Guess Which One Is The Mini Phunnel

[delSol_si]

Wow, I can't even really comment on that right now without sounding like even more of an asshole, so I will wait until later. I do however, want to say that yes, I AM very happy with my small tangiers phunnel bowl, thank you Eric. And no Eric, I did not mean to piss you off or anything, maybe I shouldn't express my opinions if it is going to offend people so much(especially when I am not the one affected, as in, I do NOT own a mini phunnel btw). I will make my remarks later so I don't say anything I will regret later. Also, the mini phunnel praise thread is like what 87+pages long, I wouldn't take take ONE thread of like 3 pages that mentions some of the faults is not that big of deal really.

[Arcane]

my mini phunnel didn't turn out the way i expected, but in my opinion that's just the way it goes with handmade products.

if these bowls came off a production line, where everything was exact...then i could see a valid complaint.

same goes with the KMs...the weld lines will be different, sometimes they don't always sit straight up, etc...if you don't like these inherent characteristics with handmade products, stay away from them.

[Sonthert]

I wasn't saying "everyone who got one is lumped in as an asshole", Joytron. If you had read my post: "but several people just don't know what they are talking about and are being assholes." Several is not everyone.

If somebody wants to criticize me or my products, thats fine, I appreciate reasonable criticism. I'm not offended, I don't take it personally, just be able to justify why some of them being larger than each person expected constitutes poor quality control based on the way they're made. I didn't have any great love for the mini-phunnel, I didn't want to really make them because of the problems involved with them, but lots of people were asking and asking for them. So I caved to my customer's wishes, despite my better judgment. If there are are going to be complaints with my releasing beta stuff at a discount, I'll pass. Some people said "It came out larger than I expected." Thats fine. I wish it were smaller is good too. When somebody starts talking about quality control that can't possibly exist without doubling or tripling the price, then I laugh and say no more. If I'd charged you guys full price, I'd understand and want to make it right, but the cost I charged IV was on an "at-cost" basis for you guys.

Let me put it another way. I have no control over the size the bowls actually come out. Some people decided that there's this magic quality control idea that applies that has no bearing on handmade stoneware...The sizes are an estimate of their size, and the terms "small phunnel" and "mini phunnel" aren't any more consistent than jumbo shrimp or small hookah. Who has ordered a "small drink" at a restaurant and returned it because it was larger than they expected?

How about I do this:
If:
A) Didn't know these were a special order AND
B ) Didn't know that they were handmade AND
C ) Didn't know handmade items vary because they are handmade AND
D) Are unhappy with what you got for your money

If all four conditions apply to you, send me a PM and then send the mini-phunnel back to me in good condition, with your address and whom to make the check out to and I'll refund the price IV charged for them less shipping. I'll just throw them away, unless you can think of something else to do with custom made items that don't meet "quality control" standards.

Return Count: 0

In fact, Joytron, if you really think I called everyone an asshole, you don't have to send yours back. Just send me your address, who to make the check out to and I'll send you a refund.

And no, I haven't read the thread on people who love their mini-phunnel, I'd be too embarrassed to. I don't think all of you understand why that would be, but if you do, you'll understand why I'm annoyed at this thread. I bust my ass 8-15 hours a day for you guys for not much money making sure everything is as perfect as it can be. If that isn't to some people's satisfaction, I don't know what else to say. I am a perfectionist, but I don't ask for love or adoration for what I do, but I'd hope some people appreciate it enough not to come to me with absurd complaints. Some of you are perfectly happy and I appreciate it in return. Some of you have genuine criticism, and I appreciate that too. A couple of you don't.

[annual]

I wasn't saying "everyone who got one is lumped in as an asshole", Joytron. If you had read my post: "but several people just don't know what they are talking about and are being assholes." Several is not everyone.

If somebody wants to criticize me or my products, thats fine, I appreciate reasonable criticism. I'm not offended, I don't take it personally, just be able to justify why some of them being larger than each person expected constitutes poor quality control based on the way they're made. I didn't have any great love for the mini-phunnel, I didn't want to really make them because of the problems involved with them, but lots of people were asking and asking for them. So I caved to my customer's wishes, despite my better judgment. If there are are going to be complaints with my releasing beta stuff at a discount, I'll pass. Some people said "It came out larger than I expected." Thats fine. I wish it were smaller is good too. When somebody starts talking about quality control that can't possibly exist without doubling or tripling the price, then I laugh and say no more. If I'd charged you guys full price, I'd understand and want to make it right, but the cost I charged IV was on an "at-cost" basis for you guys.

