Social Smoke Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Its no secret that I have always enjoyed reading up on the opinions and reviews of the members of hookahforum.com. I try my best to not post my own opinions, directly market Social Smoke or its [url="http://www.socialsmokehookah.com/"]Hooakh and Shisha products, or try to influence or sway the board. Like most other vendors that visit these boards such as Tangiers and MYA Saray, when I do post I post it under our trade name so that there is no mistaking my post for an impartial third party's voice. Now am I missing something or do you guys spot these inconsistencies of SomeGuy? Here are some posts by SomeGuy as a regular customer of H-S.com. Please notice that in the PART A comments he refers to Hookah-Shisha.com as a third party and in Part B comments he is part of Hookah-Shisha.com ******PART A: POSTS REFER TO H-S.COM AS A A THRID PARTY************ "WOW those are sweet hookahs, check out some of these other ones I saw on a retailers site: Saphire Are those Mya Sairay" Origially posted here: or: "I know that I have had pretty good luck with ordering through hookah-shisha.com. They mentioned to me last time I ordered that they will give %15 off on any orders if you mention that you are a member of HookahForum.com" Origially posted here: or: "Yes it seems that the chinese hookahs in general have an interesting construction method that might be a little weaker than the average Egyptian made hookah. With the autoseal system, they are the coolest looking and functioning hookahs. I myself am thinking of buying my 3rd hookah from Hookah-Shisha.com. I am thinking about buying a Sphinx 1 hose blue. or: the ivory tower 2 or 3 hose I want to try out an autoseal system on the "Mod" Hookas from them, its super handy at a party because of: FOR ALL THOSE HOSE PLUGGIN SLACKERS OUT THERE- YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED... What do yall think I should get? It looks like they just started to offer a free washable hose in their $55 of goodies. That will be so handy for when I smoke my "strong flavors." I will also get %15 off just my mentioning that I am a member of HookahForum.com" Origially posted here: or: "I know that the Romman Natural Lemonwood coals (which make all shisha taste better by the way) are much more easily broken up once they are fully lit and red hot. Try that out for size. " Origially posted here: ******PART B-POSTS REFER TO H-S.COM IN THE FIRST PERSON************ "My recommendations: 1) Stay away from those " Pumpkin Pipes " I call em' (the middle picture) The base is too small and water runs up into the hoses rusting them instantly, that’s why WE DON'T CARRY THEM @ H-S 2) ........(ommited here) 3) You only have 2 days before that coupon expires! So everyone take advantage, and sign up to OUR mailing list to receive monthly (NON-OBNOCIOUS) promo emails." Origially posted here: or: " Thanks for the input! OUR Snake Hookahs Should Now have difusers - the resto of OUR Syrian Hookahs will have them in a matter of weeks! Keep 'em comin, WE are always working to be on the cutting edge for yall." Origially posted here: Anyways, you guys get my point... I am not saying that Sami or Ronnie of H-S.com is writing these posts... but SomeGuy is obviously working there and his actions directly reflect on H-S.com. All companies are liable for the actions of their employees and H-S.com is no exception. There is no reason to pollute this wonderful venue with thinly vialed advertising tactics that done by attacking the products other companies carry. I don't know about you guys, but I hate the feeling when I know someone is trying to con me. Sincerely, Ali Nadimi Social Smoke, Inc Hookah - Shisha - Charcoal - Premium Tobacco[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashraj84 Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 It's a very respectful thing to note that someone is advertising like that. I haven't noticed it so far and I consider myself a regular. Therefore, I don't think it's anything you should be too worried about. Thanks for helping to keep this forum the BEST on the net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanguineSolitude Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 yeah i had noticed that and found it a bit annoying. if you at social smoke post a comment that says "just want to let you know we have fresh X-brand shisha in" i have no problem so long as the company is both honest and not trying to push itself too much. but the clandestine support of someguy is over the line. I like a little advertising now and then when its stuff we need. i even liked his post asking what he could do to improve the hookah-shisha site, but when he pretends he isnt biased and doesnt work for hookah-shisha, thats just not right. I think he should open a new account (assuming he works for HS) with the name, HookahShisha. that way we know he is biased towards his products and dont take his advice as impartial.I am unafillitated with socialsmoke but i love their products, their service, and everything else there is to love about them. I just got an order of moassel, charcoal, and bowls from them and as always quality is excellent, the delivery came when they said it would, and customer service was top nothc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashraj84 Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 I agree with Sanguine, I've always had good experiences from SS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonthert Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Yeah, and when I say Tangiers ceramic heads are the best on the market, nobody bats an eye...retailers are important to the forum, too. As long as the people in question don;t get out of hand. I can;t really comment on whether they have been or not...I've been gone for the past week.I noticed too, Ali. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DownZero Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 I have noticed that and like Sanguine stated, it's good to have a little advertisment, especially with things we need such as shisha. I like to know when new shisha is in because perhaps I have been waiting for a flavor that was sold out or something. Maybe there should be a new section in the forum for advertising?... for companies and for regular people wanting to sell their shisha they didn't like or hookahs they no longer use.. and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buxtonator Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 i agree, he has seemed to push the products and about that Stay away from those " Pumpkin Pipes " I call em' (the middle picture) The base is too small and water runs up into the hoses rusting them instantly, that’s why WE DON'T CARRY THEM @ H-Si got a very different idea on those hookahs from this post [url="http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2835&am"]http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/forum_pos...asp?TID=2835&am[/url] p;KW=fumari+juniori think im gonna pm johnny to see how he feels it smokes and if he has had any problems with the small base Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dikydave Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 i knew i wasnt going crazy and just imagining that happening, but im thinking it is naive to think that only Someguy is from HS, but I would think a quick IP check would figure that out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukasa Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Social smoke- I rather think that being a retailer yourself, and only having 8 posts, this post can be interpreted as a thinly veiled attempt to tarnish the reputation of a competitor. If it had been any other non-retailer memeber that posted this thread (hell, even Tangiers, hes got a bajillion post anyhow, we know who he is oer here) It'd probably be received rather well by me. But the