The scoop on 'The Plumeria Gallery'

Through extensive searches for butterfly pea vines, I found that many sites listed them unavailable or on backorder. I called Marlene to check actual availability and get a realistic ship time. I left a message on Saturday, 6/14, and received a call back in less than half an hour. I received my vines in excellent condition on Wednesday, 6/18 (Florida to California.) WOW! Marlene took extra time to explain how and why to delay planting until evening for best results. After learning that I was looking for vines that might be blooming in a few weeks for a special party, she called back and offered more established vines. She took time to share other helpful information that she has learned by having her own vines over the years. I could not be more pleased with my experience and Marlene's excellent customer service!

Placed order March 18, 2008.
Payed for using PayPal March 18, 2008.
Buyer follow-up telephone call status of order April 15, 2008
Buyer E confirming telephone discussion April 15, 2008.
Seller response giving no shipping date. April 15, 2008.
Buyer E asking for shipping date May 13, 2008 (2 months)
Seller reported shipping tomorrow May 14, 2008.
Buyer E inquiring about order May 26,2008.
Seller reported shipping tomorrow May 27, 2008
Buyer canceled order and requested refund June 2nd.
No communication from Seller. Filed this report as apparently my only recourse.

This is the first internet negative difficulty I have experienced while being a good customer for many sellers. I of course can not know what administrative problems this company has but it is evident there is much room for improvement.

My apologies, this is the first I have seen of this and will check tracking information for your package. May and June were exceptionally busy, catching up shipping orders placed from January through May, over 200 orders requesting delayed shipping due to the long, cold winter. I will send you a refund and apologize for the less than stellar service.

My coleus from Plumeria arrived today and most of them were in pretty good shape. Two of them were broken, but the plants were quite large so that really wasn't a problem. If I were giving this rating exclusively on the plants I would say it was positive, however since both the service and communication were quite lacking I am giving it a neutral.

The owner was an excellent communicator until my order was actually placed, then it was like pulling teeth to get a response to an email. I gave her my order in February but
ask for a May 1 ship date and was told that would be no problem. (I might add that that my CC was charged immediately when the plants weren't to be shipped for another 3 months.)

I sent an email on April 21 stating that our weather here was stable and she could ship them as soon as it was convenient. I got no reply. I sent another email on the 29th to inquire on the statis and was told that the plants would be shipped that week. On May 8th I sent another email telling her that if she was too overwhelmed with orders I would go just cancel mine. I got no reply. On the 9th I telephoned the owner and was told the plants had been shipped that day.

I did get a bonus plant which was nice, but it didn't make up for the frustration and the run-around I felt I was getting.

I ordered and paid on Jan. 26th believing she'd send them mid April, as promised. I've emailed her with no reply so cancelled my payment today. A lack of communication is not a wise business decision.

My experience was negative, but I feel a negative rating is a little extreme, since I did finally get plants.

I ordered and paid via PayPal Jan 29, 2008 and finally received my order Feb 22 after numerous unanswered emails inquiring about my order. It is stressful to wonder what happened to my money for a month, even if it is under $20.

I didn't know the order one get one free offer was only if you bought single plants.. (not stated in the ad) and was a very disappointed that it would not be honored.

I also expected a plant that looked like the picture posted, which had blue and purple and said "New for 2008" when in fact it was a variety that has been around a long time. I got a red and yellow plant that I never would have ordered if I knew better.. buyer beware.. I felt like an ignorant newbie that fell for a fake picture.

They were packed well, but in used pots that said Impatiens. There was a bonus coleus plant that was untagged and I don't know what it was.

After emailing with my concerns, I was told that her sister was visiting and she was unable to answer emails or ship products.

I would not order from this company again. I'm sorry.. but this is my experience with this company.

I ordered a selection of coleus after reading a classified ad here on DG. Offer was 2 for 1 coleus. Ordered on March 16th. All plants were carefully packaged. Plants were well established with a great root system going. One of the plants had to be placed in a 8" pot, one in a 6" and the rest in 4". My entire order consisted of about 12 plants. They were a little "weary" from travel but were doing great the next morning. I would not hesitate to order from Plumeria Gallery again. I was (and still am) very satisfied with my order.

I placed an order from the ad here on DG. Payment made through Paypal. For the past month, I have made several attempts to contact this company through the email addresses from my Paypal account and their website to cancel the order and get a refund with absolutely no response, not even that they received my messages.

I bought the Coleus "Pick 3" & ordered Yalaha, Yulee, & Maricopa.

- I placed the order Feb 7, but didn't receive the plants until Mar 10, with no communication from the company at all.

- They were NOT packed well. Wrapped in plastic bags and stuffed top first into a flat box against crumpled newspaper, so 3 of the 4 had broken leaves & stems.

- 1 plant wasn't labeled, & there was an extra plant I didn't order. I had sent an email with my choices but had never gotten a response, so I wasn't sure what was going on.

- I immediately potted them, but I believe the Yulee is dead & gone. I had hoped it would come back, but after 10+ days, I don't think it's going to. The others are doing ok.

I wrote her earlier this week. She responded right away & apologized for the packing, but she asked me to make every effort to keep these alive. She said if she had to replace Yulee it might be with another plant because they were having problems with keeping Yulee alive, or it was slow growing, or something.

I wrote her immediately back telling her I didn't think the Yulee was going to make it... and she's never responded.

I buy 99% of my plants online. I'm not happy with Plumeria Gallery & will not buy from them again.

It is always a pleasure to get a box from Marlene. I just got my second order a few weeks ago and will continue to be a loyal customer. The plants I have recieved to date have been very healthy and transitioned well up here in NY.

Received a nice, fresh cutting. Ordered on Wednesday and received it on Monday. Will order again.

A positve experience all around! Received plumeria and other tropical plants in great shape and within days of placing order. Very reasonable with shipping charges. The Plumeria Gallery owner took time with me to describe each plant to be sent in detail and was very helpful with special requests. She even included fun, free extras! Will order from again!

Ordered plants for $130 3 weeks ago. After 2 weeks, not a word, no plants. I emailed them, and they emailed back saying the plants would ship the following Monday.
Another week went by without plants, and after several emails; no response anymore. I have cancelled my order, as this was a gift for someone else, and by now it is too late. I have not received confirmation my order is cancelled, and it appears the money got taken via Paypal anyhow.
Since they are not communicating with me anymore I have to leave a very negative feedback.
I have ordered with many online nurseries, and never had an experience this BAD! Nobody ever took my money BEFORE sending plants. Very dishonest business if you ask me.
Buy your plants with someone who communicates and sends plants!

Cuttings and other items packaged very well. All cuttings included individual name tags. Very professional.