Newest B&m Scam

There are so many vape shops in my immediate area now that I can't even keep track of them all.

Even though I still qualify as a newbie vaper, since I've only been vaping for a few months, I now know enough about vaping to know a terrible vape store when I see one.

I was in a vape shop some weeks ago, and what I witnessed shocked me.

This vape store sold the typical premium juices and brands that you'll find everywhere and they also sold some hardware, like clones and mods.

They also had their own brand of cheap, in house juice which they sold and which they would also give out to customers as part of their rewards system, where customers who earn enough points will get a small, free bottle of juice.

While I was in the store looking around, another customer was there and they were getting a free bottle of that in house juice, and they were sampling different flavors, to see which one they wanted.

The sales person asked the customer what nicotine level they wanted, and after the customer told them, I saw the sales person walk towards the middle-back of the shop, and in less than 30 seconds, the juice was mixed and ready to go. The sales person was just eye balling the nicotine content! And it was being mixed right there in the open, in the middle of the shop!

I don't need to be an advanced vaper to know that this is not good at all, and I am shocked that somebody with such bad knowledge would even dare to open their own vape store. Needless to say, a vape store like that probably won't stay in business for long, when there are so many other better options around, with more knowledgeable people working in them.  

I mean I know why and I am right there with them opposing it. I am glad that many have prevailed (at least for now). When I say "why?" I mean that if I were a vape shop owner, I would be looking to liquidate all of my inventory long before May 2020, because at that point my shop will only have 3 or 4 disposable, non-refillable, over taxed pieces of junk to offer with just 2 flavors (tobacco and possibly menthol).

Are they just ignoring the writing on the wall or are they oblivious?

I mean obviously, for some, the bans came out of nowhere and they did not have time to liquidate, and maybe the legal fees were not over-the-top... but from this point on I would be looking at May if I were them and I would get out while I still can (or I would have already done so by now). As sad as it is, I just know that there are going to be all kinds of fantastic sales in April and early May.

Come May 2020, odds are that there will no longer be any vape shops in the US and it looks like online sales will be a thing of the past with the exception of from out of the country (if they will even ship here) and then you're taking the chance of it being confiscated by the FDA.  

I am somewhat curious why vape shops don't carry supplies to make your own e juice. I understand they make good money on their juices but for the people that do make their own, the shops are losing that sale all-together. Brew shops carry supplies to make beer and they also make good money; why then, can't vape shops do the same with juice?  

Most of the shops were in the UK or Canada. Does anyone know why this vape kit is not being sold through US retailers?  

After being disappointed with the vape shops in Philadelphia, I saw an odd looking store that had "vapes" on an outside sign. It was a pawn shop! One section of the display case was filled with decent mods, and decent atomizers. It was better stuff than I saw in the vape shops. I bought a new still-sealed-in-the- box Pioneer4you iPV5 mod for $60. I found out later that the going price on elementvape.com is closer to $50. Lesson learned, knowledge and the willingness to haggle are necessary.

But still, this opens up possibilities as things get worse. Anything used, of course, would need to be checked out and should be discounted as used merch.

Its sad to think that things are coming to this.  

I will be spending the next 3 weeks in Albany, NY for work and was wondering if there are any vape shops that are good to visit?

Here in the Portland, Or area there are quite a few shops so we are kind of spoiled with the quantity and quality of the local shops.  

So I walked into a B&M today for the first time. They have a couple of cabinets full of supplies and juices. All the workers seemed really snobby! They asked what I vape on and pulled out my istick 50w w/ Subtank Mini. They basically scoffed at me. Not only that, but they are selling the Subtank Mini for $85!! That's almost double the regular price.

I casually mentioned that the price might be wrong, and they said nope. They said, and I quote,

"New people have no idea what prices look like. They don't know it's cheaper online, so don't let anyone know. We gotta make money somehow."

....seriously? I understand markups for profit, but this? It's ridiculous. They also sell 15ml juices for $25. They have a small display case of space jam, but when I asked for Andromada, they kept insisting their juices are better.

Has anyone experienced shops like this?

I HIGHLY recommend if you're new, check out stuff online first. I'm all for supporting your community, but beware of stuff like this. Check out online prices just so you know what to compare them to!  

During the "panic buying" time, I ordered a ton of Cotton Bacon Prime.

Before that, I had ordered 2 packages. Both were authentic and said "Wick n Vape" on the package.

This new order has been authenticated. But the individual packages now says "WNV" instead of "Wick n Vape.

Is it possible "Wick n Vape" changed their name to reflect the changing times?

Hmmm ......... interesting.  

I've noticed a lot of online vape shops are closing. Brick and mortar shops are still open in my area, so it doesn't seem like they're being affected. I've been getting emails from online shops announcing their closing dates. Do you think it is from all the vaping hysteria going on and flavor bans? Are brick and mortar shops closing in your areas?  

Just curious... must be some kind of tradition. Vape reviewers always say "let's take it down and do a build" then "let's take it up top and vape it" Do they all actually have a basement or is this a throwback to the "old days"?