FIVE STAR TOBACCO & VAPE — Local services in Auburndale

Absolutely unacceptable behavior from the owner.

I’ve been a regular customer at 5 Star Tobacco and have spent quite a bit of money here over the last 2 years—but today was the last time. Two weeks ago, right after being discharged from the hospital and still on IV pain medication, I stopped by and accidentally opened a vape. I told the clerk it was open, not realizing I had opened it myself. Again I had just left the hospital and bought 3 vapes, I was testing them all and truly didn't realize I had tested that one already. Honest mistake.

Fast forward to today—I walk in and the clerk immediately asks if I’m “that girl with the ginger beer vape.” I say yes, thinking nothing of it, and go to look through the bins like I always do. Seconds later, she shoves her phone in my face with a video call open. The name says “Abdul,” the owner. His camera was off, but the yelling started immediately. He screamed at me over a $7 vape, accusing me of lying, while I just stood there stunned. I offered to pay for it right away, just to keep the peace—but that wasn’t enough. He kept yelling, calling me a liar, and humiliated me in front of other customers.

I dropped the five vapes I was planning to buy, paid for the one he was so upset about, and walked out. I’ll never be back. This kind of treatment over a $7 mistake—especially toward a loyal customer—is disgraceful.

BEWARE if shopping here. You are not valued, respected, or treated with basic decency.

EDIT TO ADD: Despite what the owner says I had my husband with me and was treated with anything but respect. Immediately when the phone was in my face he was yelling at me that I was a liar while the store clerk looked on like it was all hilarious. She could have just as easily explained the situation instead of sticking her phone in my face with a video call I did not consent to be on, and I would have paid. Go ahead and send me that camera footage Abdul I'd...

I did a quick Google search for vape shops in my area and then looked at stars. This shop was one of only three close that had a 4.9 star rating. They did not have the vape that I wanted, but they did have a very nice selection so I asked for suggestions on dessert flavors with only one thing to keep in mind and that was that I could not vape ice because it gives me heartburn . I was presented with two choices. Both of them were the most expensive vapes on the wall coincidentally but I chose One paid for it ($24) opened it in the store and as soon as I vaped it I immediately said this isn’t gonna work because it is ice.

I was told that the best thing they could do is sell me a proper vape for $18 more. This didn’t make sense to me because the one that they told me they could only do for 18 was literally two for $35 so I would have been paying $43 for a $15-$16 vape if I had said yes. Simply out of Principle I couldn’t do it. I felt like I was being taken advantage of. I went to another local shop who actually ended up gifting me a vape 20 minutes later after I told them the story of what had just happened at this store.

Absolutely horrible experience with two thumbs down. 👎🏼 I definitely do not...

Unfortunately losing 2 customers today, had a few issues with the owner recommending brands, that shortly after went through issues where they were not getting them in anymore. Understandable that its out of the owners control. But when I bought a $30 disposable to open it 2 days later to find out it doesnt work at all, I wasn't able to go back that night due to them being closed when I opened it, so I went the next day, owner said there are signs, no refunds, no exchanges but will sell his customers plenty of product without making sure it works before they leave his store. Instead of offering at least an exchange or 50% off he said its been 3 days, i took too long, anything could have happened. Terrible excuse for running a business amd I hope you do better in the future with customers who keep coming back to you. I say shame on...