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Discontinued Lil' Bud by Vapwood
- Thread starter Bravesst
- Start date
Shouldnt be to hard to find the guy, Willing to bet there is lots info about him available on the internet. Not as easy to ghost people as you think.Well I'm not sure I would buy anything from Mike ever again.
Since my order in August, nothing happened, and he doesn't even ever reply.
I have the feeling my 300$ are lost forever
Easy bet to collect on, looks like hes posted quite a bit about himself lol. Full name, location, previous employment, lol
Yeah that doesn't sound ghost like to me. He may want to re-think his strategy and give people their money back or the vape they paid for.
If @dr.evil has been out $300 since august with no communication in between thats messed up.
Exactly, if hes trying to ghost people hes doing an awful job at it
Agreed though, really fucked up there
cannasoor
Well-Known Member
Well I'm not sure I would buy anything from Mike ever again.
Since my order in August, nothing happened, and he doesn't even ever reply.
I have the feeling my 300$ are lost forever
It's sad to have it verified that several people literally just lost their money and no vape, @dr.evil; and I agree it's "messed up", as @vinnyzan said.
I'm cautious about getting too angry, however (although I have been through a lot of "stages" over this myself), because I think there must be more to the story. Mike posted all sorts of great updates and information, responded to user requests, etc., for what seemed like a long time on this board. I myself came a little late to "his" threads, but I read a lot of great posts here, both live and "historical", from Mike and from his fans. It was the combination of Mike's innovation, pride in workmanship, and responsiveness that finally convinced me to order from him.
Once I actually ordered, I was surprised by the treatment I received, but then I put my order in just after Mike had posted about re-opening things up. From that point on, both in my personal communications and on the threads, things seem to have taken a significant turn, and as I said a page or so back, I began to wonder if it was even Mike I was dealing with: the tone and style just seemed way off. (Of course, that could be a lot of things, including personal crises of various kinds. It was, after all, just in the thick of Covid when all this went down.)
I hope everyone who ordered gets some sort of satisfaction, and I think it is unconscionable that everyone has just been ghosted (including me). But after several months I have begun to think that there is more to the story ... with the full understanding, by the way, that anything personal is none of my damn business, except for the part that actually affects business, i.e., the actual vape sales.
I find it hard to let go of all the good that I saw from Mike here back in the day, and my best hope would be that things can somehow be worked out, and everyone's orders either fulfilled or refunded.
Of course, my magnanimity might spring from the fact that I actually got a vape, and that has to sting for the people who just lost out completely. But as I said earlier, I haven't been able to bring myself to even use it—that's partly just emotional exhaustion over the whole situation, but it started out as a desire to keep it clean for an exchange or return, and several things about the vape itself were off. (I can elaborate if people are curious.)
If Mike really does re-open the non-vape side of his wood-working business, I suppose that would help give the people who got stiffed some access and leverage to get their money back. Postal laws might also be of some use, although I'm not sure how those apply if nothing ever shipped ... and the whole vape aspect probably makes working via the post office trickier (unfortunately).
sturdycactus
Well-Known Member
Just to throw in my experience (as mentioned on another thread) I paid in full for a Timber back in MARCH 2020 and have received nothing. No email responses since 9/2020 and since it’s been so long neither PayPal nor my bank will issue a refund. I’ve cut my losses at this point, but f**k Vapwood. $300+ In the trash
Don't you guys have some kind of legal recourse ? Must be illegal to take some ones money and not give them what they paid for. How many people did he do this to ? I will chip in towards a lawyer if thats a viable option.
Personally I would even consider politely contacting some of his family members and try to explain the situation and point out that hes not as ghostly as he thinks.
If i understand correctly he was a member of the community who learned how to make these vapes through others around here. Very sad to see...
Personally I would even consider politely contacting some of his family members and try to explain the situation and point out that hes not as ghostly as he thinks.
If i understand correctly he was a member of the community who learned how to make these vapes through others around here. Very sad to see...
Vapefanatic
Well-Known Member
I'll chip in with the lawyer fees too! Even if its just sending a legal letter to the guy. If he knows that a whole group is chipping in to get him, should be enough to make him pee his pants. People who don't have the balls to honor their sales/orders, won't have the balls to take on a whole group imo. The guy is obviously not a rich man. It will be a big deal if he cannot conduct business or gain employment in the future!
Don't let him get away with this!
Don't let him get away with this!
