Vapor Den

The «customer service» in this store baffles me. As a customer, I feel that I am more of an annoyance to the retail staff than anything else. I sense that he would much rather listen to music and play on his computer in peace instead of sell a product and earn profit. No wonder the store is always empty. With prices that high, I would hope for at least a smile, if nothing else.

This place is awesome! Jacque was working the counter and not did he make me feel super comfortable in the shop, but was patient while I tried lots of different flavors and asked loads of questions about the different battery and atomizer selections. I’ll definitely be sending my friends this way!

I truly feel sorry for people who come here.
The selection is absolutely mediocre at best, the people here are devoid of all basic professionalism, and the prices are just unjustifiable for what you get.
Every other vape shop in the area carries QUALITY e liquids for a reasonable price, a decent selection of hardware, and a knowledgeable staff that genuinely wants to help you and make sure that you’re going to enjoy what you’re buying. Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere for your vaping needs, this place is a joke to what the vaping industry is about.

I give this place a 2 star because «most» of the employees are very friendly and helpful!
Except — — The owner himself. Don’t know his name and don’t care. He’s a tall African American guy. I asked him politely if he had a 6 ml for this particular e juice, he handed me a 0 ml. I said this is 0 ml. He then handed a magnifying glass and said here, you need this? I looked again and confirmed that was a 0 ml. By then, he realized he made a mistake and went upstairs and made a new one for me.
I’ve seen him numerous times at the shop, his demeanor and customer service attitude had always been mechanical and substandard. And… he’s the owner? Go figure.

This place (literally) saved my life. I smoke 2 packs a day, live on the east coast. Tired of spending 600 a month on cigarettes (10 a pack in Philly) and feeling like total crap. Smoked 2 packs a day for 23 years, the heaviest smoker I know. In California for business. Went here hoping for some information.
Went in and had no idea what I was even looking at. The guy helped me for 20 minutes. Let me test multiple flavors and recommended I buy the protank and kangertank battery. Awesome. Spent 45 dollars, 2 tanks (one isnt a protank) and 2 batteries, a charger, 2 bottles of liquid and some refill coils. 45 dollars not bad for all that and wanted to give it a good try.
Smoked 10 cigs and the vape pen first day. Smoked 5 the second day. Smoked 0 third day and ever since. Was amazed. Went back for more juice because I’m leaving for home soon and didnt want to run out. Different employee was there and was extremely helpful also. Told me whatever I need, call or email and they will ship anything i want across country for 5 dollars. I bought two bottles of juice and asked some questions about staying charged, he gave me recommendations and even gave me another free charger!
Couldn’t be happier. Yeah, you can get cheaper online, but what I needed was information, and they did exactly that. I’m so happy and I feel so much better physically I’m shocked.
Couldn’t recommend this place more. Granted, reading the other reviews makes it sound like it depends on who is behind the counter and what kind of mood they are in, but both of my experiences were helpful and friendly.
If i can do this any heavy smoker can. Im so happy I decided to take a chance and walk in here.
Thanks again to the employees here, my family thanks you too.

Mediocre, over priced, bulk ordered juice and poor service. Not impressed but if you’re in a pinch and in the area worth visiting.

Straight up HORRIBLE customer service ! Literally just hung up on me for NO REASON ! People stay away if you want real service, so sad to think that there are companies operating under these standards.

I really like this place. The staff is very knowledgeable and will try to find the best product for you. If you get sold a defective part, they’ve got your back. Sometimes they can get a bit slammed by customers, but the place has comfy couches to relax on if there’s some wait.
A lot of times a single guy’s manning the shop, so he’s gotta grab lunch or something. That’s fine with me. Their prices are higher than what you’ll find online, but generally you want to try this stuff out in person before you buy anyway.
If you’re into e-​cigarettes, or want to try them out, you should go here.

I have never walked into a business and been treated so poorly. The obviously disgruntled employee, Sam, started off by saying this is a self serve establishment and I should figure out how to find what I need myself. I was pretty surprised by his obvious disinterest in helping me out. There was no one else in the store but me. At one point, as I was trying to figure out how to decipher the code on their liquid product and I asked him what the numbers meant. He reacted with a condescending tone and told me ‘what? You don’t know how to read?’!
I asked to speak to his boss and then Sam walked out into the courtyard yelling for his boss. It was embarrassing and totally unproffessional. When the owner came down, he was very sweet and apologized for his employees behavior. He said he is young, has been a problem before, and can be in a bad mood.
I will no longer shop here because I certainly have no interest in being patronized or insulted again when I can go to a handful of other establishments in the area where they hire helpful and personable employees.

