Online price to good to be true?

[madangus]

Hey all,

I have been lurking for a few weeks - fantastic information on here and y'all seem to be a friendly bunch. I've been vaping for 3.5 months, can't imagine smoking again now - the flavour difference alone is astounding. I still cough a bit but not the doubled over hacking that had started with the first morning cigarette. Had been a light smoker for 4 years plus heavy (pack a day) for 10.

Anyways, I intend to step down to 3mg nic by the end of the year. I have a bunch of flavored premixed 12mg right now, going to hoard some 6mg and then 3mg over the next month to avoid any taxes that start to show up post FDA. Not freezing anything but they are in a cool dark corner of the apartment so I figure for 6 months or less that should be fine.

I have a couple of kanger evod starter kits. Then I got 2 stick 30 watts. 1 kanger subtank mini and 1 aspire atlantis. They both perform well but I was looking to get 1 or 2 box mods that are going to be reliable and can take replaceable batteries. I have my eye on the segelei 150W and maybe in addition a hex ohms v2. So one solid but affordable one and another that is pricey but should also hold up for a long time (the hex ohm)

Anyways, now I've rambled enough, questions!

1. My local shop is selling the sigelei for 130, but I see it online for 87 bucks at element vape. Also there tanks and batteries are half the cost of the shop. Is it too good to be true? I don't want to risk getting a knock off and if I spend the extra for that it is completely ok. I see that rubyroo on youtube gets quite a few things from there and seems to like them, so probably safe? I am not saying the owners are monsters I just read how hard it is to get genuine stuff across the board.
2. Where's the best trustworthy place to get AW IMR Li-Mn rechargeables - genuine ones?
3. I thought I might get some extra coils for my tanks too enough to go through the end of the year, any good recommendations for online vendors for these?

I went through a bunch of the existing threads and didn't see a great match for my questions, I'm sure they have been asked many times though... but I tried to not be a completely hapless newb!

Thanks all!
Dom

 

[tehdarkaura]

Hey all,

I have been lurking for a few weeks - fantastic information on here and y'all seem to be a friendly bunch. I've been vaping for 3.5 months, can't imagine smoking again now - the flavour difference alone is astounding. I still cough a bit but not the doubled over hacking that had started with the first morning cigarette. Had been a light smoker for 4 years plus heavy (pack a day) for 10.

Anyways, I intend to step down to 3mg nic by the end of the year. I have a bunch of flavored premixed 12mg right now, going to hoard some 6mg and then 3mg over the next month to avoid any taxes that start to show up post FDA. Not freezing anything but they are in a cool dark corner of the apartment so I figure for 6 months or less that should be fine.

I have a couple of kanger evod starter kits. Then I got 2 stick 30 watts. 1 kanger subtank mini and 1 aspire atlantis. They both perform well but I was looking to get 1 or 2 box mods that are going to be reliable and can take replaceable batteries. I have my eye on the segelei 150W and maybe in addition a hex ohms v2. So one solid but affordable one and another that is pricey but should also hold up for a long time (the hex ohm)

Anyways, now I've rambled enough, questions!

1. My local shop is selling the sigelei for 130, but I see it online for 87 bucks at element vape. Also there tanks and batteries are half the cost of the shop. Is it too good to be true? I don't want to risk getting a knock off and if I spend the extra for that it is completely ok. I see that rubyroo on youtube gets quite a few things from there and seems to like them, so probably safe? I am not saying the owners are monsters I just read how hard it is to get genuine stuff across the board.
2. Where's the best trustworthy place to get AW IMR Li-Mn rechargeables - genuine ones?
3. I thought I might get some extra coils for my tanks too enough to go through the end of the year, any good recommendations for online vendors for these?

I went through a bunch of the existing threads and didn't see a great match for my questions, I'm sure they have been asked many times though... but I tried to not be a completely hapless newb!

Thanks all!
Dom

Susan-S has a great list of trustworth vendors -- maybe she will stop by soon
I ordered some more of these just a few days ago and they are great -- they are Sony VTC4's with a different wrapper -- real deal though.
Xtar High Drain 18650 2100mAh 30a (Sony VTC4 cell) - RTD vapor

Ordering online is almost always cheaper than shopping locally -- vape gear is included in this -- just do a search on here or google for complaints about the vendor if your not sure...

