How do I find a consistent product?

[nimmel1]

Back in December I got a batch of Super Green from Soflo and I have yet to find a replacement that is as good. I reordered the exact same product from Soflo four months later and it was horrible. Since then, I've been trying sampler packs from various vendors and only recently found something that was relatively close (Super Green from Liza Botanicals.) So I ordered a bigger bag of it and, again, it was much worse than the previous product I had received.

I noticed that the new, larger bag had a much older batch number than the sample. I asked her about that and she just confirmed that the batches can be different. She did say I can ask for a specific batch number when I order, so I guess I'll have to try that next, but I'm wondering if my experience with inconsistency is an outlier.

Is it pretty typical that each new order of the same product is just a gamble for what the quality and effects will be? If not, does anyone have any recommendations for vendors who are more consistent?

I've now tried over 20 different strains from different vendors and only found the 2 I like (and a borderline 3rd). It's really frustrating to finally find those good ones and not be able to figure out how to actually order them.

Is it maybe a typical practice that these vendors are just sending the fresh batches out as samples and then offloading the old stuff when a larger order comes in?

[mivanqua]

You dont. Hope for the best and buy at the right time. That's literally all you can do.

[nimmel1]

What's the right time?

[Mourningair777]

Apparently a lot of it has to do with how it's dried. There's a guy on YouTube that goes by the handle 'Philly Kratom' and he's got some really informative and interesting videos. He's a reformed heroin user (like a lot of us - for me it was coke and crystal 15 years using) and he is also now a supplier and he gets politically involved in the Kratom game. He knows a lot of things about the way it's handled and how that effects the potency of the plant. The Katz or Kats botanical website has a lot of information on the subject also. I never bought anything from them but I might be in a the near future. I always used Mystic Island for a while till the quality started to drop about a year ago. My boss at work gave me a brand called 'pain away' and it has proven fairly consistent with regard to the potency. I add turmeric with black pepper as a potencyator. It does work. I'm starting to make extracts with distilled water and lemon juice. It works well for me. Hope this helps you.

[BallzDeep9]

... Maybe a typical practice that these vendors are just sending the fresh batches out as samples and then offloading the old stuff when a larger order comes in?

aka Bait N Switch ?? I sure hope not, but it does happen... Vendors DO get a feel for High quality leaf vs, just average.

Best way to avoid that IMO, Buy from the most well established, professional vendors who Import direct from Indonesia. For consistency, avoid too small vendors who don't have much kratom only a few kilos.. SoFlo comes to mind. They never had many kilos? Then we've got "vendors" in chat rooms, who get 1 load maybe 50 kilos they call a "drop" and its gone in 2 hours? Sure some of that IS quality... but you'll never be able to Sample and re-order those? Sample packs have almost disappeared - Since kratom boomed 2 years ago. Even Medium size vendors, move lots of product. Top strains sell pretty quick.

Remember, Batches and Colors... NOT "strains and veins". Good vendors put a Batch # on every bag. The really solid guys, on the Vendor List, have been in business for years... Import direct and re-stock often, and move WAY too much product to mess around with Bait N Switch - that's more likely newer Popup vendors/ flakey vendors who may be dis-organized. One you mention, we counted 120 diff strains? How anyone could manage, to keep that together? Every vendor is different & some get way over their heads (SoSa) and, lose track of their business!

[f1vefour]

Indeed, batch number is where it's at. Or you can pay a lot more and get kratom that has been tested for the Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine percentages, which in the short run is expensive but in the long run not so much since it prevents you from getting weak kratom.

But even knowing the percentages doesn't always pan out since we all react differently.

[CatfatherB]

Indeed, batch number is where it's at. Or you can pay a lot more and get kratom that has been tested for the Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine percentages, which in the short run is expensive but in the long run not so much since it prevents you from getting weak kratom.

But even knowing the percentages doesn't always pan out since we all react differently.

Vendors who do test actually say that the numbers fluctuate too much to represent the total stock... So then your back to square one with the OP's question..

[nimmel1]

Buy from the most well established, professional vendors who Import direct from Indonesia.

