Just learned a Christmas Eve lesson on cheap products...

jonnynobody

Well-Known Member
I've ordered minor stuff from htgsupply before and all was well. Good service, discreet shipping, reasonable prices...well I just ordered my first major component from them (well...major to me) which was their 6" air coolable euro reflector. I just got it in the mail along with my $45 htg 600w hps bulb and I should have listened to the guy at my local hydro shop who advised me they sell a lot of cheap imported junk.

I opened my euro reflector and the damn thing is in a dozen different pieces with like 12 different screws and matching wingnuts...nothing was really assembled. My flanges were packed inside the glass of the reflector which had to be dissasembled just to remove the damn flanges and then I had to dick with these stupid bolts and wingnuts and these super janky hangers that the hood is supposed to hang from, which I couldn't even get to hook into the holes of the flanges. I don't remember seeing anything on the webpage saying everything would have to be assembled and so forth so I was a little bummed....then when the hangers didn't work, I got even more pissed. HTG is a good co. but I think some of their gear is questionable. Personally, I wish I had just bought a nice prefabbed, full assembled hood at my local dro shop for another $50 or $60....

And I still gotta transfer over the actual light hardware to the new hood....not how jonny wanted to spend his half drunken christmas eve but ya live and learn eh?

Can anybody tell jonny is not the DIY type?

Anyhow, merry christmas everybody! no more bitching till after tomorrow :)
 

dbkick

Well-Known Member
anything I can buy, I buy locally from mom and pop, we even have a htg store here, they made my boycott list first visit. loyal to mom and pop since then and they've done me right, fuck the corporate fucks.
 

Corso312

Well-Known Member
The htg store in kazoo is pretty decent....the only thing I order online is beans....rather go direct to the store n beat em up on price n leave with something I am satisfied with .
 

jonnynobody

Well-Known Member
anything I can buy, I buy locally from mom and pop, we even have a htg store here, they made my boycott list first visit. loyal to mom and pop since then and they've done me right, fuck the corporate fucks.
It will be the last time I make that mistake. Matter of fact, I paid $140 for my inline fan which was about 40 more than I could have gotten it for online, but I chose to buy locally b/c the owner of the dro shop swapped out my $40 ph pen with no receipt, no questions asked, no argument. I though that was a character defining moment for me and for that reason, I don't mind spending a little more to buy local. If I'd have had to wait 5 days for my pen to come in, I'd have been up shit creek if my plants needed a feeding. If my fan ever goes out on me (saved my receipt this time) within my 5 year warranty, I have no doubt my buddy at the local shop would hand me over a new one without a question and he would deal with the warranty credit with the MFR.
 

Corso312

Well-Known Member
Just bought the six inch hurricane with a five year warranty for 120$....I don't save receipts ...no need to with the local shops.
 

jonnynobody

Well-Known Member
What was the total for the AC hood n bulb?
About $80 with shipping if I remember right. I'll tell ya, I bitched a river changing out my old hood w/ the new one. Had to re-situate my carbon filter, zip tie up a bunch of wires, re route a bunch of shit, water the plants, all while my wife's dinner was getting cold on the stove. There were many f-bombs dropped and it nearly ruined my night but alas, I had a half pint of courvossier (?) to recover with and I have to say - after looking at everything now that it's done, I'm actually quite happy with the purchase as the hood is solid, although I would definitely NOT do it again. I like more of a simple turn key type of setup...just easier that way and I don't mind paying a little extra for the convenience.
 

dwight smokum

Active Member
i like to look a feller in the eye and talk to him man to man when i buy somethin important..i live in a very small town and all merchants know me. if i say its fkd up its fukd up..i pay cash and never complain about prices. they are there to make a livin and i want to help them do that...i only buy out of town or online if i have to....trust is everything to me....when i first started i bought a light off htg and have no complaints....at the time i didnt know what a grow store was..lol....
 

FatMarty

Well-Known Member
I have to laugh loud at me.

I bought my hood with the intention of cutting it up and customizing it to fit my install.
I didn't have it 2 days before the warranty was null and void.
Same with the thermal blanket accessory: snip, snip, snip.
I'm super happy with mine though; so it not all for naught.

My friend asked me the other day when he saw me doing exhaust fan install,
"Do you have to make everything for growing?"
I said 'I think so; unless maybe you a got a tent in the middle of a room'.
This stuff really isn't Plug-n-Play.

Those 'V-hook' type hangers usually only slide in easy if they are inserted almost flat to the top to the holes in the hood.
It's kinda tricky until you figure it out.
A bit of a bummer for me this time around:
I knew how to install them all nice like, and did not need them, (because I built an aluminum frame for securing hood to ceiling this time).
 

djwimbo

Well-Known Member
I've been to the HTG in Kzoo, and my first impression was great. They gave my friend and I a discount on our first purchase, friendly staff, and very willing to help.
I like another local store a bit better, but that's only because the owner gives out a personal warranty on the ballasts. He will show up to the store at 4am if you're in desperate need and on a night cycle.
The HTG in Kzoo has the most inventory and the most helpful staff of any "hydro store" I've been to(Denver or West MI). I'm always open to reviews of others, but until they do me wrong I'm pretty sure I'll continue to be a customer. NTM they will beat anybody's prices, from other stores or even online pricing.
 

jonnynobody

Well-Known Member
Most local stores will match online prices if you just ask them.
I'm gonna match within 15% of online prices from here on out or they will send my business elsewhere....I'm all about local joints making a living but I don't want their kids getting braces with my profit :) Is that wrong?
 

Corso312

Well-Known Member
What store u like better wimbo? Agreed on the huge inventory @ htg in kzoo ...I like a huge selection to choose from...ever see colloidal silver for sale at a shop?
 

GreatwhiteNorth

Global Moderator
Staff member

Corso312

Well-Known Member
Thanks....that is all I seem to find online....not sure the ppm is high enough to be effective on making plants Herm or not....
 
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