Van Meuwen

Have just received my 3rd order from Van Meuwen, Very impressed by the way they are packaged the size and quality of the bulbs (tubers ) etc I ordered Alstroemeria plus some Fox tailed lilies,and Tree lilies, am hoping for one great show, After removing old climbing rose and bay tree, boy that took some doing, forking in blood/bone/and fish meal. We have not had any snow so was able to get them planted as soon as they arrived.

 

I have mixed views on van Meuwen. I am always tempted by the prices and I have had plenty of good things from them, particularly as I am easily able to grow-on anything small, although that might catch some people out who were hoping to plant straight outside (its all clear in their catalogues etc. but not for the unwary)

But: I absolutely hate that they send me plants in separate packages, often 3 or 4 small boxes in the same post, all the way from Holland. Its horrifically environmentally-hostile, and must cost them a fortune in postage. They need to get a system of Picking & Packing that allows them to put an order in a single box.

I also hate that their online system doesn't give me chapter and verse on the status of my order ... I have ordered 20 or more plants from them in the past, some of which are for "next season delivery", and forcing me to keep track of them is nuts, their computer knows what parts of my order are outstanding - just update the website so I can check that my status agrees with yours!!!!! Most suppliers I deal with include a Delivery Note with each shipment that lists my whole order indicating which things are included with this shipment, have shipped before, or remain to be shipped later. Makes it much easier to be able to say "Hang on a mo, I never received that ..."

Also they don't send me any indication of when anything will ship. They could very easily send me an email with "Good news, keep an eye on your letterbox for XXX" I've come back from a weeks holiday to find their packages sitting in a pile of post ... this is particularly relevant for anything back-ordered as it will arrive at some unspecified future time.

(FWIW I build huge eCommerce systems for a living, so I know what is doable)

 

I have just had a very bad experience with them and would not recommend them to anyone. My order was posted by them on the next to last day of the 1 month they allocated for my order to be processed. The order was incomplete (I received 2 of the 3 fruit trees ordered), but the worst part was, the trees I received were diseased and many of the leaves were black. This disease did not occur during transit and was sent as is. Deplorable behaviour.

I was told the second part of my order would not arrive until mid May? you must remember, I have had no email conversation telling me any of this!! I discovered this when I contacted them on the next to last day when 1 month was up to find out what had happened to my order. I demanded my money back on my delayed second part of the order but have yet to be reimbursed. I have since written them a letter sending photos of my order and backed it up with an email containing the same. I am annoyed with my treatment and will not let it drop - my last resort would be to contact my MP on the matter. if anyone wishes to see the photo I will gladly upload them for all to see. This matter is currently under review.

 

Those dates are usually shown on the website next to the produce details. Its definitely not obvious, and there is nothing subsequently that tells you. In olden days the Packing Note used to say "To follow" and could have a best estimate of date. Nowadays you just get a box of a part shipment in the post - no packing note, no details of what is to follow (or indeed what has been sent - an earlier shipment may have failed to arrive and you would not know whether to expect it later, or what ...)

Their website doesn't show (or didn't last time I looked) the status of individual items on an order. So instead they have to answer everyone's questions saying "When will I get it" - much cheaper for them would be to show that info on the website.

I build large shopping cart websites for a living, that sort of thing is routine in even half decent systems.

 

Yes is suppose I am being a bit dramatic when I mention MP and co - but I'm currently boiling up with anger having being treated thus. I have waited over a month for these goods which have been paid for with hard earned cash; and you know yourself what a month delay in the garden could result. I aim to get a result in this case one way or the other.

 

Always take a screenshot of the dispatch date (and details off extras, etc.) when placing your order because companies change them. The pics below show what T&M (a sister company of Van Meuwen, identical websites, but which one is cheapest can vary, ) did this year, changing the dispatch date for mini plant plugs from 'by end March' to 'by end May', the latter date being absolutely useless for bringing them on to a sufficient size for planting out in June. Van Meuwen did exactly the same.

So it's essential to make a record of what dispatch date where when you ordered.

 

I haven't got time to do that, don't suppose many other people do either. Instead I give my business to companies that include the delivery date in their confirmation email, tell me if it changes, and keep me informed about part-shipments and what remains to be shipped. Better still if a company sends me a "Your goods have been shipped" email, because then if I am out/away I can arrange to have someone sign for it / rescue it from the doorstep etc.

Neither T&M nor van Meuwen do any of those things, to the best of my knowledge.

 

They're even worse than not confirming by email, they confirm something on the phone (you incurring the expense of the call) and then they do something completely different.

 

Oh Dear, I shall have to take back my compliments.....went to check the post this morning a water Bill, Plus a padded envelope from Van Meuwen when I opened it contents were 4 bare rooted Hollyhocks looking very fed up, at this time of the year cannot see them flowering this year if they do indeed survive posted on the 29th April I cant wait to see what the outstanding order of Leopard Foxgloves will be like ,
Back to local garden centre Haskins and a nice coffee That is the last time I shall purchase from Van Meuwen.

 

T&M own Van Meuwen & Vernons Geranium Nursery, I have had problems with all 3 of them & will not be using any of them again.

 

Last year I ordered C repans off Van Meuwen plants arrived as date said, they weren't in the best condition when I unpacked them.
Then I spotted C winter beauty in the catalogue, so I ordered it that was in October I phoned them in March to ask when I would receive my plants, and they said in about 2 weeks, 2 weeks came and went no plants, so phoned them again and asked for a refund, it was like trying to get blood from a stone to get my money back, it was only when I threatened them with trading standards that I got my money back.
I will never use again .

 

Van Meuwen has refunded the cost of my two diseased trees plus the one they failed to send. my summer bulbs miraculously turned up the next day. hurrah . To replace my Van Meuwen order I ordered three replacement fruit trees from gardens4you on the Thursday before bank holiday and they turned up today. three days maximum postage they said (true to their word) and what's more, the bushes "were a belter" as they say where I live - they were three times the size of van meuwen's puny offerings.