This Is Why I Don't Support B&M Stores

[gatorbait38]

I've got 8 vape shops within a small radius of my apartment. Out of those there is one that I really like. They're prices are comparable with my internet purchases and the advice is priceless. If one guy doesn't know what to do the other two definitely will. We've all talked about juices, rda's, mods, etc. The funny part is it reminds me of a head shop. LOL It's got the posters, newspapers, chairs, etc. No need for incense since the vapes make the place smell great each time you walk in. Overall they're a great shop. The other 7 shops haven't impressed me. Their prices are high, they don't mix juices, knowledge is lacking. This will make the difference in which B&M's exist a few years from now IMHO.

 

[Mig01]

I guess I am lucky. The first time I tried vaping, It was at Sir-Vape-A-Lot, based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The staff introduced me to vaping. They explained a lot about the different devices and juices. They did not try to sell me the expensive stuff. Instead they suggested I start withsomething simple (I finally got the EVOD starter kit, which I still use when I go out). They sell at prices that are comparable at what you get online + shipping, You can also order from them online and shipping is free for orders of $100 CAN or more. The owner is a dedicated vaper himself and very knowleadgeable. Since then, I got a Aerotank Mega and a Provari Mini from them, plus of course more juice and replacement coils for my tanks. They have always been accomodating, so I will definitely continue to support them

 

[Paul S]

The quality of a B&M depends, to a large degree, on the knowledge of its owner. Sometimes, this just comes through the hard school of experience. I'm a regular at a local B&M which has been in business for three years, and was the first in this area. Their selection of hardware has grown, and they sell pretty good juice in a wide variety of flavors. I can get just about anything I want there, including special orders on nicotine concentration. Their prices are a bit higher than online, but not outrageously so.

By contrast, I visited a competitor B&M located much closer to my home, which has been open for five months. They don't stock cartomizers at all, their juice selection is more limited, and they were out of drip tips. I'll go back there in a few months, but they got no business out of me that day.

 

[LMS62]

I have been to many of the vape shops here in the Phoenix area, and most were akin to the small, sketchy, dimly lit head shops in the 70's. I did get lucky and find a B&M called Offbeat & Unique that is great. The owners couldn't be nicer, they have a good selection of mods, toppers, and juices, and their markup isn't bad at all. Even though I still get most of my fun "stuff" online, it's still a great place to swing into at least once a week.

 

[twall]

In my town, we have 3 B&Ms. One is just a satellite store of a big city vape shop. I think someone said my town was all about getting into the vape scene, and they wanted to cash in.

The other two are gonna make it. One caters to the newbie who just is looking to quit smoking. They are all about that, and will bend over backward to educate and babysit someone who isn't quite getting it yet. They will admit that when it comes to building, they don't know much more than their customers. But they are trying, and getting there.

The other is the performance shop. This dude has all the stuff you see on this forum mentioned over and over in the builder areas. He has all the wire, in all the gauges, the best batteries, and knows his poo inside out. Smaller, but he has the goods. Newbies, however, need not walk in. Unfortunately, this was my first shop. LOL. He seemed so conceited. Now I know volumes more, I am welcome. :/

Ain't nothing wrong with a B&M. Nothing at all. I frequent them both, and spend obscene amounts of money there. We kinda have a relationship. Then again I myself don't expect a real shop with overhead and bills to compete with online drop shippers.

 

[supertrunker]

i never cease to be amused at the number of people with no knowledge at all trying to suggest to others how to run a business.

My personal favourite is 'hot chick that knows everything made me buy a mech!'
She sees ' gullible knob will buy anything as long as i puff my chest out'

B&M's are probably the lowest common denominator as far as i can see, if you happen to frequent one with knowledgeable staff, you are a lot luckier than most of us.

T

 

[twall]

i never cease to be amused at the number of people with no knowledge at all trying to suggest to others how to run a business.

My personal favourite is 'hot chick that knows everything made me buy a mech!'
She sees ' gullible knob will buy anything as long as i puff my chest out'

B&M's are probably the lowest common denominator as far as i can see, if you happen to frequent one with knowledgeable staff, you are a lot luckier than most of us.

T

Perhaps all of us should stop using the term "B&M". There are stores and there are shops. Stores tend to be the franchised cash cows that HIRE the lowest common denominator. Shops tend to be run by people who actually own the place, and love vaping.

I could be wrong.

 

[optsmk]

That's too bad that some of you don't have a good B&M to go to. But I'm sure that more will open and you will find one that you love. Fortunately for me, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and have a few good ones here. But there are some that I have been to that are just terrible. I don't go to them anymore, but I still go to the ones I like. Some of them are over priced, and some have employees that no absolutely nothing. But they still have good stuff especially when it comes to juices. I went to one today to pick up my favorite juice, and when I was paying the guy asked me if I needed anything else. I was staring at the display with the mods in it, so I asked him if they carried any 30 watt devices. He said no, but showed me one that he thought was good. I don't remember what device it was, but it was a 30 watt mod. He said it was a clone and they wanted $150.00 for it. I told him I would take a pass on it knowing I could get one for less than half the price online. I payed for my juice and went to my car. I looked at the receipt he gave me and saw that I was only charged $13.00 and some change to 45ml's of juice that should have been $19.00. I was going to go back and tell him he made a mistake, but I said .... it and drove off. But it's still a great store with a huge selection of juice.

