I went to visit a local b&m with a friend the other day and right away my eyes were drawn to the new mechs in the display case.RIght away I recognized fast tech mods. I asked to look at what appeared to be a chi you that has no box only a soft black pouch. He took it from the display and said "the chi you". When I asked how much (playing ignorant) he said $129. I am no expert but am fairly confident there's no chi you available at that price. I've seen the clones for $27 and some change. I hope i'm wrong but feel like he was trying to dupe me. My question is, is it possible for a shop to sell an authentic chi you for that price? If notthen shouldnt other potential buyers be informed its a "clone"? And the mark up is just plain outrageous if it is. So before I boycott this establishment I want to be 100% certain its not my ignorance and give them the benefit of the doubt. I'll give them one more oppritunity to redeem them selves when I'm armed with the proper facts. Is there any telltale way to distinguish authentic from knock off? I'll ask to see it once more if he tells me its authentic and its not they will lose all credibility as well as my business and most of my friends if not all. I've refered so many people to this place and don't wanna see my friends get burnt. Any suggestions will be considered before I take action. T.I.A.
shoul I be offended by this?
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Unfortunately, I think there are stores here that do the same thing. Because of that, I tell friends to buy equipment online (or at the one shop that I KNOW carries authentic gear). The only thing I'll buy at a B&M is juice - and that doesn't happen very often, either.
Why not be straightforward, and ask the vendor aobut authenticity, what he can provide to show, etc.?
I never like to go behind people, with bad thoughts, I like to just get it out on the table and I express concerns I have in person withh the person.
He's a business person, just ask. Why engage in innuendo when that person is standing there and you can just ask them directly? I doubt anyone on the forum can answer this question better than he can.
you: I do a lot of shopping online, and am aware. as I'm sure you are, of the many asian clones of popular mods.
So before I consider purchasing this item from you, is it authentic or a clone?
If he says authentic, say : what kind of authentication are you providing me as purchaser? I can forsee that in the event I decide I don't like it and want to re-sell it, I need some kind of authentication ........ and can you provide the details for me?
This just a business deal, no different than asking any saleman about their product, same as a Lazyboy recliner or something, not like some kind of clandestine who's cheating on who love affair.
I dunno, buying and selling is a very straightforward concept for me. LOL I've asked questions like this before and had the vendor go back and bring out the box or the paperwork, etc.
They know I am aware that they deserve SOME markup, etc.
I really dislike bashing B&Ms......they have overhead that online vendors don't have, and I do expect to payt a little more to keep them in business.
(It's funny how everyone complains that small biz in the uSA is suffering, and they blame politics, when I am starting to see that its the CONSUMERS who are the problem ..... they simply shop by price and that's that. )
I never like to go behind people, with bad thoughts, I like to just get it out on the table and I express concerns I have in person withh the person.
He's a business person, just ask. Why engage in innuendo when that person is standing there and you can just ask them directly? I doubt anyone on the forum can answer this question better than he can.
you: I do a lot of shopping online, and am aware. as I'm sure you are, of the many asian clones of popular mods.
So before I consider purchasing this item from you, is it authentic or a clone?
If he says authentic, say : what kind of authentication are you providing me as purchaser? I can forsee that in the event I decide I don't like it and want to re-sell it, I need some kind of authentication ........ and can you provide the details for me?
This just a business deal, no different than asking any saleman about their product, same as a Lazyboy recliner or something, not like some kind of clandestine who's cheating on who love affair.
I dunno, buying and selling is a very straightforward concept for me. LOL I've asked questions like this before and had the vendor go back and bring out the box or the paperwork, etc.
They know I am aware that they deserve SOME markup, etc.
I really dislike bashing B&Ms......they have overhead that online vendors don't have, and I do expect to payt a little more to keep them in business.
(It's funny how everyone complains that small biz in the uSA is suffering, and they blame politics, when I am starting to see that its the CONSUMERS who are the problem ..... they simply shop by price and that's that. )
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Thing is... there are several chi you clones. Some, far better made than others. Of those, the EhPro clone is, arguably, the best made and most complete. They typically retail with US interweb vendors for around $60 to $80. So it's not a great leap to see a B&M retailing one for $120... assuming it's an EhPro.
And there ya' go... the best course of action. ;-)
do not be offended, be outraged and walk away. DOn't forget to let your local forums know that this is occuring.
Offended? I don't know.
