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It's hard to tell who's angrier about their dealings with Gardeners' Choice -- those who didn't get the plants they ordered or those who did.
There are a couple of lessons here, the primary one being: don't use a check to pay for merchandise ordered through the mail or online. You have no recourse if the merchandise fails to arrive or is unsatisfactory. Instead, pay with a credit card. You have 60 days to dispute a charge for missing and unsatisfactory goods or services.
Don't have a credit card? Shop locally and pay cash.
What can those who lost money to Gardeners' Choice do? Not much, although we have a few suggestions.
This, by the way, is an annual event. Come springtime, the complaints blossom, like this batch of seedlings:
Howard of Erick OK (07/02/08)
Ordered tree tomatoes. They grew to 1 then stopped. Fertelized them but died anyway. Ordered a Fruitsalad tree. It arrived dead and broken off at tap root. Planted it anyway. It is still dead 3 months later. Ordered grass seed. It looked like floor sweepings. Planted it anyway. A total of 5 sq feet all together grew to 1 and stopped, now dieing. Order 100 Blue star vinca. They arrive bundled, no dirt, and dead. I planted all 100 and they are still dead.
DiscoverCard got involved with me but Gardners Choice refused to give them any answers of any use. It took about 40 - 50 attempts to call them and they said I had been credited and they could not discuss it with me any longer. They lied. I contacted the BBB and they have been working on it but so far Gardners Choice responds to their inquiries but with nothing of any use. They owe me over $100.00 and just play the game they know best, and it isn't plants. Their specialty is getting your money and keeping it. Any type of warranty is a joke to them.
Digging, watering, preparing soil for seed, trees, and 100 vines to no avail.
Carolyn of Zebulon NC (07/01/08)
We saw an add on TV for grass seed, called and got an automated ordering system. We ordered 1 bag of seed at 19.99. Three weeks later, my credit card was charged 127.00 and no seed have arrived. That is over a $100.00 extra that was charged and nothing has been delivered. You can not get in touch with anyone.
We have called out credit card (which is our bank card) and we must fill out an affidavit and mail it back in order for them to even look at the complaint. Furthermore, once we do this they will cancel our cards. We have just transferred a large amount of money into this account for vacation and now have no card to access it by
Vien of San Jose CA (06/26/08)
I saw a nice add on TV, one pound of grass seed for $19.99 and I ordered some. They charged me $574.40 to my credit card. I tried to call them to clarify and just like said, the phone was alway bussy. there is no customer service, no thing. That a rip off... I hope people out there don't make the same mistake like I did.
It is really stressful and irritating. I ended up spending hours to call them, to call the FBI, writing letters, calling my credit company, look up the internet etc. Every body stay away from Gardeners choice.
Vien of San Jose CA (06/25/08)
I saw a tv comercial of gardeners choice and order 10 pound of grass seed for 49.99. They charged 570.40 and I never get even one seed
Norma of New Market TN (06/25/08)
I kept seeing the hanging tomatoes advertised on television and decided to order. This was in May. I charged them to my bank debit card, which cleared on May 3,2008. I have never received anything from this company and when I finally found their website and called today, I got a recording to press 1 to place an order and 2 for customer service. I pressed 2 and got dead air.
I called back and prssed 1 and got nothing also. Why are these people still allowed to buy tv advertising time? The complaints I found go back several year. Does the FCC do anything to regulate these scams?
I have been duped out of $21.90 and since I am 68 years old and live on a fixed income, I'm very angry!
Frank of Sylmar CA (06/25/08)
I purchased 100 Strawberys and after a long wait I recieved only 50 and out of the 50 only 20 would grow. I sent back per the dirctions with the orginal receipt and that was the last time I have heard from them. It is impossibel to contact them and they either went out of business or just do not want to respond.
I am out of 30.00 dollars.
F. of Fairfax, VA (06/23/08)
I ordered grass seed from Gardeners Choice on 5/30/08. They billed my credit card but have not sent my order. They do not respond to telephone or email inquires.
I have since found out that there are over 200 complaints against this company in the last two years. They take peoples money and never send the goods.
I am out $35.00 but i am just one of hundreds of people cheated by Gardeners Choice.