 

[monkey39]

I was lucky for my first introduction to a B&M. I live in Texas, but hadn't gone to any B&Ms, as I'm pretty comfortable on the Internet (I'm an IT professional) and tend to look for the best deal when spending my money - B&Ms aren't that, for the most part. Also, I don't generally need a lot of hand-holding, as I tend to do a bunch of research when getting into something new before I take the plunge.

In any case, I was on vacation in Miami Beach in July with my family. One day they all wanted to do something that I had no interest in, so decided to investigate one of the vape shops that was within walking distance of my hotel. First, I would classify it as a "shop" as opposed to a "store", per twall's definition above, as it was really just a glass display case counter inside of a coffee shop/lounge. Met the owners, who were nice as could be - they were helpful, not pushy (which I hate), let me try a few flavors out while I hung around shooting the breeze with them. Actually turned me on to a tobacco flavor that I actually liked (not a tobacco flavor fan AT ALL!). Ended up buying a bottle and just hanging out on some lounge couches that they had for a couple of hours, just reading a book and chilling. Very good atmosphere, great proprietors - I had found a place where I could escape my family if needed!

So if anyone gets to Miami Beach, check out South Vape Vapors, really cool hangout. Now, the prices were more than I typically pay for juices, but I didn't mind as I felt I was buying more than just a juice.

Edit: The only local vape shop I had tried out, I didn't really have any meaningful interaction with the staff. They were having a sale, and you can place an order online and pick it up when it's ready, so I just met the person manning the pickup window. All About Vapor in Austin/Round Rock, think they have a fairly decent reputation here, but I don't really have enough experience with them to make any judgements. If I was single, I might make more of an effort to hang out at these places, but as it is, I really have no interest in that. Happy to hang out with my vape toys in my man cave!

 

[Krashman Von Stinkputin]

I have 9 shops within 5 miles of me.
I'm frequent 4 of them because they each have particular flavs I like
I'm also of the mind to throw business to my local shops cause there have been a couple of occasions when I needed a replacement atty head and like knowing I can just run down the street and grab a couple.

I've also purchased hardware from them even though overpriced.........I simply negotiated the price down.
You'd be suprised at how powerful this statement can be....

"I'm willing to pay a little more for (insert device here) but for the price your asking I could buy 2 (or 3) on the internet---I'd rather just buy ONE from YOU."
If their willing to dicker....great if not...no skin off my back.

 

[optsmk]

I was lucky for my first introduction to a B&M. I live in Texas, but hadn't gone to any B&Ms, as I'm pretty comfortable on the Internet (I'm an IT professional)

I'm an IT professional as well, but a very lazy and impatient one. I prefer to go to a B&M while I'm driving around. I pay for it and it's in my hand! Although I have to admit that now I have a half dozen devices. So when I buy a new device I will buy it on the internet because of the price savings. The only device I bought at a B&M lately was my Provari. It's pretty much the same price on the Internet or at a B&M. And that was a "Gotta have it now" purchase.

 

[Rocketpunk]

I still don't get the B&M bashing here. I feel sorry for those of you who don't have access to a decent vape store.

I've been to numerous restaurants and had terrible service and bad food, but I never felt the urge to stew, go home, and rant on a restaurant forum about it. Oh, well, I guess.

If you don't like a shop, you don't have to go there.

 

[supertrunker]

I married a chef - every day is a gourmet delight. The alternative is you have to cook yourself.

i get good food and bad service.

T

 

[lvm111]

I needed an Innokin iclear 16 to give to my sister. I needed it fast and convenient, and so stopped in to the nearest shop. I like to go there occasionally and look around, and chat with the friendly owners, and so like to give them a little business now and then. Of course, nothing was marked with prices, and when she was ringing it up, they decided it was $18 (plus $1.58 tax), so $19.58. I should have said forget it, but went ahead and paid for it.

When I got home later that day, I ordered seven iclear 16's from Mad Vapes. Total cost, with no tax and free shipping was $23.30.

nuff said!


best regards, larry mac

 

[Rocketpunk]

Wait a minute. What?!

An iClear 16 was almost $20 and you paid for it???!!

I hate to be rude, but, seriously... $20 for a cheap clearo and you paid for it????????

I'm seriously confused right now......

EDIT: Also, you patronized a store that had NO prices displayed???

Again, I hate to be rude, but you didn't turn and walk right out because............?

With this information, I can't blame the store..........

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Many vape shops, in my experience have employees that are limited in their vaping skills. They would probably get better employees if they paid more. That is a real business challenge. But, it is still evident in a lot of places that I visit.

Actually, when I have questions, I come here. Thanks all

 

[WillyZee]

the only thing I buy from the B+M is 5Pawns Castle Long

 

[themyst]

Yeah, B&Ms are overpriced. But you also need to understand that they have far more overhead than an online vendor.

My beef isn't really with the pricing, it's more with their product line and knowledge. Far too often they sell off-beat stuff and/or outdated tech. If they were selling an iTaste MVP2 for $75 or some current Kanger stuff for a markup I'd have less issue with these places; my issue is they are selling e-Go / CE4 clone combos for $40 saying how great they are.

 

[ddkl7780]

Theres a few decent places out here in Vegas that have good prices on decent juice and dont mark everything up so high. But then a few isnt saying that much taking it we have like 135 vape shops or something like that.

 

[Rocketpunk]

..........