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I am livid.  I received my chinese artichokes today.  They were so shrivelled that they just looked like little bits of dirt.  I rang Victoriana Nursery and complained to be told "what do I expect when they have been in the post for two weeks".  I was told to just plant them and see what happens as they didn't have any more.  I ordered them via the internet on 16 March and rang the following day to make the payment via my card.  The date on the despatch note was 26 March the day they rang me to ask what my order was as they couldn't tie up my payment with my order.  They were shoved into an ordinary envelope and then put into a cardboard box packed out with shredded newspaper.  The date of shipping was 31 March via first class post.

I cannot imagine that the tubers even being nearly fresh when they were put up for despatch and I also cannot imagine they would grow even with Divine Intervention.  In fact, if I was a seller I would not have even offered them for sale.

 :o

They need to take a look at their customer service dept, take it higher if possible.

I would be fuming too.  CA's hate being dried out (which they do quickly)  When I have given some to friends this year, I wrap them in wet paper towel and place in a bag...

I think you will need a miracle for them to grow...

I'd demand my money back in a letter...  read their guarantee on this page (if this is where you bought them from)  http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/victoriana_nursery_gardens_trading_policy.asp

Good luck...

Put simply they are not fit for purpose and as such you are entitled to a full refund. This is your statutory right and no matter what they say they cannot take it away from you.

I was considering ordering from them, I won't be now.

Why don't folk purchase from the established companies, or even better from your local, independant,  garden centre? You know, the ones where you can actually SEE what you're getting, and take it home with you?
???

Quote from: tonybloke on April 13, 2010, 09:11:56
Why don't folk purchase from the established companies, or even better from your local, independant,  garden centre? You know, the ones where you can actually SEE what you're getting, and take it home with you?
???

I would love to but I can't say I've ever seen chinese artichokes for sale locally !


lottie lou - Amphibian is right! Complain!

1066

this is clearly a trading standards issues, your goods are not fit for purpose.

carefully document if you can the conversation with their person who told you they had no more in stock, as this clearly points to your getting the end of the batch, which in itself is not great news. Just put down all you can remember about it, time if you have a name or the jo title of the person your spoke to, what was said.
Then print of the care of CAs where it says they don't like drying out, include with the time-line above and send to their customer services department.

that's just wrong!

I have returned them with a covering letter.  What I don't understand is why they sent them out in the first place.  Considering it is a nursery surely they would know something about the plants they send out. 

A lot of people don't complain, unfortunately. I may have some at the end of the season, assuming the ones I have in are going to grow!

Quote from: tonybloke on April 13, 2010, 09:11:56
Why don't folk purchase from the established companies,

Victoriana have been around for donkey's years, they're a big nursery and are open to the public as well as doing online sales.

Quoteor even better from your local, independant,  garden centre? You know, the ones where you can actually SEE what you're getting, and take it home with you?
???

Victoriana are an independent garden centre, distance selling has a long tradition in gardening and the consumer has the right to expect quality.

To be honest I am surprised by their attitude.

I am worried now. I have ordered some JA,s which will be coming shortlly,(they hold them back here till the chance of frost has passed) I am then going to mail some of what I get to someone else.. am I going to have a problem here?? Is there anything I can do to prevent a problem once they reach me? Is the problem only with the Chinese ones?

XX Jeannine

JA's dry will dry out quite quickly too, if left unwrapped/uncovered. Perhaps it will depend on what condition they are in when they arrive with you. You could always send some next year from yours. They are best planted as soon as possible although covering with damp compost for a few days should hold them or if its a bit longer I'd be tempted to pot them up and plant out when you are ready.

I'd have complained too Lottie, sounds very much like not fit for purpose.

QuoteI can't say I've ever seen chinese artichokes for sale locally !

They had some in our local garden centre, though they were very small.  I think they were Unwins.

I posted them back first class yesterday and have heard Victoriana Nurseries received them today.  So why did it take two weeks for them to reach me?  anyway victoriana Nurseries have agreed that they weren't too good, that they should have been clean etc and ae refunding me together with postage, so I am quite happy.  will try again in October/November.

Glad you got a decent result. ;)

Good for you  !!

Well done lottie lou, it would have been better to have got what you wanted, but at least you get your money back.