Discontinued Purple-Days Vaporizer

[TerrorTurkey]

Well said The OB, i agree with everything you said.

 

[GhostVapor]

Totally agree Ob, Great post!

 

[Lip465]

I really debated chiming in here as I know how these types of sensitive issues can get out of hand whenever people feel a personal connection to a product like the PD.

I finally decided I just have to get this off my chest.

When I first joined FC, I became intrigued with getting a PD. it had such a loyal following and people were so fond of them. I placed a order even though it would be months before I received one. It was the same time that the kit was being released and decided since that would only take weeks, I would go that route instead. I ordered and waited.

During this time I spent a lot of time on FC. I began to take notice of some things that started to really bother me.

First, Tom seems to spend a lot of time on this site which while nice that he was interacting with his customers, seems to be odd considering that he had a huge backload of products to build. The thing that bothered me is that he took the money up front. It would be different if he did not charge first, but that was not the case. I can't think of very many things I would pay for and wait months for while the person spent most of their days online. I have ordered custom items before and they never take as long as this product does. Normally I either pay nothing or just a deposit.

Second, he would frequently take shots at the competing builders. He would Chime into their threads and generally just bash their products. What is interesting is that the other "log" builders all seemed to take the high road and not participate in this immature behavior. This made me start to look into finding a competing product. I found at the time that I could buy a vape that would be built quickly and paid for just before shipping. This seemed to be a better route for me. Plus I did not have to do all the work myself. I actually thought they were even additions of things like catch screens that I thought made them superior.

Third, I was a little put off by the photo contest ploys. I am all for marketing yourself, but this seemed to be a way to keep the thread at the top and once again I personally thought that the time should have been spent building the products that your customers had already paid for.

I understand that he built a really loyal following and that you all feel strongly about Tom and the product that he provided. I guess I just think you can now purchase superior products by people who actually care about their customers by providing Excellent customer service.

I think now that the curtain has been pushed aside, you might just find that you can actually get a better product with speedy delivery and people who stands behind it. You just might find that you are better off now.

I know I am probably going to get a ton of crap for this. It is just my opinion. I just think if you think about the whole situation, you just might see my points make sense.

Sorry if there are errors in this post. I'm typing on a iPad which is a pain in the ass.

Your first point was brought up a while back, Tom said himself he browsed the internet while on breaks. He did his best at keeping on schedule with his work Im sure

Second, really Ive never seen any bashing from him. I've seen him post what he didnt like about a unit or what could be improved but never any bashing. As for the time to get a unit, he had a time frame listed for when you'd get your unit and he kept to that time frame. How can you complain about that?

Third, I'm pretty sure the intention of those contests were to have fun for both Pam and Tom and us. Reading through other people's questions about the unit and answering them all probably wasn't very fun, and it was something nice to mix the thread up.

And about other log vapes being a superior product? I'm not so sure.. Tom and Pammy put a lot of time into designing the PD. It's a very clean and quality unit. And it's really sad that people are okay with them leaving.

 

[zmurder]

And it's really sad that people are okay with them leaving.

I don't think anybody here has expressed being "okay with them leaving" ... seems we're divided into sad and pissed camps, with quite a bit of crossover.

 

[baurman]

WTF TOM AND PAMMY JUST QUITTING?? IS the Purple Days harmful? Lead in the Purple Days? Something bad must have happened... What happened. They are just disappearing all US mail returned? Something bad has happened......

 

[Lip465]

Yeah whoever didn't put out to resolve whatever was bothering Tom and Pammy was probably okay with the idea of them leaving, theyre not around now are they? It's a shame it ended like this.

 

[Abysmal Vapor]

WTF TOM AND PAMMY JUST QUITTING?? IS the Purple Days harmful? Lead in the Purple Days? Something bad must have happened... What happened. They are just disappearing all US mail returned? Something bad has happened......

That explains why there is a snake resembling the pd , and the adorble snake eating creatures are we on fc ,the ones who will rip the head of any harmful product..
I guess if this was the case it would had happened quite a long time ago .

BTW I am starting to think that those photos are a secret PD contest : Guess the meaing of the pictures!
1st Price - No warranty
2nd Price - Asshole certificate
3rd Price - A pair of dices..

 

[photokographer]

Whoa. This is crazy
I got mine a month or so back and it's fantastic, the perfect temp, beautiful, and indestructible

That's too bad that this happened
I'm not sure I understand his use of imagery, that just seems off, I felt as though this forum was particularly loving (albiet toms post very blunt)

Makes one question: wtf is dark fin technology

 

[vapormonkey]

OB took the thoughts right out of my head. I first posted a year ago and made the same observations. Then I didn't visit fuck combustion for a year.

So, about the pictures Tom posted in his farewell. Tom/Purple Days is the snake surrounded by the mongooses? That's the way it comes across when you consider the second picture which states he is surrounded by assholes. If this is correct then he should have thought it out a little better before equating himself with a snake. Maybe I've watched too much riki tiki tavi but aren't mongooses the good guys? In the real world, aren't mongooses used to keep the snakes away? Hmm, it's interesting when people reveal how they actually see themselves...

