Skip to main content

Cookies on BBB.org

We use cookies to give users the best content and online experience. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to allow us to use all cookies. Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Cookie Preferences

Many websites use cookies or similar tools to store information on your browser or device. We use cookies on BBB websites to remember your preferences, improve website performance and enhance user experience, and to recommend content we believe will be most relevant to you. Most cookies collect anonymous information such as how users arrive at and use the website. Some cookies are necessary to allow the website to function properly, but you may choose to not allow other types of cookies below.

Necessary Cookies

What are necessary cookies?
These cookies are necessary for the site to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you that amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

Necessary cookies must always be enabled.

Functional Cookies

What are functional cookies?
These cookies enable the site to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.

Performance Cookies

What are performance cookies?
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.

Marketing Cookies

What are marketing cookies?
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant content on other sites. They do not store personal information directly, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser or device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

Find a Location

Hydrobuilder.com has locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

    Country
    Please enter a valid location.

    ComplaintsforHydrobuilder.com

    Hydroponics Equipment
    View Business profile
    View Business profileBBB accredited business

    Need to file a complaint?

    BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process.

    File a Complaint

    Complaint Details

    Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.

    Filter by

    Showing all complaints

    Filter by

    Complaint Status
    Complaint Type
    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      On May 6, 2023, we ordered Botanicare Slide Bench with TriLock Trellis: 4 Foot Width x **** Foot System Length x 20 Inch Height for a total of $4,002.39. Upon delivery, we were not given a packing slip with the number of parts for the tables, and boxes were open/busted. We took photos. Once our room renovation was completed, we started to build the tables, only to realize we were missing parts. On July 2nd, I emailed Hydrobuilder the list of missing parts and indicated we were missing parts for TWO tables, (The instructions do not include the quantity needed, so I expressed we needed the correct quantity for two tables).By July 13th, after over 6 phone calls and numerous emails, we received confirmation that the missing parts would be shipped, only after I mentioned needing to speak to a manager and/or that I was going to report this to BBB. We requested the missing parts be expedited, given the amount of downtime and money this has cost us. They declined to expedite shipping after we said we would pay for it. 'Missing parts' shipped on July 15th.On July 20th, the 'missing parts' arrived. HOWEVER, we only received 1 quantity each of the missing part, Not enough to put together 2 full tables! We have spent over $4,000 on equipment that is completely useless without the missing parts. Hydrobuilder blames the distributor. We are sick to our stomach on the amount of money we've spent, and at this point, lost because our operation (small, family run VT licensed indoor cultivators) is at a complete standstill thanks to Hydrobuilders. All we've been requesting is the missing parts so we can build the tables and no one is able to comprehend or relay this information to the right person. Extremely frustrated and disappointed in the customer service we've received. We have many colleagues in this industry and will be warning others of our experience so they do not encounter the same issues.

      Business response

      07/20/2023

      Hello *****,

      I'm truly sorry for what you've experienced so far. I agree that this is completely unacceptable.  I am working to determine exactly what you need and to ************** to you NDA on our dime.  I'll also be working to determine how and why this took so long to rectify.  Mistakes happen, but they have to be resolved quickly and completely.

      I'll follow up with you via email tomorrow when I have more information about the ship date.  You can reach me directly at ************ or ***********************************.

      I appreciate you brining this to my attention and I apologize again for our failures.

      ***************************

      VP eCommerce Operations.

      Customer response

      07/21/2023

      I am rejecting this response because:

      On 7/20, after 3 weeks of back and forth and the 'reason for the delay' being that we didn't have a packing slip, we were emailed a copy of the packing slip. I don't know why that couldn't have happened from the beginning. There is no other reason we would be requesting very specific parts, other than because we need them to put together these tables. Once we could actually see how many pieces of each item we needed, we figured out that the parts for 'Step 2' of assembly were not even on the packing list. I submitted photos to ****** to show her exactly what I was referring to. To know that this all could have been avoided if we had the proper information when we first contacted is very frustrating. We were told the items would ship 7/20, but then received a phone message that some of the parts could not be 'retrieved' and would be shipped on 7/21. I expect a full list of the parts (packing list) to be emailed that are being shipped to confirm we actually are receiving the correct number of parts, unlike the first attempt to send missing parts. The parts need to be expedited shipping. I have requested expedited shipping multiple times and said we would pay for it and the request 'was not granted'. Because of that, I feel the shipping should be expedited, if not overnighted and the expense covered by Hydrobuilders. This has set our operation back by over a month and is costing us thousands of dollars. For spending such a large amount of money with Hydrobuilders (well over $6,000 with all our purchases), I would expect a faster resolution and customer service.

