HydroBuilder.com Reviews 8

Well, they sent my product poorly packaged rendering unusable. sure i can return it, after i pay 40+ for shipping, and minus the 40+ they took of my return for shipping their defect to me. so I'm out 80 and have nothing to show for it but a headache return. i made a big mistake shopping here. i won't do it again.

On-time shipping and great selection compared to others!

I was subject to a 20% restocking fee for an unopened box. But their website does not clearly state this fee applies for unopened returned products. Specifically it states:

“Unopened items shipped from Hydrobuilder.com can be returned within 30 days of receipt of shipment in most cases (Clearance Items, Special Order Items, Deep Water Culture Systems, Nutrients, Fertilizers, Cones, Cone Filling Machines, Trimming Machines, Grow Tents, Hoop Houses and Harvest Tools do not qualify). Some products have different policies or requirements associated with them. We will issue your refund, less shipping and/or restocking fees (where required) once the product is returned to the warehouse and inspected.”

Nowhere is it stated on a particular product if restocking fees apply to a returned unopened box. However, the website clearly states the restock fee applies to opened boxes

“Some opened products may be eligible for return within 30 days of purchase at Hydrobuilder.com’s discretion. If approved, a 20% restocking fee will be applied.”

And they were inept at calculating the net refund after the restock fee because they initially indicated the sales tax would be refunded on the purchase price minus the 20% fee (which would be 20% less than the tax I paid).

FYI - I paid for the return shipping cost, which isn’t unreasonable.

I placed a $1500 order, most of the order was received, we were missing a case of 12 bulbs. I email the company & was told some1 was supposed to have emailed me, but didn't. Then was told the price of the bulbs was raised after I paid for my order & they wanted to know if I wanted to pay the difference. I obviously said no!! The price we were quoted & paid was $48ea x12. The bulbs are available ALL over the internet for $48 yet Hydrobuilder raised the price to $76ea AFTER WE F-ING PAID!! This place does bad business & I would not recommend u waste your time & $$ w this trash company! Absolutely pitiful!!

Had a $1500 order that was placed on Sunday this week, half of it was delivered today, the other half tomorrow. 3 different shipments due to the wide variety of products I bought. They have a customer support number that takes no effort to speak with a human being. Had some questions about my order that was answered quickly. The little things is what makes a good company. Would absolutely shop from hydrobuilder again.

Sure, they have an impressive amount of products...kinda. Drop shippers. They have no inventory an their address is bogus. I have had numerous issues with shipping times after paying insane amounts for shipping because they are never up to date on knowing their suppliers inventories. On top of that, I was about to place an order that is over 3,000 dollars and they are attempting to charge me taxes when they have no facility bearing their entity's title in my state and the shipping is still not free with a total that high. I'm going to order from Grower's House instead as I never have these issues with them. We're already being taxed to death in our country and now certain companies are tacking on tax that is illegitimate which is a form of tax fraud as they have no warehouse in my state. The trick is, that they charge ALL consumer's the taxes but only have to pay the taxes from customers in their state and the pocket the rest of the money. When a company has no overhead, as they have no facility, and they have no inventory to buy, nor do they have a substantial amount of employees, they have no reason to be ripping off people that are already struggling while they sit there and make stupid amounts of money through tactics of laziness and greed.

Really appreciate the fast service and shipping guys. My experience here has been awesome so far.