Northern Virginia Vaping Community?

[Chornbro]

Yeah. I went in looking for a cheap dripping atty not long ago-- I wanted something to use for sampling at Vapercon. Not an rda, just a cheap, premade dripping atty. The problem wasn't that they didn't have any (that's common enough) but that the three employees who were there at the time had no earthly idea what I was talking about. No amount of explaining and describing helped.

I still like My Vapez and would gladly give it a decent review anywhere, but they do have some weaknesses.

HAH! Like, a regular ol' 510 or 306 atomizer?? To drip into? I get it : )

 

[Requiem33]

I work in Herndon but I live in Inwood, WV.

I know some that vape but not many, but I did get the owner of a local smoke shop to start carrying more than just blue. He now has blue and V2 and is going to start stocking juice and other supplies... YAY!

So I'm "testing" juices to find the stuff I like so I can tell him what to stock

 

[chikkaccino]

Yeah. I went in looking for a cheap dripping atty not long ago-- I wanted something to use for sampling at Vapercon. Not an RDA, just a cheap, premade dripping atty. The problem wasn't that they didn't have any (that's common enough) but that the three employees who were there at the time had no earthly idea what I was talking about. No amount of explaining and describing helped.

I still like My Vapez and would gladly give it a decent review anywhere, but they do have some weaknesses.

If you're brand new, it's a good place to get started, especially without having to wait for shipping and you want to try out some new juices. Or you're hard up for another tank right away or coil heads and can't wait for shipping to go through.

Not my ideal place though. I'm kind of wishing that the Radio Shack of vape wares would open up somewhere in the area. After recoiling several ProTanks and having maybe 1 leak on me, and 0 shortages, I'm thinking of getting into RBAs and RDAs as soon as I purchase an ohm meter.

 

[devauto]

Checking in! I'm in the Herndon/Reston area, and I can say with certainty that I do NOT care for My Vapez. The guys in there are good (not great), but their prices are RIDICULOUS! In an emergency, I will go there for supplies that I can't wait for in vape mail, but otherwise, I prefer VapeDojo. They have better prices, are more knowledgeable, and will ship if needed (takes one day from Ellicott city to me). My only gripe with VapeDojo is that I am directly in between BOTH locations, 1.5 hours to either one!

 

[madqatter]

I prefer VapeDojo. They have better prices, are more knowledgeable, and will ship if needed (takes one day from Ellicott city to me).

Their online store is one I've often recommended, but their Ellicott City store is a MESS. When I was there a couple of months ago, the display area was small and cramped, not accommodating more than two or three viewers at a time, and there was no description or sampling of any of the juices available. I've also had problems with the customer service. Definitely was not worth driving all the way over there.

 

[thomp248]

Finally Found vapers in Northern VA.. Excellent.. I have been using Vape Doji in Baltimore. I found the customer service to be great. I arrived and there was about 3 other people which grew to about 10 customers. They had a great selection of juices which they mix on the spot. I purchased an SVD and RSST while there and a dripper. They drilled holes for me in both the mod and the dripper atty. I sat down at the front table with three other vapers and we clouded up the joint and had a naborly chats... good folks and extensive knowledge.
There prices were great and they often post 50% off sales on juices.

from Ashburn, VA

 

[devauto]

Their online store is one I've often recommended, but their Ellicott City store is a MESS. When I was there a couple of months ago, the display area was small and cramped, not accommodating more than two or three viewers at a time, and there was no description or sampling of any of the juices available. I've also had problems with the customer service. Definitely was not worth driving all the way over there.

I agree that the storefront is small, and a little cramped sometimes, but they make efficient use of the space. They can only do so much with the space available, until they move to a larger facility, I don't think they could do much better than they already are. I have heard that the new store at the JMU campus is MUCH bigger, but have not gotten there to check it out yet. Hopefully soon though!

