Comments regarding FarmTek Growers Supply

I was trying to place an order on their website, but it wasn't working. I called to get help in placing my order. Both people I spoke to were curt, unhelpful and condescending, and happened to be male. It was such an unpleasant experience that I decided not to place my order, and not to do business with this company again. I see this company only has 2 stars on glassdoor.com and I can see why.

The hoop house came with zip up door panels. The doors were impossible to anchor. They blew in the wind and the zippers soon broke. I recommend getting roll up doors installed from Atlas Greenhouses. They can be installed on these hoop houses.

The top of the hoop house collects water and stretches. Since there is no central ridge and the top is flat, it is difficult to stretch the plastic tight enough to prevent the top from catching water. Once it does, it stretches and then collects even more. I tried siphoning off the water from the giant bubble that formed, but eventually just gave up and punched a hole in the top. I recently had it recovered (in November) and now, 4 months later, am having the same problem. It is a poor design. It need a row of purlins along the top line in the center or a ridged roof to prevent water from collecting.

The shade cloth that was sent for my hoop house was too short and did not cover the space adequately. it was about 10 feet short of the hoop house length of 72' so that the ends are not covered. The shade cloth began to rip after 3 years of seasonal use and I had to sew it back together last year. It is now ripping apart at the seams again.

I ordered a commercial vertical hydroponic lettuce system, and some other items, on January 23, almost $5,000 in goods.. It had to be assembled, and the catalog warned that delivery might take up to 15 days. I was told that my credit card would not be charged until the item was drilled and shipped. The next day, I called to request that a different business credit card be used for the charge, (the first one had not been charged yet) but I was told that it was already "too late." But...the system did not come, and I heard nothing, for weeks. I began to call them, and the salesman tried, but he could not help. The items were finally delivered on February 27, over one month later,and when they arrived, the system was not correct-- being drilled 10 inches apart instead of 8 inches apart., I have not even begun to try to assemble this monster, which came on such a long palette (10 feet) we had to use a backhoe to get it off the truck with a lot of prayers.. Worse, the items were recklessly wrapped, looking like a 3rd grader did it, and cartons were smashed in and ripped open. The reservoir looks too large to fit under the racking, and the T5 bulbs are the teeny tiny ones, definitely not the ones shown in the catalog, and insufficient for my indoor grow---and I've got 48 of them. I hope this all that is wrong, but I should be selling by now...not assembling. These guys need some serious competition.

Posted on January 17, 2014, updated January 19, 2014
Purchased the professional cold frame for $595. What I received was unassembled and uncut parts. The polycarbonate panels need to be cut. The iron tubes need to be cut. This is insane. The total cost of the parts can't exceed $50. You'd think they could cut the parts and drill screw holes. Who has a specialized polycarbonate cutting tool for a drill? At the very least, the ad on their site should warn you that the assembly is 15 pages long and requires special tools and experience. I hesitate to try to build it now as I don't want to ruin the panels, etc.

On December 30, 2010, I ordered a professional 12 x 20 greenhouse kit for my small heirloom plant business. However, when the kit arrived, we noticed that the heater--which we had spent extensive time discussing with the customer service representative regarding propane versus natural gas--was not with the order. When we called, we were told it was not included. I reference the web page from which I ordered, which listed all of the components for the kit--and we certainly paid the price for the entire kit! We were told the heater would be shipped.

Well, the heater didn't arrive...until I called two more times. I was told it would ship...then it didn't. Finally, on my third call...the heater was shipped.

We proceeded to work on the greenhouse, only to find that 400 special washers were not included. We called..and they were shipped. Next, we discovered that the circulation fan that should have been included was missing. My husband called, we were again told (as with the heater) that it wasn't included, even though EACH COMPONENT was individually listed as included in the kit! Finally, we received the fan.

Two weeks ago, as we were hopeful to finally finish the greenhouse, we discovered that three PANELS were missing. PANELS. Something a bit necessary for the construction of the greenhouse. We were told the panels would ship immediately. Guess what? I had to call this week to find out where the panels might be, as I had not received a shipping notification. I was told there was "construction in the warehouse" and some orders were delayed. The representative was very pleasant and told me we would receive the panels, as well as the two additional "H channels" by Wedneday of this week.

Here we are, it's Wednesday...the panels arrive--and guess what? Instead of the "H-channels," which are listed on the packing list--and which we NEED--there a numerous random metal tubes. No H channels. I called and was told the H channels would be here by UPS tomorrow.

It is now May 23. I have 5000 plants languishing in my basement, small greenhouse, driveway...anywhere I can find light for them. We are in peak growing and selling season here in SC--and the ineptitude of FarmTek/Grower's Supply has seriously jeopardized my business.

Will the h-channels arrive tomorrow? Stay tuned to discover the continuing saga of trying to receive an order from this company.

Oh--interestingly enough, they had no problem billing our charge card for more than $4200 on 12/30/10. If only they could be so efficient at delivering their merchandise.

I would never order from this company. They refused to honor their advertised sales price when I tried to place an order and changed the excuses as to why they were not going to be able to sell an item for the sale price several times while talking to the customer service rep. This company has no idea as to the proper way of dealing with the public. I told them to take me off their mailing list. If any of you have a Growers Supply catalog that has an offer expires date of 3/26/11 and catalog pricing expiration of 4/15/11 why don't you see what price they give you for the garden starter greenhouse, stock number 104207. The catalog says "SALE $129.00" . The price they really are selling it for is $185.00 when you try to order it. The first excuse they gave me was that the sale expired. I corrected the customer service rep and let her know the sale price date in the catalog and the next excuse was that they could not guarantee their prices due to worldwide fluctuations in the price of steel. GIVE ME A BREAK! If you are going to make up excuses, at least stick to just one and make it a believable one. I don't have the time or the desire to deal with a company that will not sell items for the price they advertise.

I bought their cedar greenhouse. It was fairly easy to assemble, but the first good wind (perhaps gusting at 25 mph) that hit it blew the poly panels right out of the cedar frame. I spoke to them on the phone, and provided them pictures of the damage. I followed up with them three times over a two month period, and they refused to do anything about it. I would not recommend doing business with this company.

i bought a greenthumb greenhouse kit from farmtek in november. it is now february, i have yet to set it up. we have also been thru two deliveries. as it turns out the delivery company kept damaging the base kit. according to them it is just too long (24 X 12 ). farmtek has not been any help. they claim it is not their fault if the delivery company keeps damaging it. well, i feel they should be able to tell me that they can't guarantee safe delivery of the product at the time of sale. however, they already have my money.

The "Clearspan" greenhouse kit I ordered from Farmtek has been very difficult to assemble. Pieces do not fit together. I have hired 3 people to work on it and none of them can get it to work, Ive spent about $300 on labor and now I'm about ready to return it to them. I dont think I will ever be able to complete it. The company has been good to replace parts but they still dont work.