Electronic Cigarette Reviews

June 12, 2012 By 3 Comments

Edesignerz.net - Darren's Electronic Cigarette BlogMy name is Darren, and most of you will probably be shocked to find out that this exact site used to make over six figures per year as a web design and IT Consultancy. Yeah, a tech geek and token IT Guy. That’s me to a “T.”  The gears are always turning inside my head, it’s the way I am.

However, I’m out of that business now and didn’t want the fruits of my labor go to waste.  So, I decided to maintain this site and talk about a product that has changed my life forever -the electronic cigarette.

Electronic cigarette smoking is becoming common in society.

My Desk full of cigarette butts.

My desk in 2008. Disgusting! E-cigarette brands. The comments and e-cigarette reviews below my personal analysis of each brand on the site are generated entirely by visitors of this website.

My goal is clear:  to educate consumers like YOU about a product that’s become a life-changer for me – the e-cigarette.  I was inspired by a website I read called “electronic cigarette tree .com.”

Oh yeah, and if you want an image of what my desk USED to look like, there it is, as a reminder of how things used to be.  Life has changed for the better, thanks to an invention called the electronic cigarette.

 

Bull Smoke Brand review1.  Bull Smoke. 

This is the brand of electronic cigarette that I use.  It’s affordable, has a ton of vapor, and offers a wide variety of flavors to choose from, including three distinct tobacco blends.  The simple approach to providing an electronic cigarette as an alternative to tobacco cigarettes hit home with me, and the customer support couldn’t be better.

Read my Bull Smoke Review & Unlock a Coupon here.

V2 Cigs Logo2.  V2 Cigs.

This e-cigarette brand constantly gets phenomenal e-cigarette reviews, so I had to check it out.  They’ve been in business a while and are ranked by Alexa.com as the #1 e-cigarette brand in the world!  With the largest selection of accessories and the ability to customize the starter kits to your own specifications, V2 Cigs is an awesome e-cigarette brand that can’t be overlooked in your search.

Click the link to read more about V2 Cigs & get the latest discount code.

Green Smoke Logo3.  Green Smoke Electronic Cigarette Brand

This electronic cigarette company has a solid market share, and a lot of that has to due with their presence in the market dating back to 2008.  Green Smoke reviews are usually quite positive, other than some people will make the point that they are priced much higher than other top electronic cigarette brands.

Click here to read my thoughts on Green Smoke.

Electronic cigarette brands are a dime a dozen – and I’ve tried many of them that simply don’t shine a good light on the industry or represent how great these products really are.  The three e-cig brands listed above are the ones everyone always asks about, and to be honest they are the ones I recommend people use over all others.  I have probably tried over 50 e-cigarette brands either through my own personal investment or by using the devices of a friend of mines, and I’m compiling a database of my experiences on this here website.  For now, you can rest assured you have all the information on the best electronic cigarette brands at your disposal, so be sure to read the corresponding review pages and soak it all in.

A brief history of my site, for those curious to know how I became a noted authority on electronic cigarette reviews.

I used to be really into web design and IT.  Using this site as a personal blog, it became quite popular.  I ended up selling my company one day and decided that I’ve put so much effort into the schematics of the site, that I’d just keep the eDesignerz brand and use this as my own space to talk about the product that changed my life:  e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes have been a refreshing product that have really made waves in their short history in the USA.  Here in Florida, I started seeing electronic cigarette products starting in about 2006.  Sawgrass Mills Mall had a kiosk for a brand called Smoking Everywhere, and to be honest, I sort of shunned the idea that a product such as a smokeless cigarette would really taste anything like a “real” tobacco cigarette.

After finally being persuaded to try electronic cigarettes and give them a fair shot, I was HOOKED. 

