Hydroshop Talk

[FrankRizzo]

So I would like to start rounding up everything I need for my first project. I have spent waaay to much time on this site doing research on the set up I would like to run. I went to my first shop and was looking around yesterday. The guy there asked me if I needed help, I told him I was just looking. It was a small shop and a few minutes later he asked me what I wanted to/was growing. I kind of froze, just for a split second and then made up some bs about how I was sick of eating veggies from the store and I wanted to start growing organic veggies to eat and that I didn't have a back yard so I would have to do it inside some how. My questions are these:

-What are some plants that have similar requirments to mj? I have heard that tomato's need about the same environment. Are there others?

-What are some of the proper ways to talk to the guys in these places without giving out signals? I know NOT to be like, "Yo dude I want to like grow some killer weed and I wasn't sure was nutes to get." I have a feeling that the way I look alone might tip them off a bit. I doubt the guy cares but I would rather be safe than sorry.

I have gone to my parents house where there is a huge library of gardening books to brush up on my knowledge of other plants.

Lastly any other advise you guys/girls have would be great. I know the basics, buy in cash, don't drive your own car if you can help it, etc. But I'm sure there are some tricks I don't know.

Thanks FRizzo

 

[Guest]

dont tell them shit man get what you need(pay cash) and get out...they dont care nor want to know what you grow...

 

[Guest]

make your list check it twice then go to the hydro store get that shit and go home

 

[FrankRizzo]

Sounds good to me

 

[ourcee]

I've gotta agree with the other guy, figure out what you need, go in, get it, get out...

no need to sit and shoot the shit with the guys and I know you weren't, you got a few questions sprung on ya and had to react.

What I always do is tell my partner the story beforehand, as were driving to the shop etc.

I've been asked what I wanted to get so much equip for before (I was inquiring as to the price of a 240 site setup hahaha) and played it off as I was responsible for getting equipment for a local community college's horticultural department.

I always just say I'm browsing, if asked specifics, I never respond with something TOO exact and precise because if I mention something slightly different 20 mins later, it would raise flags...

seems like you know whats up though, best of luck

 

[JJScorpio]

If you go there and are unsure what to say, it is best to say you are growing tomatoes. In the shop I frequent, it seems to be the "universal meaning" for pot, lol.....

 

[Steaks]

or if you really wanna answer just tell them you are going to try a little bit of everything. Then buy a couple packs of seeds from em, and your good to go

 

[Guest]

i would tell the fucker to mind his own fucking business and ring me up...seriously i have never had one hydro shop dude ask me shit...they wanted my money and thats all.......yall must have some type of engaging demeanor or something

 

[high4twentydays]

don't talk to the guy at all. i understand he wants to offer customer service but jesus...i agree with brainthor...tell him to mind his own business.

there are 25,000 members on this site. someone'll be able to tell you exactly what you need no matter what the issue is.

peace,
H4TD

 

[ItsGrowTime]

The hydro store employees arent stupid. They know that the large majority of sales are for MJ growers and they don't care because they make plenty of money off us. I would be VERY suspicious if a hydro store employee was asking specifics about what I am growing since they know that if its pot I cant say it anyway. I probably wouldnt go back if that happened.

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

dont be so mean to the hydro guys.

the guy at the place i like hes younger and in college for botany hes hella cool and kicks me down with 'samples' all the time.

99% of them know what your doing there all u have to do is walk in.

ill usualy BS with my friend for atleast 20-30min just talk about deficancies, care soil vs hydro brand vs brand etc. cheaper ways of growing etc.

funny thing he describes the lucas formula to me without saying lucas.

how to do a killer grow w/just 3 part etc.

some places are very good and helpful some/others suck ass and guys will narc u out and shit.

i tell u i was ready to shit myself when my hydro guy gave me 2 gram samples of godsgift..
good stuff too. he cured it well.

i like shopping when he is there i get heavy discounts from him vs. the other guys who man the store.
i got my 600w galaxy digis for 200$each (4 of them) and he hooked me up on hoods lights etc.my recipt usualy shows a 25-30% discount.

just my story about my place.