Skeptical? Sure.
Curious as to his motives and business practices? Absolutely.
Caveat Emptor and "trust but verify" are two good practices for any informed consumer.
Some vendors go into business with the idea/plan of taking advantage of the public, especially the ignorant. Such vendors never last long. Especially when there are customers who have as much (if not more) knowledge than the vendor. I don't know if you've just ran into such an establishment, but if you did.... there's nothing wrong with asking for reasonable assurances and documentation.
Skeptical? Sure.
Curious as to his motives and business practices? Absolutely.
Caveat Emptor and "trust but verify" are two good practices for any informed consumer.
Some vendors go into business with the idea/plan of taking advantage of the public, especially the ignorant. Such vendors never last long. Especially when there are customers who have as much (if not more) knowledge than the vendor. I don't know if you've just ran into such an establishment, but if you did.... there's nothing wrong with asking for reasonable assurances and documentation.
I apologize if this doesn't work, I'm on my phone.. here's a side by side comparison of the real deal vs a clone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdO-oHr8Q7E&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I'll edit my post on the computer when I get home. Oh yeah, virgin ear warning for the video, dude goes a little nuts about people ripping off others designs.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdO-oHr8Q7E&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I'll edit my post on the computer when I get home. Oh yeah, virgin ear warning for the video, dude goes a little nuts about people ripping off others designs.
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I remember, when I was a kid, seeing authentic Nintendo video games (MSRP $50) selling for upwards of $70 at some stores. I imagine they can set the price for whatever they want once they purchase it from the vendor. The key is to be well informed, wherever you shop. And that's where the internet is your friend. The best place to refer your friends to is here, where there are hundreds of people ready to give up their favorite shops.
We have a B & M here. Half of their stuff is authentic and half clones. I don't mind buying some stuff from them to support a local business as it is the only one here within 150 miles. The way I see it is he can charge whatever he wants, he is trying to make a living. I buy the bulk of my stuff online. Fasttech is a huge company, therefore they can sell cheaply. Most of your B & Ms are solely owned. If I don't like what mine charges for something, I just don't buy from them. I do not get offended by them for their prices. It is what it is. VAPE ON
Thanks for all the replies. I would've asked had there not been other people in the store. The last thing I wanna do is get his other customers weary when it is possible im just plain wrong. I totally understand they have over head and I like having a shop local to me as well. I have no problem spending a little extra to help a business that I like to succeed.Im by no means cheap I just work eextremely hard for my money as I'm sure most legit b&m owners and employees do. I should also take into consideration the sales person's knowledge of their store inventory. It is possible it was ordered by another employee and wether its authentic or not hasn't been relayed to one another. There are endless possibilities to this scenario. I don't wanna bash this establishment. Sometimes I just don't have a filter before I post these and im sometimes emotion over intellect. I do have the right to be wrong and I hope I am.
Im the type of person who likes to support local business. Especailly where I live. There is only a select few vape cafes around.However with that being said there has to be a certain amount of honesty and business integrity. Obviously a Vape shop's needs to make money to stay afloat and make a bit of profit. Though it's not a wise move to try and dupe costumers with low grade merchandise and high prices.I personally would address the issue. My local supply is a small vape cafe. So business comes from word of mouth, and economic pricing. As we all know shopping for your favorite devices and accessory's is fairly easy on the web. Though the convience of being able to walk in and try a flavor before you buy it is nice also. I think I would be a bit offended. Hopwever strike up a conversation and mention hey I seen this on this site for x amount. It's a coin toss. but couldn't hurt
Welcome the paying the "convenience" of having the item in your hand markup vs the "waiting in limbo on the slow boat from China but paying the "wholesale" price"
Middleman's gotta keep his profits up to keep his doors open man...
Middleman's gotta keep his profits up to keep his doors open man...
The vendor probably doesn't even know there are such things as fakes. Does FastTech say theirs are not authentic?
Not talking about this situation or even B&M vaping stores in general but it seems like a lot of the general public has no problem walking into a B&M, ogling the merchandise, playing with it, getting a lot of information from the employees and then going off and buying it online for a huge discount. We don’t have a lot of money, let alone a vaping store anywhere near here (never even seen the outside of one), but I would at least buy something from them for their time and effort if I were in the market for something they sold and took the time to go over it with me. Why do so many people expect something for nothing? Wasn’t it Best Buy that had severe problems because of this?
