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On Jul 21, 2009, pewterpower Clearwater, FL wrote:
I ordered maypops on june 7 th and sent check .I was told by g-mail the order would ship after payment received.The payment was acknowledged on June 17th. I noticed the check was debited on JUne 24th..I checked on order on the 28th and was told it went out on the 23rd.of June..I waited patiently and inquired on the 7th of July and was told that she would need my e-mail address to track my order . Okay, so I g-mail her my e-mail address on July 8th and have not received ANY RESPONSE BY G-MAIL or E-MAIL nor has anyone answered my phone calls.....
I am so frustrated because I cannot get anyone to even return a phone call or an e or g mail.....
This is absolutely no way to do business.......
I can understand that things get lost in shipping , or orders get lost, etc but NOT COMMUNICATING WITH SOMEONE WHOSE MONEY YOU ALREADY HAVE DEPOSITED IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE....
SIX WEEKS AND COUNTING.................................
On August 20th, 2009, pewterpower added the following:
I have NOT received any such maypops.HOW could you make such a statement??? If so , I would not be wasting my time trying to contact you .... I have ordered plants from nurseries many times before and have never had this problem.... I would just like what I paid for.....Its now been almost three months... PLease Send My PLants
THanksOn September 16th, 2009, pewterpower added the following:
I still have not received any maypops so I cannot change my rating On Jul 21, 2009, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
"On Aug 17, 2009 11:54 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
Waiting on usps who has your tracking information. You only paid first class shipping rate.........so its between here and there. We are eagerly looking into this. You need to email through daves garden D-mail. I will email you and show you where. There is no g-mail and our email is for paypal payments. Your email was just found in the website catalog request forum which is not a form to use......You email us at bbfults@blomand.net or d-mail at daves as all do and we would address the issue asap
On Aug 18, 2009 5:07 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
On Jul 13, 2009, CreeksideFarm Dallas, OR (Zone 8a) wrote:
I ordered 5 each of 5 varieties from Viola Valley Wildflowers the 1st of May. Sweet William Phlox, Leatherwood Fern, Spotted Wintergreen, Trout Lily and Twin Leaf.
The order came bare root in some very bone dry peat moss. Most of it looked like bone dry black dried up roots initially. A couple things have finally begun to show a little life, but many plants are still as dead looking as the day I opened the box. The ferns are just now barely showing one or two tiny fronds after waiting two months. The Sweet William Phlox finally now a few tiny leaves, so there is some hope for them.
The spotted wintergreen seems to be stuck in limbo. They came as rooted cuttings and being an evergreen already had some leaves on them, but have not put out any new growth in the past two months.
The Trout Lilies have done nothing, I dug the tiny little bulblets up to look at them. They have not put out a root or a stem or anything.
The Twin Leaf are completely dead. They came dried up black roots and still look the same after over two months have gone by. I have potted and kept all of this material watered the whole time.
I E-mailed Voila Valley on the 12th of June to let them know about the plants that did not grow. I even took pictures of the dead plants and attached them to the message. A few days went by, No answer. I E-mailed them again on June 16th, 18th, & 20th. Four tries and not a single solitary response back from them.
Something has obviously gone wrong with this company, It is hard to believe some of the comments that they have posted here in answer to others experiences claiming to "care deeply about their customers" ..... This does not appear to be the case.
I made a big order via ebay. At first they sent the order at the wrong time (in winter). Even though the mail dates were in my order and in written correspondence, they gave me a hard time about returning. Finally they allowed me to send the items back, and they resent the plants in April as I requested originally.
I immediately planted everything in the optimal conditions. 95% of the plants never came up. The other 5% came up and then promptly died. (To give you an idea of my typical success with plants, I ordered plants from 3 other mailorder nurseries this year, and out of all the other plants, only one plant failed to thrive. )
Viola Valley is a complete rip-off. Stay away.
On September 20th, 2009, fel added the following:
Viola Valley replied that all my plants have failed. Have they visited my garden? I don't think so. The people who work for this company are clearly unethical, willing to make up lies to excuse the fact that they have a record of selling dead plants. I am considering a Better Business Bureau filing against them. On Jul 13, 2009, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
I have to be honest, this customer ordered and failed to have any success with any other company she ordered from. We have an excellent reputable reputation and if you dont know what you are doing, simply contact the company for guidance."
I am very frustrated with the company. I placed a large order and only 2 plants survived. Absolutely everything else just rotted away. even though I planted immediately in pots with good growing conditions, nothing came up. After many weeks (7 or 8) I checked under the soil and there is nothing there. The company says this is normal? I will not order from them again
So I paid $30.15 on April 20 for puttyroot and crippled cranefly plants. Waited for 10 days, but no mail, reply, etc., so I sent a note. I waited for a few more days, and after two weeks (May 3), I asked about the status of the order. No reply. Then, after a few days, I contacted PayPal to open a dispute. Then, they decided to send a package. I received the package on May 7, and I found Indian pink plants. There was a print out of the order showing it was $21.60. I added a comment to my dispute but PayPal closed the case because it was about not receiving items. I talked to the customer rep at PayPal who is going to contact the company and if there is no response, it will be reported to the FBI. I was somewhat skeptical about the negative feedback, but I guess I was wrong to trust this business.