Love this place! The vibe is awesome and the people are super friendly. Plus theres a rad fondu place right next door. Cant get any better!

I grew up in Berkeley and still live here. I spent a ton of time on Telegraph Avenue as a teen, ate many a meal at Fondue Fred’s and absolutely love Blue Note. I was looking forward to have another reason to visit the cool business nook at 2556. This won’t be one.
I walked in to a store devoid of customers. The kid on the sofa, smelling of weed and insolence, vaping away and playing games on his phone didn’t acknowledge me until I asked about their product. He handed me a mouthpiece and pointed to the wall, mumbling about something, then went back to his couch. It only went downhill from there. The guy was rude, telling me he had no knowledge about what I was looking for: a liquid that didn’t smell like fruit or incense. I asked him a few more questions, and got the same sort of attitude. I asked him if he owned the shop: «Yeah, it’s my shop.» Then it was «What do you actually want to buy?» I wished him luck with his business and bailed. He wished me luck finding a vapor shop in the area. I guess he’s not familiar with the saturation of the vapor supply retail industry i the Bay Area.
Honestly, I see how I can be perceived as not the ideal customer. I don’t sit around all day, listening to Insane Clown Posse and sucking on a vaporizer. I don’t know much about the things. I ask very basic questions. I’m over 40 and not cool. I don’t wear a beanie and look like Link from Zelda. In my experience, this makes me a very good customer. When I was in retail, I’d wait around for a guy like me to come into the shop, asking stupid questions with his credit card out, just waiting to be educated and taken to town. I was good at it. That was me today. Easy sale. With a little effort from couch guy, I would have walked out with a new setup and a new supply of juice. Easy hundred bucks. Instead, I went to the place over in Oakland off of Embarcadero, was treated like an adult by a professional staff, and spent my money there.
That’s my experience. Looks like it is similar to some, and night and day from others. I won’t be back to see if I can make it into the other category, as I have found a place that is owned by and staffed by a more socially able population.

I’m tired of driving over there during their «business hours» and always finding the *back* *in* *5* *minutes* sign, or walking up and the guy saying «can you hold on for a sec, I just gotta go to my car» and he comes back 10 minutes later reeking of weed. I don’t care if you smoke weed, but I’m just trying to get a refill! It would take you all of one minute to ring me up, but you’d rather made me wait 15!
Unfortunately, they’ve got the local market cornered. I really wanted to support you guys, but I’m buying online from now on. I don’t have time for your shit.

I started vaping in May, needed to drop a bad Marlboro Red habit.
I walked in the first time for info, and told the guy there at the counter that I wouldn’t be buying that day, as I had to wait until payday. He still spent at least 20 minutes going over the details of nicotine levels, tanks, batteries, voltage, really broke it all out to show me the different models — all knowing I wouldn’t be making a purchase. Naturally I went back.
And they have been nothing but helpful ever since. I have two Evod VV, so I can keep everything full and charged, and finally, after some shopping around in their supplies, found the flavor and dose I need. These guys are great — they have reminded ME twice about getting my card stamped, and the bonus for a filled card is always fun. I wouldn’t switch out for online supplies, because I ALWAYS think of another question when I’m standing there, and I do like supporting local businesses too.
(And I haven’t lit up since May 1^st.)

Max was very helpful and patient with me. Let me try his own variable volt as well as a few other vape pens. Prices are fair too. Their shop is tucked away a bit, the address is correct. Five Pawns is also sold here and they are the best I’ve tried yet.
On another note, my shorts were completely torn right down the middle when I walked in, glad nobody in the Den laughed. Thought it was strange a couple folks started laughing out of the blue when I was walking back to my car lol realized what happened when I got home.

Pros: Sampling is great. You do not have to purchase a flavor without liking it. There is ample supply of juice and juice flavors. A stamp card for regulars. Max is a cool guy.
Cons: Awful parking. Limited hardware. No clear explanation of omhs, battery, tank compatibility importance and suitability. Only three nicotine levels. Most importantly, NO WAY to manipulate PG/​VG ratios.