I'm not sure how you are defining "MESS", they have shelves, and a display case and everything seems to be in order, not just jumbled or tossed out there on the shelves. Maybe you missed it, but on the counter is a holder with a tester tank of every flavor they have, and next to it on the wall is a list of what is in stock (or more accurately, what they have stock to mix).

I have not EVER had a problem with their customer service, in fact, they helped me out several times LONG past their stated policy. Maybe it's just me, or maybe you just had a bad experience, but they have never failed me or the folks I've referred to them.

Everyone's experiences and expectations are different, and I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, but they have definitely earned my business. I will continue to go there as often as I can (sadly, given the drive time, not very often).

 

[devauto]

Finally Found vapers in Northern VA.. Excellent.. I have been using Vape Doji in Baltimore. I found the customer service to be great. I arrived and there was about 3 other people which grew to about 10 customers. They had a great selection of juices which they mix on the spot. I purchased an SVD and RSST while there and a dripper. They drilled holes for me in both the mod and the dripper atty. I sat down at the front table with three other vapers and we clouded up the joint and had a naborly chats... good folks and extensive knowledge.
There prices were great and they often post 50% off sales on juices.

from Ashburn, VA

Hi Thomp!

Welcome to ECF! I'm glad you had a great experience with VapeDojo, they are exceptional!

 

[madqatter]

I agree that the storefront is small, and a little cramped sometimes, but they make efficient use of the space.

Making efficient use of the space is exactly what they were not doing when I visited. The register and all the merchandise were crowded into a tiny corner only a couple of people could even fit into while most of the store was entirely empty (except for a sofa). The store itself is not tiny and cramped, only the display area where people might actually see the merchandise is tiny and cramped. The interior layout was really badly designed.

If they've changed that since I visited, it can only be an improvement.

I'm not sure how you are defining "MESS"

I already gave two very important examples: extremely bad use of space (see above) and having neither descriptions nor samples of juices available.

on the counter is a holder with a tester tank of every flavor they have

There was no such thing when I was there. They had only a chalkboard list of names. There were zero tester tanks, zero descriptions, and zero bottles on display. Again, if they've changed that since I visited, it can only be an improvement.

I have not EVER had a problem with their customer service

I am glad for you and wish I could say the same.

I spent a lot of time and gas getting there, and it was horribly disappointing, maybe on par with Smoke Time (which isn't even a vape shop). It's simply not worth my time or money trying to visit again. I will gladly direct people to their online store, but as for visiting, my own recommendation is "Don't waste your time, just look online."

If they've changed and you can say differently, great. By all means, enjoy it. I'll do my brick-and-mortar browsing and purchasing closer to home.

 

[thomp248]

I agree with your points and can understand how you arrived at your conclusion. The space is small and they could use better displays and labeling of product. The bases for my thumbs up were derived from my interactions with staff and the exceptional technical support received. This was my first visit to a vape store and I was delighted to visit a store that could effectively address my questions and provide me with quality products and juices. If I am able to achieve the same results closer to home that would be a nice bonus and worthy of taking advantage of.

I made a list of the stores closer to my home and plan to visit these stores as well, thanks to everyone for sharing this information. When I visit the stores my main measurements will be based on customer interaction, product knowledge & availability and cost. If I walk out of the store with what I need “in hand” and “in head”, that's a workable outcome. Lastly, I appreciate a very comfortable atmosphere however its not a priority for many that may be most important. That is the benefit of these forms. I could be a little naïve but I hope that as our local numbers of vapors grow these small business owners will be able to reinvest into their business and provide greater creature comforts. The market place will create competition as it relates to this, I hope. Excellent conversation let’s keep these type of discussion going.

Which store have you visited locally that topes your list?

 

[madqatter]

I frequent more than one shop but, so far, the best customer service I've gotten at a nearby B&M is at Vaperz, and that's the main reason I keep going back. Everyone I've met working there has been amiable and chatty as desired, willing to let me just browse or show me gear, etc. I've swapped cooking recipes and watched RBA builds being done. Fun, relaxed place.

