Reviews

Review Details

• Review fromJens B

  Date: 04/11/2024

  1 star
  We were excited to start our own Kombucha production and ordered a kit from Happy Herbalist. It was shipped in a timely manner. However, the pot shattered during shipping and we have tried to contact the Happy Herbalist multiple times for a replacement with zero response. In todays retail environment this is just absolutely unacceptable. ****

• Review fromDaniel N

  Date: 11/01/2022

  1 star

  Daniel N

  Date: 11/01/2022

  The Happy Herbalist, owned by ** ******, not only gives terrible customer service but also is inclined to steal your money when they send a defective product. I ordered their Kefir grains which came to me dead upon arrival, and ** ****** not only refused to replace the product, but also was extremely rude and insulting during our correspondence. I first attempted a 36 hour ferment per their instructions with no results whatsoever. Thinking that perhaps the kefir grains were slow to start, I retrieved them, rinsed them with milk, and put them back in fresh milk for a 48 hour ferment per their instructions. When I checked the kefir not only had nothing happened, but the milk had went rancid which confirmed that they were dead. I cleaned up the mess and contacted ** for some replacement grains (no big deal, it happens) but he completely refused to help me out in anyway shape or form. He told told me he needed a picture and without one he couldn't believe that I was able to observe that the kefir grains were dead. So he called me a fool, accused me of not following instructions, and refused to replace the grains, all with an attitude that beggars belief. Please heed this warning and just get your fermentation products from a different vendor.

  Happy Herbalist

  Date: 11/17/2022

  First and foremost we never insulted or name called any of our customers at any time - ever! We are a small mom & pop family business online since 1997.
  as per our online order form
  * No risk: Money Back Guarantee .. do not throw away anything until you confer with us.
  https://www.happyherbalist.com/kefir-live-milk-grains/
  Customer emailed us on Oct 31 at 6:09 PM and we responded within 5 minutes at 6:14 PM … Customer said his Kefir wasn’t working and we offered to help. The full email conversation is attached below.
  In this case stated He started the ferment per directions, then interrupted the ferment because he thought it wasn’t working, then it became what he referred to as “rancid” where we list twice on the directions he received that Not to Toss Out Anything until you contact us.
  Instead of contacting us (per directions) he threw it away and demanded another kefir.
  A “rancid kefir’ may be attributed to the kefir fermenting PAST the beneficial Kefir phase and going past that to the Curds and Whey then Cheese phase which are stated in our direction as to what will happen. Curds, Whey & Cheese is not “rancid” rather it demonstrates that the Kefir is active and fermenting. We note that the Curds, Whey and Cheese Phase (although beneficial) often has a stronger smell, and looks to the novice very discouraging - as in rancid to some. Home made kefir is a “Kodak moment “ and that is why we offer to help and guide our customers to a successful ferment.
  Additionally we have found that if we simply send out replacement after replacement - without communication , without seriously taking the time to review pictures, guide them along the fermentation process, they would simply keep making the same mistakes and never succeed.
  Our Published Warranty Information (from the Description page)
  * Free replacements shipped or purchase price refunded or credited as you choose per our Refund Policy. https://www.happyherbalist.com/shipping-return-refund-contact-information-policy/
  “ This is the form that you acknowledge on checkout that you have read and understand our policy on shipping and refunds and on communications between you and HappyHerbalist.com via email and, or text message regarding shipping or tracking, or any of our products and services and that we may communicate with you via email or text from the information you have provided. If you have any questions and concerns please use this form below.
   If for any reason you are not satisfied with any of our products you may return for a full purchase price refund or credit within 30 days after date of shipping by notifying us using this form.  We do not pay for shipping.  Items must be received in a good, sellable condition. and not damaged in any way. We do recommend items to be returned with a Tracking number and insured. 
  EXCEPTIONS: PROBIOTICS (Kombucha, Jun, Ginger Beer, Water Crystals, Japanese Water Crystals, Milk Kefir, Water kefir, Caspian Sea Yogurt)
  There are many dishonest people that try to take advantage of small businesses and have us send replacement after replacement, which is why we've had to amend our policies. Sometimes instructions may be confusing or people are unsure if it is working or not. Probiotics are a learning process that we would like to help each and every one of our customers with. Unfortunately we can't send a replacement without knowing your steps and attempting to help you through this. Sending us a picture via text (919-518-3336) is most helpful.
  Please contact us first using this form before tossing or giving up on your ferment. We will help you set up and establish your probiotic. After discussing the probiotic, the process, and potential changes to get the most out of your probiotic, if your reasonable expectations have still not been met, we offer a full refund (including shipping) or Free Replacement with no need to return the probiotic. If you receive our probiotic and have not used it, you can complete this form and return for a full refund--in this case, we do not pay for any shipping.  “
  Customer claimed they followed directions. However we clearly state multiple times and in multiple places - including specifically in our written directions - that if they have any questions or concerns to contact us and to send us a picture before tossing anything out.
  This notice is shown at least 7 times; on our Description page, on our Refund/ Replacement Page, on our email shipping notice, on the Order form, and on the packing slip included with every order, and 2X in our enclosed written directions. It is stated repeatedly in our free downloadable eBook, and an online Support Page. Plus we request a picture and description on every text and email from our customers who are concerned about their product.
  we have copies of all the correspondence, and our Guarantee is listed on several pages
  https://www.happyherbalist.com/shipping-return-refund-contact-information-policy/
  https://www.happyherbalist.com/kefir-support-page/
  We also have a copy of his order page that quotes
  Thank you for supporting our small family business.
  Questions about your order, please text 919-518-3336
  visit our Kefir Support Page
  https://www.happyherbalist.com/kefir-support-page/
  If you need any help on establishing your Probiotics text us a picture and let us know what’s troubling you. Please do not throw anything out without checking with us first.
  Free eBooks on all our ProBiotics available
  https://www.happyherbalist.com/books/
  Ed and Sued form our online order page
  https://www.happyherbalist.com/kefir-live-milk-grains/
  quote: * No risk: Money Back Guarantee .. do not throw away anything until you confer with us.

