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I learned about Pepper Joe's through its sister company, P enny's Tomatoes. I had a great experience with Penny's tomatoes so I decided to try Pepper Joe's. I don't agree with other reviews that say the seeds are overpriced. I think they are reasonable. I mostly build and maintain community gardens, so I have the opportunity to work with a lot of vendors. I bought the sweet pepper collection because most of the people I build gardens for prefer sweet peppers to hot peppers. I also do a lot of children's gardens, so sweet peppers are best for my needs. The shipping was fast and the service was great. There were also bonus seeds. Penny and Joe are just nice honest folks with great service. I recommend them - AND the most important part, the seeds had at the very least an 85% germination rate, with most at 90%.
On Nov 19, 2012, Pepper Joe's Inc. responded with:
"On Nov 22, 2012 7:21 AM, Pepper Joe's Inc. responded with:
GardenBop,
We appreciate you as a customer and THANK YOU so much for your kind words and positive review. Glad you were happy with our "Sweet treats" collection. Like yourself many customer like sweet peppers as much or more than hot peppers. That's why we're adding 4 new sweet peppers to our 2013 Catalog. They include the Golden Marconi, Aconncagua, Keystone Giant and Chinese Giant. Fiery Regards, Pepper Joe."
On Sep 4, 2012, cyberageous Everglades, FL (Zone 10a) wrote:
I prefer Pepper Joe's seeds, altho they are a bit pricey compared to say, Caribbean Seed Co. I also like that PJ's is a family business which I fully support the family businesses. Their wide variety is a HUGE plus.
I did call tho about a much desired seed here in SW FL, the Cachucha pepper from Cuba. The lady that answered their phone wasn't exactly cordial about it. If she was nicer, now that I have found my seeds, I would grow them (cachuchas) and send them seeds, just to be nice but that lady sure wasn't nice to me!
Tomato Growers, based in Ft Meyers don't have a huge selection but are nice and affordable.
Thanks for the post cyberageous,
I appreciate the positive comments. Everyone that works for us is a relection on Pepper Joe's, so I'll certainly have a chat with the lady you spoke to.
Fiery Regards,
Pepper Joe"
This was the second year I ordered seed from him, the first was Bhuts and they were great even over wintered a plant.
This year how ever is a different story, I have 3 Bhut Jolokia plants all with different types of peppers, 1 is smooth skinned and look like a habanero, 1 has a tail like a trinidad scorpion, and the other looks like a normal bhut but the pepper is very small.
My yellow Bhuts are a little different and don't really look like Bhuts but there's only one plant with large enough peppers to make a claim so I'll wait and see.
My 2 Butch T's don't look anything like any peppers I've seen them, no tails at all and there not as "fat" but well see
We have a small farm so the seeds were all started a few weeks a part and labeled multiple times(to prevent mix ups) The germination rates were good on everything but the butch t( 2 of 10 seeds) everything else was about 95%
I do have black jalapeņos and paprika peppers from them also and they are doing well, but the fact my super hots aren't what there spouse to be leaves a really bad taste with this company, there sending me a new seed pack for the red bhut but it doesn't matter as I can't trust the seed in the first place which is really dissappointing
Hi ChrisK,
Thanks for your input.
I'm glad to hear that most of our seeds had a 95% germination rate....that is awesome. The Butch T didn't do so well for you so I'll gladly replace the pack. Just email me direct at pepperjoe@sc.rr.com
I'm also glad to hear your Black Jalapenos and Paprika are doing well.
There can be a variation of Pod shapes with the SuperHots. Also, try as hard as we do, we get occasional crosses. It's not uncommon when you offer as many different varieties as we do, even though we grow many in isolation. So I'll gladly replace those seeds as well.
We're determined to make every customer happy, and manage to achieve that in the overwhelming majority of cases. Again Chris just email me with the mailing address you'd like your 2 replacement pack of seeds sent to and mention the Bhuts and Butch T.
