TFH Testing - woo hoo!

[Kelleytoons]

Sigh - NO, I didn't find any raffle ticket (so I guess I threw it away). But - knowing my luck in such things, I wouldn't have won anyway (besides, I feel like I've already "won").

I had a green that I told them was a red - it didn't LOOK like a red but it acted exactly like one (and was one of my favorites). So you might be right about the color issue.

I also find it interesting that we got different samples. I knew they were going to do several different tests, but I thought the "first round" would be mostly the same. Now *I* want to try those other samples :>). At the very least I think those of us testing ought to compare notes when we're finished because if there are outstanding ones among the samples I didn't get to test I'd like to include those in my order.

[Arob1000]

I don’t think I got a raffle ticket either, pretty sure I would have noticed something like that. Maybe you got lucky?

[Lokey]

I don’t think I got a raffle ticket either, pretty sure I would have noticed something like that. Maybe you got lucky?

It was at the very bottom of the priority envelope, almost missed it! I triple checked it.

[tasha99]

I got my package yesterday, but have no instructions. Did you all get your instructions right away? I'm wondering if I should just pick a sample and start, hoping to get my instructions soon. Or is there an order to it? Really looking forward to doing this, but don't want to do it wrong.

[Lokey]

I got my package yesterday, but have no instructions. Did you all get your instructions right away? I'm wondering if I should just pick a sample and start, hoping to get my instructions soon. Or is there an order to it? Really looking forward to doing this, but don't want to do it wrong.

They're in the payment confirmation email

[Arob1000]

Lame, well it’s at the recycling center now, would have been nice to have a heads up…

[Lokey]

Sigh - NO, I didn't find any raffle ticket (so I guess I threw it away). But - knowing my luck in such things, I wouldn't have won anyway (besides, I feel like I've already "won").

I had a green that I told them was a red - it didn't LOOK like a red but it acted exactly like one (and was one of my favorites). So you might be right about the color issue.

I also find it interesting that we got different samples. I knew they were going to do several different tests, but I thought the "first round" would be mostly the same. Now *I* want to try those other samples :>). At the very least I think those of us testing ought to compare notes when we're finished because if there are outstanding ones among the samples I didn't get to test I'd like to include those in my order.

I don't think I was 1st round, got mine a couple weeks after you. I made a list of each strain and the amount and will keep notes in addition to the survey results.

[Lokey]

Lame, well it’s at the recycling center now, would have been nice to have a heads up…

Sorry, but it's mentioned in the original testing post, copied and pasted below. Easy to forget and hard to find:

But wait....there's even more! (TFH membership raffle) The only formal path to TFH is a membership raffle we hold during open events (we raffle about 20-40 slots a year). Since we haven't had a public event in forever, we might as well give some of those membership slots out now! All testers will receive one raffle ticket for a chance to win a TFH membership (note you must complete your surveys to be eligible). How many membership slots we raffle off will be dependent on how many people we enroll, but we will make it so folks have some decent odds

[Arob1000]

I saw that, got too excited/assumed they’d email the raffle ticket after successful completion of all the testing when if didn’t see anything in the package. Oh well, I’ll have to stock up with my one time order.

[tasha99]

I got my package yesterday, but have no instructions. Did you all get your instructions right away? I'm wondering if I should just pick a sample and start, hoping to get my instructions soon. Or is there an order to it? Really looking forward to doing this, but don't want to do it wrong.

They're in the payment confirmation email

I didn't get that email yet, though the package arrived (paid Wednesday, got here on Friday, so lightning fast shipping).

[Kelleytoons]

So does anyone else feel like Willie Wonka (except - that we never even got the chance for the golden ticket?)

[BookofEnoch1914]

Lame, well it’s at the recycling center now, would have been nice to have a heads up…

I emailed Chris to order after finishing the Test run, he said some people did NOT get a physical raffle ticket accidentally. He emailed me a ticket #. Just email him.

[Arob1000]

Cool sent him an email, I was probably one of those!

Thx!!

[Kelleytoons]

Lame, well it’s at the recycling center now, would have been nice to have a heads up…

I emailed Chris to order after finishing the Test run, he said some people did NOT get a physical raffle ticket accidentally. He emailed me a ticket #. Just email him.

Just the email he sent for us for testing, or do you have another email addy?

