I am loathe to post and yet I did post the "1st impressions" in the review section. As such, and with all the "accusations" about those who know Jason being "silent", I feel I have a responsibility to say something. Those who know me know I care greatly about vaping and the community. I also tend to look for the best in people and situations. This one is obviously very difficult.
While I do know Jason, I met him through this community. In fact, thru this community is how most of us met each other. Most of us would likely never have met (or ever interact) outside this community had we not met here. We are all very passionate about vaping and pretty much any/every-thing related to it. We tend to be vocal and opinionated. In many situations, these characteristics (vocal and opinionated) can be very positive attributes. However, they can also work against us. We are strongest when we can work together to find positive directions, solutions and combined voices. We are weakest when we get confrontational with each other. This is undoubtedly a very frustrating and unfortunate situation. And yes, I AM involved as I have an order in for another JBox as well.
I will only make this one post to share a couple (personal) observations. I do not want to get involved in the debate. But, as mentioned, as the OP of the other thread, I feel I should post something. I have not previously posted because I have no "information" directly related that could in any way help the situation. I suspect this is the case for all others who "know" Jason as well - I do not htink anyone has any info to tell/share/post. However, I also do see a pattern repeating that I watched unfold int he Chopper threads (and yes, I have money and devices in that one too). While anyone who ordered and has not received communication has a very valid complaint, our enthusiasms (and protectiveness) has a propensity to lead towards a lynching-mob-approach. As I posted in the Chopper threads, those without a direct stake in the matter posting and stirring the pot only makes the situation much worse for those who DO have a direct stake. There are certainly times when we all get together to help one another and it can be a wonderful and powerful thing. However, there ARE also situations when uninvolved "supportiveness" does more harm than good.
The anger is understandable. Nobody wants to feel they lost something and certainly nobody wants to feel taken advantage of. So ALL the feelings and sentiments expressed ARE valid in my opinion. However, I do believe - in situations like this one (and the Chopper one) that the best possible outcome is only reached when uninvolved stay out of it. Certainly ALL are more than entitled to have opinions but expressing them - under these types of circumstances - only increases the drama and reduces the chances of positive resolution for those who are involved.
I posted similarly in the Chopper thread. I am NOT defending Chopper or Jason. Both know there is absolutely no excuse for no communication and I have said this directly to each of them. I do know them and, as I said, only thru the community. In the cases of Chopper and Jason, I happen to believe both of them are good people. And, I do not fear losing my money and/or devices. But, if I did not know them, I would feel much the same way some of you have posted. I cannot personally vouch for either of them. I can merely state my personal opinion of their character(s). In these two cases, I still trust them. This does NOT excuse the lack of communication.
Personal life does happen. Sometimes devastating events pop up in our lives. If your life has so far been untouched by devastating events - consider yourself lucky. Personal life events are also no excuse for dropping the ball professionally. And yet, we see it happen all around us each and every day. While dropping the professional ball is never excusable, anyone who has experienced personal devastation knows that all rationality and/or reason can go right out the door during overwhelming personal life circumstances. This is NOT any sort of excuse but we CAN choose to at least try to be understanding - especially those of us who HAVE experienced personal life traumatic events. I do not know what events occurred in Jason's life but I do trust my instincts when it comes to assessing personal character and I remain convinced Jason will do his level best to somehow correct this situation - IF he has a chance to do so (even tame animals will eventually defend themselves if they feel threatened enough). Anyone who has a family, especially small children, knows their children/family come first - even over business (and/or the potential loss of a business - regardless of cost/financial loss).
As for the VapeTeam, any who know me know I also know each and every member of that show. Once again, I know them through this community. I am not privy to any internal VT discussions but I have been watching the show since it launched. I think they work hard to produce an informative and entertaining show. I think Jason was (and could be again) an integral part of that effort and a continuing contributor to our community. He is knowledgeable and does care. However, I do not see the VT as having any substantive responsibility in this situation. I am NOT defending the VT - they are all more than capable of speaking for themselves. Lynch-mob approach reaches out to tag any and all even remotely related to any situation. Just look at our legal system; when litigious events commence, the accusing arms reach as far and wide as possible. But having watched the show from the beginning, and I did watch closely how they addressed the JBox, I think they were VERY measured in how much (or should I say how little) attention they actually gave to the device and Jason's business.