Not in an addicting way, but a way that really made me think of just how bad tobacco cigarettes are for me.  I wasn’t interested in continuing down the path of having smelly clothing, always having to dry clean my business essentials, and just smelling rotten.  The constant reminder of a long night of cigarette smoking was everywhere in my house.  The ash trays, the lingering stench, and the lighters all over the place.  This was something out of a scene from Animal House every weekend if I had a few cold ones the night before.

The reaction I get to the electronic cigarette reviews on this site are what drive me to continue spending time on this unique product.  Imagine if we fast forward ten years and we get even 10% of all cigarette smokers to switch to these smokeless cigarettes?  Imagine how much better the air we breath will be.  We can all dream, can’t we?

I’m doing my part by spreading the word about electronic cigarettes. 

If you operate a website, you can help increase awareness by linking to my site.   I appreciate any grassroots support and will return the favor in any way possible.

Filed Under: 2012 Tagged With: , ,

Ozone Smoke Review

April 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Ozone Smoke Electronic Cigs ReviewOzone Smoke is an electronic cigarette brand I was recently introduced to.  This brand recently rose to fame amongst electronic cigarette lovers because of many reasons. The Ozone Smoke brand promises to offer a superb experience to those who have left the traditional cigarette in hopes of acquiring a healthier habit.  It’s also been noted on many websites that they have very high customer service standards, which is always a breath of fresh air.

Just like any other brand in the market, Ozone Smoke uses the same principals to create their e-cigarette. But as always, there are slight changes in the overall model. In the end, it depends on the battery life, the taste of flavors and the simulated experience of the cigarette that entices people to buy them.

Ozone Smoke has its advantages over other brands and as well as shortcomings. We will have a brief look at the brand and its offering.

The first thing that any electronic cigarette considers before buying one is the budget. Every brand offers electronic cigarettes in different forms and shapes that come with various price tags. So let’s focus on the value of money you get when you buy Ozone Smoke.

Ozone Smoke is offered in three starter kits; Premium, Deluxe and Ultimate

Premium Starter Kit ($69.95 SALE):

The Ozone Smoke Premium Starter kit has everything a newbie needs to begin their journey in this new world of electronic cigarettes. Also there is no DIY when you get the package because of the two part cigarette design. Here are the accessories and necessities the Premium Starter Kit contains:

  • 1 Regular Battery (lithium ion and rechargeable)
  • 1 Short Battery (lithium ion and rechargeable)
  • 6 Flavored Cartridges (Select from 2 Menthol, 2 tobacco, 2 strawberry, 2 peach or 2 energy flavors)
  • 1 Adapter
  • 1 USB charger
  • User Manual

Deluxe Starter Kit ($109.95):

The Deluxe Starter Kit essentially contains all the accessories you get from the Premium Starter Kit with addition of a carrying case and 3 five packs of flavors. Here is the complete list of the package:

  • 1 Regular Battery (Lithium Ion and Rechargeable)
  • 1 Short Battery (Lithium Ion and Rechargeable)
  • 6 Flavor Cartridges + 3 Five Packs (Choose from various nicotine strengths and flavor)
  • 1 Adapter
  • 1 Carrying case
  • 1 USB Charger
  • User Manual

Ultimate Starter Kit ($129.95):

The complete solution for the enthusiast smoker, the Ozone Ultimate Starter Kit is the complete package. It contains the basics of both Premium and Deluxe Kits while adding in 5 five packs of flavor, a carrying case with extra USB charger and a car charger. Here is the complete list of items you get in the kit.

  • 1 Regular Battery (Rechargeable)
  • 1 Short Battery
  • 6 flavor cartridges
  • 5 five packs of flavor cartridges
  • 1 car charger
  • 1 carrying case with USB charger
  • 1 adapter
  • 1 USB charger
  • User Manual

As always you can choose the strength of nicotine and as well as the flavors that are available. All Ozone Smoke starter kits come with one year warranty. Additional accessories can be purchased separately from the online store of the brand.

