Spending money wisely

[Dunkel]

This isn't a post about cutting back or only ordering what you need, it's about choosing wisely where you spend your money. I like a deal (who doesn't right) even if it's free shipping or 10% off. I like to feel like I've saved a bit when I make a purchase. Of course sometimes a deal isn't a deal when it's a crap product. I wasted money awhile back with a company I won't name, but they always seem to have huge sales 40-50% off. It was the worst e liquid I've had the misfortune to vape. They also had little if any reviews on their site or recommendations/reviews here on ECF. I should have known better.

When I am thinking about making an e liquid purchase from a company for the first time I consider 3 things. 1. Reputation/recommendations Have I tried their products through a trade or gift, have people generally liked their products and have I heard any complaints about customer service. 2. Price both of the e liquid & shipping.
3. The deal What kind of deal are they offering.

Recently I contacted 2 different companies about whether they offered first time buyer/customer discounts. One company is barely if ever mentioned and their line of e liquids had very few reviews on their site. My interest in buying from them was because they had a brand I liked and I also wanted to try 1 or 2 flavors from their e liquid line. I was told that they do not offer any discounts, and to check their Facebook page to see reviews. Well I know how FB works and if you don't like what someone posts you can make it disappear. My order from that company would've been over $50, but because they didn't want to offer even 10% off or free shipping I took my business elsewhere. The second company I contacted is very popular but rarely offer any sales/discounts. I was told that they do not offer any discounts or deals, because their prices are already low enough. At just under 50 cents per ml for regular line, but more for limited/reserve/special line, they are reasonable, but not low priced. My order to that company would have been over $80, but because they couldn't offer any discount at all, I took my business elsewhere. The moral of the story for vendors is: It's better to offer a 10% discount and get a first time customer than to not have a new customer at all. Sorry for the rant. Anyone else feel the same way?

 

[GPC2012]

If you want to spend wisely, then shop for an e-vendor that you don't have to ask for a discount from. If the price is right then you don't need a discount. If you find a good company they will reward you for your continued business. Better than a first time buyers discount, a good price, quality product, and reliable service is most important to me.
Lucky 7 Vapes

It takes a few days longer to get your order, but that in itself says something about the vendor. He's busy enough that the turn around isn't instant. But very reliable.

 

[Candyheart]

If you want to spend wisely, then shop for an e-vendor that you don't have to ask for a discount from. If the price is right then you don't need a discount. If you find a good company they will reward you for your continued business. Better than a first time buyers discount, a good price, quality product, and reliable service is most important to me.
Lucky 7 Vapes

It takes a few days longer to get your order, but that in itself says something about the vendor. He's busy enough that the turn around isn't instant. But very reliable.

People going on and on and on about this vendor because of the price-bottom line shipping is WAY to long!!-its funny to me that most every other vendor who sells e juice can ship in a timely manner it been a while since they started up but still it seems they can not get any faster I am not fond of paying money and not seeing my product till 40 days later.

I was not going to say anything but every post its like 'Lucky 7 they are the best I have ever had" remember taste is subjective.
hopefully some other companies will come along that can match the prices and have much better shipping!!!!

 

[Dunkel]

As for Lucky7, yeah waiting forever is not my thing. For what they charge I have a hard time believing they are any better than MBV. MBV has like 3 flavors I like and I've tried plenty. I'd much rather pay $10 or so for 30ml and know it's going to be good than buy a bunch of $5.89 per 30ml hoping for a miracle. I hope that this thread doesn't become a "Buy from Joe Shmoe Vapor" deal.

 

[KODIAK (TM)]

Anyone else feel the same way?

No.

First off, I like a good deal too my friend. I just don't think I'm entitled to a discount if the product is reasonably priced and of course good. If there's a 5% coupon code out there, I certainly use it though. I'm a one-juice kind of guy. (Well, mainly). The last thing I want is for my juice supplier to be so irresponsible they aren't in business a year from now because they gave away the farm. And there goes my all day vape - recipe and all.

Also, I don't understand why new customers feel they can haggle on a price their very first order and when declined, they are miffed. Are you buying a car? Spending $200 - $300 on a supplier "over time", then negotiating a little something extra makes a lot more sense to me. I do it all the time.

And I don't know what you mean by "reviews" concerning a vendor. If it's their reputation you're talking about - you bet! However, if you're relying on customer reviews and ratings about juice "taste", I never read them for obvious reasons.