Sure, they had the device - as did/do I. The device is undoubtedly impressive in both form and function. I continue to use mine each and every day and not a single misfire or problem. When I got mine, I was quick to post my "1st impressions" and today I would give the device even higher praise as it has stood the test of time and use. It is understandable that VT would let the device be seen and discussed but I think they did so minimally and I never saw them overtly promote the device or Jason's business directly. Granted, I have not seen EVERY episode of the VT show but I DID pay attention during the weeks after the JBox release and DO feel their coverage was both minimal and not particularly promotional. Many of you are hosts, have been hosts, guest speakers and/or just chat-room regulars. You know a new device gets attention. I would have found it suspicious if VT had never mentioned JBox and I do feel the little mention was appropriate and appropriately limited. For this, I give credit to the VT.
No one had any idea any of this would happen. Jason was not a vender or making devices when VT started. As a modder, he made one device for himself using the DNA board - which few device makers were doing. When we saw his creation, me included, we drooled and begged to have one. An unintended business began. Whatever happened after that - I truly do not know. I do think Jason is very well intended and I continue to trust he will find a way to make all this better. However, the tighter we pull the noose, the more difficult we make it for any sort of positive solution. I know this may sound counter-intuitive because we have been conditioned to fight for "justice" and there seems little "justice" right now. However, if we consider the times we (individually) have been overwhelmed by life's stresses and challenges - we all look for a bit of breathing room to catch our breath and dig ourselves out of whatever hole we may be in. The more pressure from around us - the more difficult it is to focus and make progress. I do not believe Jason is scamming anyone and I do not think he ever intended for any of this to happen. Granted, it is NOT being handled well but I do think the accusations are flying in an unproductive direction. Once again, I make no excuses for Jason (or Chopper) - they are both in very bad situations (as are all involved) and they want these messes cleaned up and over just as much as we all do.
I just think we need to take a moment to remember the nature of our community. We are all passionate and yet we have a statistically very small end of the industry. Our venders, even the "bigger" ones in the enthusiast end of things are still comparatively small. We are not Panasonic or Samsung or Apple. Those who have skills they feel can contribute tend to look for ways to share and/or offer - obviously some hope to make a buck in the process. To some extent, our own enthusiasm is somewhat responsible for such issues. When Chopper was starting off - loads of people wanted his work and wanted it immediately. The same went for the Jbox. While this does not excuse any of the lack of communication - from either of them - these are real facts nonetheless. If we look closely, we can see that neither Chopper nor Jason were ever really in any of this for money. Chopper's prices were way understated (probably even at a small loss - or certainly ridiculously low hourly rate compensation). While the price of a JBox may be a bit higher, the cost of materials alone - and the craftsmanship time - calculated would show there is little, if any, real profit in it for him. In both cases, it is obvious - at least to me - they each started out wanting to share their skills and in both cases, things went very sour and from sour to very unfortunate for all involved. Yes, they both have prepaid funds from us and they both KNOW they owe their customers. While there is no excuse for their behavior, there is also the reality that a lynch-mob approach can only make all this much worse - it certainly has little (if any) hope of making anything better.
Ok, so I am no longer "silent" and I am also not complicit. Frankly, while I understand the frustration, anger and the lynch-mod approach - I think it will worsen the outcome. Granted, not all are worthy of my trust but I will continue to trust Jason and Chopper as I am convinced neither of them ever wanted any of this to happen. They may not be handling any of it in any sort of acceptable manner but I will continue to give them breathing room and trust they will clean up their messes.
I'm not expecting any of the host to be a miracle cure simply because they will be talking about it live, I'm just glad to see a more public figure than myself discuss it.
