Hey guys I'm just curious, I'm not really into rda's or that super sub ohm game so every time I walk into a shop vaping a kayfun on my futura dna 30, people act like I'm not even a vaper. I don't know if anyone else has had to deal with this but I think it's absolutely ridiculous. We're all into vaping from using it just as nrt, to being absolutely obsessed with it (like myself). But these self righteous "cloud chasers" really need to kick it down a peg and stop acting like they're above everyone else.
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Attitudes at brick and mortar shops
- Thread starter AdamMan
- Start date
I stopped in a vapin USA last summer (best I could find in green bay using Google). I was looking for an ego batt switch without buying a new battery. All they were selling were egos & a couple lava tubes; generic batteries, ce4's, & house branded/labeled juice. Don't think they had anything rebuildable or even a decent clearo. I showed them my vamo & rsst, the guys were amazed by it. They had the dumbfounded look cause I was wicking with mesh & my basic vamo had more adjustability than their lava. It seemed like they got into vaping when they were hired. Other than that one time, haven't needed to go into a store.
UncleRJ
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I had a similar experience recently.
Like most, I order just about everything online but I had some time to kill so I took a 40 minute drive to the nearest B&M to take a look, see what they had in case of emergency.
Anyway, I showed up vaping on this with a KFL+ on top.
Walked around vaping happily for a bit, and eventually I was approached and asked if I was finding things OK.
I was hoping to find a SS Knucklehead or swivel drip tip and when I asked they told me they did not have them.
One of the dudes asked me what I was vaping and I told him it was a dual 18650 DNA 20 and was told it was outdated.
Funny thing is, they did not have ANY DNA mods in the shop and they sure as heck did not have a KFL+
Now I realize that a B&M needs a higher price on their gear to survive.
But $95 for a Vamo?
Is it just me?
Like most, I order just about everything online but I had some time to kill so I took a 40 minute drive to the nearest B&M to take a look, see what they had in case of emergency.
Anyway, I showed up vaping on this with a KFL+ on top.
Walked around vaping happily for a bit, and eventually I was approached and asked if I was finding things OK.
I was hoping to find a SS Knucklehead or swivel drip tip and when I asked they told me they did not have them.
One of the dudes asked me what I was vaping and I told him it was a dual 18650 DNA 20 and was told it was outdated.
Funny thing is, they did not have ANY DNA mods in the shop and they sure as heck did not have a KFL+
Now I realize that a B&M needs a higher price on their gear to survive.
But $95 for a Vamo?
Is it just me?
mmm ours here.. mind you, we only!!! have less than 50 vape shops in the entire state..(hint come on, open a better shop here!)
out of that.. one wants to play "mafia" and "rule" our town, causing nothing but headaches..
2 think they are upscale and above the customer..
2 thinks that the juice they sell is top notch when it is flat out nasty..
one has a shop that the fronjt of the store looks like they just unpacked and left everything laying around..
dont ask on the juice sample they gave me.. but i did not vape it..
and the rest are just trying to help people out to stop smoking.. and over 40 min drives..
mind you, its a 20+ min in any direction i go to get to one.. so i do not buy local.. shame on them..
it's not just you, UncleRJ.. the prices and customer service.. grrr.. makes me grind my teeth..
not to mention, but half if not more, knows nothing on what a real vape meet is about.. there has never been one.. not here.
I dont see that where im at. In the South we are a bit more polite than that. We usually only laugh at you after you have left the store..........
But seroiusly , I dont see that too much although I have seen it before in one vape shop. It didnt bother me much. I rarely go into vape shops myself.
But seroiusly , I dont see that too much although I have seen it before in one vape shop. It didnt bother me much. I rarely go into vape shops myself.
I dont see that where im at. In the South we are a bit more polite than that. We usually only laugh at you after you have left the store..........
But seroiusly , I dont see that too much although I have seen it before in one vape shop. It didnt bother me much. I rarely go into vape shops myself.
You aint in South Kacalackie..
You can always look at it this way: With some exceptions, they are for the most part vaping on a 15.00 to 20.00 clone mech, with a 15.00 to 20.00 cloned RDA and have 4 cents in the build....... And your vaping on about 250.00 to 300.00 dollars worth of harware that doesnt leak all over you and you can vape worry free for hours on end. Not that the dollars you spend make you any better, its just something to keep in mind if they really do start to talk down to you.
