New Sheesh Company

[amir22]

Actually my little brother brought that brand in to the country. The Hookah Company. Its made in Saudi. Starbuzz does not have anything to do with that company. In fact they talked alot of crap to my little brother and threatened him and his company. About distributing that brand. So did Lalaylina. In fact Lalaylina just bought the company( Starbuzz ).
Smiley

Wait Starbuzz threatened his company? Or Fusion?

(Layalina and Starbuz threatened. The Hookah Company.) Not Fusion. They are not happy at all with Fusion either. But I say oh well.
Smiley

Hookah company isn't happy with Fusion either? Would you mind elaborating, since I find this very strange considering they are the only online retailer selling their stuff...

[smiley]

Actually my little brother brought that brand in to the country. The Hookah Company. Its made in Saudi. Starbuzz does not have anything to do with that company. In fact they talked alot of crap to my little brother and threatened him and his company. About distributing that brand. So did Lalaylina. In fact Lalaylina just bought the company( Starbuzz ).
Smiley

Wait Starbuzz threatened his company? Or Fusion?

(Layalina and Starbuz threatened. The Hookah Company.) Not Fusion. They are not happy at all with Fusion either. But I say oh well.
Smiley

Hookah company isn't happy with Fusion either? Would you mind elaborating, since I find this very strange considering they are the only online retailer selling their stuff...

Ok The Hookah Company is the ones who brought Fusion to the States. Layalina purchased the Starbuzz Shisha Company. The Hookah Company was threatened by Starbuzz and Layalina. Because they didn't like the fact that thehookahcompany.com was importing Fusion. So Layalina and Starbuzz bitched out thehookahcompany. Threatened there business also.
Anyways Startbuzz and Layalina are being PUNKS to thehookahcompany.com
I personally can not support these two Companys anymore. Starbuzz and Layalina.
I will always support thehookahcompany.com
Smiley

[art_official]

gosh darn polotics....cant we all get along!?

[DrunkenWizard]

I smelled some Fusion sweet pomegranite (sp?). It smelled pretty good. The package was different as well, a little plastic tupperware like container. It wasn't for sale though, only for empoyees to sample.

[art_official]

the bag inside the tupperware is the same which is found in the starbuzz can is it not?

i swear its the same kinda bag...(just making connections)

[DrunkenWizard]

Never seen a starbuzz package. Too rich for my blood.

[art_official]

oh. nvm then anyone else to clarify this

[amir22]

Actually my little brother brought that brand in to the country. The Hookah Company. Its made in Saudi. Starbuzz does not have anything to do with that company. In fact they talked alot of crap to my little brother and threatened him and his company. About distributing that brand. So did Lalaylina. In fact Lalaylina just bought the company( Starbuzz ).
Smiley

Wait Starbuzz threatened his company? Or Fusion?

(Layalina and Starbuz threatened. The Hookah Company.) Not Fusion. They are not happy at all with Fusion either. But I say oh well.
Smiley

Hookah company isn't happy with Fusion either? Would you mind elaborating, since I find this very strange considering they are the only online retailer selling their stuff...

Ok The Hookah Company is the ones who brought Fusion to the States. Layalina purchased the Starbuzz Shisha Company. The Hookah Company was threatened by Starbuzz and Layalina. Because they didn't like the fact that thehookahcompany.com was importing Fusion. So Layalina and Starbuzz bitched out thehookahcompany. Threatened there business also.
Anyways Startbuzz and Layalina are being PUNKS to thehookahcompany.com
I personally can not support these two Companys anymore. Starbuzz and Layalina.
I will always support thehookahcompany.com
Smiley

Got it, thanks. At least I can smoke some drama-free Fusion with no guilt!

[art_official]

here-here!

[web250]

Hmmmm, interesting...Layalina buying Starbuzz that is. I love Layalina personally.

[Lakemonster]

The Hookah Company was threatened by Starbuzz and Layalina.

What was the threat?

A lawsuit?

[killersnowman]

btw to clear all questions the sheesh has .03% nicotine.

no. its .3% look again. im looking at my packaging right now and its .3%

[amir22]

btw to clear all questions the sheesh has .03% nicotine.

no. its .3% look again. im looking at my packaging right now and its .3%

Confirming this. Just packed a head of double apple, it is definitely .3%

[smiley]

Actually my little brother brought that brand in to the country. The Hookah Company. Its made in Saudi. Starbuzz does not have anything to do with that company. In fact they talked alot of crap to my little brother and threatened him and his company. About distributing that brand. So did Lalaylina. In fact Lalaylina just bought the company( Starbuzz ).
Smiley

Wait Starbuzz threatened his company? Or Fusion?

