This following information is based on older, but not that old experience so I doubt it has changed, but you never know.

>For example, the alchemist in Udgaard, shoppies in Arkham, and the
>silver tower shop. These are examples of places where an outlander
>doesn't really have any business bartering with the shopkeepers for
>RP reasons, but as far as I can tell they cannot be vandalized.

Alchemist in Udgaard, magic shop in Arkham and Silver Tower pill shop are all places where vandalize work.

It is my impression that if a place is sufficiently civilized you can vandalize the shop (with a few exceptions due to newbie friendliness). For example I haven't been to Thar Acacia, but I hear there is a big city with shops there.

The wizard in Osgaliath is an example of a shop you can't vandalize.