I feel compelled to write because of the negative reviews. I just don’t get it! I’ve been going here for over six months so I feel like I’m qualified to review the place.
SHOCKING FACT: You will pay more here than you would online! It’s true guys! They do have to pay for a storefront! But when you get a non-​functional device (fairly common with e-​cigs still) online how much hassle is it to return it? I’ve seen many people walk into the shop and say something they bought doesn’t work. Most of the time, these people didn’t realize you need to click the battery button 5x to turn the unit on. But when a device is faulty they replace it for free right away. When I got a bammer clearomizer, they replaced it immediately no questions asked.
SHOCKING FACT #2: You may have to wait! When it comes to customer service, I’d say they err on the side of too much! Usually I want to just get my juice and get out, but I often have to wait while the guy working is patiently explaining to some grandma how to fill up her vape and the nuances of charging and mg levels and whatever. I don’t mind, because I was once that person and I’m not an impatient ass. They have always been very helpful and polite and have hooked me up with small perks for being a loyal customer. They have a stamp card system where you can earn 10−30mg of free juice.
They have a fairly static selection of various tobacco, citrus, and other flavors and some selections from Ms. T’s like Snickerdoodle, Blueberry Muffin, and this Extreme menthol flavor that clears my nostrils like horseradish. They carry the standard ego-​C 510 batteries that fit everything. They also have more advanced systems like the i-​Tazte which is huge and has so much battery capacity it can be used to charge your cell phone. They carry Kanger tanks which are the absolute best I’ve ever found for holding and vaping your juice.
If you are new to vaping, you should go here and have a human explain everything to you and help you assemble your first vaping kit. It’s more efficient than trying to figure out what to buy online. Once you really get into vaping you can start buying stuff online, but you should have things explained to you first so you don’t waste money buying the wrong stuff.
If you are a serious vaper, you should support this place because it’s a pioneer in this area and where else are you gonna go when you have an emergency vape-​fail and you need your fix?

Place is dull, unorganized, and boring! They have about 20 juices to choose from and gets boring. (No wonder hardly anyone EVER goes there) This would be the FIRST vape store I’ve been too, and I believe I got ripped off for having NO type of knowledge on vaping. My cousin referred me to this place on the deal they had on an 2 tanks, 2 battery’s, liquid, and a charger all for about 60 $. I believe it came with a free 10ml bottle of liquid with the purchase but ended up paying extra for it. Came home exited to vape, and my cousins battery (also bought from the Vapor den) was two times the size of mine!!! The cousin of mine, he got charged 60 $ for everything and I got charged 80 $!!! Unbelievable… Don’t come here unless you have the knowledge of an advanced vapor. Dude thinks everyone’s stupid and rips people off.
DO NOT COME HERE AND WASTE YOUR TIME.

The prices are decent here for a B&M shop but the shop isn’t too organized, or at least not easily browsable. Everything is kept in wooden drawers and you have to open each drawer and rumble through the product to find what your looking for.
They do allow open sampling and the customer service is good.

I quit smoking in 1999, and I’ve been chunky ever since unless I was running 50 miles a week. It’s because I eat constantly– when I’m hungry, when I’m not hungry, when I’m bored, when I’m with friends. And when I’m not eating I’m chewing my fingernails and biting my pens.
I threatened to get my brother (a big smoker) an e-​cig for YEARS, but I never did. Then my friend Dave rolled into town with a fancy get-​up and all these vials full of e cig juice. I kept on trying out his wares, and it was super fun. Then brother came over, and tried it out too. I had no idea this stuff came in CANDY flavors.
Fast forward three months– brother has quit smoking for good – something he has tried to do off and on for over half his life.
We came to the vapor den to get start up kits. The owner was the funniest guy on the planet. He was describing the flavors – like «Energy Cow» the knock off of Red Bull — and cracking me up!
I’m trying to figure out how to work my new habit into my lifestyle in a constructive manner.

Although I don’t smoke, some of my friends do. So after they got literally sucked into vaping (heh), we have traveled around to a couple shops before finding the Vapor Den. This is all new to me, but pretty interesting.
This place is really cool. It’s in the same little Disneyland Villagey looking mall as Fondue Fred. The place is nice and has some big comfy leather couches. The ART though is amazing. I found out one of the owners is the artist and I’m impressed. It’s local Oakland Scenic, very hawt.
They have these fancy vapor things, which you add oils to. The oils come in all flavors and some are tasty. Hey I said I don’t smoke, but I like to try new things. Like Watermelon, Rum and Blueberry Flavored Vapors.