Should you buy a vape from the Manufacturer or a Distributor?

This is something I always seem to struggle with when purchasing a new vape. My own subjective experience has led me to believe that buying directly from the manufacturer instead of a distributor might be the better option. Just curious to know what other people think and why.

It depends on how you view capitalism, and what you think of the people who make it.

I would first analyze the example of video games, because now a days the publishers suck, and punish those who buy the published versions. Alternatively to buying a game at retail, the consumer can now acquire it illegally with all of the DRM removed, and instead send the money directly to the group who made the game. That way they have a clear conscience and a fully functional game.

Luckily vapes are hardware and not software, so that kind of situation hasn't yet occurred, so you are left with a couple options.

Supporting the manufacturer directly This depends on a couple things, like what are the additional incentives? Are you getting a better price point? Are you getting better features? Are you getting something unique? Better warranty, etc.

Oftentimes you don't get any of this directly from the manufacturer, but you can get all of it from retailers. So very few end up supporting manufacturers. That being said, if you believe a manufacturer has deserved your extra money through some other means: Contributed to advancement in technology, has excellent people skills, devotes time to answering concerns of customers, makes custom equipment for customers, so on and so forth, you may very well be able to justify a purchase from the manufacturer themselves.

It all comes down to what you value.

I value a free market where I'm allowed to make these decisions.

Hey Crohnie,

As a manufacturer I would say to purchase directly from a manufacturer.

I also understand there can be different circumstances as well.

I like knowing who is buying my products. It allows me to have a closer relationship with people who enjoy my vaporizers. Since I am a vaporist myself, it's pretty cool.

For warranty reasons, it cuts out a lot of middle people.

TriiKLe said:

Hey Crohnie,

As a manufacturer I would say to purchase directly from a manufacturer.

I also understand there can be different circumstances as well.

I like knowing who is buying my products. It allows me to have a closer relationship with people who enjoy my vaporizers. Since I am a vaporist myself, it's pretty cool.

For warranty reasons, it cuts out a lot of middle people.

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Triikle, what incentives do consumers have to buy from you rather than a retailer?

I have bought both of my vapes from the manufacturers, directly.

First, I really want to know that my warranty is good. Second, I want the most up-to-date model. Third, the accessories presented with the item will actually WORK for it.

Wow. don't mind me, I'm a bit vaked..

in a lot of cases I would prefer to buy directly from the manufacturer. often it is cheaper, you'll get more acessoires and I have more trust in a manufacturer remaining in business and keep honoring warranties.
although ofcourse there are well-known and trusty distributors too.
also if there are any updates to the model you would have a higher chance of getting the newest model if acquiring it from the manufacturer, you don't know how many older stock the distributor still has laying around

in my case I bought both my VG and UD directly from the manufacturer. in the case of the VG it was both price and more choiuce, I didn't really like how the classic looks, I wanted the handcarved, butr it was only possible to order that one directly from VG.
an extra incentive to buy directly from them was that ,due to the lower value of the doillar compared to the euro, the handcarved ordered from vaporgenie in the US cost me the same ampount of money that I would have to pay for the classic from a local distributor.
so for the same price I got a more expensive model.
in case of the UD most come directly from the manufacturer, there is a distriutor in france wich would have elliminated the need for overseas shipping, but again I wanted more choice, also I was able to get a lost dog, and so spend less money on it.

I always buy from the mfg unless there is a significant price difference. The MFLB being an example, I bought it for 79$ at Amazon and the mfg was still charging 120.

hoptimum said:

Triikle, what incentives do consumers have to buy from you rather than a retailer?

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First off I know not all businesses can be like this.

It is just more direct. More intimate. I feel like a company should reflect their personality not just through their products , but through the actual people. The older I get and more transactions I make in life, the more I am choosy about not just what I buy , but who I buy it from also. And there are a lot of shady characters out there.

As far as issues that might arise, we have the resources to fix them pronto. And it's easier to keep track of who bought what and when and where and etc.

I admire your commitment to the community

For me it all depends on the product. Assuming you're buying from an approved reseller where you get the manuf. warranty, you're more likely to get a discounted price or a freebie. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to buy from an FC approved reseller - http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/retailer-discussion-discounts.1802/ Some offer discounts up to 15%. For example, I certainly wouldn't buy a Solo from Arizer for $229, when I can get it from puffitup.com for $160, since Randy often offers a coupon code for this model.

For a vape like the VXL Cloud, the price is supposed to be the same no matter where you buy, so I'd buy that one straight from the maker.

Great question. No simple answer, I think.

For myself I'll buy direct from TV (when it's the only way.....) or VG (more choices) or Puffit (pay more to avoid GV), or FV and Hammer (no dealers at the time). However, supporting Dealers like say PV are critical to us as customers. To keep their doors open they need customers. They give us customers more choices in the marketplace, IMO an overriding concern in many cases.

OF

Lots of good advise here,no doubt about it.
Here's my 2 cents, whenever I'm not sure about where to order I just do a little research right here on FC.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing I'm looking for is customer service,period. A good honest dealer is worth his\her weight in hash IMHO. All it takes is a bit of reading and maybe an email to get a pretty good idea of what to expect. Good luck and happy hunting!

I buy from whomever gives me the best balance of price & customer service.

speaking about customer service, I DID buy my mix 'n ball grinder from a distributor instead of from the manufacturer because I read here on FC that the manufacturer had/has shitty service

ShipDit said:

A good honest dealer is worth his\her weight in hash IMHO.

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Beautifully put, in terms we can all appreciate......full points!

OF

We have a list of very good retailers who also work hard to get every possible vaporizer for your need.
We have to take care of ourselves and get the best deal with good customer service...I dealt with few of those and all are great.

m0sh said:

We have a list of very good retailers who also work hard to get every possible vaporizer for you need.
We have to take care of ourselves and get the best deal with good customer service...I dealt with few of those and all are great.

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"We have to take care of ourselves..." Beautifully put Mosh! There are a shitload of companies run by greed-heads who just plain don't give a shit once they have our money. When I find a place that acts fast to make things right gets my business every time.
That's another reason I love the FC community. I can read about the experiences of actual customers,customers who actualy buy and expect the same stuff I do. I'm willing to pass a "10% FC discount" from a stranger for a proven business. Don't get me wrong,I love a discount, but a few dollars and a free plastic grinder means jack shit compared to a company that works hard for us,the customers. "BUY FROM THE BEST,IGNORE THE REST"!