I can hear you now... "yeah, I thought about ordering me a few of those 15.00 mechs that you sell for 59.00, but I decided to go with the Futura instead"
or
"I could of bought 20 of those from fasttech, but I decided to take the same money and go with the Futura"....."shit, its only money"
Two sides to every coin.
You aint in South Kacalackie..
Yeah, but I know where it be is......
yeps.. dat yous do.. jus may.. be..
jus may.. be..
Calling your DNA outdated? They're starting to become real popular, probably due to clones. But $95 for a real outdated, basic entry level mod?? I would've returned the favor & dished out an asshat response.
m3rma1d
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I've been to 4 shops in NJ so far, and only one didn't get any of my money.
We walked in and it was so foggy we could barely see. I'd read good things about their juice online, but saw no sample bar. So we finally got up the nerve and asked (because no one offered to help us, they were all too busy looking tough and blowing chimney clouds), and the guy gave us some fake science about how sampling is unsanitary because you're vaping everyone's saliva. Um wut. Juice starts at $10, and I can't even taste it to make sure I like it? Nah.
I'm sure we got laughed at after we left, but we've been laughing at their fake science all week, so I guess we're even.
And I hope the AWESOME store we found later that evening (Ecig Outpost) enjoys getting some of my money every once in a while for years to come, they deserve all the business they get!
We walked in and it was so foggy we could barely see. I'd read good things about their juice online, but saw no sample bar. So we finally got up the nerve and asked (because no one offered to help us, they were all too busy looking tough and blowing chimney clouds), and the guy gave us some fake science about how sampling is unsanitary because you're vaping everyone's saliva. Um wut. Juice starts at $10, and I can't even taste it to make sure I like it? Nah.
I'm sure we got laughed at after we left, but we've been laughing at their fake science all week, so I guess we're even.
And I hope the AWESOME store we found later that evening (Ecig Outpost) enjoys getting some of my money every once in a while for years to come, they deserve all the business they get!
UncleRJ
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Truth be told, as I left, I kinda took a passive/aggressive stance.
While they were looking in my general direction, I boosted the wattage on my "Outdated" mod to 15 watts and left a cloud of vape that surpassed the combined vape of all the others in the shop.
moecat
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Plenty of vape shops in southern California, but ones with good service? Harder to find. Definitely better off buying online, especially after realizing the upcharges passed on by the B&Ms
Freeloader
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No. Unfortunately, some B&Ms are reminiscent of the mall kiosks of years back. They pray on the ignorance of the customer to sell their overpriced wares. It pays, in more ways than one, to be an educated consumer.
The one shop near me that I have been to is staffed by knowledgeable folks and they seem pleasant to everyone I have seen walk through the door, even the one guy who bought their 15 dollar starter kit and comes in every 3 days to complain that his ce4 head 'tastes bad'. I have never seen them look down on anyone yet. And I know the owner vapes on a mvp and protank mini.
The downside is there is only 2 shops in a 30 mile radius of me.....so far.
The downside is there is only 2 shops in a 30 mile radius of me.....so far.
The closest B&M to me is run by an idiot who sells complete newbs mechanical mods and has them stacking batteries in them. The farthest is called AltSmoke and is amazing. The people there are knowledgeable and had a suggestion for everything i asked about. They didn't judge in the slightest, whether we were talking about Evods or high-end mods. They're far enough away that i haven't been back in a long time, but that place was awesome. Huge and spacious, super clean, with a lounging area, and every juice available for sampling.
EEK.
I hope they get a clue or close shop soon.
toughguitar
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I was out of town and needed some e liquid, so I went to a local B&M to see what they had and was shocked by their attitude. Where I live there are over a half dozen shops, ranging from decent to really good, so I am used to a good selection and a staff that is non judgmental and knowledgeable. Where I was visiting had only two shops in the area and the one I picked carried over priced juice from China. The staff swore by this juice and started to complain how USA juice makers don't know how to make juice, and the Chinese invented e liquid and know what they are doing. I can see them being loyal to what they sell, but to put down all other juice makers and label all other juices garbage is beyond being ignorant. I am not a fan of Chinese produced e liquid, but I'm not going put it down or say its garbage. They were surprised when I refused to try any of their juice, and left shocked and disappointed.
