Comments regarding Specialty Perennials

Ordered over $80 worth of seeds in June. Still waiting for my order I called the company and sent emails, nothing. Contacted the BBB they said they had many complaints and follow up for me. They contacted me 2 weeks ago to tell me Specialty Perennials did not respond to them. So if your thinking of ordering from this company DON"T.

Posted on March 4, 2011, updated August 18, 2011
I ordered Blue Barlow Aquilegia Vulgaris (columbine), and Hakone Blue Platycodon Grandiflorus (Balloon Flower) in Summer, 2010.

The site emailed me saying they were shipped after about 10 days. But that wasn't true, I received them about a month later. It was fine because I wasn't using them immediately.

But both packets said they should be used before 2011, before they were meant to be planted. I don't know why they would keep stuff that old, let alone sell it.

This is my first gardening experience, and I had no idea that the seeds were bad, I kept thinking I was doing something wrong. But I ordered from another company and learned that it should be much easier than that.

Of all of the 2 sets of seeds, and TONS of work and attention and care, I only got 2 balloon flowers to germinate, and only 1 survived. I regret my purchase deeply because I really did waste so much time on this lost cause, and it took most of my enthusiasm away from gardening.

I did email them about all of this, but as you could guess, they didn't respond and I expect they would tell me to go to ____. Please don't support this rotten business, even if you're desperate for something they have, you'll regret it.

P.S. They also market themselves under HardyPlants.com FYI.

In my experience, the negative reviews are accurate. I placed an order online last year. My credit card was charged right away. After weeks of waiting, I still had not received any seeds. I called Specialty Perennials. A man answered, but he said he was busy and couldn't talk to me. He said he would check my order and call back, but he never did. Then I received an e-mail from them saying my order had shipped, but this was not true. The order was never shipped. I e-mailed them and asked for a refund, but I did not receive one. I finally had to contact my credit card company to dispute the charges, and I eventually received a credit to my account.

Order totaling $64.00 was placed on 1/31/10. Today is 3/1/10, and no seeds have been received nor any feedback for numerous e-mails sent. I am now in the cumbersome process of trying to cancel my order, report these deadbeats to the BBB, and rescind the charge to my credit card.

Before you place an order, ask yourself this: WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN SO FREQUENTLY with this company?! Answer: because they are an UNRELIABLE SOURCE!

Customer service is non-existent with this company. All gardening BUYERS BEWARE!

If you have some grand, master plan in your head as you experience Spring Fever this time of year, look elsewhere to bring your visions to bloom! You WILL NOT RECEIVE YOUR SEEDS in any reasonable timeframe, let alone any response to the simplest of inquiries.

Rough-n-ready mail in the 18th century via Pony Express going across the entire continent had to be quicker than these guys!

This company does have a good choice of seeds, but they will take your money and will not send the seeds to you. I ordered from them 3 times, 2 times the order arrived, although late and not completely accurate, third time, I received shipment confimation but nothing else. I e-mailed, called, no response. My card was charged the day I ordered, so they STOLE almost $30 from me. They also operate as hardyplants.com, so beware!

Early this year I order some seeds from this company. I will agree with those that say that they have a wonderful selection of seed that is very difficult to find elsewhere. My first order took about 6 weeks, but did arrive and I was pleased with that order. On May 22nd, '09 I place another order, my credit card was immediately charged the $70.00 and on June 10th I received an email from "Paul" stating that my order had been shipped via first class mail. Now, I know all the jokes about "Snail Mail", but since I work at the Post Office that this order was being sent to, this is way too much time for this order to have been delivered. I verified that my customer information was correct and should have received this order in several days. As of July 2nd, my order has not arrived, and I have had no reply from the emails I sent to them. It is very unfortunate, as I would have liked to continue to do business with them, but the total lack of communication and absence of any customer service has finally led me to the conclusion that my $70.00 is gone and there are no seeds on the way. I encourage everyone to check out other seed vendors that I found on-line. You can get almost everything that this company offers thru these other vendors, and those companies do not hesitate to contact you back if you have inquiries or problems. Avoid Specialty Perennials.

