Would you support a walk-in Vapor Store?

[PapaJoe8]

Don't forget the free munchies while your there. Your a hard sell Angus! :~)

This would work but there are big probs to do w/ profit margins and competition from the internet sellers. Just 10% higher and folks would gladly pay. To much higher and they would not.

And, there are the other dangers mentioned by others here.

Not to say that there is not some solution to this.
Joe

 

[Ragamuffin]

Hmmmm.....what if there were "membership" locations, like CostCo, PriceClub, Sams, and BJ's Wholesale?-only for vaping? I wonder if they could make enough on a single sale of a membership fee to enough people, to cover their overhead and still sell at the same prices or close to the internet prices? Probably not, unless they owned the building and the land.

Don't you think eventually, maybe a long time from now, but eventually they will be as easily obtained as a pack of cigarettes?

Personally, I hate to shop. I love to do anything possible from home. I'll pay more to not have to go into a store. BUT, if I ran out of something, I'd love to be able to run in a 7-11 and grab a bottle of juice or a new battery if I forgot mine that morning or something like that.

Now, being a woman, if they sold shoes as well......

 

[PapaJoe8]

Raga, Angus wanted entertainment and now you want... shoes! Not a bad membership idea! Who knows??? Looks like you are an animal person, me 2.
Joe

 

[JustKryssi]

Now, being a woman, if they sold shoes as well......

Now you're speaking my language!

I would also like some spa services....how 'bout a pedicure while you vape?

 

[Israfil]

LMAO jesus Kryssi...

I do give a fabulous massage...not so sure on the pedicure thing though.

And mutt I said lounge not strip club lol...trying to avoid tainting the good clean idea of a place to hang out with naked women and drunken debauchery no matter how much I like those things...

 

[muttSRT]

i was just agreeing with angus

 

[JustKryssi]

LMAO jesus Kryssi...

I do give a fabulous massage...not so sure on the pedicure thing though.

And mutt I said lounge not strip club lol...trying to avoid tainting the good clean idea of a place to hang out with naked women and drunken debauchery no matter how much I like those things...

You're starting to sound like a major buzzkill!!

Although I might overlook that for a massage!

 

[Israfil]

Me? a buzzkill? nevah...I just don't want people to have to leave their families at home to enjoy the company of other vapers. (note I said kids not crying babies...everyone hates that)

Personally I LOVE the drunken debauchery...but there are already places for that.

 

[PapaJoe8]

What is all this telling me? take it backwards.

There should be a Vapor Store where they have dancing girls/guys. Shoe stores should also have a vape store. How bout the beauty shop so you can get a pedicure, or at tha spa.

Hmm, how bout at the hospital gift shop? I met several folks at the hospital, last time someone in my family was there, who needed to start vaping bad! I DID show them all my 401.
Joe

 

[irwink]

I'd support a brick and mortar e-cig store without a doubt as long as they carried good products with a reasonable markup. No brick and mortar can sell anything at online prices. It's a tradeoff - price vs. convenience but it goes much further. B&M's have the visibility to attract new converts. B&M's contribute to the local economy. If people only support online businesses there will eventually be nothing BUT online businesses that sell ANY product. Walmart's business model is one of the few exceptions.

Think about it. I personally believe that -most- Americans are ignorant re: basic economics. Bottom line - if no one supports retail brick and mortar businesses there will be no retail brick and mortar businesses. People won't be employed locally. Taxes won't be collected to go to basic local services whether they be sales taxes or taxes paid by the employer or his/her employees. If that's what you want then continue to buy everything over the internet.

 

[tstcvap-er]

for texas vapers, denton tx is now home to a little e cig store called vaporescence. you can find their info online but they are a walk in store where you can try his different models and juices.

its where i got my 510, and i got to try it out for like 20 min before i bought it! he also let me try the riva and hes got tons of liquids but i think hes waiting on a shipment of them cause he only has samples for now.

if your within an hour or so of denton tx its most deff worth your time to check out!
he has a website but its not so up to date.. but you can order online. But the coolest part is that you can go test drive a product before you buy!