So Dunkel, if the gist of your post is finding a good deal, we are most certainly on the same page. I just think that true "value" comes over time by building a relationship with a supplier that's in this for the long haul.

 

[lasttango]

It's hard enough finding a great liquid vendor that is responsive and responsible... I'm with you on that one...

rarely am I motivated by discounts unless I am trying a new vendor...

discount codes do encourage me to spend more cash when they are 25% or more...

 

[dan1boy]

No.

First off, I like a good deal too my friend. I just don't think I'm entitled to a discount if the product is reasonably priced and of course good. If there's a 5% coupon code out there, I certainly use it though. I'm a one-juice kind of guy. (Well, mainly). The last thing I want is for my juice supplier to be so irresponsible they aren't in business a year from now because they gave away the farm. And there goes my all day vape - recipe and all.

Also, I don't understand why new customers feel they can haggle on a price their very first order and when declined, they are miffed. Are you buying a car? Spending $200 - $300 on a supplier "over time", then negotiating a little something extra makes a lot more sense to me. I do it all the time.

And I don't know what you mean by "reviews" concerning a vendor. If it's their reputation you're talking about - you bet! However, if you're relying on customer reviews and ratings about juice "taste", I never read them for obvious reasons.

So Dunkel, if the gist of your post is finding a good deal, we are most certainly on the same page. I just think that true "value" comes over time by building a relationship with a supplier that's in this for the long haul.

I totally agree. What's with the sense of entitlement in America these days? Capitalism. Look it up. Either you purchase their product and judge a vendor/manufacturer based upon their customer service acumen, quality of product and delivery speed or you don't. Why should they offer you a first timer discount based upon some imaginary dollar amount you "would have" (wink wink) spent? That logic is completely foreign to me. No disrespect but I can't even fathom why you'd expect this royalty treatment.

 

[Dunkel]

I totally agree. What's with the sense of entitlement in America these days? Capitalism. Look it up. Either you purchase their product and judge a vendor/manufacturer based upon their customer service acumen, quality of product and delivery speed or you don't. Why should they offer you a first timer discount based upon some imaginary dollar amount you "would have" (wink wink) spent? That logic is completely foreign to me. No disrespect but I can't even fathom why you'd expect this royalty treatment.

So now I have a sense of entitlement, because I like to save some money? Really? I don't beg for handouts, free samples or anything like that. I don't want anything for free. The dollar amounts are not imaginary, if they were I'd have said $100 or more. They were actual amounts that I had planned to spend by what they had to offer that interested me. How is asking for a deal being treated like royalty? I find it funny that I'm being attacked as some kind of mooch. Amazing!!

 

[Rickajho]

I totally agree. What's with the sense of entitlement in America these days? Capitalism. Look it up. Either you purchase their product and judge a vendor/manufacturer based upon their customer service acumen, quality of product and delivery speed or you don't. Why should they offer you a first timer discount based upon some imaginary dollar amount you "would have" (wink wink) spent? That logic is completely foreign to me. No disrespect but I can't even fathom why you'd expect this royalty treatment.

And that logic would be all very well and good - if you weren't buying e-liquids. This is one of the most obvious aspects of vaping where you cannot judge a damned thing based upon "customer service acumen, quality of products and delivery speed" - you actually have to try some. If a vendor wants to encourage new customers, who hopefully will become repeat customers, then yeah - there are things a vendor can and should do to get new customers in the door for the first time by offering deals on samplers, bonuses freebies for first time customers and all that jazz. It's not "royalty treatment." It is, to cite your own example, a matter of who wins in Capitalist ventures. The place with the best incentives saying "try me!" usually gets the customer. Look it up.

 

[69CamaroSS]

If you like ordering and being charged for things that are left out of your shipment even though it's shown on the included packing slip, then waste your $ with eLiquid-USA.com. They totally ripped me off and have been ignoring emails and phone messages for over 2 months!!! I've since learned that it's always better to spend a few more dollars (if necessary) to deal with reputable vendors that'll help you resolve their mistakes if any occur!

 

[KODIAK (TM)]

I totally agree. What's with the sense of entitlement in America these days?

Whoa. I wasn't lumping the OP in with that bunch. It's just e-juice we're talking about here.

And to be honest, the vendors bring a lot of this "discounting syndrome" on themselves with all the coupon codes and sales. Indeed, it's an infestation with just about all cheap goods. Can't think of the last time I paid full price for even a Mickey-D's cheeseburger.