"Same experience as everyone else. Customer Service was horrible. Ordered three replacement parts (for something that wasn't working when originally shipped to us). WE paid the shipping for the replacement parts and to send the non-working parts back. The replacements parts were not what I had ordered or they didn't work and were obviously used. I would not recommend wasting your time with Silicon Solar."

"I placed an order last week with this company, and paid immediately via Paypal. They sent an email stating it would be 1-2 weeks. I emailed back to cancel the order, as they didnt state that at their website. I asked for refund to my Paypal. No response. I put in a dispute at Paypal. They answered and said they would cancel and refund. I waited 2 days, asked again for refund, then called them. They put me on hold for 10 mins. I called back and said do NOT put me on hold. I asked for a refund, they said that paypal said they couldnt refund my money due to a dispute. I told them it was THEIR dispute. They said there was nothing they could do. I immediately went to Paypal to file a claim, and they had, in that 10 seconds, refunded my money. Scary company to deal with. Run away! Run away!"

"I paid $3000 for a solar water heater. They never bother to send me confirmation of purchase. They sent me an email that someone would be calling me and telling me that there would be an extra charge for size. You would think they would have taken care of that at checkout. No one ever called. I called the company after 4 days and was told it was backordered two weeks.

After repeated emails and ELEVEN DAYS I sent them a letter purposely and carefully worded with extremely harsh language just to see if they were even reading the emails. I got a reply. Better yet I got a reply from the Co-owner of the company Matt Farrell (VP).

"The system you ordered can’t be delivered because the packaging design is still getting the packages broken while in transit through all of our freight forwarders."

First it's backordered, then it's package design. He didn't like my email, no surprise there. I didn't want to send it. But it got me what I wanted, which was where the #$@* is my $3000????

I don't feel this company is reputable. The president and VP are both just out of college. They have no clue how to run a company and it's obvious when you search.

“I’m not going to lie, I work a lot — probably from 8 a.m. until 1 a.m.” said Adam Farrell ’06. “But I party just as hard.”

Yeah that really sounds like a company president. I hope they don't decide to go public making statements like that. The stockholders will eat them alive.

I'd steer clear of this company until they grow up and learn what customer service is. I ran real risk of losing $3000 doing business with them. The number of complaints I found for this company is astonishing. Their attitude when I got the company VP's attention is even worse. He couldn't even locate the invoice and quite frankly gave me the impression he couldn't care less if he lost a $3000 sale. That's just astonishing. If I hadn't been prudent enough to write it down I would still be wondering where my money is.

You've been warned.

UPDATE:
As an update I have still not received my refund of my money in the amount of $3000.

I called today and first received an electronic transaction number where the money has been refunded by paypal. I immediately checked and no such transaction ID existed so I filed a claim with paypal. I got a call back within minutes of emailing their billing that I had escalated this to a claim and was told they were sending me a CHECK by DHL. Say what????? I paid electronically and they were mailing me a refund by DHL?? Ok I never heard of that before so I refused, not trusting them to send anything in the envelope. If I sign for it I would have to take them to court since they would immediately have proof they sent me "something". They got mad. I emailed the company VP again informing him of the fact if I didn't recieve payment TODAY I was calling the authorities and issuing a charge back through my bank to force paypals hand to speed this process.

This company is a complete FARCE! They need to be SHUT DOWN!! THEY ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!! WARNING!! WARNING!! WARNING!!

Do business with this comany at your own peril!!

UPDATE: July 5 2007

I got my money back only after paypal forced them to repay me and not before. They promised to refund me repeatedly but then finally flatly refused to refund me unless I lifted the dispute with paypal. There was no way in hell that was going to happen, so I got my money back when paypal literally took it back from them and gave it to me after an investigation. If I had been stupid enough to lift the dispute I would probably NEVER have fully recovered my $3000 without going to court.

I cannot stress enough to stay away from this company.

See my blog.
http://solardiy.blogspot.com/

I'm slow about it but I'm writing a blog to help the average person install CHEAP solar that actually works and my experiences with companies good or bad and their products. "

"I received my product! I got what I ordered. I'm not sure I would have if I did not come here to Resellerratings and complained first. However since I did receive my product, perhaps not as timely as I would have liked, I will know to expect that if I make another order. Which I won't mind doing since I did indeed get my order.