Ordered 3 weeks ago and was promised shipping in 10 days. Numerous emails unanswered. Phone messages unanswered even when I suggested that I felt I had to contact credit card co.

Still no response. I wish it had been different, but they have done nothing but take my order and payment info.

I ordered from Hardy Plants (aka Specialty Perennials) on 5/31/08. Now it is 8/23/08 but have not received the seeds and plants even though 3 months have passed.

I called several times in July and left messages, but they didn't return my calls or send the product.

Today I called my Visa company and we are going to dispute the charge made to my account.

My first mistake was not reading about Specialty Perennials / HardySeeds.com here, before ordering. I'd like to think I wouldn't have ordered then.

My order was placed May 12th. The site said to allow 2 weeks for delivery, which I did. No seeds. I sent an e-mail inquiry on May 30th. I got no response. On June 11th, I sent a message with the subject "CANCEL MY ORDER" in all caps, hoping to get his attention. Again, no response.

Then, out of the blue, on July 3rd, I receive a message that my order has shipped. I was unhappy because this was done weeks after I canceled my order, but happy to think I might finally get these hard-to-get seeds.

Well, it is now July 24th, and I still have no seeds. I inquired about this phantom shipment on July 13th with-- of course-- no response. On July 15th I sent a message "Garden Watchdog: Should I file a negative report on you?" I thought maybe THAT would get his attention. Nope. Clearly, this guy doesn't care about customer service or customer opinion.

Each of these times, I have waited longer than I felt was necessary, trying to be reasonable. I'm done being reasonable. This morning I called to find out about my order but, not surprisingly, reached only an answering machine. I've left a message but I doubt I'll get a response, much less my order. My next steps, like the others have done, are to call the credit card company and file a complaint with the BBB.

It's your money to take a chance with, but I strongly advise you to think twice before ordering from this guy. My experience is not the exception but rather the norm, if you read these other reviews.

ordered and paid on March 31st. To date have received no response to emails. It is now the middle of July and LONG past an acceptable period of time to have sent my seeds. very disappointed and will never deal with this company again. I am going report to Better Business Bureau and look into possible Internet fraud. I have never had any negative dealings on the internet with any gardening related company before and am extremely angry.

klhgrammy

I have been waiting for almost a month now for my seeds. I ordered from select seeds because of their great selection. I own my own small business and it is holding up my business while not worried about taking my money. I have emailed three times with no answer. I would call but do not know who to call. If there is a problem, they could email me and I would probably understand. But hearing nothing makes you extremely angry and frustrated.

I would certainly appreciate it if someone would call me. I will not leave my name but will leave my # Reference Number: 0002497112119875660000003332. I would be very glad to hear from Specialty Seeds so please send them a copy of this.

Also, if anyone has the number of this person I can call please email me at hearthecatsmeow@yahoo.com. Specialty Perennials if you lost my email this is the one for you to use also. Thanks so much.

Order submitted April 24th 2008. Almost 7 weeks later and no seeds and no response for multiple email inquiries. At least respond to emails if there is a delay.

Order sent and confirmed January 28th. 2 emails or 3 sent to enquire. No response but for sure the charges went through my account! And no seeds to date.

I would just like to have some acknowledgment of my emails at the very least.

They have sent me and charged me for a second order of the seeds I ordered. I did not make the second order.
NO response to my e-mail when I wrote to tell them of their mistake.
This company is BAD news.

I placed my order in mid-July and they charged my credit card at that time. I have sent them 3 emails asking about the status of my order with no response. I've called and left 2 messages and I've spoken to a gentleman that claimed to be the owner's father. He said that he would have his son contact me. It hasn't happened yet. The father suggested that orders with multiple species and small quantities were harder to fill and that might be what's causing the delay.

If they are overwhelmed or behind, I wish they would offer the simple courtesy of letting the customer know either by email or via a message on their website.

If I don't get a response soon, I will contact my credit card company and contest the charges. I'm also considering reporting them for internet fraud with the Minnesota Attorney General.

Buyer beware!

