no longer welcome

I know I know. Just too much fuss over this one. The reviews should come in soon though so real hand experience should help those of you that are still undecided, kind of like who you are going to vote for next month:) I won't go into too much detail about the pipe itself, but I am using one daily at work since they came in. My opinion is kind of like what I stated above, it's a hookah, it smokes. I still like all my other hookahs as they all serve the same purpose. Maybe I'm just too boring or bored.

Guys, always keep in mind, it's a hookah, and it smokes. That's all.

Hey HF, long time no check in. I appreciate the conversation, the topic, the frustration and the support. It is a mostly supply and demand thing. There is one more factor that made the price go to $35 though. There was a lot of talk about people buying up the first batches and selling them to other member for $35-$50. The first batch, a couple of months back, sold out in less than 24 hours and they were about $18. This batch, at $35, is just about sold out. I even took them offline for a few days to just give others a chance. If anyone is as frustrated as much as you guys are it's me, oh and Eric, as we have discussed this. I would much rather have 4000 picos to sell you at a lower price, over a year, than to have the 50 that I got and sell them for $35 in days.

It's not just SB that does this. I was actually sent a cease and desist letter from another brand to stop carrying a flavor of another brand. I won't get into the details as it's an ongoing thing. I think it's over, I think I'm out, and could give details at a later time, however, other companies do it as well.

[quote name='Twitchy' timestamp='1337712527' post='547768'] how many coals do you use john? packed to rim ? or what [/quote]the same way i pack Tangiers in other Tangiers bowls, the way I was thought by Eric, packed to the rim, pushed down, adding more, until when all the shisha is pushed down so tight that you see the ring mark of the inner hole. This is known as the palm test that Eric has taught me and that I made a video for to share on youtube. I use 2-3-4 coconut coals, 2 when heat sensitive, 3 normally, and 4 after the 3 have been burning for 20-30 minutes. [quote name='joytron' timestamp='1337712926' post='547770'] [quote name='HookahJohn' timestamp='1337711568' post='547767'] [quote name='joytron' timestamp='1337709134' post='547762'] [quote name='Twitchy' timestamp='1337708606' post='547760'] smoking outta a alien phunnel [/quote] Well there is your problem right there. Firstly I would try halve coals and I think using a small would be easier. Have you tried a foil test? Also try "overpacking" and see how that compares [/quote]I don't see how an Alien is the problem. I smoke 2-3 bowls of Tangiers in an Alien daily.No problems here. [/quote] I would recommend learning to smoke tangiers with a small over a pico as well. I think when getting used to a lower heat tobacco having a bowl with a larger margin of error is beneficial. But regardless, I think the alien I used was a poorly designed bowl and [b]your validation of it is kind of suspect being that you designed and sell the product.[/b] *I can not comment on any changes you have made in the product, only what I experienced first hand. [/quote] Stop one second. Really? Thanks for that shot, but it wasn't even close. Do not use the word suspect with me. I have nothing to hide nor any agenda when it comes to hookah or any of my products. The Alien works for me and thousands of others who give it good reviews. I won't compare it, nor say it's better or worse than the other bowls mention. What is suspect is that you have a problem with me personally, or at least on the internet, joytron, and your point is just a shot at me, plain and simple. You don't like your Alien give me your order number and I'll refund your money, but don't use that tone with me again. Everyone one is entitled to their opinion, but don't call me suspect when it's really you that is suspect here,

[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1337709134' post='547762'] [quote name='Twitchy' timestamp='1337708606' post='547760'] smoking outta a alien phunnel [/quote] Well there is your problem right there. Firstly I would try halve coals and I think using a small would be easier. Have you tried a foil test? Also try "overpacking" and see how that compares [/quote]I don't see how an Alien is the problem. I smoke 2-3 bowls of Tangiers in an Alien daily.No problems here.

I tried the K Peach yesterday, used 2 CH coals and it worked fine. Added a third after 10 minutes and had to take it off right away, but added it after the 30 minute mark. yes, it needs less heat. i tried melon, or "now with melon" rather, and use fumaris, I felt like i didnt have enough heat, but it was fter some drinking and I had to stop after 20 minutes and go to bed. I will be trying them all as well within a week.

ok, I will chime in as best as I can. I am not an expert but this is what I see when I go to "middle eastern" places. Most of the people that are as different as they are the same, are from what hassouni likes to call the levant, which is, and again, I'm not an expert, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, hass, help me if I am wrong. Other people people included in the groups of people that are as much similar as they are different are Egyptians,Saudi's, other "gulf state" Arabs. What they all have in common is that they speak the same language, but with different dialects. The most popular music, imo, comes from Egypt and Lebanon. There is also great music from Iraq and Syria, and since you asked for Iraqi music, the one I know best is right here, just youtbe the rest of his music and you'll find it would make great hookah lounge music, for me anyways: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jthl4IwXpE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jthl4IwXpE[/url] Hass will definitely be able to add to the list of Iraqi music, as that is all I have. As far as Lebanese music, in case you care, and most "other" Arabs will enjoy are Fares Karam, George Wassouf, melhem zein, youtube is your best friend right now. Egyptian old music, the classic Oum Khalthoum, great 40 minute songs. They also have Ihab Toufic and Amr Diab, which are more modern. It just depends on what you want, I like the older music, not the new pop stuff so much. Hopefully Hass will chime in on more Iraqi music. And if you really want to go pop/cheese/not so bad/not so good/easy/not talented but can still be considered "good talent" and on the eyes, youtube Haifa and DOminique Hourani. Let me know how it works out. It's all about your customer base, just ask them.Take notes, and youtube.

