Category: Success Stories

Phil,

I want to thank and encourage you in your good work. I found your reviews on
YouTube, and I enjoy them very much, and learn!

I was a 2-pack-a-day smoker since I was 13 (now 56). I started vaping last year,
but left it due to the hassle and not enough info. Hell, how do you ask the right
questions if you don’t know WHAT questions to ask?

Then I found a B&M store here in Jacksonville. My last analog cig was at 2:00pm
3/29/13 and I know that I will never go back. Your “About Me” page has a lot of me
in it (trying to find juice that tastes like real cigs).

Your vids have encouraged me to post my own first YT video…”Here’s The Thing”

I look forward to learning more from you. I know you do not know me, but I feel
that I know you, and if we ever met in real life, we would be friends!

Take Care,
Gary

Hi Phil, (Pete, Lou, Batman?)

First off thank you so much for all the work you put into your site and videos, it
has really made my vaping experience worlds better. This is pretty much my
intro post on ECF and wanted to share it with you. Your videos have really helped me
want to try all vaping has to offer.

I was a smoker for about 10 to 15 years if you count the once in awhile stuff I did
way too young. My main smokes were Winston red 100’s since that’s what my dad smoked
so my mother never knew it was “my” pack if I left it lying around. After the tax
increases I started to roll my own and did that for years. At my worst I was smoking
nearly 2 packs a day but on average it was a carton every 2 weeks. My mother who is
a cancer survivor (twice) always hated my father and I smoking and reminded me every
chance she got. Well I’m happy to say, I’ve been analog free since November 2012 and
have been vaping everyday since. I started with 12/18mg now down to the 4/6mg
(probably because my Vamo never leaves my hand).

How did I get into e-cigs? Well, back in late 2011 my son (7mo at the time) was
hospitalized with bronchiolitis which is a nasty respiratory infection. We spent
nearly a week in the hospital with him hooked up to oxygen, monitors and IVs galore.
I refused to leave his side and never even went outside for a smoke. He came out of
it just fine but it scared the crap out of me, nothing worse than waking up to
alarms from his breathing monitor and Dr. and nurses running in at 2am. I figured at
that point I hadn’t had a cig in a week so why not quit since I knew I should
anyway. Deep down I blamed myself for him getting sick even though I never smoked
anywhere near him or in my house.

My vaping adventure started shortly after I fell back into the analogs after
“quitting” for 6 months. That was the longest I had ever been away from nicotine. It
was late summer and I had to do some work on my Jeep and between being in the garage
(where I always smoked) and my stress level I just couldn’t fight the urge. On my
third trip back from the parts store I pick up a 6pack and a pack of my trusty
Winston red 100’s. That pack lasted me a week cause I really didn’t want to start
again but having them near by was just to easy to grab. A couple months later a
friend of mine came to visit and he had some brand x e-cig that he had been using
and really wanted me to give it a try. I will say before I knew better I was
convinced that e-cigs were an expensive gimick, but a week later I picked up a
Mistic kit at Wally world and haven’t looked back. It took about 3 weeks of using
e-cigs and analogs before I was totally analog free. The ball just kept rolling from
there, I ordered a V2 kit then a V4L OMG vv with a couple tanks. Then I was show
your VISION EGO CLEAROMIZER V3 (I THINK) LONG WICK video, laughed my head
off and got hooked to your site. Now it’s a hobby 6 tanks and growing to many
flavors to list and my trusty Vamo. A friend of mine at work and I are even going to
Vapebash next month. (Hope to be able to say hello I’m sure you’ll be very busy) I
got him on the Mistic’s during a work trip and he quickly got the mod bug too. We’re
slowly converting our smoking co workers and their significant others into vapers
(about 6 so far).

I have a HH357 on the way after watching your video about dripping. Many moons ago I
was a home theater/audio tech, and when you talked about the CD on the studio
speakers I had to get one. I remember getting a disc from my car and playing it on a
system I could never afford for myself and wow! Sure I’ll say the same about my
juice.

Sorry for the long story and thanks again keep up the good work you are a great
asset to the community!

