Vapouround magazine VM18 | Page 51

“WHY SUPPORT COMPANIES THAT DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU OR THE INDUSTRY IN THE LONG-TERM?” has fought so hard to obtain legitimacy in a hostile climate. Even now, governments continue to attack vaping as the media perpetuates misleading information. big tobacco companies and don’t have the consumer’s interest at heart. Why support companies that don’t care about you or the industry in the long-term?” “If we want to be treated like a mainstream industry rather than a fringe, we have to behave like one,” Charles said. “Vaping is still fairly new and is going through what I call a ‘growing up phase,’ which has resulted in sloppy practices from some companies.” Charles presented this analogy: You could potentially buy a stolen TV for half the price of what you’d pay in-store. But in doing so, you would be as responsible for the theft of the TV as the person who had actually stolen it, adding: “Legitimate Chubby Gorilla bottles are easy to spot. Most of them have the gorilla on them, for one thing. If the plastic is weak, that’s the mark of a fake. Low cost is not an excuse for poor-quality.” While the lure of cheaper prices may tempt manufacturers and down-the-line consumers, a successful business requires time and investment. A company that spends more on ingredients, including bottles, as well as ISO testing, deserves the support of vapers. “Consumers need to be aware that there’s a big faction of people who don’t care about the industry or their customers,” Charles added. “They dream of being bought out by While the industry has mostly managed to stay under the radar of the big multinationals, many are now starting to move in to reclaim their trademarks and intellectual property. Meanwhile, the likes of Chubby Gorilla refuse to sit back and allow unscrupulous companies to profit from their hard work and investment without giving anything back. VM18 | 51