On May 19th, 2009, Nobody added the following:
On May 19th, I contacted the BBB to file a complaint. Will see what happens. If I do not hear back, there are two more places that PayPal suggested to contact, and I will follow their advice.On May 25th, 2009, Nobody added the following:
Despite the prompt response from this company on recent cases, I have not heard anything. I also contacted the office of Attorney General a few days ago. I have two more places to file complaint. Will see.On August 28th, 2009, Nobody added the following:
You gotta be kidding me. It is too bad because the rating cannot be worse than "Negative". I originally posted my negative rating on May 13 after I did not hear back for a while as I mentioned in my posting. Then I contacted the BBB and then the GA of Tennessee. Both agencies claimed that this business did NOT respond or do anything. And out of blue, the company posted on Aug. 4 and 13, long after I moved on. And the guy has a nerve to claim that I had not responded after 9 days. I am just happy that he got bad ratings from both agencies so less people would be tricked into his scheme. If he is so willing to explain, he should have responded to the BBB and the GA office. And since he seemed to like reopen the case, I might as well look into two other agencies that PayPal rep recommended. I may also contact eBay and PayPal. Contacting itself may not do anything at all, but you never know, it might ultimately help them to stop services. BTW, I do have the receipt for Indian pink, and I am very curious how he could explain if I had received the orchids. And the receipt or invoice or whatever has a name of different customer. On May 13, 2009, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
"On Aug 4, 2009 1:30 AM, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
We didnt start digging indian pink until June. Customer received all orchids.....Check my listings. We dont sell but only in the summer months the indian pink........Honestly this customer is on a rampage and we have invoice, packing slip of contents of package and also tracking to confirm receive. Never heard from her whatsoever via email or phone. Please do what all do and call or email.
On Aug 13, 2009 8:22 AM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
Follow up... Still no emails or phone call from
"NOBODY" user name on daves garden. "
I've ordered from Viola Valley four or five times over the past two years, and been generally happy with their service. Yes, I've received plants other than what I ordered, but that was part of the "grab bag charm" of ordering from Bobby ... and there were always extra plants. Most of the roots, bulbs and rhizomes I've received have been large and healthy. Even some of the ones that seemed weak have come through for me. Unfortunately, my most recent order, paid for in December 2008, has been a major disappointment. The plants were supposed to have been shipped in February, but I haven't heard anything since. My last three e-mails and a voice mail message have been ignored. I was concerned they might have gone out of business, but the Watchdog chatter indicates otherwise. I'd like to resolve this, so I can order again in the future.
On May 11, 2009, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
"On May 11, 2009 11:39 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
If only we knew who this was, we received a phone call or an email from this customer this issue would have been addressed. Something is surely odd about this feedback. I would ask you email us thru daves d-mail, email address of bbfults@blomand.net or call us at 931-635-3505. Something to start for the search for the package you never received. Never seen this before. We ship to over 5000 customers without a problem but sure as MAY comes every year, we always receive a few with claims of non reciept. We have never received any information of who this is or even in this feedback. Whoever this may be, please contact us so we can simply look up the tracking number. We have proof of all shipments."
On May 10, 2009, daredevil Niagara Falls, NY (Zone 6a) wrote:
Based on this company's decent Watchdog rating, I placed an order on March 29, 2009 that amounted to $130.95 via Paypal. I promptly paid the additional $15 for orders over 100 plants after receiving the email request on March 30. The order has not arrived and repeated emails and calls to their answering machine inquiring about the status of my order have been ignored. At this late date, I would accept a full refund of my Paypal payment with no excuse needed to change my rating to neutral.
On May 19th, 2009, daredevil added the following:
Received plants May 13. The Geranium, Stylophorum and Leatherwood ferns had absolutely no growth showing, not even feeder roots, and had obviously been in cold storage. The Vinca minor were the only plants that looked freshly dug. Had they been received 2 weeks from ordering, the April rains may have sustained them. I cannot believe that it rained too hard every day in from April 30 until May 9 in Viola for them to dig the plants (or open the cold storage unit). While I planted them in the woods, it hasn't rained since and no rain is expected for at least a week. With no top growth, plus blowing leaf litter, it is impossible to find the plants in order to water them. Very depressing. On May 10, 2009, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
"On May 10, 2009 11:17 AM, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
I will add email all received via email at purchase/payment received and also of rain,severe weather explanation. We ship all orders 1-2 weeks from reciept of payment... Your order is out monday? Sad to see. "
I won several items on Ebay which included 5 Cardinal Lobelia. When I received my order, I discovered that I had only received 3. I emailed the seller and the seller agreed to send the other two. I purchased 2 Crape Myrtles and suggested they put the two Lobelia in the box with the Crape Myrtles. When I received the package, the Lobelia were in there but only one Crape Myrtle. I was thoroughly disgusted and emailed them. They accused me of trying to blackmail them. Never again will I purchase anything from this company and do not recommend them. One would think, that in this economy, a company would do it's best to keep good customers!
