinese knock-offs as a step in the right direction. Might just knock enough sense into some of these companies as to adjust pricing to more realistic levels. I hope some price wars begin in earnest, and before most of us are 'conditioned' to believe that some of the pricing out there represents reasonable markup.

I just can't agree with most of that. Crafting, mixing, and selling juice has got to be a pain in the ...., and I don't think that anyone is getting inordinately wealthy doing it. Making a good living? I certainly hope so, especially my favorite vendors, whom I would like to see stay in business. But given the incredible amount of competion, I have to believe that a relatively fair price is being charged - about $15 to $20 per ounce/30ml, with the average seeming to me to be around $16.50 or so. At 3ml/day, that's about $1.65; still far less than a pack of stinkies, and just as we were free to roll our own, we're now free to mix our own. As a small businessman, I know that you have to charge what your services can bear on the open market. Charge less than that, and you're generally not going to last. If a juice vendor could charge significantly less than the going rate, capture a larger market share by doing so, and still make enough of a profit, I really think we'd see it happening. To me, I think all of the market forces have pretty much determined that the current prices are fair to both the vendor and the consumer.

***

Lastly: "co-ops" are a good thing. I'm participating in one right now that is allowing me to get all the VMax's I want for $60 each, including delivery to my door. (Batteries, as always, not included).

 

[X P3 Flight Engineer]

I hope some price wars begin in earnest, and before most of us are 'conditioned' to believe that some of the pricing out there represents reasonable markup.

The "price wars" have begun alright, the opposite direction that you were hoping for, though.

A group of Canadian vendors has joined forces to form ECTA – The Electronic Cigarette Trade Association of Canada. The only outcome so far, at least from some of the members (most are secret, for now), has been harassment and intimidation of any Canadian vendor trying to offer fair prices.

Also, from the manufacturers side:

Smoktech has threatened any vendor that sells their VMax for less than $128. That's fair, it's their product.

Joye dictates to their retailers which other products they can sell if they want to sell their products (also, at their minimum price. No maximum set!). Reasonable, to a point.

I realize if I get a product at a lower price I may have to live with a lower quality product. It's just that if I pay a higher price, I am not assured of a higher quality product.

Even the new Nicorrette spray inhaler is priced so that 1 spray (= 1 mg nicotine = 1 cigarette) is the same price as the 1 cigarette would be. They (all inclusive THEY = BP, governments, retailers) know how much money we have not spent on cigarettes and have to find a way to loosen our grip on it.

I do not expect good things, price wise, in the future. If we find a way to save a buck, someone else will find a way to snatch it from us, and we won't know which way it will come from.

Meanwhile, Relax! Enjoy!

 

[Chopper71]

Lastly: "co-ops" are a good thing. I'm participating in one right now that is allowing me to get all the VMax's I want for $60 each, including delivery to my door. (Batteries, as always, not included).

Any room left to get in on this?

 

[fuzzione]

With that chrome drip tip, you have gone from "tasteful and understated" to "gaudy and ostentatious". Did you happen to be raised in a cheap whorehouse?

Freddie, is that a fuschia-colored drip tip?? If so, I applaud your courage in choosing such a public place as this to "come out of the closet". lolol



I just can't agree with most of that. Crafting, mixing, and selling juice has got to be a pain in the ...., and I don't think that anyone is getting inordinately wealthy doing it. Making a good living? I certainly hope so, especially my favorite vendors, whom I would like to see stay in business. But given the incredible amount of competion, I have to believe that a relatively fair price is being charged - about $15 to $20 per ounce/30ml, with the average seeming to me to be around $16.50 or so. At 3ml/day, that's about $1.65; still far less than a pack of stinkies, and just as we were free to roll our own, we're now free to mix our own. As a small businessman, I know that you have to charge what your services can bear on the open market. Charge less than that, and you're generally not going to last. If a juice vendor could charge significantly less than the going rate, capture a larger market share by doing so, and still make enough of a profit, I really think we'd see it happening. To me, I think all of the market forces have pretty much determined that the current prices are fair to both the vendor and the consumer.

