TFA... just a middle man?

[emg81]

Hey guys n gals, i just ordered two 120ml bottles of flavoring from TFA directly. I made a few batches n they kept coming up super harsh compared to the identical original batches of the same. So i contacted TFA to see if anyone has complained or if i could possibly get a replacement. She said the batches i had ordered from other companies were probably older and needed to age. Ok Thays cool with me.... Bit what shocked me is that she then proceeded to tell me that they don't even make the "aroma blends" they sell! They order from another company, slap their company logo on it n sell it.. so of course then have no quality control testing or anything in the company, their just a middle man for an unknown company. Hmmmmmm i think they just lost a customer..... what are your thoughts?

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[Not A One]

Yes, TFA buys their flavors from large flavor manufacturers. Almost all DIY eliquid companies do so. All the major ones I've seen are doing this. However TFA also designs some flavor blends themselves before sending them out to be manufactured, and sends briefs to companies so they can have flavors designed to their own specifications. It's just a much better deal for them to buy from a manufacturer who's already buying flavor chemicals in bulk. That means they get to take advantage of the economy of scale. If they bought the raw materials themselves, it would cost much more in both raw material prices and in design work, which is why most people who sell flavors will not do this.

Quality control is done, it's just at the large companies, who have much more extensive (and expensive) equipment than TFA does.

 

[emg81]

Ah i see. But still to me they should at least know where their products go and have the knowledge to know how to help. In my opinion. She was just pushy and treated myself like a know nothing child which put me quite off personally. She didn't understand the flavoring was good it was just very harsh and throaty. All shed did was kept telling me to put it in cool whip lol

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[wllmc]

hahaha sorry to laugh at your pain but the flavors are pretty awesome in cool whip

 

[emg81]

Lmfao!!!!!! XD yeah i bet they would be!!! May have to try it this holiday season lol

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[Art Mustel]

Hmmm. I bought a 8ml vial of a certain TFA flavor from Wizard Labs, and I liked it. My next step was purchasing 30ml of it directly from TFA, and what I received was completely different, like watered down, and turbid. I have to admit that when i complained they sent a replacement right away, which was different (but not better) than the other two. It didn't make any sense to me, so i just stopped buying TFA flavors and switched to other companies. Oh well, my luck was not better with ECX and their chinese flavors. 2 times I tried to repeat an order, to be sent something TOTALLY different the second time. They were quick to post my reviews when they were positive, but as soon as my reviews changed...guess what.

Now I am happy with my recent orders from INAWERA, and I wish they can keep their quality control. So far their flavors are the best I have tried, and I really hope they are smart enough to not disrespect their customers.

 

[emg81]

I hear ya there buddy!

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[RocketPuppy]

They post that this information on their page: http://shop.perfumersapprentice.com/flavorsworkshop/part_1.html

 

[dannyv45]

Could it possibly be the NIC your using. I've used TPA and although not my favorite brand of flavoring I've never got harshness from there flavoring. Try vaping just the base without flavoring and see if you get a harshness. She also may have a point that the original flavors could have aged and what you have now are far more potent. Try reducing the flavor concentration. I imagine being that you bought large sizes that they are flavors that you've used before and are fond of so I'll assume you've followed the same recipe and let them steep the required amount of time!

 

[RocketPuppy]

This may sound obvious, but did you shake the bottles well before you used them?

 

[Huckleberried]

Lmfao!!!!!! XD yeah i bet they would be!!! May have to try it this holiday season lol

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Don't know 'bout you, but I don't need a holiday to eat cool whip! Better yet, homemade whipped cream!

 

[Shilo]

I am no fan of TFA but in their defense even companies who claim made in the USA are importing the ingredients to construct the flavor and creating the final product in the USA. Its totally within their rights to do so although to the consumer it can seem misleading. So they sell a line that is sourced from some other distributor that is probably true to varying degrees in almost all the flavoring brands we use. TFA lets you know its not their creation when they say "Aroma Blends" thats a distinction not listed on the other flavors in their line.

 

[emg81]

Could it possibly be the NIC your using. I've used TPA and although not my favorite brand of flavoring I've never got harshness from there flavoring. Try vaping just the base without flavoring and see if you get a harshness. She also may have a point that the original flavors could have aged and what you have now are far more potent. Try reducing the flavor concentration. I imagine being that you bought large sizes that they are flavors that you've used before and are fond of so I'll assume you've followed the same recipe and let them steep the required amount of time!

Could it possibly be the NIC your using. I've used TPA and although not my favorite brand of flavoring I've never got harshness from there flavoring. Try vaping just the base without flavoring and see if you get a harshness. She also may have a point that the original flavors could have aged and what you have now are far more potent. Try reducing the flavor concentration. I imagine being that you bought large sizes that they are flavors that you've used before and are fond of so I'll assume you've followed the same recipe and let them steep the required amount of time!

Hey Dannyv. I hear ya on never getting harshness lol. I've never had that problem before with any mix. Especially one I've made multiple batches of lol Yeah that was my initial impression that it was the nicotine. Because i had used a new vg based nic from a different company compared to my usual pg nic i get from wizard labs. So i did a multiple side by side comparison to test. The original nic n flavoring were smooth and flavorfull. The new nic was harsh. So that got put out of the equation. Then i tried the new flavorings with the original nic and was pretty good n smooth. But after about a week steep it became harsh again. Usually i only need a week steep or less with this mix because it balances very quickly. But i figured i would give her the benefit of the doubt n let the new flavorings age a bit n try them out in the future. Until then though looks likebim going to spend a few extra $ and get a smaller bottle from the company i originally purchased my flavorings from.


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[emg81]

This may sound obvious, but did you shake the bottles well before you used them?

Lol yes sir. One of my favorite parts! Lol unless the caps a tad loose

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[emg81]

Don't know 'bout you, but I don't need a holiday to eat cool whip! Better yet, homemade whipped cream!

Never been a huge fan of cool whip or much of any whipped topping lol i know im weird lol. But ind enjoy it during the holidays lol. Although i bet it may be tasty in cream cheese lol

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[RocketPuppy]

Lol yes sir. One of my favorite parts! Lol unless the caps a tad loose

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I'm a mam, but that's ok =)

 

[emg81]

my apologies. :*s

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[Lurch]

I visited Wizard Labs last month and talked to John, the owner. I asked him if they made any of the concentrates and he told me that they did not. He said they would need a facility more than 10 times the size they have and the equipment was extremely expensive. He told me that most of the flavors sold are not made by the company selling them and that there are only a few companies that actually make the concentrates. Most buy them in bulk and mix them to obtain the flavors they are selling.

 

[Exchaner]

I stay away as far as I can from ANY flavor whose manufacturer is unknown. Why take a chance when you can buy from a reputable company like Flavor Art who tests their products and lets you know which ones might contain harmful chemicals. That takes a big question mark out of the equation. They might even be mixing and/or making their own flavors.