Vaporescence, LLC - Products

 

[BradSmith]

Starting any business is hard and finding a niche is the hardest part. I think it would take a very motivated person or couple who are willing to work long hours to keep the overhead down. It would also take the right location as well as more than just e-cigs. If you were also using the building for something else such as a place to do your internet business it could work. Adding a place to hang out with other things to buy like an internet/vaping lounge. Lots of other things in combination could work. However, I'm not sure that you could really compete with the internet if you added the overhead of the building and the taxes and insurance and employees. I know I wouldn't take the chance right now. If all you sold were e-cigs and supplies I'm afraid that you would convert a lot of people but soon they would go online. I don't think a lot of people understand just how much more it costs to have a store. This would by necessity drive your prices up a bunch. Plus don't forget that once one person does it others will copy you and further reduce your customer base. I could also see a ton of businesses adding a line or two of e-cigs and extras, thier advantage over you is that it's an extra that they can add without taking up a lot of space or adding a bunch of overhead.

 

[UntamedRose]

Actually there are a few places around me that sell ecigs....and well i looked at what they had.
Most are tobacco stores, which some sale man talked into buying some blah tiny model with unheard of juices.(one sells half decent "homemade" juice, I'd do in a pinch) Others sell JC but have it so marked up, $20 for 15ml o0.

I'd support one, but I dont see one being successful until ecigs become much more popular. From a strict biz POV, online is the way to start basically no over head and a lot less investment. In a few years come back to this idea again.

 

[jnnfrlsw]

Already do. I drive just under an hour to have the convience of getting my supplies right then. The prices end up being a little less than online since shipping is not paid. I still order from several online vendors as well for the variety.

 

[CartHeadMod]

2. kiosk: At least you get to sample the product first, but as I
understand it the going rate for a starter kit is around
$175. ( Can you spell highway robbery?) and you have to
keep buying their carts, because others won't fit.

a brick and mortar retailer only has three options.....either buy online and set the prices high enough that he can pay for the brick and mortar...hook up with one of the name lines like smoking everywhere and follow their rules.....or do the research and import his own product from the manufacturer at wholesale prices.....

you will eventually see more of the latter, but not until there is a steady demand from a widespread customer base.....

 

[Stephra]

a brick and mortar retailer only has three options.....either buy online and set the prices high enough that he can pay for the brick and mortar...hook up with one of the name lines like smoking everywhere and follow their rules.....or do the research and import his own product from the manufacturer at wholesale prices.....

you will eventually see more of the latter, but not until there is a steady demand from a widespread customer base.....

See, there's the Catch-22. Without brick and mortar presence, it's hard to generate a steady, widespread customer base. To many, the internet is still a scary and mysterious place. And ecigs are a product that looks like "As Seen On TV". Combine the two and it's easy to see how tough it is to attract a wide base of customers solely through the internet.

Not to mention that when it comes right down to it, most people would rather LOOK at a new product, hold it in their hand, sample it, BEFORE spending money on it. Especially when you're talking about a $50 product that's meant to replace a $5 product.

I think the best bet is to add a comprehensive ecig line to an existing business. A small cafe or lounge, like others have suggested, is perfect. Even if the ecigs don't fly off the shelf at first, you still have food revenue to keep the cash flowing while a customer base builds.

I disagree with those who think that brick-and-mortar can't compete. I know for sure that I would buy my stuff at a store, if one existed. We are creatures of habit, and convenience. Most will pay more in order to have something in their hand right then and there. Even if people purchase some online, they will stop by the store if their last batt dies unexpectedly, or they accidentally run out of juice (a common newbie error). They will buy from the store if they want a new piece of hardware because, well, it's a lot easier to get fixed if it doesn't work as expected!

 

[shatner]

I would if the prices are fair.

There's a headshop in town that I sell a lot of glass to. He carries Smoke Stik and 510 stuff. He also carries juice. His prices are way too hight though. $15 for a 510 atty, $10 for a cartomizer. And his juice tastes like ish.

I've brought in my box mods, Mako Maksi, Ego, Puresmoker 5v PT and various juices that I like to see if he can start stocking those. But if his prices aren't right I'll stay with online vendors.

 

[PapaJoe8]

Looks like the vaporescence folks, mentioned at the top of this page, are off to a good start. Good prices, good products, and the web site looks fine to me. You can shop at the store or order online. I think this is the answer.
Joe

 

[whiskey]

If the store had good products & was not over priced & dependable...Yup I'd love to support them!!

 

[DC2]

I'd support one, but I dont see one being successful until ecigs become much more popular. From a strict biz POV, online is the way to start basically no over head and a lot less investment. In a few years come back to this idea again.

What she said.