Comments regarding Gurney's Seed & Nursery

I ordered some seeds in late August and received them promptly. I day later I got a letter explaining that my credit card charge had not gone through but they had decided to send my order anyway and would I please contact them. I called on Labor Day and got through immediately to a very pleasant person who helped me find the problem. (I had incorrectly entered my expiration date). I was very impressed with their service and will definitely order from them again.

I ordered some blackberrry bushes and a blueberry bush. They came quickly, bushes were good sized, very good root systems. I was pleased with the order and will order again in the future.

I made a good sized order back in early spring late winter with Gurney's, everything went well and was shipped as they told me it would be. I had trouble with a root and blueberry plant in which they promptly reshipped. They were out of the blueberry plant that I ordered, so to make up for it, they shipped a larger plant of a different name.
All in all, their employee's and company seem to care, great job guys.

I almost feel guilty, but I've never had a problem with Gurney's. I was hesitant since the buyout, but I had the $25 off with $50 purchase coupon. I used it to buy a bunch of berries. The arrived promptly and were in good shape.

They did not have my blueberry, and I wish they'd figured it out a lot sooner. My orginal order was a couple of months ago, and I just got the notice today. The notice said that they couldn't meet the demand, and that they hadn't charged my credit card for the item, but had charged the full shipping charges. The check was for the prorated amount of the shipping (Why didn't they just credit my card? No clue.). They gave me the option of returning the check with my next order for an additional $5 credit. Not a terrible deal. A little arcane, but it works.

In terms of the shipping charges: I noticed that someone commented that the extra shipping was a "deceptive practice." Well, it's almost universal. You pay the shipping for everything you order, whether you pay for the items or not. They're offering the item for free, not the shipping charges. I don't love it either, but I don't think it's deceptive. Interestingly, they didn't require me to buy $50 worth of merchandise, which is unusual. I ordered about $45 worth + about $10 shipping, and they subtracted the $25 from the full amount. I like that. And 9 berries for 30 bucks is *not* a bad deal!

i was nervous about ordering (having read this site!), but bit the bullet...

(i should say 'positive thus far', as everything has not quite shown up yet- i'm still waiting on a lilac & a football mum- they were the only ones with two of the colors i needed, so that's why i ordered from them.)

my one football mum that already arrived was pretty beaten up & puny (esp compared to its brethren from bluestone), but seems to be recovering ok. the seedless concord grape was DEEPLY into dormancy; if i had not had 3/4 dead grapes spring back into life i might have been more disgruntled. we'll see. :)

my thornless boysenberries are beautiful & brimming with health; anybody would be pleased with them, no holds barred.

when i called them about not recieving a confirmation notice (mea culpa, i looked at the wrong account), they were pleasant & helpful. i asked what they meant by 'back-ordered', and they said 'a couple of weeks'. the things that have arrived so far have been well within that limit, & it's too soon to get pissy about the other stuff i'm still waiting on (i ordered very late in the season.)

so, my qualified 'positive' (if my lilac is dead or doesn't come, i may have to amend this, of course after dealing with the customer service- even top-rated companies here have sent me dead items or have things back-ordered i have yet to recieve- the question is how is it handled; timely & politely, or 'screw you!'? so far i am optimistic, & i am glad this company seems to be trying to turn it's bad rep around (i have been happy with 'gardens alive' in the past- i still have mantises & ladybugs in my gardens breeding from an order 10 years ago- and their connection gave me hope.)

suse

ordered nine thornless, upright blackberries- arapaho, navaho and apache. plants arrived in 3 weeks and were healthy and look good. they were on sale. but still cost me 35.00

I placed an order for potato eyes, asparagus, and russian sage. Communication went very well. They quickly replied to emails sent and were very attentive. I received two boxes of product each on a different date. Everything was packaged very good, and the plants (russian sage) arrived in very good condition. Will certainly order from them again.

In January I ordered a bunch of blueberry and raspberry bushes, as well as some seeds. Everything arrived at the correct time and in good shape. The germination rate on the seeds was very good, close to 100%. The blueberry bushes were healthy, but a bit puny. I'm sure they will be ok, though.

