Great thread that I have only just picked up. I have been tempted by some plants on Gardening Express - so glad I have found this post. This place sounds beyond awful.
What are people's thoughts on Crocus? I have found them to be very good albeit expensive. If something is not quite right with an order their customer service I have found to be superb.
I had some half hardy penstemon last year from them and some macedonica. All six (three of each) died in the frost and they replaced all of them despite the penstemon not being in their gaurantee. I also had an expensive terracotta pot recently with a small chip in it. Thought they would knock some money off as it was right on the front but they sent a free replacement and told me to keep the other one. I find their qulaity of plants and products generally very good and for the odd time something goes wrong they have gone above and beyond to rectify it. Wondered what other people thought of Crocus?
Oh yes they are expensive @Fairygirl … but they’re well grown plants incredibly well-packaged and delivered in good condition when they say they will. There’s a lot of labour involved in that sort of service and if people are going to be paid fairly then that adds to the cost of what we buy.
From the condition of some of the plants from some companies we see photos of on here, it doesn’t look as if the people working for them are treated properly and have no respect for their job or self respect either, and corners of all sorts are being cut.
It’s difficult I know, but I’d rather buy one good plant and grow it on and divide it and produce five from it, than pay the same for five poor plants and contribute to a business with poor pay and working conditions.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I think they [Crocus] have very good advertising, which attracts people, but there are loads of nurseries who have excellent products and are equally good at packaging and service. I suppose it depends on how people feel about it, and the best option is for folk to ask first if they want to buy something online. Difficult if you don't know though, and it's why the new thread about good outlets is important. However, it would help if we could have the same facility on this forum that other ones have - ie threads that can be kept as a permanent fixture, and then people would be able to go directly to them. The category feature is pointless because it isn't targeted enough. Just my opinion.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl I totally agree whith your comments. There has to be a way of getting this message out on a longer term basis. They continue to help themselves to peoples money. That is the bottom line. Just moved house and starting out with a brand new garden hooray! Will be posting when I can.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I think a pinned thread (ie pinned by the moderators who work for Immediate Media) containing criticisms of other businesses could land Gardeners World magazine and Immediate Media in all sorts of trouble.
Contemporaneous personal responses detailing the experiences of individuals to other folks’ queries are another matter.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
@Dovefromabove Yes I have to agree. There are posters that skip several weeks and then come here to take a look. Lets hope they have some comments to add.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I was really meaning the 'good outlets ' thread as a fixture, but I probably didn't make that very clear. A permanent 'bad boys' [sorry for the Wham! reference there ] wouldn't be suitable, as you say @Dovefromabove.
I can't see a way of warning folk about these dodgy places other than occasionally posting on this thread, and they can hopefully get a bit of comfort and support, and maybe a way of addressing their ongoing problems, but that takes effort from forum members, and inevitably, these threads can easily disappear.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
What are people's thoughts on Crocus? I have found them to be very good albeit expensive. If something is not quite right with an order their customer service I have found to be superb.
I had some half hardy penstemon last year from them and some macedonica. All six (three of each) died in the frost and they replaced all of them despite the penstemon not being in their gaurantee. I also had an expensive terracotta pot recently with a small chip in it. Thought they would knock some money off as it was right on the front but they sent a free replacement and told me to keep the other one. I find their qulaity of plants and products generally very good and for the odd time something goes wrong they have gone above and beyond to rectify it. Wondered what other people thought of Crocus?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I suppose it depends on how people feel about it, and the best option is for folk to ask first if they want to buy something online. Difficult if you don't know though, and it's why the new thread about good outlets is important.
However, it would help if we could have the same facility on this forum that other ones have - ie threads that can be kept as a permanent fixture, and then people would be able to go directly to them. The category feature is pointless because it isn't targeted enough.
Just my opinion.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Just moved house and starting out with a brand new garden hooray! Will be posting when I can.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I can't see a way of warning folk about these dodgy places other than occasionally posting on this thread, and they can hopefully get a bit of comfort and support, and maybe a way of addressing their ongoing problems, but that takes effort from forum members, and inevitably, these threads can easily disappear.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...