Hello, guys! First post :O Finalizing my setup before I file a growing journal. I have encountered some Europe-based company (I am from EU) that can FUCK you up big time. It did me in :/ (even though they HAD the best deal for me, so I think it's appropriate to post it here).
So the story goes like this: I did my research, picked lighting system (kit) (that's what I was shopping for, light, reflector, ballast, etc. all in one compatible package), and picked a company X (to be revealed in the end). They ship from UK. They had a sale for digital ballast that was perfect for me. They offered free shipping for deals over 150 euros. Also 2-3 days delivery (they call it "Express Delivery" under shipping method). I qualified for all that, and also had a code so that took 10% off the price. I was happy, excited.
The first sign that it is BULLSHIT dawn on me after my already-PAID-for package was still marked as "new" in their system after 2-3 working days. I emailed about estimate of delivery. Some 1 line sentence was the reply; seemed like copy/paste to me.. It referred me to their online order status tracking system (well that's WHY I contacted them in the first place, because that fucking system of theirs stayed "stoned" for 3 days for my order!). Well it still got NEW status. No explanation whatsoever. I specifically checked that all individual items are "in store!". They were.
So anyway I got an email (which seemed copy/paste to me, because it was generally phrased to meet many circumstances, IMO) a 0-1 day after I received my initial response, 3-4 days from payment. That email implied that I was suspected of FRAUD! And I was to send them photo-copy of my passport and "bank statement". WTF is the latter I am not sure. To make it short (and not to disclose too many details about myself
I'll just say it is not local bank (actually US-based) I am using. BUT it is 100% legit, I paid with that CC over interwebs a few times. BUT I can't just go and get my statement printed for me or whatever: firstly, as I've said, I don't know what the fuck is that EXACTLY! (and this company X didn't elaborate on that for me), but well don't believe it is technically possible for me to have something like that for me (read on for clarification, it'd be something like getting a 'statement' in paper from paypal when you live in the middle of nowhere, or where-ever, for that matter). So I explained that to company X. I could have sent my passport photocopy, in theory, not sure I'd wanted to though! So anyway as I've said I explained my situation in great details via an email reply to them (those who classified me as THIEF) and asked if there could be some other way to sort this out (order was worth a little over 150 euros, so not like I am ordering 20 K worth of equipment...). No reply.
I was first semi-consciencely (sp!) convinced that this company is 'a bummer' when oh this is a gem, IMO, they said I had 48 hours to comply to their BULLSHIT requests... after they took like 72 hours to simply reply to "when am I getting my fucking parcel?" question... I mean they take their time of 3-4 work days to initiate that BS and I am left with 2 DAYS? How fair is that? Just an off-point. I don't care if they offer me a year, I will probably ain't sending them my identity photos. I mean in retrospect it signaled me to drop those guys the fuck off my dealers list!
But I waited, took 30-60 mins of my workday to just put out a good argument against their bullshit claims of theirs that I am a THIEF. Explained situation in details. Asked for advice if this can be resolved. Man did I get (did I, really...?) shocked when I yesterday I simply saw CANCELLED on my order last evening. No email reply to mine. Just those fucks cancelled it. AND my money, which were 'reduced' (grammar) from my CC were not yet credited back to me at that point. They weren't today. So I am doubtful about ordering from another company what I needed. Because those imbeciles could change their mind again and send me the system I had wanted. But I did order in the end. Just on the basis that if they fuck me off my 150 euros they will fucking regret it.
So I should have had HPS lighting by today. I got nothing (well except some lame CFL from local store). I ordered from
www.hg-hydroponics.co.uk today, then had a good price, and they even say they would be willing to lower it just to provide the best deal. I thought it was a good deal and didn't bother bartering for -10euros
They also explicitly say they ship discretely (lol was I shocked when my grow tent arrived with the brand name on the cardboard box... from another place).
So I wasted basically nearly 2 weeks (because it's Friday already) because of that fucking
www.hydroponics.eu I advice everyone to stay clear of those fucking frauds, or at least add +2 more weeks on top of their "3 day delivery" bullshit claim (and be prepared to send your ID to them to, so it can be just a little bit easier for you to get busted.... I must say it must have been my most unsatisfying online try-for-a-deal ever. No exageration (sp!)
P.S. As you can tell by my nickname, I "just roll" with it. I don't plan 1 year ahead. Not even month ahead, actually. If I got a month to solve the problem I will do so at the end of it. That's me. So my plans included (grammar?) me getting HPS lighting system first half of this week. And now I am fucked, because some of my seeds are already broken through the soil, and I still have to stick to my cheap temp CFL lights that are not of correct spectrum for veg, just because those FUCKS didn't think it was a good idea to simply COMMUNICATE with customer, especially when the customer initiated the talk. That's some fucked up shit, IMO, and please take that into account when ordering from that company X, or just add 2-4 weeks on their estimated delivery.
P.S.2. the company is
www.hydroponics.eu