Stan David Botanicals

[Maxxx]

I would HIGHLY recommend Stan David. His Yellow Vietnam and Yellow Gold are outstanding - mellow and chill and wonderful. His Red Kali, Red Malay, and Red Chocolate are also very nice, and his Green MD, and Super Duper Green are fantastic... I've actually never had a bad experience with anything from him.

[Maxxx]

Hey Maxxx, I've never heard of him but he sounds great and I wouldn't mind hearing more. Do you have a link or can you tell us more about him? Thanks!

He's out of North Carolina. I picked up some samples from him on a whim after someone recommended him, and they were great. I've ordered samples from 7 or 8 different places, and while some have been really good, I keep going back to SD. I can't recommend him highly enough.

Here's a link to his site: https://www.standavidbotanicals.com

He also has a facebook group where people discuss the different strains and their experiences. If you do a search on FB you'll find it.

You can get a 4-way split kilo for $89, which I don't think is too bad, and the quality seems to be great. 1oz samplers are $5. The strains that have stuck out to me are Yellow Vietnam, Yellow Gold, Green MD, Red Malay, and Red Kali. I stay clear of whites, but people rave about them in the FB group. He also has crushed leaf, which is the best I've found, and S&V, but I haven't tried that yet.

I called him a few days ago to change an order and talked to him for about 10 minutes. Very nice guy, gets new shipments every week. We talked about the panic of 2016, and the testing he does on his product, etc. He's open and friendly and he has a very good reputation among his customers. Definitely worth trying, IMO.

Hope this helps.

[whiffypants]

Really great information -- thanks for taking the time! I'm also going to copy that post to the Vendor and Strain Reviews so others can see it too, outside the shadow of Gaia. Thanks!

[BallzDeep9]

There are good reasons that Stan David is on the Vendor List. Well established, History in business, solid reputation. Reasonable prices. Variety of interesting strains and products.

Steady customer base. He's a "vetted vendor" on a large FB Group, where there's only 5 on their "vetted" List so, he has very little competition there, with a steady flow of n00bs who wanna buy.. I think that's his main squeeze.. He got setup on that "vetted" BS, long ago and never has to advertise or anything. Never posted much on Reddit.

I know who his supplier is & other vendors carry the same leaf, so... It gets down to Customer Service, promotions, and website. He does not interact with the publc online, or promote at all. I don't think he's ever made a comment, or made a single appearance online. Doesn't need to, I guess?

Then... his website is among the worst on design and usability. Compared to 40 other vendors on the List. Thats important to me I guess .. I don't need a super fancy website like Kats Botanicals. A simple, no frills site like Herbal RVA, or Botanical Bunny, is fine ... But I do need to find stuff without clicking on page after page of confusion

[LuLu]

There are good reasons that Stan David is on the Vendor List. Well established, History in business, solid reputation. Reasonable prices. Variety of interesting strains and products.

Steady customer base. He's a "vetted vendor" on a large FB Group, where there's only 5 on their "vetted" List so, he has very little competition there, with a steady flow of n00bs who wanna buy.. I think that's his main squeeze.. He got setup on that "vetted" BS, long ago and never has to advertise or anything. Never posted much on Reddit.

I know who his supplier is & other vendors carry the same leaf, so... It gets down to Customer Service, promotions, and website. He does not interact with the publc online, or promote at all. I don't think he's ever made a comment, or made a single appearance online. Doesn't need to, I guess?

Then... his website is among the worst on design and usability. Compared to 40 other vendors on the List. Thats important to me I guess .. I don't need a super fancy website like Kats Botanicals. A simple, no frills site like Herbal RVA, or Botanical Bunny, is fine ... But I do need to find stuff without clicking on page after page of confusion

Thank you so much Mr Ballzdeep for your opinion! I just joined a FB group the other day and the people on their worship his as the God of Kratom.

I was going to ask on here yalls opinion before I made an order. I’m not one to follow the herd, and he seems to be the Shepard over there.

I want good Kratom, don’t get me wrong, but if there is only 1 vendor truly being talked about and recommended that doesn’t sound to me like an objective review.

[BallzDeep9]

I just joined a FB group the other day and the people on their worship

Haha is that "Kratom Support Group" ?? lol - Or maybe he's vetted on another group too? They've only GOT 5 vendors on that "vetted" List, and they're all probably OK... just a bit high-priced like Soap Korner a retail store, or Golden Rule also a well established vendor. Some are coupon vendors, meaning their regular prices are very steep & you need their coupon which always changes.

Of course, the whole IDEA is they control WHO gets the $ referral to steer n00bs to these vendors, Admin then gets a kickback lol

[whiffypants]

Yep, this exactly. And God help you if you're a member of one of these groups and ask about a non-participating vendor -- your comment will be blitzed, and you may end up banned yourself. I keep hearing horror stories about this. It's impossible NOT to conclude that it's a kickback scheme, because otherwise what's the harm in asking a question. FB refugees rock up in the Double M sub from time to time and often have quite a story to tell.

Just to be clear, I'm NOT saying Stan David Botanicals is involved in kickbacks. Just that these vendor groups on FB are sketchy as hell and I rarely hear anything good about them.