Cleanliness is Godliness. When most of us home smokers smoke we clean out our hookah first, meaning a good scrubbing of the pipe. The better ones washed it after their last sessions, but since I smoke every day I just wait until before I prepare a smoke to give a good scrubbing. Many of us use washable hoses, the tobacco we are used to, clean bowls made out of clay, not ceramic, and natural coals. I've seen lounges not even change the water of their hookahs and serve them. Do you think their hoses are washed or even remotely clean? I've seen lounges use expired ancient shisha that may have never been good in the first place to save a buck. I've seen them recycle unburnt shisha back. Coals? They use huge bags of bbq, and call them natural. I used to take my own hose to a lounge just for at least a bit of cleanliness. Not that I go too much, but from now on I will do what I do when I go to my friends houses, bring my whole rig. (disclaimer, don't think that if you do this you are not paying for anything. These establishments are run by the revenue they generate, and just bc you bring your own doesn't mean you aren't supposed to pay. I would suggest you go in with your own rig and if they say anything just say you are willing to pay the full amount for a hookah but you prefer to use your own. If you break the ice and become friends first it will be easier)

I've personally seen counterfeit AF, SB, 3kings, and easy lites. They all work, but the point is they are counterfeit!!!!!! I don't feel liek discussing what kind of POS person does that sort of thing. Then walks around like he's boss because he's turning a profit.

[quote name='A13lackFish' timestamp='1330051936' post='540292'] You could always look into a local shop and or a Canadian seller? [/quote]The problem with that is those local shops are subject to the same taxes. So if there is AF available in a Canadian store it's more likely to be priced at $40 per 250g. It's so high that there is little diversity in hookah tobacco in Canada and other countries. That's the reason people order from the US and take their chances, If it gets through unchecked the consumer is happy and pretty much got a bargain. But wow, some of those tobacco taxes are insane in other countries.

[quote name='vendetta_revived' timestamp='1329923831' post='539950'] Is it feasible for you to add a condition stating that international orders will be processed in 2 days, once you have safely got the payment in your bank? I am sorry, I am unaware if the customer can still refute the charges, never having done so. Also, is it possible to offer MF as an alternative? [/quote]thanks for chiming in, but 2 days isn't long enough, you, the consumer can refute charges months after it has been received, and me the merchant will have it swiped out of my account without warning or hesitance from the banks.MF doesn't allow hookah transactions, and I have heard (not seen) that there can be fraud with MF.

case by case but due to the following scenario, along with being frauded of course, I have decided to only accept WU to cover myself. International Buyer places order with HJ using credit card. International Buyer reads and accepts terms and conditions of HJ. International Buyer get his order processed perfectly and in a timely fashion....only with a bill from International Buyer's country/government to pay taxes. International Buyer decides, wah, my country taxes too much, I am not paying this. International Buyer aware of HJ's terms and conditions refuses his package and has it sent back to HJ. International Buyer expects a refund. International Buyer's package takes months to be returned to the US and package is beat up (remember we are dealing with usps and foreign postal workers, not tooth fairies who will handle your package with love) HJ explains situation to International Buyer but International Buyer thinks because he didn't "receive" his package he can just call his credit card company and refute the charges. International Buyer's in the past have caused HJ to make this policy a few years back and now HJ is not being jerked around by International Buyer's who think they are above their countries taxes even if it means sticking it to HJ who fulfilled his obligations. HJ still loves you all, processes International Buyer's order all the time. There are issues with taxes, but people, you have to understand, taxes are not something I invented or enforce. Some of you regular international customers do get a little love and I will process your cards, but consider yourself in the 5%'ers. I really hope that all made sense and that I do appreciate all orders, however, I don't understand where this impression of me not shipping international came from? Anyhow, thanks HF.

Still shipping internationally, but please read the terms and conditions, thanks.

I've been promoting Starbuzz Lebanese Bombshell for the past few months. Since many of the forum smokers are not SB smokers I gave out a few samples and got great feedback. When it was released a few weeks back it was an instant success. SB wasn't going to release this because they thought it wouldn't be the best seller. I advised, after smoking it with them and loving it, that it would be a great way to reach the non SB smoker market. The results are great. I highly recommend it. Mush, I will personally make you a bowl in a few weeks.