ComplaintsforThe Hawthorne Gardening Company
Need to file a complaint?
BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process.
Complaint Details
Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.
Initial Complaint
05/04/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I recently opened a brand new Black Magic Seed Starter tray. (Distributed by Hawthorne Hydroponics Brands of *********, **.)Three weeks after starting my seeds, I discovered 5 or so gray, segmented worms, about 1/8 an inch long in the one plug from which my seeds did not sprout (Ive used only 4 plugs so far). The worms are alive and move around on the surface of the grow plug and probably through its interior as well. One of the plugs, now inserted into my Black Magic Grow pail, has had a seedling recently flop over, and it too has some worms in the plug. I can see worms in the other grow pail inserted grow plugs as well, but they are fewer in number and, for now at least, those seedlings are growing.Ive never noticed this problem with my aerogarden, which comes from the same corporate family. Aerogarden.com even sells some Black Magic products.When I tried to contact customer service via the only contact method available on their website, ************, all I get is music. Essentially, the company has done all they can to make themselves uncontactable by consumers.This is unacceptable, and I request the BBBs help in contacting someone at the company to find out if the worms are a feature, or a flaw, in their product. Im guessing it is the later as they appear to be damaging my plants and I was sold a non-viable product as a result.I therefore request a replacement with a viable product, or a refund.Thank you.Customer response
05/24/2023
I say this tongue in cheek, but you wrote not to include personally identifiable information in my reply, and yet you are asking for personally identifiable information . . .
I will comply.
See the header for the information you requested. I hope it works.
Thank you for helping.
*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩
BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.
BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.
When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.
BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.
As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.
Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating
Customer Complaints Summary
1 total complaints in the last 3 years.
0 complaints closed in the last 12 months.