visited my first vaping store

[NicLiq]

A shop opened in the twin cities a year ago, but it's about 40 minutes away. I've been sending people over there all this time, but never got a chance to go there myself, so today, my husband and I made a special trip.. and boy were we shocked!

The store was packed. People were buying stuff left and right and they had 4 employees dealing with one person after another. We wanted to support them so my husband picked up another battery and a clearomizer (he's still using cartridges with an atomizer), so that was a big step lol

We had a very knowledgeable guy helping us, but another employee kept butting into our conversation with inaccurate information. I had asked to spread the word about commenting on the FDA public hearing, and that turned into a conversation about taxes and the other employee insisted that everything e-cig related was already taxed the same as cigarettes. A few other comments she said made me realize that they don't really want anyone to know about this forum or how to purchase anything on their own. I get that, but it's sad, especially since they are competitively priced when shipping is factored in.

So that's my story. I haven't posted much lately, I was diagnosed with cancer last January (got the only cancer not associated with smoking), so have been trying to get through this mess. Hope everyone is doing great - Happy 2013!

 

[kittypie]

I'm sorry to hear about your cancer diagnosis. Be well.

 

[jerseyrob]

Sound's like you had a fun day ...Hope you feel better

 

[NicLiq]

I'm sorry to hear about your cancer diagnosis. Be well.

Thanks, I've made it a year, so I'm happy about that, and really happy that I had quit smoking because I would have never made it through the appts. I've had in the last year without going crazy

 

[Iffy]

I've been in my local vape B&M (TW) once. Due to their pri¢e$ and being stuck only on what they sold. I felt like a turd in a punch bowl. They were congenial and had some good coffee. But the experience convinced me that I'll continue to shop on line from ECF approved vendors!

 

[Salt&PePPer]

Me and a friend have plans to visit a B&M for the first time in Long Beach soon.

But, most of the prices I see for the stuff at the B&M stores in LA and Orange County are way Over Priced compared to what we see for Internet Vendors.

I don't know if the stores are gauging or if they need to charge that much to stay open due to their overhead?

 

[Bosco]

Had a similar experience with one of my local B&M shops - we actually have 2! Anyway - the first time I went into this store they were super helpful - I mean, really . .above and beyond. They explained vaping to me very clearly, let me try out a bunch of different juices and set me up with an Ego Twist + KangerT2 - a really great set-up although they charged me almost double the cheapest price on the .net (I had no idea at that time, of course).

Next time I went in I went in specifically looking for a 510 atty and drip-tip. They weren't very helpful at all saying that they had a few atty's in a drawer but they didn't know what the ohms were and couldn't be bothered to check.

I went back again looking for replacement heads for my T2. They were out, didn't know when more would be coming. I mentioned my T2's were gettling clogged. It wasn't on purpose but one of the other customers heard me say that and asked the sales guy which one I was talking about so he didn't get the same one - and the salesguy basically hurried me out of the store. Not really outwardly rude - but I definitely felt the need to leave vs stay around and browse.

I now consider it a store only for vaping newbies. Once you know what you want, they don't want to deal with you anymore. It's obvious to understand why they would prefer newbies - ie - people who don't know what things should cost - but they should also find a way to cater towards experienced vapers . . after all, there's only so many people who can start vaping . .after that they're all going to be experienced vapers.

 

[SissySpike]

I had the same kind of experience in a store in Tuscon as Basco they wee very open at first but as I started talking to the customers about ECF they started being less friendly. The other customers are always curious about what ever mod I have when I stop buy. The store only sells ego stuff and clearos. They told me CASAA is not something they have any interest in. Its also painful to here the employees spout misinformation. I just try to educate others polightly on the side when I go in.
Something that amazed me was most other vapors do not live eat and sleep vaping! We are the kind of extremist, I guess.

NicLiq my thought and prayers are with you!!!!!!

 

[Butters78]

I had the same kind of experience in a store in Tuscon as Basco they wee very open at first but as I started talking to the customers about ECF they started being less friendly. The other customers are always curious about what ever mod I have when I stop buy. The store only sells ego stuff and clearos. They told me CASAA is not something they have any interest in. Its also painful to here the employees spout misinformation. I just try to educate others polightly on the side when I go in.
Something that amazed me was most other vapors do not live eat and sleep vaping! We are the kind of extremist, I guess.

