My go to B&M has some pretty competitive juice prices. Now on the other hand there mod prices are kinda high IMHO. Then again certain things I do like to see and hold in person before purchasing. I will pay the few bucks more for the personal service at the B&M. I am kinda sentimental to the shop due to the fact they got me started on my journey. Just my 2 cents happy vaping.
Which would you prefer?
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I have 2 local shops. One sells everything for double the on-line price or more and has more of a head shop feel with big mods that aren't my style. Needless to say, I don't go there. The other is much better and the prices are more reasonable...like 10-20% higher than on-line. I drop in there once a month or so for replacement coils and to shop. I leave a few bucks behind.
If it is something more expensive that I would like to touch and feel, I would prefer to do that in person. Mostly tho, I enjoy the convenience of on-line shopping.
If it is something more expensive that I would like to touch and feel, I would prefer to do that in person. Mostly tho, I enjoy the convenience of on-line shopping.
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At first I bought most of my stuff locally; unfortunately (for them, I guess) I have "outgrown" them......except for juice, and maybe an inexpensive tank now and then. They DO make my very favorite e-juice right now - Caramel Popcorn - and I go in about every week for some. They have also started a customer reward system: when you've accumulated $100 worth of purchases, you get 20% off on an item of your choice. I wish they'd been doing that earlier when I was spending so much there every week!!
"The bad thing about the internet shops is that the odds are you will get hosed sooner or later" <--- It's not a given but it is a possibility, which is why I do my due diligence first before clicking the checkout button. Ebay can really be a crap shoot if you don't keep your eyes open. Lot's of sneaky bastages on there, but then there are many many more sellers that are great. I have been buying and selling on ebay for years and I rarely get porked, but I can see how a noob who hasn't done his research can get easily hosed. The good news is that Ebay is so .... attentive toward it's buyers that if you do get porked by an unsavory seller Ebay will normally make sure you get a refund.
As far as online vape shops or vendors go, I never just google a product and buy it from the first couple of sites that pop up, nor do I always buy from the vendor with the lowest price. I check ECF and google for any red flags raised about the online vendor and look for reviews about them. I look for the most trusted dealer with the lowest price, including the shipping cost/time, who carries exactly the model # and version # of the item I want and offers a warranty. It can take some time to do the research but for me that's part of the process and I actually enjoy it. Not to sound like too much of a dork but it's like the thrill of the hunt for me. It's almost a letdown to finally pull the trigger on something but I do love checking the PO box for new vapemail.
As far as online vape shops or vendors go, I never just google a product and buy it from the first couple of sites that pop up, nor do I always buy from the vendor with the lowest price. I check ECF and google for any red flags raised about the online vendor and look for reviews about them. I look for the most trusted dealer with the lowest price, including the shipping cost/time, who carries exactly the model # and version # of the item I want and offers a warranty. It can take some time to do the research but for me that's part of the process and I actually enjoy it. Not to sound like too much of a dork but it's like the thrill of the hunt for me. It's almost a letdown to finally pull the trigger on something but I do love checking the PO box for new vapemail.
"One day, VR will give us the ability to touch and feel the products. One day..."
Porn is gonna be SO great when that happens.
Porn is gonna be SO great when that happens.
"The bad thing about the internet shops is that the odds are you will get hosed sooner or later" <--- It's not a given but it is a possibility, which is why I do my due diligence first before clicking the checkout button. Ebay can really be a crap shoot if you don't keep your eyes open. Lot's of sneaky bastages on there, but then there are many many more sellers that are great. I have been buying and selling on ebay for years and I rarely get porked, but I can see how a noob who hasn't done his research can get easily hosed. The good news is that Ebay is so .... attentive toward it's buyers that if you do get porked by an unsavory seller Ebay will normally make sure you get a refund.
As far as online vape shops or vendors go, I never just google a product and buy it from the first couple of sites that pop up, nor do I always buy from the vendor with the lowest price. I check ECF and google for any red flags raised about the online vendor and look for reviews about them. I look for the most trusted dealer with the lowest price, including the shipping cost/time, who carries exactly the model # and version # of the item I want and offers a warranty. It can take some time to do the research but for me that's part of the process and I actually enjoy it. Not to sound like too much of a dork but it's like the thrill of the hunt for me. It's almost a letdown to finally pull the trigger on something but I do love checking the PO box for new vapemail.
Yup, on eBay, you have to research and you have to read the sellers feedback and then decide. If they have any negatives, click on the number and let the negs come up. READ them and decide if they were warranted or not.
