Comments regarding Violet Barn (Rob's Min-O-Lets)

We've never done this, but have to respond to the last review and 'fill in' the missing details. No such statement is made on our 'facebook' page (orders cannot be placed via this page). We do guarantee safe delivery in winter (her order was early March) only by EXPRESS (overnite) mail. This is stated on the first page of shopping cart (large purple box, bold capital letters), as well as a minimum of 4 other times during the ordering process. Our email confirmation of orders (should customer change their mind before we ship) and also clearly states this as well as in our 'terms and conditions' and 'shipping' pages among others. This customer chose PRIORITY (2-3 day) mail, which is $20 less costly, but also is more risky--these are perishable plants and it is winter. We ship in excess of 2,000 orders during winter months, and more than half of these customers willingly take the risk with priority mail in order to save money, most all without incident. However, it is their risk and their money to spend. If WE are to bear the risk, we will only do this when shipped by the safest means available--express mail. Yes, we don't want this customer's business--she is asking for something we cannot provide. The phone conversation was ended only after she had already made a number of threats...among them her review below and the chargeback to our account that we expect to see soon. P.S. We begin guaranteeing safe delivery via ALL means (including priority mail) to all areas, beginning April 15, for those wanting to save money on shipping and still have our guarantee.

I ordered four Hoyas from Rob at the VioletBarn last month -- my plants were shipped relatively fast (from USA to Canada) and were intact when I received them.

The phyto inspection cost is a bit prohibitive but I felt hopeful about the quality of the plants after talking with them on the phone. In reality, the four plants I received, while well protected in the shipping box and undamaged when I received them, were extremely small and basically appear to be leaves that have been shoved into the dirt. I was promised 2.5" pots, but received 2" ones, and other than one plant which is already a six inch climbing vine, the other three (as I said) are each just two or three leaves in some dirt. Frown.

I have ordered several times from the Violet Barn. For the most part plants have been in beautiful condition, well packed and usually in bloom. They are reasonably priced and the website can tell you just about whatever you need to know.

I have had some disappointment where I was due bonus plants and did not receive them despite mail/emails to them. Just couldn't get my complaint across to them. It was just overlooked so I gave up.

I had a chimera violet bloom untrue and it was credited to charge card(they quarantee plants bloom true)., after I told them the plant was out of stock and couldn't be replaced.I also had an expensive leaf chimera violet arrived rotted and it was credited to charge account but what a disappointment.You want the plant not the refund.

Also some plants I repotted the next month showed they had been"around" for some time with necks to the bottom of the pot. Probably stock plants that had been leaf donors and then sent out as sales plants. Was very unhappy about that but reason that others probably do that also.

As per Rob's suggestion that everyone try a streptocarpus. I did order 5, two bloomed and the other 3 haven't done much of anything. But love them and now have about 70. The second order of streps were very tiny and not worth the price.I think from ordering too late in the season as most were out of stock.

Was able to find many of his hybrids available at "Out of Africa," the Portage, Indiana one with Gary Mikita. Here I got big, blooming plants for just a bit more money and meticulously packed, very prompt service.And Gary will answer questions promptly by email.

I would buy from Violet Barn again but early in the season and mainly to get new introductions not available elsewhere.My other comments would be about plant descriptions, just about everything is listed as a constant bloomer, easy to grow, etc.etc. gets tiring. In my experience nothing blooms constantly and the ones that are touted as doing well on window sills haven't for me. There is a big difference in greenhouse window sills and that in your own
home.

I recently ordered from The Violet Barn and, as always, was very pleased with my order. I ordered nineteen plants, including gesneriads and hoyas, and all but 2 of the gesneriads were in bloom. It is so nice to receive blooming plants in winter! Packaging was great with no damage due to the cold weather. Only one leaf was broken off and it is happily growing at this time.