(Layalina and Starbuz threatened. The Hookah Company.) Not Fusion. They are not happy at all with Fusion either. But I say oh well.
Smiley

Hookah company isn't happy with Fusion either? Would you mind elaborating, since I find this very strange considering they are the only online retailer selling their stuff...

Ok The Hookah Company is the ones who brought Fusion to the States. Layalina purchased the Starbuzz Shisha Company. The Hookah Company was threatened by Starbuzz and Layalina. Because they didn't like the fact that thehookahcompany.com was importing Fusion. So Layalina and Starbuzz bitched out thehookahcompany. Threatened there business also.
Anyways Startbuzz and Layalina are being PUNKS to thehookahcompany.com
I personally can not support these two Companys anymore. Starbuzz and Layalina.
I will always support thehookahcompany.com
Smiley

Got it, thanks. At least I can smoke some drama-free Fusion with no guilt!

Given all the confusion surrounding the StarBuzz, Layalina, and Fusion relationship
I got a little curious about what the truth is. I have a growing relationship with
the primary contacts for all three of the companies so I gave them a call. Here are
my findings (as reported by each contact):

StarBuzz - I spoke with the owner of StarBuzz and he informed me that StarBuzz is
not owned by Layalina, nor does it own Fusion. In fact, StarBuzz is an independent
company and is not owned or affiliated with any other tobacco brand at this point.
StarBuzz uses French tobacco leaves, and is manufactured here in the United States.
The only affiliations with any other brand are old, no longer current, and are as
follows:

Previously StarBuzz provided Fantasia with tobacco leaves, of a different grade than
those used in StarBuzz, but will no longer be providing any materials to Fantasia.

In the past, the primary contact for Fusion used to own a smoke shop and distributed
StarBuzz from his smoke shop for approximately a year and a half.

Finally, with regard to threats, StarBuzz has never issued a threat to Hookah
Company, Layalina, or Fusion. Previously, however, Hookah Company contacted the
owner of StarBuzz in an attempt to purchase the brand directly from the owner;
Instead, the owner of StarBuzz referred Hookah Company to Social Smoke. As a result,
the owner of StarBuzz believes that Hookah Company has had poor feelings toward
StarBuzz as a brand even though they continue to sell the StarBuzz brand.

Layalina - I spoke with the primary contact of Layalina and he informed me that
Layalina has no affiliation with StarBuzz or Fusion nor do they own StarBuzz or
Fusion, but respect both of the companies. Layalina's product is manufactured in the
United Arab Emirates. The primary representative of Layalina stated that he was not
aware of any threats made toward StarBuzz, Hookah Company, or Fusion.

Fusion - I spoke with the primary contact of Fusion and he informed me that Fusion
has no affiliation with StarBuzz or Layalina, and does not own/ is not owned by
StarBuzz. The owner of Fusion is an American. Hookah Company's only affiliation with
Fusion is the fact that they are the primary distributor. When asked if Fusion had
received any threats from Layalina or StarBuzz, the primary representative
responded, "No."

If there are any additional questions regarding either of these companies, or any
other relevant curiosities, please submit them to me via e-mail: In the interest of
dispelling all of the rumors floating around, I will provide a full report on the
history of these companies and their relationship in the February edition, under
"Real Talk"

Good Job Edited January 16, 2007 by smiley

[ThE_tObAcCo_QuEeN]

ok hold up..Let me clear up some of the conFusion on this topic -thanx Scalliwag.....First of all Starbuzz/ Fusion= two completely separate companies with no affiliation whatsoever other than by vindictive rumors and an attempt to boost product sales by mooching off of a more prominent corporation (no names mentioned). Whatever connections one may find between the two can easily be a manifestation of this attempt. Secondly, Layalina buying Starbuzz??? That's the first time I've heard that load of BS and seeing the direction in which this business is heading probably not the last. SB is thriving in business right now. This company has virtually conquered the premium tobacco world overnight and has definitely given the traditional tobacco companies a run for their money. If SB hadn't raised the bar none, no previous tobacco company would hold a candle to the quality we smoke today and with like 10 new flavors on the way...SB would be out of his mind to bow out now! I mean lets look at the facts- after SB came to the market with the "Exotic" label, then there was Fusion with suspiciously the same "Exotic" label, copied bags and cut, yet if this was truly an SB product, why would all Starbuzz reps deny it? Why would they excoriate (badmouth) and compete with with their own product using the same advertising tactics to ultimately earn less money?!? And then we have to remember all these other rumors defaming SB soon followed...like the Layalina comment that if you notice was introduced to this forum by an SB hater. As Pee-Wee would say..connect the dots la-la-la-la-la!