Rubble Bucket, I commend you for not making a scene in the store and for directing business to them. If they are deliberately ripping folks off, that is another matter. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Rubble Bucket, I commend you for not making a scene in the store and for directing business to them. If they are deliberately ripping folks off, that is another matter. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
so am i but 50 bucks for an ego c and 1 clearo is the only ones around here and they dont deserve it.
best buy fell apart from overpricing things, uninformed employees and even for a while BB's own website would show the item at a different price then the store, with their potential volume there is no reason to be the most expensive place in town.
I really dont expect something for nothing but in every field it seems there are little mom n pops trying to make rent on the sale of one item and consumers have had enough. kinda hard to want to buy something for 200 when its across the street for 160 and online for 100
most people dont and wont expect smaller businesses to have walmart buying power and prices. but the economy sucks yet Im expected to support someone marking things up 500%?
right now the guy at work has a few connections from up north that want to open vape stores in our area and they are looking for input from us. they constantly try to get me on board saying things like "you wouldn't believe the markup on this stuff" "people are stupid and we are raking it in and this will be our 7th store" this is not the kind of business practices I would ever support.
the B&M's want my business? make money but stop trying to rip me off. the last mod I got was about 18 above what i could get it for direct. thats ok on a 200 dollar item i can have in 2 days VS signing up for a restock notice. these vape stores think everyone is still uninformed but thats quicky changing and I expect many to fade away unless they become realistic.
but to the OP i agree with others, I would just ask.
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Thrasher, lol, no I am not into getting ripped off nor anybody else getting ripped off. A reasonable mark up was all I was talking about. If somebody wants to get rich quick, a vape store is probably not the way to go.
I agree that the local B & M s have to have a markup to make rent and a profit. But not 300 to 500%. We only have a few shops within a 50 mile radius of where I live. Most only have a majority of lower end ego based products with a few Vamos and SVD type products marked up over 30-50%. Don't know if it is mostly clones or not. One shop does carry branded products but is a huge markup. Why don't these B&M hold vapemeets with 15 or 20% off days for their customers and to attract new business. Sell more than one line of juice that is a cheap rebranded item with few flavors. There are better and cheap business models to make a good profit. The ones near me are just marking up product and not providing a lot of service or education. They won't even mention ECF or where else a product can be obtained if they are out or do not stock it. Some of these shops are going to be out of business in a year, when the customer gets educated. Just like the mall kiosks. Local shop customer loyalty does not mean the customer needs to be a fool and get ripped off.
And I do shop my local B&Ms. I will buy some juice and an occasional Evod or heads, when I am in the neighborhood. But I am not going to pay double the price for an MVP or a VAMO that I can get online. The local shops near me also do not offer any warranty.
And I do shop my local B&Ms. I will buy some juice and an occasional Evod or heads, when I am in the neighborhood. But I am not going to pay double the price for an MVP or a VAMO that I can get online. The local shops near me also do not offer any warranty.
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IMO, I see nothing wrong with a small shop throwing some markup on their products. In today's economic age, you're stupid if you don't. My problem would come if a shop were to try and sell a knock off as an authentic just to be able to charge more. If they care about money than they do their customers, they have no business being in business.
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A fair and reasonable price is whatever a willing buyer and willing seller agree upon.
That's obviously a clone. A genuine Chi You will set you back at least twice what they're asking.
If it's an ehpro clone, it's probably very good quality and probably worth the $130 price. You can get it online for about $80, so a $50 markup on that kind of item is not too far out of line. That is probably a low volume, low turnover item in his inventory. He has to charge a large markup to make up for the hole its burning in his inventory financing plan.
That's obviously a clone. A genuine Chi You will set you back at least twice what they're asking.
If it's an ehpro clone, it's probably very good quality and probably worth the $130 price. You can get it online for about $80, so a $50 markup on that kind of item is not too far out of line. That is probably a low volume, low turnover item in his inventory. He has to charge a large markup to make up for the hole its burning in his inventory financing plan.
I would like to have a local shop to go to. Here, we have none. I have found that most shops in my area (selling other merchandise unrelated to vaping) will be straight up with you as to authenticity. I just dont like to burn bridges. If I don't like the price or whatever, i just wont buy that item there. Local vendors do need support, I wont give them my leg or arm, but alittle extra for overheard and not having to wait is acceptable for me.
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