Was I out of line?

[funkyZero]

I was excited to find a local (well, within driving distance 1/2 hour) juice supplier called Discovervapin here in Indiana. I wanted to ask a couple of things before I drove all the way over there. So I called and pleasantly bid him good day. I had two questions, one about ingredients and one about price.
First, my only interest was in what BRAND of flavorings he was using. I decided that if I can ask each vendor this question, I can come up with a reliable method of ordering juices and expect a reasonably comfortable method of getting stuff that tastes at least close to the same all the time. I had no interest nor did I ask him for his recipe... only what brand he used. He sort of stuffed up and kept repeating over and over: "you can taste them for free". Although I appreciate that, he was kind of short about it and that doesn't help me toward my goal.
Was I out of line asking that? I mean, there are only so many flavoring brands on the market and I would say *most* of the popular vendors use the same 2 or 3 brands of flavorings so was I asking something a little too private or something? It seemed to me the flavorings were mostly common knwoledge.
Anyway I also was confused about the pricing because his website lists "39 gram" bottles of juice for 6.95. Seeing the density of e-juice is very close to 1.0 ( just to average it out, I think it is normally around 1.02 - 1.05 depending), that would make 39 grams pretty dang close to 39ml... it seemed way too cheap so I asked. He again was real snippy with me and told me no, they are 12ml bottles. So that kind of bothered me too, I was simply trying to get clarification and he made it out like I was an idiot or something. I assumed at that point he was aggitated becasue I asked him about his brand of flavorings, who knows...
Anyway, did I step out of line asking him about the flavorings? I'd really like to know for the reasons stated above and to try and avoid the Chinese stuff as much as possible. Tell me what you think, I don't want to repeat this mistake, I like to have a good relationship with everyone I deal with. Most of the vendors I've dealt with are just great folks, hands down. This one kind of set me back and really bothered me. I don't like making people mad.

 

[TxVpLvr]

I, personally, would not bother visiting his store if he is not willing to share info like that. I don't feel like you did anything wrong. It seems as though, maybe, he doesn't know anything about his ingredients which would scare me. Just my opinion though.

 

[glasseye]

Some vendors will tell and some won't at all as it must have to do with proprietary recipes. Maybe he hadn't been asked that before and you caught him off guard? Instead of asking about which flavorings he uses, ask specifically about Chinese flavors you want to avoid, such as Dekang, Hangsen or other, and you may or may not get a different answer. I'd do that in person though. And not say I was the one who called. haha

 

[Zipp]

You certainly haven't done anything wrong. Asking about the ingredients in anything that you're going to put into your body is perfectly normal (and a very good idea). And I'd be suspicious of anyone selling e-juice by weight. Liquids just aren't usually sold that way.

You should never be afraid to ask questions about products that you're thinking about buying, and you should always be suspicious of anyone who won't answer your questions. Maybe they just don't know any better. Or maybe there's something shady going on. Either way, there's plenty of other vendors out there who you won't have those problems with.

 

[supermarket]

I was excited to find a local (well, within driving distance 1/2 hour) juice supplier called Discoveryvapin here in Indiana. I wanted to ask a couple of things before I drove all the way over there. So I called and pleasantly bid him good day. I had two questions, one about ingredients and one about price.
First, my only interest was in what BRAND of flavorings he was using. I decided that if I can ask each vendor this question, I can come up with a reliable method of ordering juices and expect a reasonably comfortable method of getting stuff that tastes at least close to the same all the time. I had no interest nor did I ask him for his recipe... only what brand he used. He sort of stuffed up and kept repeating over and over: "you can taste them for free". Although I appreciate that, he was kind of short about it and that doesn't help me toward my goal.
Was I out of line asking that? I mean, there are only so many flavoring brands on the market and I would say *most* of the popular vendors use the same 2 or 3 brands of flavorings so was I asking something a little too private or something? It seemed to me the flavorings were mostly common knwoledge.
Anyway I also was confused about the pricing because his website lists "39 gram" bottles of juice for 6.95. Seeing the density of e-juice is very close to 1.0 ( just to average it out, I think it is normally around 1.02 - 1.05 depending), that would make 39 grams pretty dang close to 39ml... it seemed way too cheap so I asked. He again was real snippy with me and told me no, they are 12ml bottles. So that kind of bothered me too, I was simply trying to get clarification and he made it out like I was an idiot or something. I assumed at that point he was aggitated becasue I asked him about his brand of flavorings, who knows...
Anyway, did I step out of line asking him about the flavorings? I'd really like to know for the reasons stated above and to try and avoid the Chinese stuff as much as possible. Tell me what you think, I don't want to repeat this mistake, I like to have a good relationship with everyone I deal with. Most of the vendors I've dealt with are just great folks, hands down. This one kind of set me back and really bothered me. I don't like making people mad.

