So... I thought I'd check out my nearest retail e-cig store...

[Mvgratz]

I figured since I would have to wait til Tuesday for my LF's and Vapor Flow's delivery I'd check out my closest retail store and pick up some ego-t attys and empty tanks... 75 miles away, but hey I had a doctors appt in the same town. Now I'm a newbie compared to most of the folks that frequent this forum, but I've done my home work when it comes to the average prices for most everything related to vaping. I walked into the store puffing on my kr808.
After checking out some of the prices I almost choked on the vapor! Jeesh, I know what the manufactor's in China charge wholesale and these folks are "skinning people alive"!
I wont post their name but I will give a link to their store so you know I'm simply statin facts.
So much for buying one of the tank atty's and pack of cartridges from them. After checking out their ego cone price of $18.50 (FOR 1 CONE!!!, and the 510 atty price of $15.95-$17.95 (FOR 1 ATTY!!!) I was scared to ask the price of the new "T-stuff" No those prices weren't for a pack of cones, or cone and battery together, or more than 1 atty!!! I can safely say that I wont be buying anything "locally" except DIY supplies from Tractor Supply and Wally-world. Is this the "norm" for most retail e-cig stores? Or, are these folks just trying to get rich off people that know no better?
Sorry, I had to share that with you all. Sucks when people take advantage of others imo.

I guess I should have checked to see if they had a web-site and what their prices were like first.
Purchase Online

 

[Rosa]

LOL! They gotta pay rent, but to be honest it sounds ok to me for a storefront location. You pay for the convenience.

 

[Rosa]

... just checked out the website HIGHWAY ROBBERY! It's one thing to pay for storefront rent, but to be bilked online too??? NO WAY!!

 

[LastoftheBreed]

Holy cow!!!

That's absolutely ridiculous! I can see some mark up for a brick and mortar retail, but 80 bucks for a frigging 801??? To top it off, if they did it right, they should be paying even less than we as individual consumers would be paying, since they're buying in bulk.

Seriously, that's as bad if not worse than the mall kiosk vendors out there. Sad. They need a reputable dealer to open up down the street and put them out of business!

 

[texastumbleweed]

lucky for me that i live 20 minutes drive from Breezesmokes (ecig supplier)....its an internet business (doesnt have a ecig store per se) but i go buy from Don to save shipping charges..and his prices are very competitive, and all his products are great. and his cinnamon pear ejuice is THE BOMB! visiting BES is like going to vaping disneyland!

 

[wv2win]

If you were paying $2000 a month or more in rent on top of your supply costs, personnel costs, utilities and $300 a month in maintenance fees how many kits and accessories would you have to sell just to break even? Did I mention advertizing? His prices should be easily 3 times the cost of an "out of your house" online suppler.

 

[wv2win]

... just checked out the website HIGHWAY ROBBERY! It's one thing to pay for storefront rent, but to be bilked online too??? NO WAY!!

I see your point, Rosa, but on the other hand, if he charged significantly less on his web site, how would he ever get anyone to come to his store front?

 

[5cardstud]

I never heard of them. Must have the same price sheet the mall kiosks go off of. I can get a whole box of better cartos for less than that shipped.

 

[Chefanim]

I've shopped there a few times. And I agree it's pricey, BUT, it is nice to know there is a brick and mortar here in town just in case something breaks or you run out of something. Her juice prices aren't too terrible. I've bought a couple 10Ml bottles for $10 each. And I think I paid $15 for a 5 pack of XL CE2s.

I've actually spent some time there talking to her. Most of her customers are older people who aren't too Internet savvy, so having a local place is nice. And at least she sells juice, she isn't trying to get everyone to buy a new pack of prefilleds every couple days.


And if course, she is on Panama City beach. Basically right on Thomas dr. Rent can't be cheap.

 

[Silversmyth]

COOL T-shirts--If you could order one on their site!!!!

 

[Hrtbrkr1965]

They are raking it in on the yuppy puppies flocking in over the 7 weeks of spring break! You know ...alcohol, showing off, alcohol, mom and dad's credit cards, alcohol, high tech devices, alcohol, college students with temporary insanity and did I mention alcohol?
There also kinda like the mall kiosk type business! You never seen it before....you can sample it....this could work....get home then find ECF and realize you spent way to much money LOL
In laws had rental properties there and have spent alot of time in Panama City Beach!

 

[KYFlyer67]

I hate to admit it, but I'd pay their price if I ran out. There's no question in my mind. This is why I want to be d*** sure I don't run out!

 

[Chefanim]

That's just it. I know I can get things cheaper online, but it gives some peace of mind knowing replacements for everything I have are right down the street just in case.

 

[FreakyStylie]

Wow! Talk about overpricing!

Just a tip too. When you see something like this online, make sure to state the name of the company and the website. Not to bash them, but it will help offer objective information when people make searches for them. Like, if I post that I believe that Smokin' Vapor at thatsnotsmoke.com, is ripping people off by charging too much compared to what other online suppliers charge, I'm merely stating the truth, plus my post - and this thread - can now be found by somebody searching for them online. Now they can click on this thread and find out a little more about what options there are.

 

[muzichead]

Do you mean Walmart when you say Wally-world? Wasn't aware they sold anything ecig!!!! Correct me if i'm wrong, please.

 

[JudgeVape]

Yeah, I have mixed emotions to see something like this. If she has to charge those types of prices to stay in business, advertise, and have a visible location then I guess so be it. So long as she is offering sound knowledge and advice to her customers, it is always good to have a bricks and mortar store around. It is certainly preferable than those schleps at your typical mall kiosk.

I certainly wouldn't mind having someplace nearby where I could get "emergency" supplies, even if they charge twice as much as online prices.

 

[BlackChad]

oh come on $130 dollars for an ego-t starter kit isnt that bad................................. hahahaha

 

[kellie]

I'd pay the prices if I was in a bind and something broke or if I wanted to try it bad enough. I hate to wait. I really hate to wait

 

[porkchopsisgood]

Anybody who frequents ECF would know better than to purchase supplies at those prices when they know they could get the same supplies for 30%-50% less in a couple of days; but I also know I could wait until the next Harry Potter came out on Netflix to watch it at home, too, with a 35 cent bag of microwave popcorn in my lap. I'd pay for the convenience, I suppose, if I wasn't in the know...and it certainly helps to have someone locally to discuss things with if you're new to vaping...it's kinda like paying for vaping lessons.

 

[Mvgratz]

Do you mean Walmart when you say Wally-world? Wasn't aware they sold anything ecig!!!! Correct me if i'm wrong, please.

VG and "some" flavorings for making your own juice.