Should I send my Smoketips back? They have a new model out

[Tyrant]

Ok, new to vaping and bought a smoketip set a couple of weeks ago for $60 with a 30 day guarantee

A few days ago I get an email from them saying they came out with a new improved battery, but it is not compatible with their old chargers.

It seems to be a really good deal, $20 for a battery + usb + wall charger. Two of those are not only $20 cheaper than the kit I bought, but I get an extra usb+charger out of the deal.

I feel kind of screwed buying something that became obsolete two weeks later. I'm tempted to send the starter kit back and buy two of their new battery combo kits.

 

[xoZoe]

Ahh! I got that email too! I have 2 dead smoketip batteries that are supposed to have a lifetime warranty... So if I send them back now... why should I have to get their old batteries? I want the new ones too!

However, in your case I'd contact their customer service. They're super nice there and may or may not do it. Personally- I'm happy enough with the batteries I ordered in May/June. It's not like the batteries you have now are awful just not *as good*.

So I think it couldn't hurt to ask, but if they so no- you're fine

xo

 

[Tyrant]

Hmmm, what will they do with future dead batteries? Will they stick me with having to buy the new usb+charger if I eventually get a battery replaced? I haven't even had it three weeks yet, so I am tempted to pull a cheapskate move and send it back.
Besides, most reputable companies discount the previous model before a new one comes out.

 

[xoZoe]

I'll contact them tomorrow to figure out what they plan on doing with my dead batteries if it'll help you in anyway :3 If they make me try to buy new crap I don't need I'll be pretty bitter.

The did have a huge discount sale over a month ago. They had a buy 1 get 1 free starter kit deal which I took advantage of...

 

[Tyrant]

Gee, just missing a bygof sale would make me feel less guilty about retuning my $60 kit. I was considering sending it back even before since I'm not happy with the charge the batteries hold. No wonder they came out with a new improved version.

 

[wv2win]

Why even buy from them in the first place? When a site says "most advanced" when it is actually one of the least advanced models on the market and when they say they have the "largest flavor selection" (9), those are two blantent lies. And so called "new" batteries or not, you might get an hour of full battery life out of those batteries plus they are auto batteries unfortunately.

You can get a model from many suppliers that is easily 10 time better and more advanced than Smoketip for a third to half as much in cost. 5-6 hours on a charge and much better consistency and warmth of vapor.

RIVA 510 or E-Power: Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - E-Power

 

[dormouse]

Smoketip aka KR808D-1 is not "one of the least advanced models on the market". Smoketip is (or was) KR808D-1 which is a real 3.7v device. It has more voltage than Ego or Riva, just not as much charge since it is slim. KR808D-1 is also the most popular 2-piece slim mini threading. And cartomizers were invented first for this model and later created for other threadings.

I would not buy the new Smoketip batteries unless you know they work with the same cartomizers. If they are switching to KR808D-2, you don't want to be there.

You could also return your Smoketip and spend LESS money and get 2 batteries and a charger at Vapor4Life (the standard KR808D-1) or SmokelessImage Volt (which is the newer model and still KR808D-1 threaded). I only paid $14 for a KR808D-1 battery at SmokelessImage. I prefer the larger buttons on the Vapor4Life ones. I only use manual batteries - much safer from being damaged or killed by juice leaks, easier to get a good hit). Vapor4Life and SmokelessImage are two KR808D-1 vendors with prefilled and popular blank KR808D-1 cartomizers and juices.

 

[wv2win]

It can't come close to the E-Power in either sustained power (4.2v fully charged) or length of time on a charge for an average vaper approximately 5 hours.

 

[Natalia]

I'm usually a big proponent for SmokeTip. They were my first PV and I still use them daily, even though I have a lot of other models... eGo, Riva, VGO, KGO... etc. A PV for every mood

Anyway, after reading this thread today I went to the SmokeTip site and found you now need an authorization number to return a battery. The last time I looked you didn't. You just sent it back and they sent you a new one. Next I went to their FaceBook page and saw the following comment:

"I got an answer from Smoketip about my questions. The starter kits will have the old batteries. No they will not replace dead batteries with the improved batteries and the Travel Charger Case will not work with the improved batteries.I guess I'm stuck having to sent back a dead battery every other month. Good thing they have a lifetime warranty."

Also, they will no longer ship Flavored Cartomizers to California. The explanation for this on the site just tells you to call the California Attorney General's Office... huh?

So, even though I've loved them for almost a year... the new SmokeTip Customer Service doesn't sound like the one I started with.

