Been a customer for over a decade. The staff wants your business, perhaps it comes across as being pushy but you gotta understand the level of competition hi times faces being one of a half dozen smoke shops in the immediate area. While his selection isn't the most premium, there are great deals to be had and the more you frequent the shop, the friendlier the deals get. Make educated decisions regarding your purchases and you will score the greatest deals in Berkeley. If you go during the day the owner is working and he is a good dude, definitely not the typical Downtown/telegraph mark up. Don't be offended if the sales pitch is a bit aggressive. I think his employees are bonused on sales volume.

The guy with the Grey hair is very rude. When I entered the shop, he was yelling at the cashier and when I went to buy some ciggarates, he interacted with me very rudely, I asked for Marlboro and gave him a 20$ bill, he gave me the ciggarates, and no change and told me that the ciggarates cost exactly 20$. He is very pushy with his customers, tries to sell them unnecessary stuff by calling them "FRIEND" again and again. Go there only if you want to be abused.

I can be intimidating sometimes when I walk into a place of business. Some long-haired, wide-eyed, freaky dude in a dress can be off-putting to say the least. But I commend the gentleman behind the counter add this Hi - Tmes Tobacco Shop location for his considerate attitude in addressing my needs. Impressed by what I saw with regards to products and the general feel of the store, I can definitely see myself returning there to shop on my next trip to the East Bay. Thanks, Hi -Times! John Kent Thompson

The person working there today loves to rip you off and push you to buy in cash over the retail price of their products so they can pocket the difference, while calling you “friend” Oh and count your change. Person will swap out cash from his own wallet instead to go under the books. Please fire him, or if he’s the owner, stay far away.

The dudes super cool. Gave me a fair price on a great piece. I will be returning for future needs.