possible new idea for vendors

[fourtytwo]

I've been reading a bunch of things all over this form and I always see the same questions from the new people about what is a good starting point.
I also keep seeing questions about hardware where it may not be easy to justify the purchase without seeing it in action.
All the Youtube reviews do help a lot but the lack of brick and morter locations does hinder in this.

My idea is for some of the vendors to set aside some PV as rentals. Yeah, it sounds a bit strange but it could work.
Lets say, I could rent a Provari for something like 15 or 20% of the unit cost (plus a security deposit close to the balance of the full value) for a period of time. If I like it, I could buy it out for the remainder of the value. If I don't, I could return it and try something else.
Of course, the consumables and tips would have to be purchased outright...

Thoughts?

 

[Projectguy]

I think that's a hell of a great idea especially for the high end PV's. I shied away from even considering a Russian mod because I can't afford to take that kind of financial risk. Even when there is a favourable review on youtube I'd like to be able to see it "in the flesh" and try it out.

You'd have to build up an inventory of everything and go from there.

 

[fourtytwo]

I don't think it would work too well with anything other then mid to high priced equipment.
The ware and tear plus the cost of managing the entire program would make renting a 510 kit, for instance, rather silly.

 

[Projectguy]

I don't think it would work too well with anything other then mid to high priced equipment.
The ware and tear plus the cost of managing the entire program would make renting a 510 kit, for instance, rather silly.

Agreed. My reference to "everything" meant all those funky PV's from Greece, Germany, Russia, etc. You could also arrange a discount setup and referral service directly with the mfg. SO if the lessee said yes you'd provide a special link and Bob's your uncle.

 

[Oriana871]

Having to mail things back and forth would be a big deterrent for both vendor and customer, if you ask me. The bestest thing would be a B&M store where it's easy to try things out, pick stuff up, drop stuff off. In that case I would use rental only units and save the new ones for purchase, instead of the option to buy. Why risk scratches, etc. on new items that won't be purchased?

 

[Oriana871]

Physical central stores would solve SO many problems. And there could even be a repair dept. Hmmm maybe I should set one up at my place, be a front for an online vendor

 

[Projectguy]

Physical central stores would solve SO many problems. And there could even be a repair dept. Hmmm maybe I should set one up at my place, be a front for an online vendor

Yes, you have such an ability for repairing things. LOL

 

[Oriana871]

No I would def not be doing the repairing!

 

[Projectguy]

No I would def not be doing the repairing!

All kidding aside good ideas. Toronto is a large enough market to do exactly that.

 

[farmer_bric]

It would be a very niche market though. I didn't see my SB before buying it, but at ~ $80 it was no more expensive than a carton of stinkies. For a Zen or GG, I'd like to see it. Probably the only places in Canada it could work is Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver !??

 

[ChellyNelly]

Having to mail things back and forth would be a big deterrent for both vendor and customer, if you ask me. The bestest thing would be a B&M store where it's easy to try things out, pick stuff up, drop stuff off. In that case I would use rental only units and save the new ones for purchase, instead of the option to buy. Why risk scratches, etc. on new items that won't be purchased?

If you seriously damage it you'd have to pay for it. I used to play hockey extremely competitively and was a goalie. There were a lot of shops who would rent you out goalie gear to try because it was a lot like PVs, everyone looking out for and buying and trying on the latest things, anticipating what was next, spending exorbitant amounts , etc. If you tried out the "rental" model and liked it you could buy it, and it was usually at a discount compared to the new ones. That's the attraction, I think. You could save a few hundred bucks (we're talking items that cost thousands, not hundreds) and still get something that performed like brand new, but with some puck marks which can be magic-erasered off (the equivalent of a scratch, which can be buffed out of the expensive PVs).

I think that it would work. I wouldn't mind waiting on the mail and lots of businesses are mail order. The postal service sucks, yes, but it's reliable enough that you could operate a business through it. I like the idea a lot!

 

[SloHand]

Of course brick and mortar would be ideal but not in the least ideal. Just have a look at how many geographical locations are represented here on ECF. I'm maybe 2 1/2 hours away from the 400 market but would not make the trip for a $100 purchase.

I see some other tactical issues though. If this is geared to high(er) end items like say a Zenesis just look at the wait times for that item!!! If I saw a rental unit I'd snatch it up and pay to keep it. Demand for many of these high(er) end products far outstrips the production. Lets face it if you want to try it, you wait on the lists, you buy and if you don't like it you put it on the classies at twice what you paid for it in the first place.

Brick and mortar is definitely the way to go .... what about an existing franchise that has locations across the country? Say a kiosque type thing? A side business opportunity for a store like Lids say? or a bar or restaurant chain?

 

[chagrin]

That's a great idea, but I think with $10 shipping both ways, plus the rental fees, it wouldn't take off for even the $200 devices. I think vape meets are a great way to try new things - even though I've yet to go.

I know the owner of onestopeshoppe has some kits somewhere, I assume in someone else's store, but I think that's just some 510 and ego kits. I want to talk a long walk along queen, younge and through china town .. I'd be amazed if head shops/hookah places/smoke shops or *everything* Chinese stories didn't at least have some ok stuff.

I keep getting the idea of throwing in a little display in my friend's store, but I don't know that she's agree, since it's not exactly going along with the theme. You also more or less need at least a few thousand for even a small start up at decent prices.

I can't wait for the day that I could go pick up even cartomizers and liquid locally, even if it were 20-50% more.

 

[Projectguy]

If you had a location with big comfy armchairs like a high end coffee shop with newspapers, magazines and you rented out the Zene's etc for that $20 dollars for say 4 hours no delivery, no risk and faster turnover

 

[Bdbodger]

I agree as well brick and mortar , where I can actually see it and touch it . A good vedor would have display models for you to try and maybe make a buck selling you the cartomizer and ejucie you will try it with . I have tried quite a few different things and to tell a newb about it would take me an hour . Now if I was a vendor then that would be worth my while and I might get them to buy a whole bunch of things to try . If not at least they can see it , try it and go home and think about it . When they decide they will come back . What happened to the days of service and good customer relations . Not as easy over the internet and with a brick and mortar site I can get what I want in minutes or hours not days or weeks .

 

[keeper]

It would be a very niche market though. I didn't see my SB before buying it, but at ~ $80 it was no more expensive than a carton of stinkies. For a Zen or GG, I'd like to see it. Probably the only places in Canada it could work is Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver !??

Idk for Montreal. It would have to be in a popular area, say on Ste-Catherines or someplace close downtown for it to KINDA work. People wouldn't make trips to montreal-nord (for people living in mtl, you understand me) to grab a few bottles.

Plus, i don't think the demand is quite there yet. Yes, it would be very nice, but I don't think the owner would make enough money to pay rent, get more stock AND make profit.