Online vs Brick & Mortar

[PickyJuicer]

I have many B&M stores in my area. I prefer them to the online experience. There is only one that I frequent.

There is nothing better than going to a shop that actually knows their stuff. All too many of the B&Ms toss supplies & equipment on their shelves before they even know the capabilities, pros, cons, etc. of the items. The shop I visit vapes on the same equipment they sell so they know what they're talking about. When I go in for advice, they give me advice based on their own experience as opposed to a general web description. They let me try out devices and let me choose a product that is good for me and never push something on me that I don't need, even if it means they won't be making as big of a profit.

When I order my juice, I have the option of pre-ordering for a quick pickup. If I'm walking in with an on the fly order, I get to hang out with other vapers while waiting- this is one of the best reasons for visiting a B&M! If my juice gets mixed incorrectly, I can say "Whoa guys, this isn't what I ordered." Immediately they're able to fix the issue. If I accidentally ask for the wrong product, I'm able to say "oops, that's not exactly what I needed" and get that fixed too! Instant gratification.

Thankfully, the B&M I visit has prices that are close to internet prices. They have sales and samples. There's no waiting 10 days for supplies to come in. I get what I need, when I need it. If I do end up paying a little more, it's 100% worth it to me.

The thing is, you have to find a shop you love with owners/employees you are comfortable with. You have to be able to walk in and feel welcome and comfortable. It's similar to going to a restaurant I think. There are restaurants with great prices with crappy food and awful customer service. There are restaurants with great prices, great food, crappy customer service. There are restaurants with crappy food, horrible prices and wonderful customer service. There are restaurants that suit your every need. Once you find the one that suits you, you always go back! At least I do.

 

[Leatherneck]

There is a chain of headshops in my area. Yes, a chain, go figure.

Anyway, I went in there one day to see if they have e-cigarettes. Oh, they do. But they wanted $80 for a simple eGo type kit. One of them I went to had a CE4+ type clearo for $25 and what looked to be a lavatube for $225.

I really, desperately want there to be a B&M nearby, but I'm not willing to pay that level of mark-up.

 

[MeanDrunkR2D2]

There are many good reasons to go to a B&M vape store over online, and most of it is the fact that you can actually talk to the people that work there, and in the case of many in my area, the owners are there the majority of the time to answer any questions you may have and they can physically show you how it works. The other thing, which is important to me, is that I can sample the flavors of juice there and not take a risk of ordering a flavor of juice that is horrid and not what I thought it would be. Sometimes some juices can either be too weak, or way too overpowering.

And of course, the instant gratification of buying it now, instead of waiting a day or two or more for my juices to get to me. Price wise, the shop I go to locally, DFW Vapor, the prices in the store are the same as online, plus it's only a few blocks where I go for bowling every week so I don't have to go far out of my way to pick up supplies.

 

[Scoop224]

I think I need to clarify here. The kid charged me more based on his own store's online price... Not someone else's price.... The SAME store. Meaning he was screwing me over for walking in on my own Vs buying the batts from him online.

 

[jerseyrob]

My local BM which is only a 5 minute walk from my house is Great. All the people are experienced vapers. Any where from a year to the beginning of vapeing. All there juices are made in house, and if you don't like one of the signature juices they'll work with you on a custom creation. They are well stocked with supplies.
I hang out here all the time, and they treat there customers with respect. Especially new vapers they take them by the hand, and explain everything they need to know about what their buying, and how to use it. I have nothing against online ordering, but online your just a number. At my local BM I feel like part of a vaping family. I'm sorry to read some of the post where their BM experience's are horrible. I'm sure at allot of BM's your just a number as well, and they just don't care.

 

[Leatherneck]

If bars and taverns were smart, they'd start supplying e-cigs. Disposables, cig-alikes and liquids would all go well in the setting.

 

[DaveP]

I think I need to clarify here. The kid charged me more based on his own store's online price... Not someone else's price.... The SAME store. Meaning he was screwing me over for walking in on my own Vs buying the batts from him online.

If I were a steady online customer of that store, I would feel a little put out myself. I've ordered so long and so often from a vendor in Ga who finally opened a brick and mortar store that he gives me an extra bottle of juice for every three I order (they normally throw in a 3ml sample of your choice with each bottle), instead of the normal four. I've not been to the brick and mortar store since it's about 120 miles away, but I'd expect the same deal in person plus the advantage of trying a few juices that I have thought about but never ordered.

The smiley face that you get on the receipt with your online order should be communicated in person if you actually stop by, IMO.

 

[Jackstraw]

I think I need to clarify here. The kid charged me more based on his own store's online price... Not someone else's price.... The SAME store. Meaning he was screwing me over for walking in on my own Vs buying the batts from him online.

I have found the same thing here. The store would not honor the price on their very own web site when I visited their store. They have 2 different pricing models. On line is cheaper than walk-in for the same item.

 

[DaveP]

I have found the same thing here. The store would not honor the price on their very own web site when I visited their store. They have 2 different pricing models. On line is cheaper than walk-in for the same item.

I think I'd have to place an online order on my Galaxy Nexus phone right in front of him and then ask for a pickup in person. I'm like that sometimes when a point needs to be made.

He'd probably pocket the shipping fee, though.

 

[Jackstraw]

I think I'd have to place an online order on my Galaxy Nexus phone right in front of him and then ask for a pickup in person. I'm like that sometimes when a point needs to be made.

He'd probably pocket the shipping fee, though.

