Complaints

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  Flinn Scientific

  770 N Raddant Rd Batavia, IL 60510-4208

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  Flinn Scientific

  PO Box 219 Batavia, IL 60510-0219

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/03/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am a chemistry teacher in **. On April 27 I opened a new container from Flinn which read 6M Hydrochloric acid 250mL, and when I opened the container; it did not contain 250mL-only 200mL (50mL less). I alerted my assistant principal of the issue, and he asked me to open another sealed container under his supervision; it had 236mL. Then I measured these bottles the chemical came in to see how much it could possibly hold-the container only holds 250mL IF you fill it up to the very top of the bottle to where if they filled it up that high, it would spill out as you opened it. If the volume isn't correct, then oftentimes that also alters the concentration (Molarity). My administrator called Flinn, and they sent us a free bottle of 500mL 6M HCl. However, I don't think is adequate as our school system (and probably many others around the country) has been ordering chemicals from them for many years. If others around the country found out as well, this would be very problematic for Flinn. I am concerned about states spending taxpayer money on a business that is not delivering the materials they are advertising. If the business is not providing the proper chemicals to the correct volumes or strengths (Molarities) then they are making more profit and schools will have to purchase more chemicals from them. For instance I had to open 2 250mL bottles to make my solution-just to get the 250mL I needed for my experiment that day. I would like you to investigate this matter. I don't usually check the volumes and Molarities of my chemicals because I take for granted they are accurate. However, if they are doing this for every batch they fill, then others are being duped as well. I would like you to investigate this business and have a chemical inspector verify the volumes and Molarities of chemical solutions from Flinn. Also, I would like Flinn to state the exact volumes that are in the containers we are purchasing so we know the amount we are paying for at the time of sale.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/19/2023

  Thanks for the opportunity to respond to this customer's concerns. We reviewed the purchase history of ********************* and her school, ******************** (Flinn Client ID ********.
  
  The item in question is Hydrochloric Acid AP5605B 250 ML, which the customer described as new. We only sell this size in kits. The only kit this school bought that contains Hydrochloric Acid AP5605B 250 ML is Kit #AP7662. They most recently purchased that kit in 2016. So although the bottles may have been sealed and unopened, they appear to have been in storage for seven years. When the customer notified us of the issue, we promptly provided a 500ML bottle of Hydrochloric Acid at no charge.
   
  
  
  The customer contends that this bottle is too small to hold 250 ML of liquid. The video we have attached shows that 250 ML of water fits well within the bottle at the fill (F/L) line of the spec document attached (IMG_2635). The other photo (image005) shows the same bottle next to three sample bottles of Hydrochloric Acid AP5605B 250 ML that we pulled from stock. As the photo shows, they are also filled to the fill line and contain 250 ML. The molarity is not affected by the bottle's fill level since the solution is made in larger carboys before dispensing the chemical and filling the bottles.
   
  Flinn Scientific has supported science educators in opening young minds to the challenges and joys of scientific discovery for over 40 years. We understand that science is a primary source of ******** unparalleled productivity, quality of life, and technological leadership. Through our unsurpassed customer service, we provide the science community with the very best education supplies, safety information, instructional materials and programs to facilitate their vital work. Our respect for and loyalty to the science community is central to everything we do and our relationship with them is always our first priority.
   
  We are grateful to hear from customers when they are unhappy with a product so we can make it right. Our staff scientists design content and choose and test products to ensure they meet our exacting standards. Our chemical packing team follows stringent training and standards to produce and package chemicals that will support successful classroom experiments. 
  We have also replied directly to ********************* with this information. Please let me know if there are any additional questions or concerns. 
   
  
  
  Warm regards,
  
  
  *****************