When it comes to deciding if it’s preferable to shop online or at a vape store, there are a number of factors that come into play, each weighing in on the overall shopping experience. One of those is convenience. Statista reports that 79% of American consumers shop online because of the convenience of products being delivered right to their doorsteps. Online shopping for vaping products allows one to browse through various brands and prices from the comfort of one’s own home, with discounts usually up to 20%-30%. The only downside is that the products cannot be physically inspected prior to purchase.
At a vape store, the immediate availability of products is a huge advantage. The customers are able to walk in, make their selections, and be gone with their product within minutes. This is particularly crucial for clients who need to replace coils, batteries, or e-liquids immediately. Research done by the American Vaping Association found that 47% of shoppers still prefer physical shopping for such immediate needs, particularly when the product they have in hand gives way unexpectedly.
In regard to pricing, online stores are usually more attractive. It is observed that online vape store can save as much as 15% of the price compared to brick-and-mortar stores since they have fewer overhead expenses. Shipping expense, however, may cut into the saving, since shipping expense may add between $5 and $10 to a $30 purchase, which nullifies the discount on small orders.
Customer service is also a worthwhile factor in choosing a vape shop over online. In a physical vape shop, there tends to be knowledgeable staff available to provide face-to-face advice and one-on-one recommendation, which is especially useful for first-time consumers with little knowledge of e-cigarette brands and accessories. A 2020 survey by PwC found that 73% of consumers prefer stores that provide personalized customer service. On the other hand, online stores typically lack this direct interaction, though many offer live chat support or detailed product descriptions.
The second aspect is product authenticity and safety. Online shopping exposes consumers to counterfeit or less controlled products, as experienced by the FDA, which experienced a rise in uncontrolled vape products on unverified e-commerce sites. On the other hand, brick-and-mortar vape shops normally operate in accordance with local regulations such that products are of superior quality. To illustrate, products like vape shop in well-established physical outlets tend to be acquired directly from authorized manufacturers, with more certainty of quality and safety.
As e-commerce entrepreneur Jeff Bezos said, “Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.” The choice to shop at a vape shop or online often boils down to personal preference for immediacy, one-on-one service, and product guarantee versus the convenience and potential discounts of shopping online.