Ozone Smoke Brand

Filed Under: Electronic Cigarette Reviews Tagged With: ,

Premium Redd Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit Review

November 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Redd Electronic CigaretteAlthough relatively new to the market, having been established in June of 2012, Redd Electronic Cigarettes offer an enjoyable alternative to traditional cigarettes. The company sells cartridges in regular tobacco, menthol and vanilla flavors, with five different nicotine levels to choose from. These include no nicotine at all, ultra-light, light, medium and high levels of nicotine, going all the way up to 2.4 percent.

I ordered the Electronic Cigarette in an act of simple curiosity. The kit included two rechargeable batteries, a charging case, and even five refill cartridges. The products were easy to use, attractively designed, and have proved to be quite durable.

There are many people who have never had a favorite cigarette brand and just buy whatever is cheapest. Redd’s products are provided at affordable prices, which should cost about half as much as traditional cigarettes over the long term.

Redd electronic cigarette delivers an identical taste to traditional cigarettes, without making my fingers and clothes reek of tobacco. There are skeptical who affirm that an electronic cigarette can’t deliver a satisfactory nicotine fix, I have tried many different brands and can report that their clean water vapor provides roughly same effect as a lungful of smoke, Redd is not the exception.

One consideration that a smoker should take into account when comparing electronic cigarette brands is the battery. There is nothing more frustrating than having an electronic cigarette’s battery die out on you right after you charge it. This brand uses a good quality battery, which lasts about as long as the refill cartridge. There is also a led on the cigarette to let you know when it is time to recharge it.

My Premium Redd Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit arrived less than a week after I ordered it, and the company even provided me with tracking information when I requested it. Each of their products comes with a one year warranty, and the company also offers a 30 day money back guarantee to ensure customer satisfaction.

While it’s a new player in the e-cig game, my  guess is that Redd will be around for a while as everything here is top quality and customer-service oriented.

 

Filed Under: Electronic Cigarette Reviews Tagged With:

The E-Cig Debate Continues

September 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

As if there wasn’t enough controversy after last night’s unreal ending in the Monday Night Football game between the Packers and the Seahawks, the debate continues on whether e-cigarettes are a healthy option to people looking for something to use in place of tobacco cigarettes.  I’ve weighed in on this subject numerous times since starting this website, and I feel that the answer is very clear.  However, my opinion as an every day Joe who smokes electronic cigarettes for a number of reasons doesn’t matter when the government gets down to brass tacks and has to release official clarity on the subject of if these devices are indeed healthier.

I read an article at MyDesert.com that sparked the interest enough for me to take some time off from coding and get back to blogging about e-cigs, something as my loyal folowers know, is my passion.  I’d much rather tell the world of my love for e-cigs than code, that’s for sure.  Hey, e-cigs save me money, which means I do less coding, so it’s obvious!

So, this article talked about the ongoing debate about e-cigarettes.  It talks about the recent Greek Study that presented evidence that says the battery-powered e-cigs may damage the lungs but in research in August it was also reported that e-cigs don’t harm the heart.

Some studies talk about the hazards which just baffled me, like “hazards from second hand vapor.”  As far as I know, the vapor is much less harmful (to me it’s a non-issue and I forget it even exists often times as it vanishes so rapidly) when compared to tobacco cigarettes.  I mean, just light up a tobacco cigarette and see what happens and how long the second hand smoke lingers around. It gets in your clothing, it gets in  your wallpaper, and it remains lingering with your cigarette butts that sit and rot in your ash tray.  To me, that’s just an assinine report that would even suggest that e-cigarette’s second hand smoke could be worse off than that of a tobacco cigarette.  I’m really looking forward to the evidence but doubt anything of substance will be reported.

I can’t argue with some researchers, who in the report purportedly were upset that some children could be addicted to the electronic cigarettes – I really can’t argue with that.  However, if there are safe guards in place (like with tobacco products), minors won’t have access to them.  Problem solved.

