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AIBU?

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Shop not taking responsibility for faulty stock, how is this OK?

89 replies

VapeProblem1 · 18/04/2024 15:52

A vape shop opened near my house about 5 months ago which was great as there isn't another nearby and it works out cheaper than buying from a newsagets as they do a '4 for £16' deal which sees me through the week.

Every so often one of the vapes would be faulty so I'd return it to the shop and let them know. The guy would reluctantly replace it but explain that he can't really keep doing so (?) as though he's doing me a favour.

He said he'd spoken to his boss and the boss said it's impossible that theres anything wrong with them as only '5 out of every 10,000' are faulty. Neither of the men vape so I don't know how they've reached that conclusion but I can assure you it's wrong and I'm not a dishonest person nor somebody who is so hard up I have to lie to get free nicotine.

Apparently the boss said in future they will only exchange a faulty one if I open it in the shop and test it there and then. I'm not sure how he expects that to work when I buy for the week ahead..

Anyway, the vapes being faulty is becoming a much more frequent thing. Two out of the 4 I've bought this week do not work and the shop has made clear that they will no longer replace them so I'm not going to give them any more of my custom and will instead buy them online.

I'm just really annoyed about their stance and how it has been squared as a 'me' problem. Apparently nobody else has complained 🤔

AIBU?

I'm not interested in quitting vaping at the moment. I have used it to quit smoking cigarettes and will stop in my own time or when it is banned. I buy disposable ones and recycle them accordingly so can we please not make it a vape bashing thread 🙂

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 18/04/2024 17:43

It's probably a front for money laundering.

JustFrustrated · 18/04/2024 17:41

VapeProblem1 · 18/04/2024 17:01

That's really interesting. What's the difference between a juice and a nic salt, is it the concentration? I'll look up that vape now.

No idea but it tastes just like disposable

Auburngal · 18/04/2024 17:35

We take refunds for non working vapes. 99% of customers who buy a vape use it within a few minutes of buying.

We just swap it - allowing the customer to try it first (outside- about 10 steps away)

movingonsaturday · 18/04/2024 17:17

Open all 4, take one puff from each then just use them as you will...

Crapuscular · 18/04/2024 17:10

Under The Sale of Goods Act ( I forget which year ) goods purchased in the UK must be 'of merchantable quality,' ie, fit for purpose.

I think Trading Standards is the way to go.

Wandered into a fairly new vape shop , recently, only to discover that I barely recognised any of the brands on offer. I assumed that it only sold cheap ( and probably) unlicensed fakes.

Well done for ditching fags , by the way!

VapeProblem1 · 18/04/2024 17:01

JustFrustrated · 18/04/2024 16:56

I had that problem, then my vape shop (who are very legit and above board)
Recommended the combination of

xlim pro with 0.8 coils and nic salt instead of juice.

£10 for 4 10ml bottles, and £28 for the vape. 3 coils cost £9.

It's awesome. Small, tasty and doesn't give off loads of vapour clouds.

That's really interesting. What's the difference between a juice and a nic salt, is it the concentration? I'll look up that vape now.

OP posts:
JustFrustrated · 18/04/2024 16:56

VapeProblem1 · 18/04/2024 16:40

Thanks very much that's very helpful, I'll take a look at the ones you mentioned now.

I switched from a mod tank to disposables largely for the amount of flavour as I'd never found a juice that packs as much flavour as the disposables and I really enjoy the fruity ones.

I do agree with you though they work out a lot more expensive.

I had that problem, then my vape shop (who are very legit and above board)
Recommended the combination of

xlim pro with 0.8 coils and nic salt instead of juice.

£10 for 4 10ml bottles, and £28 for the vape. 3 coils cost £9.

It's awesome. Small, tasty and doesn't give off loads of vapour clouds.

VapeProblem1 · 18/04/2024 16:55

Magnastorm · 18/04/2024 16:35

Are they disposable vapes?

Firstly,disposables are notoriously unreliable and cheaply made.

Secondly, they are environmentally fucking awful products. At least switch to a reusable vape if so.

They are yes. I do recycle them but I guess that's besides the point. I switched to disposables from a regular vape as flavours are much stronger with disposables and I'm yet to find a juice or mod that stacks up.

I'm going to switch to pods now and see how I get on with those.

OP posts:
VapeProblem1 · 18/04/2024 16:50

RedToothBrush · 18/04/2024 16:33

Where did I say anything about intelligence?

Are you insecure about this or something?

I'm saying that the vape shop's business model is based on high sales at low profit margin to turn a profit. It buys cheap quality goods which is has little come back to the manufacturer. You either accept that or you report to trading standards. But the likely outcome of that is the shop will cease trading either because trading standards close it or because the high returns rate makes the business unviable.

It's one of those shit situations where you aren't going to win regardless of what you do.

But crack on by saying I'm questioning your intelligence if you like. It's kinda amusing to see.

I do apologise, I completely misinterpreted what you said.

When you said you're not surprised I thought you meant that you're not surprised that I don't realise it's a dodgy industry, implying that I'm thick 🙈

OP posts:
VapeProblem1 · 18/04/2024 16:48

Testina · 18/04/2024 16:13

“A vape shop opened near my house about 5 months ago which was great as there isn't another nearby”

Not the point of your thread, but I’m interested in where the hell you live, cos vape shops are everywhere now! 🤣

A village in London 😁 The next closest vape shop is a couple of miles away.

