Setting up a vape shop, got a question for you guys.

[ZeroBass87]

Where abouts are you thinking of setting up mate?

 

[Crewella]

For me the major advantage of a B&M shop over buying online is that you can try juices, and for that you need time. For me, parking (especially if it's free) will win every time, as long as it's a decent shop with helpful staff and a reasonable range in the first place, of course.

 

[WelshVapes]

I visited one of my local vape stores recently with a view to buying what I wanted/needed and as a fairly advanced and fully invested vaper that also buys 98% of stuff online here's the questions I asked and the answers I got-

Do you sell any decent budget juices - no
Do you sell any 100ml juices - no
Do you sell any concentrates - no
Do you sell any VG or PG - no
Do you have any mech mods - no
Do you sell any kind of tools for rebuildables - no
Do you sell any ohm meters - no
Do you have any temp control wires - no
Do you have any dry herb atomisers - no
Do you sell any squonkers - no
Do you have any batteries or chargers - no

Make of that what you will and good luck with the venture.

What springs to mind is how many parking spaces do you have near your shop?

Hi,

thanks for your reply. That shop seems pretty awful to be fair. I plan on stocking pretty much everything on that list except for the obvious 100ml bottles as by the time i set up the shop the TPD will be in effect which will allow us to stock 10ml bottles max. As there are 3 units being used there are about 50 car parking spots, but to be honest it is very rarely half full, there will be plenty of spaces for people to come buy their goods

 

[WelshVapes]

My only question is, what is your motivation behind opening a vaping shop?
As you have a few businesses already, is this just another business venture?
I have found that without passion for the product being sold, any business is likely to be mediocre in success.

My motivation behind opening a shop is not money. Yes I got bills to pay just like anyone else so obviously I want to make a decent amount of money, but the sole reason behind opening a vape shop is because I am passionate about vaping, everyone who knows me knows that I am vaping mad haha. I know my products, if my friends ever have issues with their vape related product they always call me first for me to have a look or if they need help looking for stuff for their needs I always recommend them something which I think will suit them. Just put it this way, I will have a lot of passion for products I will sell (if I plan on doing this) I have visited many vape shops and 99% of the time I have more knowledge on their products than the people behind the counter!

 

[WelshVapes]

Where abouts are you thinking of setting up mate?

South Wales area mate in the valleys, for people who might be on here from this area, it is not far from Blackwood. If anyone is familiar with this place I am happy to say where exactly is the unit

 

[ZeroBass87]

South Wales area mate in the valleys, for people who might be on here from this area, it is not far from Blackwood. If anyone is familiar with this place I am happy to say where exactly is the unit

Ah fair enough! I know the area a bit, but I'm mainly Swansea way these days. Good luck though mate, the more people we can get off the stinkies, the better!

 

[Tworrs]

My motivation behind opening a shop is not money. Yes I got bills to pay just like anyone else so obviously I want to make a decent amount of money, but the sole reason behind opening a vape shop is because I am passionate about vaping, everyone who knows me knows that I am vaping mad haha. I know my products, if my friends ever have issues with their vape related product they always call me first for me to have a look or if they need help looking for stuff for their needs I always recommend them something which I think will suit them. Just put it this way, I will have a lot of passion for products I will sell (if I plan on doing this) I have visited many vape shops and 99% of the time I have more knowledge on their products than the people behind the counter!

Well then you are good to go, all the best mate.
Keep us posted, and contribute to the forum so we can get to know you.
We are a friendly bunch, and full of shit most of the time.

 

[WelshVapes]

@WelshVapes Well whatever you decide good luck with the new venture.

Personally I don't use bnms anymore unless am retailling with them.
I am going to echo what other people have said about bad quality of stock, selections available and general lack of knowledge about products when I go in. I went through a phase of supporting my local shops last year, but honestly after horrific juices, and limited options I soon abandoned it.

If you do decide a vape shop is the furture then please don't be a generic one, hire someone who has a wide knowledge based on many aspects of vaping such as juice mixing, coil building, safety and equipment that is available, not someone who is just interested in flogging the most expensive piece of kit that doesn't suit the users needs. Stock decent batteries, safe chargers, pre made coils such as claptons for people who are just starting to get into building on their own decks, one of the bnms close to where I live had a nasty habit of selling rebuildable decks to men and women who have arthritis and wouldn't know where to begin to maintain their own set up, as a result i now do an unofficial coffee morning once a week at my local cafe, all the more mature vaping ladies that ive met at the bingo come on down and I will coil and wick their tanks for them while they tell me all the latest scandals about marge and the fella she met off the tinterweb.
Vape shops are never manically busy from my experience so having someone behind the counter who can show a customer how to build on their device, what settings work best for them depending on the type of smoker they were ie air flow and juice strength ect would be a big help to a newbie. Maybe even hosting your own coiling and coffee mornings similar to mine if it's an option. With the TPD coming into effect one of my main fears is that it will impact the ease of switching from smoking to vaping, so showing people options and ways they can maintain their own equipment and juice will ensure you still have a wide customer base even after the hammer drops

Have a range on one shots for those who diy (to save having hundreds of conentrates knocking around) pg, vg or at least the info at hand as to where they can buy them. If you build a sense of community around your shop people will respect and repay that with loyalty and money in the till, plus parking.... huge plus point in my book

I agree with what you have said. I went through the same with horrible juices, currently I make my own or pop down to flavor vapor and buy just one or 2 juices which I really like, but after going to the vape expo in Burmingham it has opened my eyes. I tried so many great juices, even came back with over a liter of juice which I have been handing out to friends who vape and pretty much had really good reviews on all of them. Really makes me wonder what the heck all these local shops are doing stocking shelves and shelves of this crap juice! I swear they dont know what they are doing. As I said in the above post, I am passionate about vaping and passionate about the products (which I will hopefully) sell.

 

[WelshVapes]

Ah fair enough! I know the area a bit, but I'm mainly Swansea way these days. Good luck though mate, the more people we can get off the stinkies, the better!

Thank you mate, appreciate it

Was actually speaking to a supplier which I met in the expo from Swansea who also has a shop there! Celtic Vapours, I haven't gotten around to trying their juices yet as I have so so many to work through.

 

[WelshVapes]

Well then you are good to go, all the best mate.
Keep us posted, and contribute to the forum so we can get to know you.
We are a friendly bunch, and full of shit most of the time.

Cheers mate, I will! It's so busy at the moment with a few of the businesses and coming to Christmas is our busiest time of the year but I am sure I will find time to be on here for a little every night when it's quiet