Vape shops suck.

[Liskrig]

So I went to 4 vape shops today. The first one has no inventory and they dont know when they will have new stock. Second one was like walking into a cloud and I couldn't hardly see the inventory they had. I was talking to the guy at the counter and every 3 words he took another super huge hit off his vape and basically blew it in my face. Third store was better than the other 2 but the guy was kinda rushing me and telling me I needed the biggest most expensive thing in the shop to get any flavor as I told him I didnt need huge cloudshe said that how you get flavor. Ok so what ever. Forth store I walk into and ask a few questions and ask to look at a couple things and asked advice on stuff and he sat at his computer playing games trying to help me without moving. I asked him what a few of the juices were like and he said the guys with tanks like the big bottles and everyone else uses small 15ml bottles. He had no clue what flavors he had and I dont think he even was a vape user. He did get up once to get me a tester and it was such a pos that I couldn't even get air though it and I think the battery was dead. I guess I will order all my stuff online or check the other 2 shops in town and see if I can find some decent service. Frustrating as hell. When I first started vaping 3 weeks ago it was to stop smoking. The shop I went to was great and I just happend to go in while the owner was in town and helping out in the shop. Very nice guy and very helpful. He went back to texas or something..damn it. Soory but I thought I needed to vent. Thanks

Don't be sorry! Welcome to ECF and congratulations on being part of the revolution!

There have been a couple of Vape shops in Worcester, MA that I have had the same experience in... One was so foggy, it was hard to breathe (purely psychological, but still). The best way to look at stuff like that is to think of those rude people like wild animals trying to find a mate... They will try to do complex tricks, and blow the biggest clouds, show off to you just in hopes that you'll fuc... find them interesting The if they really bother you, start a YELP account, and write bad reviews with no less than 2 stars (they get the most attention). I've gotten contacted by a couple of business owners to elaborate on my poor experience based on my reviews. Just a suggestion

Don't give up on local shops though! I've had plenty of bad experiences, but finding that one shop that will go out of their way to help you out makes up for all the crap ones. Sadly people think that you can just make bank by having a vape shop with no small-business knowledge, or customer service experience at all. Look at Mad Vapes

 

[Dirty_Ralph]

As am I. Starting small one on one friends,family,friends of friends like I posted above. Once I gain a solid reputation in the area on the juice end and a good amount of starter tooters to get more new vapers. We will then do our due diligence and check my pockets for funds to pull the trigger with. On a good note my in laws want to invest in it for their little princess so I got that going for me

 

[VapieDan]

You'll hear the phrase 'it's the Wild West' a lot in reference to the vaping industry. What you are describing is why people say that.

There is a super low bar to entry into this business. Just looking at retail prices, I assume you could start a store like the ones I've seen for under $10K. You could finance that from a credit card, which is what I think at least one shop in my area has done.

Right now around me I have 3 types of shops.

1) Run by tatted/ear hole size of my fist former punks, doing it as social club. I had one place shut off the lights and lock the door as I walked toward it, two hours before closing time. They thought I was someone else and decided to play a prank on them.

2) Sideline business. The establishment makes it's money in other places, tattoos, piercings, skate shops and sells vaping equipment on the side.

3) ..... run shops. Young guys with spray tans and slick hair that would be selling fake Rolexs if vaping wasn't around.

The good news is that this is growing market, real business people are going to start investing in it soon and the customer experience is going to skyrocket.

The worst type is the head shop selling the usual bongs but also the newest synthetic soon to be illegal drug. Tobacco stores I guess fall into your number 2 category. They suck too.

 

[Dirty_Ralph]

I've been talking directly to shop owners on realistic startup upcoming rules and regs coming the the pipe. Once they realize I'm not from their area (after showing my license) they warm up and the conversation and advice spews out. Every single one has been super happy to hear of another one opening up, spoke of going above and beyond for tge customer even if the return is questionable because they will reward you with the loyalty and once that words out everyone else's business is now your business

 

[redrebel821]

I hate going into ones that are smoke shops as opposed to vape shops. I have one exception....lol...it's fairly new, close to home, and are so happy for business they guy cuts me a deal on my coils. And I agree with the earlier comment about cloud filled shops having a "psychological" reaction and almost like a mating ritual...lol....

 

[57chilicat]

I have to say I am very lucky! I have eight vape shops within 10 miles of my house and one of them it outstanding! I buy enough from them to not feel guilty and I have benefited from them taking time to teach me how to rebuild all kinds of coils! I still buy mostly on line but I know how important it is to help them stay in business. Plus when they put stuff on sale they are really good sales! Every time I walk in they are helping people with getting gear that fits the persons needs and stage in the vaping journey! There are good shops out there!

 

[SleeZy]

Gotta love the internet. I make all my purchases online, mainly due we don't have any B&M shops around here.
Far south we've few vape shops but with a huge markup.

I do wish we had more shops though, to open up the eyes of smokers to vaping.

 

[retired1]

Enough with the shop and future business talk. It's not permitted here as ECF is not here to help you get started in a business. As this thread has evolved into something that isn't permitted, closing.