Why Don’t Physical Vape Stores Dare Compete on Price? This Shop Owner’s Explanation Makes Sense

I accidentally came across a post titled "A Letter to Manufacturers" being shared everywhere, and some comments made me deeply feel the sorrow of the industry. I have something to say here,

Do you think the low prices you buy at are a gain? Do you think that someone selling you a product for 52 or 53 when the cost is 50 is being honest? Businesspeople are not foolish; why would they offer you such low prices?! What do they earn? Don't tell me it's about volume! Don't say it's about doing business with integrity; making a profit in business is a natural right, and there is no such thing as integrity in pricing, I am referring to controlled pricing, not the malicious gouging of new entrants!

Have you ever thought about it? Without controlled pricing in the market, and without guaranteed retail terminal profits, who will do retail? If someone does, they will definitely expand profits through other channels! And let me tell you what price wars bring: they lead to cost-cutting, the prevalence of counterfeit goods, the extinction of genuine products, and the destruction of the industry!! How did counterfeit goods become rampant in China? It came from price wars! It’s not that low prices led to counterfeit goods; it’s that price wars created counterfeit goods!

From the bottom of my heart, what we deeply detest is not the price wars, but the counterfeit goods, trash products, and deceptive goods that flood the market due to price wars, leading to a deteriorating reputation for the industry! You are forcing physical stores to learn from online merchants to cut costs to ensure their profits!! This is not alarmism; those in this industry know that physical stores have been forced to the point where they have to resort to deceptive goods to survive! When physical stores are forced down this path, congratulations to you consumers, you will no longer be able to buy good products...

Some may think this is an exaggeration, but think about it: what happened to those classic products that you old players desperately searched for? Why did they disappear? Why is no one making them anymore? Why do you feel the taste has changed?? Why does it seem that one bottle is not as good as the last, until finally, no one sells them anymore…! Even when searching online for what e-liquids new users should use, countless people recommend Halo, and just a few days ago, the distributor had to clear inventory and said they would no longer produce it…! Why? Because the price war cannot accommodate the excellent so-called high-priced genuine products!! At this point, some people tell me they miss that classic flavor, and I can only say: haha!

After the classics, there are no more classics...

Have you ever thought about why the products coming out now cannot be called classics? A bottle of e-liquid can be hot for a few days and then disappear, until everyone becomes numb, knowing that no matter how much hype, it is still not the classic or good product we want... Because in a price war, there is no room for classics...

When a product starts a price war, counterfeit goods begin to flourish, then physical stores, fearing counterfeit goods and price wars, dare not stock up, and the prices of counterfeit goods drop lower and lower, ultimately leaving no room for genuine products, which quietly exit the market... For example, the mango slush and duck products that online merchants use to give away, can you still buy genuine products? For instance, a certain brand...

In such a state, manufacturers are unwilling to invest too much effort into making a good product, only pursuing speed to quickly release batch after batch of deceptive goods, producing a batch that is hot for a few days and then rushing to make the next one... Because even the best product cannot withstand the market's destruction for long!

Players wanting cheap prices is understandable, but let’s be fair: do you want cheap prices, high quality, service, experience, environment, and after-sales support all at once?? Haha!! I can only say: come on, buddy, you try!

Of course, whether it’s a price war or a counterfeit war, consumers cannot be blamed; everything is a result of market guidance.

The downfall of physical stores is the first step; you think those who uphold their principles are the ones who have harmed you, but next will be those you call honest sellers, followed by wholesalers and manufacturers!!! When players feel proud of the e-liquids they bought for a few dozen yuan or the devices they bought for a hundred or so, have you ever thought about why they are so cheap? Physical store owners are not foolish; if everyone is selling low prices, why would they sell at high prices? Anyone who can run a physical store understands this logic: selling one will not bring a second customer!

Why not sell at low prices?

Because physical stores understand a principle: if a store sells hundreds of bottles and one has a problem, they won't be able to stay open! Because physical stores know that providing good service to every customer is essential for longevity, so we offer free drinks, free cotton, free materials, we spend money to hire people to decorate the store to make it comfortable for customers, we buy comfortable sofas, we prepare game consoles to entertain customers, we buy board games, we treat customers to meals and late-night snacks, we accompany them to drink until dawn, we repeatedly explain how to use the devices to everyone, we patiently teach them how to install cotton, and we handle any after-sales issues for them...

Why is it expensive??

Because after all these expenses, the profits are minimal, and the rent for this month is still unpaid! Next month, we need to restock on beer! Because without beer, customers won't enjoy themselves and will be unhappy!! It is these reasons that prevent physical stores from engaging in price wars; you can still see the few good products that remain. If physical stores also start competing on price, as you wish for low prices and so-called honest prices, it will lead to worse product quality, with deceptive goods flooding the market, and the industry's reputation will continue to decline. When the entire e-cigarette industry has a poor reputation, what is the meaning of its existence?!!

I know that what I say may make some uncomfortable and may block some people's financial paths, but so what? I just want to tell you that low prices do not equate to integrity; producing quality goods is what integrity means, okay?!! When you profit immensely from a wave of deceptive goods, have you ever thought about cutting off your own financial path?!

If you are unhappy, feel free to confront me, criticize me, or whatever; it doesn't matter, at worst, I will just stop doing this! I am also extremely disappointed with this industry I love and the sick market!