The FDA tried, and failed to regulate e-cigarettes as drug delivery devices.  A federal judge ruled in 2010 that it  lacked authority to do so, and a minor victory to e-cigarettes was celebrated by everyone in the industry.  Myself included.  Now, the FDA is moving to regulate the products as tobacco products.  (Which is comical since they don’t contain tobacco.)

Thomas Kiklas of the TVECA (tobacco vapor electronic cigarette assocation) responded to a report that vapor from e-cigs may be harmful by saying “there’s no smoker.  It’s water vapor.  You don’t smell anything.”

Thank you, Thomas.  Couldn’t have said it better myself if given the stage to do so.

An interesting part of the report talked about some people in the medical community were seeing potential benefits in e-cigs, stating “e-cigarettes may hold promise as a smoking-cessation method.”  That quote was from Michael Siegel, Boston University School of public health.  His studies done with two co-workers found that 67% of the 222 smokers used in a study said they smoked less after using the products for six months and a whopping 31% stated they stopped their smoking habit entirely.

Some people want more information about the products, which is understandable. I would like to know more about them and potential long term issues.  For now, however, I’m a firm believer, and living proof, that they are more accepted in areas I frequent than tobacco products.  Try smoking cigarettes around 65 year old parents who loathe smoking.  You’ll anger them in a New York minute.  Try an e-cig, and they won’t even know.

I do this for a living, and will be back soon with more thoughts on electronic cigarettes.

Filed Under: Electronic Cigarette Tagged With:

Search and Replace – Quitting Is Not Only About Loss

August 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This is my personal montage to smoking – my deep thoughts on why cigarettes can take over the mind and body…

While laying on your back smoking, white puffs of smoke float up like harmless clouds in a clear blue sky. You shape your mouth in to a tight circle and tap on your cheek with your thumb and forefinger, Voila! You have blown a smoke ring. Your friend lying next to you laughs and tries to blow some smoke rings as well. Engaging in the ritual of smoking is one of the oldest tradition and one of the biggest allures of smoking. Of course, what we know today is that those puffy clouds that attracted us to smoking are not harmless. They are more harmful than acid rain. They are deadly. Nevertheless, the culture of smoking came before the concept of cool or rebellion commonly associated with smoking today. The culture of smoking is as old as the culture of humanity itself. Such a culture is difficult to break, even with the knowledge that this time honored tradition is deadly.

If you handed a cigarette smoker a loaded gun and said, “shoot yourself” (or your child, spouse or pet), they would not do it. Cigarette smokers do not want to die. They want to smoke. What makes the dangers of smoking so difficult is that the harm is usually not immediate and often cannot be seen. One ex-smoker confessed that it was not until she saw herself aging so much faster than her nonsmoking friends that she got up the courage to finally quit. As soon as she could physically see it, the fun was over.

If seeing is believing for you, take time to search the web. Real people, real stories and real tragedies are being shared like never before. What you see should not have to be looking back at you in the mirror.

Quitting smoking is a life change choice that each smoker must make for themselves. It is a choice to get healthy. Once you are moving in that direction, why not go all the way? The money you spend in a year on cigarettes might even add up to a gym membership! Natural devices are available to help ease your transition from one life style to the other. Herbal cigarettes, for example, are one device that people use as a stepping stone to quitting altogether. Other herbal supplements thought to satisfy smoking cravings come in the form of capsules, teas, lozenges and sprays. As you take away the use of cigarettes you should look for ways to fill the void left in its wake. Adding herbs and tinctures that will heal the damage smoking has caused is a healthy and satisfying way to replace the rituals that inevitably crop up around smoking.

The Internet not only gives us information but also resources. The National Cancer Society has set up a toll free hotline to answer questions about what quit smoking program would work best for you. At 1800-QUIT -NOW, trained counselors are available to coach you through the initial planning stages for quitting and will help you set up a quit date. There are also online support groups and chat rooms for those having a hard time jumping in with both feet.