Estelle of Anaheim, CA (06/23/08)
I spent $50.00 excpecting to get tomatoes, not realizing that they were sending me a few packets of seeds. so far, I have about 6 seeds that have blossemed.
Why wasn't I told that I was receiving seeds instead of plants? Do you or they really believe that I would pay that much money for some seeds? I don't believe that the advertising was clear. I am not a fool, and I would never have payed that much money for seeds.
Terry of Hammond NY (06/22/08)
ordered grass seed on 04/21/08 was billed 33.85 on 05/21/08 said product was supposedly shipped same day with expected delivery between 05/31/08 and 06/04/08 have received nothing after numerous e-mails which resulted in no response have no option other than this
just feel ripped off with no recourse and want some kind of response from this most incompetent of online services
Elizabeth of Yerington NV (06/21/08)
i ordered what was supposed to be 6 tomatoe trees live plants . i got 6 little tiny paper cups with dirt. i tried to call for months know. only get a busy signal . also have e-mailed several times no response. the order line goes threw but they wont help . they said just keep calling customer service. scam! scam! they scamed me
Robert of Loganville GA (06/20/08)
I order tomato trees from this company. What I receive was seeds. The seeds did not grow to plants. When they say trees how can this apply to be trees/? I think MI. grower are a little short on brains not to know a seed froma tree!
Luella of Richmond IN (06/16/08)
Ordered two topsy-turvey tomatoe plant holder, in April,2008. Gardeners' choice cash my check by end of month. It's now end of June and no one answers e-mail and there is no phone number to call. I'm out $30.00. I'm not rich by any means and $30.00 is a lot of money to me. It's sad that people can send out a book with all these item to pick from and cash your check and not send you back any product. Never again, I will buy from some one local.
Dianne of Mukwonago WI (06/16/08)
I ordered 2 Topsy Turvy Tomato planters on APril 20, 2008 and have not heard anything from them so far. Have they gone out of business or something? No one answers the phone either. Thank you
I paid (per credit card) 19.98 pluse 5.95 for shipping and $1.00 for insurance. Have not received the bags or refund or any response to emails or phone calls to this company.
Ron of Bunnell FL (06/15/08)
Seeing an advetisement on TV, that was selling tomatoe plants, I called in my credit card # and ordered some plants. All i got in the mai, was a few seeds that they told me to grow, I feel that this was a big rip off to the customers, Where can i go to get a refund?
I was charged over $15,00 for a few seeds.
Larry of Citrus Springs FL (06/14/08)
ordered there 19.99 grass, and was billed 67.70. of course they will not answer your e mail or your phone calls, called my credit card company and make the complaint, right now my credit is tempory in while fighting them to get it back, sent the grass back, two bags of it, there was no paper work with this at all, nothing when i received it. lets see, can i call this fraud, extortion, rackaterying, scam, or what, this place needs to be closed down permanently
Richard of Jaffrey NH (06/11/08)
in mid april i ordered a royal Paulownia tree, it was shipped , but died a week later At the same time i ordered 2 tree tomatoe plants And they were never shipped
Philip of Gardena CA (06/09/08)
May 5, 2008 I placed an order for a Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter manufacturer part. I have not received my order, or make contact with them by phone or e-mail.
I gave them personal credit information for this order, and now beleive that this is a an online scam company.
Sharon of Newfield NY (06/08/08)
I purchesed a Set of 3 Giant Tree Tomatoes (plus $5.95 shipping) & FREE Set of 3 Big Earlys (plus $5.95 shipping) Part#: XV20702 Manufacturer Part#: XV20702 I recieved 6 peat pots not 6 plants. I believe this to be false advertising and have emailed the address that you provided.
Sharon of Batson TX (06/05/08)
i orderd tom. plants they took 51.90 out of my checking account and wont answer my calls and i didnt even get my tom. plants.
Igor of Brooklyn, NY (06/05/08)
I placed an order with Gardeners' Choice PO Box 8000, Hartford MI 49057 on 5/11/08. My credit card was charged in full amount $35.87 but on 5/31/08 I received incomplete order. I didn't receive 3 plants.
All other parts of order received in dry condition.They are almost dead. I called to the customer service numerous time every day. Nobody pick up a phone, the voice mailbox is full or busy signal. Three e-mails not responds.
