Usually these are reserved for the Success Stories/Validations page here on TasteYourJuice, but this was such a lovely letter that I thought I’d share it here as well.
Folks, this is why I do what I do. All of the work, all of the effort, the endless correspondence, the drama… it’s for one goal… to lead people away from the traditional tobacco cigarettes and to the tobacco harm reduction that is vaping.
Don, as always, give yourself all the credit. I can’t reach through the screen and knock the cigarettes out of your hands, you have to be strong enough and willing to make that happen and you did. Perhaps I just helped a little.
Phil:
Good evening. I’m a long-time watcher/fan of your videos and I just felt the urge to write you a letter after viewing your last video (Kanger Dripbox). This is going to be a big one, so I apologize in advance for the size. Grab a cup of coffee, a good vape, and get cozy.
First off, allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Don and this July 5th will make two-full years that I’ve been off “the stinky’s”. I’m a very proud vaper and I work hard to convert everyone around me into vaping. I allow them to try my different hardware configurations, as well as different juices that I purchase.
When I first started this journey, I felt completely lost. I bought a Blu
Rechargeable Kit at a gas station and soon found that it just couldn’t satisfy my urges. At the time, I was smoking Marlboro Red’s at a rate of two packs a day. I would vape a Blu, but then immediately light a cigarette when the urge would get too overwhelming. I thought to myself, “There has to be more to vaping than this crap!”This peaked my curiosity and guided me towards YouTube for Blu reviews. I landed on IndoorSmokers’ channel and started watching his cigalike reviews. It wasn’t until a few days later, I watched one of his reviews for the Halo Triton kit. I thought to myself, “Well now that’s bigger than a Blu, so maybe more power will help me?” I ordered the Triton kit, as well as spare coils, tanks, batteries, etc. I also purchased Halo’s sample packs of juice. When everything came in the mail, I was blown away by the flavor and vapor production (compared to a Blu). I was vaping 24mg juice and soon learned what too much nicotine intake can do to you. Sick, sick, sick. Felt like I smoked ten packs of Red’s in a single sitting! Yuck. It took some trial and error, but I finally found my sweet spot to be the same as yours – 12mg.
The Halo experience was a nice step-up from the Blu Rechargeable Pack, yet it still couldn’t take me off the Red’s completely. I noticed that I was dramatically cutting down smoking, so back to YouTube I went. I was watching a recoiling video on Rip Trippers channel (totally amazed by the method) when he mentioned YOU. It was something to do with a full review on the product and he wasn’t going into detail about it, but you had the same product on your channel and broke it down completely.
Your name wasn’t exactly a new one to me, for many reviewers had mentioned you in their channels. Most of them talked about your long videos and how you go in depth on products. After Rip Trippers mentioned you, I thought I’d come visit your channel and see what you were all about. From that point on, YOU Phil Busardo, had changed my life and successfully converted me to a full-time vaper.
I was both amazed and hooked on your videos. Your in-depth reviews, charts, graphs, and personal opinions have blown my mind. After watching several of your videos, I purchased my first ProVari and Kayfun Light Plus. Your reviews were so good and close to what I was seeking that you guided me to my way of vaping still to this day. I’m a 12mg MTL vaper and every product I have purchased that you gave a “thumbs up” on I have been completely satisfied with.
I now have quite the extensive collection, ranging from ProVari P3’s, Kayfun 4’s, Kayfun V3 Mini’s, Taifun GTII’s, DNA devices, RTA’s, RDA’s, etc. I love vaping and enjoy the wide range of coil builds I can do and juice flavors I can try. YOU introduced me to this and guided me down this road. You, Phil Busardo, have changed my life and I can’t thank you enough.
Now here comes the reason for this letter. Kayfun 5 is released and there I was to watch your review on it. When you mentioned the airflow issue, that took me aback. Like you, I prefer a tighter draw to give me a more defined throat hit. I really valued your information on that issue, as well as the “inexpensive resolution” they plan to release for it. That was really good to know before running out and buying that thing, right?
I was bored for a bit today and thought I’d watch the video you just uploaded on the Kanger Dripbox. The first ten minutes into that video, I was disgusted and totally angry at the vapers who said the things they did to you. I mean, really. They have a lot of nerve, considering there are people like myself who really rely on that information when making a purchase. Does that make ME a grumpy old guy that won’t “evolve” into their way of vaping? I sure hope not, for I’m only 36 years old!
I didn’t write this letter as a rant, though I have plenty I could rant about with some of these vapers. As you said (with respect, I might add): We are all vapers and as long as we’re not smoking – that’s what truly matters. I’m writing this letter to take any discouragement away from you that you may have. Times can get tough and you may hear things like you have from people, but don’t let stupid childish drama steer
you from your path. There is still always that one person like me out there that appreciates what you do and what your goal at hand is. It takes a lot of time to do what you do, in the detail that you do it. I know I appreciate it and I’m sure others feel the same as I do.Thank you for all that you do, the barriers you overcome, the sacrifices you make, and the genuine love that you have for vaping. As I mentioned before, you changed my life forever and I will always be in debt to you for that. Your diligence does NOT go unnoticed and we all thank you for it.
With Compassion and Gratitude,
Don Arrendale
Thank you Don… a very sincere and appreciative THANK YOU!
Even Don’s response to my request to publish his letter was touching…
As for the permission to publish my letter? Of course you have my permission and you can use my name as well. Once again, I’m flattered that you would like to share it for others to see/hear. I guarantee you one thing, though: Someone else out there will agree with everything I said. I know it. I can’t be the only one who has been touched by you and the guidance you’ve given. If it wasn’t for you, so many of us would be lost and without direction. You are a true blessing to the vaping community, and we are so thankful that you are here for us.
Thank you so much!
-Don Arrendale
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