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Vegetable Plants Direct
Honeywort
Posts: 32
Hi
I;m not sure if I have posted this in the best place.
Just wondering if any of you have had any dealings with this company? They seem to have 3 websites.
http://www.vegetableplantsdirect.co.uk
http://www.tomato-plants-direct.co.uk
http://www.mailorderplantsdirect.co.uk
I would be interested to hear of your experience.
Thanks
0
Posts
Never heard of them, but the blog on the tomato plants direct site doesn't inspire confidence http://www.tomato-plants-direct.co.uk/blog/
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
No, Dove, it doesn't. I wish I had done a bit more research before I put in my order. I'm still waiting for my order from their June delivery and have just been told that the original plants were damaged and have been re-sown but not ready for delivery yet. I have asked to cancel my order as it's now too late for this year, and requested a refund but this seems to have been ignored.
When I googled complaints and reviews for the company there is a long list of negative reports that go back to 2008, so nothing has changed. I wondered if anyone else has managed to get a refund from this company.
I had a very bad experience last year when I was looking for tomato plants on- line and unfortunately chose to order from 'Tomato Plants Direct'. The delivery promised for June didn't arrive until late July and the plants were in poor condition, less than half of them surviving to bear fruit. The long, whining, self pitying e-mail that I received in response to my query made me wonder just how professional these people are.
I was determined not to place another order with this company but my own lack of attention when searching web pages for plants this year led me to give them another order by accident.
Yesterday, August 15th at 19.50 hours - just too late to 'phone them until Monday - I received an e-mail from this firm to say that my tomato plants were being dispatched by Royal Mail. What use will they be in the Midlands of England at this time of the year ? Has anyone received their plants later than this or am I the holder of an unwanted record ?
After reading the myriad complaints about this company, I hold out little hope of getting a refund, so will just advise everyone who reads this to trade with other companies.
A professional company never whines about lack of time, family disasters, bad weather, circumstance beyond our control, etc. If you can't conduct your business in a thoroughly professional manner,without dragging in family matters, and find that you are struggling every year to fulfill orders, then it's time to give up and find a less stressful means of earning your living.
Graphics
Sounds like a job for Trading Standards - tomato plants sent out now will be 'unfit for purpose'.
I'm surprised they're still solvent
I think it's a company that needs looking into ...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
The whinging and amount of detail of their children's lives on the blog is concerning
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Their response to reviews on this site is appalling - so unprofessional
http://www.freeindex.co.uk/profile%28vegetable-plants-direct%29_222207.htm
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Hi, just a quick update. I did manage to get a refund. I politely explained that although I was sorry to hear that my order had been damaged by damp, It didn't really help me to know that he had re-sown and that I would have to wait for ages for the plants to be big enough to post. It would be far too late in the season by the time they arrived and I would like my money back. I didn't hear anything for a few days and was wondering what to do next, when I received a message to say my money had been refunded.
So Graphics, don't give up on the refund. Maybe some customers give up because they have already had too much hassle getting their order in the first place and they have just had enough. The problem is that then the company feel they can get away with shoddy unprofessional service.
I think it has taught me not to rely on other people and, next year to,hopefully, be a bit more organised and grow my own from seed. The only reason I ordered veg plants was because I have just taken on an allotment and have such a lot to sort out and I hoped that I would be able to grow something this year.
It's a shame because I think it's important to support small family business whenever possible.
I took a look at the link Dove posted - shocking!
If you run a business - of any size or type - you have to be professional. Doesn't matter what your circumstances are, customers rightly expect a certain level of efficiency and service. If you can't do that, you have no right taking money from them.
To be honest, it's probably better to stick with your own local GC or nursery if you're unable to sow seed for any reason. At least you know what you're getting - and when!
Glad you got your refund Honeywort - though you should have been offered it right away, and I hope Graphics gets the same outcome.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...