Navigating Inconsistency

[Vintage964]

Sorry I’m advance for the long post.

I’ve been using Kratom for 4 years. I’ve used over a dozen vendors; Almost all have provided good service. I’m at the point I want to quit, not because of bad reactions but because of the inconsistency I’ve experienced with every single vendor, and the amount of money wasted.

IMO the problem is with naming of strains. When a strain works really well, I want more of it. Once my supply is low, I’ll order more of that strain. 9 times out of 10, it’s NOT the same. This happens practically every..single...time. Batch numbers are very helpful, but not all vendors use them. Or, the batch number may not available (because word gets out and it gets bought up)

This also reduces the value of strain reviews...if the review is for a different batch, it’s pointless.

My first question is, why do vendors keep using a strain name for a multitude of different products? It’s confusing , misleading and almost always results in disappointment and money wasted. The only thing consistent is the name.

Sure, when I run across a good one I could immediately order more of it, but when I drop $100 on Kratom I don’t usually want to turn around and spend more right away.

My second question is, how do y’all navigate this situation? How do you minimize buying worthless strains and keep a good supply of the effective ones?

Lastly, if anyone knows of vendors with a high level of consistency and quality, I’d love to know who they are. Thanks for reading.

[onespeedstop]

I just cross my fingers and.... Lately, I just kind of go off of reviews, in that if a vendor I haven't tried is getting lots of good reviews by people with 10 or more non-spam posts, then it's most likely gonna be good stuff. Other than that, I just stick to ones I now know have good kratom. I don't think I've ever gotten two orders from the same batch, I usually order a split-kilo at a time, and I simply don't go through it fast enough to re-order the same thing most times.

[herbalhippie]

Not a review, moving to General Discussion.

[Greyhound/10]

Plus - if it’s not hitting for you, might be hitting for others - so, maybe try selling at the trading post here to recover some of that cost?

If it’s truly garbage though, not really viable. I have a pile of that from my overpriced local brick and mortar vendors from years ago before zeroing in on the good stuff here (largely tracking onespeedstops’ method). The garbage is a total loss unfortunately.

[BallzDeep9]

IMO the problem is with naming of strains. When a strain works really well, I want more of it. Once my supply is low, I’ll order more of that strain. 9 times out of 10, it’s NOT the same. This happens practically every..single...time. Batch numbers are very helpful, but not all vendors use them. Or, the batch number may not available (because word gets out and it gets bought up)

This also reduces the value of strain reviews... If the review is for a different batch, it’s pointless.

yeah for starters "strain" names are BS - they are made up. You probably know that... some people think Red Bali is really from Bali ??

We have a saying... Think, Batches and Colors - NOT "Strains and Veins". , Leaves are NOT separated by their vein color. That is false.

How did this Kratom "Industry" develop into this bullshit rip-off thing, fake names, high prices, Bait and Switch? Go back 5+ years... it just came naturally, with American hustlers teaming up with Indo Hustlers... Human nature? To take advantage of people ?? Look at some of these websites, and the profit margins. "Happy Hippo" etc. Spamming. SEO manipulating Google to hook people & get their credit cards... Crooks. Liars. Republicans!

I'll stop there, but glad U found us here @ Double Em! We all Live and Learn. I agree with you about "Reviews". Some vendors import very small batches, so reviews are worthless... good batches get Sold Out within days or hours. Go with a medium size vendor (Examples: Botanical Bunny, Herbal RVA, Lucky Herbals!) they have websites, are honest, and Import direct in enough quantity you should be able to read a Review and buy. RVA now has photos of every Batch.

Thanks for posting!

[Adorable45Deplorable]

IMO the problem is with naming of strains. When a strain works really well, I want more of it. Once my supply is low, I’ll order more of that strain. 9 times out of 10, it’s NOT the same. This happens practically every..single...time. Batch numbers are very helpful, but not all vendors use them. Or, the batch number may not available (because word gets out and it gets bought up)

This also reduces the value of strain reviews... If the review is for a different batch, it’s pointless.

yeah for starters "strain" names are BS - they are made up. You probably know that... some people think Red Bali is really from Bali ??