On Feb 10, 2009, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
"On Feb 10, 2009 10:02 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
We have in one months time dealt with over 500 customers completely satisfied. We did ship the first time 5 red cardinal, she emailed once she received the package. We were persistent in stating to her she was our ABSOLUTE first customer of the 2009 new year that purchased when the ebay store re-opened and the only 5 cardinal we dug, packaged and shipped. She insisted 3 of us were incorrect so we stated we will send 2 more but in fact we sent 3 and she wanted to purchase more. She purchased two crape myrtles. We shipped slowly, carefully two crape myrtles and YES, 2 red cardinal and was sure to send "3". Yes, an extra of them although we already sent them the first time around. We blocked her on ebay as we have never seen a customer continuely return for more and more and more. We are concerned with each and every customer of ours but we are not sending more free stuff to just one customer over and over. It had to stop somewhere. I am sure all understand. Email me if you have any question. Just because the economy is the way it is, doesnt mean a company should fall victim to a buyer wanted everything for free. We honestly sent all in the package. Maybe the carrier is planting a garden. I dont know where they are going but for all my customers that are 100% satisfied but this one customer each time, no one can possibly imagine taking such abuse. We spoke to trust and safety and this is why we blocked her. My apologies, but all is stated as a fact and the absolute truth here at viola valley."
On Dec 22, 2008, lakesidecallas Dandridge, TN (Zone 6a) wrote:
Viola Valley Wildflowers placed a DG Classified Ad the end of August and I was very excited to order from them. After looking at their website and emailing Bobby, I ordered even more, Trumpet vines,and a whole bunch of Crepe Myrtles and Jack-in-the-pulpits.
I paid Sept 3 and on Sept 19 emailed Bobby and asked when I would receive my plants. I received a reply that I would have 2 boxes going on Monday.
On Sept 30 I emailed Bobby again and asked if he didn't have all the plants ready to ship that he should delete what wasn't ready and send me what he did have. No replies.
After not hearing from him, I finally opened a dispute with Paypal. Bobby replied that he thought some shipments had gone out and would check on it. Nothing further from him. After waiting another week I escalated the dispute to a claim and finally got my money back October 24- $81.
It's a real shame, I was looking forward to supporting a TN business, and getting some plants for a good price.
I'm still looking for a good source of Crepe Myrtles and Jacks!
On February 24th, 2009, lakesidecallas added the following:
Feb 24-
Today I received my entire order, Viola Valley sent it to me for free to make up for all the trouble. Thanks very much!On Dec 22, 2008, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
"
On Jan 5, 2009 12:10 AM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
We are striving to please all. Bobby had a very hard time with his illness during the months of sept-oct. We have contacted the buyer to send a free order in hopes of rectifying this problem. We dont like to leave anyone unhappy. We work with all. Hopefully we can come to a agreement. "
Placed an order from their website and paid via PayPal. After 12 of not hearing anything, emailed seller. After a total elapsed time of 16 days, no word from seller.
Busy season, slow season, whatever. This is a completely unacceptable way to do business. I don't feel as if I should have to pick up the phone to find out why Viola Valley can take my money but not send my order.
It's a shame, too, as the selection and prices are as far as natives go.
On Oct 27, 2008, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
"
On Oct 27, 2008 2:39 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
This has never been a problem ever for our customers. We communicate with all. All read their emails. All know our policy for 5 years now. Here is the email you receive upon receipt of payment.
Your Viola Valley Wildflowers order has been printed. We really appreciate
your order.
Thanks so much for your order.
HAPPY 2008 SUMMER/FALL PLANTING FOR SPRING 2009 BLOOMING TIME!
IF YOU OPT FOR LATER DATE TO SHIP OR IF NOT THEY GO OUT NEXT. WE USUALLY
STATE WITHIN 1-2 WEEKS BUT WE
ARE GETTING OUR FAST! YOU DONT NEED TO RESPOND TO EMAIL IF YOU ARE READY.
Thanks so much for your lovely lovely freshly dug wildflower order. We aim
to be your favorite wildflower dealer on the internet. We only ship the
Bareroots & Bulbs of the wildflower dug plants.
Please be sure to sign up in our store for our weekly newsletter and
catalog mailer. We appreciate you business and hope for many happy returns.
Payment has been received. Email notification will be sent once shipped
so you can
await your package.
UPON ARRIVAL OF SHIPMENTS:
Our plants come to you bareroot; packed in peat moss. Plants as soon as
possible. It is important to keep the roots cool and moist while you are
waiting to plant. If you cannot plant right away, store in refridgerator
(34-38 degrees) or in a dark, cool place.