You are not alone in smoking: you are harming yourself, those around you and the environment. Nor are you alone in quitting; reach out and see.

Sorry for my rant – I really wanted to get that off my chest.

 

Filed Under: Quit Smoking Articles Tagged With:

Vapor Couture Review

August 8, 2012 By 3 Comments

Vapor Couture ReviewWomen, you have met your match:

Vapor Couture electronic cigarettes!

These are the new breed of classy, trendy electronic cigarettes that are becoming more of a fashion statement than anything.  These stylish e-cigarettes are like none other on the market and look nothing like a typical cigarette.  They remind me of a Juicy Couture brand and have entangled designs like Louis Vuitton.  If you are a female who loves to accessories, and loves to vape on e-cigarettes, this brand of electronic cigarettes is for YOU.

Vapor Couture Review – (this brand just launched in July of 2012)

Visit their website Here

Okay, so here is what you get when you order Vapor Couture:

When you visit the “create your starter kit” page, you get many options.

First, choose your flavor cartridge pattern.  You can choose from deep purple, stainless, rose gold, and signature.

Then, choose your battery pattern from the same options as above.  (which are really trendy I must admit.)

$99.95 is the price of the “Essentials” starter kit, which is made by VMR Products, parent company of V2Cigs brand.  So, right there that should alleviate any issues or questions about product quality.

*This kit comes with two batteries of your choice, two cartridge packs, (your choice) and the charging kit.

$149.95 is the price of the “Deluxe” starter kit.  You get all of the above PLUS a case (which is called the clutch bag and is like a purse) – as well as a Charm bracelet.  The charm bracelet I haven’t seen yet, but the rest of the products are to the nines.

There’s another kit that’s $10 more that comes with a lanyard and a flavor sampler as well.

The cartridge flavors are named some really fashionable names.  Check these out:

Bombshell:  Turkish tobacco type

Rodeo Drive:  American tobacco type

Fresh Mint:  Menthol

Passion Fruit:  Fruity flavor

Strawberry Champagne:  now this one sounds AWESOME.

Arctic Mint:  Probably like a peppermint from the sounds of it.

The graphics are all really hip and trendy, making this a brand that I know will hit with women. I’m trying to find a female friend of mine to be the guinea pig and to take this brand for a test drive.  For now, I just have the basic information for you and some stock images I found online, but I’m sure since it’s made by V2 Cigs you will enjoy your experience – they are great people.

I’ve also got a coupon code for Vapor Couture, it’s the same as the one for V2Cigs since it’s the same parent company:  V2net

Visit Vapor Couture Here

Thanks for reading the Vapor Couture review.  More info to follow soon!

Vapor Couture electronic cigarettes - the world's only ecig for women!

Filed Under: Electronic Cigarette Reviews Tagged With:

Maximize Your Chances For Success In Quitting

July 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you are thinking about quitting smoking, whatever else you do, counseling has to be part of it. Studies have shown that whether smokers choose nicotine replacement therapies, such as gum or patches, or they get a medical prescription from their doctor, or they seek out alternative therapies such as acupuncture, talk therapy is the key component to successful and long lasting quitting.

The National Cancer Institute has set up a free, national help line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. This important call is free to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Trained counselors are available for thirty to forty minute sessions to talk to you about your individual needs for setting up a successful quit smoking plan and what you can expect regarding withdrawal symptoms and cravings. 1800-QUIT-NOW counselors are also great resources for individual counselors trained in smoking cessation and addiction behavior in your area.

Quit Smoking ForeverIndividual counseling is especially helpful in identifying what role cigarettes play in your life and what triggers your cravings. Group therapy sessions, on the other hand, are also irreplaceable in addition to counseling. Just as A.A. has been so successful with helping alcoholics to stop abusing alcohol, group counseling whether online, by phone or in person lets smokers and quitters hear each other’s stories and offer advice.