[Lokey]

I just reread the post, it must've been just a fluke that I got one, supposed to be upon completion. Tasha, when I get home will PM you instructions if I can, or PM me your regular email.

[BookofEnoch1914]

Lame, well it’s at the recycling center now, would have been nice to have a heads up…

I emailed Chris to order after finishing the Test run, he said some people did NOT get a physical raffle ticket accidentally. He emailed me a ticket #. Just email him.

Just the email he sent for us for testing, or do you have another email addy?

Sorry I should have clarified, the same address as the Tester Emails. [email protected]

[SaintsWillConquer]

I just reread the post, it must've been just a fluke that I got one, supposed to be upon completion. Tasha, when I get home will PM you instructions if I can, or PM me your regular email.

Well, the quote you shared does not say you receive the raffle ticket "upon completion", it just says you have to complete the reviews to be eligible. That's something they could double check after the raffle if they wanted. Just sayin'...

I'm sure they will work it out. They always do.

[Lokey]

Ok...so guess they should've sent everyone a ticket! I should've kept quiet lol

[SaintsWillConquer]

Ok...so guess they should've sent everyone a ticket! I should've kept quiet lol

Well, you asking if the others got their ticket was super helpful. Now we know there's a wrench in the machine. I'm sure Chris will get it worked out. They always try to do the right thing.

[Badgame85]

Well I'm only 2 samples in to my 11, but much like a few others... my first sample was a Green which was FANTASTIC! We should all secretly collaborate on it to make sure were on the same sample, or perhaps there are several (best ever) kratom strains out there being tested?

Honestly I ordered a TON of Kratom from TFH the past few years through their open events and after all the different strains that I obtained and then eventually sold off I was no where near matching the hype for them that this community gives them. I was really disappointed. Still good/great Kratom no doubt, but I have used plenty of vendors off the master list here and TFH may just barely crack my top 5.

I know some has said that you may hate it first and then second but on 3rd you'll be blown away... that didn't seem to happen to either. But I will say that the 25% of the TFH Kratom I've bought over the years, hits and hits a grand slam at that. Long story short, I'm super excited to get to sample 11 products for $8 instead of sampling 11 strains for $400 lol

Finally... regardless of the quality of the products, Chris and his education on Kratom he has provided me and many others has been phenomenal. Great dude, great family!

[add to descartes]

So does anyone else feel like Willie Wonka (except - that we never even got the chance for the golden ticket?)

I think maybe you mean charlie. willy wonka is the one who issues the tickets.

and I mean, it's cool to be a tester, but it's not really that big of a deal.

[SaintsWillConquer]

and I mean, it's cool to be a tester, but it's not really that big of a deal.

How dare you!

[Kelleytoons]

So does anyone else feel like Willie Wonka (except - that we never even got the chance for the golden ticket?)

I think maybe you mean charlie. willy wonka is the one who issues the tickets.

and I mean, it's cool to be a tester, but it's not really that big of a deal.

Sigh - yeah, well it was late at night when I wrote that and... I'm an OLD man.

Yes, clearly TFH IS Willie Wonka but I'm not Charlie because... no ticket.

The big deal about testing for me is this - I found THREE top five Kratom strains (ONE of which might even displace my all-time fav). And three others that are excellent. So I'll be able to buy at least six great strains I would have otherwise not known anything about (or had an opportunity to even buy). For me I guess that IS winning a golden ticket.

[BookofEnoch1914]

So does anyone else feel like Willie Wonka (except - that we never even got the chance for the golden ticket?)

I think maybe you mean charlie. willy wonka is the one who issues the tickets.

and I mean, it's cool to be a tester, but it's not really that big of a deal.

Sigh - yeah, well it was late at night when I wrote that and... I'm an OLD man.

Yes, clearly TFH IS Willie Wonka but I'm not Charlie because... no ticket.

The big deal about testing for me is this - I found THREE top five Kratom strains (ONE of which might even displace my all-time fav). And three others that are excellent. So I'll be able to buy at least six great strains I would have otherwise not known anything about (or had an opportunity to even buy). For me I guess that IS winning a golden ticket.

I second this, for me more than half my One Time Order is Tester Strains. This really has been "Targeted Buying" for me. Most of the testers were Top Notch. A certain Green and RED were Absolutely Amazing....The Red in Particular was NUCLEAR in effects.

[Arob1000]

We need a private group to share our testing results, I'm curious what red you are taking about!