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The only one near me is only interested in selling, they know very little. Used to go there, but after seeing them lie to a newb just to make a sale, I'll only go there in an emergency.
Tap'n on my S5
Tap'n on my S5
My city has gone from no shops to eight or so opening in the last half year. The first is a five minute walk from my house and is overpriced and the staff lack knowledge. I am relatively new and I know more. I found a dealer that sets up in a flea market who has reasonable prices and answers all my questions. I had been ordering online but I do like being able to see what I am buying and have face to face conversation.
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UncleRJ
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About 6 months ago, Mrs. Uncle came home and told me she had passed the Discount Tobacco place where I used to buy my smokes and noticed that they had a big banner advertising that they sold E-Cigarettes.
So I had to go and take a peek
I think they had the Blue and some off brand eGo type devices, some filled cartos, some brand of E-Liquid I had never heard of and some clearomizers.
Playing the devils advocate I asked about the clearo's. I think they were the CE crap. The lady told me that they attached to the end of the battery things..She thought.
And a 15ml bottle of E-Liquid (not much of a selection was $15 each.
Sad but true.
So I had to go and take a peek
I think they had the Blue and some off brand eGo type devices, some filled cartos, some brand of E-Liquid I had never heard of and some clearomizers.
Playing the devils advocate I asked about the clearo's. I think they were the CE crap. The lady told me that they attached to the end of the battery things..She thought.
And a 15ml bottle of E-Liquid (not much of a selection was $15 each.
Sad but true.
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Yeah ... part of the attraction of vaping is to save some money while still doing deep breathing exercises. Thank goodness the internet allows me to do that.
There are 2 roll-your-own shops that sell vaping gear as a sideline and neither business has any clue...
One shop sells a decent selection of common items for highway robbery prices and, what I'm guessing, rebottled Chinese liquids. Customer service is non-existent and the standard reply to ANY question is, 'Oh yeah, that's really good.'
The other shop is very friendly and enthusiastic. In fact, the other day the girl cheerfully tried to sell me their newest and most wonderful product- a CE4 clearo!
And guess what, guys!!!???
They are actually making 'oil' in flavors other than tobacco now!!!
Holy sh@t!
The only true B&M vape shop near me is over an hour away- Buckeye Vapors- and these guys are pros. Pricey, but they have overhead so...
They offer a couple hundred custom mixes and a tasting bar. Pretty cool. But the best thing is that they realize not everyone is at the same level. The same employee can help a noob pick out and set up an eGo starter kit and then talk battery specs with me.
One shop sells a decent selection of common items for highway robbery prices and, what I'm guessing, rebottled Chinese liquids. Customer service is non-existent and the standard reply to ANY question is, 'Oh yeah, that's really good.'
The other shop is very friendly and enthusiastic. In fact, the other day the girl cheerfully tried to sell me their newest and most wonderful product- a CE4 clearo!
And guess what, guys!!!???
They are actually making 'oil' in flavors other than tobacco now!!!
Holy sh@t!
The only true B&M vape shop near me is over an hour away- Buckeye Vapors- and these guys are pros. Pricey, but they have overhead so...
They offer a couple hundred custom mixes and a tasting bar. Pretty cool. But the best thing is that they realize not everyone is at the same level. The same employee can help a noob pick out and set up an eGo starter kit and then talk battery specs with me.
Thats because they are one of the first & best suppliers in the biz, I bought my first mod from them, The BB, I still have it and use it and that was 4 years ago.They are unsurpassed for customer service and home town charm, love those guys.
Hello! I thought I recognized that butt from VF!
Frawg
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I'm lucky, there's 3 shops in close-ish proximity. The first I visited with my boyfriend, we've become good friends with the owner, and help out in the shop from time to time. They treat everyone with respect and don't push high end gear on new people without a lot of up front education.
