Jim and Jenny Archibald: 'Bryn Collen',
Ffostrasol, Llandysul, Wales, SA44 5SB
(United Kingdom)

Reviews:

positives
neutrals
negatives

Displaying the 14 most recent reviews

RatingContent
Positive
On Mar 23, 2011, Mong0Lloyd (1 reviews) from Columbus, OH

Mr. Archibald had died

Positive
On Jul 24, 2009, Agrinerd (11 reviews) from Franklin, NC (Zone 6b)

I'm surprised by the negative feedback. I ordered from them a couple of years ago and had no trouble at all. Email correspodence was prompt. The troubles may be from the very unreliable postal service in Great Britain. American Spam filters also block a lot of email domains from overseas.

Negative
On Mar 19, 2008, trioadastra (4 reviews) from Woodbury, MN (Zone 4a)

I placed an order Feb 28, and sent an email requesting confirmation. My payment cleared March 5, which was $5 more than the price that was stated. I don't mind paying $5 for shipping to the US, but it should have been stated somewhere that this charge would apply. As of March 19, I haven't received any form of communication from JJA seeds, and have just sent them another email. I haven't given them up as a bum deal yet, but am leaning in that direction, and unless I get an email, or my order, I will be changing my feedback to Negative.


On May 30th, 2008, trioadastra changed the rating from neutral to negative and added the following: Well, here it is May 30th, and I haven't seen hide nor hair of my order, nor have any of my emails been answered. I've given up my $20 as lost and lesson learned. Thank god I didn't waste any more money on these frauds!

Negative
On Feb 7, 2008, Moskvichka (2 reviews) from Moscow,
Russia

On January I have made the order at Jim Archibald. Before making registration of the order I has written to him the letter (sales@jjaseeds.com), and him has answered, that will send me seeds to Russia without problems! I have issued the order and from my credit card have written off money. At this moment Jim has ceased to answer and seeds has not sent! I know, that Jim reads my letters, to that I receive automatic acknowledgement of perusal of my letters on mail! But Jim ignores me. It is simply indecent! Jim does not respect the clients! And it very unpleasantly and shockingly!

Negative
On Jun 2, 2007, boltha (1 reviews) from Breezand,
Netherlands

On 2 december 2006 I ordered for $349 seed bij This company. On 3 december I received the following message: Thank you for your order and payment credited to our PayPal account. We shall send the seeds next week (week commencing 10 December).Since then I mailed several times but nor repley at all. Jan van den Berg Breezand Netherlands.

Positive
On Jan 12, 2007, congminglaoshi (31 reviews) from Tuckahoe, NY

I have ordered seeds from the Archibalds before without problems and today I just received seeds that I ordered a couple of weeks ago. One selection was out, so they not only substituted a more expensive (and choice) species (Gladiolus flanaganii for a form of G. dalenii), but they also sent a few extra packets of some very desirable cyclamen selections. I am (again) very pleased indeed! Many of the items they carry won't be found elsewhere.

Positive
On Dec 11, 2006, Laurie1 (3 reviews) from Burwash Weald,
United Kingdom (Zone 9b)

I would like to add my positive to JJA seeds also. I have never had anything but good experiences of their seeds and services. And it really is one of the most exciting catalogues around.

Negative
On Dec 10, 2006, wallaby1 (2 reviews) from Lincoln,
United Kingdom (Zone 8a)

I wish I had checked the feedback first! I didn't think to do this, these people 'appear' to be so professional, plant hunters with seed from special collections, who would think they would do this? I ordered on 6th October, on 13th October I received an email from them thanking me for the order, they would be sending the seeds next week. I gave them reasonable time, emailed on 29th October to find out what was happening, no reply. I emailed again on 5th December, still no reply. I was thinking that perhaps they were away on one of their plant hunting expeditions. As their wesite has no contact details and I was getting no reply from them I decided to do a google search, this is when I found this feedback!!!! I will be making a complaint to Paypal, as that is the method I paid by but it is now more than 2 months so it may be too late. They have been emailed again with a warning of my intentions, watch this space!