The good news about quitting smoking is that you are not the first person to go through it…..I’m living proof!

While everyone reacts differently to this important life change, there are so many different treatment plans that one is sure to fit your needs. Or more than one; many quit smoking devices can be used in conjunction with others so really you are building an individualized quitting program to meet all your quitting needs.

Talk to your doctor about the possible benefits of using a prescription such as Chantix, to help you through the initial few weeks. Often you will begin taking the prescription ten days before quitting. Your Quitting Date will be chosen ahead of time and may even become a kind of second birthday for you. As years go by and your smoking days become part of history, you can celebrate yourself and your strong constitution when your quitting anniversary comes around.

Herbal remedies, taken as capsules, gum, sprays and lozenges have been reported to help many people through the initial withdrawal period and also after. Behavior takes longer to change than body chemistry so you definitely need a two-pronged approach.  The Lobelia Plant is now accepted as the most effective herbal ingredient for smoking cessation. The effects of Lobelia on the brain mimic that of nicotine satisfying the craving without feeding the addiction. Other herbs are known for easing tension (Passion Flower and Skullcap) and still others immediately start acting on repairing the body smoking has caused. Coltsfoot and horehound eliminate tar from the lungs, Safflower contains anti-tumor properties. If you are interested in pursuing a natural support system for your quitting plan, look online under herbal remedies to stop smoking, for more information.

I’ll be back later this week with some more electronic cigarette news, but I figured I’d go off topic today and offer my two cents on other types of methods you can use to quit smoking.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With:

Do Electronic Cigarettes Save You Money?

June 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Many people battle with the actual savings involved with smoking electronic cigarettes instead of smoking traditional tobacco products.  While people generally make the switch for the ability to smoke “Anywhere,” some make the move to e-cigarettes to enjoy a cost savings.

Electronic Cigarette Savings CalculatorBut do e-cigarettes really save you money?

I have a close knit group of friends that has a stern argument that says NO.  They feel e-cigarettes are on par or even more expensive than traditional tobacco smokes.

However, I’ve debunked that notion and even made a calculator to show people my math.

Sure, some people DO spend more money smoking electronic cigarettes.  The reasons are plenty, but here are a few of them.

1.  They don’t shop around for the best price, buy at the right time, or use the bulk discount options offered by most of the electronic cigarette brands.

*I’m an advocate of passing around coupon codes.  (I have included these in all of my e-cigarette brand reviews here.)  I also buy in bulk.  Furthermore, many companies have store-wide sales at certain times of the year.  These are the best times to make your purchases, as you can save up to 30%.  Imagine taking your cost down on ANY fixed cost you have by 30%?  That’s serious savings.

2.  Some electronic cigarette cigarette smokers will actually smoke electronic cigarettes more often than they would a traditional cigarette.  The reasons are many, abut being an e-cig smoker myself, here are a few.  For starters, you can smoke them anywhere and they don’t run out as fast as a cigarette.  Meaning, I spend many nights on the computer or on the sofa where I will vape for hours on end.  With a cigarette, I constantly have to light, then re-light the cigarette, often times stopping to get new ones.  This doesn’t make it very efficient or desirable to continue smoking.  With an e-cig, I can put it down on my lap, in my pocket, or wherever else I want to place it and not have to worry about the risk of fire.  Second, many times I’ll smoke an e-cig in places where I would not have been able to have a drag of a cigarette.  This makes it easy to continue vaping and the mere act of smoking is something my life needs.  It’s become a habit I won’t ever break.  That constant sweeping motion of smoking won’t ever be something I’ll be without, so enter the e-cigarette and now I have the ability to do that with much more frequency.

3.  Just do the simple math.  I have made a calculator, albeit a very scaled down version of one, but it works like a charm.  Do the math, and when you compare apples to apples, you’ll find out just how much money is being saved with e-cigarette use.

