Selling vapes comes with its own set of challenges, and it’s easy to run into issues that slow down growth or cause frustration for both store owners and customers.
From shifting product trends to regulations that change by location, vape retailers have a lot to keep track of.
Here are five areas where vape sellers often run into trouble, plus practical ways to avoid those common pitfalls.
1. Overlooking Compliance Details
Vape regulations shift constantly, and they don’t just vary by state. Local city or county rules can add extra layers that are easy to miss. Most violations happen not from ignoring laws, but from not being aware of them in the first place.
Common areas where vape retailers may run into trouble include:
- Selling flavored products or disposables in areas with bans or restrictions
- Using packaging that doesn’t meet local labeling or warning requirements
- Displaying signage or running promotions that go against advertising rules
- Missing or skipping age verification steps, especially for online orders
Rather than trying to memorize every rule, it helps to build systems that catch issues before they become problems.
Here are some tips to stay compliant:
- Assign someone to check for law changes quarterly. State websites and trade groups often publish updates.
- Review your product catalog regularly and pull any items that don’t meet local requirements.
- Train staff to check batch numbers and expiration dates for better inventory tracking.
- Use ID scanning tools built into your point of sale (POS) system for age checks at checkout.
- Add online age verification for e-commerce. Third-party tools are widely available and easy to set up.
- Post clear age restriction signage in your store to remind customers and enforce store policy.
With a few routines in place, staying compliant while selling vapes becomes more manageable — without adding a ton of extra work.
2. Letting Inventory Get Out of Control
Store owners may feel tempted to push Inventory management down the list of priorities, especially for smaller vape stores focused on day-to-day operations. But when stock levels aren’t tracked or organized, it affects both your cash flow and your customers’ experience.
Common inventory problems include:
- Running out of everyday essentials like coils, pods, and popular e-liquid flavors
- Holding onto expired or unsellable inventory
- Skipping batch tracking, making recalls harder to manage
- Storing products in ways that shorten shelf life
If your bestsellers are frequently out of stock, your inventory tools may need an upgrade — and customers may already be turning elsewhere to find what they need. On the other hand, shelves full of dead stock tie up cash that you could use for new product launches or faster-selling items.
Related Read: Mastering Smoke Shop Inventory Management: 6 Tips & Tools
Here are some strategies to keep inventory in check:
- Set par levels for your top-selling items so you know when to reorder.
- Review sales reports weekly to spot which items are moving (and which aren’t).
- Use an inventory system with alerts, batch tracking, and expiration reminders for extra stock visibility.
- Schedule a monthly stock check to clear out aging or slow-moving products.
- Train staff on how to receive, store, and rotate inventory properly.
A solid POS system can take a lot of the guesswork out of inventory by tracking sales in real time, flagging low stock levels, and helping you reorder the right products at the right time — so you’re not relying on memory or last-minute fixes.
3. Not Prioritizing Customer Service
Many vape customers arrive with questions. Some are new to vaping, others are switching devices or trying to find the right nicotine strength or flavor.
When staff aren’t prepared to answer these questions, or customers feel rushed or overlooked, it can turn them away for good.
Common signs customer service needs attention include:
- Staff who lack basic product knowledge or struggle to offer helpful suggestions
- Absence of clear signage or product explanations in store
- Cluttered or cramped shopping spaces
- Neglecting support for common issues like leaking tanks, device malfunctions, or unclear return and warranty policies
Vape buyers want a clean, welcoming store where they can get honest advice and feel confident in their choices. Simple gestures, like showing interested shoppers how to prime a coil or explaining battery safety, build trust and keep customers coming back.
Here are some tips to improve customer service:
- Train staff on product basics, so they can answer questions about devices, coils, and nicotine levels.
- Add signage or simple product guides near displays to help shoppers understand their options.
- Keep the store layout clean and organized, with room to browse and compare.
- Set a clear policy for returns, leaks, and device issues, and make sure staff can explain it.
- Give staff time to assist customers, especially new ones, so they feel comfortable asking questions.
Besides face-to-face interactions, having tools behind the counter to support customer service can make a noticeable difference.
A POS system with customer tracking helps staff recommend products based on past purchases, which can feel more personal or helpful. Mobile features allow managers or team leads to check product info or answer questions without leaving the sales floor.
When staff have the right information at their fingertips, they’re better equipped to give each customer a more confident, informed experience.
4. Blending in Instead of Standing Out
Selling the same products at the same prices as every other vape shop makes it tough to earn repeat business. With so many options out there, shoppers need a reason to choose your store — and stick with it.
Common traps include:
- Relying on frequent discounts just to stay competitive
- Using generic marketing or stock photos that don’t reflect the community
- Offering the same lineup as larger retailers without adding any personality
Successful vape shops tend to find and lean into what makes them different, whether that be premium product curation, deep product knowledge, or strong local connections. Even small efforts, like an organized flavor wall or display of staff picks, can help your store stand out from the competition.
Here are some other ways to build a stronger store identity:
- Highlight staff expertise with handwritten notes or digital screens that share flavor reviews or recommendations.
- Create a “What’s New” section displaying recent arrivals or limited drops.
- Run a loyalty program through your POS system to reward regulars and encourage return visits.
- Partner with local businesses or artists to cohost events or offer cross-promotions.
- Customize your in-store visuals with real customer photos, local references, or a unique layout to create a memorable vibe.
You don’t need a massive budget for a branded store experience — just consistency and a clear point of view. When your vape store feels distinct, shoppers are more likely to return and tell their friends why they like it.
Related Read: Boost Sales With These 6 Smoke Shop Advertising Tips
5. Falling Behind as Trends Change
The vape market moves fast. What’s flying off the shelves one month can feel outdated the next. Staying flexible helps prevent being stuck with slow-moving stock or missing out on the products customers really want.
Common signs you might be falling behind include:
- Lacking an online presence or not updating product listings regularly
- Overlooking new product launches or customer requests
- Using old signage or packaging that doesn’t reflect current trends
- Offering limited shopping options, like no loyalty rewards, delivery, or text notifications
Keeping up with trends may feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into manageable actions can help you stay connected with what customers want. Small steps like updating your online presence or listening to customer feedback go a long way in keeping your store relevant.
Related Read: 6 Tobacco and Vape Shop Trends To Follow in 2025
Consider these practical ways to stay current:
- Maintain a basic website with updated product info and accurate store hours.
- Keep social media accounts active by sharing new arrivals, promotions, and helpful content.
- Use your POS system’s customer data to identify popular products and seasonal shifts.
- Set up email or SMS marketing campaigns to announce new products and special offers.
- Encourage customer feedback to learn what products or services they want next.
Even if your store doesn’t sell online, being visible and engaged where customers spend time can make a big difference. New vapers especially rely on Google, Instagram, and Reddit for guidance, so making your store easy to find and responsive to trends will keep you competitive.
Selling Vapes With the Right Tools
You handle a ton of different tasks when selling vapes — everything from keeping up with changing regulations to managing inventory and providing good customer service.
A POS system designed for vape shops helps by keeping product info, customer data, and sales all in one place. It also flags compliance issues, tracks inventory in real time, and stores customer histories for better service.
If you’re looking for an industry-specific POS system to help with daily operations, download our free Tobacco POS Buyers’ Guide today and find the best fit for your business.