[Loveandpeace]

I think maybe you mean charlie. willy wonka is the one who issues the tickets.

and I mean, it's cool to be a tester, but it's not really that big of a deal.

Sigh - yeah, well it was late at night when I wrote that and... I'm an OLD man.

Yes, clearly TFH IS Willie Wonka but I'm not Charlie because... no ticket.

The big deal about testing for me is this - I found THREE top five Kratom strains (ONE of which might even displace my all-time fav). And three others that are excellent. So I'll be able to buy at least six great strains I would have otherwise not known anything about (or had an opportunity to even buy). For me I guess that IS winning a golden ticket.

I second this, for me more than half my One Time Order is Tester Strains. This really has been "Targeted Buying" for me. Most of the testers were Top Notch. A certain Green and RED were Absolutely Amazing....The Red in Particular was NUCLEAR in effects.

Hmmm...

TFH Chris: (scratching head) "Nuclear, eh?" "seems fitting"

[BookofEnoch1914]

Sigh - yeah, well it was late at night when I wrote that and... I'm an OLD man.

Yes, clearly TFH IS Willie Wonka but I'm not Charlie because... no ticket.

The big deal about testing for me is this - I found THREE top five Kratom strains (ONE of which might even displace my all-time fav). And three others that are excellent. So I'll be able to buy at least six great strains I would have otherwise not known anything about (or had an opportunity to even buy). For me I guess that IS winning a golden ticket.

I second this, for me more than half my One Time Order is Tester Strains. This really has been "Targeted Buying" for me. Most of the testers were Top Notch. A certain Green and RED were Absolutely Amazing....The Red in Particular was NUCLEAR in effects.

Hmmm...

TFH Chris: (scratching head) "Nuclear, eh?" "seems fitting"

I just want to reiterate, everyone is different and there's so many variables at any given time that can cause a bad or good experience...but this Red hit me like nothing else EVER has and I've been a daily user for 6 years. And to top it off, I wasn't expecting much. Hadn't slept great the night before and this was my 3rd and final dose of the day( final dose is hit or miss usually for me). 25 minutes later the "Bomb" went off.

[Kelleytoons]

Yeah, different strokes...

One of the greens (the first I took) was the best green I ever had. And another tester and I compared notes (after we tested and in PM) and while we were almost in total agreement on everything else, he rated that particular green as "ho-hum". So - you never really know.

I think even in a person that's true - how many times have we taken the same strain with different results? But I will say that after testing TFH (and doing a bit of reading) I feel the pain of not being a member a LOT. But I just placed a (big) one-time order and that will help with that pain (in many more ways than one :>).

[Loveandpeace]

I second this, for me more than half my One Time Order is Tester Strains. This really has been "Targeted Buying" for me. Most of the testers were Top Notch. A certain Green and RED were Absolutely Amazing....The Red in Particular was NUCLEAR in effects.

Hmmm...

TFH Chris: (scratching head) "Nuclear, eh?" "seems fitting"

I just want to reiterate, everyone is different and there's so many variables at any given time that can cause a bad or good experience...but this Red hit me like nothing else EVER has and I've been a daily user for 6 years. And to top it off, I wasn't expecting much. Hadn't slept great the night before and this was my 3rd and final dose of the day( final dose is hit or miss usually for me). 25 minutes later the "Bomb" went off.

...and it was the 3rd dose of the day?! Wowzers!! By no means am I making fun of you, I was right where you are except my doublem buddy was ybanurse247 and the strain was Jade Hulu.

The nuclear comment I made was kind of an internal joke of mine. I postulate that Chris reads the reviews carefully and must select a keyword. It makes the most sense when it comes to blends, right? I love Rocket Red and someone must have wrote a review and said 'like a rocket'.

[gumbyke1]

Hey gang, I just posted an update on our testing instructions but I thought I would post them here as well as its relevant to the comments in this thread.

Just a quick update and a few points of clarity -

Delays with enrollment and email replies: We are really far behind with enrollments, so please expect that it may take several days for us to respond to your application. We had many more volunteers than we needed, so we are expanding the scope of our testing to accommodate the excess of volunteers. With that, we took an operational pause on testing to evaluate the data we have received so far to determine if there were any samples we needed more data on, and to determine the structure of our next round. We appreciate your patience, we hope to get caught up a bit in the next day or two.