VapeEnthusiast
Troy's Army
His name and address is public. I'd chip a little in to get this asshole his earned summons to small claims court. Start a go-fund-me.
yogurtsauce
Well-Known Member
Looks like he got in some sort of legal trouble where he has to distance himself and his company from vapes 100%. Still an easy case to win if sued.
cannasoor
Well-Known Member
Wow: I also didn't realize how many people had been just completely ripped off. I apologize if I came off as defending Mike's actions above (I don't); I just have qualms about what actually went down.
I honestly wonder if some family member hasn't already been involved: like I say, I got the feeling it wasn't even Mike I was dealing with, based on the contrast with his prior posts here. Pure speculation, but I imagined some crisis (illness, divorce, death, ...) happening, and then someone involved (spouse, lawyer, executor) selling off old stock, out of desperation or to take advantage of the situation. Just my imagination, and absolutely no excuse for what happened, but at least it would help explain the bizarre change in tone and behavior.
The small claims route seems like a good possibility: I wonder how one best approaches that when there are multiple victims? I wouldn't think there's necessarily anything like a class-action suit, but I bet a small claims judge would be more sympathetic if a whole slew of complaints came in at the same time. And I imagine it would make the case more interesting to a lawyer, just due of higher (combined) stakes.
One of the things that bothered me was when Mike sent a "don't worry, everything's fine, just wait a bit" email (in August, I think). He left mine and 5 or 6 other recipients' addresses in the clear, in the "To:" field, rather than using a more circumspect BCC (some even included their real names). Where I work, this would be considered a huge blunder, worthy of formal reprimand. As things wore on, I considered taking advantage of it to write the other recipients and compare stories, but I didn't like the feel of it. Maybe I should re-visit that decision and let them know of the discussion here: some of them might not even be on FC. It would be satisfyingly ironic if a mistake on Mike's part helped in coordinating a response.
At this point I'm inclined to sell off the vape I finally got, for cheap, to someone who didn't get theirs: I'd take a modest loss, but they'd at least get "a" vape, if not the one they ordered. I don't quite know how to do that fairly (many ripped off, no easy way to verify who really was, etc.). But it might ease some of the pain of a bad situation all around.
I honestly wonder if some family member hasn't already been involved: like I say, I got the feeling it wasn't even Mike I was dealing with, based on the contrast with his prior posts here. Pure speculation, but I imagined some crisis (illness, divorce, death, ...) happening, and then someone involved (spouse, lawyer, executor) selling off old stock, out of desperation or to take advantage of the situation. Just my imagination, and absolutely no excuse for what happened, but at least it would help explain the bizarre change in tone and behavior.
The small claims route seems like a good possibility: I wonder how one best approaches that when there are multiple victims? I wouldn't think there's necessarily anything like a class-action suit, but I bet a small claims judge would be more sympathetic if a whole slew of complaints came in at the same time. And I imagine it would make the case more interesting to a lawyer, just due of higher (combined) stakes.
One of the things that bothered me was when Mike sent a "don't worry, everything's fine, just wait a bit" email (in August, I think). He left mine and 5 or 6 other recipients' addresses in the clear, in the "To:" field, rather than using a more circumspect BCC (some even included their real names). Where I work, this would be considered a huge blunder, worthy of formal reprimand. As things wore on, I considered taking advantage of it to write the other recipients and compare stories, but I didn't like the feel of it. Maybe I should re-visit that decision and let them know of the discussion here: some of them might not even be on FC. It would be satisfyingly ironic if a mistake on Mike's part helped in coordinating a response.
At this point I'm inclined to sell off the vape I finally got, for cheap, to someone who didn't get theirs: I'd take a modest loss, but they'd at least get "a" vape, if not the one they ordered. I don't quite know how to do that fairly (many ripped off, no easy way to verify who really was, etc.). But it might ease some of the pain of a bad situation all around.
Where did you hear that from ? I don't see why he couldn't settle up with everyone before pivoting to furniture.
If you go to visit his website, you can see that Mr Stefano didn't disappear, he have a new site with new products, photos etc...
And also a mail contact : SUPPORT@VAPWOOD.COM
And also a mail contact : SUPPORT@VAPWOOD.COM
kadjo
Well-Known Member
I'm glad its not just me. I gave up on this guy a long time ago thinking I was an outlier.
I saw all these other posts of good interactions, decided it was a one off and let it go.
My first unit caught fire. After numerous emails he agreed to send a new unit. I sent my old one back and after another several months and more pestering from me I finally got a replacement. It functions suboptimally.
