Do you want to be a part of the massive potential public health prize the Electronic Cigarette Distributors has to offer? Whether you’ve arrived by mistake or hours of research have brought you to this point, here you can find the essential information you will need to know before venturing into the world of selling the e cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes are continuing to grow, and are proving a lifeline for shops that need to find a new line of revenue, as well as for shops that specialise in selling electronic cigarettes.

In fact, many of our customers who own existing shops have found that ecigarettes have become a bigger part of their business than their existing product range! Even more importantly, you will be helping your customers in a huge way. Ecigarettes have helped millions to find an alternative to cigarettes, scientists believe they could be as much as 99% safer than regular cigarettes, and they have also helped people save money (around £1800 a year for a 20 a day smoker). The tips that follow are here to help save time and a lot of money – not to mention the legal costs.

First, and probably most importantly are the rules and regulations that run alongside the industry. Compliance with these is essential, as Trading Standards can and will strip non compliant products clean off your shelves. Unfortunately, this is not always easy as Trading Standards seem confused as to the requirements themselves and enforcement of standards is not always applied evenly.

Here’s what you need to look for in a good ecigarette wholesaler:

Testing independently carried out in UK (or your home country) on product and ongoing testing for e-liquid. Check with your supplier to make sure they are testing for impurities as well as nicotine strength.
In house testing and control of liquid production

• (In the UK) UK CE approval or company’s own CE certification. This indicates the products compliance with EU legislation.
• Delivery time: You need to make sure your supplier can keep up with your demands and get the goods to you within a reasonable time frame.
• Terms and conditions – ALWAYS read through your suppliers T&C’s
• Trusted Supplier
• ECITA membership (UK only) – Not essential, though this is always the best indication of compliance.
• Reliability
• Recommendation
• Ease of contact
• Product Liability Insurance

Beware of:

• Fake Certification: Some companies just insert their own name on the required CE and ROHS certificates!
• Fake Sellers: Your Chinese “manufacturer” may well be a reseller without the ability or desire to rectify problems or deliver orders as placed.
• Poor Quality Stock: There is a lot of very poor quality product for sale, often purporting to be genuine named brand items. If it is very cheap that is a good indicator! You get what you pay for with electronic cigarettes. Although it might be hard when you start off, paying for quality will help you build up a long term customer base.
• Deteoriating Quality: Some suppliers will send you good quality stock to start with, but then you’ll notice the quality level starts to fall. This can be due to cost cutting, although sometimes Chinese factories have problems with own their sub-suppliers. Usually, the only remedy is to switch to a new supplier.
• Great samples, poor product: You may also find that certain suppliers provide great samples, but then follow up with a large quantity of poor quality stock.
• Incorrect and non compliant labelling: The UK regulations for CLP and CHIP compliance are very strict. If not found to be correct Trading Standards will seize your goods.

Buying from China is suitable for large companies, with the resources to visit China and to carry out compliance and testing here in the UK. It’s a good idea to join ECITA, as they will ensure the products you buy are fully compliant. Smaller companies, individual shops and one man bands will be better off joining up with a reputable UK company.

One alternative, possibly more for the smaller retailers is to buy from an Electronic Cigarette Industry Trade Association (ECITA) member, such as The Smoker’s Angel. All ECITA members will have their products regularly tested in the UK and undergo twice yearly comprehensive audits to ensure compliance with all UK and EU trading standards and regulations. You’ll also be supporting ECITA’s work to ensure that electronic cigarettes remain legal in the UK, and you won’t have to pay ECITA fees.

That’s not to say you should automatically exclude a good company. However, an ECITA logo is a sign of compliance. Have a close look at this ecigs forum, you will find more useful information.

tags:Ecigs Distributors, online ecigs wholesaler