We're back....findasmokeshop.com

[findasmokeshop.com]

As some of you may recall we had a little SNAFU, with our last site findasmokeshop.com. We took the kind advice and words of wisdom from the members here and revamped the site.

So I present to you http://www.findaheadshop.com

We have now come back with a very clean, straightforward approach, and we are anxious to hear what you guys think. At this point, it is our Beta version, so there is a lot of work and content to be added yet. So please keep in mind it will get better, much better.

One of the coolest things we added was the "Inner Circle Membership" so people can review and get more in depth info on particular shops. To view a sample check out the Illinois section, there is a sample there.

We were a little hesitant about bringing this site back, but the overwhelming support of this site and a few others, really encouraged us. So we hope you enjoy and help us grow the site. And thank you for letting us post here, the support of this site is truly amazing.

[Dom]

Good job, I like it so far, with more content it should be fly.

[jane clifton]

I like the page, but I just wonder if this will bring unwanted attention by Big Brother? Especially since it is called "findaheadshop"? just wondering

Jane

[boxfan willy]

I must agree. The site looks nice. I am hesitant about the attention it will bring. With all the increased web activity, it is feeling more like 2002 all the time. We are coming up on a presidential election. Prop 215 is fighting a federal case that could make a strong statement about states rights or lack there of, in the eyes of the feds. We thought we were just being "noid" in 2001.

"Whichever way it goes, I will still be pushin bowls" Sepulworld, World Punty Championship, Hamsterdam, 2001

boxfan

[Greymatter Glass]

Well, everything I see is public information. I'm sure the DEA already has a file, a much larger file, listing _EVERY_ store they can find that sells any type of paraphernalia. They actually pay people to compile such lists. I doubt there's one listed there that's not already on the DEAs radar.

I have two concerns off the top of my head.... the first is that this just puts a well targeted demographic on the web for free. Spam-bots and marketing firms use lists like this, as they find them, to target marketing at those listed. If you're on this list it probably means more junk mail.

Second, is the social ramification of glorifying the illicit use of marijuana while serious medical and industrial issues are _FINALLY_ on the table and being taken seriously. Discretion is a virtue often forgotten when stoned. While there's nothing outwardly illegal shown or suggested by your site I still see it as a small part of the whole marketing "thing" that is pushing a little too hard in my opinion. Putting in one place a state-by-state list flaunting the numbers could give community activists and anti-drug zealots the ammo they need to "prove" the wide spread infiltration of drug culture and scare people backwards. At the very least it takes what is (and should remain for now) a semi-underground industry into the public light for ... what?

Is this a public service, or a marketing/revenue scheme? You can't have both, and in either case my opinion is that the public doesn't need such a list, and to the industry the list is worth WAY more than you'll ever make from click-through ads - so either way this is misplaced ambition. Well intended for sure, but I do kinda question the motives and more so the outcome.

I can agree with the whole Finda Network model, but I just think the headshops list is asking for more trouble than it will ever be worth in this format.

Stick with the web, and take my comments with a grain of salt, I don't mean to poop on your idea or anything, just giving a solicited comment.

-Doug

[mer]

i think it looks much better than the old list did. we're a paranoid bunch but that's just because the blue meanies are actually out to get us. while i think you'll find our community cautious in such matters i still wish you the best.

[Swampy]

Wise words there Doug, as always. In particular your second point calls for serious consideration.

[Mr. Whale dick]

Campus Life
5222 Dumond Ct
Lansing, MI 48917
(517) 322-2092


is a non-profit org that works w/ kids....
i just called them

[JANKYglass]

so did they want a 6 chamber?

[findasmokeshop.com]

Thanks to everyone for checking the site out and taking the time to reply here.

The issue of having all of the locations in a list that the government might find, is not really an issue. Before I get flammed......There are around 5 lists like this that I have found, they are just not as organized IMO. Some are on sites that reference certain things, that we will not post or discuss on our site. With that being said, I am not saying that we should just add to the already bad situation, but we feel and hundreds of others that have emailed us feel, that this info is readily available if you know where to look. We are basically providing that info in an organized fashion.

I can attest, being a shop owner my self, the government knows all about me and what we do. The general concensus locally is, at some point we will go down. It will be a matter of how much we are willing to fight the system to keep our shop open.

I can say with all honesty, the reason we initially started the first site was to get exposure for our shop. We were at a cross roads, basically either we closed the shop or started advertising. Word of mouth was not paying the bills, and I realized a lot of shop owners were in the same position, at least locally.

So what did we do? We blasted Chicago with radio ads, the site, and 30,000 flyers a week. Guess what, our shop is still standing, and we can pay our rent, and we carry all American Glass to boot. And if we get shut down by the government, than at least we gave it a real shot.

