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Dying plants received in post

(46 Posts)
monami Thu 27-Aug-26 14:52:52

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

Mjord70 Thu 27-Aug-26 14:26:47

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!

Twirl49 Thu 27-Aug-26 14:03:40

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.

clbm48 Thu 27-Aug-26 14:03:00

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

Kats2 Thu 27-Aug-26 13:54:19

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

Harris27 Thu 27-Aug-26 13:54:17

Thank you won’t use them again.

Momac55 Thu 27-Aug-26 13:50:30

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

knspol Thu 27-Aug-26 13:49:03

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

Cabowich Thu 27-Aug-26 13:43:47

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.

Cumbrian123 Thu 27-Aug-26 13:40:32

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

Sparky51 Thu 27-Aug-26 13:37:33

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

Quizzer Thu 27-Aug-26 13:37:29

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.

tabbie Thu 27-Aug-26 12:36:26

That's bad.

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

wiltshireemma Thu 27-Aug-26 11:46:28

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."

MT62 Wed 26-Aug-26 20:27:39

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.

Squiffy Wed 26-Aug-26 19:01:50

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

Gin Wed 26-Aug-26 17:41:58

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.

Redrobin51 Wed 26-Aug-26 16:56:05

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.

TwiceAsNice Wed 26-Aug-26 16:21:08

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

Jaxjacky Wed 26-Aug-26 14:06:29

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

wiltshireemma Wed 26-Aug-26 14:02:20

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.