We have a saying... Think, Batches and Colors - NOT "Strains and Veins". , Leaves are NOT separated by their vein color. That is false.

How did this Kratom "Industry" develop into this bullshit rip-off thing, fake names, high prices, Bait and Switch? Go back 5+ years... it just came naturally, with American hustlers teaming up with Indo Hustlers... Human nature? To take advantage of people ?? Look at some of these websites, and the profit margins. "Happy Hippo" etc. Spamming. SEO manipulating Google to hook people & get their credit cards... Crooks. Liars. Republicans!

I'll stop there, but glad U found us here @ Double Em! We all Live and Learn. I agree with you about "Reviews". Some vendors import very small batches, so reviews are worthless... good batches get Sold Out within days or hours. Go with a medium size vendor (Examples: Botanical Bunny, Herbal RVA, Lucky Herbals!) they have websites, are honest, and Import direct in enough quantity you should be able to read a Review and buy. RVA now has photos of every Batch.

Thanks for posting!

Can you keep your shitty politics out of the kratom threads? There's a politics thread to spew your vitriol and hate in. Thanks!

[IndelibleDotInk]

Dude... Ballz is OG. Sometimes he comes down hard on a particular vendor, but most of what he's saying is spot on. He's not really politicizing this thread so much as briefly offering a legit opinion with a tad of humor (imo, and I differ with his political views in a number or areas). I don't see any hate here, I see a lot of honest welcoming to the board and advice to a DoubleM recruit. If anyone bothers you that much, just add them to your 'foe' list and you'll never see their posts and get upset.

As for consistency, I'd try to develop enough of a rapport with a vendor to ask for suggestions; if you don't trust them, you shouldn't be buying from them. If they know you liked the sample they sent, do they have more of the same batch (act quickly!) or what do you have which is similar? A good vendor won't steer you wrong if they want your business; vendor loyalty is a big thing in the kratom world.

Something Texas Family Harvest does is collect data from their customers so as to build a profile of kratom tastes and be able to offer relevant suggestions. Try them out during their upcoming open event, or do some sample testing for them.

People should also find the like-minded, if someone on here tends to like strains you do, give their opinion more weight.

No perfect solution for this, but it's part of the draw, the driving need to find the best batches, and a pain in the butt. Selling and trading are an option too.

[WhiteAngelica]

This has led to me selling a lot of the kratom & specific strains or batches that didn't 'hit' me, because I am hoping and am usually right that what doesn't work for me works for someone else, and I can either make some money back, or trade it for a strain with a batch number I do love.

It is hard for consistency because of the weather. I should know this after 7 years with kratom, but there is a window season--rainy season, I think? Not sure, someone can clarify--and a lot of the great batches come from this. I believe these strains become popular with vendors and buyers in the fall.

One thing is, I keep a list of vendors, strains, and batch numbers that blew me out of the water. I lurk around to see if someone else is selling that exact thing, and when they are, I am a very happy White Angelica. As far as buying large and buying kilos, the last one I got ended up a mistake. They were simply not as potent as what I'm particularly used to from a vendor, though the problem could also be me. I have squirreled them away, in the event I try them further on down the line and we click. That is a phenomenon that happens. A current meh batch can be put away, and after some time, you reach for it again and the experience is totally different. I don't know why.

This has led to me purchasing smaller amounts first. Reviews help me a lot here, but ultimately I need to test the chemistry with me. If I try something and it is a slam dunk, money permitting, I will aim for a large amount. Every time I got cute and thought I could buy a split kilo without trying any of it first has led to me selling at least one quarter strain that I didn't jam with. It does get expensive. But places that label their batch numbers should get you a more consistent product, after you've tried it of course. I like it when vendors sell samplers, but few and fewer of them do lately. Sometimes a member here will sell a sampler of batches that are on current menus, and I will get one of those, figuring I can try before I buy.