That's funny because after a few good vapes I thought the exact same thing! Tom seems to know how he's making people feel.

Lowfront I'm sure many on this forum would agree with your opinion that the PD is/was the "best vape ever". I own two, but the PD is only my 3rd favorite log vape model -- I'm much more fond of Rick's Rockzap and Alan's Toasty Top. And I'm very much looking forward to trying out the 'Dog. So I wouldn't despair, and those who missed out on the PD really didn't miss out on much given the existence of IMO better, more available, and (in some cases) cheaper log vapes from innovators who will be sticking around for a while.

And THAT'S why I'm back posting at FC. And could possibly be the best explanation of why Purple Days is no longer in business...I mean I'm just sayin...

 

[psyshaman]

This is all very strange... Don't know what to make of it all.

I had pleasant dealings with Tom and Pam. Building my pandora kits was really interesting andlots of fun.
I gifted one PDP and the other seems to be permanently borrowed out to various people...

A shame to lose a great duo and a very odd exit from the market. I wish they'd given a little bit of notice so
people could have grabbed a few more stems for spares and extra buzz butter....
All the best Tom & Pam with whatever you do!

This is all very strange... Don't know what to make of it all.

 

[Ripbongs420]

Wow, this is crazy. If given any notice I know I, and many others, would have bought a few more PDs, spare stems, buzz butter. I figured we had many more years. I am in disbelief. I feel like I have lost family members, and sadly I guess they do not, as you don't abandon family. :/

I'll miss you Tom and Pammy, and I hope you have a great future. Wish I could email Pammy... she has been great. You have made so many individuals happy, I feel for the people who missed out. I feel bad I didn't purchase a second. I had many friends interested too. Now I cannot recommend a product to them that, at one time, used harmful materials. Maybe UD would be what i'll suggest, though I might want to pick one up for myself before recommending them. Hear good things.

Sorry mods for talking about other vapes in this thread, but its an odd situation. Let me know if I am out of line. What a bummer. I feel like us at FC are the farthest thing from assholes, never seen such a nice and intelligent forum. Guess it will be easier to save up for a Cloud now. Will wait till They've been released for a short while though, looks awesome.

I hope Tom has thought about how this would affect ClearDome as well. I bought one of his gridded inline stems with a carb and silver fuming. It is such a beautiful piece of extremely functional art. I suppose those are to be even more exclusive and rare now.

Good luck Tom and Pammy, and all the other loyal customers.

 

[mt2e]

If they woulda just been straight forward instead of smoking a blunt before posting and saying BIBI then it'd be diff....that said I love my PD and tom did a good job.....I bought the product because

1. Cult following

2. Quality

3. I wanted to a support an older couple making a living with a podunk website that I felt a connection with...

I mean pam...tom if ya just woulda said...were getn old this is too much for us I'd be the FIRST to say THANK you


...and that said I did buy the product thinking I was litterly gonna get at least 3 years of support from this product....

thats why personally while in the end happy feel this is a snatch and grab with my heart

 

[OKcomputer]

The unit itself seems indestructible, but what about the tubes? One of my three was already chewed up by my sister-in-law's dog, leaving me with two functional tubes. If I manage to break/lose the tubes, I'm left with a non-functional unit instead of a way to replace the tubes.

I can deal without a warranty, but it would be nice to be able to stock up on a bunch of tubes now so we're not SOL down the road.

I'm confused by the whole situation. One minute, everything seems great w/ T&P taking a much-deserved X-mas vacation, and the next minute, this. T&P offered excellent customer service, which was undoubtedly a factor in the decisions of many PD buyers. Now, that service is totally gone, along with warranties and the ability to purchase necessities like tubes.

Perhaps some individuals created drama (I didn't see it). However, it seems like 95%+ of the FC PD community was hugely in support of the product, which drove sales quite handily I'm sure. How many of the orders in the past 3-6 months would have been placed had people known that the company would be dead before the new year?

I know Tom said he wouldn't reconsider, but he won't even take my money now for a set of three replacement tubes? Why? For a company with some of the best customer service I've ever experienced, it seems the least they could've done would be to say - "Hey. We're closing our doors in two weeks. Vaporizers have been discontinued, but we're offloading stock of buzz butter and tubes, so place your orders now or forever hold your peace."

I have no doubt that these drastic decisions were totally warranted if Tom says they were, but why alienate hundreds (thousands? surely there are buyers/lurkers who don't post on FC) of happy, paying customers whose word-of-mouth and online (free) advertising has largely led to the success of your company?

 

[jeffp]

OKComputer (that's an interesting handle), if I ever needed a replacement stem for my PD I would seek out an existing alternative such as Ed's TNT wood tube which fits the PD (and works well) and down the line I'm confident that more third party alternative accessories will be produced and made available to the community. If I was REALLY desperate for a standard stem or another mini stem for the bong I'd get one from one of the rip off PD copy cat builders. Regardless I think it's going to be OK. I bet we'll see more than one option for PD repairs here as well- just give it time. Plus newly conceived third party deluxe stems. Watch and see. I'll miss Tom and Pammy's presence here but life goes on.

