Syriangate Hookahs

[New2Hookah]

I would never pre-pay. If they get to the US and they are in your hands, than Id be more than happy to buy one. Id demand full detail pictures though, before shipping.

If you plan on making the purchase, good luck! If its success, than Ill be enjoying a new Hookah!

[oino]

I would never pre-pay. If they get to the US and they are in your hands, than Id be more than happy to buy one. Id demand full detail pictures though, before shipping.

If you plan on making the purchase, good luck! If its success, than Ill be enjoying a new Hookah!

At least you understand.

[anathema]

Oino: the purpose of you posting about this site is to receive opinions, correct? honest opinions at that. So, people STRONGLY DISAPPROVE buying from this site, which I do also.

You also need to take into consideration broken bases during shipment and bad parts/contruction.

So you get about 3 hookahs at 1/3 of the price. Shipping is then $22 for the first 2.2 pounds, then +$7.5 per extra 2.2 pounds. I have no idea how much hookah's weigh but i'm guessing around 4.

[smarthobo]

Some of those hookah bases look "hand decorated" with elmers glue and glitter sand...

[oino]

Oino: the purpose of you posting about this site is to receive opinions, correct? honest opinions at that. So, people STRONGLY DISAPPROVE buying from this site, which I do also.

You also need to take into consideration broken bases during shipment and bad parts/contruction.

So you get about 3 hookahs at 1/3 of the price. Shipping is then $22 for the first 2.2 pounds, then +$7.5 per extra 2.2 pounds. I have no idea how much hookah's weigh but i'm guessing around 4.

Yeah you probably are correct. It just seemed like a cool place to get some original looking hookahs. I still might order. I just want something different that the typical 15 that are on every other site.

If I order and get 3 nice hookahs youll all be jealous. j/k

I didnt mean to piss everyone off.

[Johnny_D]

I didnt mean to piss everyone off.

And i'll guarantee no one is trying to be a buzzkill.

This is a close knit community - and we look out for our friends. We're just trying to ensure that we give good advice and sound opinion.

Good luck man, If you have the cash todo it then do it... and bohoWildChild suggested that you can
get Insurance from Western Union - might be worth a look.

Good luck!

JD

[NoPeace]

These interest me:

http://www.syriangate.com/images/narg/narg3.htm

http://www.syriangate.com/images/narg/narg12.htm

http://www.syriangate.com/images/narg/narg31.htm

Let me know what you end up doing.
Those other sites dont even begin to compare.

the bases on the narg 3 and 12 aare the bases i have. oddly enough, these kinda look like the hookah i have that i got in istanbul for 28 bucks. dont get me wrong its a great hookah

[Edmond]

Hello all,

As a Banker working for a major u.s. bank for years, I have some upsetting news for you. as per the U.S. department of state, It is actually illegal to send funds to any of the six countries placed on the list of "countries supporting terrorism" (Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria). I'm not certain how this law is enforced however.

Another point, I looked at the website and, although it doesn't look very professionally done, it is what most third world countries' web sites look.

Western Union is often used by scammers but sometimes, legitimate businesses use it when they don't have access or cannot afford to pay an "acquirer" (the company that electronically directs the funds from your bank to a merchant and yes this company charges fee for every transaction; one example of such companies: CIRRUS)

I am unable to find a reason why the website is asking for a minimum; maybe to save on shipping costs.

I actually tend to think this website is legitimate since it's selling other products that not many westerners would be interested into purchasing: arabesque woods, damascean fabrics, etc. Also, a scammer would not put a section talking about the country Syria on his/her web site. On the other hand, expert scammers would do all that also!!?

As far as job quality: generally, artisanal work in the middle east tend to be high quality; the work environement, like you see in some of the pictures, isn't often what you associate with high quality work, but traditional syrian arts merchants there tend to satisfy their customers. Of course, that is only if there is a real merchant behind this web site ;-)

I would suggest that you make a small amount purchase and see what you'll get... a hookah? or an FBI agent knocking on your door ??!

[Bulldog_916]

Hello all,

As a Banker working for a major u.s. bank for years, I have some upsetting news for you. as per the U.S. department of state, It is actually illegal to send funds to any of the six countries placed on the list of "countries supporting terrorism" (Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria). I'm not certain how this law is enforced however.