Great Gardening and Fiery Regards,
Pepper Joe
"
Ordered some ghost peppers, chocolate habanero, and mustard habanero peppers. Order arrived very quickly along with some free mulato isleno and hot cow horn peppers. The ghost peppers sprouted within about 9 days surprisingly, so far only one chocolate habanero has sprouted after about two weeks. Everything else is coming along fine. I hope the. Chocolate Habaneros sprout soon!
On Feb 22, 2012, Pepper Joe's Inc. responded with:
"On Feb 22, 2012 1:27 AM, Pepper Joe's Inc. responded with:
Hi Matteo,
Thanks for your positive rating on Pepper Joe's.
We appreciate your being a customer.
Please join our FAcebook page where we stay with you every step of your gardening experience. We have daily post with gardening tips, pics, and even Free Seeds contest. [HYPERLINK@www.facebook.com]
That Chocolate Hab can be a finicky germinator. Keep the temps ideally at 80 or 85 degrees for optimimum germination. Also, when watering give them a throuough soaking, but don't water again until the soil gets almost completely dry for a day so as to not over waater them.
Our seeds DO germinate well and I'm getting much positive feedback this season again. But if for whatever reason yours do not, just email me at pepperjoe@sc.rr.com and we'll fix it.
Fiery Regards,
Pepper Joe"
I ordered 7 varieties of pepper seeds and they all came promptly, along with a couple packets of free seeds. The seeds all germinated well and I'm quite happy with them.
This looks like a fairly small outfit, which posts helpful videos at their website featuring Pepper Joe himself. The genuine enthusiasm he demonstrates in these videos is really infectious and pretty much what sold me on giving his company a whirl. I'll be using this company for my pepper seed source from now on.
I guarantee you, if you are a hot pepper nut, like I am, you ought to give this guy a shot.
On Jul 13, 2011, Pepper Joe's Inc. responded with:
On Nov 26, 2010, gregr18 Bridgewater, MA (Zone 6b) wrote:
There was a slight delay in the mail, which was the post office's fault, and Pepper Joe communicated promptly when I wrote to him. The order came in with a cook book and extra seeds. Very good seed source here, and Pepper Joe is very friendly. Highly recommended.
On Nov 26, 2010, Pepper Joe's Inc. responded with:
"On Nov 26, 2010 6:02 PM, Pepper Joe's Inc. responded with:
Greg,
Thank you so much for your positive input.
We try to stay with our Customers throughout their entire process of planting their Hot Peppers.
One great souce of information is my FAQ Page that has extensive answers to customers questions at http://www.pepperjoe.com/gardening-tips/faq/faq.html
We also have a Newsletter "Chile News & Views" with 10,000+ Subscribers to stay in touch. You can join up for it on our Homepage at http://www.pepperjoe.com
Finally, we are active users of our Facebook page where we virtually communicate with our Customers every day at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Myrtle-Beach-SC/Pennys-Toma...
I don't want to just "Take the money and Run" but rather be involved with your entire gardening process.
I'd like to think this will differentiate us from Burpees, Wal-Mart, etc.
Thanks your for your business and being a Customer.
Fiery Regards,
Pepper Joe"
Finally got a chance to comment on this fine business: Have ordered from PJ's for several years. Extremely fast delivery, excellent germination rates (almost 100% with various habaneros/bhut jolokia this last year) and what I feel is MOST important... all of PJ's OP stuff are never crossed. I've ordered pepper seeds from other places and raised a plant with fruit nobody recognizes. And I'm sure the customer service is full of wonderful people who don't bite, but I've never had any reason to waste any of their time. No Problems. Been gardening for over 30 years and I highly recommend Pepper Joe's to anyone who loves growing their own hot peppers.
This season, I purchased 6 varieties of Pepper Joe seeds. My order arrived in 4 days, and I received three separate e-mails from Pepper Joe himself following up on my order and offering some "fool proof" tips for success.
I followed his germination and transplanting instructions to the letter.
As a result, I realized a 100% germination rate!!
Thats right, not a single seed failed to sprout, and after transplanting the peat pots, I now have 25 perfect pepper plants that are in full harvest mode.
I am already looking forward to, and planning for, my 2011 "Pepper Joe" pepper garden.
