Please Donate to the ECA

[ccure]

Right to vape is a community run voluntary organisation.

I'd like to support ECA but they seem to have problems with defining themselves and how we fit in with their plans other than to provide money.

Kate, I subscribed to RTV some days ago. But I am missing something here because it seems to me just other forum. Help me to understand how it works. Maybe not here but you can PM with some instructions of how be part of the movement, not the forum.

Thank you in advance

 

[Boston George]

I really dont get the flack so many people are giving the ECA.

Everyone knows whats at stake. If you dont think e-cigs getting banned in the USA will hurt the consumer you are deluding yourself.

Yes its in the suppliers interest to keep e-cigs legal. However, none of the money that is donated to the ECA goes to any supplier. It goes 100% to the cause of keeping e-cigs legal.

I am sorry, there is no free lunch in this world. It is going to cost hundreds of thousands to fight the FDA and congress. If you are unwilling to part with even a pittance to support the cause... dont whine in the forum about the FDA nor how long it take for suppliers to send you stuff as they jump through the hoops to import e-cigs.

BG

 

[Kate51]

I believe you would conceive this org to be a (here it comes) LOBBY GROUP, you know, like AARP, due to it's designation code. In light of that I would hold off until I know the colors or their stripes, who's going to benefit, and the benefit they proport to make in the interest of the group. And just who is the "group". They will have expenses, no doubt!!

 

[Kate]

Kate, I subscribed to RTV some days ago. But I am missing something here because it seems to me just other forum. Help me to understand how it works. Maybe not here but you can PM with some instructions of how be part of the movement, not the forum.

Thank you in advance

RtV has the forum for us to have discussions about the set up and what we want to do, it's the only way we can keep in touch. People can volunteer to steer the group in one of our three main areas of concern - Health and Science, Legal and Consumer Affairs. Volunteers become moderators and managers of the group.

RtV is not very busy usually because not many people can be bothered to join and help organise it. Because it's a grass roots organisation and not led by a hierarchy or external leadership many people don't seem to know that it's up to them to make it work. This is what happens when we are told what to do all the time, we turn into helpless sheep.

 

[frogbmth]

Are people who donate going to get discounts from the businesses involved, in return for helping keep them in business? Or are they going to take donations but keep all the profits from a win?

 

[bizzyb0t]

How about a clear list of the ECA members, guidelines and requirements for joining? I think it'd also be prudent to list contact information for those in the ECA. Hell, we didn't even know Mr. Salmon was the President of the ECA until that video was posted!!

I think it's a little early to be asking for donations, usually an organization is a bit more organized and transparent before it does that. For one, what is the budget monthly? How much has been donated so far, and what is needed to reach the amount needed to cover the budget? What percentage of the money raised goes to what? If you don't know these things, then how do you know you even need donations? Vague statements and faceless entities along with poorly written forum posts, do not a trustworthy organization make.

I think a lot of us would like answers to these questions before we can consider donating.

 

[ccure]

RtV has the forum for us to have discussions about the set up and what we want to do, it's the only way we can keep in touch. People can volunteer to steer the group in one of our three main areas of concern - Health and Science, Legal and Consumer Affairs. Volunteers become moderators and managers of the group.

RtV is not very busy usually because not many people can be bothered to join and help organise it. Because it's a grass roots organisation and not led by a hierarchy or external leadership many people don't seem to know that it's up to them to make it work. This is what happens when we are told what to do all the time, we turn into helpless sheep.

Thank you Kate for the explanation. I will see how can I help RTV.

 

[Kate51]

Apparently they would be able to apply for tax-exempt status within a few months, but that costs money and manpower also....it will be SUPREMELY costly, I think this fledgling has some issues here to work on, and yes they are important to us all on this forum. I support ECF with a "subscription", I do derive a great deal of info and input, that's my benefit. So I would also "subscribe" to supporting ECA, but would first need them to lay out their plan, their "mantle" if you would before my pitiful little drop in the bucket would help them out at all...it's an unfortunate thing that a few people's interests cannot be made known AND ADDRESSED to our "established" government, but this is the reality of getting a message to the proper entity without appearing to be a threatening entity ourselves, i.e., one that is trying to protect something harmful or self-serving above the rights of others. I think this can all be worked to our benefit, but it has to pass through the right hoops and that is supposedly the purpose taken on by the ECA. I know that is their purpose, but things can get very murky very quickly without complete transparency, and that is what we need from ECA. We'll no doubt be hearing more from them.

