It truly saddens me to know that something my family and I have worked on so hard for over a month has almost went to shit because other people are taking it way too serious. I don’t think you people get it… I didn’t create the Best of 2013 – Vape Vendors and Community for you to argue who is the best. It’s supposed to be about fun. You’re acting like this poll is the most important thing ever, and it isn’t. If it were that serious, why didn’t you help me share it throughout the community when it was time for the entries? – If you feel that passionate about a company, person, blog or forum, spend your time rallying for them, not creating negative comments.
Do you think I want FastTech to be considered an Overall leading company in our community? No. I don’t think FastTech is an electronic cigarette company. I think they’re just a Chinese company that will sell anything (including gadgets) to gain a dollar, and that’s exactly what they do. However, I can’t do anything about what is in these polls. Some of you have been respectful enough to email me about this situation, but it’s out of my hands. I don’t control what happens with these polls, you do. That’s the good thing about the Best of 2013, is the community controls the outcome. Now, I know Vapor Joes has quite the following, and we all know he’s urged people to vote for FastTech, so how do you think you can change the outcome of these results? – By doing what WE as vapers do best; we control situations in numbers, because that is definitely something the electronic cigarette industry has.
I was thinking I would start writing this post telling you that I’m going to pass the torch onto another blog and let them deal with this next year, but I can’t find it in myself to do it. This is the first time I’ve ever organized something in my life that I truly feel brings fun to people online. This little online event that you look at as stupid, worthless or whatever else words you have for it, it’s an accomplishment for me and the blog that I’ve built. That said, next year will be different. I’ll get a group of you vapers to help me pre-plan and figure out a way to make this run smoother.
For those of you who are upset with me because of the way things turned out this year, I’m truly sorry.
For those of you who have not voted yet, choose wisely. These results, no matter how silly they may be to some, do make a difference within our community. Because of these entries I finally found my perfect clearomizer (the Aspire), because of so many rebuildable entries, I finally took the dive into rebuildables and learned how to build my own coils, because of these entries I’ve learned about some e-liquid companies that I’ve never even heard of before and I’m going to try them for the experience. Let’s try to make this into a positive experience, that’s all I ask.
Hey Blake, don’t fret over it. I learned long ago that it is not nearly as important what people say in the comments. It’s far more important that they say something!
Every comment pushes your page and site higher in the rankings, which IS the most important thing (for you, that is). Let the comments roll. Some of the negative ones may cause you to reconsider things in the future and some you can simply shrug off and scream “moron!” at your computer screen.
Don’t take it personally. Most of the people commenting have no clue how much work goes into maintaining a site like this or creating a poll. Fill in the blank is awful tough to tabulate, after all.
Keep up the good work!
Blake, you’re doing the right thing (and Scott is correct in that this has brought GuideToVaping’s visibility much more attention).
Things will work out. I’ve had entire Facebook Groups pissed at my site, to which I’ve responded politely, “Thanks for the Traffic!”.
I think most of the negatives were from folks who DO like your site but would like to see it even more important and visible, so there is that. Chin up and carry on!
I find it sad that you’re getting a hard time. I love vaping and what it has done for me and so many of my customers. I have found that most people that participate in online polls and Vape groups (club) don’t support their local B/M. My customers that use simple EGO batteries are a joy to serve. The hobbyists (people that rebuild shit) are a pain in the ass. They also buy their supplies online. This is why I believe Fasttec did so well. They buy products from them and then have the audacity to hang out in the store to show it off. What pisses me off is that I will have the same thing(s) on my shelf.
Anyway! Support your local stores and the outcome of polls like this would be much better. Sorry about the tangent.
I’ve been smoking E-Juice for a little over 2 month now after smoking regular cigs for 14 yrs n lovin it:) I love my e-juice I’ve been buying from ZeusE-juice. Com, they have the best price for the amount of E-Juice, best tasting n good customer service. I love ZeusE-juice!!! I give u a A+++;)
Blake
Every knock is a boost. Really appreciate all the hard work and energy that you and your family have put into the guide.
I own five vapor stores in Tulsa, Oklahoma and use your guide as a quick reference within the scope of our customer service. I make all my employees read it and use it.
Merry Christmas to you and your family and your staff and their families.
God Bless Free Enterprise.
Blake
One more thing. I use Zeus E Juice exclusively and my customers love it.
Zeus E Juice is awesome.
I’m posting the polls in a few places because I cant stand the idea of Fast Tech winning. I’m hoping people who know what it is to be a vape company in the US may vote if they see it.
Its not your fault that the nomination came in the way they did. You did correct and if they somehow win it will just be anther thing people will get over.