horrible experience

Grandmah said:

I agree. Customer service should be a priority. Just because it's hadn't shipped in two days though doesn't mean they should have given you a discount to purchase a bigger light but they could have definitely been nicer about it. It's unfortunate. Remember that sometimes cucumbers taste better pickled

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Yes but I am confused? Since it did not ship out, within those two days I was informed it would be sent out 22 August. I do not want facts to get misconstrued here. This is why I offered to pay more for a discounted light or I expected my full refund...

Sucks to hear, i too rememebr some attitude for my order.
The led community is small so im sure they probley already read this thread and kicking themselves for not thinking twice.

Skip the aa51!
Build it yourself!!

foreverflyhi said:

Skip the aa51!
Build it yourself!!

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Honestly.... best advice. who needs shitty customer service? Go get an apache or make it yourself IMO.

That's a bummer man. I don't see anything wrong with seeing if they would switch out your panel for a bigger panel with a little discount or something for your troubles. A lot of companies do things like that for their customers to make sure that they become returning customers. If they didn't want to do the deal, all they should have said was that they couldn't do that, not be dicks about it. That's just smart business. Customer service should always be a priority and customers should be given respect. Without the customers, they have nothing. Hopefully, you'll find something better, my friend.

vitamin_green_inc said:

Yes but I am confused? Since it did not ship out, within those two days I was informed it would be sent out 22 August. I do not want facts to get misconstrued here. This is why I offered to pay more for a discounted light or I expected my full refund...

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Waiting weeks as apposed to days does suck and it sounds like you were in a rush to use it so I understand. Maybe you'll consider the Hans panel.

vitamin_green_inc said:

I do not want facts to get misconstrued here. This is why I offered to pay more for a discounted light or I expected my full refund...

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One thing I'm trying to understand: When it reached the point that the RW-75 couldn't be shipped until the move was completed, was this because the move prevented them from shipping until they reached their destination? Or, was it because they were out of stock (perhaps making an inventory mistake, that it wasn't even sitting there waiting for UPS? Just out of stock?).

If they couldn't ship anything until they reached their final destination, I can see how it might sound odd that you're upset that you can't wait 2 weeks while at the same time suggesting you can wait if it's a larger light for less.

Sorry. I'm not trying to take away from your experience. Just trying to keep in mind there are two sides to every story.

az2000 said:

One thing I'm trying to understand: When it reached the point that the RW-75 couldn't be shipped until the move was completed, was this because the move prevented them from shipping until they reached their destination? Or, was it because they were out of stock (perhaps making an inventory mistake, that it wasn't even sitting there waiting for UPS? Just out of stock?).

If they couldn't ship anything until they reached their final destination, I can see how it might sound odd that you're upset that you can't wait 2 weeks while at the same time suggesting you can wait if it's a larger light for less.

Sorry. I'm not trying to take away from your experience. Just trying to keep in mind there are two sides to every story.

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That's what I don't understand either...I don't know how business pickup works honestly, but couldnt they have just driven it to the store or hub? Idk about that. BUT The more I think a bout it the more I believe they sold me a light they did not have, which leads to scruples or lack thereof of a company that is supposed to be pretty transparent...

I still wanted to work with A-51 and their products, and if they gave me a discount on a bigger light, I honestly would have jumped on it. In the meantime I am supplementing with 50ish watts actual CFL and I have a 100w actual led panel already. I actually just "upgraded" to a 2x2 and have a 100w led, so I needed another of equal size or 1 bigger.

I placed my order before the website even said they were closed, and expected the light by this weekend....I have come to understand more as I research that I could get away with the supplemental CFLs for two weeks.

I am also thinking longevity and know there will be harvests after this, so was wanting the bigger light for the future, and if it was offered at a discounted price because of the horrible service I had received, keep in mind that a-51 has had my money since Monday, then I was willing to wait the 2+weeks. Or I offered the refund option.

My issue is that the reply email was both sarcastic and patronizing, and when I only replied with a "Thanks" the owner could not resist a parting shot by ALSO LEAVING A NOTE ON THE REFUND basically saying the same thing.

People are concentrating ON the fact that I didn't get a bigger light for cheap, but I have not once said that was the reason of my complaint.

My complaint was with the attitude and respect, or lack thereof, that I received when I continued to inquire about my unit AFTER I had paid, AND I got flak like I had done something wrong.

