Going To A Headshop Instead

Discussion in 'Bongs, Dab Rigs, Bubblers, Water Pipes' started by Jesse Botwin, May 14, 2014.

  1. I ultimately decided that It's not worth it to buy a bong online. $30 for shipping (Some sites offer more/less) and waiting anywhere from 7 days to 1 month is just not worth it. I figured it would be alot better just to go to a headshop, but I'm a little nervous about it. Sure, I've been to a headshop numerous times, but never near the bongs. I've always bought papers and pipes and normal stuff, But I saved some cash and I'm planning on buying from a regular ol' headshop. I figured $100 should get me something great. I'm just looking for a little advice.
     
    First of all, when you enter the store, your obviously not supposed to say "bong". Not to your friends, and Certainly not to the cashier. So obviously call it a water pipe. But for terms like "Ash-Catcher" and "percolator", what do you use? Saying things like, "How much is that percolator water pipe?" Sounds a little strange sounding when you say it outloud. 
     
    Eh, Maybe I'm just overthinking everything as I normally do. 

     
  2. You're just over thinking it. Terms like ash catcher are fine to use.

    Sent from that phone I sent Dwight into the fire for.
     
  3. Well 100 dollars will get you something okay, 400-500 will get you something great.
    If your looking for a decent brand name, 100$ barely cuts it. No name bongs are even expensive , and for 100 you could get an alright bong from a head shop. Depending on where your at, your local hs might even be more. You can call ashcatchers ashcatchers, because they catch ash from whatever is being smoked. For 100 I doubt you will get an ashcatcher and bong, but best of luck!

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  4. Hmm, So that's a major relief. What have you seen at your local headshops for $100? Anything worth while?
     
  5. Its all about you getting the best deal and talking the guy down

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  6. #6 ReturnFire333, May 14, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: May 14, 2014
     
    First of all, most headshop owners are laid back stoners themselves, so saying bong would be fine, though I prefer to say water pipe. Anything else like ashcatcher, percolator, are not taboo. You're in a business after all.
     
    Second, buying from a headshop is usually more expensive, $30 shipping? Are you doing intercontinental shipping? Try to order from a website in your country. That being said, know what pieces are worth, a headshop will usually bargain, and all of their pieces are highly over priced.
     
  7. Headshops take barters? No shit! That's pretty fucking sweet if you ask me.
     
  8. I got a 360$ down to 225

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  9. I'd recommend going with a straight tube for $100. It will work flawlessly every time. If you try to go for cheap percs, ashcatchers, etc. it will most likely have a lot of drag. 
     
  10. #10 DorianOmega, May 14, 2014
    Last edited: May 14, 2014
    just go in with a cool attitude and don't act sketchy, 99% of the time as long as you don't come off as some idiot burnout that even if you drop the b word the people at lhs's usually wont give a crap as they ultimately want you to spend money, they mostly only ever care if your under age or if your trying to get them shoplifted by distracting em or some other thing along the lines of fucking with their business.
     
    Also as far as getting better prices, you can almost for sure get at least a 10% discount on whatever you buy if you try to haggle even if your not dealing with the owner so long as your dealing with a competent employee and the headshop doesn't have an all prices are final policy.
     
  11. If you are really worried you can look at the pipe terminology thread I made.
     
    As far as ordering online I'd say it's worth it most of the time. A lot of smoke shops don't carry awesome stuff. Look into SSFG beakers/straight tubes if you can't find anything you like.
     
    Rule #1 don't call it a headshop
     
  12. 100 @ lhs will probably not get something "great".

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  13. honestly its fine to say bong in a headshop. basically anyone that works at a headshop smokes. i wouldnt talk about weed. some have flags, posters, and shirts with pot leaves on it. honestly i would save up a little more and try to get a nice american hand blown tube. medicali and us tubes are great brands to look into


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  14.  
    It really isn't actually. I've heard multiple people get kicked out over it. Why do you think they have "We sell water pipes not bongs" stickers?
     
  15. Yea i can only get away with saying bong/bowl in my regular HS. The rest that are near me are run by some stuck up people.

    Love being able to barter :)
     
  16. I always always always just say piece, "can I see the taller pice with the green labeling."

    "Piece" "setup" "rig"

    I always felt awkward saying water pipe

    But like the other guy said, I'd wait, save up about 50 more bucks.
    For 100 you'll get basic water filtration, my first bong was $132 it was a 9mm 10 arm bluedot. Hits better than my sovereignty, mobius, Goldstein IMO.

    Also, if you don't see what you like, don't just buy something because you hyped yourself up on smoking out of a new piece.
     
  17. doesnt suprise me. just sayin most shops ive been to have real chill people working there. i usually just call it glass or refer to it by the company name (illadelph, medicali, sovereignty etc.)


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  18. agree.
     
    Even the store I'm chill with, I avoid "illegal" terms.  Would they kick me out if I used the wrong word....probably not, but I'm friends with all of them and it's for their protection not mine, so I'm fine with it.  I use tobacco leaf as code for mj flower, and tobacco concentrate or "solids" to hint at bho.  Instead of bong I use waterpipe, piece, rig, or I usually refer to pieces by artist "let me take a look at this Coyle".
     
    Back to the OP,
     
    Local brick and mortar shops vary widely.  Most are shitty and will rip you off.  I went to one local shop and they had a sheldon black bub, the guy said was 600 (laughable for sheldon black), I went to another local shop and bought same bubbler for 225 lol.  Guess which shop gets all of my business now.
     
    I always try to find something that has a "standard" price, like an analog volcano should be around 500-550, and the digital is around 650.  So I know if a store is selling a volcano in the 700 range, most likely all their prices are inflated.  
     
  19. Anyone who has a problem with the word bong in a headshop is a fucking idiot.  It is what it is- were all adults here. 
     
  20. #20 Jesse Botwin, May 16, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: May 16, 2014
     
    But some of us adults carrying guns and badges and would kick me out the second I even whispered "Bong" to a friend via cell phone (Actually happened to me, I was asking a friend if I should get one or not, Next thing I know security was walking me out, for "Improper termonolgy" and "Talking about illicit drug usage in a tobacco store". They said I was lucky they didn't call the cops and have me interviewed)
     
     
    So, I guess LHS may or may not be worth it. I'm thinking about taking a trip to the flea market instead. They have a bong like this one, Which is the one that  I orginally wanted, For $75. It doesn't come with an A/C though, and is a solid purple color (with the percolator part being clear). I like it, but I don't like the fact that it's not clear. Personally, I think the "Milk Shot" is the greatest part of the bong smoking process and is what makes bongs unique.
     
    Ehh, Is there any way to tell if somethings quality glass or cheap shitty china glass? (Besides price). The only indicator I know is the thickness, the thicker the better. Is there any noticable signs that somethings shitty glass? (I.e. Air bubbles in glass, discoloration, cloudiness)
     

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