My tolerance is high and some things are liable to not work for me, so when something does, I aim to get the exact same batch number and if it is exactly the same, I haven't noted any deviation of consistency...but I might be developing a little 'same strain syndrome' because I haven't given a strain or batch a rest. After a while, it might not seem the same and that's just because I've been mainlining it singularly without enough rotation.

TLDR;

-sell or trade what doesn't work to get some investment back
-Consistency may vary by the season, but batch numbers should reflect this. So should the date associated with batch
-Keep a list of vendors, strains, and batch numbers you love. Get them again from someone in the community, if possible, or from the original vendor. Again, if the difference is notable, contact them. Vendors will help you
-Buy small first before large
-Be aware that if the strain and batch number feels notably different, you could have some mild same strain syndrome happening. Be sure you're rotating, or take a break from a batch, just to see if it bounces back after a separation period

I know your pain. I should probably be put in a medical coma for a t-break

[herbalhippie]

Crooks. Liars. Republicans!

Ballz. Keep the politics to the politics thread. Thank you.

[Feerndad]

Sorry I’m advance for the long post.

I’ve been using Kratom for 4 years. I’ve used over a dozen vendors; Almost all have provided good service. I’m at the point I want to quit, not because of bad reactions but because of the inconsistency I’ve experienced with every single vendor, and the amount of money wasted.

IMO the problem is with naming of strains. When a strain works really well, I want more of it. Once my supply is low, I’ll order more of that strain. 9 times out of 10, it’s NOT the same. This happens practically every..single...time. Batch numbers are very helpful, but not all vendors use them. Or, the batch number may not available (because word gets out and it gets bought up)

This also reduces the value of strain reviews...if the review is for a different batch, it’s pointless.

My first question is, why do vendors keep using a strain name for a multitude of different products? It’s confusing , misleading and almost always results in disappointment and money wasted. The only thing consistent is the name.

Sure, when I run across a good one I could immediately order more of it, but when I drop $100 on Kratom I don’t usually want to turn around and spend more right away.

My second question is, how do y’all navigate this situation? How do you minimize buying worthless strains and keep a good supply of the effective ones?

Lastly, if anyone knows of vendors with a high level of consistency and quality, I’d love to know who they are. Thanks for reading.

This seems to be a problem with every single vendor. Kratom is a fickle mistress and even if you do your due diligence you’re going to get burned at some point. I wouldn’t say it’s the vendors fault, mostly it’s from the Kratom business not being fully regulated. Lab tests mean jack shit when you get 10 ton orders. And honestly I doubt the majority of the tests done are even legit.

I’ve tried buying little samples then buying bulk of what I like. Almost never works. I’m guessing kilos/half kilos are selling a lot slower than the smaller bags. And the names never mean shit. Some vendors use different naming systems where they just have the lot/batch number and a general color but that’s not super common.

Really until buyers start demanding more transparency these low standards are going to continue. These are businesses, if they are making money following someone else’s footsteps they aren’t going to be inclined to change shit.

I’ve had the best luck quality to money wise by buying multiple bigger bags from cheaper vendors at random. Most Kratom is at least not bunk these days, just weaker or stronger. I rarely hit a batch that doesn’t work at all. So instead of buying some bullshit gimmick 100 dollar a kilo stuff from some business that acts like they aren’t just selling the exact same Kratom as everyone else I’ll just buy multiple kilos or half kilos for the same price of randomly picked (or something someone I trust recommends) “strains” from a cheaper wholesale type vendor (everything is a gimmick). If I end up with weaker shit it’s a bummer but instead of throwing all my eggs in the same basket and hoping one or two “premium“ bags of Kratom is going to work I have 3-6 bags for the same price. More of a chance to get good kratom and when I get a bag I like I have 500-1000 grams of it instead of 25 grams of a sample I like and 1000 grams of some bullshit that’s suppose to be the same as the sample but clearly isn’t.

For the record I think all Kratom is coming from the same few places and the only difference is the gimmick the vendors decided to use to stand out. Sorry for rambling

[IndelibleDotInk]

Texas Family Harvest is going to have an event for DoubleM members soon, their batches sometimes are available for months, read the reviews here and order that batch, it will be a hot topic here.