 

[Kate]

Thanks Ccure

I think most people at RtV would like to work with ECA, the better organised we are the more chance we have of achieving something constructive.

The important thing is to distinguish the difference between the two groups - ECA is a group of traders as far as I know and as such is a trade organisation, RtV is a group of consumers. No traders are allowed to manage at RtV because of the risk of conflicting interests although their input is welcomed in discussions. RtV is not yet officially recognised in any country and is not ready to manage money yet, our only current liability is keeping the website running.

 

[katink]

I will be giving you what I can miss (not much unfortunately, but well meant) - just need to know if you are going to have non-supplier members or not so I can know in which way I can give it to you.

I will give you my trust, until one dark day you might prove you aren't worth it - but unless or untill that day comes I will continue giving that trust. You are doing what countless here would be well off doing together and together with you, but somehow just can't seem to get organized enough or selfless enough to actually start taking action. You ECA are doing what you can, and I commend you for it.

I will give what I can, without asking for any special advantages for myself - because I know you are trying to save my health... and the health of countless more down the road into the future. That goes far above any selfish little plus I might somehow be able to glean from you. If meanwhile you also see chance to earn your own upkeep next to the actions taken in ECA... then you are welcome to that, there is no reason for me to hold that against you at all.

I will count on you to act internationally as soon as possible - but I know what is happening in the US is the most urgent now; I also know what will pass there WILL be quite important for what later on will pass in my own country - so I will help as is possible with the american fight for as long as that lasts - counting (hoping at least...) on all american members to be on the sides of the other-country-members when their time arrives. And trusting the ECA to also lead by example there.

I will also fully endorse RTV - but I am realistic enough to know, that a grass-roots-organisation, as the route that was chosen when it started up, takes a lot of time to get organised and off it's feet and actually doing what is neccessary. Hopefully, one day, RTV will get to that point... that will be great. And well worth any energy anyone can route that way. But that day is not this day; and it is THIS day we need action... so I am grateful someone else is meanwhile taking the action needed NOW, because RTV cannot do this at this stage. Hopefully soon RTV will be able to take it's place - in action - next to ECA in all the many things needed to get our beloved e-cigs safely through current times!

I wish ECA all the luck of the world; and the strength to, by example, get some very much needed unity and overview of the big picture (and what needs to be done there to save ourselves and many many others!) to happen inside this community. So that we can stand strong, together, toward all those at the outside that need to be changed, in view and action, to help us help ourselves and others.
It isn't an easy road...

 

[Fedor]

How about a clear list of the ECA members, guidelines and requirements for joining? I think it'd also be prudent to list contact information for those in the ECA. Hell, we didn't even know Mr. Salmon was the President of the ECA until that video was posted!!

I think it's a little early to be asking for donations, usually an organization is a bit more organized and transparent before it does that. For one, what is the budget monthly? How much has been donated so far, and what is needed to reach the amount needed to cover the budget? What percentage of the money raised goes to what? If you don't know these things, then how do you know you even need donations? Vague statements and faceless entities along with poorly written forum posts, do not a trustworthy organization make.

I think a lot of us would like answers to these questions before we can consider donating.

Very good points. Very good questions. You basically summed it up for laymen like us, who are not necessarily familliar with taxation, company formation and other technicalities.

 

[ECA]

I am waiting official word that I can release the information you are asking for.
The member application is in the final stages now and I should be able to post by the end of the week.

More info will be disclosed all the time as well as soon as I have the ok's to post it.

Again your support in any fashion at any time is greatly appreciated!

 

[Vicks Vap-oh-Yeah]

I am giving of my time, my heart, and my organization of a rally on the Capital steps.... I think this will have greater impact on the ECA than $$ (although I will be willing to give that, too, in the future).