NicLiq my thought and prayers are with you!!!!!!

Next time you're in San Antonio you should stop by vaporessence. Silver bullets for 125 lol. They have decent juice though in a pinch. 15 for 30 ml.

 

[NicLiq]

The battery at this store was $5 more than most of our online vendors and the clearomizer was $2 more, so I thought that was okay. I think it was the information that was the problem - probably like going into a computer repair store and saying it takes 5 minutes to replace something yourself (?)

I was actually a little jealous about all the business I saw. I would love to have my own vaping store, but I don't ever want to get into a liability situation with all the misinformation about vaping right now.

 

[Butters78]

The battery at this store was $5 more than most of our online vendors and the clearomizer was $2 more, so I thought that was okay. I think it was the information that was the problem - probably like going into a computer repair store and saying it takes 5 minutes to replace something yourself (?)

I was actually a little jealous about all the business I saw. I would love to have my own vaping store, but I don't ever want to get into a liability situation with all the misinformation about vaping right now.

You know it would be neat to pick up a Reo grand in a store. I'd pay 25 extra to support the cause. Honestly if I won the lottery I'd open up a shop to help people. If I just broke even I'd be happy. Just changing lives would be great.

 

[NicLiq]

You know it would be neat to pick up a Reo grand in a store. I'd pay 25 extra to support the cause. Honestly if I won the lottery I'd open up a shop to help people. If I just broke even I'd be happy. Just changing lives would be great.

I agree - I think I would like being able to talk to people about vaping in person, its been such a life-changer in our family that I could talk about it all day lol

 

[Iffy]

NicLiq,

My bride of 44 years is a cancerous brain tumor survivor of nearly six years. I just pray that you have the same quality medical team and prayers that she had!!!

 

[Butters78]

I agree - I think I would like being able to talk to people about vaping in person, its been such a life-changer in our family that I could talk about it all day lol

Oh me too! To me it's a fun hobby I like talking about. The fact that it saves lives is a bonus.

 

[SissySpike]

I buy something at every vape shop I visit even if its just a bottle of juice. If I don't like it I give it to knewbee they don't know how bad it sucks compaired to the good stuff yet;-)

 

[NicLiq]

NicLiq,

My bride of 44 years is a cancerous brain tumor survivor of nearly six years. I just pray that you have the same quality medical team and prayers that she had!!!

That's so great to hear! She will be in my thoughts and prayers too.

I have melanoma, it was a deep fast growing tumor with a high mitotic rate so I'm kind of in limbo because there are no treatments (except surgery and I've had 3). There are some new immune boosting drugs, but I have severe autoimmune disease so I don't qualify and they'd probably kill me. I have never tanned or spent much time in the sun, so they think I probably got it from the immunosuppressant drugs I took for autoimmune problems, so now I can't have that medication either I plan on proving everyone wrong and sticking around for a long time though!

 

[SissySpike]

That's so great to hear! She will be in my thoughts and prayers too.

I have melanoma, it was a deep fast growing tumor with a high mitotic rate so I'm kind of in limbo because there are no treatments (except surgery and I've had 3). There are some new immune boosting drugs, but I have severe autoimmune disease so I don't qualify and they'd probably kill me. I have never tanned or spent much time in the sun, so they think I probably got it from the immunosuppressant drugs I took for autoimmune problems, so now I can't have that medication either I plan on proving everyone wrong and sticking around for a long time though!

Good thing your a Minnesotanin never met one that wasent tough as nails! aaa;-)

 

[tidegirl]

Attitude is everything when you are fighting for your life, NicLiq. Stay strong and keep fighting!

 

[xmr405o]

Brick and Mortar vape stores are starting to pop everywhere in Southern California. I don't know if I'm just noticing them more since I just started vaping but there seems to be plenty around me. My first "store" was at a person's house. Lol. It was nice and cozy.

 

[SissySpike]

Brick and Mortar vape stores are starting to pop everywhere in Southern California. I don't know if I'm just noticing them more since I just started vaping but there seems to be plenty around me. My first "store" was at a person's house. Lol. It was nice and cozy.

Ha me to in Houston it was Elixir I followed my garmin to a house and called and told them the address was wrong on their sight Im at someones house. Then a Lady came out side with a phone in her hand and waved and said come on in;-)