On December 10th, 2006, wallaby1 added the following: ADDED TO THE ABOVE: As I thought, there is a maximum 45 days in which a dispute can be opened with Paypal. I had this in mind when I emailed them on 29th October, but the further it goes down the road the easier it is to forget about time! TAKE NOTE: I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO!!!! The person below who states that people must have got their seeds, the answer is NO I HAVE NOT, AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY WERE EVER POSTED!!
On December 20th, 2006, wallaby1 added the following: After much looking on Paypal I found their phone number under the 'History' tab. I rang on the 13th December. I did receive a response from Paypal on the 12th, they could not make exceptions on the time limit but did state that in the meantime they would back me up fully and provide law enforcement with further information if I wished to take it to the police. Also if they received future complaints they had the right to 'reopen' the case, even though it was not at present open, and would act on my behalf. When I called JJAseeds they said the internet side had perhaps not received the attention. They did sound as if they were genuine, but even after having emailed them once more, and made the threat of taking it further as they had not responded to an email from Paypal, I would have expected them to try to make amends without me having to find their phone number. Their reason for not making their phone number available was because of the time it can take when people ring them and want to talk for half an hour. I can understand that, but not ignoring all contact efforts. The seeds I received today, 20th December, posted on 15th. There was a reason given, that was my file had been marked 'completed' and if the seeds hadn't been sent that was perhaps because they were waiting for one lot of seeds, which did not materialise. Why then mark my file 'completed'? If this is a case of bad book-keeping that does not excuse their ignoring emails or letters. If they are having problems keeping all things straight due to 'life' then I warn anyone thinking of buying from them to be prepared. They did recompense with another packet of seeds and a partial refund for the stress I had suffered, and the seeds I had not received and the difference in exchange rate. I am happy to have received the seeds, and I do understand others that have not had problems not being able to see others having problems. I felt in the end their apology was genuine, but it was an experience I would not like to repeat.

Negative
On Nov 2, 2006, annette68 (2 reviews) from Townsville,
Australia (Zone 10a)

I ordered seeds in August 2006, I have got a confirmation order that seeds would be sent and than nothing. All emails have been ignored.This company looks as dodgy as they come. I think they use the funds from seeds to fund their expeditiions. 100% profit as they dont send seeds. Annette

Negative
On Feb 20, 2006, Martinska (4 reviews) from Jurmala,
Latvia

I ordered first time from this company on 27 July, 2005. After receiving conformation by e-mail about the reception of the order and payment, on 20 September I contacted company by e-mail asking about the delivery time of the seeds, received long answer with the explanation about the delay. Now, on 20 February, 2006, still no seeds, no responces to my e-mails. I am wondering about such attention to the customers, and still the nice-looking webside is allowing to put on the orders. There is no phone number to try to contact, and I do not think to waist money with this webside anymore!

Negative
On Jan 17, 2006, Vouty (4 reviews) from LIGUEIL,
France

I order seed from all over the world for our nursery and this company is the worst I've ever dealt with. I ordered and _PAID FOR_ seed in October 2005. They were slow to confirm the order with excuses and then I've had nothing since. They do not answer e-mails and do not give telephone or fax contacts. BEWARE any company which does not give full contact details. They have a very interesting collection of seeds, but I don't rate their chances of survival as a business in the 21st century with such abysmal customer service.


On February 8th, 2006, Vouty added the following: I have contacted them by email and letter cancelling my non fulfilled order and asking for a refund. Still no communication or refund on their part.

Positive
On Jan 16, 2006, Marilena (14 reviews) from Chicago, IL

This is a wonderful company with unusual and rare seeds. I had absolutely no problems receiving seed from them and I live in Canada. The seed was started at the beginning of this month and more than half has germinated. The rest of the seed requires a warm-cold-warm cycle to germinate and I am certain that it will. Thank you JJA seeds for providing gardeners with your excellent seeds.


On November 29th, 2006, Marilena added the following: I don't understand what the issue is with JJA seeds. I ordered from their website very recently (last month) and no problem in receiving the seeds. About 2 months ago, I received an updated seed list with further information regarding new varieties being offered and based on this information, I placed an order on the internet. Approximately 10 days after placing the order, I received the seeds. I have no idea how the individuals who are complaining about not receiving their seeds ordered but had they paid with PayPal or with a credit card and not received the merchandise, they could have revoked their payment. We are wholesale growers and have been growing from seed for many years. I can assure those who wish to order from JJA seeds that they offer unusual and interesting varieties, that the seeds germinate well and that they send the seeds.in a timely fashion. I seriously question some of the comments directed towards JJA Seeds and I highly doubt that these people didn't receive their seeds.

Negative
On Jan 15, 2006, Azurronero (5 reviews) from Aalten,
Netherlands

I have four PAID seedorders ordered in the periode between May and June 2005. Until now the seeds have not arrived. They stopped communicating with me since summer 2005, after telling me the seeds will arrive in september or a little later. It is January 15th 2006! now and I still haven't received any seeds. They don't answer emails anymore etc. So do not order here unless you get the seeds first. It is not trustworthy! John Aipassa, Aalten, Netherlands

Positive
On Dec 7, 2004, nevadagdn (118 reviews) from Sparks, NV (Zone 7a)

Until the owners (if they choose to) respond: The website lists some amazing rare perennial and bulb seeds. The selection is very large.


On December 22nd, 2004, nevadagdn changed the rating from neutral to positive and added the following: Seeds were shipped promptly, arriving within 10 days of my placing an order. The quantity of seed looks like good value for my money. My order was confirmed promptly, as well.
On April 8th, 2005, nevadagdn added the following: At least 75% of the varieties I ordered germinated. Considering this is my first time growing stuff from seed, I'd call that outstanding.

» Read the rest of the reviews
BACK TO TOP