VapeTrade launches AI advisory for e-cigarette compatibility

VapeTrade, a German online specialist retailer based in Rheinberg, has launched an AI-powered expert advisory service for its e-cigarette store. The system is designed to help customers aged 18 and over navigate the increasingly complex technical landscape of vapor devices, where connectors, resistance values, power ranges, and model generations vary widely across manufacturers and product lines. Instead of using a generic chatbot, VapeTrade built a digital shopping advisor on a store-specific knowledge and rules framework covering product range, technical features, compatibility, FAQs, and clearly defined boundaries where the AI cannot provide answers. This allows the AI to interpret context, identify missing information, and explain technical relationships in accessible language.

The key innovation is that the AI does not aim to push products quickly but rather to guide customers with accurate, verifiable information. When essential details are missing—like exact model name or current coil—it asks follow-up questions or directs the user to human customer service. “We did not want to simply add a generic chat window to the online store,” explains owner Boris Banaszak. “A useful digital advisor needs to understand which company it represents, which information is actually available, and where it must not make assumptions.” This approach contrasts with broad AI systems that may give outdated or inaccurate responses for specialized products. The service is now live on VapeTrade’s online store.