RETURN OF THE CLONE WARS (?)

[ZenAnarchi]

And I need to vent a bit of steam, as well

Regarding those Chinese manufacturers in what I call the middle-end, like BP Mods and Cthulhu… Why in the bl**dy h*ll can’t you buy spare parts for their gear?!? This goes for several other Chinese manufacturers

Why should I purchase a product that’s going to be made obsolete because of a broken glass or a cheap o-ring? Yes, they include an extra set of o-rings, and a seldom sight these days, an extra glass, but if the quality is meh to begin with, it’s taking the mick BP Mods has had so many complaints that they are taking notice, while Cthulhu has basically shut down their web-shop. The Stubby was a notable exception, where you can buy a new chip and switch it out yourself

As I mentioned, spare parts being available (and a repair service) is just one of the reasons I support the small, European and English manufacturers

 

[LordOdin]

You have to think about those who can't afford anything other than clones. Also some retailers sell stuff at extortionate prices then moan about going out of business. I buy both but refuse to pay over £50 for a Bridge when i can buy a clone for £20 - £30. What do original items have that a Clone doesn't. I am quite happy with a SXK BB, it does the same as an original BB does plus it's probably less than half the price. You do get people and i have been one of them that pay silly prices for things that i probably just like the look of. Take the Aspire Raga that i just paid £100 for, is it worth that really ?. I say No, it only vapes the same as any other AIO. I bought mine for the looks. The Damn Vape Zaion cost me £70 ish and does far more than the Raga. Also a nice looking Mod and very well built, plus it's Metal and not Nylon. I say buy what you like, unless your worried what someone else would say/think.

 

[vapervince]

You have to think about those who can't afford anything other than clones. Also some retailers sell stuff at extortionate prices then moan about going out of business. I buy both but refuse to pay over £50 for a Bridge when i can buy a clone for £20 - £30. What do original items have that a Clone doesn't. I am quite happy with a SXK BB, it does the same as an original BB does plus it's probably less than half the price. You do get people and i have been one of them that pay silly prices for things that i probably just like the look of. Take the Aspire Raga that i just paid £100 for, is it worth that really ?. I say No, it only vapes the same as any other AIO. I bought mine for the looks. The Damn Vape Zaion cost me £70 ish and does far more than the Raga. Also a nice looking Mod and very well built, plus it's Metal and not Nylon. I say buy what you like, unless your worried what someone else would say/think.

That`s a good point, if there were no forum population there would be no opinions to share, a purely personal judgement, is my pleasure in knowing that I have quit smoking and found an interesting hobby or owning an expensive original and knowing that in a month or 2 there will be something more shiny and even more expensive coming along, it should remain a personal choice without stigma.

 

[ZenAnarchi]

Even though I wholeheartedly agree that everyone should buy what they like, @LordOdin , I have to point out that I never mentioned prestige or envy as a motivation for buying authentic gear. For me, it’s an issue of my own principles and morals combined with a healthy dose of practicality and shinyitess

You do seem a bit conflicted, though. On the one hand you bought the Raga simply because you like its design, despite the price, but you have also argued that buying a clone Kayfun BB is based solely on functionality versus price. And you will probably never know if the clone vapes the same or is an exact duplicate of the original, at least not without owning both, using a micrometer fastidiously, and an abundance of ocd

I love both my authentic Svoëmesto rebuildables f ex, and they do mean more to me than a clone would

 

[quincey43]

I have only ever had one top end RTA and that was the Spica Pro, I did get a clone first and really liked it so as it was about Christmas time I asked my hubby to buy me an original for Christmas. I was amazed he said ok and asked me how much it was, well he had a mouthful of coffee at the time and when I told him the price he nearly choked!! He did buy it for me though and it is still used regularly.

 

[ZenAnarchi]

Let me categorically state that I had/have no intention of stigmatizing anyone! My post was my opinion and was written purely as food for thought

 

[vapervince]

Let me categorically state that I had/have no intention of stigmatizing anyone! My post was my opinion and was written purely as food for thought

Your thread has stimulated an interesting discussion on a subject that is probably as old as vaping and deserves to see the light of day from time to time.

 

[MHL]

There's so many variables.... how much money you have in general, how much you have at the moment, how much you want something, how similar is the clone to the original, how much you care about supporting original manufacturers and who the manufacturer of the product you want is (might not be so bothered about supporting "mainstream" high enders like SM and BB), do you just want to try it, or do you know it's a solid atty, availability of course (e.g. I could buy a BB, but they're $300 plus $100 for import duties), etc etc etc etc

Can't really pass judgement.

 

[MrsAshy]

The only authentic tank I have been badly tempted by is the Arcana. I would have bought one a few months ago if I could have gotten hold of one. It would have been the most I have ever spent on a tank. My first bit of high end kit
Nope, oos everywhere
When clones are available and the OM are continually out of stock despite a huge surge of interest/'email me when this is available' they run the risk of people seeking out clones. Thats their gamble

 

[LordOdin]

Even though I wholeheartedly agree that everyone should buy what they like, @LordOdin , I have to point out that I never mentioned prestige or envy as a motivation for buying authentic gear. For me, it’s an issue of my own principles and morals combined with a healthy dose of practicality and shinyitess

You do seem a bit conflicted, though. On the one hand you bought the Raga simply because you like its design, despite the price, but you have also argued that buying a clone Kayfun BB is based solely on functionality versus price. And you will probably never know if the clone vapes the same or is an exact duplicate of the original, at least not without owning both, using a micrometer fastidiously, and an abundance of ocd

I love both my authentic Svoëmesto rebuildables f ex, and they do mean more to me than a clone would

I don't know where you dug up Kayfun BB as i never mentioned it, the only thing i mentioned apart from Raga and Zaion was the SXK BB. I don't own a Kayfun so couldn't possibly comment on one, I don't see why your morals should be affected when buying anything. If you take the Last Couple of RBA's i bought, the flavour i get from both just blown me away especially the Mobb Mini. I was shocked nay stunned by how good it is and can't think of any reason to spend more because i can't see an original being much better, I think where authentic makers struggle is the price they put on things, does a clone cost any less to produce ?. I can't answer that as i just don't know. I won't dispute Authentic things may be better but why are the prices so high. I think it's a case of them wanting to get rich quick at the expense of vapers. My argument is mainly aimed at RBA's, Mods are essentially just power supplies. I haven't bought any Clone RTA's apart from the Dvarw. I have seen new vendors come and go and even their closing down sales cost more than most places. I used to like ECIGONE but have started using them less because of the way they have hiked their prices. For me and what i want to buy the choice of vendors are getting less and less.