I have ordered a good number of items from Gurney's, mostly seeds, bulbs, and gardening implements. About the only thing even slightly "negative" (not!) that I can say about these transactions is that, once, they offered me a free mouse pad (I already one just like it), then substituted a huge bag of garden pea seeds as a replacement freebie because they'd run out of mousepads.

Gurney's has been patient with my "hanging by my fingernails month-to-month" ordering behavior, too. I'm on low fixed income, so I'm often down to nothing in the bank before the 3rd. I'm pretty good at keeping my budget straight as long as too much time does not go by before a standing order is processed and shipped, but after three or more months (not uncommon with live-plant orders that I put in months out of season) I lose track. Several times this year Gurney's processed a standing order when the money wasn't there, and they sent the items anyway and asked me rather nicely to please pay up soon. (It knocked me out that they did that, because it was my fault, not theirs.)

I WAS disappointed with my order of four hardy kiwi plants that died within two days. They were rather small for what they cost, little more than rooted cuttings, and I would not order them again. They were stressed from a longish shipping time, too, judging by the online order tracking info. But customer service at Gurney's was fantastic; when I called them to say the order was jinxed, the plants had died, and I wanted to just cancel the order rather than have them ship replacements, they did so without blinking an eye and were very nice about it.

So I have to give Gurney's a positive overall rating. For live plants, though, I think Raintree or a local nursery is the way I'll go in the future.

When deciding what companies to order from this year, Gurney's was the only one that had everything I wanted. But when I read what people wrote on here, I was very nervous to order from them. I finally decided that the company seemed like it was trying to turn over a new leaf, and I decided to give them a chance. Especially because the gift certificate was too good to pass up. I mailed in my order (too many people wrote about having problems with the website) and I was surprised at how fast my first shipment came. It was just the nonperishables and seeds, but it was all correct. Then yesterday I got my bareroot rose, in as good of shape as they've come from Jackson & Perkins. The only thing left from my order are some strawberry plants, but I'm not worried about them-- even if they never send them I still haven't been cheated because of the gift certificate. I am relieved that I have got this far with my Gurney's order without any problems and I think that the company is trying hard to gain back people's trust.

I have ordered from Gurneys on several occasions in the past few years. Everything that I have ordered arrived in good condition, and thrived (except the dwarf trees, my fault - not theirs). Even the bareroot, always tricky to ship, was in good/fair condition. I love that they email me to let me know what is on its way. I will continue to order from them.

I received a catalog with a $20 coupon. I ordered seeds via the internet and got a confirmation right away. They also emailed when the seeds were shipped. I got everything I ordered promptly and was pleased my purchase.

Being new to Dave's Garden website, I figured I would share some information on past buys. In 2003, I ordered 2 apple trees from Gurneys. The trees arrived in a timely manner, in good condition, and the order didn't pinch my pocketbook. And they've done very well. In 2004, I ordered trumpet vines and hedges. All 4 of the trumpet vines did very well. 2 of the 4 hedges were dried up when they arrived. I called customer service and couldn't believe how nice the folks were. They promptly shipped 2 replacement hedges (no return necessary and no questions asked) and 2 other shrubs as a free gift. The replacement plants were in OK shape on arrival but once planted did very well. Gurneys is the old stand by company. I can remember my father ordering all his veggie seeds and plants from them when I was a kid. He never complained and the price was always right. Gurneys is certainly not the best quality, but I think its important to remember that you get what you pay for. For the penny pincher shopper, I think Gurneys is overall a good deal and I have had nothing but positive experiences with their customer service.

I've ordered from Gurney's several times, and overall, my experiences have been positive. My orders have arrive
reasonable promptly and with the correct items.
Some live plants haven't been in the greatest shape tho.

I called once for a replacement of a dead plant.
They took my name, etc. It was the middle of the summer.
After several weeks, when I didn't receive the replacement, I figured they had blown me off. But today i got a notice it was shipping!
I guess they were waiting til the spring to ship the replacement.
I was impressed that they remembered.