At this time, we still have enrollments from 8/1 that have yet to be processed, so dont worry if you've been waiting for a reply and think we have overlooked you. Even if we do not accept your application for testing, we will inform you as much, so you will get an email reply from us one way or another. I expect that by the end of the day Tuesday, we will get caught up on the emails that are currently in queue.

Membership Raffle: The only formal path to membership with TFH is our membership raffle that we hold 1-2 times a year. Every tester should have received a blue ticket with their package which is for our membership raffle. Unfortunately, we discovered that all of the test packages were shipped in our first round of testing. If you received your package without a ticket, you may email us to request a digital ticket (we will simply assign you the numbers of a raffle ticket....it will be essentially the same thing). Please note that in order for your ticket to be valid, you must complete all of your surveys.

The date of the raffle is to be determined, but it will probably be a few weeks for now in order to give everyone a chance who is testing to complete thier surveys. We have somewhere around 36-40 batches currently in testing, so we are still enrolling applicants. When we hold the raffle, a random number generator will select the winning numbers and we will post them at the very beginning of this thread.

Testing Instructions: Upon submitting payment for shipping, you receive a payment confirmation email (within 24 hours or so). This email will also include the testing instructions, which is where you can find the survey link, along with specifics on how to grade each batch. Please carefully read these to ensure you are following the guidelines. If you did not receive the testing instructions, that means that you did not submit payment, or for some reason, we did not acknowledge your payment. If you did submit payment and haven't received the instructions, just shoot us an email.


Thank you again everyone for your support!

[Arob1000]

Thanks for the update! 36-40 batches being tested is way more than I anticipated, considering how many good ones were in my testing samples I’m sure you’ll have a large number getting added to the menu soon!

Glad I’ll still have a shot in the raffle, I was really bummed out that I didn’t get a ticket, appreciate everything you guys are doing for the community!

Expect a large “one time order” coming soon, I want to give all of them another try before taking the plunge.

[BookofEnoch1914]

Hmmm...

TFH Chris: (scratching head) "Nuclear, eh?" "seems fitting"

I just want to reiterate, everyone is different and there's so many variables at any given time that can cause a bad or good experience...but this Red hit me like nothing else EVER has and I've been a daily user for 6 years. And to top it off, I wasn't expecting much. Hadn't slept great the night before and this was my 3rd and final dose of the day( final dose is hit or miss usually for me). 25 minutes later the "Bomb" went off.

...and it was the 3rd dose of the day?! Wowzers!! By no means am I making fun of you, I was right where you are except my doublem buddy was ybanurse247 and the strain was Jade Hulu.

The nuclear comment I made was kind of an internal joke of mine. I postulate that Chris reads the reviews carefully and must select a keyword. It makes the most sense when it comes to blends, right? I love Rocket Red and someone must have wrote a review and said 'like a rocket'.

"Atomic Bali(Special Stock)"??? Haha!!!

[Kelleytoons]

Expect a large “one time order” coming soon, I want to give all of them another try before taking the plunge.

I put my (large) order in a few hours ago - any more deliberation and it would have driven me crazy (well, crazier) as I went back and forth and forth and back...

I also sent an email about not getting a ticket - while the odds look increasingly long it's always worth a shot (SOMEBODY has to win the lottery, right? :>)

[tasha99]

My instructions came in email today, but I was able to start yesterday thanks to Lokey. I got 8 samples--7 greens (with one duplicate) and 1 yellow. I take mostly reds, so this is mostly out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed the one I took yesterday. Did anyone else get a sample that just has a big "A" on it? I can't tell if it's something I'm supposed to test, or if it's a gift of kratom that's already been tested. Or maybe it's to be blind tested with no preconceived notion about color or strain. ???

[Lokey]

My instructions came in email today, but I was able to start yesterday thanks to Lokey. I got 8 samples--7 greens (with one duplicate) and 1 yellow. I take mostly reds, so this is mostly out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed the one I took yesterday. Did anyone else get a sample that just has a big "A" on it? I can't tell if it's something I'm supposed to test, or if it's a gift of kratom that's already been tested. Or maybe it's to be blind tested with no preconceived notion about color or strain. ???

No I did not get anything with just an A on it and wish I could trade you my 2 reds for a couple greens! Maybe check the ordering menu to see if it's a sample of a current strain?