Christine of Chewelah WA (06/04/08)
Ordered plants on April 23. Received nothing. Complained to website customer service who replied saying that they were waiting for some plants to come in so that they could send them. Have written back several times; heard nothing. Now June 3 and no plants. I wrote again today and advised if I hear nothing by COB today I will contact credit card company and dispute the order. Worst customer service I've ever seen. Wish I would've seen all the complaints about this company online first.
Charlotte of L'anse MI (06/04/08)
Isent an order into this co. mrch 14,20008. They cashed my check and it came out of my account April 1, 2008.It was for$35.63. I have called several times and get busy signals, so I wrote them a letter. I then recieved 6 of the tomato plants of which 3 were dead.
I then wrote another letter telling them that and wondered why I have not yet recieved the 2 upsidedown tomato planters. I have heard nothing from them. I am beginning to give up on them and believe me I have lost faith in magazine ordering.Thank you for listening.
Tammy of Holcomb KS (06/03/08)
I placed an order for tomato plants and fertilizer. I received the tomato plants almost 2 weeks ago. I have yet to receive the fertilizer. I have tried calling and emailing but haven't gotten any response. I can't get through on the phone and they won't reply to the emails. It was only $12.97, but that's money that I didn't get a product for.
That money could have put food on the table for my family or I could have purchased the fertilizer locally and received the product. I think they should be made to pay for their damages.
Susan of Norfolk NY (06/01/08)
I ordered what I thought were 6 large tomato plants via phone from a tv ad. I received 6 little plastic pots, a bag of dirt, and 2 packages of seeds, one of which contained only 5 seeds, the other had maybe 12 seeds in it. This is not what was portrayed on the tv ad or I would not have ordered them. Plus they were received by me in mid-May which does not allow enough time for them to produce tomatoes even if they were to grow in ideal conditions. In addition to this ,2 out of the 6 pots that I planted have not grown anything--and I am not a novice gardener! This was clearly a misrepresentation of the product and a total scam! And I was charged $21.90 for this.
One other thing was curious to me--when I called to place my order, which was all done via computer, I was asked to purchase numerous other items, some related to gardening, others not. There were times during the exchange when I was made to feel that I really didn't have a choice, but if you said no at least 5-6 times, they finally moved on to another item. I wonder if I had ordered enough of the other items offered if I would have been sent the actual tomato plants that they advertised on tv?
I paid $21.90 for something that would otherwise have cost me probably under $5 and for which I have absolutely no use as I would not plant tomato plants from seed and if I did it would not be as late as mid-May. Plus, the seeds aren't growing anyway!
Jolene of Floyd, VA (05/31/08)
Ordered 3 hanging strawberries. It took over 3 weeks for them to arrive and all were dead. Attempts to contact the company for a refund or new plants have gone unanswered. I sent an email today to the address listed on consumeraffairs.com.
Linda of Olathe, KS (05/30/08)
I responeded to a TV ad for the Giant tomatoes and the free Early tomotoes in March. I never spoke with a live body over the phone when placing my order. In addition, I ordered 2 bottles of animal repellent that was suggested.
Finally, May 7th, I received the order, to my disappointment, only seeds and a dirt formula that you had to mix.What a joke! I expected to receive live healthy plants.
These seedlings will never produce this late in the season. I have yet to receive the animal repellent. I would like to have a full refund of my $26.00. I have not tried to contact the company yet, but from what I have read, it would just be a waste of time. Looks like I might just be out the money for overpriced seeds !
Diane of Moundsville WV (05/27/08)
We ordered 4 Crepe Mertle trees and when they came they were bare rooted with absolutly no signs of life. The directions said to soak in water over night, then plant. We soaked them over night and planted them the first part of May and as of May 27th they STILL show no signs of life! We have tried to call them, but either get a busy signal or the line goes dead. I can't find an email address to ask about or complain to. We paid $25.91 for apparently 4 dead trees!
Dean of Oxford IA (05/25/08)
Paid for $76.79 of live plants via mail order; ordered on 4/9/08, check cleared my bank account on 4/17/08 only to have the product arrive at my address on 5/22/08 wilted, black, moldy or all the above. Easily 50-75% of the product received will never grow due to poor condition in which it was received.