I almost took myself off the Gurney's catalog mailing list after seeing the comments here. My only problem was that I needed a particular disease-resistant apple tree to complete my orchard and this was the only retail establishment I could find that carried it. I ordered the tree last month and it arrived this weekend. I thought it would be too early to plant the tree (zone 7) since it is snowing today, but lo and behold, the ground was perfect planting consistency and since the tree is dormant, I anticipate good results. It is a large tree and nicely pruned. The price was excellent for what I received. I decided to stay on the mailing list for now.

I have been using Gurney's for about 8 years. My plants and seeds arrive in a timely manner, usually in excellent condition. The only plants I have ever had any problem with are the bare-root. On rare occasion they have been dried out (I live in the deep south and this is a problem I have with many companies), but were replaced promptly. Their customer service has always been courteous and easy to deal with. On the rare occasion I have to have a plant replaced (usually due to my planting error, not theirs), all I have to do is call them. They promptly send me a new one, no questions asked, no hassles, no returns. I will continue to order from Gurney's as long as I continue to get such good service.

I had gotten a free $25 worth of "stuff" coupon about a year ago and ordered from the Gurney catalog their dwarf pomegranet and dwarf orange trees and some peat pots too for seeds i planned on starting in the spring. I planted them last march in small pots inside the house (the orange was about 3 inches tall with maybe 2 leaves on it and the pomegranet was maybe 1 inch tall with no leaves. ) Within 2 months I had to transplant them into bigger pots and in the fall I had blooms and buds on the pomegranet tree. My orange tree is now over a foot tall and is covered in glossy green foliage. I have now transplanted them again into bigger, nicer pots since i realize now these trees will be hanging around for awhile (i wasnt sure in the beginning).I do not have a green thumb and i just splash some water in their pots every week and leave them be and they are doing wonderfully. I am very pleased with both plants and though I realize there are quite a few negative comments on here about Gurneys I have had a great experience with their plants.

I am so glad that i found this websait! After reading so many negative comments about Gurney's Co., i start to understand why my seeds never grow up. It has been more that to weeks since i planted them indoors. My husband recommended this company because his family had not too bad experience with them many years ago. But that was a long time ago!
I put a few orders with Gurney's recently. I won't even bother to try to get replacement for seeds. I will call and cancel all my orders tomorrow!!!!

I ordered from Gurney's early this spring, and I too had a coupon. The only thing that did not thrive was a butterfly plant. I sent them an e-mail and they quickly responded. Although they did not have a replacement at that time, they sent me a $10 certificate towards a future purchase, eventhough the plant was only $4. I also bought Astilbe, False Mallow, pincushion flower, columbine, winter hardy glads, and field grade lilies. All grew very well, although I will have to say that the astilbe and false mallow were pink instead of red. I decided that it did not matter, so I have not contacted them on this point, but I am sure they would respond as they did when the butterfly plant did not sprout.

I ordered a dwarf gran nain banana through gurney and it is doing excellent!

After the many negatice comments here, I was pleasantly surprised by both the size and condition of the plants when my order arrived. It was a little late, but the company did notify me that due to cool weather they were going to be a bit late shipping some items this Spring.

The care taken by Gurney's in packaging the ornamental grass I had ordered was of particular note. Each clump was encased in a special rigid plastic sleeve that helped keep it from getting crushed or dehydrated. The very expensive White Flower Farms should take note of that packaging device. They don't wrap their grasses half as well.

The 18 dragon's blood sedum were a little small, but no more so than the dozen creeping jenny I ordered this year from the very highly regarded Bluestone Perennials. And unlike that order, everything from Gurney's arrived well cushioned, alive and intact.