The math doesn’t lie – electronic cigarettes will save you money.  If you don’t believe me, use the e-cigarette calculator on the right. People are finding electronic cigarette smoking as a nice alternative without many of the carcinogens, tar, and obvious second hand smell of smoke lingering around at all times.

I’m Darren Peterson, and I’m an advocate of electronic cigarettes.  Thanks for reading.

 

 

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Mint Tea & Grape: Limited Time Flavors from V2Cigs.com

June 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mint Tea V2Cigs.com cartridge

Mint Tea. Cool. Refreshing. Perfect for Summer.

Mint Tea & Grape are the newest flavors offered by V2Cigs.com, and according to their website, they will only be available for a limited time.  As a customer, I can confirm that they also sent an email out to everyone saying they are only offered in a limited quantity, but if the overwhelming reaction is good, I have to think they will keep on producing these refill cartridges in Mint Tea & Grape flavors.

Grape isn’t new by any means, it’s offered by the Bull Smoke Brand.  It’s a well received flavor, that some people say tastes like the old Jolly Rancher candies.  I’m sure the V2 Grape flavor will be just the same burst of flavor and taste explosion.  Time will tell.

In case you haven’t read my V2 Cigs review, please do.  It’s a brand of e-cigarettes that I hold in very high regard.

In the mean time, Mint Tea is certainly a new taste to all of us.  Mint hints to me that it’s got a menthol base.  I haven’t confirmed this yet but if the tea portion is like an iced tea or hot tea flavor, this will certainly be a nice distinct taste that we haven’t seen before.  I’m looking forward to receiving both flavors by V2 Cigs and will report back my full flavor cartridge review when I do.

It’s worth noting that both flavor cartridges are offered in the entire array of strengths:  0, 6, 12, 18 mg.

Filed Under: Electronic Cigarette Tagged With:

Free Trial Electronic Cigarette Scam

June 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Scams Exposed: Free Trial Electronic CigarettesWeb surfers, beware.  Anyone out there advertising a “free trial” electronic cigarette is simply trying to separate you from your hard-earned money.  I’m a savvy enough online shopper that I’ve seen this exact thing happen in other market segments, but unfortunately for some people, this has made it’s way into the electronic cigarette market.

I’ll do my best to summarize how you can spot a free trial e-cigarette scam so you can avoid falling into this trap.

First, let’s take a look at some of the things to look for.

1.  “Rush My Order.”  “Just pay shipping & handling.”  “Tell us where to send your free kit.”

That type of language is typical on free trial offers.  Avoid inputting any information, especially your credit card information, on forms that show up on websites touting free trial offers. This leads to my next point….

2.  Look for a form that collects your personal information on the home page of the site you land on.  Companies that sell any type of free trial offer need to collect your vital information, especially your credit card – so they make it as easy as possible to get this accomplished.  They use the front page of their site, the premier real estate, to collect this info.

3.  Around this information, look for “hot buttons” that say “click me,” “submit your information now, or my all-time favorite “submit your information securely now.”  While your information may be transmitted in a secure manner, the way they use this information, namely your credit card, makes me feel very insecure.

Now that you know what to look for, here is why you need to avoid these types of “offers.”

A free trial of an electronic cigarette sounds great on paper, so why is it such a bad deal for e-cigarette shoppers?

Well, here is the low down dirty secrets of why these companies do this. It’s really a shameful, tasteless process that 99% of companies unfortunately fall into.  I’m not saying that all companies run their free trial offers this way, but the vast majority of them do, and this is why you should avoid them…..

Once you submit your information to their credit card processor, you are putty in their hand.  After your 14 day free trial is rushed to you, the clock starts ticking.  As you try out the products, you are contracted, via tiny wording and crafty legal jargon, to their billing model.  The billing model usually ties you, the customer, into an agreement where after 14 days, you are sent the “full” starter kit – at values ranging from $79 – as high as $149!  Most consumers simply forget how the agreement works, so after paying $7.95 for shipping and handling, the last thing they expect is another larger charge forthcoming in the weeks proceeding their purchase.

