Why is it so much cheaper to buy online?

[Frenchfry1942]

Online, a business is less concerned about how the customers perceive the employees, language, dress code, cleanliness, etc. But, on the other hand, an online vendor is much more exposed to online reputation. A B&M is just dealing with a local clientel. People talk on here and other sites about online vendors. They are careful.

When a customer walks into a B&M they are sized up by the sales people. Hard for an online vendor to do that.

 

[daviedog]

In 6.5 years of vaping I've never been in a vape shop.
Been to quite a few Gas Stations though..

 

[Shawn Hoefer]

I see a lot of folks pointing fingers at B&Ms crying price gouging and greed.

Let's break it down...

Wholesaler buys in massive quantities from China. This guarantees them an earlier release and lower price. Let's say that they buy the new Humdinger 300 for $35 each.

They sell to the B&M for $70 to cover their overhead. That means the B&M has to sell around $140 to break even after overhead.

Meanwhile, the Wholesaler sells to home based businesses with little or no overhead for the same price. These folks go on eBay or Facebook and sell for $95. All they cover are eBay fees... no employees, no sales tax, no additional utilities, no licensing, no insurance, etc...

Then, the Wholesaler sells online for $80. Still covering their costs and overhead, and cutting the throats of the very B&Ms they service.

B&Ms are, in reality, convenience stores. Yes, it's possible to get items for less online, but not as quickly, and without the ability to go hands on and get a feel, so to speak. The B&Ms are also there (when their staff is properly trained) to provide tech support.

As a broom maker (yeah, you read that right), I have to purchase my materials both wholesale and retail, then build my product, then sell it. I sell both wholesale. I sell a typical broom for $55 retail and $27.50 wholsale. I have experience from all angles...

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[r055co]

For the same reason a single pad of Japanese cotton costs around a dollar at a local vape shop when on-line you can purchase 180 pads for $5, when you buy at a vape shop you're paying for convenience. The people who plan ahead and comparison shop multiple online vendors can save a bundle without sacrificing quality.

Then there are some B&M's who provide cotton and wire for free, like I've said it depends on the B&M.

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[LMS62]

I would imagine most B&Ms don't sell a fraction of the volume that many fairly popular vape websites do. With that being said, keep in mind that the less volume sold, the more the profit margin has to be on each item.

 

[RainSong]

I really want to support my local b&m but they never have what I want. I did get gouged on my starter setup there too. And after buying juice for one week I knew I had to DIY or I'd spend as much as I was smoking. I understand they have to cover operating costs to stay in business. After Christmas when I'll get a coil building tool kit and rba I don't see myself needing them for much of anything anymore.

 

[Two_Bears]

For the same reason a single pad of Japanese cotton costs around a dollar at a local vape shop when on-line you can purchase 180 pads for $5, when you buy at a vape shop you're paying for convenience. The people who plan ahead and comparison shop multiple online vendors can save a bundle without sacrificing quality.

Agree completely.

 

[Eskie]

I really want to support my local b&m but they never have what I want. I did get gouged on my starter setup there too. And after buying juice for one week I knew I had to DIY or I'd spend as much as I was smoking. I understand they have to cover operating costs to stay in business. After Christmas when I'll get a coil building tool kit and rba I don't see myself needing them for much of anything anymore.

Yeah, this is a real problem. Stock selection at a B&M store can never compete with an online vendor. That right there really skews the market.


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[SteveS45]

It also depends on the B&M that you deal with. When I bought my first MOD and tank I purchased it from my local B&M Vape Shop because he gave me the package deal the same as if I bought it on line but no waiting. The price with shipping was pretty much exactly the same as what he charged but NO waiting for vape mail! Also he buys in large quantities and can blow away some on-line stores for price. There is one place in New Jersey that charges so much for a single Nautilus BVC that someone should report them.

 

[Rule62]

Yeah, this is a real problem. Stock selection at a B&M store can never compete with an online vendor. That right there really skews the market.


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I would really love to support my local B&M stores more. With other goods and services, I try to support local small businesses. Unfortunately, despite the dozens of B&M vape shops that are in my area, not a single one stocks anything I use, other than an occasional drip tip, package of cotton, or replacement coils for Ms Rule's RTA. I'm into squonkers, and there's not a shop around that has any of that stuff, other than a few DripBoxes.

 

[Alien Traveler]

A while ago Amazon was so much cheaper then any B&M retailer. Not so now. Walmart, Target and etc. are now on the same level with Amazon. Thank you, Amazon, for bringing prices down.
B&M vape shops today are still not ready to compete with online retailers. Their fault. I never bought any hardwere from B&M, and I would not. They are not worth my money.