Where do I find those? You mentioned the vendor list, but as far as I can tell, that's just a forum where anyone can add a vendor - even vendors. Is there actually a curated list somewhere that I haven't found?

[CatfatherB]

Buy from the most well established, professional vendors who Import direct from Indonesia.

Where do I find those? You mentioned the vendor list, but as far as I can tell, that's just a forum where anyone can add a vendor - even vendors. Is there actually a curated list somewhere that I haven't found?[/quote


viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4643

[nimmel1]

Ah, thank you.

I've actually ordered from both Kraydo Organics and Benni Botanicals before, but didn't find anything I liked so I've never reorded from either.

I'll have to try some of the others.

[CatfatherB]

Ah, thank you.

I've actually ordered from both Kraydo Organics and Benni Botanicals before, but didn't find anything I liked so I've never reorded from either.

I'll have to try some of the others.

Then try this thread go to the last few pages of it and take note of what other's are using...
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1101

[BallzDeep9]

Is there actually a curated List somewhere that I haven't found?

Yes. Seems like other kratom groups or Forums, operate with a vetted List, to help people find proven, GOOD vendors... MM was an open Forum on Reddit, and now here ~ the Vendor List, was started a few years ago, based on prices and popular reviews. Nobody can just add a popup vendor, to the List.. When Reddit banned vending it moved to Saidit ~ LINK

With > 200 online vendors, it gets to be a free-for-all, where the loudest voices get pushed, while more well established, experienced, vendors are too busy to hang around forums ~ Also with kratom, vendors feel it's important to not get involved where Medical Claims are openly discussed, if you're familiar with the Legal situation? Anyway... the whole point of a Vendor List, was to help new people.

[BallzDeep9]

Kraydo Organics and Benni Botanicals before, but didn't find anything I liked ...

Kraydo's been pretty solid & consistent, for years. Benni is a vendor who stocks a LOT of batches.. like 100 different... I'd say that is probably better for experienced buyers who have some idea of what they want? Every seller is unique.

[herbalhippie]

I see comments in this post that are advertising. I'd like to remind people that advertising is not allowed in posts outside of Vendor Listings. Rule #6 in General Forum Rules. Comments deleted. Thank you.

[CatfatherB]

Have you tried MD Supreme or SGM from Rhino? they are very popular, also try Fused Flora's green Borneo and Green Kapuas and get back to us...

[GrannyJ62]

Dang I ve found Liza to be very consistent shes got a lot of great reviews here I ve put her as my #1 for over 2yrs now cant imagine she'd bait and switch sorry you got something that didn't work for you thats another great reason for the trading post what dosent work for you could be fire for someone else.O what a Fickle Leaf it is

[Jestrice2002]

Dang I ve found Liza to be very consistent shes got a lot of great reviews here I ve put her as my #1 for over 2yrs now cant imagine she'd bait and switch sorry you got something that didn't work for you thats another great reason for the trading post what dosent work for you could be fire for someone else.O what a Fickle Leaf it is

Yeah, there's no way. I'm sure they just didn't understand how the batches work. Liza is great!

[nimmel1]

Yeah, there's no way. I'm sure they just didn't understand how the batches work. Liza is great!

I got two different batches of Super Green; one was really good, the other was really bad. How exactly could I mistake that?

I still had plenty from the first batch to go back and compare, so I'm quite certain of it.

[RumRunner]

Yeah, there's no way. I'm sure they just didn't understand how the batches work. Liza is great!

I got two different batches of Super Green; one was really good, the other was really bad. How exactly could I mistake that?

I still had plenty from the first batch to go back and compare, so I'm quite certain of it.

Sorry about your sub-par batch of super green. That was one of my favs from last year too. But that was last year. So to answer your question, think batches, not strains. Go where the positive buzz is. Right now it’s Denette and Rhino. IMO Rhino’s current B greens are maybe as good as Soflo’s super green from last year.

[wijayawijaya]

have you tried buying from Indonesia?
i am currently buys from a seller in there, and so far so good.