But what if I cancel before the 14 day free trial ends?

Well this is where I start to call companies that participate in this billing model “con artists.”

It’s often times that I read horror stories of people trying to cancel their orders, to no avail.  The emails, phone calls, and letters go unanswered.  This is often an attempt to get that clock to 14 days or whatever date is set to bill the credit card on file.  Or, in lesser words, it’s done on purpose to deceive customers.

I hate reading these stories, especially when it happens in an industry I care about:  electronic cigarettes.

I’d like to commend all the companies out there with great track records, customer service, and straight-forward billing models.  All the “free trial electronic cigarette scams” should learn from you.

Sorry to rant, just trying to educate any consumers out there contemplating free trials.

Below are some images you can find associated with free trial offers. When you see them, RUN!

Free Trial Scam #1

This is one banner for an electronic cigarette free trial.

 Here is one with the order form I was talking about.

Free Trial E-cig Scam #2

This one shows the order form to watch out for.

Filed Under: Electronic Cigarette

Never Look Back: Quit Smoking for Good

June 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

How I quit Smoking.This post is about my journey and how I quit smoking for GOOD….

A lot of smokers find it incredibly hard to quit smoking, and even if they do manage to quit when times are good, as soon as there’s any stress or hardship in their lives, they go right back to their old habits. Quitting smoking is really hard, and many smokers wonder how to quit smoking forever. There are a few options, and they revolve around your goals and your initiative.

Get Serious With a How to Quit Smoking Forever Plan

One way to get yourself off cigarettes for good is to work your way down slowly. Rather than quitting cold turkey and feeling the harshest of withdrawals, try limiting your daily cigarette intake. And rather than just randomly deciding when to smoke and when not to smoke, put together a plan.  I did this with mixed success, and eventually replaced tobacco cigarettes with electronic cigarettes.

Smokers who do this often set goals. They will have a calendar that identifies when they want to quit completely and they will have a slow decrease planned between now and then. For example, you could plan to cut your smoking in half in two weeks or a month. Depending on how much you smoke now, your time frame will be different. If you smoke 10 cigarettes per day, and you want to get down to five, maybe one cigarette per week is enough. Just getting to the point where you never go over a certain number might be challenging.

Having a plan and making it work will require that you are patient with yourself and that you are serious about succeeding. If it feels like you’re going too fast, slow down the process even further. Aim to be smoking just a few cigarettes per day and each day try to lengthen the amount of time between cigarettes. Many people have decided that this is the only way to quit smoking forever. When you are done, you will have broken the nicotine addiction and you’ll be out of the habit of smoking and taking breaks all the time.

Get Help From Alternatives

Another way to quit smoking forever is to find an alternative that works for you. Some people just need that nicotine fix, and nicotine patches or gum will work just fine. The idea with those alternatives is that you slow down your nicotine intake and eventually stop using them. Not everyone finds this any easier than quitting smoking, so be cautious.

The alternative that is getting more and more attention these days is electronic cigarettes. While they are still not approved as a nicotine alternative, plenty of people are using them as just that. Smoking ecigarettes may not be good for you, but it is better for you than smoking tobacco. No tar and no additives, just flavor, nicotine, and water vapor, and maybe a glycerine or other non-toxic additive.

I’m a walking, talking example of someone who has quit cigarette smoking for good.  Sure, I smoke electronic cigarettes, but do you know how much better I feel about myself?  There is no more TAR, no more ash, no more nasty breath.  These products are unreal.

Electronic cigarettes can also be purchased without nicotine, so if you really just enjoy inhaling something warm into your lungs, maybe you can quit smoking tobacco forever and switch to something less damaging.

That’s my story, and hopefully if I motivate one person to follow the path I took, I can call this electronic cigarette website a success.

 

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