Site Preparation & Planning:
Remove all weeds and grasses-existing weeds compete with new plants for
water, sun and nutrients. A more natural appearance will be achieved if
plants are grouped by species or scattered randomly as opposed to planting
in rows. Large plants need spacing of 1-2 ft apart, medium need 1 ft, and
smaller need 6-12 inches. plant just below surface with the bud side upright
position.
Planting Time:
Planting time best on an overcast day and cool. If you plant in full sun,
keep the plants in shaded area or in bucket with some water-this is
especially important with fiberous roots.
Watering:
It is best to water your transplants as soon as planting as possible. If you
are planting in a large area, stop periodically to water water youve
planted, especially on warm dry days. If planting in the early spring or in
the fall, alot of watering may not be needed. Moist to the touch. If
planting april-summer, water thoroughly. Thanks for all your future
purchases and previous from viola valley wildflowers. Email me at bbfults@blomand.net if you need further assistance. Happy Planting!!"
Plants never grew! Poor customer service. Never to responded to emails. Won't buy from again.
On Oct 14, 2008, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
"
On Oct 14, 2008 11:14 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
Please respond or contact us immediately concerning this. We have never received a complaint or inquiry on an order of anything not growing. We will address this issue immediately upon more details of who this is?
On Oct 15, 2008 10:40 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
Another days has passed. Checked through past months emails. No inquiries on file of any complaint. Signed up left negative on daves for first time ever and wont respond to d-mail or inquiry. We dont know how any reno purchase either by records. Hope to find who this may be to smooth out this transaction. All fall planting is for spring 2009 blooming season as we all know.
On Oct 16, 2008 11:14 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
Still awaiting if this is actually a legitimate claim. Hope this customer is able to contact me concerning any/if they have a transaction with us"
I ordered over 100 plants in early May; they were described as bare root. In the plant industry, bare root means a whole plant with the oil removed.
The plants arrived several weeks later, most with no tops, just roots. Of the 2 species that had leaves, one was so badly packed that the leaves were badly bruised and immediately died. The other species had a few leaves and flower buds but no roots, just small stem cuttings. Another species had no leaves and was just very small pieces of the underground stem, or rhizome, with no roots.
With the exception of the above-described 2 species with leaves, all the other roots were soft and/or moldy.
The ebay listing promised the plants would be packed in peat moss. Many plant sellers use peat moss for packing because peat moss contains properties that inhibit bacteria and some other microbes, thereby reducing mold and rot. All the plants were packed in moss but not peat moss. No other moss has the anti-microbial properties and they all harbor microbes that cause mold and rot.
One plant was described as a rare color form of an uncommon species; 3 of 10 roots have since produced leaves and flowers- of a different and very common species. It bloomed at the end of June; this species ordinarily blooms in April and does not rebloom.
As of today, none of the rest has produced a single leaf. I did do some digging where they were planted and found only empty shells where the roots had rotted away.
These plants all had the characteristics of having been in cold storage for a long time and then kept at a higher temperature for a while. I emailed Viola Valley an inquiry about cold storage and received a very rude and ranting reply that none of there plants were ever kept in cold storage and that they did not have any cooling devices, not even a soft drink cooler, on the property.
Nearly half the plants arrived with no labels for identification. I was left to identify them by eliminating the ones that were labeled and examining the roots for identifying characteristics.
An email communication a year or so ago about the source of their plants assured me that all their plants come from their own land.
Viola Valley advertises that they have a Tennessee license to dig and sell plants. I’ve been involved in several plant rescues in Tennessee over the last years and know that a permit is required to rescue plants in that state but have never heard of a license to dig and sell.
The email above described also proclaimed that all tops had to be removed and returned to the dig site. Since all plants are considered under the law to be part of the real estate they are growing on, no permit or license would be needed to dig plants from one’s own property. So why do they have a license? Where do the plants come from? Several of the wildflower species offered do not naturally grow in Tennessee.
My conclusions are that the plants are kept in cold storage for long periods of time; Viola Valley is not overly concerned with species identification, especially if one species will bring more money than another; that these plants are dug on property not belonging to Viola Valley Wildflowers and probably illegally; that this operation is working over a large area and several states.
These conclusions are based on more than 50 years of gardening and working with wildflowers and involvement in a number of conservation activities, a BS degree in biology-botany and a career in legal research.
On Aug 7, 2008, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
"
On Aug 13, 2008 2:54 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
Native Wild Plant Certificate - To collect, sell, or raise native wild plants for sale in Tennessee.
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
KEN GIVENS REGULATORY SERVICES
COMMISSIONER Plant Certification
APPLICATION FOR NATIVE WILD PLANT CERTIFICATION
NEW
RENEWAL
CERTIFICATION NO.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP
BRANCH
Please print or type information requested in spaces where indicated.
MAILING ADDRESS
Firm:
Owner: Contact Person:
Address:
City/State/Zip: County:
Email address Phone: ( ) Fax: ( )
Total Collecting Area - Acres
List below all locations where native wild plants are collected.