I am happy to have received my order. As a customer I'd definitely appreciate better customer service on the turn around, and at least a warning if the product(s) are not available currently or if there are any complications that will put a delay on my order before being charged.

I did not make any formal complaints to the BBB or any like organizations other than here before my backorder date (Giving the benefit of the doubt, I felt I might have been scammed at first but had no evidence). My order arrived a bit early today on June 18. I have not operated my product yet, but am confident that it will work as the carrier (DHL) delivered the package with no obvious damage. Any problems from here on out will be either manufacture defect, unforeseen damage from shipping, or user error. Given Silicon Solar customer service so far, I can give a relative good rating. I was able to get through to a person very easily using the automated answering service when I called. I was able to get info regarding my order using my invoice # and account at SiliconSolar.com and over the phone with no problems, except I was given a tracking number to my order before my order was even sent? Not really a concern except the # didn't work at DHL.com. I wasn't able to get a chance to use it while my order was shipped so I cannot confirm whether the # worked eventually after the order was processed into shipping after being on backorder. I can see where there would be slight mix up there and why my tracking # might not have worked for a while. I can only assume the tracking # was generated before the product was shipped some how. Phantom tracking #s throw up all kinds of red flags in my mind so from a customer stand point that's stressful especially given the track record here.

Bottom Line... At least the products are real and do arrive eventually.

:) Thanks for not ripping me off Silicon Solar! I hope you guys can get things straitened out before I make another order. You guys got some great prices!"

"My order was switched with the order of another customer. When I called about the mix-up, the customer service person said she would call me back because she had to "research what to do" in this situation.

It is difficult to reach an actual person when calling customer service, and when you do reach someone, you get the feeling that they are scrambling.

The "solution" to my order mix-up was not satisfactory. I needed a Night Pack for a 12-volt pump, and they sent me a 6-volt pack that would fit the original WRONG (mixed-up) order that I received. So I have a complete small-kit pump and night-pack, but it is not what I originally ordered, and I still don't have the night-pack battery for my 12-volt pump.

I wonder whether the customer in Brooklyn who received my order is satisfied with what he got.

I have no intention of ever dealing with this company again. If 15-year-old entrepreneurs who win college contests (research that) can start up a company, you would think that they could figure out how to give decent customer service. Maybe they are too busy with big contracts. They also have lousy spelling on their instruction sheets.

Next time, I will research a site before I order.

Update (6-28-07): In searching for other solar companies, I came across two sites that are also run by the Silicon Solar people, even though they have different names. Beware of these "troll" sites--check the phone numbers etc.

Also, I looks to me like some of the positive reviews on this page have been written by Silicon Solar employees themselves.



"

"Worst ever! Don't buy from these people! Their customer service is terrible. I ordered two products, one was backordered and one was damaged. They don't return emails. Wish I had read their reviews here before I ordered. If they actually read these listen up...chargeback, chargeback, chargeback.

That's the only way to stop people like this. When their merchant account gets shutdown maybe they will take note."

"My experience at Silicon Solar has been nothing less than terrible. I placed two separate orders for Solar Spot Lights (TechLights) and received them in a timely manner (though there was a note stating that even though the product was labeled incorrectly it was the product I ordered). Their website clearly stated the lights had a one year warranty. However after two weeks, one of them quit working. I called the company with my invoice number and after finally getting hold of customer service, I was told that I had no warranty because I did not send in the warranty card that was "printed on the back of my invoice" within 14 days of receiving the product. I explained that there was no warranty card printed on the back of my invoice (I have photo copies of the invoice) nor was their any such warranty card anywhere in the box the item was shipped in. I noted that on Silicon's website it says the lights have a one year warranty (no additional caveats stating you have to send in a registration card) and that I bought it directly from who I thought was the manufacturer, Silicon Solar, and had the invoice number that was less than three weeks old...why would I need to register the light in the first place? The customer service rep, Cody, told me I was out of luck since I had not registered within 14 days of product receipt...too bad. I asked to speak with a supervisor...she gave me an email address. I asked to speak with a technician and was told they have no live technician and the best I could hope for was to enter a ticket with their online tech and if I want, email their tech (gave me an email address). She became short and abrassive at this point (guessing they have alot of unhappy...ex customers like me). I opened two tickets, one three days after the first and never received a response on either. I sent emails to the tech directly and to the customer service supervisor...received no reply. I sent the company a registered letter requesting they fix or replace the light and have not received a response (even though I have the receipt that they signed for the letter). I just wanted an item barely out of the box fixed. I had planned on buying more lights from them...not after this experience! This doesn't seem legal...advertise a one year warranty and then tell me I have no warranty unless I send in a phantom card within 14 days??? My next letter will be a documented history to the Better Business Bureau and the New York State Attorney General's Office. I will also be contacting my credit card company and see if they are willing to charge back Silicon Solar for failure to deliver. Overall rating of this company is horrible. Do not use them! Their business practices border on illegal, their customer service is non existant (even though their website says customer satisfaction is a priority...what a joke), and their tech support is a sham. They should be shut down.