I'm not going to bore anyone with the details of my personal finances, but if you don't want to support the ECA with money, do what I did, and make your actions speak louder than your wallets....

You can pull ideas and information about my rally in my blog and in the link in my sig for the starting thread.

 

[deewal]

I will not be giving money to a group of US Traders.
You do not represent me the British Customer.
It's your Business which you have appointed yourselves as unofficial Regulators.
Fund it from your profits.

 

[HDBanger]

Im in the US and I wont be buying anything from any suppliers for quite some time, purchased a ton in bulk from the red continent. I also wont be "donating" to any self appointed "ECA". Are you f'in kidding me? These people make money hand over fist on 10-20x markups of juice and hardware, then start their own organization and elicit donations on top of that? Man I really should start a site, I could sell atomizers for 5 bucks a pop and juice 10 bucks for 30 ml , provide free shipping, and still more than double anything I put into it. No wonder the supplier list is a mile long now. People really should get together and buy in bulk, if you realized just how cheap one could vape.. Try less than 20 dollars a month total, hardware and juice, for a pack and a half a day smoker..

 

[ccure]

Are you f'in kidding me? These people make money hand over fist on 10-20x markups of juice and hardware, then start their own organization and elicit donations on top of that? Man I really should start a site, I could sell atomizers for 5 bucks a pop and juice 10 bucks for 30 ml , provide free shipping, and still more than double anything I put into it. No wonder the supplier list is a mile long now. People really should get together and buy in bulk, if you realized just how cheap one could vape.. Try less than 20 dollars a month total, hardware and juice, for a pack and a half a day smoker..

I am sorry to have to tell you that I do not think that you know what are you talking about. It seems to me that you do not have any experience about starting and running a business.

It is not just the bulk price of a product. All the starting Investment, Inventory, marketing, duties, taxes, labor, location, promotion, risk, insurances, social security, credit card charges, warranties, charge backs, etc, eats a lot of money per month.

I will like to see you trying to run a retail business selling your e-cig with a 50% mark up!

It is easy to say, It is not easy to do. You will have to sell a lot of your stuff just to try to pay your expenses.

Try it! And in a couple of moths lets us know if you are doubling your investment.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

I am giving of my time, my heart, and my organization of a rally on the Capital steps.... I think this will have greater impact on the ECA than $$ (although I will be willing to give that, too, in the future).

I'm not going to bore anyone with the details of my personal finances, but if you don't want to support the ECA with money, do what I did, and make your actions speak louder than your wallets....

You can pull ideas and information about my rally in my blog and in the link in my sig for the starting thread.

And while donations are lovely, these types of actions are greatly appreciated! So anything you can do is greatly appreciated! Whether you donate or not for whatever your reasons, doing something is necessary.

I understand everyone's concerns regarding more transparency... it is a shame that this has to occur so quickly. I don't think it is very clear how quickly the ecig could find itself banned from US shores and we can all believe what we want about back doors and getting in small orders, but credit card companies will wise up to this, customs will wise up to this and why should we (users) be sneaking our products into our own Free country?

 

[RatInDaHat]

you should go PBS style and give "gifts" based on donation amounts.

anyway i'll throw some cash over when i am able.

 

[ramblingrose]

IMHO, we support the ECA by purchasing from it's member vendors.

... who make a nice profit.

I agree with Walrus.

 

[halopunker]

My Profits are spoken for, between ECA, Charge Backs, Customs, Products, Shipping Supplies, and Returns. I have yet to really see a dime of these 'profits', But that's to be expected for a company that is just starting.

I'm only a few months old myself, but I'm giving what I can to the ECA. I'm not here to change your opinion, but keep in mind we're not all 'big' companies. I do this by myself, and work a Full Time (40-60 Hours a week) job on top of this. It makes for a lot of looong nights and days filled with lack of sleep, but it keeps me busy and I love it! (Workaholic). I'm not playing for the sympathy card here, just a reminder.

I am not Puresmoker, Smoking Everywhere, or Smoke51. I am AltSmoke, and I am doing what I can to help the ECA.