LOCATION CITY COUNTY ACRES
Signature (Application not valid unless signed) Date
For Departmental Use Only
Certification No.
Date Processed:
A Plant Certification Inspector will be contacting you to set up a time to inspect your native wild plant stock. No
certificates may be granted without a current inspection.
Check List of items needed to be mailed to the above address for issuance of a certificate:
List of Vendors or collection areas, Signed form, $200.00 signed check per business location made
out to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, and certificate number located in the memo field of check.
Please send completed application to:
Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Plant Certification
P.O. Box 40627, Melrose Station
Nashville, TN 37204
(Rev. 8/03)
Yes, we pack in peat mix, yes you need a liscense. Please dont if you plan on selling go by the information stated above from someone that is not a nursery and doesnt know how much we go through just to provide a wonderful selection of wildflowers & ferns. Many appreciate our honesty, trust in us as you know what you are receiving from our nursery.
On Jul 29, 2008, perenniallyme Jamaica Plain, MA (Zone 6a) wrote:
Last year I bought several varieties of plants from Viola on ebay. They didn't explain in their ads that most items were not plants and not even root systems, but miniscule little bits. I don't even know what you'd call them. The cardinal flowers ( 5 or10 bits ) never sent up a single shoot. I think I had 3 teeny lobelia out of 10 or more, Only one of 2 asclepias tubers sent up one scrawny shoot. The jacob's ladder actually grew - but that one they sent actual roots, albeit tiny. I can't remember what else I bought because nothing else came up. I will never buy from them again.
On August 11th, 2008, perenniallyme added the following:
On August 7 I responded by d-mail to the d-mail they sent me. I sent them my ebay name and info they requested. I haven't yet heard back from them.On September 13th, 2008, perenniallyme added the following:
I had many emails from Viola since I last wrote, mostly very argumentative and trying to blame me for why the pitful little bits of stuff without even roots they sent me didn't come up. They have it wrong in their response, the cardinal flowers did not come up, and they didn't send me any replacements for the lobelia or asclepias as they said here that they were going to do. That, however, is fine, as I'm not interested in planting any replacements from them. The teeny bits of plant matter that they call plants would probably be squirrel food long before they had a chance at survival. It appears to me that they are not really interested in making their customers happy, but only interested in having negative feedback removed. On Jul 29, 2008, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
"
On Jul 30, 2008 2:50 AM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
Please be sure to contact us at bbfults@blomand.net as all do. This doesnt resolve any issue when we dont know there is a problem you are having growing what you have ordered. We keep records of all orders. I can look up what was ordered and also help you with the identification of plants. As for the listings, all know we are a bareroot and bulb nursery. Please contact us to update this feedback and resolve this simple issue. We will eagerly await your response whoever this may be.
On Aug 7, 2008 12:40 AM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
If we can find out your user name we can certainly go back as far as five years and pull the order and see what was purchased. Statement made that nothing came up but dont remember what was ordered. We need to know if we can further assist you. We will look up which you planted and if they were to be planted in your zone. Still awaiting your response to the d-mail and inquiries we have attempted to make. Please respond as we work with all.
On Aug 12, 2008 9:28 AM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
We have not heard from this customer in over a year. We are eagerly working with her and looking up the order as she does not remember what was bought.
Contacting a seller even over a year later would have eliminated this rating. If you are having problems with the growth a year later, email photos, email us directly? something rather than leaving a rating that is unwarranted when we dont know who you are and what you are having a problem with. Please wait for our response as we have to look back so far.
On Aug 12, 2008 10:17 AM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
Customer purchased only 3 cardinal that they stated came up not 5-10. The jacobs ladder she only bought 3 and they came up. Bought 2 butterfly weed and one came up. 1 didnt make it. 10 spring larkspur apparently didnt. The only problem they had was the spring larkspur and I those are the easiest to grow and 1 butterfly weed. I am resending the 10 spring larkspur and one butterfly weed. Please remember buyers if something doesnt come up, we work with all. Fb here doesnt help matters. Just a simple email. WE ARE A BAREROOT AND BULB NURSERY AS STATED IN EACH AND EVERY LISTING. This was the complete order placed for a total of $17.53. We have no pictures or emails supporting the loss or returned product as we have a return policy but we will send replacements anyway"
Many of the items I purchased arrived dead , all of the bulbs did not produce many of the ferns arrived tangled and dead. I would say that approx 20 percent of my order survived. I emailed the company 3 times and did not get one reply. This is NOT a company who is concerned with product quality, I would never nor recommend buying from them. A total rip off.
I am really disappointed in the way in which Violavalley Wildflowers at their Ebay store has handled my very large order that I placed with them during the winter months. The plants were sent at the end of April, planted in my gardens, and most plants are doing great. I have emailed Mr. Bobby Fults on at least 5 ocassions, asking to email me regarding the problems I've had with the 20 red cardinal flowers, 4 blue cardinal flowers and also the Asiatic wildflowers that I never even received in the first place. I bought well over 100 plants from this Ebay seller, and I spent quite a bit of money on the plants and s&h.