***

Lastly: "co-ops" are a good thing. I'm participating in one right now that is allowing me to get all the VMax's I want for $60 each, including delivery to my door. (Batteries, as always, not included).

$15-20 for 30ml?

Today, online, you can buy a gallon of USP grade PG for under $30. 1000ml of VG for $18.75. Flavorings go for $10/30ml and nic is selling for $45 for 250ml of 100mg strength. The math is fairly easy here as to conclude there's around an 80% markup. I realize there is effort in mixing, marketing and indeed it's a craft. It's also easy to see why many choose the DIY route. I suppose it's up to the individual to decide whether 80% markup (at least) is worth it to them or not.

At least one vendor is selling for cheaper ($5.50/30ml), I know it's supposed to be a sale and all but just shows you what is possible. Vapure USA Made Premium Eliquid Sale!

 

[X P3 Flight Engineer]

At least one vendor is selling for cheaper ($5.50/30ml), I know it's supposed to be a sale and all but just shows you what is possible. Vapure USA Made Premium Eliquid Sale!

And at least one vendor (in Canada, presumed captive audience) is not selling for cheaper.

30 ml of 36mg unflavored PG Base $27.99

 

[fuzzione]

And at least one vendor (in Canada, presumed captive audience) is not selling for cheaper.

30 ml of 36mg unflavored PG Base $27.99

Wow. Just.....wow .

 

[Errol]

I just can't agree with most of that. Crafting, mixing, and selling juice has got to be a pain in the ...., and I don't think that anyone is getting inordinately wealthy doing it. Making a good living? I certainly hope so, especially my favorite vendors, whom I would like to see stay in business. But given the incredible amount of competion, I have to believe that a relatively fair price is being charged - about $15 to $20 per ounce/30ml, with the average seeming to me to be around $16.50 or so. At 3ml/day, that's about $1.65; still far less than a pack of stinkies, and just as we were free to roll our own, we're now free to mix our own. As a small businessman, I know that you have to charge what your services can bear on the open market. Charge less than that, and you're generally not going to last. If a juice vendor could charge significantly less than the going rate, capture a larger market share by doing so, and still make enough of a profit, I really think we'd see it happening. To me, I think all of the market forces have pretty much determined that the current prices are fair to both the vendor and the consumer.

Agree with your thinking in this area John. There's enough competition in the E-Cig market that I doubt anyone is getting rich. All one has to do is shop around to find what they can afford or are willing to pay.

I buy in bulk and mix my own juices so I'm not up to speed in that area but feel you are right on that point. In the area of PVs one has a wide spectrum of quality and price and more expensive isn't necessarily better. Recently picked up a $40 VV unit that has become my favorite for low demand vaping. It's a wide ranging market and whatever price range one is in it still cheaper than cigarettes (unless one turns it into a hobby) and a hell of a lot more interesting.

Errol

 

[sailorman]

Warning: bit of a rant here. May not be the right thread for this but since certain posts here touch on relative costs, as a new vaper I simply cannnot appreciate that ecig outfits are charging fair prices for most of the equipment being sold. I mean, most of this equipment appears barely more costly to produce and sports little more technology than a basic flashlight. Even a cheap computer mouse has vastly superior technology than these things and you can pick some of those up for less than $20. I really feel most manufacturers and suppliers are taking unfair advantage of smokers' psychology here. That we can still justify paying $200 + on (fairly basic) equipment and $100 / month on juices (don't even get me started on juice markup) because it's cheaper than buying cigarettes so we'll pay the price. Doesn't make it right.