M of Rockingham NC (05/24/08)
Please help me I can not get though by phone and no one answers emails. I'm tried of trying.I ordered ten (10) bags of quicklawn (E26288)for $44.98, it has been over three weeks and no grass. I followed the instructions on the package and watered. I have also had several nice rains. The grass was to come up with five day.
The first time I was able to get through, I was told to wait another weed, that has been more then two weeks. I have called several time a day for the last two week and the hassle is not worth it. Their sales book states business hours are Monday-Friday 7:30AM-10:00PM and Saturday-Sunday 9:00AM-8:00PM. Now their hours are Monday-Friday 8:30AM-4:30PM and no weekend hour at all. This is bad Customer Service practice.
I'm out $44.98 which is a lot of money and I have no grass
Linda of Odessa TX (05/23/08)
They took my money, but, have not sent the grass seed. When I try to call them, all I get is a busy signal. No reponse by e-mail either. I will file a fraud charge with the bank.
Gary of Torrington CT (05/23/08)
I got billed for things I did not order. I sent them an email and got no reply. I will find them and I will get my money back!!!!!!!!!
Helen of Estes Park CO (05/22/08)
I ordered in Mar. and received 8 packets of tomato seeds & 4 packages of soil, but no bag in which to grow the seeds upsidee down. We live at 9,000 ft. and can only grow anything on our cantelevered deck.
I called the # 5 times and always got a busy signal when I punched 2 for the complaint dept. Today I called them at 3P.M. They are closed...only open from 8-3P.M. Eastern Standard Time. I find no record that they charged to my visa card though.
Sharon of Alliance OH (05/20/08)
i ordered 3 tomato trees (3 for $10.00) i kept calling and always got a busy signal. i finally recieved 3 pots with some dirt and seeds. i also received the 3 free early girl tomatos the same way. how do i get my money back i was charged $21.90 on my debit card
i am out $21.90 and no tomatos
Bobbie of Joplin MO (05/18/08)
I spent $21 for 6 seeds --- I was to get 3 tomato trees and 3 giant tomatoes. It took 2 months to get the seeds. It is the middle of May and they sent me seeds to plant. I never dreamed of such. I thought I would get good healthy plants for that price.
Ernie of Casselberry FL (05/17/08)
My Dad ordered the Tomato Trees and after 2-3 weeks he received a small box containing 6 starter dixie cups/pots, two small envelopes containing seeds, and a small shrink wrapped thing called Coconut Brick for the soil. Myself I couldn't stop laughing-my Dad, he was upset. These guys last hoorah should be to advertise in the back of comic books along with the x-ray glasses.
Charles of Twin Falls ID (05/17/08)
I Ordered Grass seed that would cover 2500 sq. feet of area.It has been 1 month since ordered and I have not been able to make contact by phone or email to see what is happening with my order.
I paid them $32.95 for the seed and apparently they are not going to send it
James of Joppa MD (05/16/08)
I responded to an advertisement for Empress tree's. The ad stated that they were only $6.98 for two trees. I went on line and ordered two trees which cost $13.93 with shipping and handling. When my shipment finally arrived there was only one tree in the shipment. I scoured the paperwork and shipping carton for a phone number but I couldn't find one. So I went back on line and sent them an email. no response. I sent them another e-mail. no response. Finally I discovered a phone number in one of the on line listings, I called the number . no answer. I called several times always no answer. Finally someone answered the phone but when I told her my problem she said she was only filling orders and couldn't help me with my complaint. I explained to her that I had been trying to contact the company for several days and now that I have finally gotten through to someone, you must help me or transfer me to someone that can. She said there was no one to transfer to and that she couldn't help me. I asked her why she answered the phone if she can't help people calling. She replied that it was an inadvertant roll over, not intended for her and that I should hang up and try again in the afternoon. By this time I was so exasperated that I just hung up and haven't tried since.
