Capitalists, Artisans And Vaping

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!  

Well, I figured this would be the place to go to express my vaping pride as of right now. I just realize that I am becoming a financially responsible and informed vaper (LOL).

After years of using a popular company that sells 808 cig-a-like's and 808 mod cigar-type batteries, I have graduated to the fine world of 510 products. I have nothing bad to say about the company I used to primarily use. Their products and juices are what made me definitively kick the alternative to vaping and for that I will be forever grateful for them. I guess it's like loving your high school but realizing how cool college is!

But after a while you start noticing how expensive of a habit/hobby vaping could be. Cartomizers costing $7+ and 12-13$ juices is not exactly an economical way to vape. Plus, from what I have seen the majority of the e-cig market has 510 threaded products.

So I dipped my toe into the 510 world by buying an iStick mini. I tried the ViVi Novas and quite honestly thought they sucked. I went ahead and got the Aspire Nautilus and anyone who has tried this combo knows what a pleasant experience it continues to be. Then I went ahead and order a Mini Nautilus and a 30W iStick to have that versatility and the possibility of sub obm vaping in the future.

So I tried a new e-liquid supplier in Mt. Baker. For the most part, I am a menthol guy and found their "Extreme Ice" to be unbelievable (like winterfresh gum) and their regular menthol flavor to be awesome. No to mention how great their prices are for me. I still have a few other samples left to try but so far their spin on Jolly Ranchers is a nice occasional "change of taste" vape!

Anyway, I just ordered a bunch of replacement coils for the Nautilus for really cheap and two more Mini tanks so I can change flavors more often without having to go through the whole tank. I just realized how a little more money up front really does mean more savings in the long run. Not to mention-- a far more rewarding vaping experience.

The moral of the story is that my vaping morale is extremely high. I am grateful for slowly but surely figuring this all out. I'm getting a hold of how to do this economically and learning about all of the wonderful products the vaping market has to offer.

I'm coming up on my one year anniversary (if not, just passed it) of no analogs. I figured I'd share my thoughts with all of you wonderful people here since I don't really have anyone else to chat with this about!

Cheers!  

Did you know that some old computers are worth a small fortune?

Almost any old Dunhill smoking pipe is collectible and some are very valuable.

The original inventor of vaping supposedly got almost nothing for it because nobody really wanted to use it {back then} and by the time they started to become popular the patents expired {or is that an urban myth?}

Got one of those early vaping devices ???

And the big question, has a collectible market yet developed for early vape devices ??? Are these devices yet to appear on the collectibles market and what kind of money are they bringing ???  

I just wanted to share this with you:

Seems legit.

https://translate.google.com/transl...//www.dampfakkus.de/liste_akkus.php&sandbox=1

Url: http://www.dampfakkus.de/liste_akkus.php

// and lets stay together in this hard times and fight the corrupt government: Current CTAs: 29 states are under fire.

Every signature counts.  

I'm a 45yo New Zealander, and I have absolutely no axe to grind, except one:

I smoked for 25 years. Therefore the tobacco companies have had more than their fair share of my money, and more importantly my health.

Thanks to vaping, using RBAs and mods, and diying my own ejuices - I've been smoke-free for 20 months.

One company that looks like winning, with all the fake news and hysteria being dredged up in USA over vaping is Phillip Morris International. And I'm not talking about their cigarette products - but rather their IQOS product.

A Device That Heats Tobacco, But Doesn't Burn It, Can Now Be Sold in the U.S. Here's What to Know About IQOS

The FDA have already approved this product for sale in USA. And how does the IQOS work?

the FDA says the pen-like IQOS device heats, but does not burn, “tobacco-filled sticks” wrapped in paper, creating an aerosol that contains nicotine. Marlboro, an Altria brand, will make the tobacco sticks used inside the cartridge, which will come in menthol and unflavored versions.
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It's pretty much a cigarette, that goes into a device which 'heats' the tobacco, so you can inhale it.

Here's Why IQOS Could Completely Own the U.S. E-Cig Market | The Motley Fool

And how safe is it?

Comparison of Chemicals in Mainstream Smoke in Heat-not-burn Tobacco and Combustion Cigarettes. - PubMed - NCBI

There is little scientific data, however, of the hazards and toxicity of iQOS. In this study, we evaluated several harmful compounds (nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide (CO) and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs)) in the mainstream smoke and fillers of iQOS, and compared their concentrations with those from conventional combustion cigarettes.

The concentrations of nicotine in tobacco fillers and the mainstream smoke of iQOS were almost the same as those of conventional combustion cigarettes, while the concentration of TSNAs was one fifth and CO was one hundredth of those of conventional combustion cigarettes. These toxic compounds are not completely removed from the mainstream smoke of iQOS, making it necessary to consider the health effects and regulation of iQOS.
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iQOS may not be as harm-free as claimed, study finds

The University of California study found that, since the device could only be used for six-minutes before it needed to be recharged, it may cause some people to shorten the interval between puffs in order to make sure they did not waste any of the tobacco stick which could increase the possible toxic exposure.

But of greater concern was that the polymer filter melted slightly during use and released formaldehyde cyanohydrin, a toxic substance which could be fatal to humans. The compound is metabolised in the liver and broken down into formaldehyde and cyanide.

"This study has shown that the iQOS system may not be as harm-free as claimed and also emphasises the urgent need for further safety testing as the popularity and user base of this product is growing rapidly," the study concluded.

University of Otago public health and marketing Professor Janet Hoek said the findings led her to question whether it really was a "reduced harm" product as claimed by the manufacturers.

If users inhaled more frequently as it was suggested, it was likely they would "increase their nicotine intake and exposure to harmful compounds present in the inhaled aerosol", she said.

