I had a look at that website, Dove. I was a bit concerned that the person giving advice states that sterilising compost would remove all the nutrients. Erm, no, it just removes microbes, fungal spores and weed seeds.
Fame at last - it was me complaining on the Levington website, as referred to in Dove's link on the 18th August post.
This is what I ended up with in early August, funniest Alicante I've ever grown -
So we chucked the lot and ended up with nothing. I'm now talking to Scotts who make the bags and, whilst they've accepted liability for the problem (herbicide contamination), they are offering only 'out of pocket' compensation, ignoring the work I put in between February and August and the loss of crop. Pretty poor response....
I just went online to find address for Levington, we bought 6 bags in 3 lots, I think I had two bags contaminated. I lost 4 cucumber plants, 6 tomato plants, 2 pepper and 2 chilli plants. ?
I had to bin the lot, started again with different bags and all looking good now and hopefully will catch up with the rest ☺
I have always bought Levington, maybe have to rethink that one ?
Here we go again for 2017, you couldn't make it up. In 2016 Levingtons compensated me (the bare minimum amount) for a lost tomato crop caused by "issues" with their Growbags (i.e. Aminopyralid damage). Included in their settlement to me was some vouchers for this years Growbags. How foolish was I to think that they would have sorted out their contamination problem as now my Tomato plants are once again starting to show classic Aminopyralid Herbicide damage! Buyer beware.........
So sad to hear that a company has still not resolved these issues. It is not just the value of the compost material per se but the loss of a complete crop for this growing year, for which there is no monetary value (certainly not, it would seem, in the company's eyes).
The industry was (or maybe was just "due to be") regulated. Perhaps we need some big hitters to try to sort this out, once and for all. So GW could lend a hand, maybe. Or Which? Or maybe The BBC programme Watchdog.
Clearly each individual who complains is treated as just that - an individual.
Yes we are being sold a product that is not fit for purpose so there should be a case for consumer protection. A grow bag is for growing plants in and yet it contains a chemical to kill plants, you couldn't make it up!
After my report last year (above) on Levington grow bags (made by Scotts), they tested samples of my compost and admitted liability. I claimed for 14 grow bags and loss of seed, fertiliser. We argued about whether or not I had receipts to prove anything (of course I didn't, who keeps things like that for 4 months on the off chance you've been diddled by a seemingly reputable company?!!). Then they offered me £80, which I rejected, and they increased their offer to £100. I still considered that inadequate but accepted, having lost the will to argue, then I had to chase them for the cheque, and when it turned up it was for £120!! They are a bit of of a joke all round really.
I refuse to buy anything from Scotts now and this year I'm using Clover John Innes Enriched Multipurpose for the first time. I have to say my toms look great this year and it's made me realise I've had the same contamination problem to a greater or lesser extent for all the last 4 years (though 2016 was by far the worst).
It does seem like they are playing consumers for mugs here - I'll bet a lot of people just conclude the problem is their own fault - too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry or whatever. It's a disgrace really.
If anyone needs addresses or advice chasing them, drop me an email [email protected]
Posts
I had a look at that website, Dove. I was a bit concerned that the person giving advice states that sterilising compost would remove all the nutrients. Erm, no, it just removes microbes, fungal spores and weed seeds.
Yes Fidget
Also concerned that they've not given public advice on what to do with contaminated compost or what they're doing to avoid a repeat of the problem.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Fame at last - it was me complaining on the Levington website, as referred to in Dove's link on the 18th August post.
This is what I ended up with in early August, funniest Alicante I've ever grown -
So we chucked the lot and ended up with nothing. I'm now talking to Scotts who make the bags and, whilst they've accepted liability for the problem (herbicide contamination), they are offering only 'out of pocket' compensation, ignoring the work I put in between February and August and the loss of crop. Pretty poor response....
Do they expect anyone to buy any of their compost in the future?
Have they not heard of the power of social media?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I just went online to find address for Levington, we bought 6 bags in 3 lots, I think I had two bags contaminated. I lost 4 cucumber plants, 6 tomato plants, 2 pepper and 2 chilli plants. ?
I had to bin the lot, started again with different bags and all looking good now and hopefully will catch up with the rest ☺
I have always bought Levington, maybe have to rethink that one ?
Here we go again for 2017, you couldn't make it up. In 2016 Levingtons compensated me (the bare minimum amount) for a lost tomato crop caused by "issues" with their Growbags (i.e. Aminopyralid damage). Included in their settlement to me was some vouchers for this years Growbags. How foolish was I to think that they would have sorted out their contamination problem as now my Tomato plants are once again starting to show classic Aminopyralid Herbicide damage! Buyer beware.........
I've just brought three bags for my tomatoes and peppers. Going to throw the straight back in the car and get a refund.
So sad to hear that a company has still not resolved these issues. It is not just the value of the compost material per se but the loss of a complete crop for this growing year, for which there is no monetary value (certainly not, it would seem, in the company's eyes).
The industry was (or maybe was just "due to be") regulated. Perhaps we need some big hitters to try to sort this out, once and for all. So GW could lend a hand, maybe. Or Which? Or maybe The BBC programme Watchdog.
Clearly each individual who complains is treated as just that - an individual.
Yes we are being sold a product that is not fit for purpose so there should be a case for consumer protection. A grow bag is for growing plants in and yet it contains a chemical to kill plants, you couldn't make it up!
After my report last year (above) on Levington grow bags (made by Scotts), they tested samples of my compost and admitted liability. I claimed for 14 grow bags and loss of seed, fertiliser. We argued about whether or not I had receipts to prove anything (of course I didn't, who keeps things like that for 4 months on the off chance you've been diddled by a seemingly reputable company?!!). Then they offered me £80, which I rejected, and they increased their offer to £100. I still considered that inadequate but accepted, having lost the will to argue, then I had to chase them for the cheque, and when it turned up it was for £120!! They are a bit of of a joke all round really.
I refuse to buy anything from Scotts now and this year I'm using Clover John Innes Enriched Multipurpose for the first time. I have to say my toms look great this year and it's made me realise I've had the same contamination problem to a greater or lesser extent for all the last 4 years (though 2016 was by far the worst).
It does seem like they are playing consumers for mugs here - I'll bet a lot of people just conclude the problem is their own fault - too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry or whatever. It's a disgrace really.
If anyone needs addresses or advice chasing them, drop me an email [email protected]