It has been a nightmare trying to get The Fults to answer a telephone call placed to them, or to even get them to answer my numerous emails. I am so disappointed that I bought so many plants and Spent so much money with ViolaValley, but they now won't even answer my emails. They certainly aren't living up to the Ebay ethics code that is something that sellers and buyers agree to abide by. My ebay name is Summerflowergardens. I'm sure that you have those emails from me, if not, I will resend every single one of those back to you, to refresh you on this ongoing issue.
PLEASE Mr. Fults, contact me regarding the plants that need to be replaced. I am leaving Neutral feedback today, as I am Hoping that you will finally respond to me.
As I said earlier, many of the plants are growing very nicely, please just honor your commitment with Ebay and replace those plants that you say on your stores auction pages that you will handle all request and concerns immediately. Now, may I ask that you do that for me too? Thank you.
gg_carolv
On July 20th, 2008, gg_carolv changed the rating from neutral to negative and added the following:
I am Now leaving NEGATIVE feedback, as The Fults Never bothered to get back in touch with me. I left Neutral feedback in June, hoping that Mr. & Mrs. Fults would at least call me. They NEVER bothered to call or email me, even though they asked for my telephone number so that they could "handle this issue immediately"-their words, not mine. That was stated by mrs. fults (I've been told that she is probably the one that answers-very sporadically-when emails are sent to their email address. In addition to this ongoing issue of dead plants from VIOLA VALLEY WILDFLOWERS, they NEVER sent me the ASIATIC Wildflowers that I bought and paid for. I told them this several times via emails and telephone calls to their business telephone #. I am very upset that they don't seem to care at all about their product or their customers. They are VERY Unprofessional and I have been in contact with another person that won plants from through Ebay, that is having the SAME problems with them. All I asked for was to speak to Mr. or Mrs. Fults regarding the dead plants and those plants that never arrived in the shipment. I bought OVER $200 worth of plants from them, NOT including the shipping and handling charges and this is how they treat their customers. Buyer beware, as they don't seem to care about the buyer once they receive their payment! I am so sick and tired of unprofessional people and their careless, rude behavior. They sell a product and then don't want to be responsible when a problem arises. They are the ONLY sellers on Ebay that I've ever had a problem with.
I had to re-register with Dave's Garden website, as they couldn't send me my password; just in case Mr or Mrs Fults responds to this feedback that they "don't know who this person is".... that seems to be their pat answer when told that their rudeness, lack of correspondence and unprofessional behavior result in these Negative feedbacks. My previous feedback was left as gg_carolv on June 17th, in case they want to know when the first feedback was left on this website. Again Mr & Mrs Fults, I am requesting that you please replace the 20 red cardinal plants and 4 blue cardinal plants along with the Asiatic Wildflowers that I NEVER received! Many of your plants are growing beautifully, so I am pleased with several of the types of plants that I bought or won through your auctions, that is why I can't understand WHY you won't respond, I bought so many plants from you and spent a lot of money on your "guaranteed to grow" plants.... PLEASE HONOR YOUR EBAY COMMITMENT!! I did, by paying you promptly, now live up to your OWN Commitment at your ebay store. Please at least contact me so that we can speak further on this ongoing issue, you have my email address and phone #. I will leave a message Again at your telephone #, hoping that you have the common courtesy to reply. I just want to resolve this problem as soon as possible so that I can put this issue behind me! Thank you.On Jun 17, 2008, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
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On Sep 23, 2008 9:48 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
We have reshipped 20 red cardinal, 4 Blue Cardinal and 10 Asiatic. Please plant the red cardinal out of the direct sun. Keep in BOG WET conditions. I potted 2500 for an order this past spring and they never lost one. There is much research even on the daves forum about the proper care. I have sold these for well over 25 years and no one has ever had a problem. This is the safest time I figured for you to make another attempt. We sent this package nearly two weeks ago with no response again from the buyer"
On Jun 17, 2008, Angora_Rstoratn South Lake Tahoe, CA wrote:
Angora Restoration Group.
Located at South Lake Tahoe, California.
Founded by Angora Fire survivors, Local Community members, Ebay members. USFS Tahoe Basin Management Team - Angora Restoration Project, Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, plus many other organizations involved in restoring the devestating aftermath of the Angora Fire, June 24, 2007.
As a member of this organization and organizer for the group, we purchased 12 cinnamon ferns through our Ebay affliate, known as Angora_Restoration_Group.
Immediate payment was made to violavalleywildflowers through Paypal.
Upon notification of order, automatic emails were generated for payment received along with planting instructions
* * Soon following, personal emails were received ~ which lead to harassing communications from seller.
We attempted on numerous occasions to resolve these issues.
Phone calls attempted ~ during working hours, with a polite voice message left to call us back.