Let me put it another way. I have no control over the size the bowls actually come out. Some people decided that there's this magic quality control idea that applies that has no bearing on handmade stoneware...The sizes are an estimate of their size, and the terms "small phunnel" and "mini phunnel" aren't any more consistent than jumbo shrimp or small hookah. Who has ordered a "small drink" at a restaurant and returned it because it was larger than they expected?

How about I do this:
If:
A) Didn't know these were a special order AND
B ) Didn't know that they were handmade AND
C ) Didn't know handmade items vary because they are handmade AND
D) Are unhappy with what you got for your money

If all four conditions apply to you, send me a PM and then send the mini-phunnel back to me in good condition, with your address and whom to make the check out to and I'll refund the price IV charged for them less shipping. I'll just throw them away, unless you can think of something else to do with custom made items that don't meet "quality control" standards.

Return Count: 0

In fact, Joytron, if you really think I called everyone an asshole, you don't have to send yours back. Just send me your address, who to make the check out to and I'll send you a refund.

And no, I haven't read the thread on people who love their mini-phunnel, I'd be too embarrassed to. I don't think all of you understand why that would be, but if you do, you'll understand why I'm annoyed at this thread. I bust my ass 8-15 hours a day for you guys for not much money making sure everything is as perfect as it can be. If that isn't to some people's satisfaction, I don't know what else to say. I am a perfectionist, but I don't ask for love or adoration for what I do, but I'd hope some people appreciate it enough not to come to me with absurd complaints. Some of you are perfectly happy and I appreciate it in return. Some of you have genuine criticism, and I appreciate that too. A couple of you don't.

I'll take his mini as I'd be very fortunate to have a custom product made from scratch from bare hands and not a machine. Great product Eric, keep it up.

[Tuscani]

if they can't appreciate your product Eric, then they clearly should just not order from you any more. I have had good and bad experiances with your shisha, but all good with my phunnels (minus the one I broke) and I haven't and don't plan on complainingI have great sessions when I do use your product properly and thats all that matters. (refering to the shisha, 9/10 bad sessions are due to user error imo).

Keep up the good work, I def will keep buying!

[joytron]

obviously my post was in the wrong tone(and i dont really feel you called everyone and asshole) It just bothers me when a few people ruin something for me that i really enjoyed being a part of. I feel that 99% of the people were satisfied with the product and suddenly everyone is focusing on the 1% that just cant be satisfied. But that is the way with everything in life, im sure being a businessperson you couldn't imagine making a product that everyone would like, some people just cant be pleased. If you feel that some people are ungrateful, just know that personally i couldn't be happier with the product and i hope everyone who feels the same way lets you know.


and if you think reading the mini thread would be embarrassing you don't know the half of it (i think there were even a few posts about sacrificing stuff to the Tangiers God).

[ElijahSing]

oatmeal cult? what? lol

btw, Eric.. don't let it get to you, the people who matter are the consistent customers who actually know how great of a guy you are.
Keep up the good work man.

[Sonthert]

Tanks, guys.

No problem Joytron, I can come off a little passionately about my product, It takes a lot to actually get me upset.

[evilded777]

Tanks, guys.

No problem Joytron, I can come off a little passionately about my product, It takes a lot to actually get me upset.

Dude... I'm such a noob, but your passion shows. I won't get all sloppy and embarrass you, but a large of the reason finding this forum has increased my hookah enjoyment is that it led me to Tangiers Tobacco and the phunnel. I just got my first real phunnel on Friday, and I haven't smoked out of anything else yet. I'm lining up to get at least one more if not two, and several kilos of tobacco. And I think I'll leave it at that.

[delSol_si]

I wasn't saying "everyone who got one is lumped in as an asshole", Joytron. If you had read my post: "but several people just don't know what they are talking about and are being assholes." Several is not everyone.

