Vape Shops not worht it! Perfect example of why you should learn and build your mod!

[curmudgeon1]

Im another lucky one. Two of the three shops near me have knowledgeable staff, decent prices and a good selection. The third one is all about juice and lounging around.
The one I go to has a great counter guy that knows his business. Not only does he not try to push you into purchases, he talks you out of some. What I mean is that I chose a mod I liked, then I chose a tank that I liked. He suggested a different set up, he said it would work better with the mod I liked, his suggestion cost $12 less. Also, he will drip any juice I wanna try into his personal lung busting set up for me to try.
A couple weeks ago he gave....yes gave me an evod clero for my ego twist. He wanted to "see how I liked it", I bought three more sinse.
Keep looking, you will find a good shop. There are alot of very passionate vapers out there.

 

[PinkPanter]

the new sony battery he charged me 40$ for

This should be a shop at my list to avoid.

 

[Stratmarsh]

I stop in Vape shops all over the Baltimore, Washington area and the difference between the pricing and the level of service is all over the place.

 

[HowlinMadMurphy]

New vaper and user here, and I generally agree with the sentiment when it comes to...well almost anything you buy lol. That's why I came here! I got into vaping because I quit smoking a few months ago and tried to use the disposables to give me a nicotine fix, after a few days of that I saw how expensive it would get and went to the smoke shop to see what else they had. I walked out with a evod sort of knock off starter kit and 30 mls of liquid for $40, not a horrible deal but I would have done better doing some research first. The upside is that the box the kit came in was very solid and serves me well after I cut some holes in it to make a makeshift battery stand.

 

[GenFar]

I am the same way, on a budget and usually buy most stuff online. I hate to see a shop do that though. I like the idea of the vaping world expanding. I have a nice vape shop in my area, that i enjoy going to and I will buy small stuff like a new drip tip or small thing of juice or coil for my protank. they have tables you can sit and hang out and let you sample their juices. I can say I have bought stuff in the beginning that i probably didn't need, but now I usually come to these forums and look for a you tube review video before i purchase anything big.

 

[gatorguy]

The op's experience here is far too common. Both my siblings decided to try vaping after seeing it'd kept me off the nasties for two years. They got sold cheap starter kits and were not educated on maintaining the tanks by replacing cartos or heads, and they were insanely over charged. They both found vaping unsatisfactory and have gone back to analogs.

I personally went into this same store with my Provari and one of my Phiniac glass tanks on it. The employee working inquired who made my mod, so I held it up so he could see the logo.

At which point, he holds up a VAMO 5 with a PLASTIC carto tank on it, and says,"what YOU need is one of these bad boys... And those glass tanks are good for nothing but breaking"

Now, I don't mean to trash the VAMO, I have one as a backup device. But I'm far from being alone by considering my Provari to be better. And then he's going to tell me to use plastic tanks???? Unbelievable!

What many don't realize about SOME B&Ms is that the employees truly know nothing about the products they're selling much less products they don't carry.

Perfect examples are when you go to your local AT&T or Verizon store looking for a new phone. You'll notice the employee kind of toying with the device a bit before they get around to showing you it's most commonly used functions. This is because they do NOT have any idea how the phone works, and are working off a few seconds of experimenting along with some basic instinctual knowledge.

You see this at best buy as well. Those little cards listing the features of the product are technically there for the salesman to look at, so they seem as though they're at least halfway familiar with the product.

The same goes for B&Ms.... Their knowledge is limited, and they don't care about selling you a quality product or not capable of letting you quit, or being bad enough to force you back to the real deal.... they simply care about making the sale, end of story... I tell everyone, but your hardware online. If it's easier for you to go to a B&M and sample liquids, fine, buy your liquids there. Personally I'll continue buying my liquids online as well.

Wow...way to generalize. Not only is my local b&m awesome. They were super friendly, patient, and knowledgeable. They also took the time to completely educate me and made sure I was totally comfortable before I walked out the door. Also, I am the store manager of an at&t store and you couldn't be further from the truth. The amount of training sales reps go through is extensive and never-ending. We go through MONTHLY training and if a rep can't keep up they get the boot. Educate yourself before you make yourself look more ignorant. Just because YOU had a bad experience doesn't mean everyone does. All you're doing is steering the op from buying local AND slamming other legitimate area's of sales.
end rant.

 

[duksauce]

Its true about the ridiculously high prices. I went to get my girl a new evod twist battery at the local shop today... $38 dollars later.

this is why I shop online

 

[Monotremata]

Weve got two shops out here, and theyre the same way unfortunately.. They pander to the somewhat wealthy Palm Springs hipster trust fund clientele. Most of the people I know out here that vape do it just because its the thing to do.. None of em could answer my questions on something as simple as 'how much do you think Ill need to replace my almost pack a day habit' cause none of them were smokers before. Theyre just vaping nicotine to be cool (which I guess is what we all did when we picked up our first smoke haha) Called one today just to find out if they carried the Kanger EVOD kits, and Im not so sure the dude even knew exactly what I was asking for.. He told me they had the 650ma one for $60 (I can get it online as low as $24), and an 1100mah one for $70 but funny, Kanger doesnt even make an 1100mah version of the starter kit.. After seeing that markup, Im not even gonna bother with their juices, especially when I have actual friends that run their own shop and will send em to me from TX..

