If I could rate this Beaufort smoke shop a 0, I absolutely would. That it is higher rated than the one by Great Clips is a travesty that I aim to right with this comment.
I just moved to SC in March due to personal, psychological and financial hardship. My parents allowed me to move back in with them at the ripe age of 31 out of the goodness of their hearts. Built me a tinyhome on their property, included me in every meal I’ve wanted to be included in since I’ve moved here and generally been the all-around loving and supportive Christian parents that no child could ever hope to have, but apparently I’ve lucked into having.
So anyways. Wee wee (I honestly think the name shows how seriously they take the business there) is located right up the street from me. I do not own a car, and it would be by far the most simple location to visit, but I will not give them my business now or ever, and I earnestly request that nobody else do, either.
I walked in there one time. I tried to be as friendly as possible, as I always do in social situations. The owner’s son or something was running the counter. I could tell his English was… lacking. But that’s okay in my book. I would struggle if I went to their country. So I try to be accommodating. I introduced myself, and told him what I was looking for.
None of the items have prices in the store. They didn’t at the time anyways. I think that’s a cultural thing- they want to be able to charge what they want with different customers, and that’s chill I guess. But this is a mixed market economy, and the consumer is allowed to question prices when they become ridiculous.
I asked the boy behind the counter what the price of one vape would be. He casually quoted me a price about three times what you pay at other locations. When I calmly questioned this pricing, the boy became irate with me and began demanding I either make the purchase, or leave the store.
I asked to speak to his manager. He got huffy and went behind the counter, bringing back a middle-aged middle-eastern man with horrific burns on his face. The man seemed apologetic, and told me there was nothing he could do. I walked with him over to the product and kindly showed him that it matched the one on my phone, and showed him the much lower price, and asked if they could work with me.
Well, while I was doing that, the scared little boy from behind the counter called 911.
That’s right.
He called the Beaufort police department and had them dispatch an officer to the location, likely pulling them from actual emergencies, even though nobody had so much as raised their voice.
When the elder gentleman became aware what this boy had done, he pleaded with me to leave before the police arrived. He apologized on behalf of his son, but I told him I would wait for the officer, because I will not have my name besmirched simply because of racial prejudice. And that is exactly what that was, make no mistake.
I stayed, conveyed my side of the story to the officer, and then was informed that I was formally trespassed from the location. I am not concerned about this, there are many ways to get vapes. But if that elder gentleman is bequeathing that shop to his son, or nephew, or whoever that kid was- then he needs to teach his kid how to treat his customers. Even if they reversed the trespass, I would never give this location my business. Not if it was the last vape store in Beaufort. I would risk an Amazon drone before I went into this location again.
Seriously. Go to the location by Foxy Nails and Little Caesar’s. They’re great there, even if they also have the language...
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