If somebody wants to criticize me or my products, thats fine, I appreciate reasonable criticism. I'm not offended, I don't take it personally, just be able to justify why some of them being larger than each person expected constitutes poor quality control based on the way they're made. I didn't have any great love for the mini-phunnel, I didn't want to really make them because of the problems involved with them, but lots of people were asking and asking for them. So I caved to my customer's wishes, despite my better judgment. If there are are going to be complaints with my releasing beta stuff at a discount, I'll pass. Some people said "It came out larger than I expected." Thats fine. I wish it were smaller is good too. When somebody starts talking about quality control that can't possibly exist without doubling or tripling the price, then I laugh and say no more. If I'd charged you guys full price, I'd understand and want to make it right, but the cost I charged IV was on an "at-cost" basis for you guys.

Let me put it another way. I have no control over the size the bowls actually come out. Some people decided that there's this magic quality control idea that applies that has no bearing on handmade stoneware...The sizes are an estimate of their size, and the terms "small phunnel" and "mini phunnel" aren't any more consistent than jumbo shrimp or small hookah. Who has ordered a "small drink" at a restaurant and returned it because it was larger than they expected?

How about I do this:
If:
A) Didn't know these were a special order AND
B ) Didn't know that they were handmade AND
C ) Didn't know handmade items vary because they are handmade AND
D) Are unhappy with what you got for your money

If all four conditions apply to you, send me a PM and then send the mini-phunnel back to me in good condition, with your address and whom to make the check out to and I'll refund the price IV charged for them less shipping. I'll just throw them away, unless you can think of something else to do with custom made items that don't meet "quality control" standards.

Return Count: 0

In fact, Joytron, if you really think I called everyone an asshole, you don't have to send yours back. Just send me your address, who to make the check out to and I'll send you a refund.

And no, I haven't read the thread on people who love their mini-phunnel, I'd be too embarrassed to. I don't think all of you understand why that would be, but if you do, you'll understand why I'm annoyed at this thread. I bust my ass 8-15 hours a day for you guys for not much money making sure everything is as perfect as it can be. If that isn't to some people's satisfaction, I don't know what else to say. I am a perfectionist, but I don't ask for love or adoration for what I do, but I'd hope some people appreciate it enough not to come to me with absurd complaints. Some of you are perfectly happy and I appreciate it in return. Some of you have genuine criticism, and I appreciate that too. A couple of you don't.

I apologize Eric, I spoke without knowing the full story, my mistake. Like I said, I do really enjoy my small phunnel, so thanks! Hope you can get past the hard feelings eventually? I really don't like people feeling animosity toward me. Btw, I think it was awesome that you stood behind your product with EternalSoil.

[Dom]

....I can come off a little passionately about my product...

i feel ya, Eric.
although i love both my small and my mini, i think this special batch of mini's could be a well known example as to why you prefer not to make them. if you do decide to discontinue these special orders, those who still want them will be referred to this order. the people think they know what they want, but only a select few can really appreciate it.

and i'm totally down for a special order. i've got a few ideas for bowls. (we'll talk later about that ) and $35 is pocket change for a special order.

[cymptom]

Well I'm definitely satisfied with my bowl. The lip of it actually fits completely inside the lip of my small funnel. Still, it doesn't surprise me that there would be some size variance, and it doesn't make me question the quality of the product as I already know the manufacturer has a penchant for hand-made quality.

Hey Eric, don't forget that the criticism I think you're responding to was a mere reaction to the overall tone of this thread being one of unaffected confidence in the value of your product. I can understand how you'd get upset, but rest assured -- I don't think many here are doubting the quality of your work or the amount of effort you put in...

[Dom]

...the overall tone of this thread being one of unaffected confidence in the value of your product...

yeah, i hate how my thread turned into an anti-mini campaign. that was not my original intention.

[delSol_si]

...the overall tone of this thread being one of unaffected confidence in the value of your product...

yeah, i hate how my thread turned into an anti-mini campaign. that was not my original intention.

That was mainly my fault, sorry! I should not have spoken without knowing the details. I hope Eric/Sonthert reads my apology post, I really feel bad about it and don't want any hard feelings if possible.

[ColibriDon]

Well, I don't own a mini...yet, but I have owned 4 different phunnels and I love every one of them. Since I bought one back in August, I have yet to smoke out of anything else...seriously. Honestly, Eric, you make a great product and every flavor I try of your tobacco is really spot on. I tried Maraschino Cherry last night and my roommates and I thought we were smoking Maraschino cherries.

Hell, even the flavors I don't like that much (Schnozzberry) was still leaps and bounds above most everything else out there.

I say good job on the tobacco and phunnels, keep it up!

[Sonthert]

Thanks again guys, no hard feelings.