Smoktech VMax - Price Point Wrong

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AaronY

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(I use SquareTrade, which I can confirm is legit and honors theirs).

On a non electronic ecig (headphones) related think SquareTrade changed their system and is ignoring me. I tired emailing them 3 times in the past two weeks. You got better service with them. I think they are running a scam.
 

440BB

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If this mod was in the $80 price range sales would be outrageous. Personally, out of the 30+ people I've converted this was near their price point for making the switch to vaping. As a hobbiest myself why would I spend nearly $130 when I could throw down a little more for a Provari or for half the price get two of the new Lavatubes once they arrive? Just a shame as from all of the reviews from trusted friends this mod rocks!

Well the OP might have a crystal ball! The VMax is probably approaching it's intended price point - $89.98. VIP VMAX 3.0-6.0 (Tube Only) - VMAX - Ecig Kits & MODS

We now have a starting point to make choices based on market prices. The appearance of the VMax mimics the ProVari, yet it's technology more closely follows the Buzz Pro, so lets see what these tubes cost:

ProVari $179.90
Buzz Pro $124.00
VMax $89.88
Silver Bullet $84.99

So the VMax has the price point of a Silver Bullet, the appearance and display like a ProVari and the buck regulator like a Buzz Pro. Smoktech clearly did their homework. Durability remains to be seen over time, but the only one of these I'd drop on cement without concern would be the Silver Bullet anyway.

At under $90, you can get almost all the functionality of the classic VV tube mods. The VMax has hit the sweet spot.
 

markfm

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Don't forget, Infinity Pro is only $92 after discount (always available).

My original Infinity, and Buzz Pro, have taken countless drops from height onto hard surfaces (yeah, I'm a klutz). I'm pretty sure the Provari has similar rugged build quality.

Hopefully vmax will prove as durable. Time will tell.
 
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AaronY

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Well the OP might have a crystal ball! The VMax is probably approaching it's intended price point - $89.98. VIP VMAX 3.0-6.0 (Tube Only) - VMAX - Ecig Kits & MODS

We now have a starting point to make choices based on market prices. The appearance of the VMax mimics the ProVari, yet it's technology more closely follows the Buzz Pro, so lets see what these tubes cost:

ProVari $179.90
Buzz Pro $124.00
VMax $89.88
Silver Bullet $84.99

So the VMax has the price point of a Silver Bullet, the appearance and display like a ProVari and the buck regulator like a Buzz Pro. Smoktech clearly did their homework. Durability remains to be seen over time, but the only one of these I'd drop on cement without concern would be the Silver Bullet anyway.

At under $90, you can get almost all the functionality of the classic VV tube mods. The VMax has hit the sweet spot.
That is great. I hope the other vendors will follow suit. Still a bit off from a 100 buck kit. But hopefully soon :)
 

CthulhuSaves

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On a non electronic ecig (headphones) related think SquareTrade changed their system and is ignoring me. I tired emailing them 3 times in the past two weeks. You got better service with them. I think they are running a scam.

I'm unaware of any changes (then again, I haven't looked in awhile, so there ya go), but last I knew you had to log into your account to file a claim, not email them. I've also just phoned them, since I prefer to speak to a human (I kinda hate automated systems).
 

CthulhuSaves

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We now have a starting point to make choices based on market prices.

ProVari $179.90
Buzz Pro $124.00
VMax $89.88
Silver Bullet $84.99

The VMax has hit the sweet spot.

As much as I like these devices (I even bought a Lava Tube myself), I have always thought the pricing of PVs was beyond ludicrous, and simply a case of people wanting to make money being in the position of creating an insanely overpriced cost structure. Let's face it, we're going gaga over little metal tubes that hold batteries and occasionally have a pretty little light that flashes when you push a button. Sound familiar?

When's the last time you were at the hardware store and saw a new flashlight on the shelf for 89 bucks and thought, "Wow, that's under a hundred! What a steal!" I bought an emergency flashlight not too long ago. Has a friggin' radio in it, multiple extra functions, backup solar panels, and a hand-crank for giving it a quick, 30-minute charge, and I got it for under ten bucks.

Eventually some company will realize that PVs are effectively no different than half-dozen other products they're already mass producing and selling for comparative pocket change, and really nice stuff, --some of it overly complicated, some of it simplicity itself--, will be sitting on the shelves at your local K-mart for 10 or 20 bucks a pop, and to those companies selling truckloads of $1 flashlights (that actually work) that'll be a considered a cash cow.