fact that you are an infrequent poster, and 1 out of your 8 posts is a post that is discrediting a major competitor reflects pretty poorly on your character. I have never ordered through social smoke, and thus cannot comment on your products or customer service, actually, i'm sure your retail site is very reliable and excellent. Hookah-shisha and/or SomeGuy practiced some pretty poor judgement when he/she/it decided to deceive the memebers of this board and feign to be a consumer that was constantly up in arms about how awesome HS is. But I can't ignore your motives and assumed calculations surrounding this post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Hmm. I too have been very busy with the end of the semester..but in my case its from the other side of the Textbook business... I do find that QUITE disturbing that Someguy is likely working for H-S and NOT being up front about it. We've been quite clear and quite direct with people prentening to be what they aren't..or hiding what they are..like whats her name who kept STUMBLING on stuff at one of the sites... SO, I think its time for Someguy and H-S to come clean. H-S may not be officially sanctioning the Someguy, but there is clearly a hidden connection. So come on guys... Luksa, i have to say i think you are out of line..while Ali has not posted very often, Socail Smoke has always been a friend of this forum. They were the first to offer us a discount and Ali has always been helpful both in the forum, occasionally in the chat, and ALWAYS on the phone. Just because SS was the first to mention it doesn't make it any less valid a point, as several members have also said they'd noticed this as well. It seems that UNLIKE H-S, there is no NEED for SS to try to "tarnish" the reputation of another site to increase their business and I for one resent your accusation, and I DON'T work for SS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukasa Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Darn I wish there was an edit button. I didn't want to come out attacking a forum member. I really didn't mean to offend you Ali. My first post was generally my first reaction when I read a thread by a retailer that was sort of digging up dirt on another retailer. When people read this thread they may be inclined not to order from HS anymore, and that of course is better for other retailers because they get the business that HS loses. I have no clue whether or whether not these were your motives Ali, but at any rate I apologize if i have offended you. I am merely speaking my mind and pointing out various points of view and possibilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alqoshnia Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 yea i noticed right away that Someguy was from H-S.com. I just ignore his/her posts because I dont value that person's opinion because their posts are about pushing products they carry in one way or another. Sorry for the run-on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyGuy Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 I love how the opinions are biased usually in shisha discussion and all the ads being thrown EVERYWHERE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Social Smoke Posted May 9, 2006 Author Share Posted May 9, 2006 Right before replying to lukasa’s post, I decided to see if anyone else had posed a response to the thread. I was a little surprised to see that were multiple new posts which made my original text obsolete… So 15 minutes later, I have a new very different reply… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanguineSolitude Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 i hope www.genuinehookahs.com reads Ali's reply. That right there is how a professional responds to criticism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest www.genuinehookahs.com Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 i hope he does too..damn that genuinehookahs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Social Smoke Posted May 9, 2006 Author Share Posted May 9, 2006 DizzyGuyI threw in a few ads, kind of sarcastic take on the way SomeGuy posts. Double check SomeGuy's posts and you'll notice the trend of text links for everything from the word Raspberry to Premium tobacco. Its not a common practice on my part. Ali Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyGuy Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Wasn't at all attacking you, Ali. Sorry for the misunderstanding... was putting my sarcastic $.02 about SomeGuy. My post was actually right after I read [url="http://hookahforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3366&PN=1"]this post[/url]. I might have gone a little over board, but seeing an ad or some link to h-s in every post is starting to agitate me. Anyways, I got the sarcastic reference you were making, Ali. I love your site *and the hookah I just got from it *. Just wanted to let you know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djbomberto Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 WOW! just first hand Ali, SS is the best, and when the vase was tilting you sent another vase in minutes! wow, just wanted to tell you that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve07 Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 I appreciate your honesty and have to admit I've order from both of you companies. Both had good customer service just one problem I've had with H-S is that I email them with a question and they have yet to reply but when I emailed social smoke I got a reply that very day. I truely hope this isn't a shaddy atempt of advertising because I am more comfortable dealing with honesty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pimpy Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 I just got my first order from social today!Looks great!Thanks, Ali! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpico Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 I have yet to have a problem with Hookah-Shisha and when they have messed up they have resolved the problem quickly and efficiently in a business conscious manner.But as for the SomeGuy - well, who cares? He's been "called out" and now we can all value his opinion less.THE END. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lakemonster Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Wow. I suppose what gets me the most...... even beyond just how "shady" or Rule-bending" that sort of activity might be, I find it more insulting for vendor to do that. To masquerade as a regular joe hookah smoker and endorse your own product is a trick.... I dont want to be tricked. I want to be dealt with squarely when it comes to making my purchases... When people play that sort of game, they basically say, "Hey, I think you are stupid, and Im going to try and exploit that." How many of you can respect that angle? Anyway. I dont thik Ali needs to slam anyone out there for the purpose of furthering his business. I think he takes the hookah business seriously and probably takes it personally when his competition makes the hookah market look shady. Everytime someone out there gets conned or jerked around, it leaves bad taste in the consumers mouth.... driving them away from doing unfettered within the market.... at some point that will mean that Ali will lose a sale somewhere due to some unscrupulous persons dealings. Anyway.. thats how I see it, being a business man myself. but its all just my .02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dikydave Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 this would be alot more fun if SomeGuy would defend/explain himself, 1 sided drama isnt real drama at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve07 Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 I agree he should defend himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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