So, you want some kratom and have taken to the Internet to find it. Trouble is, as the popularity of kratom rises, so too does the number of untrustworthy websites trying to scam you or sell you the cheap stuff.
To the untrained eye, it’s difficult to separate the genuine article from the fakes. So how do you avoid falling prey to these traps before you sink way too much money and time into this rabbit hole?
Well, we’re glad you asked. It’s time to take a look at how to research and source a reputable kratom vendor online for all your kratom-related needs!
But enough preamble, right? Sit back, relax, and let’s get into this thing!
Isolate Your Needs
Before you even hop online, it’s important to first take a step back and consider what type of kratom you want. The four main types to choose from are white vein, red vein, green vein, and yellow vein kratom.
The differences between the different strains stem from when the leaves get picked from the kratom plant and what treatments get applied to them. White vein kratom comes from the leaves of young kratom plants, which then dehydrate away from light exposure. Red vein kratom sees its leaves picked a little later, but dry out in the sunlight.
Green vein kratom comes from leaves picked even further down the line with a mix of indoor and outdoor drying. Finally, yellow kratom comes from picking the leaves towards the end of the plant’s life. It’s very rare due to the unique drying process it needs to endure to produce the specific strain.
Consider if there are any specific kratom accessories you need. Certain vendors will only sell limited stocks of accessories, and finding a vendor with everything you need saves you time from tracking everything down in individual purchases.
Once you have this figured out, you’re in a better position to look for the right kratom vendor. Plus, a good sign that a vendor’s experienced and isn’t running some cheap operation is if their inventory carries multiple strains of kratom.
The Accountability of the Kratom Vendor
One of the best ways to verify that you’re in business with a legitimate kratom vendor is to check what their accountability is like. First off, you’ll want to verify that your supplier received GMP certification from the AKA (American Kratom Association).
This certification states that the kratom vendor passed a series of safety regulations training courses and inspections (like those practiced by the FDA). This is to ensure that their kratom gets produced in a clean and safe environment. This also ensures the vendor practices the correct labeling procedure.
You should also look to see if the vendor performs any kind of testing on their kratom to make sure it’s safe. These tests determine whether or not there are harmful materials within the kratom (like various metals). If a kratom vendor does not test their products in a lab (or is not transparent about their testing process), it’s time to look elsewhere.
For a different kind of accountability, find out where the vendor sources their product from. Most reliable vendors will bring their kratom over from Southeast Asia, the plant’s native region. While the plant can grow in other regions, the process is still difficult to replicate and will result in a weaker product than homegrown kratom.
They Provide Knowledge
Another sign that you’re dealing with a reputable kratom vendor is that they have a blog or other kinds of informative articles giving you valuable knowledge about kratom. This signifies the initiative on the part of the vendor to educate you about the properties of kratom, and thus shows that they value their relationship with customers as more of a partnership than something transactional.
Using these articles can also prove useful in steering clear of shady vendors. After all, most of these sites are dedicated to detailing safe and reputable business practices while detailing false information scammers could use to sway your purchase. Any vendor doing back-alley deals with substandard kratom isn’t going to want to tell you about how they’re scamming you.
A good kratom vendor should also make themselves easy to contact with customer service questions, whether this is through email, a phone helpline, or other means. If a vendor lacks these means or executes them sloppily, it’s a sign they’re not very legit.
Ask Around
If you want more opinions on the matter, try asking around your circle of friends or acquaintances to see if they have any recommendations for vendors who they like. If this isn’t viable for you, try to search business review sites to see what various customers think of the company.
Avoid using reviews from the site you’re considering though. This is because these could be fake or cherry-picked to remove any negative criticism.
It’s also vital to read every review with a critical eye. Taking any review at face value could result in you making a purchase you regret down the line. Looking through the forums or discourse of online communities that revolve around kratom is also a solid way to get the information you need.
During this process, it can prove useful to put different reviews up against one another and look at them through that lens. What patterns do you notice? This not only helps you view the opinions through a more critical lens but spot what a certain kratom vendor emphasizes above all else.
Shopping in Safety
And there you have it! Now that you know all about how to research and source a reputable kratom vendor online, you’re ready to hop on and make the purchase for yourself today! And if you want to work with a certified vendor who’s with you every step of the way, feel free to contact us and let us know how we can help!