Voltage Smoke & Gifts — Local services in Concord

I had a horrible, embarrassing, rude, cruel and extremely unfortunate last visit at this place about two years ago. I felt the need to finally write about it. I wanted to start by sharing that I have autism, and sometimes struggle with certain tasks, and one of those annoying struggles in particular happens to be with making a final decision or choosing. I had gone into this shop, as I used to go all the time, I was a faithful customer who went in every few days to purchase a handful of flavored Vape pens at a time. There was a newer man working, I don’t remember his name, he had tanner skin and was a male, maybe in his 30s to early 40s. I had asked him some questions about the different vape pen brands, trying to maybe see if there was something new that I could try, as I wanted to branch out from the different flavors I usually go to. He answered semi patiently at first, but soon started to become impatient with me, even if I had only asked maybe a total of 5 simple questions on some of the brands and which flavors were popular, I became quiet and just decided to look at my options on my own. There was a mother costumer of two behind me, he wasn’t having to help me anymore, and I was minding my own business quietly and peacefully. He kept looking my way with a look of annoyance and impatience stating to hurry up and that other people were waiting. I don’t know why, I wasn’t holding anyone up, I was just trying to decide on what I wanted…. Again, quietly and without any bother to anyone. I wasn’t making any sort of scene, wasn’t in anyone’s way and wasn’t talking. As I first mentioned, I have autism, and sometimes making simple decisions frustratingly takes longer than normal and that what is comfortable for me, I am aware of it, and most certainly bothers me, but I feel I don’t have control over it despite trying really hard… my brain doesn’t seem to allow it. I think I had even only been there I think around 10-15 minutes, just looking QUIETLY CALMLY AND WITHOUT ANY BOTHER OR OFFENSE TO ANYONE…. And the man working there began to start being extremely rude towards me, telling me to hurry up, and to just hurry and pick one, and that it shouldn’t take this long. Making plenty of unkind, judgmental and taunting faces and reactions towards me. I kept apologizing (I actually did this many times from my start of trying to decide till the end when I had made a decision and paid) and I felt further pressured to just pick one, even if it was one I didn’t want, and felt this red hot burning sensation on the side of my face as his hateful glare I could feel staring at me from the end of the counter. He then began to start complaining and talking about me OUTLOUD to the costumer he was helping, telling them how I was taking so long to decide, and making other comments and remarks about me to this random person who was also just trying to purchase a vape pen. His comments and remarks were extremely rude, hurtful, judgmental, taunting, cruel, unprofessional for ANY BUSINESS SETTING, immature and completely uncalled for. I felt so stupid while he was publicly insulting me to random people in line… it’s something I haven’t ever forgotten. I couldn’t believe I was being treated this way by this ….. person, I can’t call him a man, because no professional respectful and honorable man would resort to such petty and inhumane treatment of someone minding there own damn business and not bothering a damn person! I became so internally flustered with him, the situation, and even resorted to beating myself up internally for “being stupid” and asking myself “what the F is wrong with you, that you can’t just do these simple things and be like every other normal person”…. I shouldn’t have been so hard on myself when I had done nothing wrong! I hurried and just chose three or four vape pens at random, as I wasn’t even really paying attention to what I was even doing by that point or really even cared anymore, I just wanted to get out there and end the toxic cruel shaming and public humiliation. I paid, apologized again. And...

This smokeshop is so great for so many reasons. The staff here, sometimes one, sometimes many working any given time, are some of the friendliest and down to earth group of guys, always make you feel welcomed and always willing to help with whatever you may need. The product selection is impressive, price points are extremely fair with the occasional "come up" prices. I love how they are open late (I believe until 10pm). I use to come in here all the time, but since I've stopped vaping, not as much. However, ANYTIME I am close by, I absolutely MUST stop in to grab me some incense sticks. They have a TON to choose from and the price is chefs kiss. The only place I know anywhere to carry rootbeer scent sticks. Not the most frequent visitor here, but I don't go anywhere else and I have always had a great experience here and felt it necessary to give credit where it's due. I feel completely safe inside and coming and going to my car, which is a really great feeling. Whatever you may be looking for, I can almost guarantee this spot has it or will get it for you if you ask. They really have a special vibe, I highly suggest...

I’ve been coming to this shop for years since it is close to where I live and they have a wide variety of things. However my most recent experience is enough to make me not want to come back.

I came in around 5:30pm on Sat night to do some Christmas shopping and pic up some papers. I was greet by a man with a deep voice and long dreds, he asked if I needed help I responded just looking but thank you. He continued to push for conversation even after I told him I would prefer not to talk and just continue perusing. He did not find this an acceptable answer as he continued to tell me why I needed to talk to him. He went so far as to say this “this wasn’t a grocery store and people need to talk to him to find out what they need”. I don’t know why he was so insistent but it made me very uncomfortable and I instantly left the store without buying anything. Unfortunately I don’t see myself coming back to the...