They really screw ya if you don't DIY juice.

[frankfennel]

Qick general calculation found making 12mg 30ml bottles with organic flavors would cost about $4 and that's not even using bulk gallons of base to save more.

Vendors sell 30mls for like $15 plus shipping.

Pretty sure you can also legally grow some tobacco in most places, soak the leaves in base, have to be fresh leaves, can't just soak dried tobacco, but that still might work, and be very careful if you use nicotine base, it's no joke, can kill a person with just a sip or too much soaked into hands or skin. Boil it down, get a nicotine tester and make your own nicotine base for cheap (although DIY nic base is pretty cheap and easy).

Better to store in glass bottles almost no juice vendor offers. glass bottles with poly cone lids are only like $5 for 10.

 

[Riboflavin]

Qick general calculation found making 12mg 30ml bottles with organic flavors would cost about $4 and that's not even using bulk gallons of base to save more.

Vendors sell 30mls for like $15 plus shipping.

Obviously DIY will always be cheaper, but there are some vendors that do it right like Mt Baker Vapor. They sell 15ml for $5 and 30ml for $7.50. Free shipping over $50 etc and they provide a 10% coupon code to ecf members it is 'ecf'. I have been super happy with them, and while I'm sure I could still save some money if I DIYd to me right now it just isn't worth the trouble.

 

[YoTone]

do you expect them to sell it at cost?
it takes people and time to mix it and theyre not doing it for fun.

 

[UncHellMatt]

do you expect them to sell it at cost?
it takes people and time to mix it and theyre not doing it for fun.

Exactly. If they can manufacture for, as estimated, about $4 per 30ml and sell for anywhere from $7-$15, even $15 isn't bad, particularly when you consider most of these places are small businesses.

For some things, such as beer, it's worth it. I can brew 2 cases of really amazing stuff for about $20. Granted, it takes nearly a month before it's drinkable (depending on the type of beer), but if I keep a rotation going and don't give away too much, I've always got something fresh and delicious. With vape juices, yes it may work out to be less expensive, but there's side issues, not least of which being the pure nicotine. That is naaaaasy mojo if mishandled. Brewing beer, worst thing that might happen is a get boil over or contaminated brew, which just tastes gross. Screw up and ingest too much nicotine, and you're pushing up daisies.

 

[glasseye]

Even if they do do it for fun there are costs involved. Website, webby if needed, CC processing charges, label paper, printer ink, mailers, boxes, bubble wrap...and that's only if there isn't a staff and/or B&M.

 

[gthompson]

It isn't "screwing", it's supply and demand. If you want to make your own more power to you. Not everyone does. I work and make money so I can buy things and don't have to make everything myself. Do you fix your own car? Did you build your own house?

 

[SirSteve]

Yes you can save money if you diy. It takes some investment to get started, and finding a creation you like is trial and error.

Vendors have time and equipment tied in making their juices, and as glasseye pointed out they have other expenses. While some may be out of line with prices, I don't believe that the majority are "screwing" their customers. If they sold it at cost, they wouldn't be around long.

 

[Renolizzie]

I think using the word "screw" is a bit much.

I bake my own bread because it is better and cheaper except it is a pain to carve out the time and energy to bake bread so then I buy it. I pay more than doing it myself.

We work on our own cars since we save a lot of money except once in awhile we decide to take it to the repair shop since it would be a difficult time consuming job to repair. I pay more than doing it myself.

We do all our own home improvements but I had the cabinets made since Hubby and I really don't have the skill set nor the tools to build cabinets. I paid more than doing it myself.

For all of these do-it-ourselves situations, we have bought tools. This is an investment but it has cost us upfront money.

DIY juice has not been free. I have bought glass bottles, measuring equipment, storage/organization boxes as upfront, one time costs. I also buy PG/VG/nic/flavors in larger quantities so I have upfront costs there as well. Now I have to make the time to order products and actually come up with recipes and try them out. I don't really mind but I sometimes think "Maybe I'll just order a couple of my favorite juices next time my favorite vendor has a sale. So much easier." So far I haven't since I save a boatload of money doing it myself.

It is wonderful to have the option of making your own juice but I don't think it is for everyone. I think convenience is worth it for many people.

 

[mmikee]

I DIY all of my wifes juices. She likes really simple blends like peach pear and menthol.
But I, on the other hand, can't vape fruit/bakery/sweet juice for more than a couple quick draws. So I buy net tobaccos. I know it is more expensive than DIY, but by the time I get an ADV tobacco juice created that I love, I will be back to smoking. I will gladly pay someone for their expertise, time, trouble.

 

[flintlock62]

I don't think I can top the comments already mentioned.

 

[vernhall]

I don't think (know it isn't an issue for me) that DIY is about saving money... Sure, that's a component, but most do it because they enjoy concocting their own juices to see what new and interesting flavors they can come up with... Just my opinion -- YMMV...

 

[Robino1]

I have no interest in DIY. I don't want to store all the things that go into DIY, nor do I want to take the time involved in trying to figure out what flavors to get and then having to store that too. The vendors are servicing a market that does know that DIY is an option but choose not to DIY. I THANK GOD that there Are vendors selling eliquid. I'm also thankful that there are a variety of price ranges to fit almost any budget.

Hmmm not DIY and still saving money over cigs...not bad! I don't feel as though I'm getting screwed.

 

[gthompson]

I spend far less buying juice from a vendor than I spent on cigarettes, everything is relative. Even if I spent more it would be worth it. Money isn't the primary driving force for everyone.

 

[serenity21899]

I am going to agree with the majority here that cost is not the only factor to consider.

I do DIY, but before doing so there is a lot to learn about it, especially safe handling of nicotine. Some people, do not want to, or should not, be botherered with all of this. Part of the price you pay for juice is the risk of handling the nicotime.

I can bake and decorate a cake, but for a special occasion, I may opt to buy it from a bakery, instead. I am paying for the quality product I receive. It the same with juice. I can make some decent juice I like, but I can also buy that flavor I cannot quite duplicate. I like having choices.

 

[Tish Talons]

I am a DIYer, but I also buy vendor juices. There are just some juices that you will never recreate no matter how hard you try. And if you love something, you are willing to pay for it. I cook at home most of the time, but when I want sushi (my favorite) I go out to my favorite restaurant and pay for the food and the experience. Its the same thing. Some of these juice vendors are geniuses when it comes to creating flavor profiles. I have made some delicious juices that I love to vape, and I like the process of making them. But that doesn't mean I have no use for the products that vendors are offering. Maybe one day I will be such a brilliant mixer that I will no longer have desire to buy, and be willing to pay more for, a vendor's juice, but that day is not here yet.

 

[rockymtnrobin]

I DIY to save money and I have a couple of vendors I like. And several vendors offer glass.

 

[BumbleBee]

I work 2 jobs (16+ hour days) Mon - Fri, my day job on sat. That means I have Saturday evening/night and Sunday of "free" time. Even if I WANTED to learn DIY, I have absolutely no time for it.

I buy juice from vendors for the same reason I buy replacement coils and don't make my own, I lack the time, effort, energy and desire to do something someone else can already do much better than I (me "I", not general "I") could do it.

 

[cherrycakes]

for god's sake, the op is entitled to his opinion.

That being said yes you can save a ton of money by making your own
but there are some vendors I love too much to give up entirely.

 

[darkhood]

cherrycakes the voice of reason? astonishing.

 

[cherrycakes]

I know right. I'm never rational.