I'll be trying some different varieties,and after this years overwhelming success,I have no doubt about where I will purchase my seeds next year.
Pepper Joe's is a great company to deal with...they are friendly, courteous, responsive...and have a top quality product for a very fair price.
Posted on July 29, 2010, updated July 30, 2010
Posted on June 1, 2010, updated July 29, 2010
Horrible germination rate, abyssmal customer service. Not a firm to do business with.
On July 29th, 2010, MickeyG added the following:
I stand by my rating. They were contacted multiple times and I have the record. Crappy service, crappy product, rip off!
And they lie as you can see by their response to my original posting.On July 30th, 2010, MickeyG added the following:
When I get home tonight I will post the emails sent to and from and then we will let the readers determine the quality of your company...HINT: poor.On Jul 30, 2010, Pepper Joe's Inc. responded with:
"On Jun 1, 2010 8:30 PM, Pepper Joe's Inc. responded with:
Mickey,
We haven't heard from you until this posting.
Our germination rate from Customers reports is 90%+.
Even though it is typicaly our customer mistake in planting, we ALWAYS replace seeds when the complaint is valid.
Many customers would disagree with you on "Abyssmal" service. We typically ship within 2 or 3 days at no extra costs for rush delivery. But let me cut to the chase...let me know what your issue is and I'll replace all seeds and send an additinal 3 packs of seeds for FREE....or give you your money back. We always satisfy our Customers.
Pepper Joe http://www.pepperjoe.com
On Jul 29, 2010 7:11 PM, Pepper Joe's Inc. added:
Mickey,
Plain and simple contact me directly and I'll fix your issues immediately.
Contact me at pepperjoe@sc.rr.com
I publicly stated here that I'll replace all of your seeds and give you an additional 3 packs for free. If this doesn't satisfy you I'll refund your full purchase price.
You say you have the "Records" but fail to show them here on your complaint.
I don't like that word you use that we "Lie". We wouldn't be in business 20 years with Thousands of satisfied customers if that were so.
We get top Customer ratings on all other Gardening sites.
If I don't hear back from you, I'll have to believe you are either a competitor....or hear voices. I have NOT heard from you directly...and unless it is the unlikely case that your issues got lost in Customer Service...I'm here ready to fix your problem.
Pepper Joe
On Jul 30, 2010 8:57 AM, Pepper Joe's Inc. added:
Mickey,
Again, for the 3rd time...I'm here an 100% ready to fix ANY issues that you have in ANY way necessary.
I just hope you aren't one of those rare people that are impossible to make happy.
Fiery Regards,
Pepper Joe
On Aug 10, 2010 5:14 PM, Pepper Joe's Inc. added:
On July 30th you said "I'll post the emails when I get home tonight" which you never did....and it's been 10 days.
It is real eaasy to post an opinion and try to smear a good Company's reputation. But then you refuse to answer back or let us correct you perceived issue.Pepper Joe's has been in business for 20 years now and our large Customer base has been built on Impeccible service.
Sorry that you just can't please some people.
I notice you didn't take issue with my feeling that you were either a Competitor or that you may possibly 'Hear Voices".
Which one is it?
:)
Pepper Joe"
I ordered two packs of the Peter Pepper and received several free packets of various peppers with it. I only started four seeds and all four germinated! Shipping was fast and the price was great. BTW, I already have several peppers on the plants. Couldn't ask for a better company.
On Jun 29, 2010, Pepper Joe's Inc. responded with:
Service / Shipping:
First I want to address a small issue I had with shipping. After I placed my order on his website, I was given my own page with which I could check the status of my order. After two days, the status had not changed from "New" and I was starting to get worried. Fortunately, he e-mailed me right away and sorted the problem, and I ended up getting my seeds in 4 business days.
Besides that one hiccup, I have nothing but good things to say about pepper Joe and his team. Even before I ordered anything, he was answering my e-mails (with general pepper questions) in the same day, and answered all my e-mails same day every time. He even sent me additional e-mails to update me on my order as he worked out the status issue.
