DISAPPOINTED.

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by ARMANDII, May 25, 2017.

  1. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    Well, this is the reply I have got back from Parkers.......

    "Thank you for your reply, I have refunded for all the papaver that failed to show the correct colour as we cannot replace the plants now.

    Apologies for any inconvenience caused.


    Regards

    Carole Allen"

    To be honest, I'm not happy with the situation. Part of my work is to interpret how the English language is used and written and my "feeling" with Parker's reply is that I'm thought as a inconvenient unhappy customer who needs to placated and got rid of quickly.
    However, I have learnt my lesson in that if I want guaranteed specific varieties of plants then I should buy from the Specialists and not "Stack 'em high and sell 'em cheap retailers:dunno:. Don't get me wrong, I'm not denigrating Parkers as I have had some good plants from them in past orders. But if I received correctly ordered bare root plants in correctly named plastic bags only to find, after much anticipation, that they are not what was ordered:wallbanging: then I will obviously become disappointed and look elsewhere when thinking of a specific variety.:coffee::snorky:
     
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    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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      I ordered from them only once, and it was a complete disaster - most of the stuff that arrived was DOA, and the odd thing that wasn't didn't take long to follow their brethren
       
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      • Linz

        Linz Total Gardener

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        Oh that's such a shame and a poor response from them. I've only ordered from them twice, first order was 3 buddleja, 1 died and the other 2 were battered and took a while to get established. The second order was the different lillies not so long a go, some have buds some seem to be failing, not got much confidence after reading this now.
         
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        • Verdun

          Verdun Passionate gardener

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          For bulbs etc. Parkers are fine but they are poor for plants.
          Better to spend a little more and buy from specialist growers.....potted plants not bare root too :)
           
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          • CarolineL

            CarolineL Total Gardener

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            I ordered lilium martagon and other varieties from Parkers this spring after seeing someone here recommend them. (I thought it was a bit late in the year, but assumed they wouldn't sell them if it was too late). The bulbs were dehydrated - much smaller than specified, and some so rotted they fell apart. I have had at best 50% success (and most of that was with their 'free' bulbs, not the ones I ordered). I sent an email with images of the rotten bulbs, and didn't even get the courtesy of a reply. I've learned my lesson. Back to Peter Nyssen instead (I only ever had one batch of wrongly labelled bulbs from them, and all theirs were in good condition).
             
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            • shiney

              shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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              @CarolineL I'd be inclined to email them again pointing out that they had sent you goods that were not of sufficient quality, as the bulbs were rotten, and therefore they were in contravention of The Consumer Rights Act (this replaced the Sale of Goods Act on September 30th 2015) and you expect a replacement within 14 days or the return of your money. :dbgrtmb:
               
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              • CarolineL

                CarolineL Total Gardener

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                Hi @shiney, yes I should, I know you're right. But if they fail to reply again, what then? Take them to Small Claims court? Are they worth my time? I'd prefer to spend my spare time reading gardenerscorner! I just have to think of Parkers as having pre-killed the plants I probably would have 'lost' anyway :smile:
                 
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                • shiney

                  shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                  @CarolineL You are, of course, correct about not being worth your while but the initial email doesn't take much effort and is worth a try. :dbgrtmb:

                  As I'm a bloody minded old curmudgeon :old: I would continue to the Small Claims Court, but I'm used to handling those situations :snork:. I used to do freebie consumer law cases and would never let companies or authorities get away with anything :paladin: :snorky:
                   
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                  • Verdun

                    Verdun Passionate gardener

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                    CarolineL, email again. Phone. You will get this matter sorted. You need to fuss, dig your heels in and not worry about it. Say "not fit for purpose" .....a phrase I often use....and ask for the manager. Be firm, never offensive and be determined
                    I always complain if service is not as it should be........I'm pretty much as Shiney is over these things.
                    It is a shame most people do not complain enough about faulty goods and poor service.
                    Invariably, in the end, I have the matter resolved plus a token of compensation :). And without the need of the Small Claims Court.
                    So Caroline have a go :rasp:
                     
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                    • NCFCcrazy

                      NCFCcrazy Super Gardener

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                      I had exactly the same issue with JParkers, and it happened a couple of times before I ditched them. I now stick to specialist nurseries that offer mail order service, never going back and I would urge anyone who want to buy mail order, to find a good nursery instead.
                       
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                      • Verdun

                        Verdun Passionate gardener

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                        I have great success with mail order companies.....the latest are Bluebell Cottage Nursery and Special Perennials. Plants simply not available in gc's or in many nurseries. However, spoiled for choice down here.....lots of nurseries growing tender, unusual and rare gems.
                        Agree, nurseries first but mail order from specialist suppliers too :)
                         
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                        • ARMANDII

                          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                          Well, out of the 7 Perennial Poppies I specifically ordered only one, "Patty's Plum" was true. I actually ordered three additional dry root Perennial Poppies of the specifically ordered ones due to the previous ones not even "getting away" in their pots. I've learnt my lesson and will now buy the specific varieties from the Specialists.

                          It's your personal choice, Caroline, but Parkers failed to reply to my first e-mail and it took a second asking for a response to my first before I got a reply. I think it's worth pursuing because if they believe they can "get away with it" by ignoring customers
                           
                        • Linz

                          Linz Total Gardener

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                          Ah @CarolineL was it my post that pointed you to parkers? If it's any consolation mine have turned into a rotten mess, along with the tiger and asiatic. I'm going to complain and see where it gets me..
                           
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                          • Snorky85

                            Snorky85 Total Gardener

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                            @silu ah I thought I had replied to this whilst I was away but maybe it didn't post!? Thanks so much-that is so kind of you :wub2:
                             
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                            • silu

                              silu gardening easy...hmmm

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                              Remind me @Snorky85 come Octoberish when the plants are dying back and sure we can sort something out.
                               
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