She said those who had tried unsuccessfully to quit smoking were better off considering e-cigarettes.
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Just my

 

Hey guys well I am trying vaping out again after I just bought another mini nautilus and what not but I think I made the mistake of buying the itaste mvp2.0? I know its dropped to $38 but looking at recent batteries that came out i see stuff like the ileaf 20w istick and what not that is like the same price except with more power. Any suggestions on what i should have bought or did i make the right decision.  

I'm just breaking in my Nautilus on my Aspire battery, as of yet I expected a bit more vapor production from this set-up at least 2x more than my Triton.When puffing on it frequently, it runs a bit hot even with the 1.8ohm coil.Eiether the Nautilus or the battery likes the 1.8ohm coils better than the 1.6ohms why is that?I also experienced leakage and gurgling. Once I put a new coil in, that went away. I'm just thinking how can I get a bit more vapor production.It's better than my Triton but not by much.Is it the battery?  

A quick back story to start. I was a 1-2 PAD smoker for about 5 years. I found vapes and quit smoking. I was able to stop vaping and smoking for 18 months until I picked up smoking again for a few years. I have once again been able to stop smoking and started vaping again. Simple transition, some willpower for sure, but I have kicked the habit completely. When I started vaping again I purchased an Istick 50w and a troll. Have been using 3mg liquid only. It's been about six weeks smoke free again and I want to, not only upgrade, but reward myself. I read and read and watch reviews non stop, my head hurts from all of the stuff out now. I use my mod consistently at 45 to 50 watts. I have a 0.4 dual coil build and a chuff top. The heat from the vape is less than perfect, but I like the vapor production. I am interested in temperature control as well. If I need to buy two mods to have everything I want, so be it. Not that money isn't an issue, but right now it isn't a factor. I have been looking at IPV3, Sigeli 150, IPV4, Mech Mods, you name it I have looked and can probably tell you the specs off the top of my head. I just can't decide! I need your help ECF! I know I want at least dual 18650, as my Istick lasts maybe half a day until I need to charge. Good flavor and large vapor production atty, temp control, and good ergonomics. Thanks in advance for all input and help.  

So I see Todd do a mod review on a nice little 18350 hybrid, he really likes it, I really like it. I need another mod like I need another hole in my head. But I know this is a small upstart and they have a cool idea, it's half stolen idea and the other half all been done before, but it's a nice combo, I LOVE hybrid mods and I LOVE 18350's, so I decide I'll spend the $200 or whatever it is and get one.

I do some research, CRAP, they only have a Facebook page and some Google list they sell them through. The old Google list from the first batch is now closed and no new list available. When you sold it your first 100 or 1000 or whatever run, wouldn't it make sense to put up another list and take deposits so you could at least gauge the demand for your second production run? Or maybe you could use some of the money you made to get a small one page website... What do I know?

So I Facebook Message them to please let me know when they have them ready for sale I want one, AND post right in the thread on THEIR Facebook page announcing they will soon have a new batch ready for shipment, that I want one. Please let me know when you are ready to sell. In both places someone answers and says they will let me know.

Fast forward 35 days, I've heard nothing from them.

So I message them again and ask any of the new Hybryds available? Someone answers me back yeah we have them, sorry I wasn't able to message you back. NO LINK FOR THE LIST. NO PRICE. NO LINK TO A WEBSITE. NOTHING ELSE. End of message.

I don't know what economy these idiots live in but here in Virginia where I live and ran my own business for 13 years, when someone is slapping me in the face with their hard earned cash I promise you, if I have to work 20 hours a day I'm going to answer every e mail, every Facebook post, every Facebook messenger post, every phone call and every thread here as kindly and as politely as possible and take ALL the money I can get my hands on, till every grubby little mod is sold.

But that's just me.

And before some of you start defending them with this and that excuse....I know EXACTLY what it takes to design, source materials, production cost's, percentage of scrap, pay electric bills, taxes and employee payroll, insurance, shipping costs and get business loans. There is no good excuse except they just dropped the ball.

If you're going to submit your mod to Todd for review AND he raves about it shouldn't you be ramping your production up so you can meet the demand.

Blah, blah, blah......  

Vaping is a hot-button issue that has been appearing in the news with alarming frequency, especially over the past couple of months. The problem is that it is all coming from the perspective of big tobacco, rabid anti-smoking advocacy groups and the like. Nowhere am I seeing or hearing the voices of the people who are actually at the heart of this controversy - vapers themselves.

Let's face it. The vast majority of us are ex-smokers who are very used to being silenced, vilified and marginalized. When the topic was about cigarettes, it was very difficult to come up with a response because cigarettes ARE just as bad as everyone says they are. That's really not the case with vaping, but it is still hard to find that missing voice.

I want to tell the story of vaping from the perspective of vapers themselves. I want to talk to the people who were the very first to develop this idea: creating vape mods from batteries, wire and altoid tins, to the front porchers: people who are sitting in their rocking chairs enjoying bubblegum candied cherry vape, to the brand spanking newbie who has just arrived and is trying to make sense of this acronym filled universe, the DIYrs who make it all themselves and finally, to the industry leaders who design and develop everything from the devices we use to the flavors we love, how they got started, what being in the business means to them and what losing their business would mean for them.

I thought about doing this a few years ago, but I think that there is no better time to do this than right now. A book like this could help to turn the tide of public opinion. I want to give vapers back the voice that they lost as smokers. We have terrified industry giants into full on seek and destroy mode and we need to fight back. This book will be marketed to the general public and I want it to be eye-opening, thought provoking and revealing.

Are you interested? If you are hit me up. If I generate enough interest, I will set up a kick starter campaign so I can fund this project. I am looking for people to interview for this project and any vaper qualifies! Designers, developers and business owners, most welome!

Let me know what you think.