Comments regarding Santa Barbara Orchid Estate

I emailed SBOE regarding a particular plant that I was seeking in bud/sheath. They emailed back that they had some and then I called to find out the prices. I ordered a plant with two sheaths and paid more than I ever have for an orchid in the fifteen years I've been collecting them.
It arrived in a timely manner, but one sheath was broken and another leaf was broken too. I know this can happen from time to time, but the broken leaf was oxidized and calloused over in such a way that it must have happened prior to packaging/shipping. One third of the plant had to be cut off including a sheath.
I emailed SBOE immediately and have had no response whatsoever.
So much for customer service once this company had my money.

I picked out two very select orchids at very high prices while visiting this company. The company sent me low quality substitutes crushing the flowers on one plant in what appeared to be an attempt to hide the deception. Undoubtedly, the company was unaware that I had photographed the plants prior to leaving their site. In addition I've had two plants bloom with incorrect flowers having been shipped with incorrect labels. Recommend that buyers be very cautious when conducting business with this company, particularly when purchasing higher-end or select products. My experiences purchasing lower end products have been consistantly good. Packaging is consistantly very good and delivery is typically very prompt.