His site is also loaded with useful information, pictures, recipes, and growing tips. The seed packs were filled with many more seeds than what were promised on his website, and even my Ghost peppers which were 7.99 for a 10 pack came with 4 extra seeds for a total of 14. He remained true to his word and sent me two free packs of seeds which have germinated nicely. He strives to grow all organic, rare, untreated seeds and keep his business family owned and operated. And he even has a secure ordering page, despite what the last comment said (you can tell if the web address starts with "https://"). If the plants and fruit turn out as well as I hope, I will definitely be ordering from pepper Joe again next year.
Germination:
I got a note with my seeds that said "some finicky varieties can take 5 weeks to germinate". Despite that, every single variety has at least a handfull of sprouts already, and some varieties have already germinated at 100%, and its only been around 3 weeks. The decorative peppers and the poblanos were the slowest germinaters, but the Jolokias were surprisingly fast, being one of the first varieties with a sprout. (I got the seeds he offers from UNM) I still see new sprouts daily, so this section is still in progress, but so far I'm very satisfied with the germination rate.
Plant Quality:
No comments yet, too early to tell... will update at the appropriate time in the growing season.
Delivery time was great, prices are reasonable and germination rate was 60-100%.
However, I ordered 6 varieties and only 2 actually came out as expected. Four varieties were completely different from description. The chickenheart came out probably twice as large as a poblano and turned from green to red and had little to no heat. Yellow jellybean was purple and looked like a small poblano also - no heat whatsoever. Charleston cayenne looked nothing like a cayenne of any type and had zero heat.
Basically nearly everything was cross-pollinated and a waste of garden space.
Hi GB...I hope this is still your email address...I haven't checked out these comments in years.
Send me your mailing address to my websites address....and let me send you 6 packs of Free Seeds to satisfy you as a previous customer. I'll send new and exciting varieties that should positively be true to form.
Thanks for giving us a chance.
Great Gardening, Pepper Joe"
The variety of peppers offered by Peppers Joes is great and his enthusiasm for peppers shows in the catalog and on the web site. My seeds arrived promptly. Unfortunately, 2 of the three varieties did not germinate. I emailed Pepper Joes who promptly sent me advice on what I was doing wrong and assurance that the company would send more seeds if the seeds didn't sprout. New seeds are on their way. Even though the germination rate has been an issue, the speedy package mailing and prompt answers via email regarding my concerns made this a pleasant experience. I'll chalk the low germination rate up to my inexperience with seed starting (in this case over watering), and will order from this company next year as well. Also of note, Pepper Joe's offers free seeds and surprise seeds with every order. I received Straight Eight Cucumbers (which are doing well under the grow lights) and a variety of surprise peppers which had a very high germination rate and are also doing well.
On Mar 2, 2003, cactusman8 San Marcos, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:
Pepper Joe has a good selection of varieties, excellent service, and a cool website that conveys a true sense of enjoyment in providing that service. His seeds germinate extremely well, are true to variety as advertised, and he provides some free seed as a bonus. I mostly ordered hot varieties, but I must comment on the one variety of sweet pepper that I tried. His Sweet Crimson is far and away the best tasting and best performing sweet pepper I have ever grown. It provided peppers all summer until frost in my central Texas garden, totally ignoring the heat. Thumbs up to Pepper Joe!
On Apr 23, 2002, strangebob Conway, SC (Zone 8a) wrote:
I ordered 6 different types of pepper seeds. All arrived in a very timely manner. Within a week or so. All types sprouted and are currently in the garden. Althought you don't get an abundance of seeds, they all germinated. Pepper Joe's also carries seeds that are hard to find elsewhere, such as the new Charleston Cayenne. I plan to order again next year. Thumbs up!
Excellent source of all kinds of unique peppers. Try the Peter Pepper (great conversation piece). Seeds were top quality and I experienced a 100% germination rate. I also like doing business with a small outfit that still cares about quality.
I had a very positive results with my order and the prices where unbeliveable. Pepper Joe's also has a wonderful free news letter. Check pepper Joe's out and become a chile head. All organic grown seeds and free seeds with every order. Robert
