The vibe and marketing of dedicated vape shops

[RobinBanks]

I can't speak to the vibe in vape shops.. Never been in one. I do everything online. That being said, as a 39 year old professional female, I hate the vibe of the marketing. I doesn't stop me from purchasing, I can usually look past it, but I find myself rolling my eyes a LOT.

 

[yzer]

I drop into vaping shops often to look at the gear but have only purchased two items at brick and mortar shops. Once was during a day trip out of town when I forgot to pack along spare charged batteries. I bought an eFest 18650 for more than twice as much as I pay for them online. The other time I bought a stainless steel drip tip I liked. That was a year ago. The shops then stocked mostly fancy-looking mech mods and MVPs but the main business seemed to be juice sales. I have purchased all of the rest of my vaping gear and supplies from online shops, most of which also have brick and mortar operations in the US.

 

[yzer]

If you look into the history of vape shops most of the first generation of shops were started by head shop owners looking to expand their businesses. That culture is still a major influence in vaping. I still see funky psychedelic leaf posters and glassware for sale at vape shops. A year or two ago I could see bath salts for sale at vape shops. That's the unsavory part of the vape shop ambiance for me.

 

[towelie]

If you look into the history of vape shops most of the first generation of shops were started by head shop owners looking to expand their businesses. That culture is still a major influence in vaping. I still see funky psychedelic leaf posters and glassware for sale at vape shops. A year or two ago I could see bath salts for sale at vape shops. That's the unsavory part of the vape shop ambiance for me.

Ya you're in NorCal so like me you prolly remember and still see ppl buying such nonsense as Trippy Stix and Gpens for over $100 bux a pop. Ridiculousness.

 

[yzer]

Ya you're in NorCal so like me you prolly remember and still see ppl buying such nonsense as Trippy Stix and Gpens for over $100 bux a pop. Ridiculousness.

Oh yeah. NorCal is a funny place.

 

[BigCatDaddy]

Being over 65 and retired, I have lots of free time to visit vape shops. I have no problem hanging with the so-called younguns. I can easily blend in and talk vape with the young and old. No way they can one-up me either. I just pull my series dual 26650, dual MOSFET, "Hellfire" box mod out, running a 0.54 Ω build (with fully charged batts, about 120 watts) in a 28.5 mm Tobh and bust a cloud out and watch their eyes bug out. You boys got the huevos to try this bad boy?? I also make my own juice line and keep a good supply of my premade coils on hand to give out. In no time, I'm one of the guys. Age is just a number to me, nothing more.

 

[Javamon]

Being over 65 and retired, I have lots of free time to visit vape shops. I have no problem hanging with the so-called younguns. I can easily blend in and talk vape with the young and old. No way they can one-up me either. I just pull my series dual 26650, dual MOSFET, "Hellfire" box mod out, running a 0.54 Ω build (with fully charged batts, about 120 watts) in a 28.5 mm Tobh and bust a cloud out and watch their eyes bug out. You boys got the huevos to try this bad boy?? I also make my own juice line and keep a good supply of my premade coils on hand to give out. In no time, I'm one of the guys. Age is just a number to me, nothing more.

Thread winning post.

 

[VHRB2014]

Ya,

I do ALL my shopping on line. I`m an old fuddy duddy that knows what he wants, and I cant stand the BS of much of this last gen.

 

[Strings]

I run into this in almost any specialty shop. Guns, games, motorcycles... you see it everywhere

 

[Say10]

Every shop I've been to has music blasting. The best shop in my neighborhood is owned by an older guy, looks to be around late 50's and he's recently added a sound system and the music has been unbearable

 

[dravell]

I understand not wanting blaring music and such but how can you guys say you wish these shops were more welcome to older folks while simultaneously saying you wish young people werent there?

 

[pokemom]

I live in S Fl. 100%of all the shops (and we have tons) seem to attract the 20 something crowd.
Basically what can you expect when they install video games and loud music.
I try not let the environment bother me much and typically will engage the owner in conversation. I will tell you that each and every shop owner admits to being in the business for 2 yrs or so. Not really good for the for the industry or image in my opinion. Additionally the people owning, running these shops have no knowledge about the products they sell. I've yet to meet one.
I'm not a fan of buying online due to QC issues. On the plus side I'm usually able to find what I want and can negotiate a good price.
I think we need shops where the decor is more suited to middle aged folks.
That would take a significant investment in build out and it's seems like most people are not convinced that vaping is here to stay.


