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Ordered 2 bags (advertised as each containing 10 bulbs) of Narcissus Bells daffodils, as well as 4 bags saffron crocus. Unfortunately, one bag only contained 9 bulbs. The bulbs weren't cheap after shipping.
My letter to Easy to Grow read:
"Hi, Received my order just fine--nice bulbs too. But one of the Narcissus Bells had only 9 bulbs in the bag rather than the 10 bulbs listed on the package. The other five packages had 10 bulbs as listed. Send me another Narcissus Bell bulb? Thanks"
Their response was:
"Hi, I am so sorry we made such an error! That never should have happened. Unfortunately, I have no way to send you just 1 bulb, as we order and pack them in sets of 10. I will be happy to refund the amount for the bulb you are missing. Will that work?"
I replied, "I'd've preferred the bulb. Thanks, Dave"
I have not received bulb or refund since my email September 28. That's a fact.
On Dec 7, 2009, Easy to Grow Bulbs responded with:
"On Dec 8, 2009 9:59 AM, Easy to Grow Bulbs responded with:
This customer was accidentally sent 59 bulbs instead of the 60 he purchased. When he alerted us to this we:
- Apologized for the error
- Explained that we order and pack these varieties in lots of 10, so don't have loose bulbs to send
- Offered to immediately credit his account for the missing bulb
After receiving his second email on the afternoon of 9/28 (see above), we responded that evening. Echoing his concern about shipping charges, in this case for a single bulb, we offered the customer the following, in addition to the original offer of a refund for the missing bulb:
- To send a full pack of 10 bulbs at half price if he'd cover the shipping ($5.85)
- Or to include a full pack of 10 additional bulbs free with any other order
The customer was given three options to address the situation and we awaited his response. He did not call or email again. This customer service ticket has been "open" since late September.
It's now the end of the fall gardening season and the narcissus variety ordered is sold out, so only one option remains. This customer's account has been credited for the one missing bulb. Again, we apologize for the original miscount and the inconvenience it caused.
"
Only 3 out of 10 ranunculus and none out of 5 crocosmia babylon bulbs sprouted that I ordered from Easy to Grow Bulbs. I asked for the refund. I was told that it was my fault that there were too much heat, water and a wrong kind of soil. I had a very disappointing experience dealing with this suppler.
On May 12, 2009, Easy to Grow Bulbs responded with:
"On May 12, 2009 7:04 PM, Easy to Grow Bulbs responded with:
We have been communicating for several days with this customer. The complete story is:
- The customer's order included many bulbs; most have sprouted well according to her.
- Crocosmia bulbs are slow to break dormancy, the customer's are within the normal sprouting window and she was advised of this.
- The "rotted" ranunculus bulbs were shipped rock hard (that's normal for these bulbs) and are now "squishy" per the customer. Heat and excess moisture will cause this outcome; this was explained.
- The customer planted in a combination of peat and pine bark. No soil, compost or other nutrient-rich material was included to supply food for the plants or a well draining mix. We suggested that soil with organic matter would produce better results.
- The customer admitted that her planting containers are infested with transparent white worms and asked what these might be. Since they could be fungus gnat larva, young horsehair worms, large nematodes or parasitic worms of some type, we requested a photo in order to help with identification. The customer declined our offer.
Early on this individual threatened "If I do not receive a refund and an explanation, I will have to leave negative reviews on gardening forums, such as Dave's Garden." Well, she received a detailed, personalized (485 word) explanation addressing every concern raised and offering lots of information and assistance. As for the refund, suppliers typically don't refund for dormant bulbs still likely to sprout. We'll echo the customer's take on the situation – we're disappointed, too.
I'm giving this company a neutral rating until I see how the plants do but I wanted to rate them to give others a heads up on what to expect. I ordered hardy geranium and chose the mix of 6 plants because my garden is broken down into distinct sections - shady, dry, sunny, wet. Also I'm a bit of a control freak so I've been planting by color and size since the garden is only a year old. I was excited to have 6 different geraniums in 6 different colors and with 6 different personalities. The difficulty is they did not come with any identification so I had to plant "blind". This means I could not put the plants where I want them to grow. I had to find a neutral spot and will have to wait for them to bloom, dig them up and move them to the spots they will most likely thrive in. Annoying.
What has me writing is the difference between the promise and the fact. The promise was that the plants would be "Freshly harvested divisions ship late February through June". What I received were plants that had been harvested long ago, packed in wood shavings and stored long enough the pale yellow leaves had shriveled and died or were ghostly and thin. These were not freshly dug and were not looking healthy. The roots were mostly dried up. Perhaps this is just fine for hardy geranium as this is a new plant for me. I don't feel "freshly harvested" should be part of their sales pitch.
