Dying plants received in post

I had a similar issue with Marshall’s and tomato plants, money was refunded.

Leave them a damning review on their website it doesn’t get you your money back but hopefully it will damage their sales

It was their choice of carrier so their responsibility if an item is received in an unsatisfactory condition. I only used them once and wasn't very impressed with the quality.
I would leave a scathing review.

That is very disappointing but the plant will probably survive if you cut back the blooms and give it a good soaking and a feed. I often buy plants in tgat half alive state from the rejects selling at greatly reduced prices.

However , as the goods are not fit for purpose , you should get your money back.

You could try contacting the company again, quoting the Consumer Rights Act - the plants are not fit for purpose.

I would ring, or email them, with those photos & demand in a nice manner your money back.
Then leave a review positive if they refund you, or negative if they don’t.

Thank you for all your replies and advice. Unfortunately, despite many emails back and forth with this company they are unwilling to refund me or replace the plants - this the latest from them:
"From the photographs we have received, the plants do appear alive and should continue to thrive and grow with the correct care and attention."

That's bad.

At least Gardening Express has received very poor publicity on here.

I believe that the supplier must supply goods in a good condition when they arrive at your door. Otherwise they or the carrier are liable to replace or refund you. Keep,on at Gardening Express, they must know their legal responsibilities.

Isnt it the couriers fault???..not delivering them for 2 days..Cant see how it is the supliers fault.xx

I got similar service from Gardening Express, dead plants, contacted them , no response. Don’t use this company.

I had exactly the same happen to me when I booked plants from Gardening Express. Late delivery and dying plants. I think I got a partial refund in the end but I would not use this firm again, especially not after reading everybody else's opinion of them.

I've had plants in a dreadful state from the RHS and the Telegraph have now stopped buying plants online.

wiltshireemma

I received 2 Alstroemeria plants in the post from Gardening Express. They were in a terrible state and I could only salvage 2 stems from each - the rest were dead. They despatched these on the hottest day of the year and the courier didn't deliver them for 48 hours afterwards. I contacted Gardening Express immediately, attaching photos of the plants in the packaging and out of it, and they are not accepting responsibility.
I would like to advise people not to use this website.

Contact your bank if you paid by debit card and ask them to do a charge back

Thank you won’t use them again.

I stopped using this company years ago for this very reason..I’m amazed they're still going sending out plants in this condition..

I've had similar problems with Gardening Express and no lo ger use them. Very unhelpful when I complained and no refund.

You were fortunate they refunded you I have had alsorts of problems with Sarah Raven they will not refund to my credit card despite agreeing the plants were dead . They asked me to ring an overseas number , the caller wanted to take over my phone to acumen bank account, why would a uk brand use an overseas company for uk customers they are not that big a brand. They refuse to answer my emails. Have since looked at Trustpilot reviews which are awful.

For three years I bought plug plants from Thomson and Morgan and every year I found they had been in transit for several days and some were dead or very feeble when they arrived. I reported this to them, and they would give me a small value credit note - which always had to be used within a few weeks (little use to me as I had already planted everything up by then!). This year I ordered from Suttons - and had exactly the same issue. I will be buying locally in future. Lesson learned!

best to go to a proper place to buy, where you can see the goods

As previous posters have said, they are the ones who chose their courier it’s up to them to refund you, then claim from the courier.
I would contact Matt Alright on channel 5 rogue traders or watchdog, you’ll probably find there are many who have had bad service. NAME & SHAME

Reply to the seller citing the Consumer Rights Act 2015 by name and stating that refusing both remedies isn’t compliant — sometimes this alone gets a different answer, since sellers often don’t expect buyers to know their rights.

If they still refuse, use Resolver (free UK complaint tool) to formally escalate — it’s often taken more seriously than a direct email and creates a paper trail.

*Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline*(0808 223 1133) can also give free guidance specific to your case.

Then

Chargeback / Section 75

If you paid by credit card and the item cost over £100: Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act makes your card provider jointly liable with the seller — this is stronger than a standard chargeback and easier to win.

If you paid by debit card or a credit card purchase under £100: use the chargeback scheme instead (Visa/Mastercard rules) — contact your bank, cite “goods not as described / not received in satisfactory condition.”

Either way, call your bank/card provider, explain the seller refused a refund despite the item arriving dead, and provide your photos and email exchange as evidence.

Had the same with Prestige Flowers. TWICE.

Birthday bouquet was terrible. Dead flowers. Brown crispy leaves. No water. Not delivered in time.

I got a refund first time. Section 75 the second for a refund to Debit Card.

Good luck 🤞🏻

Monami you are so right. I have learned from this experience and in future will support my local garden centres. It’s tempting though when the brochures arrive in the post or the emails pop up showing photos of lovely plants!

If the weather was too hot they should have delayed sending them.
I would of send a query to Alice Beer at This Morning itv program and send your photos to see if she can help. Most companies would not want to be seen in a bad light on national television.