OP posts:
VapeProblem1 · 18/04/2024 16:40

Auburngal · 18/04/2024 16:39

Washington Vapes.

They have various vapes for 99p-£2

Thank you 😊

OP posts:
VapeProblem1 · 18/04/2024 16:40

TheIceQween · 18/04/2024 16:30

Don’t be opening all 4 in the shop and testing them. Reason I say that is I’m almost certain there’s a time limit. If I taste a vape say, and then don’t use it for whatever reason for a week or 2 - they don’t last as they usually would. It’s almost once they’re activated they have a time limit?

Also it sounds to me as though the shop are buying their vapes somewhere that maybe isn’t registered to sell them. They may be purchasing a big bulk for a ridiculous price, in return they don’t do refunds. I have a shop near me that’s the same. Change brands. The 600 daily ones are a killer. So expensive! I use the elux Firerose 4500 puffs and I can get a bulk deal on vapeverse.co.uk

Good luck! 💨

Thanks very much that's very helpful, I'll take a look at the ones you mentioned now.

I switched from a mod tank to disposables largely for the amount of flavour as I'd never found a juice that packs as much flavour as the disposables and I really enjoy the fruity ones.

I do agree with you though they work out a lot more expensive.

OP posts:
LemonyFace · 18/04/2024 16:39

I think it's a case of pay for what you get. They're cheap for a reason, so either take a chance on the cheap ones or pay more for ones that work better & where you'll probably get better service if there is an issue.
As regards TS, sounds like they don't care - so if you want somewhere that does care then pay more.

Auburngal · 18/04/2024 16:39

VapeProblem1 · 18/04/2024 16:31

Could you point me in the right direction please? 🙂

Washington Vapes.

They have various vapes for 99p-£2

RandomButtons · 18/04/2024 16:39

shop elsewhere.

Magnastorm · 18/04/2024 16:35

Are they disposable vapes?

Firstly,disposables are notoriously unreliable and cheaply made.

Secondly, they are environmentally fucking awful products. At least switch to a reusable vape if so.

SilverCatStripes · 18/04/2024 16:34

As it’s likely a front for money laundering then customer service will be low down on their priorities.

RedToothBrush · 18/04/2024 16:33

VapeProblem1 · 18/04/2024 16:16

Let me guess, vaping is a sign of low intelligence. Blah blah blah.

Spare me the pearl clutching as I am not one bit interested in hearing how you feel about vaping, it was actually reccomended by a HCP when I asked for advice about quitting cigarettes.

FWIW though, I feel similarly about people who drink alcohol.

Where did I say anything about intelligence?

Are you insecure about this or something?

I'm saying that the vape shop's business model is based on high sales at low profit margin to turn a profit. It buys cheap quality goods which is has little come back to the manufacturer. You either accept that or you report to trading standards. But the likely outcome of that is the shop will cease trading either because trading standards close it or because the high returns rate makes the business unviable.

It's one of those shit situations where you aren't going to win regardless of what you do.

But crack on by saying I'm questioning your intelligence if you like. It's kinda amusing to see.

VapeProblem1 · 18/04/2024 16:31

Auburngal · 18/04/2024 16:30

I vape occasionally and buy online buying mystery packs. It works out about 85p for a vape. Probably had 3 non working vapes and another which leaked. Don’t bother with getting a refund as they don’t know what’s in the mystery bag.

Could you point me in the right direction please? 🙂

OP posts:
VapeProblem1 · 18/04/2024 16:30

Ti7ch · 18/04/2024 16:28

Why do you keep buying them from there if you keep getting faulty ones?

I was giving them the benefit of the doubt / put it down to bad luck originally and felt there was no harm done so long as they replaced what was faulty. I won't be going there any more.

OP posts:
Auburngal · 18/04/2024 16:30

I vape occasionally and buy online buying mystery packs. It works out about 85p for a vape. Probably had 3 non working vapes and another which leaked. Don’t bother with getting a refund as they don’t know what’s in the mystery bag.

cadygal257 · 18/04/2024 16:30

And also just vote with your feet and shop elsewhere.

TheIceQween · 18/04/2024 16:30

Don’t be opening all 4 in the shop and testing them. Reason I say that is I’m almost certain there’s a time limit. If I taste a vape say, and then don’t use it for whatever reason for a week or 2 - they don’t last as they usually would. It’s almost once they’re activated they have a time limit?

Also it sounds to me as though the shop are buying their vapes somewhere that maybe isn’t registered to sell them. They may be purchasing a big bulk for a ridiculous price, in return they don’t do refunds. I have a shop near me that’s the same. Change brands. The 600 daily ones are a killer. So expensive! I use the elux Firerose 4500 puffs and I can get a bulk deal on vapeverse.co.uk

Good luck! 💨

cadygal257 · 18/04/2024 16:29

Maybe don't use reusable. Surely it's cheaper to use a refill and you won't have these problems

Ti7ch · 18/04/2024 16:28

Why do you keep buying them from there if you keep getting faulty ones?