Spinfuel – There has been some concern about BPA leaching into plastic bottles. What type of plastic does PSV use for bottling? Where do you stand on this whole BPA controversy?
PSV: -I heard about it and verified my bottles immediately. I wholesale all over the globe and have to adhere to different countries standards as well. We now have the “triangle” (telling blind people not to ingest) on the lids of our 12ml and 30ml bottles that we wholesale and are working towards getting all of the bottles uniform.
Spinfuel – You now offer a huge 120ML bottle for $69.95. That’s a great price per milliliter (58 cents per ml) for a premium e-Liquid. What made you decide to go with 120ML?
PSV: – Short and sweet answer.. Customer demand. Our customers wanted a bigger bottle. We have so many PSV family members that are so loyal to certain flavors, it just made sense to go big and get a discount.
Spinfuel – Which flavors would you recommend for someone making their first purchase from Pink Spot Vapors? Do you have a top 10 you might share with us?
PSV: -That goes back to the whole “taste is subjective thing”. I have customers that think Swagger is “Ok”. And that has to be our best seller world wide. I just had a guy a few days ago tell me that I should have named my company Nutty Buddy because that is the best flavor ever created lol. We try to have offerings no matter what your taste is… tobacco, blends, fruity, menthol/minty. Whatever your likes are, we are going to have several offerings that you will love.
Spinfuel – Your brick and mortar stores sell e-cigarette hardware, such as the new eRoll, but those products don’t seem to be available on your website. Why have you chosen not to sell e-cigarettes online?
PSV: -Online is a different animal. There are a ton of people selling online. If there were a million Vapers in LV and I could just set up eJuice stores I would. I make it and I can support the quality and consistency of it 100%. I have to offer the hardware in the stores since there are so many new people that need the hardware just to start. Since I have to offer it, I figured I may as well go all the way and offer the best. I surrounded myself with some really talented and knowledgeable staff that love educating people. It just drives me nuts when customers get mad when a clearomizer is not working right and they think Pink Spot Vapors made a bad product. Pink Spot Vapors makes eJuice. I think that is why we have not done hardware online, I cannot control the quality because I do not make it. That being said, due to customer requests, we do plan to add some accessories so people can “one stop shop” in the near future. At least some basics for now like heating elements and some batteries etc. We will see, a year ago, I would have said you were crazy that I would open multiple stores. Who knows what we will be talking about next year, I feel like I am along for the ride half the time instead of directing the ship.
Spinfuel – Both of you are Vapers. Can you share with our readers what hardware you guys use for your personal vaping? What about e-Liquids, which are your favorites?
PSV: Sandi loves her GLV. She has for some time. I am a simple guy, if it works for me, I am cool. I am using a lot of different things now because I am testing stuff out for the store. I have all the basics like the ProVari, SB, and Rio Grand etc. But to be honest, I rock the Ego C Twist most of the time; I have them plugged in at my desk and in a few rooms at the house. Had them set up as back ups but I am busy and they are easy so I usually throw a bcc or some tank on it and rip my swagger while I work. Definitely not a hardware snob lol.
Spinfuel – Do you use high-end atomizers, or do you prefer carto-tanks, clearomizers, etc.? Which do you find provide a great vaping experience for you personally?
PSV: I love the ce2 dct-2 in a skinny tank. I like that at 1.7 and now I have been using the mini bcc quite a bit at the 2.4 and like the smooth hit. I am all over the place. I test flavors on so many different devices with so many different heating elements at different V & W I do not know if I have a favorite anymore. Like I said, I am simple and if it works for me, I don’t mess with it too much. Some people love the tinkering. If I had more time, I am sure I would too; I just do not have the time now.
Spinfuel – If a customer walks in, and he or she is a smoker, what do you try to accomplish, if anything, with that first visit? What do you tell them about vaping if they never used an electronic cigarette before?
PSV: -Get it in their hands and get them trying samples. They are skeptical most likely but once they get used to it then the education begins. We really educate how the unit works and how to maintain it as well. Giving the support and confidence is important too. Smoking is a trigger and eCigs address them where the gum and patches never did. Telling them stuff like that gives them confidence because it makes sense to them. When they walk out knowing they just quit smoking. They come back and bring everyone they know.
Spinfuel – Many of our readers are brand new to vaping, so naturally they are exploring their options. Do you have any general advice for our readers that are new to all this?
PSV: -There are a lot of quality products out there. Take your time and make sure that you get some quality hardware and juice. Your chance of success is so much higher when you do. Most people that think vaping does not work just did not have the right hardware/juice or education.
Spinfuel – Lastly, we love to see fellow entrepreneurs succeed, especially in the e-cigarette industry. Both of you have worked so hard to make all this great success come true. What would you say to anyone out there who might be interested in opening up a local vape shop of his or her own? Are there any apparent pitfalls one might be on the lookout for?
PSV: -Just to do things the right way. We all know what that means. There is a lot of drama in this industry. We refuse to get involved. We have customers that tell us that “this company is saying this about you” or “that company is saying that”. None of that concerns me. Nobody cares about the little guy; I take it as a compliment when I hear the “smack talk”. If you are working on your business hard enough, you should not have time to talk about anyone else. If you do have time, you are not working hard enough. I make sure my employees do not partake in that. That is not what we are about. I realize it is just the nature of business when people see what ever degree of success that you may have they are going to try to poke at it. My advice is sell a great product and work hard and this is the best industry in the world to be in.
Spinfuel – With everything you have going on now I know there isn’t much time to spend thinking past the next 6 months, but do you both ever talk about a long-term plan? Where do you see Pink Spot Vapors going over the next 5 or 10 years?
PSV: Oh gosh I have no idea. I never thought I would do a store front and here we go. I do know that we are loving every day of it and are more motivated to keep pushing forward now more than ever. Who knows what the future is going to bring. I know one thing. It is going to be a fun ride. That’s what is about right? Having a blast doing something you love and believe in?
June 2013