 

[Tregs]

I'm usually a big proponent for SmokeTip. They were my first PV and I still use them daily, even though I have a lot of other models... eGo, Riva, VGO, KGO... etc. A PV for every mood

Anyway, after reading this thread today I went to the SmokeTip site and found you now need an authorization number to return a battery. The last time I looked you didn't. You just sent it back and they sent you a new one. Next I went to their FaceBook page and saw the following comment:

"I got an answer from Smoketip about my questions. The starter kits will have the old batteries. No they will not replace dead batteries with the improved batteries and the Travel Charger Case will not work with the improved batteries.I guess I'm stuck having to sent back a dead battery every other month. Good thing they have a lifetime warranty."

Also, they will no longer ship Flavored Cartomizers to California. The explanation for this on the site just tells you to call the California Attorney General's Office... huh?

So, even though I've loved them for almost a year... the new SmokeTip Customer Service doesn't sound like the one I started with.

that's is unfortunate. but sadly it sounds like many companies in modern America.

 

[swedishfish]

I don't know if it's them or maybe it's the quality of the batteries they're getting.

When I got my Joye Ego from Liberty Flights it had a 6 month warranty on batteries. The Riva had a 3 month warranty.
Checking the other day, they now both have a 2 month warranty.

I don't know who is offering the battery warranty, the vendor (Liberty Flight, Smoke Tip) or the manufacturer. It could be the battery manufacturer.

I still have the attys that came with my kit that are almost 7 months old. I'm reading about people now saying they're attys only last a week.

 

[swedishfish]

I'm usually a big proponent for SmokeTip. They were my first PV and I still use them daily, even though I have a lot of other models... eGo, Riva, VGO, KGO... etc. A PV for every mood

Anyway, after reading this thread today I went to the SmokeTip site and found you now need an authorization number to return a battery. The last time I looked you didn't. You just sent it back and they sent you a new one. Next I went to their FaceBook page and saw the following comment:

"I got an answer from Smoketip about my questions. The starter kits will have the old batteries. No they will not replace dead batteries with the improved batteries and the Travel Charger Case will not work with the improved batteries.I guess I'm stuck having to sent back a dead battery every other month. Good thing they have a lifetime warranty."

Also, they will no longer ship Flavored Cartomizers to California. The explanation for this on the site just tells you to call the California Attorney General's Office... huh?

So, even though I've loved them for almost a year... the new SmokeTip Customer Service doesn't sound like the one I started with.

That's too bad. Do they still have the 45 day return policy?

 

[swedishfish]

that's is unfortunate. but sadly it sounds like many companies in modern America.

I really suspect it's a manufacturing issue. And they ain't manufactured here!

 

[phonicwater]

i say only upgrade when u feel the need for more.

 

[Groves]

I have smoke tip too, so far so good...except battery life and cartimizers taste burnt. i do refill and try my best to not let them run dry...but they always seem to get that taste. Im gonna have to upgrade soon.

 

[Natalia]

I don't know if it's them or maybe it's the quality of the batteries they're getting.

When I got my Joye Ego from Liberty Flights it had a 6 month warranty on batteries. The Riva had a 3 month warranty.
Checking the other day, they now both have a 2 month warranty.

I don't know who is offering the battery warranty, the vendor (Liberty Flight, Smoke Tip) or the manufacturer. It could be the battery manufacturer.

I still have the attys that came with my kit that are almost 7 months old. I'm reading about people now saying they're attys only last a week.

I noticed the same thing on my last purchase from LF. You're probably right, they are the resellers, not the manufactures. It's really a shame though as those warranties are why we recommend certain vendors over others. Not a huge thing, just another "one more" thing.

 

[swedishfish]

I have smoke tip too, so far so good...except battery life and cartimizers taste burnt. i do refill and try my best to not let them run dry...but they always seem to get that taste. Im gonna have to upgrade soon.

My mom started with and quit smoking using a smoke tip so I can't say anything bad about them. And when she dealt with them the CS was good. She moved on to a different pv once she figured out what she liked/didn't like but it was a good, very user friendly kit to start with for those that feel they want something that looks like a cig.

 

[Ralikar]

You should read my "Smoketip screwed me" post in the vendor section and avoid this company.

 

[swedishfish]

You should read my "Smoketip screwed me" post in the vendor section and avoid this company.

Well, we know you vaped all those cartos really really fast! I would be mad too.

 

[Ralikar]

There is a follow-up: more of their crappy product died and a detailed overall review people may find helpful.