All in all my order was positive. I used a 20 dollar off coupon and ordered an elm, a package of fertilizer discs, dwarf daylilies, and lily of the valley in late Feb. The fertilizer came immediately, followed by the elm, and then the daylilies and lily of the valley. The Elm was delivered in good contition and is growing, as are the daylilies - although the Lily of Valley was somewhat "mushy" I planted them anyway last week and it appears as if about 50% are growing. For the price, the mortality rate on the LOV was aceptable. They did not charge my credit card until shipped, and I received shipment tracking info via Email...I'll order from them again

Ordered a peach tree and seeds, was a little expensive but I got a $20 off $40 coupon, which made the price reasonable. Got the seeds almost immediately, and the tree very early for zone 5, the tree was dormant, I potted the tree and planted it about 6 weeks later and it is now leafing out well, this was the high quality version of thier offer and it wad about 4 feet long and about 5/8" caliper. Overall pretty good company, I will continue to order as long I get the coupon offers, I have ordered plants and bulbs with only fair success, thier trees and seeds are pretty good quality.

I had to have some plants replaced and did not have my receipt. I emailed them, received a prompt reply and a credit certificate. I was very pleased with this excellent customer service.

I ordered my plants (carnations, daylilies, lily bulbs, and strawberry plants) online got order confimations and order sent confirmations. The email that notified me of the shipment of my order, included a link where I could track the progress of my shipment so I knew exactly when to expect it. I was a little worried when the order took over a week to get here, but everything looks very healthy, with the exception of one Dayliliy, which I called them on. They are sending a new one. I know many people have had bad luck with Gurney's, but as a first time customer I am very pleased. Now hopefully everything will flourish.

I ordered some cherry bushes from them about March 10. They arrived before April. I held them for a week or so before planting. They are all currently doing very well. Some are even flowering this year. I would order from them again.

I recently ordered two trees from Gurney on the internet. The order was acknowledged, and after several weeks the trees arrived. They were healthy with good root systems. After planting both the birch trees and the willow put forth buds and leaves. Would I order from Gurney again? Yes!

I received my order from Gurney's yesterday (Michigan). I ordered 6 hellebores and a buy-one-get-one lavendar. The hellebores look lively and were well-packed, although they seem to have been trimmed pretty hard to fit in the box. I expect them to do fine. The lavendars are small and bareroot, but were not dry or crunchy. I have them soaking right now and I expect to be able to plant them this weekend. I might have been disappointed at one for that price, but 2 for that price seems okay. Overall, I am pleased by what I got, especially since I had read of some poor experiences here. I also used the $20 coupon, so the plants were certainly affordable.

in march i ordered a few plants from gurney's using my $20 coupon for $20 worth of free plants and seeds (i got an english lavender, toad lily, black hollyhock, and a packet of cucumber and a packet of tomato seeds)
i have received all of my plants and seeds and they are all doing well except for the toad lily
i emailed gurney's today about the dead toad lily and they very quickly responded with an email saying they would be shipping me another one in the next couple of days
i got these plants for free.. i only ended up paying $2.25 for shipping, and they are still going to replace a dead plant for me
i found that to be surprising given their reputation, but it makes me happy and i would definitely recommend them to someone else

I was nervous about ordering from Gurney's again, given their changeover and the horror stories I've heard, plus some bad experiences I had with rose plants. But this spring, I decided to try again. I enclosed a letter with my order, explaining my mixed feelings and expressing hope that they would handle my order well. They did! The native plum plants and Hanson bush cherries arrived well packaged and in great condition. I'm willing to order again.

I am new to bareroot planting but was prepared for the look of dead plants when my strawberries arrived. I planted them after soaking in a root stimulator, all but 1 plant took root right away.

I had ordered strawberry plants from those folks at Garden Direct/ Kelly and planted them 5 weeks before the ones I got from Gurneys. Needless to say I was shocked to see the ones from Gurneys out grow the ones from Garden direct/ Kellys / Burgess.

I am a little nervous to order too much from any mail order after reading the horror stories. I too have been burned but not by Gurneys, yet.