When everything blooms beautifully and I have 6 different geraniums moved to their proper locations I'll consider changing from neutral to positive. They did ship quickly and they notified me by email that the package was on its way.
On June 30th, 2009, Cynthia47 changed the rating from neutral to negative and added the following:
Although the Johnson Blue is 6 inches high and is making a few blossoms the other 5 geraniums have barely survived in the garden and are puny, unproductive, flowerless plants only a few inches across despite fancy soil, fertilizer and attention. They are smaller than the "Steppable" geraniums I bought at the grocery store 2 months later and put into the same soil. The dismal condition of the roots tells me these were old, not too viable left overs from another year. Also purchased a fancy "Kniphofia" that was supposed to have a white or light bloom. It was in sad condition but I planted it. The dimestore Kniphofia purchased about the same time are 3 feet tall. Their plant remains DOA. Expensive way to compost. I will avoid this company in the future.
On Sep 22, 2008, maryechambers Campbell, CA wrote:
I purchased freesias and phlox at the very end of the spring selling season. Both arrived very shriveled in appearance. I planted them anyway, thinking the company must know their business. Only one freesia sprouted. My complaint was met with a response that essentially said, "too late; you must have done something wrong."
No offer to replace or refund.
I won't use this company again.
On Sep 22, 2008, Easy to Grow Bulbs responded with:
"
On Sep 23, 2008 10:33 AM, Easy to Grow Bulbs added:
It's disturbing to hear that this customer did not have a satisfactory experience buying from us. We've reviewed the transaction and found the following.
This order was placed at the end of the spring season, on 6/18, and it shipped promptly. The first communication from the customer was sent two months later, on 8/22, stating that the plants and bulbs were received in poor condition and had not grown well.
Our website, packing slips and customer service agents all stress that visible problems with any order should be raised within 7 days. This allows us to correct the situation promptly. While the customer was aware of this, she waited months to raise her concerns.
Our customer service staff asked several questions in an effort to troubleshoot the situation. (Unlike most in the industry, our service goals include helping to figure out what went wrong so gardeners can enjoy future successes.) We awaited the customer's response and another month passed with no further communication. Then the customer sent an email demanding a refund.
The email stream concerning this transaction does not support the customer's account of the situation. The statement that no replacement offer was made is contradicted by written records which show otherwise. We are sorry this buyer is unhappy with the situation, but do agree that she is probably better served by sourcing her future plants elsewhere."
I sent an e-mail to easytogrow.bulbs on 1/5/2007, requesting the address where I should return the merchandise I was unhappy with. (It had arrived at noon on 12/23/2006 right before the Christmas break.) "The owner" , never introducing himself by name, called me on 1/10/2007. He told me that it didn't matter if I was unhappy. Even if I paid the return postage ($70), he would not accept the return. It was an extremely disturbing phone call because no matter what I said, he was right and I was wrong. I decided to turn the matter over to American Express. I didn't want to speak to this man ever again. American Express sent him a fax on January 12,2007, requesting information about this transaction. "He" waited 18 days to answer the fax. His reply was "The customer did not return the items within the 30 days required". He lied to me on the phone and then deceived American Express by waiting until 30 days had expired to reply to them. Unfortunately by law, AmEx has to give the merchant 60 days to reply. He must have known this and used it to his advantage. I hope to spread the word about this company to all the groups I speak to as a master gardener.
I doubt this will ever appear on the web site. "He" does not to be found wrong. As you would find out, if you have any problem with the merchandise you receive.
On Oct 3, 2007, Easy to Grow Bulbs responded with:
"
On Oct 5, 2007 1:12 PM, Easy to Grow Bulbs added:
This post surprises us (and other customers, too, based on incoming email here). We’ve pulled out and dug though last Christmas’s records, and talked with staff members; three staffers recall communicating with this customer. Records show the following:
• This order was placed one week before Christmas, late afternoon on 12/18. It was shipped out the following day and received by the customer on 12/22.
• Our guarantee asks that order problems be brought to our attention within 7 days. This notification policy ensures that 1) any problems are addressed quickly so customers get immediate resolution, 2) live bulbs/plants aren’t left in shipping boxes indefinitely, and 3) returned goods are not out of temperature/humidity controlled environments for more than a few days. The first contact from this customer was 13 days after order receipt.
• Returns must be received within 30 days. The customer never returned the goods.
• American Express determined that the customer’s claim was without merit.
We never are pleased with a customer experience that ends with dissatisfaction and are sorry this one turned out that way."