-JAY

Dear Mr. Busardo,

I just wanted to let you know that I enjoy your reviews and use them exclusively to
make my vaping purchase decisions. It’s nice to listen to someone who is obviously
learned and has a sense of humor as well. You give all the pertinent information
without being a boring blowhard! Kudos for being an A+ reviewer and making it
entertaining as well.

I have smoked analogs for about thirty years. Like you I managed to quit once for
about a year, then fell back into the habit. I absolutely love everything about
smoking less the smell left behind and the fact that stairs would scare me.

I tried the first e-cigs that were “cigarette like”, HORRIBLE! Then I found the
Jessy X. WAY better. Those batteries didn’t last as long as I thought they should. I
now use an eGo-c upgrade with an vivi nova tank.

I’m thinking that I need more power these days so I’m searching though your reviews
to help me make my decision.

I just came to this site and again, thank you for the plethora of valuable
information. I’m in Tucson and the people at FreedomSmokeUSA, while selling quality
products with nice juice, just aren’t as helpful as I think that they should be to
those who are new to vaping. Enter you!

Very well done sir.

I apologize for being overly verbose.

Sincerely, George

George followed this letter up with the following which my wife and I are both very appreciative of…

I must ask you for a favor. I realize, as a father of four, married to the woman of
my dreams for fourteen years now, that life can be very hectic and overwhelming at
times. Therefore, the favor I request is that you pass along my thanks to your
wonderful wife, for having the patience to abide doing without you at times, for
sharing you with all of us, and allowing you to, at times, put her on hold,(I hope
that doesn’t sound too crass), so that you may help us noobs figure out what the
HECK we are doing in order for us to live a healthier lifestyle and be content with
our new joy, vaping.
Many thanks, George

Hey Phil I just wanted to drop you a line letting you know about my success
story. I was a pack a day or smoker and while at work I rubbed snuff. Up to this
point I had been smoking since I was 15 years old now 37. I have a 7 year Autistic
daughter and with the issues that arise from that I saw no end in sight to my
smoking. I ran across a fellow co worker that I use to work with daily who
transferred to another facility. He and I use to go out and have a quick smoke break
together all the time when we worked together. So long story short I asked him to go
smoke and he pulled out this thing and started to puff on it. I laughed at first but
then started to seriously think about it. So on my way home from work very lucky
that I have two stores in m area The Vapor room and Maddcatts, I stopped at TVR and
picked up a cheap set up a ego pass thru battery and a tobbac clearamizer along with
some juice. I was hooked from the first vape…That was almost a month ago now. Now
mind you when I was home I chain smoked while in front of my pc or while I was
gaming. My Wife and daughter both complained of my smoking. After 3 days of vaping I
gave away all of my remaining carton of smokes about 8 packs or so and my rolling
machine and cases. I was content with vaping my ego t and starting to experiment
with juices. It was actually pretty funny when I was vaping some juice my daughter
would come up to me and say Daddy that smells so much better than your cigarettes.
So about week one in the can I discovered your videos I was watching them to figure
out what was what and to learn more about vaping. I have since treated myself to a
Vamo and two Vivi nova clearamizers. I love them so glad I ran across your videos
especially the one on the vamo. Funny thing when I went to Maddcatts I had a Groove
in my hand and was leaning towards it not knowing you had a video on it. I just
watched it a little while ago and was thankful that I bought my vamo. Thank you Phil
for your videos keep up the good work and I look forward to the next one.
Jason

Hi, Phil…

Like so many other folks, I FEEL like I know you! My son introduced me to vaping 18
months ago. I started smoking in 1967; never less than a pack a day, often, during
stressful times, 2-3 packs. I started with a Blu, but at $10 each, and I was going
thru 2-4 a day…well, I just figured I would just go ahead and keep smoking… :(.
I tried a little of the set up I found at the mall…and the one I found at the
swap-meet…and the one that was ranked “Number One Vapers Choice” that popped up
when I did the Internet search…I was experiencing failure after failure…

At the end of December, some way or another, I discovered a retailer who specialized
in selling stick batts and cartos to inexperienced vapers. (No, I don’t use the
“n(oob)” word!). I smoked my LAST “last cigarette” New Year’s Eve 2011-12. At the
time, I wasn’t too sure that this “new approach” to “switching” habits was going to
be successful…but, I was going to do my very best…after 44 years spent loving
Mr. Phillip Morris, I had made up my mind to leave him. I realized that he didn’t
love me, he only loved my money!

