Every business needs to make money, that's a given. However, there is a difference between making money and ripping off customers, and locally-run vape stores love to upmarket products all the way up to 100% in some cases (devices especially). I bought a juice here once for $35 (yes, $35, not even including tax) that was worth $18 online: that's a 49% markup. I'm sure some of the juices have even higher markups, as they use a general "Premium" category for any juice that isn't an in-house juice.
If anyone is interested, I could write up a spreadsheet showcasing markups with various other online outlets. There are even third-party
(that you can buy online cheaper, even including shipping costs) Juul pods being sold at absurd markups.
If anyone reading these reviews is still questioning their markups, I once bought a Hive 1.0 device from here for around $60. The same device can be purchased for $20 online: a huge 67% markup.
The pieces they sell are also marked up to an extreme, and I'm sure that some of them are flimsy china glass. I cannot say for sure, but I do know you could easily buy a cheaper china glass water pipe from DHgate. I saw a small, 2.5 inch pipe being sold for around $10. I could buy the same glass pipe from a gas station down the road for $5.
I'm sure my review won't sway anyone or detract customers, but I know this will be viewed by management. There are other vape stores in the area with smaller markups and more affordable prices; I'm not going to listen any names for the sake of The Vape Escape's reputation, and I'd rather not give a company free advertising.
The only reason I'm giving this local business a 2-star rating is due to the customer service. If it wasn't for the excellent employees, this business would receive a one-star review. The only thing holding this local business together is its kind employees. I hope they're being paid well, because they are the only pro for this business.
Not to mention that the company that supposedly creates their "Premium In-House Juices" has seemingly shut down (Three Dukes Vapor: https://threedukesvapor.com/). I'm not sure what this means for the age of the juice already in the store because I cannot find the date where they officially closed business, but you should be fine, as e-liquid can generally last 1-2 years--even longer depending on storage conditions--if unopened.
If you can wait 3-5 days for shipping, buy your vaping products online. Vape stores (especially locally-run) prey on people new to the vaping scene by ripping off unaware newcomers with their in-house juices that are sub-par at best and sky-high markups on devices. All the resources you need to compare vape devices can be accessed on the web: you can read reviews on devices as well.
The only time I can personally recommend going into this place is if you're in desperate need of a coil or have just run out of juice. Otherwise, avoid this place like the plague. Your wallet will thank you in the long run.
I genuinely feel bad for the employees that are aware of the markups and have to sell to the middle-to-elderly age group that have little-to-no access or grip of technology. Shame on management, you guys know better. read more