If you look at my OP I first said that I know a-51 is a good light, and this isn't me saying stay away, but this is just my experience. At the end before I posted my OP, I went to check that indeed mg refund had been returned. I had gotten my refund but also recievdd another childish note on there. That is what broke the camels back and made me include the last paragraph in my OP to stay away.

Oh you just sent money Monday? Not taking away from the bad experience but I don't care who the company is never order before relocation especially down to the wire like that. Learned that the hardway with aftermarket parts. Still doesn't make up for what happened but knowing that was the case since its been the heading on the site for a while now I would hand either planned to compensate in the mean time and waited until after the move, or ordered an onyx. Well guess onyx is still in your deck of cards unless you go diy. Sucks you had a shitty experience. But somewhere out there is a pissed off customer with any company. hopefully no one else has a similar experience though.

Yeah, I just figured it would be okay since the website said all orders had to be in by Tuesday to ship Wednesday...I was a whole day early! Haha

Yah...I don't support idiots either

Take your money elsewhere.

Reminds me of hgl. How cammie said stupid stuff...then meanbean her pr guy said stupid stuff....then all of a sudden a new pr guy with overcompensating politeness.

Fu**ing clowns...

I hate to even get involved in these things

Not sure I respect the companies that keep quiet either. Watching what's going on but not contributing.

My money goes to the people that contribute and don't need lessons in being respectful.

So what companies does that leave? They all feel they have something special yet they all shop at the same stores?

If you ask me....they all suck right now. I actually back hans panel if anything. His design...his work with spectrums,,,shared FREEWARE style...rarely a complaint. That's my kinda guy..

DIY until the right company comes around that's worth supporting.

Edit.....

To be fair. Area 51...rapid led onyx....advanced xte....apache....they are the highest performing leds right now commercially. Nother' league from hgl. I just have impossibly high standards on what I expect from humans sometimes.

So, you left it til the last moment to order something from a company that's moving. There was a small hiccup in the shipping process. You then seize the opportunity to threaten them " give me my money back or give me a better light for cheaper then the market rate". Seems like YOU are the one who blew this out of proportion.

Grandmah said:

Well what can you do when the package isn't picked up? I don't see why they, Area 51, would sell you a bigger light at a discount because of something they had no control over.

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UPS picks up all the packages that are put out for them. The drivers have to go back out and make another pickup if you call and tell them they forgot one. They're really good about this. I think they are just passing the buck. Getting shitty with you was unprofessional.

I work at a factory/warehouse. In fact im a supervisor there. Ill tell you now they didnt give two shits and a whistle about what you wanted. More then likely they didnt have it to begin with. They probably were leading you on to begin with. Hoping you would just fold to their words. My guess is they were waiting for the item to be made or a truck to arrive with your item on it.

But since your not saying what the paypal note said. Then i bet they are losing business hand over fist. Your probably not the only person that has experienced this your probably among a couple hundred others that got fucked over.

As for last minute shopping on their website. A buyer is not at fault the company is. They should of planned better. Seems like that 20 grand education their parents paid for really paid off. When one does not work for something they get they do not respect it. Thats what happened here they didnt work for your money in the beginning so they didnt respect it in the end. IMO

LOL I hate to be that dude, but could we get some shots of the email/s or something?

I was actually just admiring the old "AF" models.. Dude has been able to piece together some of the best lights for a couple years now..

I know he deals with a lot of people all day, and guessing from your line about "finally at 5 pm central, after business hours, I email, them saying something to the effect of I guess they forgot my package?" I'm guessing you may not have been as pleasant as you're making it out..

What do I know/care though.. You could have been the nicest guy in the world.. Throw a shot or two up of the exchange so everyone can make a fair assessment..


Sorry to hear you weren't able to get your lamp..

Really? I mean I can sure if yiu WANT to be that guy Which part do you not believe/need to see?

How about the part where you ask for the discount.. and his response if it wouldn't be too much trouble lol thx

blowincherrypie said:

How about the part where you ask for the discount.. and his response if it wouldn't be too much trouble lol thx

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Agreed.

And I could careless about brand loyalty. Yes I have A51 lights but that's just because i felt I could trust the quality. Only reason i went with the RW over the onyx for my second light was because DB was having heat issues and lights shutting down at the time that was since resolved for him. I didn't want to deal with that.

