Halo e-liquids quality ???

[Seb974]

Hi all !

I'd just like to know… Are there people around the world that had issues with some batches of
Halo e-liquids ? Essentially with Malibu, Tiki Juice and Tribeca ?
Here is my concern, and my complaint:
for the past six months, I received a lot of, imo, defective e-liquids bottles, essentially
Malibu Menthol, Tiki and Tribeca.
Since July last year, I didn't get a correct bottle of those e-liquids.
Malibu is clear as water, not pink as usually, without pineapple or coco taste, depends on the batch number.
Tribeca is pale yellow, with an awful oil taste.
Tiki is clear, no taste at all !
Nevertheless I didn't noticed problems with Midnight Apple, Twisted Java or Truepure during the
same period.
I noticed some of the batch numbers that are, in my opinion, defective:
-MLBU1200645
-MLBU1200641
-MLBU1200637
-TRIB1001245
-TRIB1001247
As recommended, my e-liquids have been set at room temperature for 48 hours, with caps.
I did the same without bottle caps… Same results. Clear liquids, strange tastes. Tested on various
attys, cartos, DID...
There are any threads reporting those problems on a French forum.
You can read it here:
Recensement n° de lot gamme HALO inconsommables : Liquides et cartouches : goûts et arômes - Page 3
So, are there quality problems only in France ?
Where's the problem from ? Reseller ? Quality control ? Let us know !
Hope to receive, a day, a good Malibu Menthol, as it was several months ago…and to identify and solve those problems !

 

[Seb974]

I've found another thread here ! Same problems !

 

[gdaym8]

I would say contact Halo and see if they reconcile. They used to be my go to vendor, I have been trying others for no reason other than I hadn't before but Halo was always good except for the one horrid sample of coffee flavor I got once. But it was a free sample and I wasn't going to complain about something that may have just been a flavor I didn't care for.

 

[Seb974]

Hi gdaym8 ! I contacted Halo, and here is JB's answer:
"We tested the lot# you gave us and everything seems to be fine. We have not had any reported issues regarding this.
Most of our e-liquid is pre-steeped. We recommend removing the cap and letting it sit loosely on the bottle for 24-48 hours. The color will darken the longer the liquid sits, and the taste will become much more pronounced. You can also try running the bottle under warm water, which helps to bring out more of the flavor."
So, as said before, I let the e-liquids sit loosely without the cap during 2/3 days... I tryed to run the bottle under warm water... The color has never darken, taste was awful...
My reseller had to withdraw from sale the whole batch of this e-liquid after having tested it !
In my opinion, there's a matter with quality control, and Halo did never change the defective batch !
20 bucks for a defective bottle of oily Tribeca or tasteless Tiki is not cheap at all !
When you buy one bottle, if it's defective, it's ok, it could happen, but when you buy 4 or 5 of them and that they're all
defective/tasteless/oily/awful and Halo doesn't want to change those bottles... Excuse me, but it's 100 bucks lost !
The products I received are not what I paid for !

Where's Halo's staff ? Did you lose your fingers ? Can't type anymore ?

 

[d33p]

Prime 15, batch 1201845, 30ml/18mg => No taste, at all

Got it for 1 month, it didn't change. I've just compared it with a 7ml sample from batch 1001839 : there is definitely an outstanding difference.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Where's Halo's staff ? Did you lose your fingers ? Can't type anymore ?

Hello Seb,

I am starting to think that perhaps you have may have an agenda, after seeing your constant calls for revolution and demeaning of our company. As discussed multiple times, we have no problem with you posting concerns in our subforum, but please be respectful.

Our fingers are still here, however I believe we answered you multiple time in the France forums. For the record, our QC Director has issued the following letter to your France reseller last week regarding your concerns:

We are well aware of the small group of people in the French forums discussing the quality of Halo Liquids, however as I explained to Kevin and Mr. Blazio these are not representative of the batches. For each one of the batches referenced in the forum, we have well over 15,000 bottles in distribution throughout the world. If there was a true quality issue with any of these batches, we received many more complaints beyond the few I have seen in the French forums. To my understanding, we have not had any reported issues from the retail website, and issues seem to be limited to a small group in a specific forum. Our forum for example in the ECF and both of our Facebook pages have received no reported issues at all.

In addition, we tested each of these batches by GCMS this week to verify the integrity of the mixtures. In these tests, all specifications met our control, and no issues were detected. We also had two of our flavorists test each of these batches, and as per our discussion with Mr. Blazio, these also met the requirements for release, and no significant flavor loss was detected. Flavor and color are representative of the steeping process, which seems to be dismissed, but is a proven process. Both the color of our e-liquid and the flavor intensity will increase over time, similar to that of wine. We pre-steep all of our e-liquids here, and release them based on minimum and maximum timelengths per flavor. During the holidays, these tended to be closer to the minimums to meet demand, however they are all checked for flavor before being released. In addition, the cold weather will also slow the steeping process while in transit, which I suspect may be slightly relevant. It is crucial that customers allow their e-liquid to regain room temperature before using, as it will taste flavorless when cold. This is why we always recommend not refrigerating our products.