I can't wait to see if the berries are as good and as big as the ad proclaimed.

i used their $20 coupon, and ordered some peat pots, and strawberries... the strawberries just arrived, and are doing GREAT!!!!!!!! i am very happy with them. the peat pots came right after i placed my order in january.i wanted to make sure i got my full order before commenting. i'm a happy customer:)

I ordered a "Shademaster Locust" in the 4-5 foot size. Used the $20.00 coupon, and was totally surprised when the tree arrived in a week. It is taller than 5 foot, well shaped,
and healthy looking. I am ready to get my hammock out and rest in it's shade. I think that Gurney's did a great job.
THANK YOU. I would use this company again.

This was the first time I ever ordered from Gurney's. I was tempted successfully by their $20 coupon.

The facts:
Ordered late January 2004
Items: 2 trees - a peach and a plum
$45 including shipping - $20 = $25 for 2 trees - not bad
Recieved confirmitation of order and shipping via e-mail
Plants in transit for 9 calendar days
Packaging: Bare root, wrapped in plastic, no sawdust or other packing material noted. Strong cardboard outer box.
Plants appeared healthy. Plum had some imperfections. Trimmed some bent branches - it happens...
The plants were moist - the plastic had condensation on it.

The feeling:
The plants arrived during an abnormal cold spell - we just had snow and the ground froze. They did arrive sooner than my ideal planting time of mid-april.
The good thing - it warmed significantly into the 60's a few days later - they only had a few days of wait time.
Came from MO - was it Starks? Could be.

Overall, I was happy with the results so far.

I bought a farm in 2002 that had been completely abandoned for several years. I've used Gurneys and their affiliate companies to help move the farm in the direction I want. Every bulb, plant, and seed that I've ordered from them has done very well. I planted my Collasal Strawberries last weekend. In four days' time they are showing almost an inch of growth. I haven't regretted one cent I've spent with them, whether for Peach trees or pea seeds or anything in between, such as strawberry food. However, I do always wait to get another coupon before ordering again! Their web site is easy to navigate and the items always come with instructions. I have no complaints. Where else could I peruse and buy such items at 0200??

I must give credit where credit is due. Back in January, I used Gurney's $20 coupon and ordered two Reliance Peach trees, a Montmorency Cherry tree, and some asparagus crowns. All three trees arrived today and are in wonderful condition. They are the 4-5 foot trees as promised with crowns that are full and have lots of fresh green branches. Very healthy looking trees. The root systems are huge! Also, there was very little shipping damage.

Well guess what, the trees were not shipped from Gurneys in Greendale, Indiana, but were drop-shipped from a Gurneys PO box in Louisiana, Missouri. I only live 50 miles from Louisiana, MO and I know that the only nursery in Louisiana, MO is the venerable, 188 year old Stark Bros Nursery! I guess Garden's Alive (Gurney's parent company and former short-time owner of Stark Bros) is making use of an old partnership to fill some Reliance Peach tree orders. Great Job! I'll take shipment of all the Stark Bros nursery stock Gurneys cares to send me.

I ordered a Snowball Bush and a Blue Girl Rose from Gurney's using the free $20 of merchandise coupon and I am very impressed with the size of the plants I received and also the packaging. They also sent a very informative guide on planting and maintenance. I can't wait to get outside now so I can plant my new plants and trim up the old ones. I will be ordering from them for fall planting...

February 2004, I ordered from Gurney's with a coupon for $20.00 of free merchandise. I received my order of seeds within a few weeks. I am very impressed, especially since this was a totally free order and I saw all the terrible reviews! (the only thing I did not like was that there was not a packaging year on the packets).

I received a catalog in early January and I was excited to start picking out some flower and vegetable seed. The coupon was for $20 dollars off of a $40 order. Just ordering seed, it was tough to get my total up to $40. So, my husband added an apple tree and some strawberries that were on sale on their web site. The web site was quick and easy to use. We've had great luck with the fruit trees we've order from Gurney in the past. The seeds arrived within a week and everything was packaged well. According to their information, the fruit trees and strawberries should start shipping to my area toward the end of March. We've ordered from Gurney's for the past 3 years and have had good luck. When I searched for them on Google, I also found a link for the $20 discount in case anybody else is interested..

gurneys.com/?sid=501299&AID=10306012&PID=1419591