Shinyitis Support Group

[ShowMeTwice]

per fasttech from 15 November 2022...

Goodbye (and thanks for all the fish)

Dear members,

We appreciate your concern and positive comment on the forum. We have not decided on whether we'll close or not. Our finance is OK, but the tax is messing with our plan. We're doing everything we can to keep going. Thank you.

https://www.fasttech.com/forums/vapers/t/3176677/goodbye-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish?3176724

I haven't purchased anything from FT in 2+ years.

At least the OP referenced Douglas Adams fourth book from THGttG... "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish".

 

[hittman]

Good morning beautifuls!

Update on the shipping SNAFU from Ecigone. I was originally chatting with a customer service person named Charlotte, and I'm guessing it was escalated to a person named Ellie, because she started asking legitimate questions and doing real research.

She found that the 2nd package that was supposedly "stapled" together with the first was not actually shipped out at all, and asked me to provide a video of the non-functional SXmini Vi so they could send it directly to SXmini for a replacement. No requirement to return it, and they're sending out a new one with the missing 2nd package today. I'll update on how this all ended up once I receive package 2 along with the new SXmini Vi.

Crossing my fingers.

I'm glad you finally got in touch with the right person and got it figured out. I'm dealing with a "Charlotte" of my own right now at our local Kia dealership. My daughter's car was stolen and recovered so we had it towed to the dealer for repairs. The guy they put in charge of our repair gave me his cell number and told me to call or text if I have questions. Problem is he never responds. I called the service department yesterday and they are supposed to have someone call me but haven't yet. I'll give them until noon today and then I'm going to lose my temper.

 

[Z-Lee]

per fasttech from 15 November 2022...

Goodbye (and thanks for all the fish)

Dear members,

We appreciate your concern and positive comment on the forum. We have not decided on whether we'll close or not. Our finance is OK, but the tax is messing with our plan. We're doing everything we can to keep going. Thank you.

https://www.fasttech.com/forums/vapers/t/3176677/goodbye-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish?3176724

I haven't purchased anything from FT in 2+ years.

At least the OP referenced Douglas Adams fourth book from THGttG... "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish".

Unlike most other vape shops, I suppose they still have tons of other stuff they can sell. This is truly sad to see, though. =(

 

[Z-Lee]

I'm glad you finally got in touch with the right person and got it figured out. I'm dealing with a "Charlotte" of my own right now at our local Kia dealership. My daughter's car was stolen and recovered so we had it towed to the dealer for repairs. The guy they put in charge of our repair gave me his cell number and told me to call or text if I have questions. Problem is he never responds. I called the service department yesterday and they are supposed to have someone call me but haven't yet. I'll give them until noon today and then I'm going to lose my temper.

Ugh - there's nothing more that gives you the feeling like you're just another number. This reminds me, I still never got my rental deposit from last November when I moved out. Texted and called the guy after I moved out to make sure everything was cleaned out properly, and no response. Texted him again a month later, and no response. It's BS, because $650 is hardly enough to go to small claims court. Rental owners are the f'ing scum of the earth.

 

[ShowMeTwice]

I'm glad you finally got in touch with the right person and got it figured out. I'm dealing with a "Charlotte" of my own right now at our local Kia dealership. My daughter's car was stolen and recovered so we had it towed to the dealer for repairs. The guy they put in charge of our repair gave me his cell number and told me to call or text if I have questions. Problem is he never responds. I called the service department yesterday and they are supposed to have someone call me but haven't yet. I'll give them until noon today and then I'm going to lose my temper.

It's frustrating, but as much as you might want to loose your temper don't. Take the high road Hitt.

When you call back use the dealerships main number and ask for the General Manager. Explain to him/her how the person they put in charge of your daughter's car repairs gave you his cell number and that he has been completely unresponsive. Tell them you find that kind of customer service completely unacceptable. I would also talk with the Service Manager.

I would also tell them you are considering informing Kia of their poor customer service. Kia won't like hearing this about one of their dealerships. Especially for a well known problem (of their own making).

In my experience when you take matters to those who are actually "in charge" you receive the proper attention and better service.

Good luck!!!

 

[Zazie]

At least the OP referenced Douglas Adams fourth book from THGttG... "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish".

The dolphins' farewell as they fled Earth before the Vogons destroyed it!

 

[ShowMeTwice]

Ugh - there's nothing more that gives you the feeling like you're just another number. This reminds me, I still never got my rental deposit from last November when I moved out. Texted and called the guy after I moved out to make sure everything was cleaned out properly, and no response. Texted him again a month later, and no response. It's BS, because $650 is hardly enough to go to small claims court. Rental owners are the f'ing scum of the earth.