      Business response

      07/24/2023

      Hi *****,

      As I've said, this entire situation has been a failure on our part and on Botanicare's part.  I am hoping based on the email exchange I had with you (or *****) this morning that everything has been resolved.

      Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make this right at this point.  I will be working with both my team and Botanicare to ensure that this type of situation, if it happens, is resolved much more quickly in the future.

      ****

      Customer response

      07/31/2023

       
      Better Business Bureau:

      I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

    • Complaint Type:
      Delivery Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Ordered May 3rd. Did not ship until May 18th. Never gave nor received contact from shipper, yet order shows that "receiver requested item to be held at *** facility" three times. After seeing this, I asked HydroBuilder customer service to get it delivered as soon as possible about a week ago, but it has been returned to sender as of yesterday. As a farmer this delay will impact my entire year and next season! Horrible customer service experience.

      Business response

      06/05/2023

      Hi ****,

      I'm very sorry for what is happening, and I appreciate your letting me know.  We have been unable to get an explanation from **** but we are sending you a replacement order today via *** 2DA, for arrival Wednesday 6/5/2023.

      We have also refunded you the original shipping charge.

      If there is anything else I can do for you, please let me know.

      Thank you,

      ****

      Customer response

      06/10/2023

      I am rejecting this response because:

      My order arrived with the proper 1x flexitank pro, 16x 6.6 gallon pots, 8x easy2grow trays, and 2x one pot modules aquavalves, but I did not receive:

      16x AquaValve5
      16x root growth inhibitor sheet
      16x pot sock
      2x one pot module tray

      So the delay to my business continues to lengthen while I cannot use the order for which I paid.  This is well over a month after paying for the original order.

      Business response

      06/12/2023

      Hi ****,

      I have emailed the Vendor with your list of missing items and will get back to you as soon as they respond.

      My apologies again, this is going from bad to worse.

      ****

      Customer response

      06/12/2023

      I am rejecting this response because:
      My order arrived with the proper 1x flexitank pro, 16x 6.6 gallon pots, 8x easy2grow trays, and 2x one pot modules aquavalves, but I did not receive:

      16x AquaValve5
      16x root growth inhibitor sheet
      16x pot sock
      2x one pot module tray

      So the delay to my business continues to lengthen while I cannot use the order for which I paid.  This is well over a month after paying for the original order.

      Business response

      06/12/2023

      Hi ****,

      I emailed you from my business email, Auto-Pot called and texted you directly.  They believe that you have your complete order, but if not, will be able to help us identify a solution.

      Have you heard from them?

      ****

    • Complaint Type:
      Delivery Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      I placed a order with hydrobuilder.com on September 15 2021 (order number 12637546) for $1106.37 all the items said in stock. On their website they say all items that say instock will ship within 24 hours. This is the reason I went with them, because I needed my order fast. It is now September 22nd and half my order just finally shipped on the 21st and the other half still just says label created. The company is obligated to inform me of any delays if they have guaranteed a set time to ship out items. I failed to hear about any delays and any time I call their number isn’t set up. I’ve tried to message them on *********(their website has their ********* linked as a contact source) and haven’t gotten a single reply. The business has yet to try to reach out and let me know about the delay. It’s very unfair they can break the law and there be no repercussions. I’ve lost out on over $100 in seedlings because my light wasn’t where when it was suppose to be. $1100 not well spent.

      Business response

      09/22/2021

      Hi Cody,

       

      My team has spoken to you and gotten you taken care of.  I'm sorry again for your experience and we truly appreciate you bringing this to our attention.  As I said to you in my direct email, please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you here.

       

      Thanks again,

       

      Dave

    Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

    BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

    BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.

    When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

    BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.

    As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.