 

[Pcpvapors]

Woah woah woah, "rip-off copy cat PD builders"? You mean individual companies who put there own spin on the Eterra? I understand your upset about Tom closing doors but there's no need to slander other well respected companies who are in full support of this forum.

 

[jeffp]

Woah woah woah, "rip-off copy cat PD builders"? You mean individual companies who put there own spin on the Eterra? I understand your upset about Tom closing doors but there's no need to slander other well respected companies who are in full support of this forum.

I know what you're saying but there's absolute specific PD copy cats like the "better days" and the "woodeze" - I'm not referring to anything innovative and original at all.

 

[Pcpvapors]

I didn't mean to come off as attacking what you said in any matter I just thought it could of been better phrased so it didn't put all logs under that catagory. Thank you though for being more specific.

 

[oldfart]

The unit itself seems indestructible, but what about the tubes? One of my three was already chewed up by my sister-in-law's dog, leaving me with two functional tubes. If I manage to break/lose the tubes, I'm left with a non-functional unit instead of a way to replace the tubes.

I can deal without a warranty, but it would be nice to be able to stock up on a bunch of tubes now so we're not SOL down the road.

I'm confused by the whole situation. One minute, everything seems great w/ T&P taking a much-deserved X-mas vacation, and the next minute, this. T&P offered excellent customer service, which was undoubtedly a factor in the decisions of many PD buyers. Now, that service is totally gone, along with warranties and the ability to purchase necessities like tubes.

Perhaps some individuals created drama (I didn't see it). However, it seems like 95%+ of the FC PD community was hugely in support of the product, which drove sales quite handily I'm sure. How many of the orders in the past 3-6 months would have been placed had people known that the company would be dead before the new year?

I know Tom said he wouldn't reconsider, but he won't even take my money now for a set of three replacement tubes? Why? For a company with some of the best customer service I've ever experienced, it seems the least they could've done would be to say - "Hey. We're closing our doors in two weeks. Vaporizers have been discontinued, but we're offloading stock of buzz butter and tubes, so place your orders now or forever hold your peace."

I have no doubt that these drastic decisions were totally warranted if Tom says they were, but why alienate hundreds (thousands? surely there are buyers/lurkers who don't post on FC) of happy, paying customers whose word-of-mouth and online (free) advertising has largely led to the success of your company?

MZ tubes will work, maybe more check the other log guys, they know. if theirs will fit.

 

[jeffp]

I didn't mean to come off as attacking what you said in any matter I just thought it could of been better phrased so it didn't put all logs under that catagory. Thank you though for being more specific.

it's cool man.

 

[OKcomputer]

Thanks jeffp and oldfart for the info. Ed's TNT stems look really nice, but I'm particularly interested in the Glass Tooty from Aromazap: http://aromazap.com/clear-tooty

One question, though: you can choose between a stainless steel or brass tip. The SS tip is for post 9/12/11 aromazaps, while the brass tip is for pre 9/12/11 aromazaps. I'm assuming the SS tip would be most appropriate for the PD, but I'm not sure. Thoughts?

Also, it looks like the Glass Tooty has a shorter bowl than the PD stem... looking like 1/4 inch as opposed to 3/8 inch. Can anyone confirm that?

 

[Rick]

OKcomputer, I think you will want the brass tips. I believe our SS tips are a bit too tight to fit the PD heatport tube. Maybe someone can confirm that?

 

[zmurder]

One question, though: you can choose between a stainless steel or brass tip. The SS tip is for post 9/12/11 aromazaps, while the brass tip is for pre 9/12/11 aromazaps. I'm assuming the SS tip would be most appropriate for the PD, but I'm not sure. Thoughts?

I'd check with Rick of Aromazap to make sure, but I believe the new SS stem tip will be too wide so you'd have to go with the pre-9/12 brass tip.

^edit: see Rick's post above. Just checked and I can indeed confirm that the new SS tip is too large in diameter to fit the PD...so go with the brass

 

[OKcomputer]

Thanks Rick! I just edited my post with one more question, didn't see that you replied until after I edited.

Will the brass tip be a really loose fit in the PD? The stems that came with my PD are already a pretty loose fit, much looser than I expected upon ordering the PD.

 

[Progress]

Sometimes life grabs you by the balls, and (when its grip slips for a moment) sometimes you have to run for the hills before it gets you again.

I am also shocked by the sudden departure, and was quite concerned about Tom and Pammy's well-being due to me not knowing what would prompt something so unexpected.

All I can say, though, is that I hope that you two got away with your 'balls intact' or are at least on the road to recovery (or at least finding/forging a road).

For those with warranty issues, Purple Days is sorta like a family. Post here, and someone is likely to chime in and offer to help you out (and, therefore, help Tom and Pammy indirectly as well). Many made Pandora units and can be qualified to do repairs, too.

This truly sucks, but sometimes shitty and unexpected things happen in life. We will survive.

Toke it easy.

 

[Rick]

Someone else will have to answer that. I have never seen or touched a PD.