Just buy plants from nurseries and you should be ok. Search for reviews. Look at the contact details before you hit submit. Use a card you can do a charge back on. Don't buy from an Amazonplantsrus type website.
@Balgay.Hill That is it in a 'nut shell'. If you know what you want to buy go to the on line growers who specialise in that particular plant. Plenty of help here too.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@bacpathome There are posts on Trust Pilot regarding Fuchsias from Victoriana Nurseries if that is the correct company, they are mixed. Perhaps they might like to view this thread if you are getting no where? @AnniD mentioned the use of peat free compost being an issue for growers which I am sure has been difficult. Other companies are however finding ways. No excuse for not refunding money for dead plants.
Perhaps some of these companies try to grow too many different things rather than specialize?
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
If there is a will to keep this thread bumped (fair enough) could I perhaps suggest the title is changed? Whatever the details of the thread the title alone is giving a misleading impression that online shopping for plants is itself the issue, and that feels a bit like an unnecessary slur against the many nurseries who work hard to provide an excellent mail order service.
@Driftoftheseasons Yes this has become a long thread that takes time to read. Damage is being caused to the on line growing industry by those companies who give it a bad name.
I have just read your comments and I agree a new title would be better. The original poster as you know was unsure whether or not to 'name and shame'.
I have only just read your comments and thankyou for keeping this post going. There is a new thread regarding the Good Guys where I have recently posted.
I have recieved so many special plants on line in the last few years many of which are not available in the Garden Centres. Buying plants on line is very important to me as OH is vulnerable and Garden Centre visits are still limited to quiet times. I have worked with plants and have watered many thousands. Not having plants arriving here is unimaginable. Buying and recieving plants on line should be an exciting experience for all gardeners.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@punkdoc@GardenerSuze@Driftoftheseasons I was the one that started the discussion, but I did not know if I was allowed or not to say the name. Later on, I tried to change the subject, but I don't know how. If any of the admins could do it, and refer exactly to the company, I would be much obliged. I depend 100% of online purchases, since I cannot go anywhere. There are issues, buying online or physically, the difference is on the way people conduct themselves, and, in this situation, Gardening Express has send me dried sticks, bags of dry soil and plants in a pitiful state. For me, that I have already so much on my plate and have to deal with the 'c' word everyday, things like this take a gigantic toll and it has been heartbreaking. I took great care when getting in touch, even when the CEO chose not to respond. More than this, but they are breaking the law, by not answering, not replacing or not refunding. I know that an investigation is starting on these scammers (sorry, no other word to classify this behaviour) and I hope something comes out of it, but this is one company. We are blessed with hundreds of online plant sales that are fantastic and with great customer service. So, please, if possible, change the subject or let me know how to do it.
Posts
Don't buy from an Amazonplantsrus type website.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Perhaps some of these companies try to grow too many different things rather than specialize?
https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/publications/plant-finder
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I have just read your comments and I agree a new title would be better. The original poster as you know was unsure whether or not to 'name and shame'.
I have only just read your comments and thankyou for keeping this post going. There is a new thread regarding the Good Guys where I have recently posted.
I have recieved so many special plants on line in the last few years many of which are not available in the Garden Centres. Buying plants on line is very important to me as OH is vulnerable and Garden Centre visits are still limited to quiet times.
I have worked with plants and have watered many thousands. Not having plants arriving here is unimaginable. Buying and recieving plants on line should be an exciting experience for all gardeners.
I depend 100% of online purchases, since I cannot go anywhere.
There are issues, buying online or physically, the difference is on the way people conduct themselves, and, in this situation, Gardening Express has send me dried sticks, bags of dry soil and plants in a pitiful state.
For me, that I have already so much on my plate and have to deal with the 'c' word everyday, things like this take a gigantic toll and it has been heartbreaking.
I took great care when getting in touch, even when the CEO chose not to respond.
More than this, but they are breaking the law, by not answering, not replacing or not refunding.
I know that an investigation is starting on these scammers (sorry, no other word to classify this behaviour) and I hope something comes out of it, but this is one company.
We are blessed with hundreds of online plant sales that are fantastic and with great customer service.
So, please, if possible, change the subject or let me know how to do it.