I have had my eye on these and the larger ones for well over a year but each time they were sold out before I could put in an order. Spur of the moment saw these and ordered 2 immediately. I opted for the "smaller" 50 gallon rain barrel which is still the same size as most on the market albeit MUCH more attractive.
Delivery was very quick - 2 days. Both arrived wrapped in a plastic bag with the contents stuffed inside. I suspect mine were originally boxed since there was a card-board shipping label taped to the top of each but it's hard to say - the local deliver seems to be pretty tough on products lately and one arrived with the side pushed in a bit. I'm going to try and fill it up to see if it pops back out as well as test the seams to make sure there are no other problems that don't readily meet the eye.
The hose is a very inexpensive quality - you will likely want to replace it and I've already ordered better quality remnants available elsewhere on Amazon itself. Also, the valve is located at the very bottom of the container - you should get maximum drainage unlike other models where the discharge spout is higher up the side (or even at the top in some models...which makes no sense to me whatsoever).
These truly do look like clay or adobe especially at a distance. Are lightweight when empty and the total effect is very pleasing. A terrific alternative to those with HOA restrictions or just searching for a visually pleasing product. The price is very competitive to most others on the market although certainly a lot higher priced than finding your own used soap bucket or such. Locally even those go for $40 and up...if you can manage to find them at all. My one MAJOR irritation - and it has nothing to do with the item itself - is these were clearly from Amazon return department. I ordered new and it just annoys me to get returns instead of new items when I pay full price. I really feel this should be disclosed PRIOR to purchase and/or discounts provided if you are ordering a returned product. However, the product is lovely, shipping was fast (still not sure about that box) and the price was competitive with other options (although irritating to get refurbished rather than new).
Quick Update - The "dent" from shipping popped right out without effort when filling. These look even better when set-up. Were very easy to steady - we set each one on a large concrete stepping stone which provided just enough stability for them to remain level without getting weighed down into the soil/grass. These are VERY heavy when filled (estimated to weight over 400 lounds just from weight of 50 gals of water) and the drain valve is so low you will want to keep it out of the grass. Overall very pleased! By far the most attractive rain barrel I've encoutered to date...
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Algreen 81002 Agua 50-Gallon Rain Water Collection and Storage SystemProduct Description: The Algreen Agua Rain Water Collection and Storage System combines the timeless aesthetic elegance of ceramics with the enduring durability of modern plastics. This 50-gallon rainsaver is constructed from tough, roto molded plastic able to withstand extreme temperatures and will not chip, fade, or crack over time. The environmentally friendly rain barrel comes with a 4-foot garden hose with shutoff nozzle and corrosion-proof screen guard. The hose hangs neatly on the attached hook. The rain barrel doubles as a planter and measures 23 x 33 inches.
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The rain barrel does just what it should. Like the top overflow. Used lots of plumbers tape on the spigot. No leaks. Surprising how fast it fills. A larger barrel or connecting ones might be a good idea.