 

[jblack741]

$40 for a battery? However, inflating prices to the point of 4 times the price you pay every where else is pathetic. I wouldn't shop there again.

LOL! I have at least 5 vape shops in my local area and they all inflate their prices... one shop tried to sell me an o-ring for $4... 1 (*&&&_( o-ring. Before I new better and purchased my first setup near my job and for $85 I got an off-brand topcoil clearo 1.5ml tank, ego-twist 1300mah, 1 extra coil and a useless case. I knew I was going to have to spend $60-$80 for a good setup but I did not know about ECF or other board where I could have gotten some guidance before spending my money. I later learned that what I paid $85 for should have cost me no more than $30 even with a reasonable markup. None of these shops in question care about vapors, caasa or educating the public that they service... for them its about $$$$$! and that's all.

I buy everything online now, period. Even with shipping costs I pay less than what these bozo's want to charge me!

 

[FinchX]

Wow...way to generalize. Not only is my local b&m awesome. They were super friendly, patient, and knowledgeable. They also took the time to completely educate me and made sure I was totally comfortable before I walked out the door. Also, I am the store manager of an at&t store and you couldn't be further from the truth. The amount of training sales reps go through is extensive and never-ending. We go through MONTHLY training and if a rep can't keep up they get the boot. Educate yourself before you make yourself look more ignorant. Just because YOU had a bad experience doesn't mean everyone does. All you're doing is steering the op from buying local AND slamming other legitimate area's of sales.
end rant.

This maybe true for AT&T but I've yet to ever walk into a Verizon store and the salesman be able to instantly show me the uses on the phone.

And I've personally worked at a Best Buy, so I know exactly what I'm talking about in regards to that company. I already had my degree in digital imaging and design, and was simply working there part time to help pay bills while launching my own freelance company. I was personally asked by the STORE manager (not simply the department heads) to help further educate the other salesmen in cameras/camcorders, PC, and home entertainment anytime business was slow in the store.

And the op already had a bad experience, I was simply agreeing I had one as well, NOT steering them away from them as much as explaining my theories on WHY its common for people to have poor experiences.

I'll admit there have got to be some vape shops out there who know their stuff. More than likely, the store owner got into vaping prior to opening the store and would be able to provide great advice to newcomers. Unfortunately, with the op's experience, as well as my own (and numerous others in this thread obviously), that isn't always the case.

Simply because YOU took offense that I included your place of business (and I'm NOT too arrogant to admit when I'm wrong, as I obviously was regarding AT&T stores, for which I apologize), doesn't mean you have to take such a rude and defensive standpoint. You could have simply replied by correcting my mistake about AT&T.. The rest of your post was completely uncalled for and offensive.

 

[sqweak]

any business can be hit and miss. I've had b&m experiences and good ones. I have a local that i probably pass 2 dozen other shops to get to, but they treat me well and don't price gouge. Good luck to the OP on finding a better local.

 

[ComaOmega15]

My first vape shop experience was tragic. I went into a local "kronic" and asked for some zippo fluid and they completely blew me off like I wasn't even there. So I awkwardly stood there and decided wow customer service sucks here. A couple days later I went to a smaller shop ran by this super cool guy (he saw that I have stretched lobes and offered me discounts on jewelry and whatnot to get me into the store but I digress) who owns basically a mom an pop shop. But he basically set me up with an awesome kit and I was and still am completely satisfied with his service. I'll gladly ride my bike (yes I don't own a vehicle) the mile or so to his store just to buy juice or simply chill. I'd spend the extra cash over online anyday.

 

[GunMonkeyINTL]

I've found 4 local shops, as well as a bunch of head shops that also have a few e-cig supplies.

The only "bad" shop is the one closest to me. They are extremely overpriced (vision IIs - $55 / mini protank IIIs -$24), uneducated (thinks Pyrex is "not really glass", since you can also get "Pyrex Plastic" (reads polycarbonate and thinks "Pyrex plastic"), and mixes their own "premium" juice behind the counter with household measuring cups and eye droppers while you wait.

The other shops all have their strengths. One is chiefly a tobacco shop that sells crap Chinese liquids, but also stock iTaste VVs for $30, and mini protank IIIs for $9 (genuine), but then sells replacement coils for $4.

Another is set up like a bar, has very knowledgable staff, decent but not great prices (vision IIs -$35 / mini protank IIIs $16) and a TON of inventory.

The next has much less inventory but better prices on what they do have, and makes really good juice. I've all but stopped going there since the lady that owned it told me, and then 3 other customers in turn, that the other shops that have house-brand juice are pedaling dangerous stuff since they aren't liscensed and she has the only liscense in the area. I'm not sure ... an e-juice liscense is, but I'm not a big fan of being lied to...but she does make a couple juices I really like and her "lab" is pretty cool - purpose-built sterile room with proper equipment and safety clothing.