On Jul 26, 2007, TXSteelMagnolia Brookeland, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:
I received 5 3-packs of Begonia tubers this spring as a gift from my daughter. I had never tried this company's product. For my experience, the tubers were a bit undersized, and the eye development was poor or lacking in many bulbs/tubers. I planted them anyway. Out of the 15 tubers, only 9 got started. I called the company, but they said that since I had not ordered directly from them, but received the tubers as a gift, there was nothing they could do. I waited on the remaining 9 plants, and found that only 6 of them bloomed (As I write this, it is late July, and I have plenty of other begonias doing well). I picked up some late season sale tubers from another source so as to fill my blank spots, since I live so far South I have the advantage of a long growing season. These tubers, from another company, were more of what I expect in begonia tubers - larger with well-developed eyes, and EVERY single one from this company has already sprouted. I was brought up never to criticize gifts, so I'm not bringing this up to my daughter, but I will hint that sending me begonia tubers from California companies probably isn't necessary as I have my own sources
On Jul 26, 2007, Easy to Grow Bulbs responded with:
"
On Aug 10, 2007 10:50 AM, Easy to Grow Bulbs added:
We have contacted TXSteelMagnolia to gather more information about this order (need to know who placed the order to access the record) and are awaiting a response. The company reply as outlined by this customer does not match the way we do business, so we are puzzled by the whole situation.
On Oct 5, 2007 1:14 PM, Easy to Grow Bulbs added:
It has been nearly two months and despite our efforts to contact TXSteelMagnolia we have heard nothing. We would still like to resolve this concern and would appreciate receiving hearing from this customer."
On Apr 29, 2007, americandragon Hot Springs Village, AR (Zone 7b) wrote:
Sorry, but I can't understand how this company has received so many positive ratings. I placed a small order and only one item (Picotee Begonoia tubers) have performed (3 out of 3 growing well). The Yellow Roseform Begonias were 2 out of 3, but while started under identical conditions the two that sprouted are less than 1/4 the growth of the Picotee. One tuber was a complete dud. The Achimenes Ambrose Verschaffelt have had a zero germination rate (20 bulbs - nothing), and the 3 Tuberose rhizomes show no signs of coming out of dormency. Everything in my yard is going gangbusters as we had an early warm spring. This is the lowest success rate of any mail order firm, nursery, or garden center (or for that matter ANY) source of plants I've used. What is particularly annoying is their response to my e-mail advising them that their products had not performed to my satisfaction: they were happy that the Picotee Begonias had grown (maybe the fact that anything grew surprised them) and suggested that I continue to wait on all the duds. Never again. . . there are just too many alternatives where the company actually CARES about customer service and satisfaction.
On May 20th, 2007, americandragon added the following:
An update in response to the company's reply:
1-The initial e-mail response contained no offer to "make good" on the items that had failed to germinate.
2-Both the initial e-mail, the owner's phone call, and their response here are a bit patronizing in that I should have the common gardening sense not to expect any growth from these items for 6 to 8 weeks. As I explained during his phone call, my expectations were based in large part on THE COMPANY'S GROWING GUIDE on the website which stated for the Achimenes (item 4 under Outdoor Beds) "Sprouts will appear in one to three weeks" and for the Tuberose (item 4 under Outdoor Beds) "Roots and top growth will appear in a few weeks". He huffed and puffed a bit and stated that they would have to look into changing those statements, but if anyone wants proof, I saved them as dated PDF files on the day I planted the items, March 16.
3-As for his suggestion that I should not have ordered tropicals if I wasn't patient enough to give them time outside a tropical zone, please give me a break. I live in South Central Arkansas, Zone 7 B, not Minneapolis. We have had a fairly warm Spring. I ordered the Tuberose with the full understanding and expectation that in the fall I would have to dig them up and store them over the wenter, and I ordered the Achimenes with the expectation of treating them as annuals (i.e., if I liked them, I would reorder and replant each spring). The fact is that as of today, May 20, my results stand exactly as stated on my original post.
4-Here's something he failed to mention in his reply: as previously mentioned, I received a phone call approximately two weeks prior to the company's response post from someone identifying himself as the owner. We discussed my issues (he maintained that I had not given the items enough time to grow, still adament and unyielding on that position) and stated that he would send replacements for the items that had not germinated. He then mentioned that they were sold out of the Achimenes and I replied that he could substitue whatever he wanted. Now, more than two weeks later, I have received neither replacements nor any shipment information. At this point in time, I could go out in the yard tomorrow and find everything sprouting like mad, and an 18-wheeler could pull up with plants from the company and I would still never do business with them again. I no longer want replacements, no do I want to waste my breath talking to someone who does not follow through on promises.