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Jake, where in South Florida do you live? There are a few shops that I have found to be very comfortable (and I'm 50 something), in the South Florida area. They are few and far between, but they are around. Are you in Miami-Dade or Broward?

 

[Strings]

dravell: I don't think our complaint is so much that young people are there, as much as it's irritating when the store is their hang-out.

Walked into one chain store, and was looking at the juice display for 15-20 minutes before one of the clerks actually noticed me. One was helping a customer, the other 3 or 4 guys behind the counter were too busy talking with their friends to be bothered

 

[zahzoo]

Given that jobs at most vape shops are non-skilled, minimum wage, retail positions... it seems mostly younger employees is to be expected.

In order to appeal to the wide range of customer demographics it's got to be a tough call for owners on how they manage the environment in their shops. While a fair portion of older customers may not appreciate loud music and the cloud blowing social scene on one hand... on the other hand those younger folks hanging out are most likely making frequent purchases. Cater to just one bunch or the other exclusively and you'll most likely limit your market/earning potential.

No matter which way you go... I wish they'd all strive for improved ventilation systems. Especially if you are sampling juice flavors. Several times when there's a crowd vaping the air is best described as mud... from a sensory perspective it's not very enjoyable.

 

[Rule62]

Just a theory; but I think in the next year or so, there will be a decline in the number of B&Ms. I just don't see the support for the number that have been opening in the last couple years. It's been like a modern day "gold rush" in my area. It seems like everybody with a few thousand bucks to get started, and limited business knowledge, wants to open a vape shop. A shop full of people, sitting around in overstuffed sofas, dripping samples, isn't going to pay the rent for long.


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[Equality 7-2521]

Just a theory; but I think in the next year or so, there will be a decline in the number of B&Ms. I just don't see the support for the number that have been opening in the last couple years. It's been like a modern day "gold rush" in my area. It seems like everybody with a few thousand bucks to get started, and limited business knowledge, wants to open a vape shop. A shop full of people, sitting around in overstuffed sofas, dripping samples, isn't going to pay the rent for long.


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Yeah I agree...I think vaping itself is going to start slowing down....ex smokers seem to have found vaping either doesn't help them get off tobacco or they have already found a style of vaping that works for them...at this point it's the first time vapers that are fueling any growth...I think if anything vaping is going to get smaller....A couple of years ago vaping was cruising on fad appeal, not enough to sustain an industry...this could be good and bad...
Up until now people in the industry could get away with selling crap..especially crap juices...from here out in order to snag a loyal client base juice makers are going to have to up their game...higher quality juice,better ingridents. new and improved safer base liquids ect.
I think cloud chasing is going to fade away as the young find a new extreme sport to play.I think the older guys,the ex smokers are going to demand higher quality.

 

[Jimi D.]

I'm middle aged. I enjoy seeing younger people enjoying themselves. If I walk into a vape shop and the music is blaring Slayer. Clouds galore. You damned right I'm gonna join them. I may get old on the outside, but never on the inside. Life is great !

 

[Jake67]

Jake, where in South Florida do you live? There are a few shops that I have found to be very comfortable (and I'm 50 something), in the South Florida area. They are few and far between, but they are around. Are you in Miami-Dade or Broward?

I live in Cooper City. I'm comfortable in all the shops I visit. The vape groupies don't bother me in the least.
What shops do you visit? You can PM me.
Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[Javamon]

Just a theory; but I think in the next year or so, there will be a decline in the number of B&Ms. I just don't see the support for the number that have been opening in the last couple years. It's been like a modern day "gold rush" in my area. It seems like everybody with a few thousand bucks to get started, and limited business knowledge, wants to open a vape shop. A shop full of people, sitting around in overstuffed sofas, dripping samples, isn't going to pay the rent for long.

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I agree. The shop I went into had an enormous amount of square footage - with no one in it. At a time when it should have had some action.
[5:30pm Friday]

I think this industry has made it extremely easy to throw up a store, and I think many of them are going to run out of money before they can get any regular sales momentum going.

If this vaping world goes mainstream, whatever that means, I think the sales will happen through non-dedicated sources, not these hangout vape shops.
Just my two cents.

 

[Rule62]

Yeah I agree...I think vaping itself is going to start slowing down....ex smokers seem to have found vaping either doesn't help them get off tobacco or they have already found a style of vaping that works for them...at this point it's the first time vapers that are fueling any growth...I think if anything vaping is going to get smaller....

I'm in the second group, I guess. I'm an avid vaper, but after nearly 4 years of trying this, trying that, I've found what I like.


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