I am not telling any other shop owner to do this, and risk high exposure. I am basically saying that to get in the game, you have to get known and fast. Retail sucks in this way. I give so much credit to those that are willing to struggle for sometimes years, waiting for word of mouth to really support your shop.

Myself and a lot of local shop owners, need to let people know we are here. The site provides a way to do that, and maybe in a fashion that will take away the generalization that all shops are dingy little porn shops waiting to rip you off.

Sorry for the long post, and sorry if anyone feels we have crossed the line with this site. If your shop is listed, we can remove you at anytime just email through any of the pages on our site.

Thanks to those that have responded. Greymatter, I found your reply to be most insightful, thank you for the detailed response. I agree we are pushing hard on advertising, but we have spent a lot of time building PHP scripts and upload scripts, and we are just trying to recoupe those investments. Also, we truly believe that advertising on our site will help other shop owners and we are/will be pushing that hard.

If any blowers would like to feature their work, we would be happy to post a bio and pics FREE OF CHARGE.

::Thanks::

[JANKYglass]

i like how your also doing find a skateshop,tattoo artist along with it.

[bufbubba]

well as a shop i owner i too agree this is nothoing more than public info i applaud ur site just keep it clean and classy

[Greymatter Glass]

I agree that the lists exist, no problem there.

Also, I applaud your success with your store, that took real initiative, something many shop owners seem to lack.

As for who's on the list.... even though such lists are out there, I think an opt-in list would be better than an opt-out list as it seems you've got now? If you're already Opt-In than that's all good :)

Also, for New Mexico you're missing about 20 shops in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area alone ... damn over saturated markets.

G/L with the project as a whole!

-Doug

[Meerkat]

Second, is the social ramification of glorifying the illicit use of marijuana while serious medical and industrial issues are _FINALLY_ on the table and being taken seriously.

First I want to say that I totally understand and agree with your statement there and that I feel the way to get non-medical / just having fun use of marijuana to be legal / decriminalized or at least treated like alcohol and tobacco is for it's serious medical and industrial uses to be taken care of first.

However, a point that I have taken to heart that I learned while working in cannabis activism for the BCMP was that almost all use of marijuana is for legally recognized medical use as both depression and stress are recognized by the American Medical Association. So when you smoke up to wind down form a hard stressfull day or your smoke up because your feeling down in the dumps and need a pick me up, your self medicating for legally recognized medical conditions.

[newmexicomagma]

albuquerque nm, gaspipe, TNA, the zone(3), wild side, the moon, smooches, mikes zone, bentley bros, i know im missing more, and probably about 10 lil homie shops, and 5-10 arab shops. all im saying is i think we need to get away from advertising them as head shops. lets figure out something that sounds a lil more classy.

[newmexicomagma]

hahaha i posted before even looking at the site. it showed 2 of the ones i didnt list. i think all in all the site looks good. still feel the same way about calling em head shops.

[findasmokeshop.com]

Thanks for all of the feedback guys I appreciate everyone taking the time to give their input!

[Udai Hussien]

congrats on the relaunch

[Batou]

it's nice to see you back up, much cleaner, and i'm sure the gubberment has much longer lists.

again congrats.

[Breed]

my favorite shop was the first on the list. looks good.

[The Lorax]

looks great and the idea sounds great... but the paranoia just outways the good in my opinion.... kinda glad the shop i sell to isn't listed there... best of luck though guys, credit goes to anyone with the balls to try something like this.

[MUPH]

Is this site still up? the link didnt work for me

[byron3]

all im saying is i think we need to get away from advertising them as head shops. lets figure out something that sounds a lil more classy.

WORD on that Brian, we caution our customers about that term as we have always considered it derogatory. We tell our customers that refer to our shop as such "That we do not sale heads". After all the supreme court has ruled "bongs" are illegal, not the objects which are legal while classified as "water pipes". When the law makes a distinction based on subjectivity why would you invite retribution by using the above term.

And as far as the government being all knowing all seeing, I can only relate what I know about "Fishhead Enterprises". This distributor was NOT taken down by the government in the "Operation Pipe Dreams", but the owner did go to the government asking if his business met the criteria by which the other dist. had been shut down. He was afraid the gov. would come and arrest him for past business practices. The gov. informed him that they were "unaware " of his business but now that he had brought himself to their attention "YES" he met the criteria and that was the end of his company.

While success in business is what we all strive for I have to ask "at what price?", what are you trying to achieve with this site? Is it a question of money, or advertising, or what?

[Izzy Spun]

Link doesn't work for me. i'd like to check it out when it's back up.

[Mecha]

The site is down. The domain expires in 6 weeks.

[petto]

Link doesn't seem to work.