How Should We Package Your Shisha?

[LoveShisha]

So after the bad sample mailing experience we're heavily concentrating on how to package our 250g tubs when we get around to selling them. We've come across 3 possible solutions with varying prices.

The first is chinese take-out boxes. These seem to be the cheapest route and hold up well to wet slimy foods like general tso's chicken. Also, we will be shrink wrapping the shisha in a bag before placing them into any containers so keep that in mind, we're not just going to dump it directly in. Now this is the cheapest route for us, so it'd be cheaper for you.

The second option is plastic deli containers. They're just plastic tubs with lids much like what Layalina and Al Fahker are packaged in. These are about 3 times the price as take out boxes, so keep that in mind also.

Our last and most expensive option is tin cans, much like what starbuzz comes in, but at about a buck a tin can that once again raises packaging costs for us and then for you as well.

It all comes down to what you'd like the best. We personally want to offer you shisha at the lowest costs we can but we have to work around what we put into the costs and shipping and packaging are definitely some of the biggest costs we're going to end up paying.

[dakingkevin23]

Personally, I don't think it matters. Just as long as the shisha smokes and tastes very good, I'll be happy.
I picked plastic containers because i think chinese take out boxes are a bit flimsy. unless you're talking about those nice cardboard ones. Those are legit Edited April 6, 2008 by dakingkevin23

[s_smith001]

are you guys gonna be able to send to canada? id really 'love' to try some.

[r1v3th3ad]

I'd love to be at a party and pull out a chinese take-out box and everyone be like "o can I get some" and I'm like "no, I'm packing it in the hookah" and then the looks you get until they realize whats going on lol.
I voted plastic for convenience of storage

[LoveShisha]

Personally, I don't think it matters. Just as long as the shisha smokes and tastes very good, I'll be happy.
I picked plastic containers because i think chinese take out boxes are a bit flimsy. unless you're talking about those nice cardboard ones. Those are legit

The take-out containers are pretty sturdy. About the same consistency as non-corrugated cardboard

[waterboi]

I would have to say the plastic ones for me. Easy to store and seals well. Good for storage.

[mjdx88]

I say go the cheapest you can in terms of just shipping it keeps cost down. As long as you guys seal the shisha really well and dont have any isses with it drying out then thats fine. I say take out containers all the way.

Mike

[cypherkk]

i'd stay away from the boxes, the shisha tends to dry out compared to tins and plastic tubs. Even though most of us drop it into a better container when we get it, from my experiences the brands that come in boxes tend to have much shorter shelf lives and vary in flavor and consistancy.

[hookah hippie]

whatever you decide be sure to seal it well in plastic bags perferable double bagged

[gaia.plateau]

I vote for the middle option, but I think you should buy Lock&Lock containers in bulk, package shisha in them, and add $1.50/250g to the price.

[questions]

Personally, I don't think it matters. Just as long as the shisha smokes and tastes very good, I'll be happy.
I picked plastic containers because i think chinese take out boxes are a bit flimsy. unless you're talking about those nice cardboard ones. Those are legit

The take-out containers are pretty sturdy. About the same consistency as non-corrugated cardboard

Nice idea of chinese take out boxes..i wonder where you got it...lol
they don't work well when tested, but be in your own judge, if you want some, I have 2000 of them that I won't be using, you can buy them from me...
-a

[LoveShisha]

Personally, I don't think it matters. Just as long as the shisha smokes and tastes very good, I'll be happy.
I picked plastic containers because i think chinese take out boxes are a bit flimsy. unless you're talking about those nice cardboard ones. Those are legit

The take-out containers are pretty sturdy. About the same consistency as non-corrugated cardboard

Nice idea of chinese take out boxes..i wonder where you got it...lol
they don't work well when tested, but be in your own judge, if you want some, I have 2000 of them that I won't be using, you can buy them from me...
-a

Heh did you try those? If you did we had no idea really lol, but we just found em online when searching for various container options

[racemyghost]

Plastic containers should be the only way manufactures package their shisha. Middle option gets my vote.

[mix_tape]

are you guys gonna be able to send to canada? id really 'love' to try some.

I am also curious about this

[NJE03]

I would like the plastic containers. Better quality than the boxes yet cheaper than metal tins.

[jbean422]

i would definatly would say the middle choice because i like the easy storage that comes along with it

[Rani]

I voted tins because I buy a lot of Starbuzz in tins and Fusion in the old style plastic containers. The Starbuzz never changes flavor, and the Fusion will if I don't use it fast enough. Plastic breathes so some air does come through and I've noticed some drying although minor considering I go through at least 250 grams within a month. Tins are also light blockers which is really bad for shisha, so it's better storage all around.

'Rani

[racemyghost]

I voted tins because I buy a lot of Starbuzz in tins and Fusion in the old style plastic containers. The Starbuzz never changes flavor, and the Fusion will if I don't use it fast enough. Plastic breathes so some air does come through and I've noticed some drying although minor considering I go through at least 250 grams within a month. Tins are also light blockers which is really bad for shisha, so it's better storage all around.

'Rani

Tin cans also dont seel up 100%. I also dont like the idea of my shisha touching the metal for long periods of time. What i usually have to do with the tin cans is put my shisha in a ziplock and then store the ziplock in the tin can which really defeats the whole purpose of the container...dont you think?

[mj_b90]

what happened to good ole' cardboard boxes? I think that carry-out boxes would push shipping costs up because they're a bit large and could get smashed easily. I vote regular cardboard boxes and bag the shisha up nicely inside.

[thecoalition]

plastic all the way. you can use recycled plastic ones and then we can use them over and over. its a greener way to go.

[crisbeatz]

I voted plastic containers. If I get them washed and cleaned well enough (no left over smell) I like to reuse them for storing other brands that just come in a bag and box. Also, I find it to be convenient when you only have to give the bottle a good shake to mix it all up again.

[SimplexCoda]

Voted plastic but it doesnt matter to me cause i always put mine in glass jars. When is this stuff gonna be fully available.

[LoveShisha]

Well we certainly got a lot of great feedback from everyone, so thanks a lot for that! It looks like we'll probably be going with plastic containers for a couple reasons. First because while the idea of a take-out box filled with shisha is awesome some people doubt the durability and as we've already found out the hard way - once it's out of our hands it seems that the postal system does everything in its power to ruin your shipment, so plastic will be sturdy for sure. Also, while tins would be the best, it seems that they're just not desirable enough, and even though there were a couple pros and cons for both plastic won out with easy storage and durability and moderate costs.

As for a couple of you wondering about if we'll ship to canada or internationally and when it will be available we're still discussing that. We're taking things one thing at a time right now so we don't jump into this all head first and end up having us and/or you guys regretting it. We'll try our best to have it available to everyone around the world but the biggest problems are shipping costs and customs, but we'll post a thread about it when the time comes.

Once again, thanks for everyone's input!

[Webbles]

Plastic & airtight!

Either in a plastic container with a airtight ziplock bag with the shisha inside, or an airtight plastic container.

[Stuie]

Some form of sturdy container that will handle mail service will work. I also would seal each bag. I think plastic is the way to go. Tin is cool, but let's be honest, that may be a bit much for starting out.