[BunnyBoo2011]

There is all kinds of drama over on the KSG. They booted Herbal Nation and their fans got pretty salty. HN fans then began inquiring about the boot (bad kratom? Labs?) and then those members got the boot. Some of them created a new group called Natural-something blah blah blah. Upon further investigation it appears that Sabai took over as admins for KSG. Another "vetted" vendor was booted named Ariel-something. So thats the drama over in fb land. In the meantime, Sabai is being blasted on Spec Rep for lack of labs.

[whiffypants]

Good Lord.

Yeah, KSG is the one I hear most about. SO glad -not- to be a part of that hot mess. Thanks for the update, BunnyBoo!

[BunnyBoo2011]

I'm newer to the world of kratom. All i wanna do is buy good product and learn, but those fb groups and some vendors have so much drama, like WTF is all I can say!!

[BallzDeep9]

Code: Select all

Sabai took over as admins for KSG. Another "vetted" vendor was booted named Ariel-something. 

OK it's Sabai and Stan David then .. two decent vendors. Ariel Angel was a Canadian vendor and super high priced.

A small group of idiots is going around "demanding" Lab tests, and then "calling out" (ratting) on vendors THEY don't approve of .. it's already backfired as I hear some of them have gotten suspended/ banned .. One of their many groups Assholes got banned. IF Speciosa Republic is a group involved in this BS, let's hope they also get banned if they're attacking vendors.

I think people want choices .. We're still putting out 40+ vendors on The List, this week, because there's a need for options .. Many people are looking for a certain thing, like Samples or Blends or credit card payments or Fast Shipping - all of those are in short supply these days.

[BunnyBoo2011]

I have an update on Stan David. Received his product - ordered a sampler and so far I don't think his stuff is any better than other vendors. Kats and Mystic Island blow him away. His website is GOD awful. Thus, I had a question about my order...i got no response from my phone call. No response to email. Sent a message thru FB got no response. Posted on their vendor page and his dopey admin got snippy and booted me!! I mean WTF? if they can't handle simple questions then they better not have an online store. I saw several complaints pertaining to shipping on his page before I got booted. Also saw things that he needs more help. Will be striking him off my list! Too many other great vendors out there for me to horse around w this kinda b.s.

[BunnyBoo2011]

A small group of idiots is going around "demanding" Lab tests, and then "calling out" (ratting) on vendors THEY don't approve of .. it's already backfired as I hear some of them have gotten suspen[quo[/quote]ded/ banned .. One of their many groups Assholes got banned. IF Speciosa Republic is a group involved in this BS, let's hope they also get banned if they're attacking vendors.

Ballz...OMG these guys are RUTHLESS! They will not let the vendor come on their page to explain themselves either, or give their side of the story. They are straight up bullies. Not sure how those admins sleep at night!!

[BunnyBoo2011]

Code: Select all

Sabai took over as admins for KSG. Another "vetted" vendor was booted named Ariel-something. 

OK it's Sabai and Stan David then .. two decent vendors. Ariel Angel was a Canadian vendor and super high priced. .

Ballz, its Sabai, Stan David, Soap Korner, Valkyrie, OK USA, and Golden Rule.

[LuLu]

I love sitting back and watching g the drama in that group. Nothing worse than stressed out bored housewives and retired grumpy ole men discussing Kratom and “what does what to who and when and yes it’s an opioid but no it’s not!” LOL

[Maxxx]

Kats and Mystic Island blow him away.

That's funny because I think Mystic Island is the weakest Kratom out there. I ordered 20 different oz samplers from them and not one of them was impressive. Even Phatcracker, which everyone raves about, barely registers with me and what little effect I get fades to nothing in less than an hour. I guess it really is different for everyone.

Stan's Yellow Vietnam is my favorite strain or any I've tried. That one has never failed me, and it lasts all day without much of a drop off for at least 6 hours. But I haven't loved some of the ones people seem to recommend.

I've never tried Kats, but I ordered 5oz from them and they arrived today, so I'm going to see about those tonight.

and YES, those FB groups are a joke. I'll read through to see what people liked, but I agree that they're pretty worthless.

[bucherworld]

I got zero effects from SD. I always liked OK USA. I hate the ksp! I got yelled at for badgering when my order got lost and was never even shipped! SDs admins blamed it on the USPS! They never even apologized. Waited over a week for this amazing stuff. It did nothing for me or my boyfriend. I was then told to set it aside and try something else and then come back to it later. I don't get it. Either it works or doesn't, am I correct? They were saying it had something to do with my body chemistry LOL, but my boyfriend didn't get anything from it either.

Went to a head shop, was put to sleep by green sumatra.

Help me find something for pain and energy. Some people there are super snotty d-cks! I don't want to be part of that group anymore, they make you feel like an idiot for asking any questions.

[BallzDeep9]

Either it works or doesn't

Welcome to MM bucherworld, yeah kratom is a funny plant. Usually I'd agree the 1st impression of new strain, should be strong!! But there is also a thing about having variety & coming back to older stuff.. Both U and BF getting nothing, is not a good sign!

[bucherworld]

I figured, but i went to a store and got some and he's feeling it but I'm napping all day til work. One's a blend, other green sumatra. Do you have a recomendation?

[BunnyBoo2011]

Bucherworld- to be fair I tried SD products again and still no effect. I will never purchase from them again. Sorry you had all the problems you did....obviously they must have shipping issues and lack of customer service!!