Guidance Needed

[MV22]

Hello everyone, am a 1st time user in this forum. Trying to learn as much as I can before I venture into the vape retail business.
Once I obtain my tobacco license in Florida, does anyone know if I must find my own distributors or will the licensing authority notify them at which point distributors visit the business to place orders?

I appreciate your generous advice...MV22

 

[smacuser]

Welcome to ecf @MV22

I know there are at least a couple of members here who are involved with the business. There should be a subforum somewhere to pose your question. Just be cautious not to appear to soliciting sales here. Good luck with your venture.

 

[MV22]

Welcome to ecf @MV22

I know there are at least a couple of members here who are involved with the business. There should be a subforum somewhere to pose your question. Just be cautious not to appear to soliciting sales here. Good luck with your venture.

Thanks Smacuser for the tip. I am not currently a vendor. Am just trying to do my research before opening a vape shop.
Where would I find the subforums?

 

[smacuser]

Where would I find the subforums?

There might not be one.

 

[Territoo]

It's good that you are doing your research, because these are hard times to be deciding to open a vape shop. Some things you might want to research are the FDA and PreMarket Tobacco Applications (PMTA), shipping regulations of vaping supplies even if you don't plan on having an online presence, and a possible forthcoming ban by the Chinese government on shipments of vaping goods to the USA.

 

[MV22]

It's good that you are doing your research, because these are hard times to be deciding to open a vape shop. Some things you might want to research are the FDA and PreMarket Tobacco Applications (PMTA), shipping regulations of vaping supplies even if you don't plan on having an online presence, and a possible forthcoming ban by the Chinese government on shipments of vaping goods to the USA.

Is China where most retailers are getting their supplies?
I figured we would have local distributors or nationwide distribution suppliers?
Does the PMTA apply the same to all states or rules differ by state?

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

The vaping business is probably THE worst business you can get into right now. You're gonna lose your shirt if you don't have a proper tobacco lawyer retained because you can learn all you want about the current state of vape but you will likely learn almost everything wrong.

Yes, the FDA is a federal agency, and the BATFE a federal law enforcement agency.

Do yourself a favor and look into selling designer socks or something. Thank me later.

 

[MV22]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but PMTA applies to people or entities seeking to launch their own new product(s) as opposed to someone seeking to open a new shop?

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but PMTA applies to people or entities seeking to launch their own new product(s) as opposed to someone seeking to open a new shop?

Why do you want to get into the vape business? Be honest.

People will disagree with me here, I'm sure, but if a product does not have an approved PMTA, then it technically cannot lawfully be sold to US consumers. You can sell those products from a USA based location, but you have to sell them to consumers "overseas". Then you have the whole shipping problem to contend with.

The United States Mafia Government is hellbent on getting vape out of the hands of all Americans, not just the children. They don't ban stuff anymore, that raises a plethora of legal/constitutional concerns. They just use the soft ban method: make it so hard to get it to the point where it may as well be banned, yet it's not.

 

[MV22]

Why do you want to get into the vape business? Be honest.

People will disagree with me here, I'm sure, but if a product does not have an approved PMTA, then it technically cannot lawfully be sold to US consumers. You can sell those products from a USA based location, but you have to sell them to consumers "overseas". Then you have the whole shipping problem to contend with.

The United States Mafia Government is hellbent on getting vape out of the hands of all Americans, not just the children. They don't ban stuff anymore, that raises a plethora of legal/constitutional concerns. They just use the soft ban method: make it so hard to get it to the point where it may as well be banned, yet it's not.

I foresee the vaping industry having an increase in sales in the next few years even with all the negative attention its receiving lately. Consider how long the tobacco industry has existed with added negative feedback, the government will never cease the sale of it as it profits largely from it as with alcohol. In terms of health related outcomes, the government will still benefit through the use of pharmaceutical companies.
I see it as reverse psychology as when a mother tells her child to refrain from misbehaving yet child persists in doing the opposite. Taking this analogy and converting same concept towards the vaping industry, the government will always downplay any method of leisure causing consumers to increase use yet still profit in many ways.

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

Do you vape?

 

[MV22]

Yes. Actually quit smoking cigarettes six months ago and converted. Feeling way better after the switch.

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

I don't mean to sound condescending or whatever, but almost everyone who switches to vaping gets this euphoric idea that they are going to get into the vape business and "save the smokers" and make money doing it. Some people built their business on this, but few of them are still around today. When the SHTF, only the strong, shrewd business-minded companies are left, and even they are struggling (in the USA anyhow).

 

[MV22]

Not the reason I'm getting into the business. Just trying to make a little keep is all. Vape seems to be a trend nowadays.
I do thank you for your insight.

 

[Rat2chat2]

They are all right I am sure but I think it is admirable that you are here getting the information you need and the ambition to pursue a dream. I wish you good luck in your endeavor.

Welcome to ECF MV22! I am glad you are here!

 

[MV22]

They are all right I am sure but I think it is admirable that you are here getting the information you need and the ambition to pursue a dream. I wish you good luck in your endeavor.

Welcome to ECF MV22! I am glad you are here!

Thx for the support Rat2Chat2

 

[Territoo]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but PMTA applies to people or entities seeking to launch their own new product(s) as opposed to someone seeking to open a new shop?

In a nutshell, all vape products were required to submit to the FDA a PMTA in order to be legally sold in the USA. Millions of applications were submitted, but to date only one, Vuse, has been approved. That means that every other vape product currently on the market is being sold illegally. Right now, with a pandemic on their hands, the FDA doesn't have the manpower to enforce their own law, but that will change. Surprisingly, most current vape shop owners aren't even aware of this.

 

[Max Power]

Hello everyone, am a 1st time user in this forum. Trying to learn as much as I can before I venture into the vape retail business.
Once I obtain my tobacco license in Florida, does anyone know if I must find my own distributors or will the licensing authority notify them at which point distributors visit the business to place orders?

I appreciate your generous advice...MV22

To answer your question directly, you will need to find your own supplier(s). Here is a pretty good link from a well known supplier in the US on high level activities to open a new vape shop - How to Open a Vape Shop - Step by Step Instructions . I think you will just have to do some google searching to find a good supplier based on the type of store you open. Here is a link to a site that describes what you need to consider when choosing a supplier - Top Vape Distributors in the US - eCig One . I would also make sure you have a really good lawyer lined up to help you. You probably also will want to join one of the vaping associations to try to make industry contacts such as the American Vaping Association or the Vapor Technology Association. This is probably not a place to do that kind of research, it would be similar to going to AutoTrader.com and asking about opening a car dealership. Wrong audience. Good luck.

 

[MV22]

In a nutshell, all vape products were required to submit to the FDA a PMTA in order to be legally sold in the USA. Millions of applications were submitted, but to date only one, Vuse, has been approved. That means that every other vape product currently on the market is being sold illegally. Right now, with a pandemic on their hands, the FDA doesn't have the manpower to enforce their own law, but that will change. Surprisingly, most current vape shop owners aren't even aware of this.

Morning Territoo...I read that somewhere.

 

[ShowMeTwice]

Considering US gov and BT are intent on burying the upstart vape industry once and for all...

...Opening a vape shop after many went belly-up in the last couple years is not a wise business decision.

It would be much wiser to open up...

a) a store that sells all the alternative (w-ee-d and CBD)

or

b) the tried and true liquor store