The Honeymoon is over....

[2Packsaday]

Last week I turned on another Newbie to V4L and had her order a bunch of stuff. Since the Big bottles of juice weren't in yet, I piggybacked a few small bottles of Cowboy on her order just to get me by for a while. Within 2 hours after her order, a partial shipment of the big bottles were listed for sale on the site.

Lousy timing to say the least but no problem since the small juice bottles were on their way. I figured I would wait until there were more choices of the big bottles before I placed a very large order (apparently, they were due in real soon....).

So the small juice comes in and the bottles say "NON". What the hell is this? Apparently, someone screwed up picking the order (again for the third time). Now I am totally out of luck and will be out of Cowboy carts in a few days. I am getting tired of placing a bunch of small orders. I simply wanted to get enough supplies to last me a couple of months, but I can never seem to do this because of the sporadic stock situation.

I was also going to use the Cowboy juice to refill some premium carts and turn another newbie on to V4L. My friend Diana has very limited funds and I figured that she could bum off of me for a week or so to see if vaping is for her. I promised that I would have her set up this week. And now I have to explain what happened to the order and why I could not come through on my promise to her.

I am waiting for all the responses saying "simply have your friend contact V4L and get the order straightened out." That's not an option since Winanne's Dad just went into a coma. And, of course, the other infamous response, "V4L has grown so quickly that they are shipping 200 orders a day". I really don't need to hear that one again!

Please guys, you got to have one person pick the order and someone else check the order. Only then, you should you ship the order.

Since the rest of the juice has not come in, and I can only get some of the non-cowboy juice in small bottles, maybe its time to give up and simply check out some other juice providers.

I have tried to be a loyal V4L customer. Between me and the 5 newbies I have turned on to V4L, combined we have spent, almost $2000 in 6 weeks.

I have been constantly apologizing to the newbies for different deficiencies in the V4L website, ordering process, stock situation, delivery delays, and order screw-ups. I have been defending V4L like it was my own company. I guess since you all seem to be good guys, I was trying my best to help you build your company.

But I am now totally frustrated and am ready to spend some money with any other vendor. From my experience in running a manufacturing company for 18 years, tells me that you really need to focus on the operations aspect of your business.

Maybe when these issues get straightened out, I will resume preaching the V4L sermon, until then, I will stand mute.

 

[Kimmy]

I understand your position, and respect you for saying it in such a respectful, constructive manner. Because I don't really fill my own carts much, I can't really grasp the severity of not having much juice stock. I always have always liked the simplicity of cartomizers. But my question is, what's the difference in ordering a bunch of the small bottles? What makes that so inconvient? I understand it's frustrating having a bunch of little bottles, but what's the difference? You are still getting the juice, just smaller portions. Could you imagine if they didn't even have the small ones? Suppose you went to the grocery store and they were all out of big bottles of soda.. wouldn't you just get cans instead?

As for the mistakes with your orders, all I know is they are doing the best they can with the tools they have. I can't think of another company with quality product and such a good warrantee, so I really wouldn't recommend looking for another supplier, you will just end up more disappointed than you are now.
I do agree with you that someone should check the orders, or whoever packed it to check it once more before sending it out. As a waitress we follow the 3 R's. Write, repeat, review. That way we are sure we are putting in the right food. Checking is something they should work on, but I understand the fact that they are checking mgs, colors, sizes, manual or auto, LED color, so many customizations. It must be difficult. and a new system would correct these order mishaps. But having a person assigned to checking would double our time in receiving our stuff. Right now I doubt they have that man power, but I know one day they will.
Be patient, I have no doubt in my mind this will all blow over soon.

 

[Darrigaaz]

Most of the problems we are seeing results from customs not allowing the big juice orders to come through. You'll find this at any of the suppliers that are ordering juice from overseas. My suggestion is to find a juice supplier that makes their own juices within the US. Yeah it costs more in most cases, but at least you'll know they'll be in stock. There's plenty of us here at V4L who buy juices from other suppliers, but buy batts, chargers, and cartos through V4L. With the warrenty and the customer service, you can't find better batts anywhere imo.