The first time I visited, they didn't have any juice testing, but that's changing; they started the testers with the Five Pawns and they've been expanding testing as they've expanded the premium juices they carry (Suicide Bunny, Jameson, The Standard, etc.). Another reason I particularly like Vaperz is that it's the only shop I've visited that carries at least one line of 100% VG juice (Velvet Cloud). Since I've developed a PG sensitivity, that's become important to me.

The location of the shop is odd, on the second floor of a building with some sort of medical center, a travel agency, etc. But the layout of the shop is quite good -- everything is spread out in glass counter cases lining the back wall. The only potential bottleneck point is where the cases turn a corner, but I've not had a problem yet.

 

[3minute]

Hey everyone! New member here but I'm originally from NoVa. I live in Sweden for the time being but when the wife and I decide to move back to the states I'm going to end in that neck of the woods. I'd like to know where I could go directly when we get back. I've only heard of one B&M and that's My Vapez. I think they have shops in Alexandria and Herndon but that's about it. Madqatter, where is this Vaperz place that you mentioned? Perhaps you mentioned it in an early post but I was just kinda skimming so apologies if you did and I over looked it.

 

[Seapup]

Hey everyone! New member here but I'm originally from NoVa. I live in Sweden for the time being but when the wife and I decide to move back to the states I'm going to end in that neck of the woods. I'd like to know where I could go directly when we get back. I've only heard of one B&M and that's My Vapez. I think they have shops in Alexandria and Herndon but that's about it. Madqatter, where is this Vaperz place that you mentioned? Perhaps you mentioned it in an early post but I was just kinda skimming so apologies if you did and I over looked it.

http://maps.google.com/maps?espv=21...&sa=X&ei=oEWjUuCoN7S2sATb0IAo&ved=0CEUQrwswAw

 

[3minute]

http://maps.google.com/maps?espv=21...&sa=X&ei=oEWjUuCoN7S2sATb0IAo&ved=0CEUQrwswAw

Oh my damn! That's nice and close! Thank you for that! This makes me happy inside.

 

[UhOh Spaghetioz]

Finally got to check out vape dojo in harrisonburg......man that place is awesome!

 

[devauto]

Finally got to check out vape dojo in harrisonburg......man that place is awesome!

Good to hear! I haven't had a chance yet. maybe after the Christmas holiday!

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

 

[liveformoment]

Vapexcape and Vape Lounge are the best places I know around the area.

 

[xSoyer]

Finally got to check out vape dojo in harrisonburg......man that place is awesome!

There's a vape dojo in Harrisonburg!? Glad to know i won't be totally lost when i go back to James Madison.

A shop just opened up in Leesburg VA for the rest of y'all NoVa-ers. It's called VaporStudio. They sell the High End Juices, like Suicide Bunny, Jameson's and Five Pawns. Gave them a little visit last week, and the guy that runs the place is pretty nice.

 

[td_sims]

If you're brand new, it's a good place to get started, especially without having to wait for shipping and you want to try out some new juices. Or you're hard up for another tank right away or coil heads and can't wait for shipping to go through.

Not my ideal place though. I'm kind of wishing that the Radio Shack of vape wares would open up somewhere in the area. After recoiling several ProTanks and having maybe 1 leak on me, and 0 shortages, I'm thinking of getting into RBAs and RDAs as soon as I purchase an ohm meter.

Agreed- I tried them out. They do have a good selection of juices, several from local mixers. And the prices of the premiums (SB, 5Pawns) are the same as you would pay online. The people I spoke with were friendly. But the prices- double to triple more than online for the hardware. A dual eGo c Twist 900 mAh starter kit for $77, when the same thing was online for $25. Plus, it is an awkward location- upstairs, and, parking in back a college parking lot?

Still searching for something decent in the area. Avail opened in Fredericksburg, but it has a real corporate feel to it.

 

[Zenreality]

Been vaping for about a month now and live in Prince william co.