There are a lot of negatives on eBay with something like, "I wanted the item yesterday but it came today" or "The color doesn't match the picture on my monitor." sort of crap, which doesn't deserve a negative.
I've sold and bought on eBay since 1999. Most sellers there are good people. But yes, like any internet buys, RESEARCH the vendor!
I usually check the going rate online, and then see how close I can get to the same price locally. If I can find a competitive local price I'll buy local. And I always remember to include shipping in that price comparison.
I would say 90% of the time I buy local. Not necessarily because of some moral "keep the money local" belief, but simply because I'm impatient. If I have to spend a few dollars more to get what I want TODAY rather than wait a half week or more, I'll spend the few dollars. However, if I can save $10+ buying online, I'll buy online. It all comes down to how close the local price is to the online price.
I would say 90% of the time I buy local. Not necessarily because of some moral "keep the money local" belief, but simply because I'm impatient. If I have to spend a few dollars more to get what I want TODAY rather than wait a half week or more, I'll spend the few dollars. However, if I can save $10+ buying online, I'll buy online. It all comes down to how close the local price is to the online price.
you can't put a price on instant gratification. however, you can markup the crap out of it!!
i dont see why local B&M's cant sell 1ml or 2ml samples for $1-2 or just fill up my clearo for $2 or $3. im young and i value variety. i dont like to commit to anything....that's probably why im still single :S
/personal ad
I really do try to buy local. Most of my purchases have been local. The problem is, a lot of times I get home and have buyers remorse.
I recently bought a Kayfun Lite + at my local B&M for $130... a little overpriced for what it should be. Also, there a store in town that sells clones for WAY too much..
I don't mind paying an extra buck here or there, though.
I recently bought a Kayfun Lite + at my local B&M for $130... a little overpriced for what it should be. Also, there a store in town that sells clones for WAY too much..
I don't mind paying an extra buck here or there, though.
Guess I'll find out soon - the only store near me that has more than just juices and a couple starter kits is an hours drive from here. But if their prices aren't ridiculous and they have what I need, I'd rather do face to face.
A couple dollars doesn't really make a difference, but mods at some B&Ms are insanely overpriced. And then there is the terribly limited selection juices, as far as vendor goes.
I wish I could say I supported my local stores better, but I've become an online vape shopping junkie.
I wish I could say I supported my local stores better, but I've become an online vape shopping junkie.
I like both. As a new vaper I like walking into a store and being able to sample the product line that a B&M has. I went to a B&M close to where I live and the staff was great and I was able to sample around 15-20 different flavors they had before finally picking the 3 I went home with. They only carry either 4 or 5 vendors but the staff was helpful and would have let sample ALL the e-juice they carried if I wouldn't have felt so guilty making them do that haha. But the appeal of online is that you have a greater variety of vendors to choose from. Just starting out I would say a B&M is the way to go, just get the hardware online since it's WAY cheaper.
^this
i buy hardware online unless i need an emergency clearo or coil. Neither of those things cost much at a B&M especially when there's no $3 shipping attached to it
Im starting to lean towards buying juice at a B&M. I usually just want to try 1 or 2 different juices but end up spending 20 minutes with the clerk while they abuse me with their yummy concoctions. its actually alot of fun. im grateful for the friendly staff i have here locally. i normally dont feel comfortable asking to sample more than a few things. they've made it very clear they enjoy letting people taste their products. it's really a nice atmosphere
Ive always had a good experience buying juice both online and in physical store. the only caveat to that is i avoid buying from smoke shops.
as for online Mt baker are super professional and at this point i pretty much trust them with my life. they are a very reliable online vendor
I believe in supporting my local vape shops but I still do most of my shopping online due to the huge price differences. I really want to support them more but the difference in price locally for me is huge! Especially when we're talking about mods & delivery devices. Sometimes it's almost double
I buy all of my equipment online for the most part due to that fact. I like that most of the local vape shops that I frequent have juice sampling bars. I visit & sample juices & of course I buy the ones that I like...I'd never sample & not buy. But after I leave I research the price difference. If it's just a buck or 2 different it's no biggie but at some of these places the prices are 25-50% more even considering shipping.
I buy all of my equipment online for the most part due to that fact. I like that most of the local vape shops that I frequent have juice sampling bars. I visit & sample juices & of course I buy the ones that I like...I'd never sample & not buy. But after I leave I research the price difference. If it's just a buck or 2 different it's no biggie but at some of these places the prices are 25-50% more even considering shipping.- Status
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