It was a little bit of a shock for me to attend my 1st recent vape meet wherein this one fellow had a collection of what amounted to steel tube housed batteries with heating elements and the odd digital display....for which he must have spent over $3000 on. Now don't get me wrong, I understand this can become a pleasurable hobby for some who will, for instance, pay top dollar for fine hand crafted wooden art housing the basic devices...I'm not talking about these people who likely represent the minority.

I for one welcome the cheaper Chinese knock-offs as a step in the right direction. Might just knock enough sense into some of these companies as to adjust pricing to more realistic levels. I hope some price wars begin in earnest, and before most of us are 'conditioned' to believe that some of the pricing out there represents reasonable markup.

Reasonable markup has little to do with any of it. This market is too fragmented for that. With the possible exception of juice, where competition is fierce for what is basically a commodity, the prices aren't set by a cost/markup formula. They're set at the maximum the market will bear at any given moment. That's why you see such fluctuations in prices for most vaping equipment. A lot of what the market will bear is due to constant comparisons with the cost of cigarettes. If someone can save $300/month on cigarettes, it's easy to convince them that a PV that cost $10 to make and market is worth $200. In a way it is, but if that were a kitchen item, for example, people would laugh in your face. Prices are set by what the market will bear, and that's largely set by the relative cost of smoking. That explains the brisk sale of those $200 mall e-cig kits. 90% of all of it has nothing to do with costs.

 

[fsroq]

Once again +1

 

[John D in CT]

Any room left to get in on this?

Sorry I didn't get back sooner on that. I just have to check with the person who told me about it; I just re-read the email telling me about it, and it said "justtelling a select few about this" - oops - but there are still nine left, and they might just be anxious to get the rest spoken for anyway so they can go ahead and git 'er done. I'm checking with the person who told me about it to see how much further of a big blabbermouth I can be about this.

Failing this batch, I think this device is going to be huge, and that this is hardly going to be the last co-op deal there is. Plus, it's kinda nice to have other people be the guinea pigs. I've already heard something about a switch issue, but I hesistate to even repeat it, because that's how falsehoods get circulated. Mine is GREAT, and hasn't so much as hiccupped. Can't wait for the PBusardo review, or Scott's.

To be continued.

 

[Chopper71]

Sorry I didn't get back sooner on that.

Hey man its no big thing and I can wait for another one no biggie.Thanks for the reply back though.So in the mean time this is what I did to my black LT I modded it some and still have some more to polish on it.I think it looks pretty nice,far better then it did.Its all stainless now.

Correction its all Aluminum now lol.........

Before when it was black

After I modded it next to my silver LT

 

[John D in CT]

Hey man its no big thing and I can wait for another one no biggie. Thanks for the reply back though.So in the mean time this is what I did to my black LT I modded it some and still have some more to polish on it.I think it looks pretty nice,far better then it did.Its all stainless now.

Before when it was black
View attachment 96776
After I modded it next to my silver LT
View attachment 96775

.....in' lacquer job, Chopper, looks nice!

OK, it's official on the VMax co-op thing. OP of that thread says it doesn't have to be on the down low, and there are eight more available in this first batch. $60 each, including delivery from China, and then by him to your door. Not at all a bad deal. Warranty: in theory, one year. In reality, none. Calculated risk.

here's the link to the thread:

Coop feeler for VMax direct from China.

I've greased the wheels, so just tell him John D sent you and he'll tell you what to do. Prolly just Paypal him your $60 and email your address, and wait for it to arrive at your door.

 

[fsroq]

There where some isues with the button, now fixed. So dont worry too much about the button. Great deal 60$ shipped. Cannt go wrong on this.

 

[Shiryo]

Hopefully I can land one of the 2 spots!!! I was in a conversation about this with my local vendor and the employees there, although very Pro-Provari said this unit was actually pretty darn good for what it is, said it did exactly what the Provari does, just a bit cheaper! At this price point, I can't say no. The only thing that makes me skeptical is stacking, but we'll see!