Honestly, I implore you to be more confident in yourself, and less concerned about someone you don't even know.

I run a business, and sometimes things go WONDERFULLY, and people recommend my services to everyone they know. Other times, it just doesn't work out 100%, and we part ways. However, I've NEVER blamed a customer for things not working out. Worse case scenario, I just couldn't fit their needs, and they move on.

To blame yourself (the customer) for calling and asking some simple questions, would be out of line You have every right to ask ANY question you want.

There is a HUGE difference between being disrespectful, and rude to a business owner....or simply asking some questions over the phone and him getting upset. I'd say HE was entirely at fault.


Even if he didn't want to answer your questions, he should have APOLOGIZED to you for not answering, and explained WHY he doesnt feel comfortable answering you. At NO time should he seen 'upset' that you are asking any question.


Personally, as a business owner, I like when customers ask lots of questions. Afterall, that is the best way for a customer to know if your service is exactly what they want.


In my opinion, you had TWO questions. One was answered, one wasn't. Since he didn't answer the question, didn't provide a reason why, and seemed frustrated with you asking, I wouldn't pay him a visit in a million years if I were you.

 

[KraKsX]

cant find them, but there is a chance its china juice, and he has no clue what he is selling

 

[MsComptrtchr]

I got the same non-response in one my local stores. If they don't divulge, I won't indulge! I mean, we have a right to know what's going in our bodies- we're paying for it!

 

[funkyZero]

I made a mistake in my original post, it is actually DiscoverVapin or discovervapin.com

Sorry 'bout that

 

[KraKsX]

Anyone who would say this line

12ML is equivalent to one carton of cigarette.

Is someone i would NEVER buy from
(are they saying it will last as long? are they saying nic strengths dont matter - 12ml is a carton regardless?)

I have no facts to go on, but i still think its china made juice, and no where does it say its USA MADE
All our e-Liquid is made from a 70% VG/30% PG Mix USDA Food Grade Mix. does not mean made in USA

I was a PAD smoker, and now i vape 3-5ml a day - are they saying im vaping '5 packs a day' now?!?

 

[BostonVape]

not to bash B&M stores.. but a few I have been too have had very questionable juice selections..

you were not out of line at all..

 

[Rat2chat2]

I try to give anyone a second chance. I would probably go to the store and find out what you need to know. (who knows, you may find something on sale at a terrific price) If you get the same kind of disrespect from a clueless sales person, I would then contact the owner to let him know. I would then get on this forum and let us know. You absolutely did nothing wrong. You've been a member for a long time. I think that is wonderful. Good luck. This is just my

 

[aikanae1]

I agree 100% and plus some more. I've had the same problem with local vendors in town here. I ask what flavorings they use and there is a reason. I am trying to track down some allergies. I feel I HAVE to know. I have never run into a problem with online vendors telling me exactly what is in their product (so far) all the way down to what nic supplier they use even though I didn't ask. One question and I've had vendors hand me a whole list of everything. They consider it like an ingredient labeling - as well they should and I think you should too.

When I run into a vendor who won't tell me what's in the juice, I ask them if they would buy anything from a grocery store without checking the label because that's what they are asking me to do. It's piss poor service, communication and should be borderline illegal (if that's what the FDA was really worried about, but they aren't). Just because BT can get away with that for cigarettes, doesn't mean we have to accept it with ejuice (not yet, anyway).

Just my

​

 

[funkyZero]

Ok I feel a little better about it now. I felt like I had done something taboo or unacceptable by asking him. I understand the man is trying to make an income so I would never insist that someone give me their proprietary recipe. I would consider that a little unreasonable. It would also be nice to hear from some other vendors on this, I'd be interested in knowing how they feel about it

 

[harrycan]

not to bash B&M stores.. but a few I have been too have had very questionable juice selections..

you were not out of line at all..

