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Dying plants received in post

(47 Posts)
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.

Grantanow Sat 05-Sept-26 10:34:00

I bought a potted rose from Anazon, despite watering it died within a week. The vendor refused a refund. Said it should have been returned on arrival. Obviously an evasion. Never buying from them again.

Stillness Mon 31-Aug-26 21:51:20

I used them and they were dreadful. The plants were half dead and customer service non existent. I don’t know how they manage to keep going.

Milliedog Mon 31-Aug-26 20:25:37

Put it on X and copy them in. It worked when my father was badly treated by Bristol airport parking.....

wiltshireemma Sat 29-Aug-26 12:55:20

Thanks everyone. I may try Crocus but never again Gardening Express!

Wyllow3 Sat 29-Aug-26 12:42:44

They are good. It's my go to.

Violetbynight Sat 29-Aug-26 09:22:01

Received plants from Crocus on the hottest day of the year all green and fresh and well watered. Absolutely amazing, given the bad weather conditions.

ClicketyClick Thu 27-Aug-26 22:57:51

Agree with Astitchintime. Alstromerias in my garden, planted by the previous owner, are a nightmare for spreading. I've even dug down a foot to remove the roots with not much success because even a tiny missed piece regrows. The flowers are attractive but the plant should come with a warning to grow it in a container.

ClicketyClick Thu 27-Aug-26 22:46:52

I recently bought plants from Garden Express and was very impressed with how big they were for the price paid and were in great condition. Off the back of that I placed another order 2 days ago and keeping fingers crossed.

Wyllow3 Thu 27-Aug-26 22:12:06

"Crocus" is more pricy, but I've never had a bad experience. They come out top rating on every ratings site as well. If something does go wrong, you get to speak to a Real Person with few waits. They refund and I have then managed to rescue some plants that looked dead not others so free plants.

CV2020 Thu 27-Aug-26 22:09:37

Do a chargeback on your card through your card issuer.

Milest0ne Thu 27-Aug-26 21:57:13

I have received several pot plants or flowers for birthday or Christmas. from GDD who lives abroad. She orders from Bloom and Wild. The flowers come with instructions to "Wake up" the flowers. It works and they bloom for at least 2 weeks. A Kumquat plant has produced 2 lots of fruit which have gone into some very tasty marmalade.
They are delivered by GPO tracked which means we get them on time,

Nannan2 Thu 27-Aug-26 21:04:52

I had a money tree delivered earlier this year- maybe march/april,from hortology,i was assured this was the "new,better plant" i had chosen to wait for but it was all squashed and what leaves it had were dropping off quickly- however, i stuck with it,i repotted and gave more compost, i watered, but then thought maybe over- watered? (Shedding leaves again.) I bought a natural spray for plants on amazon,and now its flourishing in my sunny window- it even survived housemove where it had a shake-up! I am NO gardener, but some plants are more hardy than we think.Good luck OP.🙂

Marymac70 Thu 27-Aug-26 19:27:40

Same here - absolute rubbish - will never use them again

FranP Thu 27-Aug-26 18:54:00

Sparky51

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

courier is THEIR agent. OP has paid the supplier for the delivery, so yes their responsibility

StoneofDestiny Thu 27-Aug-26 17:54:29

won’t be using them now!

Peaseblossom Thu 27-Aug-26 17:13:37

I've used them loads of times with rarely a problem. They should delay them for a few days if the weather is hot. Some of the couriers are useless and in hot weather if they're delayed it can affect them badly. It's not just that company.

missdeke Thu 27-Aug-26 15:50:18

I've used gardening Express with no problems whatsoever. Sometimes it's the courier's fault for incorrect storage until delivery or late delivery. Most gardening sites will refund without question if you show them the problem.

labazs Thu 27-Aug-26 15:49:51

terrible. go on some of the review sites and make sure you give them a low score

Astitchintime Thu 27-Aug-26 15:41:09

Give them a good soaking and I am sure they might be resurrected! I’ve got alstromeria in my garden and I cannot get rid of the blessed things…..they’re bullet proof! And to make matters worse, I never even planted them, they’ve simply migrated from my NDN!

grannybuy Thu 27-Aug-26 15:36:06

Wiltshireemma, I bought an alstroemeria plant - not cut flowers - from Lidl. When I got home and unwrapped the cellophane from the plant, only two buds looked healthy. However, I decided to plant it in a pot anyway. Although it took a couple of weeks, fresh buds appeared, and now it’s flowering beautifully. If yours is an actual plant, it might be worth trying to save to it. I can understand how angry and disappointed you felt though, as I was too. Someone should take responsibility for plants arriving in poor condition.

Siptree Thu 27-Aug-26 15:34:47

I have use Garden Express once and got vet small feeble plants. Mostly I haven't had trouble with online but this year I had tomato plants which had been ordered early in season from Suttons sent out over the May bank holiday weekend dry as a bone and out of 6 only 1 revived slightly. They did replace them but I had to wait a few weeks till more stock was ready. I had some bulbs and tubers from Farmer gracy several didn't materialize and a few struggled with heat waves. Next year I throw some seeds out in the flower beds and forget the tomatoes. They are too expensive to buy lots from garden centres.

barbaraellen Thu 27-Aug-26 15:18:54

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.

wiltshireemma Thu 27-Aug-26 15:10:23

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!

Pearlsaminger Thu 27-Aug-26 15:10:18

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 🤞🏻

Nurseundercover Thu 27-Aug-26 15:03:06

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 smile