Never received a return phone call.
* * * * * * * * * *
Many Angora Fire families, community members and others have voiced their opinion on leaving "negative feedback", since Viola Valley Wildflowers have set up a "block" on Ebay bidding/puchasing privledges
Without even a reason or a given apology for the rudeness, inconsiderate behavior, OFFENSIVE EMAILS (which can very easily be displayed here), .placing a BLOCK on Ebay purchasing, we are left to leave NEGATIVE FEEDBACK.
* * * * * * *
If so some reason, Viola Valley Wildflowers decides to allow angora_restoration_group to bid on their auctions, feedback will be reversed.
Over 250 homes were destroyed along with United States Forest Lands and California Conservancy. Viola Valley Wildflowers has left a negative impact on us.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
.
On June 24th, 2008, Angora_Rstoratn added the following:
Mr. Bobby Fults:
Shipping as stated in your Ebay auction that we purchased:
US $6.95 + $1.00 for each addtional auction won
Postal Service Priority Mail® Estimated delivery 2-3 days*
US $0.65 Insurance Optional
We purchased 6 lots. at 3.25 = 19.50
6.95 shipping plus 5.00 (extra for each lot) = 11.95
total $31.45.
Paypal payment made immediately.
Harassment through personal emails with comments stating:
" I wouldnt be able to shut my eyes knowing I stole from someone"
"We ship in the containers that are required by usps and also tenn. dept of agriculture"
.USPS and TENN Dept of Agriculture have been contacted.
USPS has Priority mail service, with Priority mail labels and boxes available for shipping. NO where is it stated that mailings must go our in Priority Mail boxes. LARGER plain boxes with Priority mail labels can be used, which you have mailed your plant material in.
Your Ebay customers have emailed us!
Tenn. Dept of Agriculture was notified. They request fast shipping to ensure proper delivery of fresh plant material, but it is up to the vendor to furnish shipping methods, which are not controlled by Dept of Tennessee.
Mr. Bobby Fults, you had another Ebay name similar to Viola Valley Wildflowers last year (or 2 years ago) which was CANCELLED due to hundreds of buyers leaving negative feedback. You can not deny this.
Mr. Bobby Fults, please refund our funds paid to you through Paypal for the order through your website.
We, at Angora Restoration Group no longer wish to have any dealings with you or Viola Valley Wildflowers.
All we ever wanted was to purchase ferns and possible wildlflowers to restore some vegetation to the lands that were burned.
We are very happy to look elsewhere on Dave's Garden for wonderful and courtious customer service, something that wasn't found here, as it is also written in other messages.
On June 28th, 2008, Angora_Rstoratn added the following:
Second request: REFUND our funds of 25.95 for website order.On June 28th, 2008, Angora_Rstoratn added the following:
PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE! INCLUDING SHIPPING!!!!
YOU DECIDED TO SHIP IN 2 BOXES!
YOU'VE SENT US HARASSING EMAILS!
WE HAD TO CALL THE LOCAL SHERIFFS DEPT IN YOUR NEAREST TOWN TO S-T-O-P THE HARASSING EMAILS.
All we ever wanted were plants.
There was a fire.
It burned~
We're trying to make it green again.
And you have the nerve to tell us that
"I wouldnt be able to shut my eyes knowing I stole from someone"
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
________________________________________
I f, " NOW" you tell us that shipment has been made... GREAT!
FANTASTIC.......OVER AND DONE WITH.......
On August 8th, 2008, Angora_Rstoratn added the following:
Update:
Only 5 out of 12 giant cinnamon ferns ordered through Ebay have shown any growth.
Only 4 out of 20 cinnamon ferns ordered through your website have shown any growth.
Just to let the readers know:
All of the ferns received have been planted in separate containers and in organic soil. It has been a few months with spring/summer like conditions and with plenty of water to ensure their growth.
What is Viola Valleys Wildflower policies on replacing dead plant material such as fern crowns?
We would like to know.
Sincerely,
Angora Restoration GroupOn Jun 17, 2008, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
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On Aug 8, 2008 4:24 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
Please disregard this whole feedback by one buyer. They are presently being served with papers for this site interference of our wonderful website and selling practices.