Actually it's set up as 2 different divisions of the company. The store guys do not even know of the on-line specials unless they take the time to look it up, which they never do. They don't care. It's not the price list they are allowed to use.

I don't mind listing the company here with their URL, but I don't want to do something that a moderator will get mad at me for.

I did email the owner, who runs the online division and tell him about it. He won't return my email. But...he responded to my earlier email that day when i asked for directions to his store. I specifically wanted to buy a few CE4s at the on-line price. The store guy just laughed at me.

 

[orangepeeljones]

Sounds like your local B&M isn't worth a $&@&, Jackstraw! That's no kind of customer service.

 

[Jackstraw]

Sounds like your local B&M isn't worth a $&@&, Jackstraw! That's no kind of customer service.

There are a few others in my area that do a great job. I was just responding to the OP about one similar experience I had. The 3 other local stores I use are great.

 

[Scoop224]

Yeah, as he was ringing up my sale, he referred to a price list that was sitting by his cash register, I just assumed that it was there to keep sales staff on the same page as the internet price.... Apparently NOT. I have bought online from this vendor in the past, and had been excited about their company growth and bringing another location closer to where I live. Now it's looking like the best treatment I get is from the guys set up in the local flea market on weekends.

Oh well.... They just lost a customer. Life goes on...

 

[Mamacruz13]

I feel ya. I don't have any local B&Ms near me but there are two where my inlaws live. I was so excited to vist them last time we went up. When we got there, the employees basically ignored us and when they finally talked to us they found out I mostly use a differently threaded battery than what they carried. After that was discovered, they had very little interest in talking to us at all. They were crazy over priced on everything... 25 dollars for a vivi, anyone? 25 dollars for a 400 mah batt? I will not be going back for sure.

I didn't get the chance to check out the other one but will give them a try in a few weeks when we head back up... But right now, I'm leaning towards online.

 

[serenity21899]

I have a B&M about 30 mins from me. If you live in the same state you will pay sales tax regardless of how you order. Gas but no shipping. No waitning for vape mail. For me there are advantages to both.

I was real new when I went to visit. The guy was really cool and took time to answer all my questions. I bought juice that day and that's it. I went home and researched what I wanted and bought online at a different store something the other store doesn't carry. I will go back to that store, and order online from other vendors too. Just depends what I want at the time.

For now though, no more shopping until VapeFest in Chicago.

 

[Scoop224]

If you live in the same state you will pay sales tax regardless of how you order.

Exactly.... The store is based & located in OH, I live in KY. When I order online I avoid the tax, by crossing the river I penalize myself 6% extra cost + gas & travel. Couple that with two different price scales and it's a no-brainer. Besides, the most enjoyable vape juices for me come from WA state..... Within two days and with shipping costs less than what I'd pay in sales tax at a B&M.

 

[GreekLion]

Online Pros
-selection
-price
-reviews

Online Cons
-SHIPPING (if you run out on a bad day...)
-sometimes easy to get ripped off
-picture may not be actual item
-performance is not what you expect
-may be in another country

B&M Pros
-you know a person by face
-you can hold what you buy
-you can generally try what you buy
-readily available (if you run out in a pinch, this is the biggest plus)

B&M Cons
-price
-owners/workers sometimes dont know what they are talking about, others are pros
-selection

I have a local vape shop i use for emergencies, people come from all over new england and they have been doing well. Otherwise I buy online.

I am not going to say something vague like 'it depends,' but I use both and each have their purposes for my habit. Do keep in mind that B&Ms are still new and the online scene came first, so opinions may change over time.

 

[Donkeytap]

There is a b&m 30 miles from me. I was thrilled to learn about this place. So I went to check it out. The selection was small, ( they don't even carry 510 attys!) however, I was able to buy a couple of vivi Novas, a vamo and some juice. I payed more than I would have online for sure, and would have bought more if there were more options. 2 years ago, my first round of vaping, there weren't any b&m's in my area. I just learned of another one in the other direction. The fact that b&m's are starting to pop up is a good thing and I will support that.

 

[Fatboy 589]

Living in Southwest Florida, we hit the jackpot as far as vaping goes. I think there's about 13 or 14 shops within a 35-40 mile radius where I'm at. Having only gone to one shop, I've always been so blown away by the customer service. I've been nothing but let down by other shops, nobody really know's what they're talking about. Not to mention the e-liquids, they'll choke a cat. They're made by hand by a lot of shops and just don't turn out right. There's too much to go wrong. I'm normally all about ordering stuff offline, getting packages in the mail is like christmas day!

I know a lot of people on here don't have access to B&M shops, so buying liquid can't be too fun xD never quite know what you're getting into. But supporting all the mom and pop shops around here by local vapors is something I've always loved. I really enjoy most the vape community in my city, it truly is a great experience getting to work with them every day.

 

[LouEyez]

Online Pros
-selection
-price
-reviews

Online Cons
-SHIPPING (if you run out on a bad day...)
-sometimes easy to get ripped off
-picture may not be actual item
-performance is not what you expect
-may be in another country

B&M Pros
-you know a person by face
-you can hold what you buy
-you can generally try what you buy
-readily available (if you run out in a pinch, this is the biggest plus)

B&M Cons
-price
-owners/workers sometimes dont know what they are talking about, others are pros
-selection

I have a local vape shop i use for emergencies, people come from all over new england and they have been doing well. Otherwise I buy online.

I am not going to say something vague like 'it depends,' but I use both and each have their purposes for my habit. Do keep in mind that B&Ms are still new and the online scene came first, so opinions may change over time.

My thoughts exactly