Another point, I looked at the website and, although it doesn't look very professionally done, it is what most third world countries' web sites look.

Western Union is often used by scammers but sometimes, legitimate businesses use it when they don't have access or cannot afford to pay an "acquirer" (the company that electronically directs the funds from your bank to a merchant and yes this company charges fee for every transaction; one example of such companies: CIRRUS)

I am unable to find a reason why the website is asking for a minimum; maybe to save on shipping costs.

I actually tend to think this website is legitimate since it's selling other products that not many westerners would be interested into purchasing: arabesque woods, damascean fabrics, etc. Also, a scammer would not put a section talking about the country Syria on his/her web site. On the other hand, expert scammers would do all that also!!?

As far as job quality: generally, artisanal work in the middle east tend to be high quality; the work environement, like you see in some of the pictures, isn't often what you associate with high quality work, but traditional syrian arts merchants there tend to satisfy their customers. Of course, that is only if there is a real merchant behind this web site ;-)

I would suggest that you make a small amount purchase and see what you'll get... a hookah? or an FBI agent knocking on your door ??!

What's odd is that we send prisoners to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. There must be some money going there to support the military prison. If the US is leasing property there, then we have property in a terrorism supporting country. We should have to send ourselves to Guantanamo Bay I suppose....but then we have to send money to support ourselves...etc. You get the point. The US Military look like hypocrites in that regard.

Guantanamo Bay History
In February 1903, the United States leased 45 square miles of land and water at Guantanamo Bay for use as a coaling (fueling) station. The treaty was finalized and the document ratified by both governments and signed in Havana in December 1903.

A 1934 treaty, reaffirming the lease, granted Cuba and her trading partners free access through the bay, modified the lease payment from $2,000 in gold coins per year, to the 1934 equivalent value of $4,085 U.S. Treasury dollars, and added a requirement that termination of the lease requires the consent of both the U.S. and Cuba governments, or the U.S. abandonment of the base property.




Courtesy of:


https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Guantanamo/index.htm

[Rani]

Hello all,

As a Banker working for a major u.s. bank for years, I have some upsetting news for you. as per the U.S. department of state, It is actually illegal to send funds to any of the six countries placed on the list of "countries supporting terrorism" (Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria). I'm not certain how this law is enforced however.

Another point, I looked at the website and, although it doesn't look very professionally done, it is what most third world countries' web sites look.

Western Union is often used by scammers but sometimes, legitimate businesses use it when they don't have access or cannot afford to pay an "acquirer" (the company that electronically directs the funds from your bank to a merchant and yes this company charges fee for every transaction; one example of such companies: CIRRUS)

I am unable to find a reason why the website is asking for a minimum; maybe to save on shipping costs.

I actually tend to think this website is legitimate since it's selling other products that not many westerners would be interested into purchasing: arabesque woods, damascean fabrics, etc. Also, a scammer would not put a section talking about the country Syria on his/her web site. On the other hand, expert scammers would do all that also!!?

As far as job quality: generally, artisanal work in the middle east tend to be high quality; the work environement, like you see in some of the pictures, isn't often what you associate with high quality work, but traditional syrian arts merchants there tend to satisfy their customers. Of course, that is only if there is a real merchant behind this web site ;-)

I would suggest that you make a small amount purchase and see what you'll get... a hookah? or an FBI agent knocking on your door ??!

Good information, thank you, but I do have a question, and maybe it's a dumb one. But although I can understand the problem sending money to a country on the terrorist listing in the form of a charity or organization that's obviously collecting money for whatever purpose..... Is there a difference when you are making a purchase? I don't believe the state department would seize a hookah I brought back with me if I had a Syrian stamp on my passport, would they? So I'm wondering if there isn't a legitimate loop-hole somewhere that would allow you to make purchases? I understand the purpose of the prohibition. But does our heavy handed government really prohibit us from buying something from someone who might be proved to be just a businessman building his business internationally? As a banker, should someone choose to buy Middle Eastern products, how would you go about doing so? Because under the law it would seem even using a credit card would be illegal.

'Rani

[Edmond]

Bulldog,

I am not certain where you're going with what you said.

First, the U.S. leased Guantanamo Bay before Cuba became a member of the "countries supporting terrorism"; which by the way, that is what happens when socialism gets hold of a poor country: extremism.

