I have been vaping about 2 months and after trying several I am very happy with an 801 penstyle and refilling carts.
What is the value added of a domestic supplier?
I have ordered from many of the suppliers on this forum before realizing I could just order directly from China and get the same products. I don't understand what the value added is of ordering domestically unless you are ordering very small quantities. A break-even order for shipping is a $50+/- order.
The following is the Pros and Cons based on my experiences. I have used 5 suppliers domestically and 2 Chinese. Ironically I have gotten better and faster customer service from the Chinese.
Domestic Supplier
Pros: No Customs, 2 day shipping when in stock, many carry limited warranty.
Cons: 100% Mark up or more (understandable), OFTEN OUT OF STOCK, many do not have a proven track record, most require return of equipment for warranty replacement
Chinese Supplier
Pros: Half the cost or less, same products that many people are selling domestically, ALWAYS HAVE STOCK!!!
Cons: Items have to go through customs, 5-10 day shipping time, shipping cost, often have to make another order for warranty replacement.
What am I missing here? To me it's a no brainer to order from China but many more seasoned vapers order domestically. I can understand a gadget here or there and a new liquid flavor every once in a while but maintaining your "staples" seems so much more expensive domestically. Especially liquid $1/ml domestic vs. $0.15-$0.50 /ml from china and it's all the same stuff as far as I can tell.
So my question is what is the value added? Feel free to add/dispute my pros/cons they are solely based on my limited experience.
What is the value added of a domestic supplier?
I have ordered from many of the suppliers on this forum before realizing I could just order directly from China and get the same products. I don't understand what the value added is of ordering domestically unless you are ordering very small quantities. A break-even order for shipping is a $50+/- order.
The following is the Pros and Cons based on my experiences. I have used 5 suppliers domestically and 2 Chinese. Ironically I have gotten better and faster customer service from the Chinese.
Domestic Supplier
Pros: No Customs, 2 day shipping when in stock, many carry limited warranty.
Cons: 100% Mark up or more (understandable), OFTEN OUT OF STOCK, many do not have a proven track record, most require return of equipment for warranty replacement
Chinese Supplier
Pros: Half the cost or less, same products that many people are selling domestically, ALWAYS HAVE STOCK!!!
Cons: Items have to go through customs, 5-10 day shipping time, shipping cost, often have to make another order for warranty replacement.
What am I missing here? To me it's a no brainer to order from China but many more seasoned vapers order domestically. I can understand a gadget here or there and a new liquid flavor every once in a while but maintaining your "staples" seems so much more expensive domestically. Especially liquid $1/ml domestic vs. $0.15-$0.50 /ml from china and it's all the same stuff as far as I can tell.
So my question is what is the value added? Feel free to add/dispute my pros/cons they are solely based on my limited experience.