As for the mistake in your order, that really sucks. But that's why they are called mistakes. We are only human. Definitely let V4L know so they can get it straightened out. You need to get what you paid for.

 

[nbourbaki]

I guess I've been lucky that I've had 8 orders and no mistakes. I can't imagine the number of orders fulfilled during the 20% sale. Even with all the sales, my orders are always promptly delivered. Since the team tries to resolve every issue, I can't complain on their performance.

I've been holding out on 4VL to get their larger juice stock in. I can appreciate the frustration. We always have the option of going elsewhere.

 

[freerangehuman]

I don't mean to be a D-bag...well maybe a little, but,
Why don't you try some other juice, while the stock at V4L is down?
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for V4L...great customer service, awesome product, really good prices. Heck, they'll probably be at least partly responsible for saving my life! So I understand where you're coming from. But griping on here is not helping anyone. I'm sorry your orders got mucked up, I'm sure they'll get fixed, and at no expense to you. And I know you don't wanna hear it, but it seems that the word of V4L's greatness may have snowballed to the breaking point of their man & womanpower...at least temporarily. And I've strayed...I've got HV mods and funky juices now, but I keep coming back. So, where was I? Oh yeah, this isn't a marriage, so feel free to vape around. You'll be back.

 

[SMILIN]

Last week I turned on another Newbie to V4L and had her order a bunch of stuff. Since the Big bottles of Juice weren't in yet, I piggybacked a few small bottles of Cowboy on her order just to get me by for a while. Within 2 hours after her order, a partial shipment of the big bottles were listed for sale on the site.

Lousy timing to say the least but no problem since the small juice bottles were on their way. I figured I would wait until there were more choices of the big bottles before I placed a very large order (apparently, they were due in real soon....).

So the small juice comes in and the bottles say "NON". What the hell is this? Apparently, someone screwed up picking the order (again for the third time). Now I am totally out of luck and will be out of Cowboy carts in a few days. I am getting tired of placing a bunch of small orders. I simply wanted to get enough supplies to last me a couple of months, but I can never seem to do this because of the sporadic stock situation.

I was also going to use the Cowboy juice to refill some premium carts and turn another newbie on to V4L. My friend Diana has very limited funds and I figured that she could bum off of me for a week or so to see if vaping is for her. I promised that I would have her set up this week. And now I have to explain what happened to the order and why I could not come through on my promise to her.

I am waiting for all the responses saying "simply have your friend contact V4L and get the order straightened out." That's not an option since Winanne's Dad just went into a coma. And, of course, the other infamous response, "V4L has grown so quickly that they are shipping 200 orders a day". I really don't need to hear that one again!

Please guys, you got to have one person pick the order and someone else check the order. Only then, you should you ship the order.

Since the rest of the juice has not come in, and I can only get some of the non-cowboy juice in small bottles, maybe its time to give up and simply check out some other juice providers.

I have tried to be a loyal V4L customer. Between me and the 5 newbies I have turned on to V4L, combined we have spent, almost $2000 in 6 weeks.

I have been constantly apologizing to the newbies for different deficiencies in the V4L website, ordering process, stock situation, delivery delays, and order screw-ups. I have been defending V4L like it was my own company. I guess since you all seem to be good guys, I was trying my best to help you build your company.

But I am now totally frustrated and am ready to spend some money with any other vendor. From my experience in running a manufacturing company for 18 years, tells me that you really need to focus on the operations aspect of your business.

Maybe when these issues get straightened out, I will resume preaching the V4L sermon, until then, I will stand mute.

Please email me personnaly, smilinenterprise@aol.com, I will be in office in a few hours, I will take care of this for you. I agree, there is absolutely NO excuse for screw ups, but, we still do sometimes. This is reality. Good thing is I will ALWAYS take car of theissue properly. I apologize for putting you thru undue stress8-ogive me your # so I can call you and discuss your thoughts, on how we can make V4L better

Regards

Steve

 

[nbourbaki]

Oh yeah, this isn't a marriage, so feel free to vape around. You'll be back.

I like that, "vape around"

 

[freerangehuman]

OK, forget great...how about OUTSTANDING customer service?

