I think if they're selling of live plants at a discount because they've been neglected, that's fine, but if they're selling plants which are actually dead, at full price, with instructions to soak for 3 hours then plant and wait for them to come up, the average Jo, is not going to understand they've been sold a dud until nothing comes up, and that is not going to be for a month or more, by which time you've thrown the box away, you've lost the receipt and you've put it down to slugs or your own inexperience. This kind thing makes me really angry. It isn't good for either the novice gardener or B&Q in the long term. Hey Ho.
I totally agree with you. It makes me angry as well as it is such a waste of resources. I always make sure that plants are growing in some way. Perhaps if we all wrote to the companies with photos, they may change their minds!!! Unfortunately, they only want profit and customer satisfaction is low down on their tick list. The assistants generally have little gardening knowledge.Perhaps if we asked the assistant about her/his gardening knowledge they may be more empathetic! It is up to us to be more proactive and that includes me. Keep gardening, water features are looking up!
I'm glad we've got a belly laugh out of it. Thanks for that. Hi Karin, yeah, it all comes down to numbers and tick boxes. The bigger the company the worse it is. I know I'm and advisor for the big daddy of them all. But when an organisation is so big there's too many people involved for the personal touch. You've got to see past it or get out.
I love the bargain trolley @ Homebase! Only yesterday I was buying compost for a customer and found some really good Hellebore's at half price that still had loads of new flowers to come, they just needed a bit of deadheading to tidy them up, my gain .
On the original topic I don't buy those dry boxes after having similar experiences, if you can't see what you're buying don't buy it!
Also why do these big companies stock plants not suitable for the soil conditions and climate in the area, I'm on heavy clay but still they stock Heathers, (Calluna)and Rhododendrons, (not Inkarho) and don't get me started on Ceanothus I've lost count how many I've had to dig out and dispose of these last couple of years
I purchased six Orchids for 50p each in my local Homebase just before Christmas many still had a few flowers on and some even had new flower spikes breaking under the leaves. I now have five of them in flower or bud. Not bad considering they were originally priced at £14.99 each! I have noted it is variable as they were also selling 2013 summer season bedding plants with only 25% off. I'm not sure what use petunias are in December. The trays of geraniums may have over wintered for next year if you had a mind to care for them but most were only just clinging to life and many trays of six only had 2-3 still with any green on at all so would only be cheap if had at least 50-70%. I find it varies greatly between stores and areas but always have a look. Bargains can be had but only if you are in the right place at the right time and you know what you are looking for!
Posts
I too have bought from B+Q with poor results, but my best buy was a sickly Clematis Armandii which now covers 15ft of fencing, Good value for £1.99!!
I think if they're selling of live plants at a discount because they've been neglected, that's fine, but if they're selling plants which are actually dead, at full price, with instructions to soak for 3 hours then plant and wait for them to come up, the average Jo, is not going to understand they've been sold a dud until nothing comes up, and that is not going to be for a month or more, by which time you've thrown the box away, you've lost the receipt and you've put it down to slugs or your own inexperience. This kind thing makes me really angry. It isn't good for either the novice gardener or B&Q in the long term. Hey Ho.
Oh, by the way, I did get my money back with the receipt but they lady looked down her nose at me and said,
"You just have to water them."
"Trust me, these are dead. I'd like a refund"
I totally agree with you. It makes me angry as well as it is such a waste of resources. I always make sure that plants are growing in some way. Perhaps if we all wrote to the companies with photos, they may change their minds!!! Unfortunately, they only want profit and customer satisfaction is low down on their tick list. The assistants generally have little gardening knowledge.Perhaps if we asked the assistant about her/his gardening knowledge they may be more empathetic! It is up to us to be more proactive and that includes me. Keep gardening, water features are looking up!
This made my day, though I can think of many more snooty remarks I could have given her :P
Sounds like the start of the Monty Python "Dead Parrot" sketch!
Did the assistant try and suggest the Echinops were pining for the Fjords?
Pleased you got a refund though
I love the bargain trolley @ Homebase! Only yesterday I was buying compost for a customer and found some really good Hellebore's at half price that still had loads of new flowers to come, they just needed a bit of deadheading to tidy them up, my gain
.
On the original topic I don't buy those dry boxes after having similar experiences, if you can't see what you're buying don't buy it!
Also why do these big companies stock plants not suitable for the soil conditions and climate in the area, I'm on heavy clay but still they stock Heathers, (Calluna)and Rhododendrons, (not Inkarho) and don't get me started on Ceanothus I've lost count how many I've had to dig out and dispose of these last couple of years
I purchased six Orchids for 50p each in my local Homebase just before Christmas many still had a few flowers on and some even had new flower spikes breaking under the leaves. I now have five of them in flower or bud. Not bad considering they were originally priced at £14.99 each! I have noted it is variable as they were also selling 2013 summer season bedding plants with only 25% off. I'm not sure what use petunias are in December. The trays of geraniums may have over wintered for next year if you had a mind to care for them but most were only just clinging to life and many trays of six only had 2-3 still with any green on at all so would only be cheap if had at least 50-70%. I find it varies greatly between stores and areas but always have a look. Bargains can be had but only if you are in the right place at the right time and you know what you are looking for!
Jim I just bought boxed echinops, lupins and dicentra from wilkinsons £5.00 for the lot.... Very healthy growth within the box/bag ......