Heavenleaf and LoneStar MitraSource sell their small inventories quickly, but you can read a few reviews on MeWe to help you decide what to buy when they have drops. Edit: Forgot LSMS uses batch numbers too.

Fused Flora and Rhino Remedies use batch numbers, they are both great vendors.

[WhiteAngelica]

Texas Family Harvest is going to have an event for DoubleM members soon, their batches sometimes are available for months, read the reviews here and order that batch, it will be a hot topic here.

Heavenleaf and LoneStar MitraSource sell their small inventories quickly, but you can read a few reviews on MeWe to help you decide what to buy when they have drops.

Fused Flora and Rhino Remedies use batch numbers, they are both great vendors.

Fire batch: Lazy Sundae. OMeffingG!

[Vintage964]

Texas Family Harvest is going to have an event for DoubleM members soon, their batches sometimes are available for months, read the reviews here and order that batch, it will be a hot topic here.

Heavenleaf and LoneStar MitraSource sell their small inventories quickly, but you can read a few reviews on MeWe to help you decide what to buy when they have drops. Edit: Forgot LSMS uses batch numbers too.

Fused Flora and Rhino Remedies use batch numbers, they are both great vendors.

Thanks got the suggestions. I haven't used MeWe much...what are some groups or pages that have reviews for Heavenleaf and LoneStar MitraSource?

[CatfatherB]

Texas Family Harvest is going to have an event for DoubleM members soon, their batches sometimes are available for months, read the reviews here and order that batch, it will be a hot topic here.

Heavenleaf and LoneStar MitraSource sell their small inventories quickly, but you can read a few reviews on MeWe to help you decide what to buy when they have drops. Edit: Forgot LSMS uses batch numbers too.

Fused Flora and Rhino Remedies use batch numbers, they are both great vendors.

Thanks got the suggestions. I haven't used MeWe much...what are some groups or pages that have reviews for Heavenleaf and LoneStar MitraSource?

Due to the AKA's latest webinar most vendor chats are now limited in what you can say as far as effects and benefits go and the non vendor chats are highly guarded from non vetted people so your best bet would be here on double m.. the searchbar can be your ally.

[HeatherLelane]

IMO the problem is with naming of strains. When a strain works really well, I want more of it. Once my supply is low, I’ll order more of that strain. 9 times out of 10, it’s NOT the same. This happens practically every..single...time. Batch numbers are very helpful, but not all vendors use them. Or, the batch number may not available (because word gets out and it gets bought up)

This also reduces the value of strain reviews... If the review is for a different batch, it’s pointless.

yeah for starters "strain" names are BS - they are made up. You probably know that... some people think Red Bali is really from Bali ??

We have a saying... Think, Batches and Colors - NOT "Strains and Veins". , Leaves are NOT separated by their vein color. That is false.

How did this Kratom "Industry" develop into this bullshit rip-off thing, fake names, high prices, Bait and Switch? Go back 5+ years... it just came naturally, with American hustlers teaming up with Indo Hustlers... Human nature? To take advantage of people ?? Look at some of these websites, and the profit margins. "Happy Hippo" etc. Spamming. SEO manipulating Google to hook people & get their credit cards... Crooks. Liars. Republicans!

I'll stop there, but glad U found us here @ Double Em! We all Live and Learn. I agree with you about "Reviews". Some vendors import very small batches, so reviews are worthless... good batches get Sold Out within days or hours. Go with a medium size vendor (Examples: Botanical Bunny, Herbal RVA, Lucky Herbals!) they have websites, are honest, and Import direct in enough quantity you should be able to read a Review and buy. RVA now has photos of every Batch.

Thanks for posting!

Can you keep your shitty politics out of the kratom threads? There's a politics thread to spew your vitriol and hate in. Thanks!

You don’t think choosing a username that displays YOUR shitty politics automatically brings that into EVERY thread you enter?