 

[Guest]

dont tell them shit man get what you need(pay cash) and get out...they dont care nor want to know what you grow...

Exactly what I was going to say.

 

[bounty29]

Sounds like your hydro shops are real uptight, it's too bad. The guys that work at my local one are a wealth of information, and don't endorse or sell products they haven't tested themselves, which is a great way to do business. I've only been a few times, but I've learned something each time I've visited. Obviously pay cash and don't talk about weed, but damn, there's no need to be a dick while you're there.

 

[Guest]

yeah i live in one of the largest cities in the u.s.....so yes every one is pretty uptight...peace

 

[bounty29]

Wouldn't that mean more people = less chance of being singled out? The only part about going to the hydro shop that I don't like is taking my own car, but each time I go there I see old ladies there, and people that very clearly aren't there for weed, and it never feels like people are skirting that subject. I guess my hydro shop is pretty legit when it comes to customer base? The guys that run the place worked closely with Dr. Luther Thomas (http://www.growingedge.com/magazine/comp_index/view.php3?author=Dr.+Luther+Thomas) and are really into plants in general. It's great to see people so enthusiastic about growing veggies and stuff.

 

[GI-DRO]

dont go in the store like your doing something wrong, just shop like you would normally do. seriously, unless they're real pricks, they dont give a flying fuck what you grow.

if you do take your own car, just dont go straight to where the garden, make a few stops prior to going to the grow.

 

[British_Bulldog]

^^^ Some cool and some not so cool accounts of hydrotalk there - if I didn't think there was police in the shop, I've always taked quite opening about growing MJ with the owners/employees of stores, some of them have been (very) interested in what I've got to say about growing, and some have clearly just wanted to do business, however this was in the UK and Holland though! Where the laws are very different to the States, etc, of course.

'Always parked my grow-registered car outside the front of the shop too!


I think the main rule wherever you are, it's to gauge the situation for what it is - having old grandmas and retired folk, and straight heads, buying veggie growing equipment around you and talking about your latest elite MJ clones and clear dome bubble hash isn't exactly wise!

If I was in the States, I would definately take a lot more caution if buying hydro equipment.

I've also heard about a lot of paranoid people in the States avoiding using hydroshops altogether, and home building equipment available elsewhere, from regular stores/garden stores. I believe you can also get GH nutes from regular garden stores in the US.

Home building also happens in the UK, but not very often for hydro equipment, as it's more tricky to get good materials/ferts, etc, but more for organic grows.


Peace

 

[macster]

Look, these hydro stores owners are far from stupid and they know what side they're breads buttered on therefore everyone knows that 80% of the guys business is pot growers and they don't really want to know specifics. So as was mentioned earlier say I'm growing tomatoes (wink,wink) and its all good.
I only think the time you got to worry about the owner spilling his guts about you is if he's/she's been popped by leo and is co-operated with leo for a lighter sentence.

This is less likely to happen in Canada as the original sentence is small to begin with and you dare not rat people out over a condition discharge or a years probation.

 

[FrankRizzo]

Went to a new shop today. The last four times I have gone to this place in the last month during posted open hours it has been closed. They where over one hour late in opening today. I driven a long way and walked down the block to their sister shop to find out if there where even going to open. While I waited over a dozen people showed up wondering wtf was going on. Just watching I could tell these guys were not into growing veggies. One guy even yelled
"How the f!uck am I going to grow dope when this place never is open?" slammed his car door and peeled out of the parking lot. Idiot
Anyways I got to see more if the general type of people going to these places and with the things posted here I now feel much more at ease going shopping. Thanks

FRizzo

 

[QueenofGreen]

Well, of course the people in hydroshops know whats up. But it never hurts to be careful. It's fine to chat and ask questions as long as you don't say exactly what plants you're growing.
And it is always best to figure out what you need before you go in.

But, some plants they regularly grow in the hydroshop here are tomatoes and peppers.