By no means do we sell to another seller as stated. They store product. We dig fresh daily. We would never sell for resale. We know of this seller and have personally contacted them. They are not pleased with this feedback either. The matter has escalated and soon to be resolved. Contact me via email if you have any doubt in our service, product and personable family business that has fallen victim to an unpleasant transaction that has continued here and on other sites. A customer refusing to pay actual shipping costs to beat the system is no cause for all of this harshness. My apologies for their behavior. Sincerely Bobby at Viola Valley"
I placed several orders for Trilliums over the last year with this company. As the Rhizomes arrived dormant there was no way to identify that they were actually the correct species. When the plants emerged this spring it was obvious that mistakes had been made on three of my orders. There are two types of Trilliums, pedicellate and sessile. On a sessile Trillium the flower sits directly on the leaves. On a pedicellate Trillium the flower sits on a short stem rising from the leaves. With the exception of one rare western species never offered for sale all pedicellate trilliums have plain leaves as opposed to mottled (marbled). The three orders I refer to were for pedicellate species. All three emerged with mottled leaves and no stem. Rather than write a negative review at that time I e-mailed the company informing them that mistakes had been made and that we needed to talk. I was sent three messages that I can only describe as ranting. They said that I was making accusations, that Bobby was a trillium expert and never made mistakes, that in over twenty years in business nothing like this had ever happened and so the problem obviously was with me, not them. Apparently they don't keep records of their sales because they demanded proof of purchase and stated that since I buy lots of Trilliums how did I know it was their plants that were mislabled? (I place a tag with the suppliers name when I plant bare root stock). They then went on to say and I quote, "sounds like someone who doesn't work things out, just threatens". Real friendly folks. Soo, heres a big NEGATIVE.
On May 18, 2008, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
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On May 18, 2008 4:34 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
We have honestly worked with so so many customers. I address every issue with every customer. There was one simple request. Send us a list of what was purchased and photos to show was has come up. None of this was presented as this customer by no means wanted to cooperate to smooth out this transaction. Please call as I state everywhere. 1-931-635-3505. There is no one that is perfect. Mistakes do happen. We dig toad trillium and of many species different leaf patterns ect.. all at blooming size. All healthy stock and as accurately as can be described. I simply stated that all their trillium was purchased from another seller. Check their feedback on ebay. They only purchased one variety from us. These are not our purchases they are referring to . This is a shame that anyone at any given time can go to daves and leave false fb. I work with all. Ever since the other day someone un-identified leaves fb and all false accusations and it has caused all out kaos.. Such a shame. We work with all. We are the best around. Please be sure if you ever have any doubts contact us directly. Working with over 20,000 customers in over 4 years, excellent rep on ebay and at our website and a few get together and try to ruin it for us. "
On May 14, 2008, golden55 Willow Street, PA wrote:
I am rating a negative because Viola Valley hasn't responded to my e-mails 3 weeks ago. I made a pretty large purchase in January and potted them up and labeled them because the ground was frozen. As Spring arrived and plants broke dormancy, better than half the order were wrong plants. I understand they were shipped bareroot with no foliage and some mistakes are possible but: yellow star grass became yellow violas; blue lobelia became Jacob's Ladder, merrybells haven't bloomed, but they don't look like merrybells; painted trillium didn't flower, but the foliage came both spotted and plain leaf so that's suspicious; I'm still waiting for the dodecatheon to come up. Plants that were accurate were cohosh, twin leaf and hepatica. I am torn about ordering from them again. It's very hard to find some of these plants. Many folks have had good experience with them, but unfortunately I haven't.
On May 14, 2008, Viola Valley Wildflowers responded with:
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On May 14, 2008 8:08 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
That is correct.. We work with all. I have no idea honestly who this could be as we answer each and every call/email 100% satisfaction and worked with over 20,000 customers without a hitch. No pictures received of this mishap apparently or an email. If a simple phone call would have been made we could have worked with whoever this is hidding behind an unknown user name here at daves. We are by no means perfect. We do make mistakes and are willing to admit ours and work with all but apparently this feedback was intentional as we have never heard of this situation nor a simple or complex problem.
To all that purchase from us, will purchase from us please know Bobby and I work with thousands a year personally. This negative is very upsetting and does affect the way we work with the public. We have to address our issues not hide behind them. If I only knew any of this it could have been avoided. A picture, call email only could have helped. SAD HERE AT VIOLA VALLEY!
On May 14, 2008 8:11 PM, Viola Valley Wildflowers added:
golden55 signed up on May 14, 2008
just to leave this feedback. ALL MY CUSTOMERS EMAIL ME OR CALL. A SIMPLE DIAL OF A PHONE TO 1-931-635-3505 is ALL THAT IS NEEDED. WE LIVE AND WORK THIS 18 HOURS A DAY. SUCH A SHAME THIS CAN SO SO EASILY BE DONE TO A GOOD SELLER. "
Received nice selection of woodland bulbs,excellent value for price. Good packing,communication.Only problem was bareroot fresh red/ blue cardinal flower.Kept in cool moist,low light enviorment, no luck,all died. Have good luck with bare root dormant. Overall ,nice value.
On June 20th, 2008, dirthound changed the rating from positive to negative and added the following:
After waiting and watching for 2 months,I am changing my rating. I have been gardening/landscaping for 50 years.I have transplanted 100s and 100s of plants ,started from seed/cuttings, but the only luck from my first order was golden seal and blue bells. Most bulbs never even sprouted, cinnamon ferns rotted,as stated before all cardinal flowers died dispite being cool/moist and in shaded /semi-shaded area.I have never had this amount of loss ever,having purchased from many places over the years. Sorry , but will not buy from them again.