It wasn’t too bad when I was buying a carton on base for $2.50…I remember saying
“WHAT? A DOLLAR for a pack of smokes? I’m going to quit if they go to $1.25!!!”
I’m going to quit if they go to two bucks!
I mean it this time, if they go to $5, I’m going to QUIT!!
What do you mean, a pack of cigarettes is ??5?? That’s almost $10!!! Well, ok,
just 2 packs…
Ok..on social security, I can afford ciggies or my prescription….SIGH….

I Celebrated being tobacco free at week one…month one, two and three…6 months, a
year…

I discovered you in February, 2012…and since then, you’ve guided me, advised me,
surprised me and entertained me…and I’m SO very grateful!!! My son, who started
smoking in 1990, now vapes…so does my sister… We all have made or received
phone calls that started..”hey, did you see the _______ that Phil reviewed
yesterday?” “YES!! I ORDERED 3, one for you and one for Linda and be for me!!!”

You’ve introduced me to my first ProVari, all of my Kir Fanis tanks, my Kangers, the
Boge cartos (in spite of Boge-Gate)…..most of my juices, 90% of my Vendors and all
but one of my forums…you have helped change not just my life, but my sister’s and
my son’s….and countless others….

My Grampa used to tell me that “Your value and riches are not found in those you
love, but in those who love you..” In that case, Phil, you are a wealthy man…you
will never know ALL of the lives you have changed…how you’ve assisted others in
achieving a better quality (and quantity) of life. Of course, I had to make the
decision to change my life, I had to follow through…but your guidance helped me
make good decisions in my purchases so that I had a higher probability of success.
(and, you are pretty damned funny, too!!)

Thanks, Phil…from all if us here…and all of those who will never get around to
sending you a note (cuz they are too busy vaping!)

V

Okay Mister, about this vaping thing ….

It’s 10:30 at night, I have e-juice dripping down my arms, there are sparks shooting
out of this eGO thing – so high they’re scortching the ceiling, I have a drip tip
permanently suctioned to my lip and I can’t find my charger!

Panic clearly isn’t working, nor is whining loudly “why oh why did I ever place that
first order!” So I stop and think, I’m new to this, I need some advice but where do
I go? Who could possibly help, I don’t know anyone else who’s crazy enough to try
all this …. or do I?

Hmmm, an idea is taking shape ….. I know! WWPBD? (What Would Phil Busardo Do? (my
current mantra))

I wipe off my arms, put down the sparkler er um battery and grab my iPad. Googling,
googling, PBusardo, PBusardo, AHAH! YouTube, I’m saved!! I rip the drip tip off my
lip, ouch, and click on the first video on the page. This Phil Busardo is a pretty
sharp guy, he knows EVERYTHING about vaping. I’ll just watch a little and everything
will be fine.

Okay – it’s loaded, cute little intro tune, I’m feeling better already. So, what
should I do Phil? Wait, he’s on the ground, sneaking through the bushes on his
belly, wait … WHAT???

HaHaHaHaHaHaHa!

Phil, on Feb. 11/13 I placed my first (of many already) orders for vaping supplies.
As someone totally new to all this it has been daunting. I was soooo fortunate to
find out about you that very same week and I had to write and tell you what a
tremendous help you’ve been.

In a little more than a month I have gone from disposables to eGO C and VV and now
to 2 Provaris, and have done it armed with great information that I only could have
got from you. You’ve saved me a ton of money that would otherwise been spent on a
lot more trial and error. You guided me into the ‘big leagues’ aka the Provaris much
sooner than I ever would have got there myself and it’s right where I need to be.

The information you share is thorough, honest, LMAO with tears in my eyes hilarious
but also life-changing and like all your many fans I appreciate you more than you
could ever know.

I’m a Canadian gal about your age with a wonderful husband and like you, no kids.
We’ve both struggled with quitting for years now, but this time it’s truly do-able.
We agreed to put no pressure on ourselves or each other just yet, but to just see
where vaping will take us. I’m down from half a pack/day to just 1 cigarette, half
in the morning and half at night, and hubby is down from over 1ppd to 5 cigarettes.
We can breath again, we can taste again, the treadmill is my friend again and he
says the physical part of his job is a breeze now and it’s only going to get better.

