Ok, I just feel like ranting!

[DoomsDay]

I'm sorry you feel that way. Really though, giving away one product to a reviewer isn't really going decrease your chances that greatly to obtaining a product. Persistance and vigilance are two virtues to obtain what you want. I don't really know what you come to expect from these guys but sometimes to alleviate any course feelings towards a company, you really have to empathize. Picture yourself as a small business - and you have a widely popular product but feel that you might want some more publicity, so you give one off to a popular reviewer. You do this because it's ultimately good for your company, getting your name out there. Surely you're not doing it to step on the little guys and rub it in their faces that the one person (reviewer) not only got the product that's so hard to get but got it for free.

I do agree that I would love to see these companies expand and fill their shelves and availability for their products but I wouldn't look at it as them not caring about you, I don't really know how they could show that they do? Once again, I am sorry that you feel neglected from it all.

Thats just it though, its not usually just 1 reviewer getting these things. There may be 1 or 5 or 10, or even more that might get them for reviews. That could have been 10 or more chances for me to actually get said items. Publicity can work both ways. If you can't handle the current demand and now you got hundreds or even possibly thousands more people wanting your product but they can't get it, how do you think that makes them feel? There is supposed to be this great product and I keep seeing all these great reviews but its never in stock. Maybe these reviews are more biased than we thought and its creating an illusion of these things supposedly being so good. See what I mean? Publicity can work against you just as much as for you.

I understand that there are a lot of small companies out there and even many of them may only be part time companies. They can only do so much at a time, I really do understand that. Im just saying that holding back stock for events or sending out freebies to reviewers who may or may not even want the product, feels like a slap in the face to me. In some ways its like you are back in school again and if your not part of the "popular" crowd, then you dont really matter.

And I know it really just sounds like me whining and pretty much I am, this was a rant after all. Its just something that I felt like needed to be said.

 

[Levitas]

I see what you mean.

Do they really give out 5 freebees? That sounds like a pretty terrible business practice, lol! I can see the one, but I have trouble thinking that they would even give away 2, especially because most of these things retail for well over $100.

At the moment, with e-cigs being self regulated and still "under-the-table" so to speak, it really is just a rat race to try and get all of the newest or most popular stuff. Regardless of how many freebies that were given away, numerous other people were still able to get their hands on the product so with that being said, it can't really be that hard to obtain it (then again, I don't know if we're even talking about a specific product or not )

I've decided to take my time, nice and slow with buying mods. I just ordered my first one, a MonkeyBoxx and though it takes 3 weeks or less to make and get shipped to me, it's worth it! With other mods like a Reo for example, the best way to get a new one is to keep an eye out in their respected sub-forum. They usually post dates on when the next batch is coming and you can be put on a waiting list. Though that's not the same with every company, there's always the classifieds if you don't mind used.

Otherwise, it's just something that we as consumers have to put up with. It's not an intentional slap in the face though it may feel like it to some, sometimes. If you're speaking of a specific company, you could always just do what you said earlier - don't support them. There are numerous other companies with fantastic products waiting for business. The greatest thing about vaping is our selection of toys and juices - it seems to be endless.