James R. Cook Joppa Md
of course I am not out very much financially but to think that a company doing widespread business is so customer unfriendly it has to be a deliberate policy of fraud, false advertising, shorting customers etc
Marisa of Omaha NE (05/16/08)
I received dead plants, I was charged fraudulently and two plants are missing. Here is the e-mail that I sent to them after I called and was told that Customer Service was not working on Saturday and my e-mail would be answered in 2-3 days, it has not:
Received my order today, EXTREMELY unhappy. How do we rectify dead plants? The strawbery plant was completely dead, the raspberry plant is 1/2 brown & expected not to live through the weekend, the tomato plants ARE NOT in any pots as advertised, brown & expected to die this weekend. NO blackberry's were received-NONE. There is an unlabeled plant that I have no idea what it is & does not look like the tree that was ordered. IT IS A MYSTERY PLANT. High quality plants, I think not.
William of Sebring FL (05/14/08)
I ordered 2 royal empress and 2 Golden Chain trees in mid April 2008. It is now May 14 (four weeks later) and I received what look like a couple of dried up weeds. Two of the plants never came. When I waited on the phone two separate times for customer service for over 30 mins each they told me there was nothing that they can do because I had reached the order line. I guess that they only take peoples money and forget about the rest. I left my contact info and emailed several times over the past few days with no reply at all. Do not order from this company unless you would like to waste your money.
Garey of Southgate MI (05/14/08)
I was stupid enough to order GIANT TOMATO TREES off the internet. They advertise them on TV. For $20.00 you get two LITTLE packages of seed, six small plastic containers, and a small amount of potting mixture. Rip Off
Brenda of Millboro VA (05/12/08)
Ordered 2 Empress Paulownia and 2 Golden Chain trees. Called hadn't received order spoke with Helen. Told due to frost orders running late; call back 7-14 days if nothing. Rec'd partial order. 2 Empress trees. Very wilted. Planted & 1 died; other revived. Spoke with David--said Golden Chains would be shipped seprately. Sn't worry about it not being listed on invoice. Call in 7-14 days.
Over week passed. No trees. May days long distance to reach busy signals or be put on hold. Once got through spoke with Alice who refused to pass message or answer questions about my order. Was rude & hung up. Tried calling even no. to order and now only placed on hold or busy signal. Also have tried e-mailing--getting no responses.
One tree is dead and two missing. Very stressful when a company is allowed to continue to operate with no ethics.
James of Crestwood IL (05/12/08)
ordered giant tomato plants in early march. I did not recieve them by may 1st. tried contacting them by phone was on hold for 32 min. (customer service) I then called the order phone# who ansered soon but would only say that the would contact customer service with my request, but would not transfer my call.
so far I am only out the amount of the purchase which was only 10.98 plus s&h
Mark of Corbin KY (05/06/08)
I ordered tomato plants in Feb 2008 from Gardeners Choice. I never received them, but they charged my credit card 60 days later. I hope the better business bureau takes a look at this company. The worst customer service I have seen at any place. I hope someone takes legal action against this company.
Michael of Sumter SC (04/29/08)
order was paid but $10 coupon not credited. on hold for over one hour (called three times). finally someone answered and said i had to contact customer service. cust service hung up. this is the second time ordering and the second time wasted time on the phone and terrible service....similar to many complaints i have seen online. NEVER AGAIN----don't make the same mistake!
Adnan of Crestview FL (04/28/08)
Ordered their Quicklawn Grass seed on 04-16-08. Checked my bank account on 04-26-08 and discovered they had charged me $949.03 instead of $33.85. I have been unable to make contact with these people, only a machine answers. I just discovered their telephone number, but nobody responds.
My bank account was overdrawn along with all the charges that involves. As a result, I am without a credit card for two weeks. My bank is trying to help me with this matter.
Penny of Apache Junction AZ (04/28/08)
I received the plants they were sticks and they were dead.I tried to contact them with no response I want my money back.
I lost the money it cost me for my plants and am not getting any where with the company they will not answer my e mails
Kori of Locust Grove GA (04/27/08)
I ordered $80.81 worth of plants. I was so dissapointed and frustrated, new home. Most of what came here looked dead, nothing was marked, I ordered 3 trees, I recieved 2, 1 was only 3 inches, and I lost it when I went to plant it, it was so small. I ordered 3 Rose bushes, got 2, not sure if they are alive or not, I planted them, haven't seen any growth yet, they looked like gnarled sticks. When I tried to call the company i couldn't get thru, I tried 5 times. Gave up, Emailed them twice, no response. Oh, one of the trees' as a bag of dirt, nothing more. I will never order from this company again.
