Why Do People Knowingly Buy Clones?
- Thread starter Darryl Licht
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Well... not always.
I speak for myself: the first Kayfun I had was a clone. *Clearly* a clone, and *easily* recognizable as one.
I did buy it because I wanted to try one, without spending three times the price tag just for the try.
Guess what? I really liked it. So, later, I bought an *authentic* one. Supporting the "original" manufacturer who devised such a great contraption, and all that.
And guess what again? Started having problems with that fancy, original fill valve on that original product.. The clones, however, had a nice, much simpler filling screw that never leaked. A much simpler approach that adresses the problem without trying to be "fancy" or overcomplicated.
I bought three more Kayfuns since then (Mostly for spare parts; I do not know what's going to happen post-2016, with the new European TPD).
And of course, those were clones too. Do you think I would pay the triple for another authentic again, risking to have more attys spilling my juice all over them?
No. I would rather *not* have the "authentic looks", but have a better product instead. One that works better, and on top of it, it's much cheaper.
A win-win situation is a no-brainer.
Quality would be more important to me than aesthetics most of the time. Granted, if I had all the money in the world, I'd buy one of those steampunk themed mods cause those just look killer but mostly I just want something reliable.
I find this thread the most interesting one on ECF. It's like a micro study of geo politics, macroeconomics, and supply/demand theories. Personally, I'll buy clones, or originals if they seem to be a good value.
Many people buy whatever they want regardless of markings. If a clone is made with or without markings,and functions as it should for 30 dollars, I would make that purchase. It does not matter to many people what the markings are. Many people do not even care about brands, as long as it functions.
I find that hard to believe. The commerce of vaping isn't different than that of any other industry, where designer labels are sought after, whether or not they are all quality items...
Overall, I do believe there is a small psychological component involved with buying clones. However, I would say for the majority of vapers that are quitting smoking it is a matter of utility. That being knowing the gear will work.
As for cloud chasers that are into the scene, I think the branding is a much bigger factor. An example would be when talking about gear. The people that "accidentally" forget to mention their equipment are clones probably have a much higher psychological component of brand recognition. However, I still think that this a smaller but growing segment in the vaping scene. Honestly, these types of people bother me, as they are not being intellectually congruent. Vaping as a lifestyle product as opposed to a functional product requires the recognition of brands as a part of that lifestyle. Thus if they are using clones they should readily acknowledge this fact in conversations and forums.
Those who are new to vaping generally don't start out on mechs and RBA's...
Yeah, I see that. Maybe some don't even know their gear isn't legit...
Well, uh, evidently *somebody* thought there was something original or proprietary about it, since he was awarded a patent:
http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/patog/week25/OG/html/1403-4/US08757169-20140624.html
Not a patent for a mod.
It's a patent for an "e cigarette REFILLING device".
Did you even bother to click the link you posted?
OMG.
No wonder this thread is so long.
Edited to add:
In fact, it looks like they own the patent for a squonker!
does that make REOs all clones?
lmao
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LOL - $60 Mechanical Dripper for those that can't figure it out.
I guess some would say those of us that Turn the Bottle over are just CHEAP
Not All of THOSE - My Eldest son stopped smoking and has never used anything but a Mech with TOBH RDA's.
I did spend time working him through the use and safety precautions.
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Just like with vape gear, I buy what looks good to me and what fits and feels right on me. That goes for clothes and anything else actually. If I can't afford $500 for a pair of jeans then I will find a cheaper pair. I will not however buy a knock off of the same $500 pair. I never do but people pay a pretty hefty price for basketball shoes and a lot of them don't even play.
If manufacturers want to get greedy in an open market they have to take the risks that come with it. If cloning fills the void, and it actually does, then that's one of the risks that the manufacturer has to face. People can buy what they want and nobody can stop them. That is the reality in this day and age. I however choose to buy authentic for the reasons I have stated in this thread and another thread like this that popped up some time ago. It is my choice but it doesn't have to be anyone else's.
I must admit that I actually have no idea how clones perform so when it comes to that aspect I can not judge. I agree that there are some pretty bad authentics out there that is not worth it's price tag. Specially coming from my country. Non vapers trying to ride the bandwagon. I met a big manufacturer here that is affected by the cloning industry. I told them about the quantity issue and they told me that there was non. He explained to me that they fulfil every order that comes. He even dared me to go to any vape shop here and their products are in stock. The lack of availability issue is on the importers and the vape shops that they supply. They also actually laugh at the prices that their stuff is being sold abroad. A far cry from suggested retail price.
Lol
Did you hope we wouldn't?
That document has nothing to do with clones or mods.
Why did you think it was relevant?
It's a filling device.... Basically a juice feeder.
The guy asked a question:
And I gave a specific answer. Not my problem if his question was vague. I won't pretend to be a patent attorney and interpret what described parts of the apparatus are covered under the patent and whether they're separable. I'll defer to all you experts.
The RTA portion of my Kanger sub tank outperforms all of my clones and authentic atties. Pretty soon folks won"t have to buy stupidly overpriced originals - you'll just have to buy a reasonably priced Chinese original.
This right here.I used to own a tattoo shop so am somewhat familiar with business practices. In the early days when a product starts becoming popular forward thinkers who got in early will make quite a bit of money. Charge what they want because their product is great. However, as time passes and the product becomes more readily available from competitors they have to change with the market or they will eventually become irrelevant. Assuming the vaping subculture continues to explode quality products that are affordable will be even more widely available.
I am sad at how Super-T stepped out of the game. They put out a superb product that was very reasonably priced. I refuse to believe that any $200 plus mech mod out there is really in any way superior to the Super T Workhorse that costs well under $100.
I think as the clone vs authentic battle wages endlessly modders out there who are thinking long term should plan accordingly, by putting out a quality product at a reasonable price.
A company also cannot REST on Reputation, no matter how good. Weak advertising leads to becoming unknown outside the initial buyers. That of course drives up overall cost.
Being competitive means more than offering the Best product or the Best Price.
Super-T is being dissolved because it is a Small part of a Large business that is no longer Profitable. The company decided against Competing in the market place, nothing more need be implied as many Higher Priced Pieces are still being produced and sold by other competitors successfully.
Being competitive means more than offering the Best product or the Best Price.
Super-T is being dissolved because it is a Small part of a Large business that is no longer Profitable. The company decided against Competing in the market place, nothing more need be implied as many Higher Priced Pieces are still being produced and sold by other competitors successfully.
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