Second: this is the problem with waco liberals people like you, you never understand world's issue completely and make up your mind with the miser amount of information you have; the result: Electing in 2004 Democrats to rule the House and the Senat with absolutly NO electoral program for their campaign, except for bashing Republicans.

Third: what did that have to do with hookahs? lol

[Edmond]

Good information, thank you, but I do have a question, and maybe it's a dumb one. But although I can understand the problem sending money to a country on the terrorist listing in the form of a charity or organization that's obviously collecting money for whatever purpose..... Is there a difference when you are making a purchase? I don't believe the state department would seize a hookah I brought back with me if I had a Syrian stamp on my passport, would they? So I'm wondering if there isn't a legitimate loop-hole somewhere that would allow you to make purchases? I understand the purpose of the prohibition. But does our heavy handed government really prohibit us from buying something from someone who might be proved to be just a businessman building his business internationally? As a banker, should someone choose to buy Middle Eastern products, how would you go about doing so? Because under the law it would seem even using a credit card would be illegal.

'Rani
[/quote]

Nice comment Rani!

Although bringing a hookah with you when coming back from Syria would be anything but legal, and same goes for making a credit card purchase (so transacting with a syrian merchant using a credit card is fine); sending money by Western Union is not considered a purchase (eventhough its' the purpose) but more of a "transfer of funds" and that's where the issue culminates.

Also, I can assure you the U.S. government might certainly disregard send small amount of money to Syria, the purpose of the law is to discourage such trend.

As far as a loop-hole, yes there is one (and many syrian merchants and syrian U.S. nationals go through this one). It is to, not send your money using Western Union, but "wire-transfer" your funds from your bank account to a bank in Lebanon (the country adjacent to Syria) where the syrian merchant has an account in that lebanese bank, and Voila! ;-)

best regards

[Bulldog_916]

Bulldog,

I am not certain where you're going with what you said.

First, the U.S. leased Guantanamo Bay before Cuba became a member of the "countries supporting terrorism"; which by the way, that is what happens when socialism gets hold of a poor country: extremism.

Second: this is the problem with waco liberals people like you, you never understand world's issue completely and make up your mind with the miser amount of information you have; the result: Electing in 2004 Democrats to rule the House and the Senat with absolutly NO electoral program for their campaign, except for bashing Republicans.

Third: what did that have to do with hookahs? lol

1st: The US still has funds going to Cuba to support the prison in it's operations. Granted, it is run by the military, but why would you continue to hold a military establishment in a country that is known for supporting terrorism? Not only do you put the staff there in danger of being attacked, you pull the terrorist threat CLOSER to America. If America chooses to abandon the base at Guantanamo, the lease expires! No more money goes there. See the point?

Hell, America itself supports terrorism through the drug trade. Hello opium/heroine in Afghanistan that we are doing close to nothing about. As a matter of fact, we are doing less and less every time we let another platoon leave Afghanistan and plop themselves into Iraq. Why would we want to secure a country that we practically transformed from the Taliban regime to a real working government? Oh wait, we dont obviously.

2nd: How do you know I'm a liberal? I could be the most conservative son of a bitch ever and you wouldnt know it. Real conservatives want limited government, take a more literal definition of the Constitution, and support values. Seems like current conservatives want the EXACT opposite of that: expanded government power, single handedly gutting the very paper this country was founded on while their colleagues praise and support them, and obviously cant stop committing adultery, political crime, and cant keep clean of scandal. My how the roles have reversed.

3rd: Why shouldnt we be able to buy a hookah directly from the country in which it was manufactured? There are terrorists being supported in several dozen countries one way or the other. Sending 12 bucks to Syria for a hookah wont exactly accelerate the stuff happening there.

Side note: Where were 15 of the 19 hijackers from? OH Saudi Arabia....Wow. What a weird twist of fate.

[TheScotsman]

They are hiding their name registration info for the site... that HAS to be a bad sign.
crucialx.net has zero info available. I would expect any legit hosting co to have something more than their one-line page.

One would think there would be more of a history, of at least some comments from someone that had ordered something from them on the net, but nae a word.

Their alexa referring pages info is pretty goofy, nothing that looks like any community has had much to do with them.

[mushrat]

This has clearly run it's course and is becoming political. So It's closed. I'd say all the information the OP needs has been discussed.