Like mentioned earlier every story has two sides. Well to me it's 3 sides; Your side, their side, and the truth. Because out own perceptions form biased opinions. I'm guilty of that as well. What Browncherrypie is saying is not that he doesn't believe you, I'm sure he could care less but since it's being aired out in the public eye why not show the story? Shows what you said and what he said and how it actually went down. Nothing against you just we are all human and any one of us can be irrational or exaggerated or blind to certain things at times. I know I have and I know I will be again. LOL Not saying that's the case here, but for all we know... well we don't know anything other than what you've said here. I know if I were done wrong or felt I had I would have no problem being "that guy" and show the world what a dick someone can be. Way I see it, you don't want put on blast don't do shady shit to encourage such. LOL

s0ur said:

I really like my onyx led I have 2 bloom and one veg talk to mike @Rapid led and he will give you a great deal

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They deal with customers like they want to keep them. Go Rapid.

Just to put a timeline beforehand.

This is the last email chain which was yesterday, Wednesday. They emailed me at 11 something telling me UPS forgot my package AGAIN and told me I would be receiving an email update in an hour...well 5 pm central time rolls around, which is 5-6 hours later and I emailed them the I ssume my package did not get picked up?
I then didn't revive a reply till 4 hours later about 11 pm saying no it would be shipped out when they arrived at the new local. I was heated and here is my email and his response. I just said thanks, idk if you can see that part.

I would like you to then go to my OP after you read these emails and then see where I stopped my OP after saying this is just my experience and I can't NOT recommend their lights because they are good. I edited it becuaee after I wrote the OP before I posted it I went on PayPal where the owner had indeed sent my refund, with a comment about how I guess milk is more expensive than you thought and don't stress so much life is short or something.

I don't think I can give you an screenshot of that though too much private info

Remember when you read his response that I had in fact paid on Monday, and their website said nothing of being closed, in fact of you had been on there recently it said something to the effect of order quick before the 12th and you will get your package or wait till the 22nd.
I refused to rise to his bait though and left the thanks email, which was oh so hard to do, but I decided to vent my frustration on here.

I understand that y'all only got to see one side of the story, but I WANTED THIS LIGHT Y'ALL! EVEN AFTER THIS WHOLE CLUSTERFUCK I STILL WANTED TO SPEND MORE MONEY WITH THESE PEOPLE.

I have no reason to lie, and of course of you are not directly quoting things can get embellished, bit I believe throughout all of my posts on this thread I have done a pretty good job of controlling such urges, and honestly don't even think I have badmouthed them too bad. Again i want to point out that I have not truly complained about the extra light, the reason i came on here was to tell others, and then a-51 had to keep poking me with the note on my paypal...
Regardless, here ya go!

vitamin_green_inc said:

Just to put a timeline beforehand.

This is the last email chain which was yesterday, Wednesday. They emailed me at 11 something telling me UPS forgot my package AGAIN and told me I would be receiving an email update in an hour...well 5 pm central time rolls around, which is 5-6 hours later and I emailed them the I ssume my package did not get picked up?
I then didn't revive a reply till 4 hours later about 11 pm saying no it would be shipped out when they arrived at the new local. I was heated and here is my email and his response. I just said thanks, idk if you can see that part.

I would like you to then go to my OP after you read these emails and then see where I stopped my OP after saying this is just my experience and I can't NOT recommend their lights because they are good. I edited it becuaee after I wrote the OP before I posted it I went on PayPal where the owner had indeed sent my refund, with a comment about how I guess milk is more expensive than you thought and don't stress so much life is short or something.

I don't think I can give you an screenshot of that though too much private info

Remember when you read his response that I had in fact paid on Monday, and their website said nothing of being closed, in fact of you had been on there recently it said something to the effect of order quick before the 12th and you will get your package or wait till the 22nd.
I refused to rise to his bait though and left the thanks email, which was oh so hard to do, but I decided to vent my frustration on here.

I understand that y'all only got to see one side of the story, but I WANTED THIS LIGHT Y'ALL! EVEN AFTER THIS WHOLE CLUSTERFUCK I STILL WANTED TO SPEND MORE MONEY WITH THESE PEOPLE.

I have no reason to lie, and of course of you are not directly quoting things can get embellished, bit I believe throughout all of my posts on this thread I have done a pretty good job of controlling such urges, and honestly don't even think I have badmouthed them too bad. Again i want to point out that I have not truly complained about the extra light, the reason i came on here was to tell others, and then a-51 had to keep poking me with the note on my paypal...
Regardless, here ya go!

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That pretty much settles it for me, I too will take my money elsewhere. I can't believe the unprofessional bastards called you dude.