[GrannyJ62]

I'm going to post this here deep in my thread because I don't want to make too much of a thing about this but... the sample I'm currently taking (well, about 90 minutes ago) is the BEST Kratom I've ever had.

Someone earlier in this thread postulated there might be other things going on that might be giving me false results but I'm pretty sure now of what I've been sampling. Out of the nine I've taken so far (two more to go) two were absolute standouts (the green I started with I thought was the best Kratom ever - this actually - so far - even surpasses that. It's also a white so I'm really in heaven because that's the go-to strain for me for tennis).

There haven't been any duds so far, but there have been four that I wouldn't buy and consider about on par with most of the average leaf I've gotten from various vendors. Three I will definitely buy again, and those two home runs I will buy A LOT of, assuming I am allowed.

I had low expectations from TFH based on two samples I had tried previously. Now I can see there is definitely something different with them. You can't hit two absolute bases-loaded home runs out of nine when every other team I've tried has not done even one (with one exception - I still think Herbal RVA's Red Bali is the best red I've ever had. It's on par with the green and white now I've gotten from TFH but it's no longer standing alone).

I am a very lucky man to have been allowed to participate in this. I wish others the same luck.

Right on I love that your experiencing TFH
I felt kinda of like you did, tried so many strains from so many vendors some good others great but from the testing to my last order every strain from them just hit better at first I thought it was just me psyched about finally getting a chance but still even now,I need less leaf in fact I sometimes get much better pain control or energy taking less taking more or the same as some other vendors leaf it dosent hit right its part of the magic Chris and Angie put in the package I guess They have really taken it to the next level I'm so happy it's helping you achieve some great tennis.

[Loveandpeace]

Expect a large “one time order” coming soon, I want to give all of them another try before taking the plunge.

I put my (large) order in a few hours ago - any more deliberation and it would have driven me crazy (well, crazier) as I went back and forth and forth and back...

I also sent an email about not getting a ticket - while the odds look increasingly long it's always worth a shot (SOMEBODY has to win the lottery, right? :>)

It is ok my man. We get by around here. It has been years for me of trying to gain entry and I just can't bear the emotional vacancy that is left every time. It is like when the circus does the final show and you see a silhouette of a bulbous red nose shrinking in the distance.

Also, I dose low so the TP has everything I need just not exactly when I want it.

Besides, I don't need anyone's validation!!

[Kelleytoons]

When I look at what I've ordered from them and then what I still have (still some very good things from many other vendors) I'm pretty sure I'm set for life (much easier for an old guy than someone younger :>).

I think the only thing that would change if I ever DID get membership is they would get a lot of my money and I would end up replacing many things in my inventory (so I'd be off to the TP to see the stuff from other vendor's). IOW, while I think it might *slightly* benefit me in terms of upgrading my overall collection, it would sure delete my bank account (what little there is). So maybe the Gods in the universe have decided this is about right for me. That I've finally reached the "you really don't need any more but from time to time you can add something" status.

(It will certainly make my DW happy - my pill making is sort of driving her crazy. I tell her it's a short trip but for some reason that doesn't help).

[tasha99]

When I look at what I've ordered from them and then what I still have (still some very good things from many other vendors) I'm pretty sure I'm set for life (much easier for an old guy than someone younger :>).

I think the only thing that would change if I ever DID get membership is they would get a lot of my money and I would end up replacing many things in my inventory (so I'd be off to the TP to see the stuff from other vendor's). IOW, while I think it might *slightly* benefit me in terms of upgrading my overall collection, it would sure delete my bank account (what little there is). So maybe the Gods in the universe have decided this is about right for me. That I've finally reached the "you really don't need any more but from time to time you can add something" status.

(It will certainly make my DW happy - my pill making is sort of driving her crazy. I tell her it's a short trip but for some reason that doesn't help).

I'm the same. I was so fearful of a kratom ban, that I bought a mountain that I could never get through. But, if I got in I'd gradually replace what I have. I'm giving most of my mountain to my kids and their friends; might sell some on the trading post. It's a pretty comical pile considering I dose 1.5g and only take kratom a few days a month now. I was having more pain when I bought it, so it wasn't that unreasonable considering I thought it could be my lifetime stash.

[Arob1000]

I'm getting close to finishing up my second round of testing, all results very similar to my 1st burn with these. Can anyone recommend any standout batches on the current menu worth ordering?

Also Chris was nice enough to give me my raffle ticket, very excited to have a chance for membership!