I like your stance towards Artisans. I appreciate that you have a vast experience. I have found your posts valuable and the passion for Oud speaks. However, we must understand that other on this platform may have more experience than you. And no one else s experience is lesser to you. If you limit your Oud sphere to ASO and Ensar and AA then such problems arise. For someone who has always bought Nagchampa sticks in a luxury Indian store in UK, it will be tough to believe that same thing costs like peanuts in smaller stores. Gotta move that ass.
1. Samples. I have always been the most decent buyer. I NEVER ask for samples even with my purchases. If the sellers does it out of his free will. I really appreciate it. And they do. Guys like ASO have been more than generous. Thats why I support them with a 100pc honesty on a channel that has 7k viewers as opposed to 300 forum readers here. They get more exposure. You must watch my videos to see how much effort I put to the shot and information rather than makeup. And I put equal efforts for 90 dollar attar and 900 dollar one. 7k viewers and growing. It has taken day and night to be there. Yet I am down to earth. I talk with vendors on a personal level. This forum may seem otherwise.
2. Oud for you is luxury for me it is not. Thats my view. Oud is necessity for me. I burn it, apply it. At times I simply open the bottles take a whiff. Luxury is travelling in Private jet. I have always been the economy traveller. I save for Oud. You dont save for luxury. If a person saves whole life to buy a RR Phantom. He will buy a dream car not luxury because he doesnt have anymore funds to sustain it or maintain it.
3. Zak s oils start at 90. Have you heard of Tajul Bakshi. Try his oils and compare your best Indian luxury oils. Yes at times their 150 oils are exactly like 790 oils or maybe even better. Kalakassi 120 years see the retail price and order No.1/No.2 from Tajul sir.
4. No one is trying to discredit vendors. Have you not seen the "What do you think about the price of Oud" pages on this forum or equivalent forums ? It is a very important part of our discussions. An open debate helps both parties understand each other s needs ans limitations.
5. Price is not controlled by you or me or demand. Price is totally controlled by comparison. Star Oud by Treasure Oud is around 300 or lesser. That is a wonderful oil. It is one of the most special Old school ouds. If everything were left to you it would cost 1500. They supply to Firmenich so lets not talk about GCMS.
6. And pls ask Mandeel brother to show you GCMS of your legendary oils. Prepare for war. Lol.
7. There are lot of sensitive topics and distillation secrets including the truth about many oils. I am NOT comfortable sharing any thoughts on that. With your vast experience I am sure you ll reach the truth. May Almighty guide us. No oud, oud maker or Oud applier is above him. Almighty resides in our mind, heart and tongue. Almighty sees all hears all. I totally believe in protecting the vendors/distillers interest but one cannot be oblivious to everything as start preaching on others only to be shellshocked when almighty reveals truth. Many guys have tried to expose lies on this forum including the most respected vendors against each other. So with a heavy heart I say the truth is eveywhere laid out on these forums for you. What makes you so calm and composed and we are one happy family sorta demeanour. Vendors are bashing themselves on pricing to distillation. So if you feel its not right to ask pricing dont ask. Others will do it.
8. Just about a month ago or maybe more. A very prominent and respected member had questioned my intentions when I liked Brother Ensar s comment on Gaharu. And a load of hurt feelings came out from that person. I agreed with Ensar s feelings in the first Para and how he came to the conclusion or even felt the need on questioning my alliance left a very bad taste with me. I am a very transparent person. What I say or do is exactly how I am. People find it tough to look straight into my eyes in real life. When these fitional online characters start questioning you it sort of scars you. Makes you feel like a threat or an outsider. The point is we all have freedom of speech and action. Even after doing your best for the community in action and not vocally you get treated like this. You truly understand that these soulless Oud hunters truly do not believe in the concept of community. Either way I have chosen to look beyond it. But I did immediately quit the forums. I felt hurt. So if we can talk freely with trying to prove allegiance its good enough. Ensar has been pioneer in defining artisan oud. It is only after him others came to light. Yet I do not agree with his antics or whatever. But it comes merely to soul of Oud. He has been a guiding star for the community and an exceptional support to my Oud learning even though we have never talked. Yet I question about his prices and techniques and he replies honestly. Does this mean I am anti Ouddict ? Oh no. I have more friends here
. I dont discriminate or lick arse for samples. Life is good. My cause is growth of traditional oud and attar industry. My curiosity is never reflected in my reviews. I chose wisely.
I rest my case. I have always been a peace keeper. But I also represent the customer s feelings. All the best to everyone. I have nothing more to contribute to any controversial discourses now. If these dicusssions happen on a daily basis and to no avail. The purpose is defeated. And we all will land up in mental asylums. Lastly, whats a singer without listeners, whats a writer without readers....