Thanks for all the replies. My primary intention wasn't to just bash the vendor, I really did kind of end the call with my tail between my legs thinking I crossed a line of some sort. But after seeing they weren't a listed vendors on this site, I thought it appropriate to mention their actual name so everyone else would know about my experience. After all, that is what this forum is all about. Vaping is a huge pain in the .... and it's expensive, time consuming... the last thing we want is to have to deal with vendor issues. I think that is why people who frequent this forum and read a lot have mostly great experiences with the vendors. I also credit this forum in a large part for the huge list of reputable vendors who are now operating in the US with a focus on quality products and personalized service. I mean just look at the guy building and selling 357 atomizers for example. 20 bucks for a measly atomizer? But imagine the time and hassles he endures for that 20 bucks, and he rebuilds them for free (minus postage), sometimes even if YOU broke it. This guy isn't getting rich, he knows what we need and understands the frustrations. That is the sort of vendor we all seek, and we don't mind paying for it because I think most of us truly do put a high value on service.
When I ask someone what brand of flavoring they use AND explain to them WHY I am asking, they should already understand that I am trying to avoid spending hundreds of dollars on liquids that I dislike and the shipping costs to get them to my home. After all, if I don't get any value from the vendor, I may as well take my chances and order the crap from China myself at 1/10 the cost. And who would want a rookie to have this be their first experience, someone who is taking the initiative and wanting to take the first steps towards a smoking alternative? I mean, 1/2 hour drive to get there, taste all the flavors he as for "free", hate them all, then drive back home another 1/2 hour. will I be amused at that point? Or, will I have wished he would have answered the simple question on the phone?
I really hope the guy stumbles across this post at some point. I don't want anyone's recipe, I want them to make money. I need for them to stay in business, I need for them to be there and supply me with the goods and services I am looking for. I'd much rather buy flavored juice if I could just find a few that I really like, but this experience has driven me to start ordering supplies for DYI operations, something I don't really have time to do, but I believe it is my only logical choice. I need a good juice now, I can't wait for months of trial and error mail-order failures. I'm on a roll and I don't want to ruin it again and go back to smoking. I hope I can figure it out because the half-dozen friends I have who are vaping could also benefit from a low-cost supply of predictable tasting liquid.
Oh, and as a side note: I do realize the description on his site says 12ml. But it also says 39grams. That is why I was asking. 39 grams is closer to 39ml of liquid. It's a 1+1=3 scenario, that's why I was asking him because the bottles did look really small.