Now, on a personal note, yes, I would pay 50 bucks or so right now for a PV, but only if it's some spiffy hand-crafted jobbie, and I'm not talking about some lousy plastic box someone happened to assemble on my behalf (I'm lookin' at you, Madvapes). No, I'm referring to guys like Chosen_1 and his "Ha-Y-N Styled Wood Mods," or Todd's Woodies & Toobies. Stuff like that is unique, and I'm paying for the effort and craftsmanship (not to mention I'm a sucker for wood --no jokes, John!), not the innards that probably cost a buck and some glue.
 

AaronY

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I'm unaware of any changes (then again, I haven't looked in awhile, so there ya go), but last I knew you had to log into your account to file a claim, not email them. I've also just phoned them, since I prefer to speak to a human (I kinda hate automated systems).

Want a copy of my recite :p I paid for it. Just can't log in and it says it does not recognize my email. It was a different log in system before. Just strange stuff. I have dealt with a couple of different ecig vendors and they where alot easier to deal with then those guys. It is just beyond strange to me.
 

CthulhuSaves

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Want a copy of my recite :p I paid for it. Just can't log in and it says it does not recognize my email. It was a different log in system before. Just strange stuff. I have dealt with a couple of different ecig vendors and they where alot easier to deal with then those guys. It is just beyond strange to me.

Ok, for what it's worth, I just went and logged into my account with the same addy I've had with 'em since I bought my first warranty about three years ago, and it took it. If you're not forgetting the email used, and it's not a typo or something, it must be a glitch of some kind. It may be due to Mothers Day or something (fewer staff on-hand) that they haven't gotten back to you yet, but I'd suggest waiting 'til tomorrow and just calling them (1-877-927-7268).
 

Algernon

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I'm still trying to determine what all the fuss is about. From the two reviewers (Pbusardo and Fazed) that reviewed it, it seemed to me to be... well, a dud.

Are you guys still in high spirits that it isn't? From what I saw in those reviews, I don't entirely feel too giddy with anticipation over how well that PV will turn out.

Are you guys just good at ignoring the obvious or is there something I'm missing?
 

iowajosh

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When's the last time you were at the hardware store and saw a new flashlight on the shelf for 89 bucks and thought, "Wow, that's under a hundred! What a steal!" I bought an emergency flashlight not too long ago. Has a friggin' radio in it, multiple extra functions, backup solar panels, and a hand-crank for giving it a quick, 30-minute charge, and I got it for under ten bucks.

Eventually some company will realize that PVs are effectively no different than half-dozen other products they're already mass producing and selling for comparative pocket change, and really nice stuff, --some of it overly complicated, some of it simplicity itself--, will be sitting on the shelves at your local K-mart for 10 or 20 bucks a pop, and to those companies selling truckloads of $1 flashlights (that actually work) that'll be a considered a cash cow.

Now, on a personal note, yes, I would pay 50 bucks or so right now for a PV, but only if it's some spiffy hand-crafted jobbie, and I'm not talking about some lousy plastic box someone happened to assemble on my behalf (I'm lookin' at you, Madvapes). No, I'm referring to guys like Chosen_1 and his "Ha-Y-N Styled Wood Mods," or Todd's Woodies & Toobies. Stuff like that is unique, and I'm paying for the effort and craftsmanship (not to mention I'm a sucker for wood --no jokes, John!), not the innards that probably cost a buck and some glue.


Small runs of product cost more. It has little to do with material cost.

You have natural light taste in flash lights but it is a good example of mass produced widgets being low cost. I do know hand made, small batch flashlights cost a more more than vapings stuff seems to.
 

CthulhuSaves

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Are you guys just good at ignoring the obvious or is there something I'm missing?

I don't bother watching any other reviews anymore, not when Phil's are so detailed and unbiased, and allow us to make our own decisions based on facts & specs. As for Phil's review of the Vmax, I find your read on it confusing. He gave it a positive review, with a few minor caveats. Everyone wants a ProVari, and here's something that's virtually identical in many areas, better in a couple, and lesser in only a few (noted in review), and it's a fraction of the cost. I can live with those few minor shortcoming for that kind of savings.