The 2nd shop is exactly the opposite, the owner started his shop like others said 'to separate people from their money'. He got into vaping to make $. The first time I went in I couldn't believe with an active state law for no minors in shops selling vape gear, they have a children's play area in the store. They had ego style gear, mvp stuff, and that was it. Their juice, when you ask questions they have no clue. That owner's been in other shops trying to get recipes & steal ideas and strut his stuff. Except its a rather pitiful attempt, because I've been vaping less time than he has and I know more than he does, and he's a shop owner.
The 3rd shop is run by friends of the 1st shop. Help out there from time to time as well. They get a few people looking for more advanced gear, but mostly its starter kits and 'My ego is leaking...' customers. When we're working there we don't push stuff on people they're not ready for. We can answer juice questions and make juice custom if they need a low pg ratio or something that the 2nd store can't do.
That all said - there are a couple customers who just can't wrap their heads around even the basic gear, and sometimes the customer isn't paying attention when they really should be, if they're not familiar with the gear, but some just don't pay attention when they should.
Made my first visit to a shop not in those 3 local ones this week and they were friendly, had a variety of gear from basic starters to authentic high end mods, both house made and big brand juice and they impressed me a lot more than the 2nd local shop does, because they vape to vape, not just to make money.
The 2nd shop is exactly the opposite, the owner started his shop like others said 'to separate people from their money'. He got into vaping to make $. The first time I went in I couldn't believe with an active state law for no minors in shops selling vape gear, they have a children's play area in the store. They had ego style gear, mvp stuff, and that was it. Their juice, when you ask questions they have no clue. That owner's been in other shops trying to get recipes & steal ideas and strut his stuff. Except its a rather pitiful attempt, because I've been vaping less time than he has and I know more than he does, and he's a shop owner.
The 3rd shop is run by friends of the 1st shop. Help out there from time to time as well. They get a few people looking for more advanced gear, but mostly its starter kits and 'My ego is leaking...' customers. When we're working there we don't push stuff on people they're not ready for. We can answer juice questions and make juice custom if they need a low pg ratio or something that the 2nd store can't do.
That all said - there are a couple customers who just can't wrap their heads around even the basic gear, and sometimes the customer isn't paying attention when they really should be, if they're not familiar with the gear, but some just don't pay attention when they should.
Made my first visit to a shop not in those 3 local ones this week and they were friendly, had a variety of gear from basic starters to authentic high end mods, both house made and big brand juice and they impressed me a lot more than the 2nd local shop does, because they vape to vape, not just to make money.
Joe Corrao
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Yeah I know man. I'm into both so I know what your talking about. I went into one shop and the guy that worked there saw I had a mechanical and rda and pulled out some special stuff he said he wouldn't sell to people with pro tanks!
ceejkay
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i have 2 shops close to me. 1 is a chain in this state and the other is just a mom and pop store. the chain store is ok, their juice is in house brand, crazy expensive and its 30vg 70pg. and then they have a "drippers formula that is 70vg/30pg. most of the people that work there dont even use their juices. we wont get in to what i think of those ratios. They sell your typical ego batts, mvps, v3's, and a couple mods. couple basic tanks, not dripping attys, and a couple drip tips. the prices are about 30-50% more than online. not to pushy, but not overly egar to help. now if they see you rocking something like a mech mod, they are all about helping you. not the best combo when you trying to get someone into vaping.
The mom and pop shop is a little different. they have a lot of the same stuff but they have quite a few more mods. not to terrible prices on the clone mods 40-60$. (gotta make a living right) they have a few drippers and a couple kayfuns. These guys dont care what you come in with, or what you leave with. well of coarse they do but they dont show it. ill go in there just to shoot the breeze from time to time, pick up some batteries ect. they always have a few mechs loaded up and ready to go. but both shops are pretty good, but the mom and pop shop has a friendlier vibe to it.
The mom and pop shop is a little different. they have a lot of the same stuff but they have quite a few more mods. not to terrible prices on the clone mods 40-60$. (gotta make a living right) they have a few drippers and a couple kayfuns. These guys dont care what you come in with, or what you leave with. well of coarse they do but they dont show it. ill go in there just to shoot the breeze from time to time, pick up some batteries ect. they always have a few mechs loaded up and ready to go. but both shops are pretty good, but the mom and pop shop has a friendlier vibe to it.