This being said, we understand your customers concerns, and that it may be difficult to educate the end user on the steeping process. We also understand that because a customer see’s a lighter color, they automatically assume that the flavor is not correct. We tested this internally with a 35 person sample group. We filled two cartomizers with a lighter (less steeped) batch for each participant, and placed them on the table. Behind one cartomizer we had a bottle of lighter (less-steeped) liquid, and behind the other a bottle of the darker (more steeped) liquid. We then asked the participant to try each and tell us which had more flavor. Even though the exact same (lighter) liquid was in each of the cartomizers, almost all of them (31 out of 35) said the cartomizer in front of the darker bottle had more flavor.

All of this being said, we understand completely that the color of the liquid is pertinent to the customers overall perception of the quality. We also understand that the steeping process is a critical component and that the steeped time should be maintained towards the maximum instead of the minimum as was the case during the holidays. We are currently working on methods to expedite the steeping process, as there is currently a fine line between customers expectations on delivery times and longer steep times. Please let your customers know that although we are certain the reported issues are all related to steeping times, we will do our best to meet their expectations of appearance and flavor by expediting the steeping process.

It would also be helpful if you could email us specific complaints from their customers. I would like to see the exact issues they are reporting, and whether or not they have tried our liquids before. I did notice certain members in the forum saying they had never tried our products, yet stated the flavor was not correct. There is definitely a difference between a customer not liking our product, and stating that the flavor has changed. I would just like to rule these instances out, as this becomes a preference issue and not a steeping issue.

 

[Seb974]

Hello Johnny,

first, it seems you delete automatically the complaints you receive on your Facebook page.
I posted a message concerning a batch of Malibu, it has been deleted after 30min, and I
can't post anymore, cause I've been blocked.
Second, I don't call to revolution, if I buy your e-liquids, that's because I think they're great and
I love them, but since several months, I noticed (and I'm not alone) that quality has decreased...
I understand that the color could change by letting the liquid sit. But I can certify I received
any e-liquids that were tasteless ! I've been using your e-liquids for two years now, and I use
only Halo e-liquids, so I think I know what I say when I say some bottles are tasteless.
I noticed too that you say your steeping process was shorter than usually during the holydays.
Perhaps is this the cause of the different taste... I hope so !
I will email you specific complaints from customers and perhaps even send a bottle of defective
e-liquid.
I understand that customers saying they had never tried your products shouldn't state the flavor
is not correct, no matter with that.
Third, for the 15000 bottles of each batch you have in distribution throughout the world, how many are bought
by new customers that have not a reference to judge if the e-liquid is as usually ? For used customers,
how many of them can't complaint because they don't speak english or don't even know the existence
of this forum or your facebook page ? This is something you should take into account.
Concerning the "small group" in the "specific forum", we are not united against you or your business,
and this forum is the biggest e-cig french forum, not a little specific one ! We've just a thread that list
complaints of any Halo e-liquids users, when those complaints seem to be justified, no more. Sure,
we're not thousand having issues with some batches, but we are.
And a company like yours should pay attention to that and to his customers feedbacks.
I think my posts were respectful enough, and this one too...

 

[d33p]

Hi Johnny !

I'll be talking about my concern only, as I don't know the others.

I've got interested in your products after reading really good reviews about them on numerous websites.
I ordered 7*30ml bottles, all of different tastes. (Prime, Torque, Tribeca, Captain Jack, Tiki Juice, Midinght Apple, Twisted Java)

I gotta say, 6 of them are totally fine. Some I really like, some I dislike.

What I found strange about my bottle of Prime is that I read everywhere it tastes like cocoa, nuts, and is somehow on the sweet side.
I do not get any of that with my bottle. My vendor just sent me a 7ml sample of that same product from a different batch and I can assure you that the taste of that sample is far from my 30ml bottle.
(I have that 30 ml bottle for 1 month now, and I vaped some this week)

That does not affect the fact that I think you are making excellent products.
I'm just happy my vendor sent me that sample, because I could have given up on Prime.
This means I like one more of your products !

I understand very well that you did not find any problems with these batches that are reported on that french forum.

As, from what I know, this seems to be a France-only problem :
Could this be that a shipment had a problem on its way to France/Europe ?
I don't know, maybe sun exposure or extreme temps during shipping ?


With this post, I'm just trying to help with the concerns, as I think your juices are really good.
I just had what seems to be a problem with only one bottle, so it's not a big issue for me.

Best regards,

 

[niterider]

One thing I know about Halo is the consistency of their liquid, so I find it very strange that these complaints exist at all. Sounds like you need to send your bottle back for examination. Who knows, maybe customs switched out the eLiquid and replaced it water.

