B&Q

Catz, why don't you phone or e-mail B&Q's head office? I did it once over paint and actually got a call back asking if I knew the name of the person I was unhappy with, not to sack them but to ensure they were getting adequate training. Didn't get any vouchers or anything but it was good to get an apology and at least the thought that they cared about what there customers thought.

Tell them you belong to the best UK gardening site and that many of us feel the same, that ought to scare them!,lol.

cheers

 

must admit our local B&Q plants and climbers etc are fine, in their garden part they have staff looking after the flowers and watering them , noticed a lot are a bit pricey but apart from that well cared for.

 

I have to agree with the majority of views
We have b+q in wxm and the same thing happen every year early on great but as the season grows all the plants seem to suffer no water and then they are drenched
Lots of plants are being sold very cheap0 but I dont think you could save them
I am trying 2-3 geraniums I bought for 75p they are in a bad way but we will see what can be done

 

My B&Q in Stretford is no better, its only round the corner from me but i try and avoid it if possible. I find it so upsetting to see the plants so neglected. I go to a little out of the way nursery where the plants are healthy reasonably priced with friendly, helpful staff. 02

 

i have just had an email back from B&Q as i sent a complaint after going to the clacton store

most of the plants were close to death not much water anywere

the reply

we live inbetween colchester and clacton and we have never had any problems with the colchester store

may pay a visit in a few weeks to see if things are better... if not another email will be sent


Steve

 

I really don't rate B & Q plants that much, but I have to say that when I went to my local one at the weekend there was a sale of plants and an oscillating sprinkler going (which, because the sun was shining right in my eyes, I'd didn't actually realise was there until I too got a watering :hehe:!).

In their defence, B & Q plants are usually cheaper than the equivalent in Homebase - who wanted £29.99 for a standard rose whereas in B & Q I bought an identical one for £19.99 - the greenfly which I discovered too late, came for free!

 

Are you sure you were not paying for the greenfly as well.

 

I wouldn't pay that sort of money for any plant in B&Q or Homebase, having seen how they are looked after and in some cases crammed into pots. The most I would get there are the small pots of herbs or perennials, at a couple of quid each.

They are not a garden centre or nursery - good for cheap compost and other non-plant garden items, not great for plants themselves!

 

Yes I can certainly recomend their compost this year.............but I wouldn't buy their plants.

 

cheap compost definitely wickes - agree with shiney

quality compost I use B&Q own with added JI, agree with Roders

 

I have to agree with everyone here... B&Q plants are mostly over priced and very poor quality.. "crispy brown leaves" lol But admittedly I went in there for Lettuce seed and seed compost last weekend and came out with 2 half priced Lilies in reasonably good nick... I went in there for wire ties today and came out with 3 reasonably healthy Pinks at a decent price but don't think they'd been at the shop long enough for any damage to be done... they were at the front of the shop. I walked round the garden centre bit and saw badly shrivled Lavender for £6 a pot... I got a slightly smaller but healthy pot in ASDA(of all places) for £2!

 

I think some might be being a bit hard on B&Q, like most multiples, they don't grow anything, it's bought in. They really don't have specialised horticultural staff, perhaps one who's interested in gardening, the rest are "helpers."

I made it my business to find out what day they get their plant deliveries, so whenever I'm in the market for anything, I phone and check first, then arrive that afternoon and take my pick from the new delivery which is usually still on the wheeled containers on which it arrived.
I got the smaller of my Japanese acers that way for £39.99 being able to chose one which would lend itself to training.
Same with turf, buy it on delivery day. Some of their plants must hang around for weeks. If there's nothing I fancy, I might go to Bents Garden Centre, their stuff is good, but very expensive.

 

Agree with you on the Range.. I was in there today aswell looking for bedding plants... cuz most B&Q's stock left alot to be desired on entering there were some late summer/autumn flowering bedding plants at the front of the shop I passed them by as I wanted to see what else was on offer before making my mind up, I turned my back and the plants had gone so went outside to find alot of nice green well cared for plants admittedly not the range of plants that B&Q had on offer but good enough for the average "Jo" like me lol the plants that were on display out the front had been taken in by some young lad for watering :thmb:. Plants were good value for money aswell I think I got 15(various plants) for less than £14!

 

Everyone likes to have a go at B&Q, but in the final analysis, you get what you pay for, I think.