Vape shop Hypocrites?

[Sweatervest13]

Hi all,

I stopped by a local B&M vape shop yesterday, I wanted to grab a RBA (the RSST). I had bought a Trident RDA two weeks before from them. It is not a super great shop, but we do not have many in the Metro Detroit area and it is somewhat close to my work. So, it works in a pinch or when I don't care to wait for shipping.

While I was looking over their hardware, I see a Nemesis Mech Mod. I ask," is that a Nemesis clone"?.

The lady says, "we do not carry any clones, we only sell the originals", while she looks down her nose at me. I was kind of taken aback, by her tone and snarkiness.

The reason I want to know if you guys think that the owners of this shop may be hypocrites is... That Trident RBA I bought there was a clone!! Unless they are selling them at a loss. I paid like $22-$25.00 bucks for the Trident there (it has the Grand Vapor logo on it and everything). I just got done watching a Rip Trippers video right before I went into that shop comparing the Original Trident and the Trident Clone. And the RSST is a clone of the AC9. Maybe they meant their APV's or Mods are all original not clones. But I thought it was pretty hypocritical for them to say they don't sell any clones, when in fact they do.

What do you guys think??

My $.02 is, that if I had all the money in the world I would buy the authentic product. But I don't... So, I save a few bucks and buy a clone to get to experience some better RBA/ RDA's and Mods. I don't need the owner of the store to treat me any differently because of that.

SV

[Aquatroy]

I'd tell her off ....especially if they are selling clones or "style and stating they are original equip. Deception isn't a good way to do biz....

[Compenstine]

Unless she is the one in charge of ordering, then I would have to chalk it up to ignorance. Just giving the benefit of doubt. But, I must say I have seen a few web sites that try and pass off clones as the real deal. This when you knowing what you looking at goes a long way in getting what you want and getting duped. What is real bad is when a web site posts photos of the real deal and then send you a clone. Fast Tech is one place guilty of that. Look at the Chi You for example. They show a pic of the real ma-coy. when in fact is it a clone. They do though tell you it is a clone.

[Sweatervest13]

I'd tell her off ....especially if they are selling clones or "style and stating they are original equip. Deception isn't a good way to do biz....

Right!?!? I really didn't think of it until I got in the car to leave. I don't think that she or her husband (the owners) were trying to be deceitful, just not aware. Maybe they are. Either way, I think that I am going to limit my purchases there from now on.

I just did not like the attitude I got from her when I mentioned anything clone. Especially when they are selling clones!!

[Patricia]

I get the same attitude from the vape shop closest to my house. Every since they figured out that I know a little more then their usual customers due to Vapor Talk education and the fact that I purchase most of my stuff online they act like they don't like me very much. They want to take away our choice to buy online if we want to. They want all online buying shut down so we would be forced to buy from them. That's why I do not frequent their establishment.

[Sweatervest13]

I agree Patricia. The funny thing about this place I went to, is that they have no (zero) sales background. There is a shop in Kalamazoo MI, it is obvious that they have received some sort of sales training. When you come in they ask you some questions to see what level of vapor you are, and base their suggestions from there. I go into the shop I started the tread about, and its like pulling teeth. Almost like they are annoyed that I am trying to spend my hard earned money there.

AND... I could swear that when I was in a few weeks ago buying that Trident RBA, that the RSST came with a bunch of extra's in the box. Yesterday when I asked about it the lady said that it just came with the RBA. Before when the guy owner was showing me I am pretty sure that it came with some kanthal wire, SS mesh, and some wick material.

I think that when the "regular" customers come in on the weekend nights to vape and hang out at the Vape lounge, the owners harvest stuff from the boxes and use it as free swag. The more I think about it... This shop makes me a bit aggravated.

SV