[ThE_tObAcCo_QuEeN]

[font="Georgia"][/font]Unfortunately my last comment wasn't posted until after I got a chance to read the last two comments...Facts are facts people and if you want to know the truth you have to do the research on your own without bias. Liz's research also confirms my own and if the companies themselves say no affiliations and no threats then why are we creating them?!...No offense but someone's -whom I don't even know- brothers' word means nothing to me

[smiley]

Alright I 'm going to apoligize to anyone I have offened. My info is not always accurate. I just was expressing my opion . There was no prethought. Or trying to cause problems for anyone. I am truly sorry. To all.
Smiley

[Scalliwag]

While I believe Liz is telling the truth, unfortunately I think this is not the end of all the drama.

[smiley]

I to believe what Liz has found. But i think I repeat I think. This was blown way out of proprtion. There was no Hate comeing from me. Liz took apon herself to call and get the facts. Good Job. But because that was done. Over the fact that people were stateing there opions. The Key Word is Opinion. Thats all it was. Now we are at a different place. So we will see. But for me I'm done after this post when it comes to this subject.
Smiley

[xpimpitox]

i can see the soap opera now..."on the next days of our shisha..."

[ThE_tObAcCo_QuEeN]

Not to bring up more drama..I'm just asking, but did Smiley edit his comment? I know for sure it didn't say "good job" before otherwise there would be no point for my comment..now it sounds out of place and out of line, but I asure you it had a place at one time and that it wasn't just some bitchy comment With that said- Smiley- apology accepted and I meant nothing by my comments either, just setting the record straight! Edited January 16, 2007 by ThE_tObAcCo_QuEeN

[Sonthert]

Yeah, we all have momentary lapses and write something and read it and go back and edit it.

I will disagree, with you Starbuzz Girl, Starbuzz hasn't done anything exceptional. Fumari has done alot. I hate to say it, but Hookah Hookah has done some interesting stuff, not necessarily with flavors, but with marketing, but Sultan, did alot more for the market than most brands. Sultan was the first widespread brand that really bumped the market to move forward. I don't see that Starbuzz "raised the bar" at all, just another brand in a thick market, but its your opinion. The rest of the tobacco world would have continued to improve whether Starbuzz was there or not.

Funny you guys are pointing out how one company is a close rip-off of your packaging/marketing...Starbucks....I mean Starbuzz!

[rattler]

Funny you guys are pointing out how one company is a close rip-off of your packaging/marketing...Starbucks....I mean Starbuzz!

LOL

[ThE_tObAcCo_QuEeN]

Funny you guys are pointing out how one company is a close rip-off of your packaging/marketing...Starbucks....I mean Starbuzz!

LOL

Starbuzz is not based on starbucks it derived from resources I don't know if I'm allowed to reveal but aside from that-Starbucks is the one getting calls from customers looking for Starbuzz believe it or not...they even offered SB $ to change the name besides SB colors are completely different, other than the name, they obviously have nothing else in common. However, back to the Fusion topic, they full on swooped the identical name and advertising ploy as well as the packaging, all accept for the tin cans. Edited January 16, 2007 by ThE_tObAcCo_QuEeN

[Sonthert]

Funny you guys are pointing out how one company is a close rip-off of your packaging/marketing...Starbucks....I mean Starbuzz!

LOL

Starbuzz is not based on starbucks it derived from resources I don't know if I'm allowed to reveal but aside from that-Starbucks is the one getting calls from customers looking for Starbuzz believe it or not...they even offered SB $ to change the name besides SB colors are completely different, other than the name, they obviously have nothing else in common. However, back to the Fusion topic, they full on swooped the identical name and advertising ploy as well as the packaging, all accept for the tin cans.

I never said it was. On the other hand, if I named my company "Marlburro" people would go "Rip-off"! Starbuzz is so close to Starbucks, what can you expect? Whether that was anybody's intention. Some real nice guys wanted to package Tangiers in little cans and call it "Taso" or something remarkably close to "Tazo" , Starbuck's brand of tea. It would have been an indirect rip-off of Starbuzz, so I wasn't thrilled about the idea (although their designs were fabulous).

And no, I don't believe, frankly, that Starbuck's gets calls asking for Starbuzz. That would imply people who want to smoke your brand are stupid.
It sounds like shameless self-promotion at any rate!