Sunland Hydroponics - Sunland, California

Done H.

Horrendous customer service-their door will never see my shadow again!

Wow! This little boulevard store-front specialty gardening shop is lacking in some of the most basic business skills and with management that demonstratively cares more about retaliation to assuage a bruised ego than about winning over potential new customers by answering an honest question.

Right about now you might be thinking ‘Dang, that must have been some question!’
In a way it was, but mostly the question that I asked was simple, straight-forward, relevant to the business at hand and most of all— sincerely asked out of honest curiosity. Their response to my question is what earned them a lowly single star in this review—let me share my in-store experience at Sunland Hydroponics.

It was a Monday afternoon in which my daughter and I had been to several stores to gather supplies to put together a small hydroponics system. We are both total novices to the practice and went to Sunland Hydroponics based on a listing of ‘approved dealers’ of a particular manufacturer of a product I was looking to buy.

Finding them was easy enough as they are located on the major thoroughfare in their community; Foothill Blvd. Street parking was readily available and cost-free.

After locking the car and donning our face-masks, we head inside in search of planet food. Once inside, I notice several men talking amongst themselves near a service counter along the right side of the store. No one greeted or acknowledged us so we began browsing the products that filled several aisles to our left. About midway down our second Isle (of a bewildering variety of gardening chemicals) I noticed that none of the items that were stocked on the display shelves were priced. No shelf tags, no price tags, no signs—no nothing!

As we emerged from the aisle, a fairly young gentleman (who had been on the phone when we entered) asked if he could help us. ‘Great’, I thought and said, “ I didn’t see prices for anything in these isles, how do I know how much an item costs?”

He replied, “Oh, you just bring it up here and we will tell it to you.”

I was briefly taken-aback, but quickly recovered and asked the question:

“Do you seriously expect your customers to carry a bunch of bottles or a fifty pound bag off the shelf and lug it to the front counter everytime they are curious about the price?”

In response the “boss” stated, loudly “ YOU CAN’T COME IN HERE AND TELL ME HOW TO RUN MY BUSINESS. GET THE f**# OUT!”

I might have told him to ‘take a flying fark at a rolling donut’ or something similar; as we exited the premises. In hindsight, I should've told that guy that he was right-he doesn’t need any of my advice—he’s already doing a great job of running that business... into the ground.

I could think of a couple of reasons why a business might not obviously display a price for an item offered for sale—but to offer no prices is illegal (specifically, a violation of §12024.0 (a) of the California Business & Professions Code). I can also think of a lot of shady reasons to hide prices; like to charge some customers more than others (aka: price-gouging)-I wonder what an audit of prices charged to women-vs-men would uncover?

Bottomline: I suggest that you avoid this place unless desperate—and even then I won’t be going back.

PS: I did find a great spot nearby, I will post a review about them soon.

Me M.

I went in as a newbie and the guy behind the counter who was ordering people around like he was the owner made me feel bad for asking questions. I had to fight to get any help. It may be a good place if you know what you are doing.

LIGHTZOUT

So disrespectful and rude. Will never step in that shop ever. If I could give no star I would

Robin T.

Alot of haters posting reviews. I come all the way from fresno. Always good service for me.

Armo R.

Employees are always in a bad mood, and not very helpful. They don't accept any cards for payment. Prices aren't the best, but they are the only hydro store in the area.

Alan P.

Called to confirm they had an item. Assured me they had plenty in stock. When I arrived they said they didn’t have any. Waste of time and gas

Hot D.

Any "business" that doesn't have a functioning website is a total front. 👎

Young T.

Just moved out here from another state and have a lot of equipment for sale, any body needs it hit my up on ig…. Green_rabbit_grows