I know you didn’t ‘invent’ vaping but you do put it in terms that make it work like
no one else does, and you’re my Hero! Everyone can benefit from the reviews you do
but for new people, that information is invaluable. The vaping community is a
smarter, richer place because of you and I hope you keep sharing for a long time to
come. Several people I know are showing an interest in vaping and when they ask I
always tell them about you.

Thanks Phil – you’re the best!
Ci
….. hmmm, now how long did he say to boil the Provari???? hehehe

I have smoked cigarettes since I was 15 yrs. old. I just recently started
vaping after seeing ecigs show up in truck stops. I smoked about a pack a day till I
started driving a truck and went up to almost 2 packs a day. It took a little over a
month but have been cigarette free for a week now. I’ll be 56 in august and feel
better already. Your video’s helped me in learning about different hardware and
juices and want to thank you for your website which has been really helpfull.

HI PHIL I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU I QUIT SMOKING ABOUT 6 MONTHS
AGO,I STARTED OUT WITH GREENSMOKE,THEN I SAW YOUR VIDEOS,THEN I BOUGHT A
EGO CTWIST,NOW I’M BUYING A PROVARI.YOUR VIDEOS ARE VERY FUNNY AND A GREAT
HELP TO ALL OF US VAPORS,YOU DO A GREAT JOB AND YES TASTY VAPOR HAS SOME
GREAT JUICE…THANKS AGAIN !!! CIAO

Those of you who REALLY know me, also know how very appreciative I am for all the emails, comments, questions, validations, and success stories I receive. It’s become quite a chore managing them all, but I’ll continue to do my very best.

I’d typically post these only in the Success Stories/Validations section.  Although they are all equally important to me, I thought this one cute enough to post here.

By the way, if you’re having a rough time making the transition from tobacco cigarettes to electronic ones, read through some of the posts in that section.  It may give you the added bit of encouragement you need.

Cory & Dee, although I would have preferred your first born named after me, the cat will do… for now. 🙂

Thank you so much CORY AND DEE!

Hi Phil
I was put onto your YouTube vids by my stepfather after he couldn’t answer any of
the questions I had about vaping. He got me onto it bout 5months ago after seeing
ecigs for sale at markets here in Australia and said to give it a go as I wanted to
quit smoking..after a few days sucking on a crap Chinese stardust knock off I was
hooked and haven’t had a smoke since. I started watching your vids and was hooked
on them as well. I have since tried everything and it is my new hobby so I had to
write to you and thank you.

My girlfriend and I love watching your vids (we even named our kitten Bruce Sardo
/Brusardo) and have found that we agree with the things we have seen you review and
have tried.  Like you we have no children so we have plenty of free time and
vaping, for myself at least, and reading/learning more is a welcome distraction.
Anyway I know you must get hundreds of emails dribbling on like this but I just
wanted to say thank you..without you and your entertaining vids we would have a
bigger hole in our lives..lol

Love your work and keep it up!
Cory and Dee

Comment: Hi!
I just wanted to drop a quick line to you and tell you what an influence you
have had on me, even though you may not realize it. In October this past year,
my husband decided to give vaping a chance and really wanted me to try it with
him. I decided that even though I didn’t really want to give up smoking that I
should support him in his efforts to quit himself. Long LONG story short, we
both ended up really liking it. He immediately stopped smoking where as I did
struggle back and forth a little and am now down to a couple a day and most of
the time none at all. Anyway, he jumped in head first and started watching
videos of random people and browsing forums left and right. I was a little slow
on the uptake to what the big deal was. He had me watching videos and was
telling me things I though I would never understand in a million years, and
quite frankly most of the people in the videos made me feel even worse about it
and even more afraid to try new things. UNTIL… BAM- he shows me one of your
videos. I understood everything you were talking about in your reviews and I
really appreciate you not talking “down” to your fans, but rather talking to
them like they were there instead of the camera.

It boils down to the fact I think you are doing a fantastic job and I really
appreciate your work. You’re an asset to the vaping community, and I wanted you
to know how you’ve helped my vaping experience. Thank you.