The only thing I really had a problem with was the voltage being off (a little over 1 volt higher than what it was set on), but maybe that was a one-off or mistake that's been corrected (one would think). And, if not, I suppose it's not too big a deal, albeit a bit annoying. There's only one juice in my lineup that I need lower than average voltage for (I've found that TastyFinger is better cold), and I've still got other, cheap batts for that. :)
 

CthulhuSaves

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Small runs of product cost more. It has little to do with material cost.

That's only sometimes accurate. If you're constructing the devices yourself, it doesn't apply at all. If you're shopping it out to some manufacturer, it's just a matter of who you contract to. Some will give you a hard time and set prices depending on the size of your orders, but others will set a per-unit price and merely slap you with a minimum order. Hell, Bauway doesn't even bother with minimums at all! (It's just the shipping that'll eat you alive on those orders.) I've bought full kits from them for pocket change that sell for close to a hundred bucks in the states.

So, let's talk Vmax, then. What's the dealer price? 40-45 bucks, right? Right around there, anyway. Smoktech are making a hefty profit on that.

What I'm saying is simply that, if they can crank these bad boys out and sell 'em to vendors for that much, and make a good profit, then some other manufacturer can do the same, target a different, non-traditional venue (Kmart, or whatever --one they're used to selling other mass-produced devices to), and sell them for a lot less, which in turn means we pay a lot less. (And flashlights were just an example, not some holy grail comparison.)
 

videodave

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Wow! This has been an interesting thread on so many levels. As a newbie to ECF, whose thinking about getting a mod, I had no idea when I started reading the thread that it would touch on politics, literature, basic production theories, a new business model (Square Trade) and, most upsetting, what seems like petty jealousy. Of course the newbie part means I don't understand the motivations behind ECF's decisions to ban (Oh, excuse me; I meant not allow) a link from a competeing (Oh, excuse me; I meant another) forum.

I think I'll give that forum a look though. . . maybe I'll understand it better.
 

CthulhuSaves

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Hiya Dave,


I agree that ECF can be a touch inexplicably overly-strict on some issues, but regarding the "insults" and banter you're seeing (and will continue to see), you'll soon catch-on that most of it is firmly tongue-in-cheek, and actual arguments or resentments are very rare around here. I dunno, maybe it's because ECF is so strict that we like to tow-the-line with the gibes and faux offenses. Makes us feel better. :)
 

Bahiaboy

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Hiya Dave,


I agree that ECF can be a touch inexplicably overly-strict on some issues, but regarding the "insults" and banter you're seeing (and will continue to see), you'll soon catch-on that most of it is firmly tongue-in-cheek, and actual arguments or resentments are very rare around here. I dunno, maybe it's because ECF is so strict that we like to tow-the-line with the gibes and faux offenses. Makes us feel better. :)

Seems a common theme on Vmax threads for members to have a "pop" at the Device seems a lot more prevalent than on any other device !!!
Anyone have any Idea why ?? :blink:
 

CthulhuSaves

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Cool I will try that. Thanks :) Do they warrantee ecig mods?

Yeah, but there isn't a specific category for them. You just use the drop-down menus to narrow down the category as best you can (honestly, you can warranty just about anything). I'm a little vague on the options at the moment, as I haven't looked at it in some time, but I think they'd just fall under Misc Electronics, or something like that. It's all automated, so you choose what category best fits the device when you're prepping the warranty prior to purchase. Getting the warranty set up and paid for is the easiest part, and so long as you don't skip anything or lose the links and/or receipts (electronic "proof" of purchase is fine), filing a claim is pretty easy, too. It's worth noting, however, that they do require you to make use of any default manufacturer's warranties first, should they exist. If that's a no-go, then your ST warranty will have you covered.

Y'know, it's funny, I used to use 'em like crazy, slapping a cheap warranty on anything I bought. After time, though, the warranties would mostly expire without me needing them, so now I mainly just stick to using the service to warranty stuff that either doesn't have a default, or if it's a ridiculously short period, like 30-90 days, and then only for the more expensive items. Good example of me phugging up would be stuff like DVD burners from a place like Newegg. You can grab one nowadays for 20 bucks, shipped. A 5 or 10 dollar warranty might seem like a great idea, but when you consider the cost of the item, and that you've gotten warranties for a dozen similar items, it hits you you've just blown a ton of cash you didn't need to. Oops. :) So yeah, my advice is to stick to getting them only for stuff you can't easily replace out-of-pocket (Vmax counts, in my book).
 
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