Last updated September 2026 · 9-point supplier checklist
Quick Answer: Vet any vape wholesaler on warehouse location, written kit/pod price, MOQ, defect policy, payment rails, samples, and compliance transparency. UPENDS UP9 example: $15/kit, $10/pod, MOQ 100, LA warehouse, $45 sample.
The 9 checks
- US warehouse — LA ship times beat overseas-only dropship.
- Clear list price — kit and pod on one page ($15 / $10 for UP9).
- MOQ you can start with — 100 units beats a forced 5,000 unit first buy.
- Sample path — $45 verification kit before a bulk PO.
- Payment terms — invoice first; Zelle + wire (no mystery “crypto only”).
- Defect cover — 5–8% extras beat vague “we’ll see”.
- Flavor & pack transparency — 10 flavors, box-of-5 catalog pricing ($75).
- Support SLA — dedicated WhatsApp rep within 12 hours.
- Regulatory honesty — age-gate, 21+, B2B-only positioning.
Red flags
- Prices that only appear after you send a deposit
- No US address / tracking pattern
- Refusing samples on a new account
- Unit prices that jump every message without a published list
Worked UP9 example
A shop orders the $45 sample, then 200 kits ($3,000) on Zelle, then refills pods at $10. Shipping from Los Angeles: West 3–5 days / East 5–7 days.