newb post & quesion: Vape shop sexism?

[stupidgroupie]

The one and only vape shop I went to, I was actually helped by a female associate. I believe her name was April. I'm queer and she totally set off my gaydar (such a cute boi!) - but I restrained myself - and she was very helpful and nice. I didn't have too many questions as I felt fairly overwhelmed by the explosion in vape culture, but it was a pleasant overall experience.

It was Vape Dojo in Ellicott City, which is close enough, but still a bit of a drive for a DC person.

 

[Arnie H]

So I'm pretty new to this. I've got about a 1.5 months vaping and just shy of a month off smokes.

My friend gifted me my set up gear (a vamo and a mini protank) and I got fanatically excited about the whole thing. The big piece of advice he gave me was "find a local vape shop, it will be your most important resource".

Most of my purchases are online (90%). And, although I believe in supporting local B&Ms (and there are more and more popping up in my area), I use them mostly for juice purchases. But spending enough green and/or visiting frequently, will probably change any sexist attitude quickly. The electronic/techie nature of e-cigs may mean a slightly greater proportion of men who vape, particularly the hard core hobbyists. but I cannot be certain of this. Definitely wise to familiarize yourself with any local shops, for emergency equipment purposes .as well as making friends and sharing knowledge. Oh yes, Congrats on quitting.

 

[Completely Average]

If you ever want to see the difference between how vape shops treat women, send a female into a vape shop with a mech mod in hand.

 

[casloll]

The one and only vape shop I went to, I was actually helped by a female associate. I believe her name was April. I'm queer and she totally set off my gaydar (such a cute boi!) - but I restrained myself - and she was very helpful and nice. I didn't have too many questions as I felt fairly overwhelmed by the explosion in vape culture, but it was a pleasant overall experience.

It was Vape Dojo in Ellicott City, which is close enough, but still a bit of a drive for a DC person.

I went up to Vape Dojo but sadly April (who is totally cute :3 ) was busy with another customer :/
Thanks for the reccomendation!

 

[WharfRat1976]

Vape shop is prime ground for an SNL reoccurring skit...male bias is everywhere. Next go to a car dealer, then a bank, then a real estate office, then a restaurant...why should vape shops be singled out...sorry for your experience but not very surprising.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[Tdgamer]

I feel all over the place reading this post. The OPs experience saddened me. I work at a B&M vape shop, and our store is about 50/50 guys and girls (5/4 in favor of guys). I like to think that we treat all customers equally.

On the other hand, I see where the one poster (Synles or something like that) is coming from. If a guy and girl come in, I am relieved (to a degree) because it gives me something else to look at, even if the guy is just there and she is doing all the purchasing. It does not so much have to do with attractiveness as it is not wanting to come off as creepy. I can look at the device while talking, I can look at her while talking, but having the third person gives me something to break it up. I usually have some inner dialogue running trying to convince myself that I do not want to come across as creepy and staring at her. Maybe it is just me, and maybe I am not explaining myself well. But that is just my experience. Does that make sense?

 

[delpart]

Well, need to get some posts in the newbie area and this intrigued me. Retail is such a horrid example of "what not to do" that you usually find at least one example store that will fit the bill.

Only comment I had to make was that I evaluate businesses before I try them (when possible.)

BBB, etc checks as well as how they appear online and all that.

What surprised me the most was the number of the shops in my area that are owned and or primarily operated by women. Currently 60% of them. Of the others, most have female staff as well.

The experience however with many of them is "get rich quick" and "ah, so that's what people actually want, gimme a few more weeks to get a new order in ..."

YMWV and all that rot.


TLR - Most of the shops in my area are actually run or owned by women, regardless of who may or may not be behind the counter on any given day.

Cheers.

 

[DeloresRose]

I worked retail for years, and one thing you learn really quickly is to smile, make eye contact, and answer the person who asks. Not everyone is cut out for dealing with the public, and it seems most people working in vape shops are younger - 30-ish and under - so perhaps they are a little less experienced in salesmanship.

Even so, I guess I'm lucky with the shops near me. Mostly young guys, but they're always helpful to me.

I sort of think some of you younger ladies might be having issues because the guy waiting on you doesn't want to come off as flirty, or make your companion jealous. I don't have that problem... my hubby isn't the jealous type, and I'm past the age where anyone under 80 flirts with me.

 

[Vaslovik]

If you ever want to see the difference between how vape shops treat women, send a female into a vape shop with a mech mod in hand.

You got that right! I had to stop going to one because a guy who worked there couldn't deal with me using a mech and being able to build a genny when he couldn't and he got really really nasty with me when I would go in there. Once he was waiting on another woman, and she looked over at me, and I said, "You could always try an RBA." The nasty guy behind the counter said, "Oh yeah right! I can just imagine HER rolling a mesh wick! Fat chance!"

Well, I roll them just fine, and he knew it too, but he had to say that about her. If I'd been her I would have walked out after a word to the manager.

 

[Ciege666]

I work at a vape shop and I personally make a point to answer the person who asked the question (male here). I treat customers like i would want to be treated at their level of vaping, whether they are just now making the switch, or if they walk in with a super sub ohm build. That shop needs a serious overhaul if thats how they act. I work with all females and we treat all our customers with respect. I'm sorry to hear that the shop close to you is that way. Try talking to a manager, they will probably get mad at you over it but if you start to learn your stuff about vaping and become friendly (hang out and bs with them) they will probably really warm up to you.

 

[Tomthern]

I think it was just the shop. I got the same treatment when I started and I finally have a good place. They treat me well. They answered a lot of questions for me. Now I have had issues with one of the clerks now I don't deal with that person. There can be a few bad eggs but there are some good people put there. Plus I know more about things then I ever did because of the forum now they will ask me questions.

 

[secutorum]

I've been to local vape shops with both guys and gals working behind the counter. Both have been friendly and helpful. My better half and I get good treatment and questions are answered to whichever one of us asked with no sexism. Although I must say, I'm normally asking the techy, mod-related questions, while my wife's are more liquid flavor related.

 

[VanessaHuxtable]

I just started frequenting vape shops in PA and NJ.

About me: 20-something yr old female. Vaping for over a year. I currently exclusively use mechs and rebuildables. Vaping is a hobby for me.

My experiences:
First local vape shop experience. Treated nicely. I got to show off my tricked out mech. All male staff but cool dudes.

2nd Vape Shop (in Philadelphia)
- Start looking at mechs they have for sale
- Male clerk says "these are advanced, I recommend looking at these"
- He points to a purple ego and CE4s.
- I am offended, as I have my small 18350 Nemesis in my back pocket, with a 1.3 ohm
RDA.
- The assumption that I knew nothing bothered me. He didn't ask what brought me into his shop, but instead assumed I must be some n00b.

Some time later: Visit a Vape Shop in NJ
- Walk in, they say hi and then ignore me. All male staff.
- I go to the juice bar and ask for juice
- Guy behind counter gets my order but refuses to talk to me. #elitist
- As I am waiting to pay for juice ABOUT 4 UNDERAGE BOYS (ages 11-14) walk in and the clerks are explaining how Protanks work.
- Never again will I shop here. They took more time to help a group of underage children then they did to a paying customer. Not only is this ethically not ok but also illegal to sell these children any nic juice. Shame.