I tried to engage conversation and inquired about buying more stems and other parts. He made no effort to respond to extra questions or sell me anything else. His responses were short and the process was bothersome to him.
Seeing all these other issues makes me realize I didn't have the worst outcome from this guy.
I hope he can square up with everyone. Otherwise it seems that finding someway to hold him accountable is totally reasonable.
I saw all these other posts of good interactions, decided it was a one off and let it go.
My first unit caught fire. After numerous emails he agreed to send a new unit. I sent my old one back and after another several months and more pestering from me I finally got a replacement. It functions suboptimally.
I tried to engage conversation and inquired about buying more stems and other parts. He made no effort to respond to extra questions or sell me anything else. His responses were short and the process was bothersome to him.
Seeing all these other issues makes me realize I didn't have the worst outcome from this guy.
I hope he can square up with everyone. Otherwise it seems that finding someway to hold him accountable is totally reasonable.
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cannasoor
Well-Known Member
This
is exactly what I was talking about; thanks for finding the words that eluded me. This seemed very off to me, too.
almost there
Well-Known Member
This really sucks, I'm so sorry for anyone that was ripped off. Has any of you contacted your credit card companys about this? I know the consensus is customers have 180 days to challenge a charge but I have personal experience where the cc company will open a case past that deadline. It really doesn't hurt to try. Best of luck to all of you, I really hope this issue can be resolved for everyone
Trackrat
Well-Known Member
Mike, I always heard that artisans and craftsmen make poor businessmen. Or maybe you're just in a funk. whatever the case, Mike, you need to make it right with the people that believed and supported you. You made a damn good vape that I personally enjoyed. Don't let your name get dragged thru the mud. Your better than that. If you're leaving the business, be known as
a stand up guy. Take care of business. Sorry to see you go ( who's going to repair my lb if something happens to it ? ) Good luck with your new business venture. Take care, later.... Fan of the Lil' Bud
a stand up guy. Take care of business. Sorry to see you go ( who's going to repair my lb if something happens to it ? ) Good luck with your new business venture. Take care, later.... Fan of the Lil' Bud
yogurtsauce
Well-Known Member
I meant that as my opinion. Just the way he quickly disassociated himself and his brand from vapes makes it seem like there's something else going on. As for the not fulfilling orders, idk, dude could just have ghosted and ran with the money
.
seki
Well-Known Member
I was doing some maintenance on the manufacturers list in the resource section and I noticed that vapwood.com is now offline. In the event that there are folks out there that still need support or to resolve any outstanding order issues, the furniture business that seemed to spring up on vapwood.com looks like it has been moved to:
I don't know if you'll get a response, but it seems like your best bet.
I don't know if you'll get a response, but it seems like your best bet.
el sargantano
Well-Known Member
The battery gauge was the perfect item to complement the vape device.
It told you how much juice your battery had in a bare second. In that time you're able to dismarm the battery cover and put the contacts in place for the gauge to read. It was another ingredient to put the Lil Bud over its very competitors in the same vape niche.
It was on stock for some time, until @Bravesst decide not to sell it anymore. Don't know why...
The better battery access of the Lil Bud (comparing to RBT's, ie) allowed this item for a quick battery check and was another factor to count on the clear superiority this vape design has.
The heater (that came from @Alan headquarters) eats 1/6 of the full battery every bowl you get, but with the easyness and simplicity of the magnetic battery cover and the exact same magnets on the gauge, the battery check is made in the blink of an eye.
I reccomend everyone who has the patience to made it himself. I did and it still works perfectly. For two years, by the way.
If anyone wants one I can do some, but I think it'll be a waste of resources to send it overseas...
It told you how much juice your battery had in a bare second. In that time you're able to dismarm the battery cover and put the contacts in place for the gauge to read. It was another ingredient to put the Lil Bud over its very competitors in the same vape niche.
It was on stock for some time, until @Bravesst decide not to sell it anymore. Don't know why...
The better battery access of the Lil Bud (comparing to RBT's, ie) allowed this item for a quick battery check and was another factor to count on the clear superiority this vape design has.
The heater (that came from @Alan headquarters) eats 1/6 of the full battery every bowl you get, but with the easyness and simplicity of the magnetic battery cover and the exact same magnets on the gauge, the battery check is made in the blink of an eye.
I reccomend everyone who has the patience to made it himself. I did and it still works perfectly. For two years, by the way.
If anyone wants one I can do some, but I think it'll be a waste of resources to send it overseas...