You just took delivery. Everything looks great in the box. But how did it get to you? Shipping delays, sitting in a hot warehouse, or rough handling can all shorten a device's life before it even hits your shelf.

Check the packaging for damage. Toss anything that looks crushed or damp. And don't just set boxes in the sun near your front window. Heat and humidity are the enemies of vape hardware. Store devices in a cool, dry place, ideally between 60-75°F. If your shop gets warm in summer, invest in a small climate-controlled storage area.

Another early mistake: not tracking lot numbers or expiration dates. Yes, vape hardware has a shelf life, especially batteries and coils. Set up a simple log so you know what came in and when. That way you can rotate stock and avoid selling stale product.