$650 is a nice chunk of money Z. I certainly wouldn't let that slide. Try contacting the landlord daily, stay on his azz and maintain a record of your efforts. If he fails to reply then take him to court.

Check the laws in your state via Google. Each state has laws stating the timeframe when a security deposit has to be returned to a tenant. A landlord cannot deduct for normal wear and tear. Consult an attorney, some do offer free advice.

 

[Tor R]

Good morning ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning beautifuls!

Update on the shipping SNAFU from Ecigone. I was originally chatting with a customer service person named Charlotte, and I'm guessing it was escalated to a person named Ellie, because she started asking legitimate questions and doing real research.

She found that the 2nd package that was supposedly "stapled" together with the first was not actually shipped out at all, and asked me to provide a video of the non-functional SXmini Vi so they could send it directly to SXmini for a replacement. No requirement to return it, and they're sending out a new one with the missing 2nd package today. I'll update on how this all ended up once I receive package 2 along with the new SXmini Vi.

Crossing my fingers.

It is good that they find out and send you what you should have had. Frustrating to be told they have done this and that.
If you don't have to send back the defective Vi AIO, you have a spare shell lying around. What exactly was wrong with it? Something that can be fixed, or, we are talking about a project that can be disassembled in parts to see what the chipset looks like?

 

[ShowMeTwice]

Good Morning EveryOne

No new shiny gear and none in the works. B-b-but... who knows, that's subject to change, at any time.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Tor R]

per Fasttech from 15 November 2022...

Goodbye (and thanks for all the fish)

Dear members,

We appreciate your concern and positive comment on the forum. We have not decided on whether we'll close or not. Our finance is OK, but the tax is messing with our plan. We're doing everything we can to keep going. Thank you.

https://www.fasttech.com/forums/vapers/t/3176677/goodbye-and-thanks-for-all-the-fish?3176724

I haven't purchased anything from FT in 2+ years.

At least the OP referenced Douglas Adams fourth book from THGttG... "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish".

It feels a bit strange that they are pulling the plug while 3F and SM continue like nothing.
The way I interpreted the change in the law, it is really just more paper work that is needed for export and that they cannot send to countries where e-cigs are illegal.

 

[Z-Lee]

It feels a bit strange that they are pulling the plug while 3F and SM continue like nothing.
The way I interpreted the change in the law, it is really just more paper work that is needed for export and that they cannot send to countries where e-cigs are illegal.

My guess is that China has only applied hindering vape laws to certain cities? Many of the Chinese vape companies we order from have sister warehouses in other cities or countries where they can ship from using alternative routes, which could allow them to still operate per norm.

 

[Z-Lee]

Good morning ladies and gentlemen,


It is good that they find out and send you what you should have had. Frustrating to be told they have done this and that.
If you don't have to send back the defective Vi AIO, you have a spare shell lying around. What exactly was wrong with it? Something that can be fixed, or, we are talking about a project that can be disassembled in parts to see what the chipset looks like?

After receiving the news that they're sending out another Vi, I did a little bang/squish/squeeze testing to see if I could find anything out. I did get the mod to turn on, and it will fire, but only when I'm squeezing it just right and have the pod pressed in the right spot. I'm going to see if I can keep working on it to get it to function semi-properly. If not, I'll take it apart for a little looksies.

 

[Z-Lee]

$650 is a nice chunk of money Z. I certainly wouldn't let that slide. Try contacting the landlord daily, stay on his azz and maintain a record of your efforts. If he fails to reply then take him to court.

Check the laws in your state via Google. Each state has laws stating the timeframe when a security deposit has to be returned to a tenant. A landlord cannot deduct for normal wear and tear. Consult an attorney, some do offer free advice.

Yeah, but the legal fees are almost sure to rob me of most of the return. So the question is, is it worth all of the hassle to get only a little something back?

 

[ShowMeTwice]

It feels a bit strange that they are pulling the plug while 3F and SM continue like nothing.
The way I interpreted the change in the law, it is really just more paper work that is needed for export and that they cannot send to countries where e-cigs are illegal.

I'm not so confident in SM, 3F etc. being around at some point in the future. At least, and perhaps, not in China. If SM, 3F, FT and others based in China have any smarts they will look to the model 2fdeal employed with having multiple warehouses. Their main warehouse is based in Shenzhen, China and they also have a warehouse in Germany.

