Originally Posted by
snowking
The first place I ever went to was The Grow Store on Colfax (in Denver/Lakewood). On the plus side, it was October and they have a Fall sale where everything in the store was 40% off. Great time to be starting a new grow. Otherwise, I was warned ahead of time that the staff wasn't super knowledgable, and they are basically like fast-talking used car salesmen.
I went in there several times and had experiences that lived up to the rep. They always try to sell you the most expensive thing they can, regardless of whether it suits your needs. You tell them closet grow and you come out with an 8" Max Fan and a Can Filter 100. Ok, maybe not that bad. But, if you're new and don't know what you want or need, you will be steered toward the most expensive solution. If you point at anything in the store and ask any question about it, they will only encourage you to buy it. If you say "reflector", the knee-jerk reaction is to take you to the biggest reflector in the store and talk up a 1000w ballast right off the bat. The look of disappointment on the guys face was priceless when I told him I was only interested in a 400. Good thing I'm immune to peer pressure.
Also, they're return policy is draconic, as per usual. They clearly have a sign up that says "NO returns on electronics". I was having trouble getting some 240v outlets working properly so I ran out and bought some 120v ballast cords for $8 each. When I figured out my problem I tried to take them back and get a refund. I never used the cords, never took off the twist tie, never plugged them at all. That was a 10 minute conversation/disagreement. Me: "Technically it's not electronics. It doesn't have a circuit board, doesn't have any semiconductors, chips, or processors. It's inert. It's just copper wiring basically with a plug on the end. You can't break it." Them: "I'm sorry, we don't do returns on electronics". Me: "You're kidding me. I spent almost $2,000 in your store less than a month ago, and you can't do a refund on $25 worth of power cords?".
On the other hand, they have a satellite store at Federal and Belleview (I believe) and it's rarely crowded at all, and the people I've talked to there I've found to be pretty helpful.
Then I found Cultivate at 38th and Wadsworth. Those guys have been great. Now, I'm also a slightly more knowledgable consumer. But if I ask an opinion on something I feel like I'm getting a response based on some real world experience, not so much the price tag, including the occasional "I've never grown with it, so I just don't know."
When I've bought stuff at Cultivate that the sales people haven't used, they'll ask me questions about it. They want to know what my experience is with the products.
Also, I bought a 400w ballast and a reflector there, opened them up, and unpacked them. Then I switched gears and decided to go with a 600 and a larger reflector. They said pack it back up and bring it back, we'll exchange it for you, no problem. I had an easier time returning $400 worth of equipment at Cultivate, than $25 worth at The Grow Store.
They opened a new store near I-25 and Washington. Now the largest in the state. I have to agree with the OP, last time I went I had to park in the alley because their parking lot was all maxxed out. Are they busy? most of the time yes. But I will say that all the newer employees that I've met have been really cool. Also, they hired a guy in a wheelchair. If you're in one there is a much longer list of jobs you can't do, than jobs you can. In my opinion, props to them for giving a brother an opportunity, I think that's cooler than hell.
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