A tough lesson to learn, I should have looked up complaints before I ordered.
Harold of West Harrison IN (04/26/08)
placed a mail order. recieved only half of the order, was charged for the entire order. tried to call customer several times . i get a busy signal all the time. I called check on order dept. I explained my getting only a half order. but was charged for the entire order. she told me to call customer service. I explained, all I got was the busy signal. she said she could do nothing, i asked to talk to a supervisor. she hung up on me.
Caroline of Mexico MO (04/24/08)
I ordered 3 climbing lilies, 2 crape Myrtles, and 1 collection of 4 Rose Plants on 3/28/08. Have not received anything as of 4/24/08. I have tried numerous times to call these people and always get a busy signal. I have also E-mailed once today and have had no response as of yet.The total for my order is almost $50.00 dollars. ($48.84). I used my debit card to place my order and they have already debited my account. I'm very angry and wish something to be done.
I was really looking forward to to receiving my plants because i love Roses so much. I couldn't wait to see how the climbing Lilies were going to look on my trellis. I have a spot picked out for them as well as the Crape Myrtles. Is there something that can be done?
Marlene of Euclid OH (04/23/08)
I received a letter today stating that my order would not be shipped because my credit card denied the purchase. First of all I never orderd anything from Gardeners' Choice. Second, the credit card # that was in the letter isn't even for a credit card that I have. I don't know what they are trying to pull or where they got my name and address. I am requesting that they not contact me again!
Carla of Eufaula OK (04/22/08)
i paid for 3 trees + additional plants. added additional 12 trees 30.00+ no additional shipping. greatfun? not sure of it but they have my credit card information. i feel so dumb. i never give out any information and thought this was diff. lol. been on the phone 40minutes as i write this trying to get a salesman. i'm on hold.
i don't want them to use my information.
Marilyn of Goodlettsvillet TN (04/22/08)
Approximately 7-10 days ago I sent in a complaint that I had not received an order of blue daisies from Gardener's Choice which were ordered in Feb, 2008. I just want to let consumer affairs know that as of this day, I have finally received my blue daisies. The total of the order was $37.91. So, in fairness, I thought you should know this order is complete. Thank you for your time in reviewing this.
India of Kerrville TX (04/21/08)
I ordered two of their Tomato Trees sending check for $9.48 drawn on Bank of America. The check was cashed and I never received my product. Funny, they never included a phone number in their ad to follow-up with.
Marilyn of Goodlettsville, TN (04/16/08)
Ordered 9 Kalahari Blue Daisy plants and 4 Golden Chain trees in Feb, this year. The total came to $36.91. Tried to call to check status of order today, April 16th. Could not find a phone number for them. Emailed www.GCspecials.com. Webmail postmaster sent message that website for Gardeners' Choice was unknown. Email was returned.
I had no idea about all these consumer complaints against this company. This was my first time using them. When I tried to look up their website, I saw all these complaints.
I have yet to receive my merchandise and I'm sure I will never get my money back.
Andres of Dublin, OH (04/16/08)
I bougth 3 plants of giant tomato as seen on tv on early March 2008 and havent receive the product yet, they dont answer the customer service phone and is always busy. I want my money back !!!
Martin of Kansas City KS (03/27/08)
What happened? A big fat nothing! Paid $10 for 3 tomato trees adn 3 giant tomato plants as seen on TV. This was several weeks ago and any contact with customer service is zilch. I wish I had come to this site before I ordered. And shipping cost more than the product, another $10.95.
I run a greenhouse, and now it has put me back late for selling tomatoes.
Peggy of Cicero NY (03/27/08)
What happened ? I am looking at complaints for this Company from 2000 to 2004, and they are still in business! I had a funny feeling about them when I got something in the mail selling MyRoyalTree called the Royal Paulownia Tree for only $3.98 each. But I did order 2, even though I lost only $10.48 with s&h, it makes me furious. These people are advertising on TV, sending cards with the Sunday Paper.
Not enough money lost to cause me damage but this is ridiculous. I did see the message from the REAL Gardener's Choice guy. Seems the fake guy is in Michigan.