 

[Sparrots]

First to keep this on-topic, my favorite PV currently is my VV tube mod so I think this is a great device and a great deal. Now then...Co-op's have been very good for me also. I buy some items in bulk directly from the factory and sell at my cost (including shipping which is NOT cheap) to my veteran friends. Most don't have a lot of money but I can set them up with a complete 510 kit for 20 bucks. Not the best, to be sure, but alot better than the 401's I started out using. I do not tell the company what I'm doing with their product and they don't ask. WTF do they care as long as their product sells. I have tried to talk them into starting out using ego's at least, but there's a lot of resistance to the size. They are amazed when I pull out my 'huge' vv lavatube, LOL. Sure they'd probably ultimately save money going this route but the resistance is amazing.

I am grateful for those who are innovating and spending the money to 'make a better mousetrap'. I'm another who is glad to have gone through a lot of experimentation and upgrade (or not) of equipment and e-juice. If I was willing to experiment with different cigarettes when smoking until I found my favorite and the ultimate payoff would be death, I am more than willing to invest in this technology. I AM one of those who like to try new 'toys' and stuff and will continue to spend my money as I wish. I'm not living off of anyone else so why not be my own sugar daddy and get stuff that makes me and mine happy as well as healthier. If I think someone is marking something up too much, I won't buy it. Or maybe consider getting into the biz myself to get in on the profits. I just happen to be comfortable where I'm at and happy others are doing this work instead of me.
Sittin', vapin' and drinkin' my coffee.
Rebecca

 

[Errol]

.....in' lacquer job, Chopper, looks nice!

OK, it's official on the VMax co-op thing. OP of that thread says it doesn't have to be on the down low, and there are eight more available in this first batch. $60 each, including delivery from China, and then by him to your door. Not at all a bad deal. Warranty: in theory, one year. In reality, none. Calculated risk.

here's the link to the thread:

Coop feeler for VMax direct from China.

Decided to put my name in the pot but have to register to post and after registering I don't have privileges to access the thread.

What do I have to do to access the co-op thread? Is there another thread to communicate on that I can access? I did PM Chaos so maybe that's all I have to do.

Errol

Edit: Just checked and I'm on the list so you can ignore my babbling.

Errol

 

[VAPNJ350]

For the folks getting in on the coop VMAX buy I have but 1 thing to say........YOU WON'T REGRET IT !! I do want to spread just a small bit of light on the whole pricing thing. Im very close to a few vendors, 1 in Florida particularly, now keep in mind this is just this particular vendor, I cannot speak for any of the other 5,000+ out there lol... anyway they started their buisness with $1500 bucks and buy the end of their 1st year they profited $68,000. And selling the basics at low prices. Now their at 6 figures easy, as far as juice prices go, I make most of my own but their are still 2 or 3 vendors I use to get 3 flavors that I really like. Now after buying my DIY supplies in huge bulk(much like vendors do) my 30mL bottles I can make on average for .15-.31 cents per bottle, I stopped making anything that small and only mix 500mL at a time now. I know some folks will probably disagree with these numbers but after 2 solid years of vaping trust me this is fact. Their are 4 ingredients in eliquid, Nicotine, VG,PG, and PG based flavoring,thats it ! And all 3 are SUPER CHEAP. Thier are sites online where you can get USP kosher VG & PG for $25 bucks for 3 gallons. The stuff is CHEAP. I've heard of cheaper prices but haven't found them yet. You folks do the math. This is not a gripe and moan about prices, I think they are pretty fair, I just wait to buy the juices I do like from vendors when the 50% off sale is running and other sales at other vendors. If you feel prices are too high for juice try your hand at DIY, its really easy, the initial cost to get going might be a bite but the long term will pay for itself 10x's over. I vape 3-5mLs a day, I average about $1.89 a day between the carto and the juice, but I buy my boges in bulk at 10 bricks every 6 months or so. No not everyone can do this , but their are ways to cut cost considerably. You folks take care and keep vaping...........and try DIY.