 

[kaahn]

1. Never ordered from them so I have no opinion.
2. Illumin Supply - batteries at great prices. I use the Samsung 18650 25R's - $6+shipping every 2 get a free case
3. World of Vapes (WoV) great for coils

 

[madangus]

Susan has a great list of trustworth vendors -- maybe she will stop by soon
I ordered some more of these just a few days ago and they are great -- they are Sony VTC4's with a different wrapper -- real deal though.
Ordering online is almost always cheaper than shopping locally -- vape gear is included in this -- just do a search on here or google for complaints about the vendor if your not sure...

Awesome, thank you! It is silly in a way I get stuff on amazon (though we just got a costco membership largely due to the fact they are nice to their peeps) half price or more all the time and never blink... I guess just exploding batteries or attys bleeding metal particles into my already blackened lungs hits a nerve!

 

[madangus]

1. Never ordered from them so I have no opinion.
2. Illumin Supply - batteries at great prices. I use the Samsung 18650 25R's - $6+shipping every 2 get a free case
3. World of Vapes (WoV) great for coils

Thanks very much! I'll check them out

 

[tehdarkaura]

+1 on the Samsung 25R's for a great 20A battery. For a 30A battery I purchase Sony VTC4's.

Check out a couple of Baditude's blogs (one of our resident battery/safety experts) for more information on batteries.

BATTERIES

Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected ICR?
* Another essential read to understand which batteries are safe to use in mechanical and regulated mods. Includes a frequently updated list of recommended safe-chemistry, high-drain batteries with their specifications.

Purple Efest Batteries not as Advertised
* A cautionary blog that reveals that the purple Efest batteries may not have the specifications advertised. Also includes a commentary on "continuous discharge ratings" vs "pulse discharge ratings" of battery specs.

BATTERIES - WHERE TO BUY

Only buy batteries from a reputable supplier (not ebay or Amazon) as there are many counterfeit batteries being sold. Here are several reputable battery suppliers in the US.

* RTD Vapor <= My go-to for most batteries
* Illumination Supply
* Lighthound
* Orbtronics
* Battery Junction**

Note: **Ships to Canada

Here are the reputable battery vendors -- Susan-S's work^^ -- not mine..

 

[DomDoobie]

Online is always much better than the local B+M. They have to pay rent, employees, utilities etc etc. Not that we shouldn't support our local B+M's. I've had good luck with Sweet-Vapes | Electronic Cigarettes & Hand Mixed E-Liquids They have very good prices and I've had no trouble ordering from them.

 

[madangus]

Thanks for all the info! I guess if nothing else I get the sigelei and just make sure it has the certificate and doesn't seem funky.

(autocorrect tamed lol)

 

[Completely Average]

1. My local shop is selling the sigelei for 130, but I see it online for 87 bucks at element vape. Also there tanks and batteries are half the cost of the shop. Is it too good to be true? I don't want to risk getting a knock off and if I spend the extra for that it is completely ok. I see that rubyroo on youtube gets quite a few things from there and seems to like them, so probably safe? I am not saying the owners are monsters I just read how hard it is to get genuine stuff across the board.

I think you meant the Sigelei 150W. Around $85-$90 is the going rate for those online. I've seen them as cheap as $80.

Sounds like your local brick and mortar shop is ripping you off.

 

[Ry4life]

Brick and mortar stores are always going to be way more due to overhead cost of the shop itself . If it's a good shop and provides you with great service , then it may be worth it to have it close by in case something happens with your device for warranty purposes.

 

[Retro138]

Online is always much better than the local B+M. They have to pay rent, employees, utilities etc etc. Not that we shouldn't support our local B+M's. I've had good luck with Sweet-Vapes | Electronic Cigarettes & Hand Mixed E-Liquids They have very good prices and I've had no trouble ordering from them.

This is why when I walk into my local shops my jaw drops when they tell me the price on things. But as stated they have overhead that online stores do not. But the flip side is to find the ones that are trustworthy. You can easily get either a clone or the wrong thing you purchased for an unreputable source, or you can do your homework and get a great deal on devices,coils,batteries.

Vapingcheap.com has a lot of info on online vendors and specials their running. Anything that seems to be to good you Can always Google the name of the shops url with the word review next to it. I've personally avoided at least 3 purchases from fraudulent vendors.