I agree,and they never tell you the nic levels.Thats up to you.

 

[iceman68]

You weren't out of line at all. If the proprietor or salesperson isn't willing or prepared to answer a couple questions about their products then they should consider a career change. You have every right to seek out this information.

Good customer service is integral to any business and those who don't provide it will never get any of my money.

The snippy, snotty response(s) you received is an instant red flag. I wouldn't step foot into this establishment.

 

[shatner]

I was excited to find a local (well, within driving distance 1/2 hour) juice supplier called Discovervapin here in Indiana. I wanted to ask a couple of things before I drove all the way over there. So I called and pleasantly bid him good day. I had two questions, one about ingredients and one about price.
First, my only interest was in what BRAND of flavorings he was using. I decided that if I can ask each vendor this question, I can come up with a reliable method of ordering juices and expect a reasonably comfortable method of getting stuff that tastes at least close to the same all the time. I had no interest nor did I ask him for his recipe... only what brand he used. He sort of stuffed up and kept repeating over and over: "you can taste them for free". Although I appreciate that, he was kind of short about it and that doesn't help me toward my goal.
Was I out of line asking that? I mean, there are only so many flavoring brands on the market and I would say *most* of the popular vendors use the same 2 or 3 brands of flavorings so was I asking something a little too private or something? It seemed to me the flavorings were mostly common knwoledge.
Anyway I also was confused about the pricing because his website lists "39 gram" bottles of juice for 6.95. Seeing the density of e-juice is very close to 1.0 ( just to average it out, I think it is normally around 1.02 - 1.05 depending), that would make 39 grams pretty dang close to 39ml... it seemed way too cheap so I asked. He again was real snippy with me and told me no, they are 12ml bottles. So that kind of bothered me too, I was simply trying to get clarification and he made it out like I was an idiot or something. I assumed at that point he was aggitated becasue I asked him about his brand of flavorings, who knows...
Anyway, did I step out of line asking him about the flavorings? I'd really like to know for the reasons stated above and to try and avoid the Chinese stuff as much as possible. Tell me what you think, I don't want to repeat this mistake, I like to have a good relationship with everyone I deal with. Most of the vendors I've dealt with are just great folks, hands down. This one kind of set me back and really bothered me. I don't like making people mad.

I don't think you were out of line. But you could have explained exactly why you wanted to know. Something along the lines of "I know I like Lorann's, so if you use it I know I'll probably like your juice".

If anything, he was the ....

It also sounds like he's re-labelling Dekang or Hangsen. The prices are far too cheap to be custom mixed. Actually, that's probably why he wouldn't tell you where his 'flavorings' were from.

I wouldn't give him a cent, much less take the time to go to his store.

 

[shatner]

not to bash B&M stores.. but a few I have been too have had very questionable juice selections..

you were not out of line at all..

Mine stocks liquid from Elixir E-Liquid THE NATION'S HOTTEST E-LIQUID. They have really good juice. It's more expensive at the B&M, but you can taste for free and it's pre-steeped.

 

[Rocketpunk]

I'll play the devil's advocate, although I am on the side that no, you weren't out of line. As a B&M employee, I'm simply a clerk. Although I possess information about who supplies our flavoring, etc., I'm not at liberty to tell the customer myself. If I took a call and someone had questions about the names of our flavor suppliers, I'd simply put the phone on hold, grab the nearest manager, owner, or our mixologist, and ask them if they could talk to a customer on the phone. If at that point, the manager or the owner agrees to answer the caller's question, well, there you go. If no one was available, I'd take the caller's name and number and give it to an owner, manager, or mixologist when they did become available. Same if someone came in off the street.

EDIT: Even if we did tell them the name of our flavor suppliers, they still wouldn't have our recipe or the names of our pg/vg suppliers, as the OP mentioned. They might try a little DIY but I know for a fact it wouldn't taste like ours.

 

[aikanae1]

Even if we did tell them the name of our flavor suppliers, they still wouldn't have our recipe

EXACTLY! They can't survive being defensive.

 

[Dvx67]

Can't we all just vape along?