In the past I've ordered gear from 2fdeal. Every package was shipped out of Germany. I am surprised more people aren't using 2f for their vape needs/wants. 2f has been a solid company. I never had any issues with them.

While we interpret the Chinese vape regulations one way, I have to wonder if FT (and the like) have been told something "other" by the Chinese government. That would not surprise me at all.

IMHO, there will always be ways to successfully sell and purchase vape gear minus mainland China. Many of the manufacturers you and I buy from have been been using novel shipping and declaration methods for several years.

Where there's a will, there will always be a way.

 

[Tor R]

I'm not so sure that FT or other Chinese DIY suppliers are necessarily cheap on wire.

Today I calculated what I paid from Cloud Revolution, $182 for 6250 ft of wire, is just under 3 cents per ft.
Average thickness is around 32 ga.
There was 25% more on the roll and sale price which made it extra favorable for information, but the price ends up around 0.9$ on 30f or 3$ for 100ft.

 

[ShowMeTwice]

Yeah, but the legal fees are almost sure to rob me of most of the return. So the question is, is it worth all of the hassle to get only a little something back?

What legal fees beyond a Small Claims court filing fee?
Check the filing fee in your state.

In my state the Small Claims filing fee is $94.50 plus service fees. The small claims filing fee varies widely from state to state. You can ask the judge to include those fees as an award in addition to your security deposit. If you decide to consult with an attorney ask he/she about that.

Is it worth it? IMHO, for $650, yes. If your filing fee is $100 and you cannot recoup the fee then you lose that Benjamin Franklin but you stand to gain $550.

If you let this slide your old landlord will surely do the same (if he hasn't already) to other tenants.

Assuming a judge awards in your favor, in my state: "A judgment lien in Wisconsin will remain attached to the debtor's property (even if the property changes hands) for ten years." A judgment can greatly affect ones financial position.

 

[Tor R]

I'm not so confident in SM, 3F etc. being around at some point in the future. At least, and perhaps, not in China. If SM, 3F, FT and others based in China have any smarts they will look to the model 2fdeal employed with having multiple warehouses. Their main warehouse is based in Shenzhen, China and they also have a warehouse in Germany.

In the past I've ordered gear from 2fdeal. Every package was shipped out of Germany. I am surprised more people aren't using 2f for their vape needs/wants. 2f has been a solid company. I never had any issues with them.

While we interpret the Chinese vape regulations one way, I have to wonder if FT (and the like) have been told something "other" by the Chinese government. That would not surprise me at all.

IMHO, there will always be ways to successfully sell and purchase vape gear minus mainland China. Many of the manufacturers you and I buy from have been been using novel shipping and declaration methods for several years.

Where there's a will, there will always be a way.

They have obviously been smart and stand on two legs. Having a warehouse in Europe has never been stupid.

When you see how dramatically FT has reacted, it seems that they have received very negative information from the authorities.

I feel sorry for those who like to buy from FT and have had a good relationship with them, I myself have only bought twice from them in my vape adventure.
Twice from SM, never from 3F, 2fdeal I'll check up today, may be they come on my first page while FT and SM come on the bottom.

Many European manufacturers and stores already have sub-companies in shipping information, I myself like Atmizoo very much who always send me light bulb gifts.

 

[Pigs]

For Antipodean customers FT has always been attractive because of the cheap (and fast if you choose the right option) shipping and huge range of product. 3F looks the same price until you get to checkout then the shipping adds $. I've also found the CS at FT to be the best of the Chinese retailers, plus their clever gift certificate/PayPal workaround makes it easy for me.

 

[ShowMeTwice]

@Z-Lee, if you do take this to court, you likely know this already, if not, show up in a suit, tie and dress shoes. Look and act 100% professional. Have all your documentation ready and in very easy to follow order for yourself and the judge. I've seen people in small claims court who appear sloppily dressed and are very poorly prepared. Judges frown upon that. All courtrooms are professional atmospheres.

In my experience judges take note of those appearing before them, how well they present themselves and their case. Your old landlord has no case to stand on whatsoever. He is 100% in the wrong for failing to return your security deposit. You have a very winnable case.

 

[Z-Lee]

I've heard quite a few people mention the Noisy Cricket mod, but I myself am not interested in it. There is however a fantastic sale over at eleaf.

Noisy Cricket Dual 18650 Mech Mod - $9.99 before S&H

Black is the only color they have available.

Be aware that I've been told this mod is ONLY for very experienced mech users.