HydroBuilder.com Avis 

First, the bad that should be public information as these companies are all doing the same thing. Removing inventory risk, business overhead, and making money. The were OK at first and the more I dug, the more I realized that I was being had, Their "restocking fee" is sketchy. Look up their address. They are drop-shippers, they aren't restocking anything. Free Shipping is not even a thing until you spend $3,500.00....That is also ridiculous. The website claimes atruck freight flat-rate of $172.50 which is a decent deal BUT they don;t adhere to that, the more you want, the higher the price. M personal awful experience was being tossed back and forth between them and Grower's Choice over not one, but multibple defective lights and substition of items without any contact with me when the decided to because it ahd turned out, the item they were drop-shipping was discontinued but still on their website. I had multiple ROI-E720 UV kits show up with broken clips and they driected me to GC, GC just directed me back to them...It was never resolved after doing this a half-dozen times. The BAD situation, however was a DE fixture that was shipped with a lamp. First time I plugged it in, the ballast smoked out and the socket and plug on the ballest for power in melted and fused together. I reached out multiple times with pictures and never got any response. I used to buy there, I will not ever again. It;s been a while since all of theis hapened but I had to let people know, buyer beware becasue half of the time, they don;t even know if what the are selling is available. Support your local tomato growers' supply shop..... You may pay more up front, but in the end, it will be less.

6 Days after order, no shipping or tracking number, other hydro companies had already delivered their packages before these guys ever got around to shipping or updating the order.

Edit - After notifying me of delays they refunded shipping costs.

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.

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