Critical BuildASoil reviews
Every review rated 1, 2, or 3 stars — 489 total. We publish them all, unfiltered, alongside the positive ones. A growing product that works perfectly for every customer every time doesn't exist, and we'd rather you see the whole picture.
228 3-star·96 2-star·165 1-star·1.8% of all reviews
A note from BuildASoil
Over the last 13+ years, we've grown into a much better company — and a lot of that growth came directly from our critical reviews. Every 1, 2, or 3-star review on this page taught us something. New formulations, better packaging, improved shipping, clearer instructions, stronger customer support — almost all of it traces back to a customer who took the time to tell us what wasn't working.
If you haven't tried BuildASoil in a while — or you tried us early on and it didn't go great — we'd genuinely love another shot. We get better every year, and we have the receipts to prove it. See what's new at buildasoil.com →
Showing 126–150 of 158 critical reviews
Dex
I wasn't necessarily in the market for a "soil symbiot" when I purchased a beauveria bassiana product, I was looking for something to help control root aphids. BaS later informed me via email that they make no claims regarding this product's effectiveness as a biological insecticide, and that's cool, but had I known that I wouldn't have purchased it. The customer reviews here paint a very different picture. As for me, 7 weeks and multiple applications later I'm seeing zero results. Perhaps the beauveria spores are indeed engaged in some manner of symbiosis with something within the soil web, I genuinely can't tell, but they aren't infecting any soft-bodied insects with muscardine, at least not in my garden.
on BuildASoil Beauveria Bassiana Plus →Totally understand. The product we offer is more potent than others labeled for pesticide but we don't make any claims because we don't sell it for that purpose. But, either way, all I'm getting at is that it's not a problem because the product is different. Would love to help if you have further questions.
Jack F.
Tweetmint contains Sodium Borate (Borax)
A little bit is ok but over time the Borax will build up on your plants and in your soil...In larger amounts, Borax is very bad for plants......
So you need to be very careful with Borax or best avoid it altogether..
on Tweetmint Enzyme Plant Wash →Boron is one of the most important micronutrients and the amount used in this product is minimal and will not build up or cause issue. This is one of the reasons it works so well along with the enzymes that cause insects to molt.
Daniel P.
1 cf loaded with twigs not worth shipping cost
on Oly Mountain Fish Compost →This is a hardwood compost and that's where the value lies! We back our products 100% so please let me know if you have photo's or have previous experience with this compost and feel it isn't up to par. We will not leave you hanging.
Unanimous
Not recommended. This doesn’t include EVERYTHING that you need. You’re plants will suffer if you don’t use more inputs. Love the idea of it but it’s a pipe dream to be honest. This is just my experience.
on BuildASoil Craft Blend - Nutrient Pack →Jonathan S.
Dry and did not outperform any other "cheap" alternatives. Was hoping for a lot more.
on #1 BuildASoil Worm Castings →Blaine B.
Haven't had this Silicon a week. How do you think i can rate it?????
on Agsil16H Potassium Silicate →Daniel S.
It's been almost 2 weeks and I still haven't received my worms even though I paid for two day shipping
on Worms: Red Wigglers →Ido S.
Was given a 25 lb bag that was marked 50 lbs... This threw off our farm's feeding schedule. The actual quality of the seeds was good, but from now on the seeds will be bought from the local brew shop for half the price and with the correct weight.
on Malted Barley Grain for SST - Certified Organic →Scott B.
Well, I put in a $3000 order for Malibus and a bunch of amendments, paid the order in full on May 24, 2016, and now today is June 12 and my order is still not here. All of a sudden, 10 days after my order was paid, i still had not received any notification as to the status of my $3000 dollar order, so i decided to call. At this point, I was told Malibus had been on back order for a week and somebody should have told me that when I ordered it. Well, the guy that told me that was the same person who handled my order the whole time!! Imagine my surprise when he told me this 10 days after spending $3000!! So once my order finally shipped out June 7, TWO WEEKS AFTER I SPENT 3000 DOLLARS, there were more issues with the shipping company missing two pickups, and like i said its been almost 3 weeks. Customer service is the most important part of an online business and I have been seriously let down this time. I have ordered from Buildasoil for over 2 years and not once did I EVER receive any apology for the handling of this order. Disappointing
on Malibu Compost →Michael M.
The seal is weak and let's alot of air leak from the tank. In order to avoid this I had to remove the seal from the lid and place in again . And this is with lid tightened properly, or so I thought so. I would like some advice on a possible solution or I need to know the return policy on this item. Other than that one item , you guys are excellent and I look forward to future purchases with your company.
on Chapin 6-4627 Seal And Gaskit Kit →Kasey Z.
I do not recommend this pump. I have roommates so I can't even use it due to the volume, really disappointing. It also gets so hot I can't hold it. Its not returnable either.
on Commercial Air Pump For Compost Tea →Clayton G.
I placed an order on Friday the 13th (go figure) and still have not even received shipping confirmation. I thought worms shipped out the following Monday/Tuesday after orders are placed?
on Worms: European Nightcrawlers →Alan W.
I ordered and received a 1 CF bag of BAS worm castings. What I got was a large bag of dried up dead microbes. The opposite of how this product is described in the product description. Nobody was a bigger supporter of BAS until now. I did send a note to customer support and Josh answered with "Really it's just the top of the totes that comes in dry and I think you received one of those bags." But that's it, no replacement offered?!
I've spent my last dollar at buildasoil.com. Pity too, I really liked all of the products and it was so convenient to shop the website because everything I needed was there and now I gotta find something or someplace similar. I'm sorry but I just will not accept poor customer service ever.
on #1 BuildASoil Worm Castings →Humberto O.
Unfortunately I have to give you guys a poor review because I have not even received my order. I called yesterday to follow up since the shipping label had been created over a week ago, but no further progress showed up when tracking. Turns out my package had been forgotten about and had not even left your facility. Pretty disappointing.
on Karanja Oil - Wild Harvest From India →Benjamin B.
There is only one thing I can say negative about the soil and that is that it exploded with gnats, not really earth stopping for me. The recent change to not offer free shipping has priced Build a Soil out of my closet. My last order the price was $50, this one $47 to get exactly half of the amount. This may not be near as much as others spend on Build a Soil but it is now more than I will spend again. I wish you luck in your Business.
on Living Organic Soil - Oly Mountain Compost →Christopher R.
I am yet to Recieve the package after 10 days ! This is unprecedented in my dealings with both ups and buildasoil. can you guys help me figure out what going on
on Essential Oil Blend →Steven V.
I personally found it to be completely useless.Was way to hard to keep your eye in the little spot for viewing and trying to focus on a plant. for still viewing on a solid table its ok.
on Pocket LED Microscope →These products are only designed for use by removing a leaf and setting the leaf on the table to inspect.
Tanner B.
Really bad shipping time! Never got product. I sent a email asking about this and you send me this review email! I was about to place a $300 buck order sure am glad I just went to my local store rather then order from you guys
on Neem Oil - Wild Harvest From India →Koolaid
This is unfortunate because I ordered this product, paid for it, but have yet to receive it. The other items on my order arrived...but not this one.
on Gro Kashi - Probiotic Amendment →Aron A.
I am very excited about being able to use this product when I receive it. This email was premature.
on Gro Kashi - Probiotic Amendment →