[DNA011001]

Also, different vendors send samples for different reasons. Sometimes it’s to let you try some popular batches; sometimes it’s to get people’s feed back on new batches. For me, I like vendors who are easy to communicate with. So, if you liked a certain batch, they can point you in the right direction for your next order, or if you don’t like something, they will make it right. Reviews can be helpful to see how consistent a vendor is, but it’s not an exact science, since we all respond differently to kratom.

Denette and Rhino are very well liked. My favorite is probably Mitra Man. He has a MeWe community where is available all the time and discusses batches and lots of stuff, so I always know what batch I am ordering. Plus, if there are multiple batches of a “strain” and you get the one you don’t like, he is very quick to make it right.
Heavenleaf and fused flora also have popular MeWe communities.

Don’t be afraid to ask the vendor (or customers, reviewers) questions before ordering. If they are a good vendor, they WANT you to like what you order, and should be glad to help.

[GrannyJ62]

you kniw another trick I use is when I get it I put it in a jar, so I can just roll the jar a bit to mix it up my thinking is many times a strain is a mix so it makes sensec to me .Or you could just shake you bag, .I m I making sense Lol

[e_poison]

Back in December I got a batch of Super Green from Soflo and I have yet to find a replacement that is as good. I reordered the exact same product from Soflo four months later and it was horrible.

I don't even think SoFlo is still around.

Thread from this past summer: "SoFlo Kratom is ghosting me" - viewtopic.php?f=17&t=6088

As users here were talking about ordering and never receiving their product, I've tried reaching out to SoFlo via email and text several times over the past few months and he has made no attempt to get back to me. So, at this point, I'd say they are 'do not order' status. He even used to be a site sponsor here and replied to all emails within hours, so he is definitely either 1) avoiding me for some reason, or 2) out of business completely.

I also tried contacting another vendor in August (won't mention the name) who is friends with SoFlo to ask if he is okay, and that email went completely unanswered as well. Which is strange, because this is another vendor I used to be in constant communication with who also responded to emails in less than an hour.

[LeafersonJr32]

Consistently great vendors:
Denette615
Rhino Remedies
Heaven Leaf
Koality Leaf
KOG
LSMS
Green Harvest
TFH

[ButterBear]

You don’t.I have been in the Keaton game for 5+ years, and it’s nearly impossible to find a consistent product, however you can find a vendor that has consistently good product(overall).

[Strix]

I lost my old account on here due to a hard drive failure on a new computer but I started my kratom journey like many in a brick & mortar store paying way too much then finding this forum & the vendor list. I 1st tried out Mystic Island & had very good product for quite some time until at one point they were out of stock. I tried another recommended vendor from the list ordering a red maeng dae which was & remains my go to; the coloring was completely different very dark brown hues instead of towards the greenish end of the spectrum & the results were non existent. I reached out to the vendor & while professional shipping me another it was the same story. Unfortunately, this has happened a few more times with other vendors (again because of Mystic stock shortages)but not to that extent. This is certainly not an add & I will say after ordering many times from Mystic I have not so much as gotten a free sample but their product continues to be what I expect it to be, when they have stock that is....biggest downfall there rn. So find a product that works for you possibly not a blend but a more attainable strain & order what you can while in stock.

[chaosmonkey]

Dang I ve found Liza to be very consistent shes got a lot of great reviews here I ve put her as my #1 for over 2yrs now cant imagine she'd bait and switch sorry you got something that didn't work for you thats another great reason for the trading post what dosent work for you could be fire for someone else.O what a Fickle Leaf it is

I'm with the op, my experience with Liza has been more bad than good. Last year I ordered a bunch of sample sizes, found a few that I liked, and reordered those in bigger batches, but almost everything I got was nothing like the samples. This happened several times with her - I really wanted the first time to be a fluke! - so I stopped ordering from her.

I feel like a lot of vendors pull bait-n-switch with the samples vs larger batches, so much so that I stopped ordering quantities over a quarter kilo. It seems like smaller sizes are better, and if not, at least it takes up less space in my Box O' Dissappintment.

[FartBlaster]

Try checking out mewe , see what people think of the different vendors and.dont just order from one place, mix up several good vendors