There is an onslaught of resource out there to keep you and your wallet safe.

Edit: I too have bought some things at a great price from sweetvapes. Extremely legit and fast shipping. And I'm across the country from them.

 

[Spencer87]

I just bought a Sigelei 150W for 95 from a very reputable vendor...

Prices are prices. Depends on which sigelei, Said vendor is also selling the Sigelei 100W for 87

Some vendors get products at wholesale prices...

 

[MasteroftheVape]

Most online shops also have b&m locations. They just sell more so don't have as much markup. This is where 95% of B&M fail.

 

[justinlm24]

I've ordered from element vape with no issues. And I always find much lower prices online compared to any of my local b&m stores. So you're not imagining things.

 

[jseah]

I think you meant the Sigelei 150W. Around $85-$90 is the going rate for those online. I've seen them as cheap as $80.

Sounds like your local brick and mortar shop is ripping you off.

I think the OP's local B&M is average. One of the B&M's near me is asking $160 for the Sigelei 150W. Another B&M near me has decent prices on many items, but high prices on others. At that B&M, I bought the SX Mini M Class for $200, which is the same price you can find online. I also bought an Origen V2 clone, a Freakshow Mini, and a couple of drip tips and all of them were either at or below prices I found on the internet. Not everything there was a bargain, as they were selling the iStick 50 for $80 and the iStick 30 for $60.

 

[madangus]

Aye, the price on the sigelei 150 wasn't outrageous, 30 more than online. The arctic was twice as much as were the batteries and coils though and that ends up being quite a bit. It's a nice store but I already got a bunch of juice from there and some coils, so I think my wallet will win over civic duty for the new mods and supplies.

I really appreciate all the info from everyone. I am a wee bit spooked by the FDA and deeming and want to at least have enough juice, coils and battery changeable mods to do me till new year when I should be down to about 3mg or 0. The online prices will really help with that.

Thinking now since I honestly don't have a strong preference for sub-ohm yet (I have sub ohm in the atlantis, my subtank mini is 1.2) I might just get a couple of the sigelei mini 30Ws (great prices), another k subtank and a bunch of coils.

Then maybe I'll get the hex ohm + arctic for special occasions when I want to turn the man cave into the perfect 80s night I do like the extra warmth of what the atlantis puts out, just not enough for all the time use ... def. seems to makes a hit on the battery and juice compared to > 1 ohm.

 

[madangus]

I've ordered from element vape with no issues. And I always find much lower prices online compared to any of my local b&m stores. So you're not imagining things.

Cool, it helps to know they were good with you

 

[madangus]

This is why when I walk into my local shops my jaw drops when they tell me the price on things. But as stated they have overhead that online stores do not. But the flip side is to find the ones that are trustworthy. You can easily get either a clone or the wrong thing you purchased for an unreputable source, or you can do your homework and get a great deal on devices,coils,batteries.

Vapingcheap.com has a lot of info on online vendors and specials their running. Anything that seems to be to good you Can always Google the name of the shops url with the word review next to it. I've personally avoided at least 3 purchases from fraudulent vendors.

There is an onslaught of resource out there to keep you and your wallet safe.

Edit: I too have bought some things at a great price from sweetvapes. Extremely legit and fast shipping. And I'm across the country from them.

I like that sweetvapes are authorized kanger dealer too, thanks for all the info

 

[Maiar]

I'm going to agree with some of the above posts. Online is almost always cheaper than going to a store. But I personally find it worth it, at least in the case of my store, to pay the extra for the service. But if you're not one of the people that has a top notch store (not everyone is as lucky as I am) then definitely save your money and shop online. ECF isn't as good as a warranty, but we're way better than nothing should anything you buy have issues.

 

[Debadoo]

Just wanted to say welcome to ECF!!! I've never bought anything from a B&M. when I started vaping, the closest B&M was an hour away. So I just got used to buying everything online. and as others have said, it's usually a lot cheaper. I second RTD for batteries. You can be assured that what you're getting is quality and the real thing. I'm sure illum.com is good to though I've never ordered from them personally they come highly recommended by plenty of folks. RTD also gives you a free battery case when you buy batteries in pairs. I did order my starter kit from sweet vapes and was happy with them. Other than that can't say, now I use an RDA on a Reo, and have most everything I need to make my own juice, so I really don't order much of anything at all anymore.