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Dobies have sent me seeds packed 2021, or no date showing - acceptable?

cooper_loucooper_lou Posts: 22
in Plants
Dobies have just sent me the seed packets i ordered, some are date packed 2021, and others have no date on them at all.  Is that acceptable?  (Dobies say they are viable, but even if so, shouldnt it be me that has the luxury of planting them over the next couple of years if so preferred)?  Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I don't think that is acceptable, but are Dobies willing to change them?
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • cooper_loucooper_lou Posts: 22
    no not yet.  Ive emailed them twice to say i dont feel comfortable that the seeds are so old and that some packets dont show a packed or use by date at all. It may be that i want to sow some this year and some next etc.  But they have now twice responded, insisting that they only send out viable seeds .. (a viable seed isnt really what i thought i was buying, i was thinking i was buying relatively fresh seeds that might last me a little while - seed type permitting. Especially from such a big company).  
  • ViewAheadViewAhead Posts: 866
    I'd just say you want a refund.  Tell them you were unable to examine the goods before purchase and, now you have, you are not satisfied.  

    The seeds may be viable, but neither they nor you can know that for certain at this point.  
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Yes definitely get your money back and go to a reliable online source like Premier Seeds Direct or Seekay Horticultural Supplies...they are cheaper and fresher. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • cooper_loucooper_lou Posts: 22
    no surprise but ive had the same happen with some seeds i ordered from sutton seeds.  (Dobies are refunding me for the old seeds).  Its noticeable that the old seeds are in original packets with pictures of the plants on the front etc.  The seeds marked as packed in 2024 are in ubiquitous white envelopes with no pictures.  Would it be legal for Dobies/Sutton to repack old seeds and then mark the envelope with the new (ie repacked) packed date?  Call me suspicious!! :-)
  • ViewAheadViewAhead Posts: 866
    The distinction between "packed" and "repacked" is a fair point.  Maybe the date should refer to "harvested".  


  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    cooper_lou said:
    no surprise but ive had the same happen with some seeds i ordered from sutton seeds.  (Dobies are refunding me for the old seeds).  Its noticeable that the old seeds are in original packets with pictures of the plants on the front etc.  The seeds marked as packed in 2024 are in ubiquitous white envelopes with no pictures.  Would it be legal for Dobies/Sutton to repack old seeds and then mark the envelope with the new (ie repacked) packed date?  Call me suspicious!! :-)

    @cooper_lou
    Dobies and Suttons are owned by Thompson and Morgan so you could be getting seed from a direct repository shared by all 3 companies owned by Thompson and Morgan

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • cooper_loucooper_lou Posts: 22
    Thanks Kili - Im probably just overthinking things now as they are naughtily sending me such old seeds .. :-)
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    My seeds from Premier Seeds Direct arrived a couple of days ago.
    All the seeds were packed between Nov and Dec 2023 and all have Sow By dates late 2025-2026

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • cooper_loucooper_lou Posts: 22
    that is what id expect .. one set of seeds from sutton seeds is marked as packed 2021 and sow by date 0624 . .. mizuna seeds ..  I have written to them explaining the situation very clearly but i get a stock answer of 'the sow date is not the same as the packed date ... ' - ie completely irrelevant information.  They seem to be trying to wear me down so i give up.  Never again! :-)
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