"

"I ordered a water pump and an ipod charger on April 24. My credit card was charged on the 24th or 25th. I got an e-mail from the carrier telling me that my product was "being processed". I talked to SS customer service, on May 4. They told me that the product was going to ship next week. So here it is well beyond the 2-5 business days, and nothing. I wouldn't have been so upset if they just told me it was back ordered, and if they didn't already charge my credit card.

They don't answer the phone, they don't answer e-mails. Apparently they do review this site. It's kind of like trying to fix the roof by water proofing the carpet.

"

"I ordered a solar security light on 11/18/2006, but it would not work, and I returned it for a replacement on 12/4/2006. The company did not send a replacement until 1/5/2007, which I received on 1/16/2007. It was obvious that it wasn't a new unit; it had been returned by a previous customer. Nevertheless, I installed it, but it didn't work right either. On 1/19 I called for an RMA number to ship it back and asked for a refund, but was told that I wasn't eligible because I didn't make return arrangements with 14 days of the ORIGINAL receipt of the product. After filing formal complaints with 4 agencies, including the FTC, the company informed me that they would replace or repair the unit. I opted for replacement with a NEW unit, not one that had obviously been returned. I have not yet received an RMA number to return the unit."

"Great selection of products, fast shipping and excellent quality. Have purchased solar from other vendors (in Florida) and didn't have the same luck.

Thanks, "

"I've had a good experience dealing with this store via email and telephone. They replied promtly to all my querries and the solar fountain I purchased works as discribed.
I would deal with them again."

"I purchased an 'AquaJet' solar fountain kit. After installation it quit functioning after an hour. After several attempts to contact Silicon Solar customer support, I eventually spoke to a young lady. She advised that I had received one of the pumps that they had had problems with and that they would ship a replacement unit as soon as one was available.
This unit was shipped APR 25 2006 and I installed it MAY 13 2006. It too ceased to function in less than two hours (2HRS)!
As of today, 18 MAY 2006 I have left three (3) voicemails with the necessary information! And so far, no response.
I have completed their on-line form and advised that I am about to suspend payment through American Express.
Based upon the above I strongly recommend that you do not do business with this company."

"Excellent selection of solar products. They provided me with great technical support and immediate order tracking information. "

" Charged my card yet failed to deliver or respond to two phone call messages and two email inqueries. "

"I complained about how hard it was to get through on the phone so I went there instead to see what was going on with my order. Turns out this company is no joke. They got trucks coming and out of this small office building, meanwhile as I'm walking up the steps, I look over and I see this huge building expansion to the side of an office building with pick up trucks all over the place of the front parking lot. I walk inside and phone ringing all over the rooms with people running around like wild rabbits. I caught a woman running through and grabbed her attention while she was on the phone. She asked for my Invoice number and she typed it in and quickly goes it will arrive at your house tomorrow because it left yesterday. I was like, thanks for letting me know. Went into their display room which they advertise as like 300 products and suprisingly looked at probably 150 solar garden lights. Had no clue they sold so many. So in summary for those of you who don't have time to read my story, i went there to complain and then realized this company is growing so I ordered some more products and had never seen a place so busy before. I'll be honest, these guys got something going and I wanna know when they start selling stock.
Nice people once I got to talk to them, and some awesome products."