 

[Nocturnalpriest]

I've seen a lot of these complaints on the french forum also, in many different threads, coming from people who vape and love Halo juice since a long time. Isn'it possible that they received Fusion Unflavored e-liquid with a wrong sticker ? I've seen that french people have different Halo bottles (15ml) with strange stickers (with a red skull on the back, probably due to french/european legislation, which sucks).

It seems to be a french issue, I've never had any problem witch my beloved Halo juice.

I cannot believe that all these people, who know and love these juices, lie for pleasure

 

[Johnny Blaze]

first, it seems you delete automatically the complaints you receive on your Facebook page.

This is not the case at all, we only delete comments that are not presented in a respectful way. We look into all customer issues, but prefer not to have "company bashing" on our media outlets. Concerns and complaints are fine as long as we are treated with the same respect we offer our customers.

I noticed too that you say your steeping process was shorter than usually during the holydays.
Perhaps is this the cause of the different taste... I hope so !

I believe this in conjunction with the colder whether hindering the steeping process during transit (and possibly in reseller facilities) is why the liquid may have been slightly less flavorful than usual.

I will email you specific complaints from customers and perhaps even send a bottle of defective
e-liquid.

Yes, we welcome all concerns. It seems that many of the same small group of people posted in the French forums. I would be interested to see how many people there actually are and the specific issue. I would also like to know whether or not this was the first time using our liquid.

Third, for the 15000 bottles of each batch you have in distribution throughout the world, how many are bought by new customers that have not a reference to judge if the e-liquid is as usually ?

I would not be able to give you an accurate number on this, as many of our products are sold through resellers.

For used customers,
how many of them can't complaint because they don't speak english or don't even know the existence
of this forum or your facebook page ? This is something you should take into account.

We would have received the concerns via email, as much of our customer base is English speaking.

Concerning the "small group" in the "specific forum", we are not united against you or your business,
and this forum is the biggest e-cig french forum, not a little specific one !

The small group we were referring to is the same people posting their issues many times. Please let me know how many individual users have posted an issue with our products that you are certain have tried the same flavor/nic level before.

We've just a thread that list
complaints of any Halo e-liquids users, when those complaints seem to be justified, no more. Sure,
we're not thousand having issues with some batches, but we are.
And a company like yours should pay attention to that and to his customers feedbacks.
I think my posts were respectful enough, and this one too...

We are certainly paying attention which is why we are still discussing this. It is also why we tested each of the batches referenced in the French Forums for any deviations from our standard formulas.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Prime 15, batch 1201845, 30ml/18mg => No taste, at all

Got it for 1 month, it didn't change. I've just compared it with a 7ml sample from batch 1001839 : there is definitely an outstanding difference.

Hello D33,

Please note that Batch1001839 had steeped for 6 weeks longer than Batch 1201845. I am certain this is the issue in this particular case.

JB

 

[Seb974]

Johnny, I offer to send you one of my bottles of Malibu Menthol, unopened and sealed, batch MLBU1200645 with very light taste
for tests and analyses, and you return me a new one. It seems to me to be an honest deal.
What do you think of that ?

 

[Seb974]

It seems too there are defective and good bottles for the same batch, as related on
the french forum, for Tiki Juice and Tribeca at least... Could be a labeling issue ?

 

[ckmeyers]

It seems too there are defective and good bottles for the same batch, as related on
the french forum, for Tiki Juice and Tribeca at least... Could be a labeling issue ?

From my reading of the French forum, it was stated that, though the batch numbers are the same, the defective bottles were in one shop, and the good ones were in another. Though you are collecting information from the bottles, you are not asking people to provide information that includes the name of the sellers they purchased the bottles from. Some people are reporting unusual labels and sizes. It maybe that you have someone selling bottles of eliquid that they did not actually get from Halo. If you collect the information that includes the seller, you might uncover why this problem seems to only be happening in France.

 

[Seb974]

They were bought from at least 2 or 3 different resellers, if I'm not wrong.
But I asked them to confirm their resellers by PM...

 

[Dspclick]

I just got my halo juice and its great... No complaints here!!!

 

[Nocturnalpriest]

nobody has problems buying from halocigs.com, this is not the topic here

 

[chaos-7]

Be aware that another Co. is using the Halo name. This could be the the real problem here.

 

[Seb974]

Yes, we welcome all concerns. It seems that many of the same small group of people posted in the French forums. I would be interested to see how many people there actually are and the specific issue. I would also like to know whether or not this was the first time using our liquid.

Today, the small group is about 30 people (identified as regular users), and is larger everyday... It includes ONLY certified regular users.
We have, for the moment, a total of 8 french retailers that have identified quality problems. One of them is really fed up to have to refund unstatisfied customers...
All these informations will be sent to you by email soon.