What would you say? Suppose

[Vaperer]

Suppose you were using a brick-and-mortar. And then suppose after some time you started ordering your supplies online. The reason why you did this was because you did not like the flavors that were available at the B&M. But suppose you like to use to be B&M for Hardware. This is my dilemma and I don't want to hurt no feelings. So what do I say when I go in there and they asked where have you been? Just curious what is the etiquette ?

and thank you in advance. Just a side note this B-M is a very good place to buy stuff and I have nothing but respect for the owner.
And the employees are excellent.

 

[93gc40]

Tell them the truth. .... sure they might get their feelings hurt... but not knowing why customers are going elsewhere costs money. Pain in the EGO is free.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[ScottP]

Tell them the truth. .... sure they might get their feelings hurt... but not knowing why customers are going elsewhere costs money. Pain in the EGO is free.

Good advice, but my eGo stopped holding a charge years ago. Not sure if it felt any pain though.

 

[hell_storm2004]

Just say I was out of town for work. That one always works. I use this pretty often for familiar strangers.

 

[Letitia]

Tell them the truth. Did you ask them about getting different juices in?

 

[Izan]

Suppose you were using a brick-and-mortar. And then suppose after some time you started ordering your supplies online. The reason why you did this was because you did not like the flavors that were available at the B&M. But suppose you like to use to be B&M for Hardware. This is my dilemma and I don't want to hurt no feelings. So what do I say when I go in there and they asked where have you been? Just curious what is the etiquette ?

and thank you in advance. Just a side note this B-M is a very good place to buy stuff and I have nothing but respect for the owner.
And the employees are excellent.

" I buy all my hardware from you and your store. I trust you guys and you always have what I want."
If they ask about juice, smile, and tell them their flavors suck; add a little laugh at the end. (They know )

Cheers
I

 

[Baditude]

I'm 100% in favor of supporting reputable brick & mortar shops. I used to work for one. Great shops are hard to come by these days.

However, the markup prices for e-liquid and gear in many vape shops can be 100% or more. A prudent shopper considers all factors and makes his/her decision based on what they consider to be fair trade.

If their flavors suck, and you have found some online that you like, tell them the truth. Maybe they will take the hint and carry the line of manufacturers you like.

Nearly all of my purchases these days are done online. My last visit to my neighborhood vape shop I sampled a few flavors for free. I felt a little guilty not buying any, so offered to buy a vape band for my tank. He charged me $6 for it. I could have gotten 30 of them for $9 off of Amazon. It will be a loooong time before I go back.

 

[HauntedMyst]

I have to be honest, I am not sure why you have to say anything. You buy hardware from them and are happy with their service. Ask them to carry a juice you do like.

 

[Rangertrix]

I actually have a couple of shops I deal with that are fairly good.
They know things are cheaper online, and try to get as close to that pricing as they can.
I support them when I feel inclined, and they know there are some things I buy online because of pricing. Always been honest with them.
I actually bring liquids I get online and from other shops in for them to try and they've started carrying several brands I turned them on to.
If they're petty enough to be hurt by MY decisions regarding MY personal life, then I don't really want to do business with them.

 

[Myk]

With my ecig background I'm very self sufficient and I tell the vape shops that when they're new and trying to sell me on their services.
I use their services when I can but I'm not going to turn into relying on them for stuff I do myself.

 

[Vaperer]

" I buy all my hardware from you and your store. I trust you guys and you always have what I want."
If they ask about juice, smile, and tell them their flavors suck; add a little laugh at the end. (They know )

Cheers
I

Yeah I guess you're right.

 

[ScottP]

I felt a little guilty not buying any, so offered to buy a vape band for my tank. He charged me $6 for it.

$6 for a vape band? I would have walked out guilt free and sans vape band as well. I'd be shocked if their cost was more than a dime. They could sell them for $1 or $2 each and be making a huge profit on them.

Don't get me wrong, I do not begrudge them for making a profit. They have to offer value though. Cost is what you pay, value is what you get. There just isn't any value in a $6 vape band.