• Review fromPat K

  Date: 09/22/2022

  1 star

  Pat K

  Date: 09/22/2022

  I ordered a small hand held kombucha CO2 injector to add fizz to my homemade kombucha and it was a piece of junk as it would not turn off and used an entire CO2 cartridge for one glass of kombucha. I have emailed them to return it three times and filled out a return form with no response. It was not a hug amount of money, but no customer services or return offered. My next step will be to contact credit card company to remove charge from my bill.

  Happy Herbalist

  Date: 11/17/2022

  We did reply on Sept 12, as follows
  Our apology as we are not receiving any of your emails or text messages.
  I am checking with our technical Dept to see if there is any issues on our end adn will reply ASAP.
  One question did you use this form
  https://www.happyherbalist.com/shipping-return-refund-contact-information-policy/
  Or did you sign in as a customer and used that process.?
  Please state the reason for the return. We do accept returns (following the policy stated on this page)
  That was the last correspondence we had with our customer until this notice.
  As stated in our return policy customers are free to return any product
  https://www.happyherbalist.com/shipping-return-refund-contact-information-policy/
  If for any reason you are not satisfied with any of our products you may return for a full purchase price refund or credit within 30 days after date of shipping by notifying us using this form. We do not pay for shipping. Items must be received in a good, sellable condition. and not damaged in any way. We do recommend items to be returned with a Tracking number and insured.

• Review fromRobert H

  Date: 07/15/2022

  1 star

  Robert H

  Date: 07/15/2022

  It took 6 weeks to fill the order; by that time, it was over 115f in Arizona.
  my product was measured at 108f
  it's a milk product, no matter what nonsense he spewed, it's a milk product at 108f for 6 days. Sent the cheapest way you can ship anything.
  his answer was to try it and if you die or get sick he would refund it, but then the only way I could get my refund was to return the UNOPENED product at my expense, oh and I have many emails where it says refund "no questions asked" or how about "will refund and you can keep the product"
  in the end, I had to return the UNOPENED package at my expense before he refunded anything, of course, the shipping was my problem, not his!
  complete scammer selling a food product across state lines with zero precautions as required by federal and state laws.
  reporting to the ******* Attorney General as well as the **** and the **** tried to work with him and each email contradicted the last. Zero customer support just wants to sell as much as he can and cares zero about the customer

  Happy Herbalist

  Date: 11/17/2022

  Customer was notified that his order was on a waiting list - when he ordered.
  As we state on our website (and our customer was aware of this)
  "Worried about Heat
  Lactobacillus bacteria (Kefir Grains) can live and thrive from 41F to 138F."
  We guarantee that they will be healthy and make great Kefir.
  When customer received the package - unopened but when he informed his wife - she totally objected. (his words were slightly different). We replied that we would of course issue a refund - which we have done the day it was returned. We received the product in good condition and issued a refund (JUL 15, 2022)
  As far as the "cheapest way to ship" we offer several shipping options including Express Delivery. Customer chose the method and we shipped per his direction.