April of Titusville FL (02/23/08)
I ordered 3 giant tree tomatoes as seen on TV and placed that ordered on line by credit card and never received the trees. They charged my card, and here is the information :02/19/2008; 15FEB2008; GARDENERS CHOICE 269-621-3303 MI; -$34.83. I will be going to my bank on Monday. I don't understand if this company has been doing this since 2001..to 2008, then why has this not been stopped? The advertising on TV is false advertising. Plus they are stealing money. Thanks.
Andrew of Sequim, WA (01/25/08)
Count me among those that received an order and was dissatisfied. 5 dead trees and 3 dead bushes.
Like many others, attempted to contact Gardener's Choice via phone (no answer or busy, always) and no response to multiple emails. I even sent a question into customer service about ordering something - when I got a reply from a real person and raised the problem with the previous order. POOF! No more customer service.
I finally got relief from the BBB, which strangely enough, Gardener's Choice is a member.
Thelma of Mount Sterling, KY (07/23/07)
In March I placed an order in early spring for 2 trees and several other plants for a total order of $73.06. The check cleared shortly after I placed the order.
It has been four months and I still have not received my order or a response as to what happened.
Bonnie of Des Moines, IA (05/21/07)
I went in to check my order and found all these complaints. Since most were from 2003 & 2004, I thought I would add mine to the list.
I have never received my order and it is 2007.
Joanna of Staten Island, NY (05/15/07)
I ordered plants online Aug. 12, 2006, and was given a shipping date of May 2007. The company lists no phone number or address, nor did they answer the emails I've sent requesting shipping information.
I paid for the order, which totaled about $46 including shipping, with a debit card.
If this company has been doing this for the past several years, how is it they have been able to get away with it for so long?
Jim of Lusby, MD (05/15/07)
I ordered 2 tomatoe trees and I never received anything. Looking at the website this company is not too reliable.
Harold of Marriottsville, MD (05/14/07)
In Feb I sent a check for $13.98 for 4 tomatoe trees. Here it is May 14 and no plants.
Their phone is always busy and they don't reply to e-mail.
While $13.98 is not a lot of money, us seniors on a fixed income must watch every penny.
Arvid of So. San Francisco, CA (05/09/07)
I ordered three kinds of tomatoes, late in Feb. Late in March I tried e-mailing them, but address was unknown.
On April 05,2007 I received a letter from them saying "Please send this letter with an additional $5.50 to the address below and we will ship your order promptly. Your payment does not cover the total cost of your order". I tried e-mailing them again 05/08/07 being careful to use the address on the catalog. Again undeliverable.
I am out $18.89 on the original check and $5.50 on the second one.
Annette of Lake Tapps WA (05/07/07)
Well, I feel like a fool! My tomato trees arrived today. At a price of $21.90, I received seeds in little dried up peat pots with instructions on watering and care. I live in WA state where our growing season is short. By the time these seeds are big enough to put in the ground, summer will be half over! I'll try watering them just to see what happens but my next $21.90 will be spent at the nursery on real tomatoe plants! I should have done my research on this company before being deceived.
Elizabeth of Jackson, MS (05/05/07)
I ordered 8 giant tomatoe plants but received dried dirt with maybe two survivors.
I planted them and only one has lived as of today. I emailed Gardener's Choice on April 13th...No response. I've tried calling all day but the line stays busy.
George of Belleview, FL (05/03/07)
On March 6th, I ordered two (2) Giant Tree Tomatoes and enclosed a check in the amount of $9.48.
I received my order to only find that both of the plants were dead. I tried to call the phone number listed several times but the line was always busy. I have E-mailed six (6) times with no response.
Today I decided to look up Gardeners Choice on the internet again and that is when I found this site. I don't understand how this company can get away with this.
Todor of Shelby Twp, MI (04/26/07)
I ordered tomato trees on 3-14-07. My check was cashed, but I am still waiting for the trees.
John of Port Angeles, WA (04/11/07)
Through the catalog mailed to me, I called to order some plants and bulbs and paid with a credit card. The time frame in which the plants should have arrived has past and there seems to be no way to contact this business.
I have been looking on the internet to see if I could get any more information and have seen the sorry history of this business.