In closing, for goodness sakes, it was a $7.95 package of Achimenes bulbs and a $9.95 package of Tuberose plus one of a three pack of begonia tubers that did not grow and needed replacements. What put the bee under my bonnet was the patronizing nature of the response and the sheer arrogance of the company in digging in their heels and refusing to budge from the position that there was nothing wrong with the items they sent. This is the ONLY negative review I have given, and I have ordered this year from a couple of the most reviled websites on the Garden Watchdog without these types of issues. Companies have to be judged not only by the successful orders they process, but also how they deal with their complaints. After the phone call, my initial irritation with the company was soothed a bit, but then reignited by their failure to follow through with the promise made on the phone, and the posting of their rather patronizing reply on this site.On Apr 29, 2007, Easy to Grow Bulbs responded with:
"
On May 15, 2007 2:40 PM, Easy to Grow Bulbs added:
We have contacted this customer again, to follow up, but in fairness, it's worth noting that:
1. His email expressing concern was answered within 3 hours
2. The answer was a personal one not a form letter, which we avoid.
3. Our response was a multi paragraph note suggesting that since all of the bulbs in question are tropicals that prefer hot weather, he should allow a little more time for them to break dormancy and begin growing. With some varieties, 6-8 weeks is not unheard of. This situation is common with tropical bulbs, as Mother Nature works on her own timelines. The customer's tuberous begonias have already begun to sprout and grow, albeit at different rates for the two varieties, which again, is normal.
4. Our customer service rep finished her note with "Please keep me posted on their progress!" Instead, the customer notified us that he had detailed his dissatisfaction online and intended to inform members of his garden club of his displeasure. Of course, we're disappointed with this choice.
While we still feel that a bit more patience is likely to results in success, not everyone is able to give this. For gardeners who need immediate results, we suggest choosing non-tropical bulbs that tend to respond more quickly, especially in all but the warmest temperatures."
2005 I ordered 3 varieties of Amaryllis.
1. received a different variety than ordered.
2. received two bulbs of the ordered variety but they performed poorly (grew only 5" tall, flowers only partially opened before dying) and the third bulb was of a variety I did not order.
3. received the variety ordered and they performed well.
Wally Eberhart
On Jan 11, 2006, Easy to Grow Bulbs responded with:
"
On Jan 11, 2006 6:05 PM, Easy to Grow Bulbs added:
We are very sorry to hear of this customer's experience with our amaryllis bulbs and sorrier still that we haven't heard from him so we could rectify the situation.
While it's certainly possible that an incorrect item was shipped, we receive VERY few communications about this. When this does occur, we always reship the correct product promptly.
Regarding the problem with the bulbs' growth rate, this mystifies us. Thousands of amaryllis were shipped over the 2005 fall - holiday season and we have not heard of this "stunting" problem from any other customers. Hopefully, we'll hear from this customer to learn which variety he is referencing and to give us an opportunity to correct the situation. customerservice@easytogrowbulbs.com"
I ordered some decollate snails from this place 4 months ago, when I never recieved them I emailed them numerous times as well as called and left messages, with no emails back regarding my order, so after 3 months went by the last email I sent to them is that they were very unprofessional and to cancel my order, they never billed my credit card thank god, and never got a response about that either.
On Aug 24, 2005, Easy to Grow Bulbs responded with:
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On Nov 2, 2005 10:20 PM, Easy to Grow Bulbs added:
We're pretty sure this customer was never a customer of ours. She states she placed an order at a time when we didn't carry deccolate snails, we received no emails from them, and they even admit we never charged them for any merchandise. Upon further research we found they did turn around and leave another negative review for another vendor who also sells deccolate snails right after leaving this one for us. We can only guess that she errored and left us this review on accident. Unfortuantely, our attempts to contact her have gone in vein, so we're not sure what to do. We are not in the business of ignoring our customers. I hope she ends up with Deccolates at some point though and she's welcome to actually try us next season."
Isn't the website beautiful? I placed a $50 order on 2/13/05 and got an email that things would be shipping shortly. Then, nothing happened. I followed up and didn't get a timely response. When I did get a response, I was told items would be shipped by 3/7 due to "frost issues" -Today is 3/11 - no bulbs, no shipping notice and no word. Now, No order - I canceled it. I wish it had worked. This was my first try and I had high hopes. Any other suggestions out there on where I can order or buy quality bulbs? I live in Fallbrook CA. I really loved the website for Easy to Grow bulbs, sounds like my experience was out of the ordinary....too bad.
On Mar 11, 2005, Easy to Grow Bulbs responded with:
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On Mar 30, 2005 8:51 PM, Easy to Grow Bulbs added:
This review really hurt. Somehow this customer was only receiving some of the emails we were sending and she therefore felt ignored (understandably). Her home is only a 15-20 minute drive from here and I offered to hand deliver the order but haven't yet heard back from her. I would still very much like to salvage this relationship and hope to hear back from her in the future. My well wishes go out to her either way. "