The last, and one that I somehow like the best is a little hole in the wall in an expensive down-town location. Thy don't have much, but their prices on what they do have are decent. They stock great juice and their staff is really passionate about helping people quit smoking. They built starter kits (with reduced "kit" pricing) out of whatever combination of gear you and the salesperson end up deciding will work best for you, they set up education rallies and talk to the local tv/newspapers every chance they get, they represent themselves at out state capitol when there've been e-cig hearings, and I've even seen them walk out on the street, approach smokers and trade them loaded eGo kits for their pack of cigarettes and lighter, which they bring back inside and throw away.

Not all brick and mortar shops suck. Some even deserve your support, even if their prices are higher than what you can get online.

 

[isowizard]

it is a roll the dice thing, some shops will know more then any online store will and some will know nothing at all. as far as battery charge well they come that way and they should of told you that. as for the price our store does not sell that high of a price on any battery. This is why when you find a good B&M you should support them the rest will catch up with the stores that do not know what they are doing over time.

 

[SleeZy]

Although I love the Mod I just bought. I was disappointed in a local vape shops for the way they conducted their business..It was a little awkward when I first walked in. Granted I knew nothing about what I was getting myself into. I recently turned from tobacco products and decided to see what the hype was on all these ecig mods. As i looked at the different mods the store had to offer I talked with another customer who not only knew what he was doing but was very passionate on the topic of vaporizing. Besides from him, I gained no real knowledge on products. After having to drag info from the stores employee the only real bit of information I got was that The King mod was the only mod with a decent button and basically shot down every other device I asked about. Although I am very happy with my King Mod with TOBH atomizer, I was disappointed to come home and realize he gave me a used almost dead battery instead of the new sony battery he charged me 40$ for..Also when building it was obvious he could care less about teaching me how to maintain and rebuild the mod. Long story short.. Stay in the forums, learn what you can because thinking a local vape shop will teach you the ins and outs about different mods is a mistake not worth making..

Did they learn you how to use ohm meter to test the coils that's been buildt?
I've recently read stories of the shops even say "that's not needed" Which is crazy.
Quite unresponsible to recommed a mech mod to a newbie.
When using a mechanical mod you'll need ohm meter and preferably a digial multimeter to check the batteries condition.
Make sure you get a pair of good batteries like sony vtc4/5. And 40$ is way overpriced for these batteries.

Read up on battery safety if you haven't
The user baditude got great blog posts about it.

 

[JollyRogers]

A LOT of vape shops have been popping up locally. I have a friend who opened his own shop, and it is a pretty good shop, but to far for me… THe problem for me is 1) I don't like clones, 2) I am picky about the eliquids I vape and 3) I have been vaping 4.5 years and know more then most people in any shop. Most of the shops have young(er) people working in them and they are making minimum or near minimum wage. They are clueless as to the mod(s) I am using and don't know much about RBA unless it is their clones they sell. They like to push starter setups, because they think everyone is new and that is their big mover. Regardless, I have gone to the local B&Ms to check them out… of the four I have visited, the last one I found has the best eliquid selections I have yet to find anywhere and the prices are the same as if I ordered online. So I will go back to them. Unfortunately, they are small and kind of hidden, no sign etc… because they are newly opened, so I am worried they may not last very long.

 

[Lurch]

I am extremely lucky, the first vape shop I stopped in, and the one closet to my home, is run by a mature, business experienced individual. He had stopped smoking by vaping and decided to open a shop and help others learn about the subject.

Having the business experience was obvious; he realized he didn't know everything there is to know about the subject so he hired a young man who is really into the topic and knows about mods, building coils, etc. He makes sure that he has an understanding of what the customer is looking for before he provides information. He does not "push" any particular product. I have seen him steer people away from the more complicated units that they obviously weren't ready for.

He has since hired another guy who is also deeply involved in the hobby and is a "mixologist."

He has ensured that the younger employees understand that the majority of folks who come in have little or no knowledge/experience with vaping and that they need to break things down when demonstrating stuff to them.

For every sale they will spend as much time as needed to make sure their customers fully understand the product and how to use it. They also give the customer a business card (discount card for a discount after five purchases) and tell them to call if they have any questions. The only problem they have is, some customers end up having to wait for awhile as they are teaching others how to use the equipment. I guess, that is not a bad thing....

 

[Racehorse]

Bare-bones vape shop where I am, I like the owner, so I pop in and buy a few things.

Believe me, B&Ms save your .... when you NEED something and can't wait 4-8 days to order and wait for shipped.

I also think it's great for new vapers to be able to hold and feel and test equipment and juices. Otherwise, you shop on line and may end up wasting WAY MORE $$ ...........

I do find it interesting how people say they "support the vaping industry" but seem to only order from Fasttech, etc. so they are really only supporting *price shopping*.

Look. we need both online and B&Ms. Both help get vaping into the hands of smokers out there...........that is the way I look at it.