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Warning about buying plants online

Sandra ASandra A Posts: 146
in Plants
Hello, I am noy sure if this is allowed, so, please let me know. I made several orders from a known online website that sells plants, but when they sent me, most were dead. I have made a complaint, only to be ignored, I have contacted the CEO, no reply was given. I have now contacted Citizens Advice that have inform me that I a entitled to ask for a replacement or a refund. Alas, nobody replies and I am still ignored, which means that, or I forget about it or I will embark in a war I do not need at the moment.
I want to avoid seeing others going through the same issue.
Am I entitled to say what is the website?
Thank you
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Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Name and shame. Go for it. My guess is gardening express.

    If you paid on a credit card or by paypal you have a chance of getting a chargeback through them.
  • Sandra ASandra A Posts: 146
    @fidgetbones bullseye!!! Yes, Gardening Express, including Nick, the CEO. I was naive enough to explain that I was working on a garden for my daughter, that has been quite frail due to cancer, so I would appreciate that the plants would be healthy because I did not want to cause any distress. And they sent me a lot of rubbish and then, silence. How low can this people go?
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    :D
    Did you get the dead magnolias?
  • Sandra ASandra A Posts: 146
    No, bigger list here: 
    two roses, one arrived dead with black branches
    Helleborus x hybridus 'Hello Red' - Oriental Hellebore in Bud & Bloom - arrived dead
    Viola - The Small Flowered Pansy - Plants in Bud & Bloom - Pack of SIX - 3 of them arrived dead
    Astilbe chinensis Strawberry Cupcake - Pack of FIVE Bare root - all arrived dead
    Dahlia Purple Taiheijo - root flaking dry, did not produce a plant
    Dahlia Striped Ambition  - root flaking dry, did not produce a plant
    Dahlia Thomas Edison - root flaking dry, did not produce a plant
    Spiraea douglasii - plant arrived dead dry

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Their packaging is rubbish too. I'll never order from them again.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Sandra ASandra A Posts: 146
    Not me, never, ever again. I just hope to avoid someone's heartbreak publishing here.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Have a look at this , l posted it on a thread about Gardening Express back in 2022.
    https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/consumer-rights-act-aKJYx8n5KiSl

    As @ fidgetbones says, if you paid by credit card, you can make a claim for something known as charge back.
    https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-can-i-get-a-refund-on-a-product-or-service-i-purchased-with-my-credit-card-en-1969/#:~:text=If you're not satisfied,you can dispute a charge.

    It might seem like a faff, but l strongly advise you to try if you can. Why should they keep your hard earned money in exchange for unsuitable  goods ?
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Same warning for anything bought online, not just plants.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're well know for being cowboys, and that's the polite term.
    If you want suggestions for places to buy plants @Sandra A - ask on the forum first. We used to have a dedicated thread but I don't think it's been used for a while.
    If there's specific types of plants you want, and a particular variety, always use a reliable grower/producer. If there's any problems, you'll be refunded or get a replacement. It's false economy otherwise. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    It takes alot to kill a Hellebore they are very drought tolerant. Buying your plants all in one place does save on postage. 
    I have just looked back at some of your previous discussions it is obvious you are giving your all to support your daughter in as many ways as possible. You have done the right thing to let other gardeners know and I am sorry that this has happened to you and I expect many others.
    I will be happy to 'bump' this thread to the top now and then to let other gardeners know.


    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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