 

[ilporcupine]

I actually have a couple of shops I deal with that are fairly good.
They know things are cheaper online, and try to get as close to that pricing as they can.
I support them when I feel inclined, and they know there are some things I buy online because of pricing. Always been honest with them.
I actually bring liquids I get online and from other shops in for them to try and they've started carrying several brands I turned them on to.
If they're petty enough to be hurt by MY decisions regarding MY personal life, then I don't really want to do business with them.

An idea for B&M stores: When you have amazing clearance/blowout pricing on items, use your retail store e-mail list, and offer it to those customers first. That way, they feel like they are rewarded for paying regular prices the rest of the time. Make them feel REALLY valued.

 

[VHRB2014]

I only have two ships in my town
Neither one of them carries wire or wick, or battery wraps. Consequently, I do all my shopping on line. I find it much easier and less aggravating.

 

[ScottP]

An idea for B&M stores: When you have amazing clearance/blowout pricing on items, use your retail store e-mail list, and offer it to those customers first. That way, they feel like they are rewarded for paying regular prices the rest of the time. Make them feel REALLY valued.

IF I owned a B&M I would try to build a local community of vapers as a foundation for loyal customers. I would do things like host a monthly vape meetup at the store. Maybe offer occasional classes on various vape topics. There are a lot of things a small store can do to drive traffic and build loyalty and a sense of community. I have watched many stores (not just vape shops) open then close back down in just a few months because they open in some out of the way, hole in the wall, and expect the sign on the building to do all the work bringing traffic into the store.

 

[ilporcupine]

I only have two ships in my town
Neither one of them carries wire or wick, or battery wraps. Consequently, I do all my shopping on line. I find it much easier and less aggravating.

That's a problem here, too. One is a chain, and has a small selection, but at ridiculous prices. None of them is at all 'builder' oriented.

 

[Rangertrix]

An idea for B&M stores: When you have amazing clearance/blowout pricing on items, use your retail store e-mail list, and offer it to those customers first. That way, they feel like they are rewarded for paying regular prices the rest of the time. Make them feel REALLY valued.

My main B&M uses that 5Star rewards program. It will randomly send members discount codes every so often.
Also, the shops e-mail system will randomly send out discount codes as well as track when you haven't made a purchase in a while and send you a substantial discount code to bring you back.

Would be great if they did member only clearance stuff though. Every time they have a great clearance sale all the great stuff is gone by the time I get there.
I did pick up a Freakshow Mini in every color at their last one though for $20. Made them about $3 each, lol.

 

[Rangertrix]

That's a problem here, too. One is a chain, and has a small selection, but at ridiculous prices. None of them is at all 'builder' oriented.

Same here.
We have one that is builder oriented, but he is so small that he can't carry all that much.
The rest caters to the "eGo" crowd.

 

[ilporcupine]

Same here.
We have one that is builder oriented, but he is so small that he can't carry all that much.
The rest caters to the "eGo" crowd.

I didn't spend a ton of time in there, but the biggest one has all the flashy SMOK stuff, lots of shiny drip tips, etc. Lotsa juice! They may have more than was prominently displayed. Heck, back then I was just looking for 24mg or better strong menthol juice. Once I bought supplies, no need to shop. Can't do shiny on no budget.
EDIT: That one is a 'vapor lounge'. People sitting at tables, on couches vaping. Quite a few women groups. Different. Felt like a 'Tea Room'.

 

[Rossum]

Suppose you were using a brick-and-mortar. And then suppose after some time you started ordering your supplies online. The reason why you did this was because you did not like the flavors that were available at the B&M. But suppose you like to use to be B&M for Hardware. This is my dilemma and I don't want to hurt no feelings. So what do I say when I go in there and they asked where have you been? Just curious what is the etiquette ?

and thank you in advance. Just a side note this B-M is a very good place to buy stuff and I have nothing but respect for the owner.
And the employees are excellent.

Does this B&M just resell juice obtained elsewhere or do they make their own, in-house?

If the former, tell the what you like and ask if they won't bring it so you can buy it from them.

If the later, let them sample what you like and see if they can't reproduce something close to it.