Placed $81.00 seed order on July 16th 2007 and paid the same day.
7/25/07 I emailed them about this order and received a reply that the seed would be shipped soon.
8/7/07: emailed them again and no reply
Then I started calling. Left a message the first time, but received no follow up. Got a person the second time who said they were a little behind. Got no follow up the third time. Got another person the 4th time, who said this was his son's business and he'd follow up with me... NEVER HAPPENED!
I emailed again and then again...telling them that I now want a refund since I've not even been given the courtesy of a reply. Still no response. Then emails started coming back to me saying that the mailbox was no longer available.
I contacted my bank today who is going to dispute the $81.00 charge.
These people are either in financial trouble or they are scammers.

Stay Away From Them.

Some weeks ago I placed an online order with Hardy Plants and when the final order came up, it was listed as Speciality Perennials. I join those who who where lurded to order from Hardy Plants, aka Speciality Perennials, by their great selection and great prices; however I also join with those that have had a very negative experience. I placed an order and after 3 weeks of no items received or any correspondence sent me, I made an friendly email inquiry and left a message to their telephone. The business replied to neither.

This is unacceptable business practice. I did not have the problem that they had already charged my credit card so I closed the card account used and will refuse any items sent me.

I encourage the gardening community to boycott this shady business.

6/21- I ordered seeds on-line and my credit card was charged the same day.
7/6-I emailed them to ask when I could expect the seeds. No response.
7/25-I called them and was told that the seeds "should be going out now."
8/14-still no seeds received and no communication from them. I contacted my credit card company.

I made a purchase at the beginning of June which the company immediately charged me for. As of today, July 27th, I still have not received my order nor have I heard back from the many emails I sent. A week ago, I contacted my credit card company and reported this. They are investigating the charge. I wouldn't recommend this store to anyone.

Gardening Bro's & Ho's, beware of dese folks. Their website says anything listed is in stock and will be shipped within 3 weeks. I placed an order on June 6th and after 2 mailings and no response am starting to feel like, you know, 'RIPPED OFF'. A hex on dem from da Hostafarian.

I ordered seeds June 3, 2007--I still am waiting on my seed order--I called them a couple of weeks ago and still no seeds. I have since emailed. A person can only take so much.

Ordered a variety of seeds & was very excited to see their selection. Unfortunatley, after a month did not receive them, although my credit card had been billed on the day of my order. I sent numerous emails which were all ignored until I threatened to go to my bank, then they sent me an email back apologizing and saying my order had been sent out. Over a month later, still no seeds, and no responses to the numerous emails I've sent.

Do not order from these people. They will cheat you.

negative
I ordered seeds in the beginning of october. They send me a mail the seeds was send the 29. october. They never arrived. I sent a reminder 11. november and again the 16. Nothing happens. I have dropped them. Vibeke
Denmark

Nice range of seeds, good germination, decent quantities and good prices but terrible customer service and response to e-mails and faxes.

Placed an order with them July 2004 which never arrived, and in the end I cancelled, but only after several e-mails and faxes. Credit card refunded eventually.

Poor level of communication inexcusable for a web merchant.

Early -mid April 2004- I called and placed a credit card phone order for seeds with Henry Henjum.

Seeds never arrived.

May 27-I called back and RE-placed the credit card order, again with Henry Henjum. I addded some plants.
I brought up the previous unfilled order and tried to make sure I would receive this one.

June 2I- I called back and left a message asking about the status of my order.
June 22-They left a message stating they were still here and running a bit late. There was no mention of when my order might be filled.
June 29- I left a message about concerns for my order and its status. I asked them to please call me back if they wished to keep me as a customer.

I never received a call back.
I never received seeds or plants from this company, despite ordering twice from Henry Henjum.
This experience was far and away the poorest of the many garden companies I've tried.

Forget about these guys!

I placed an order with the company and received confirmation via e-mail that it would take one week to process and mail out the order. So after two weeks I send e-mail requesting a status report, but it was returned because their mailbox was full. Since they also operate Hardyplants.com I sent e-mail there too. No response. Followed up with a fax (which would not go through) and finally a letter telling them I was interested in doing business with any longer. Lucky they didn't charge my credit card.

Try someone else I wouldn't do business with a merchant like them.