Robert of Plumas Lake, CA (04/10/07)
I ordered tomato plants on Feb 19th. They arrived on April 7th. They were already dead!
I have sent them a letter (I couldn't find an email location) demanding a full refund.
Carlos of Scarsdale, NY (04/10/07)
My order never arrived. I tried calling customer support, but it was busy all the time.
Jerald of Fort Worth, TX (04/06/07)
From a mail order catolog I purchased a tree and some tomato plants. I get the so called "tree" which is about the size of a hair on my head.
Now I know the tree was only a $4.00 dollar tree, but when they say tree, not seedling, I want a tree!
Patricia of Jacksonville, TX (02/14/07)
I ordered $175 of plants and trees from this company last year. Most of them dead or were dying when received - only 3 plants lived.
I emailed the company several times but received no response.
This year I received a catalog from them. Why are they still in business??
Shelly of Memphis TN (11/14/06)
My husband and I have been loyal American Car buyers for 33 years. Ford, Chrysler, Pontiac, Buick,Chevrolet, and GMC. We bought a 2001 Bucik LeSabre in 2005 we spent $500 to have the driver window repaired, Jan. 2006 the back window fell down, and then the other back window this summmer. My husband fixed it so now it won't go down at all. We couldn't afford another $500 twice. Our daughters 2001 Grand Am the same thing happened! My husband fixed it and now her driver window won't work! Two friends from church who found out my husband could work on it called him about the windows on their GMC vehicles. Our GMC Savana Conversion Van 2003 model, after the first 6 months the transmission was acting funny, I took it in because of the gas gauge not working and asked them to look at the transmission, they said it was ok.
Now 2 years later, 42,000 miles and NO warranty the transmission goes out. $1600 in repair. I'm sorry but loyalty can only go so far. It's costing us an arm and a leg to be loyal to our American Car makers. Our next car will be a foreign job that has 100,000 mile warranty and made to last (like American cars used to be) If anyone else has had this kind of trouble please let me know if anything can be done about it. All they will say is sorry out of warranty.
Lots of money for repairs to cars that just got out of warranty! Windows that don't work cause we can't afford to have them fixed.
Gloria of Shelby, OH (06/20/06)
I ordered tomato plants, the tomato tree and the rainbow tomato, several of each. When I received them they were completely dead. It only totaled $19.41 but I expected to have plants that were alive.
They didn't waste any time cashing my check. My husband had just been laid off from his job so every $20 is very much needed. I would appreciate just being refunded.
Claire of Warwick, RI (05/16/06)
On 2/17/06 I ordered three hardy Lavenders from a sunday magazine ad and sent a check for $7.94. Never received the plants or any correspondence.
The check was cashed, but I never received the plants or any correspondence. Order was placed on 2/27/06.
James of Wind Gap, PA (05/13/06)
I ordered 8 tomato plants in January 2006 and they were delivered at planting time on May 6th. The plants were fully wilted and 3 were broken. They were completely dead in two days. The soil was bone dry in the packaging and the post mark showed mailed May 2nd.
I emailed Gardeners Choice the same day and 3 additional times - No response. I also tried to call their non-toll free phone number and all I got was busy signal.
Diana of Eolia, MO (05/10/06)
I ordered some tomato trees from Gardeners Choice. When I got them, they were dead....with no hope of bringing them back to life.
I have sent 2 emails and have gotten no response.
Vanita of Kings Mountain, NC (05/02/06)
I placed an order to Gardener's Choice for $23.98, via cashier check on 03-24-06, for 12 hummingbird vines. I have not heard from the company or seen the HB vines.
I want that $23.98 back. I should have checked this website first!
Gordon of Nashville, TN (04/26/06)
I ordered plants from their catalog. They arrived broken and dead. One plant out 12 lived.
I tried email and phone calls to remedy the situation but receive no response. I have lost $34.
Christina of Warwick, NY (04/24/06)
I ordered, via mail, some tomato plants which were received dead (mangled is more appropriate) and poorly packaged.
The product cost about $12 with shipping and handling. I have e-mailed them and have not received a response.
Donald of Sequim, WA (04/12/06)
The plants I ordered from Gardener's Choice died soon after arriving in poor shape.
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