 

[gamblor]

Smilin is unbelievable!

 

[2Packsaday]

Thanks Mark, I just replied to your PM.

 

[Houdini]

Go away spammer!

 

[Brandnew vper]

I like that too! See thats the service you look for!They are on a forum and constantly making things right/better for us. They just want a profitable business with happy customers. Who can hate them for screwing up once in a while? While people that have had multiple screw ups happen to them. So far they have screwed up all three of my orders too. I have ordered auto batts and got manuals. Ordered two colors and got one. There customized options need to be better for there site web flow. They need a different shopping cart system. ahemmm (web designer for hire here LOL).

But how the deal with the mishaps is what makes a good business. Everyone makes mistakes. When they make them more than 3 times they arnt doing themselves any good. I understand you though really i do. When you promise someone they are gonna be happy with what your doing for them as the middle man and the top man doesnt produce it makes you look bad! So understandable! But so far im lucky cause my order screw ups havent been that important. And im easy to please. Plus they turned me onto manual batts. Which i love now! But its how they make it up to you what really counts. Lets face it..If you arnt at the store buying it its hard to see what your really getting, or hard for them to know exactly what you want.

Sometimes those mistakes can be blessings. I know they are undermaned but give them a chance to make it right. Im certain they will. They are IMO a great company with great batts and carts. But i do try other juices. Its not a bad thing but i get juices from multiple vendors. and my hardware from v4L. But i feel your pain and im sorry its like that. Hopefully everything works out for the better.

P.S.- i agree its not there fault with the customs situation. But perhaps thats something they need to consider. And hire a juice maker or outsource to another american company.

Im a Happy V4L customer!

 

[Kimmy]

Seriously? Trying to sell shoes on a ecig forum...now that's true desperation.

 

[dohsma]

Thanks Mark, I just replied to your PM.

Got it, and one right back to you

 

[sleepy jean]

I'v been with V4L since Oct 2009 and never had a juice mix up order yet, yea I'v bought some juice in bigger bottles from a couple different vender's while V4L is waiting on the new juice, and some is OK but still can't beat V4L's. Steve and Mark really go out of their way to take care of their customer's so hang in there.

 

[critterbug]

Have you noticed that even if you order 6 5ml bottles and add the 10% off with your smilin self, the cost for 30ml is less than a lot of competitors charge for a 30ml bottle? I know we all want to stretch a buck. It's fun... and feels good and we save all that, but truly. The math on the small bottles is still pretty good. I think it's easier to drip from a big bottle, but again that's just convenience. Psychologically I like having a 30ml bottle more than having 6 lil' bottles. But again. The math. Not bad.

 

[maxx]

Glad to see the issue is being adressed and resolved.

For me...I like the small bottles for a couple reasons. I mix in 1ml 100mg unflavored into 5ml and get 6ml of 46-47mg flavored stuff. The little bottles actually have enough room to take the addition, so it works well for mixing. Also, I figure juice is like any other product and occasionally you get a "bad batch". If so....I won't get stuck with 30 ml of bad batch...just 5.

Having said that....I will still be all over the 30ml bottles of Kant-36 when they come in.

 

[Adrenalynn]

Critter - that's a great observation. Related to that - the law of supply and demand suggests that they should jack the pricing way up on the larger bottles, even though buying in quantity is generally discounted - that's not "a law". It appears to me the demand far outstrips the supply - therefore they're not charging enough.

 

[jeffree]

I certainly don't want to diss anyone's personal experience here--we each have our own track record--but mine's been great. Many hundreds of dollars spent, and such good service and products that I recently wrote a long post elsewhere to thank V4L and this forum.

I admit that I've seen small signs of growing pains, mainly in the website--V4L's growth must be truly explosive right now--but I've actually been surprised to see things continue so smoothly. I'm guessing that the V4L folks are working very long hours to make that so. So far, so good, from this satisfied user.

 

[critterbug]

Related to that - the law of supply and demand suggests that they should jack the pricing way up on the larger bottles, even though buying in quantity is generally discounted - that's not "a law". It appears to me the demand far outstrips the supply - therefore they're not charging enough.

True 'dat! Seriously cracked me up.