Comments regarding Royal Dutch
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Comments:
Rating | Author | Content |
Negative | beingignored (2 reviews) | On Apr 30, 2019, beingignored Nine Mile Falls, WA wrote: I ordered some Bleeding Hearts plants. They were dead on arrival. I planted them anyway thinking they would revive. they did not so I let Dutch Gardens know immediately. They didn't respond but after I got back from my vacation, there were more dead roots waiting for me on my porch. The roots had sat in the heat for a week. I let Dutch Garden know they had sent plants while I was on vacation. They told me it was my fault for not letting them know I was going on vacation. I told them they didn't let ME know they were sending more roots immediately. They told me it was too late in the year for them to send me more plants in 2018 so they would send more in Spring of 2019. I have not received anything so I emailed them. Their response (after all this) was "We are sorry to hear of this. Mail your replacement label with your letter requesting such". I let them know I didn't have any labels. Their response was "Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate department" After more emails and several weeks I realize the "appropriate department" is the garbage can. They do not care anything about their guarantees or their customers. I will never be doing business with them ever again. |
Negative | RhonaSue (1 review) | On Apr 5, 2019, RhonaSue Baden, PA wrote: I ordered 60 plants and was immediately charged the next day. Most companies don't charge until the order is shipped. When I was notified via email that a shipment of creeping phlox was on it's way, I immediately called Royal Dutch to say that it was still winter in PA. The wind chills were in the single digits and the ground was still frozen. It was way too early to send. |
Negative | Vixen999 (1 review) | On Feb 14, 2019, Vixen999 Naperville, IL wrote: I just received this very interesting catalog in the mail. I took a look at the address and started laughing. It is from my hometown. Granted, I don't live there anymore but I go there a lot. Never heard of this company before. Called my Mom who still lives there and she has never heard of his company. |
Negative | timtho (1 review) | On Jul 13, 2018, timtho New York City, NY wrote: $100+ order |
Negative | Shane_0728 (1 review) | On May 21, 2018, Shane_0728 Red Oak, TX wrote: I ordered $59 worth of canna and begonia rhizhomes from this company. I was duped by the beautiful pictures in their catalog - DONT fall for it. The company is terrible. |
Negative | Rise22 (15 reviews) | On Jan 13, 2018, Rise22 Roseburg, OR wrote: This is BURGESS - AND they also use the names: Dutch Gardens, Royal Dutch Gardens, Exciting Gardens, Four Seasons Nursery, Honeycreek....and others - just look for the BLOOMINGTON, IL on the address and DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT ORDER FROM THESE PEOPLE!!!! They KILL almost everything they touch - and you CANNOT get a refund!!!!!! |
Negative | tombaak (25 reviews) | On May 19, 2017, tombaak High Desert, NV (Zone 5a) wrote: WARNING: If you close the account you paid with, |
Negative | 4Catlady_ (1 review) | On Aug 25, 2016, 4Catlady_ Cascade, MD wrote: I ordered plants and received dead plants. Asked for my money back and in June 2016, after months of correspondence at the end of August received a replacement certificate. They wont return my money they want me to order something instead. This Company is a complete rip off. Don't buy anything from them. |
Negative | peteyboy (3 reviews) | On Oct 24, 2015, peteyboy Topeka, KS wrote: Back in early June of this year I ordered 20 iris. I received one nice potted iris shortly after, all good. The other 19 iris would be shipped in the fall (no specific ship date given). I ordered iris from several other companies and received nice healthy rhizomes starting in late August thru mid September but nothing from royal dutch so I started the email game, always getting the same response......"You ordered fall bulbs which are being harvested and sent to our shipping dept yada yada yada........no one could tell me even a close approximation on when my order would ship. They claim they can't tell where an individual order might be. Finally in mid October I got fed up and cancelled the order. I then received email stating can't cancel already in shipping dept. A few days later I received one of the plastic bag mailers containing my order. WHAT A JOKE!!!! Tiny dried up rhizomes six of which were "substituted" 3 more rotten. The subs were nothing close to the iris ordered. They do say of equal or greater value but who wants some ugly ass flower they would NEVER spend money on! Folks don't waste your time or money here. THEN ROYAL DUTCH HAS THE GALL TO REQUIRE YOU TO PAY FOR THE RETURN SHIPPING! THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO CLOSE IT'S DOORS. |
Negative | Dsgregory (1 review) | On Sep 20, 2015, Dsgregory Stanwood, WA wrote: First time order, last time order. Received in poor quality 2 half dead sweet peas. Neither survived. 6 hostas planted immediately in required conditions - 3 died almost immediately. Received 15 ranunculus and 1 grew. 6 red painted daisys 1 survived. 2 tuberose planted in same large pot and 1 survived. Biggest disappointment- ordered n planted 40 ixia n got panseys instead!!! What a waste of time and money. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY. |
Negative | ellenfoster (10 reviews) | On Sep 20, 2015, ellenfoster Hinesburg, VT wrote: The catalog colors are lurid and not true to life. Many plants don't have zones listed or the zone is way too optimistic, sometimes 2 zones colder than anywhere else |
Negative | vyger (1 review) | On Aug 28, 2015, vyger Jamesburg, NJ wrote: Royal Dutch Gardens (Burgess Seeds) |
Negative | hookedonflowers (1 review) | On Jul 24, 2015, hookedonflowers Coeur D Alene, ID wrote: I am writing this comment only after having tried unsuccessfully to resolve this matter with Royal Dutch Nursery. The matter is now being handled by my credit card company, which, after trying to help me by having a 3-way conversation with a rep, decided to file a formal complaint against them. |
Negative | djshep (1 review) | On Jun 16, 2015, djshep Elk River, MN wrote: Very disappointed in customer service. They did not tell me my order was back ordered for quite a while and when I asked for it to be cancelled because it would not be delivered before fall, I was told it was already in shipping and couldn't be cancelled. I have not received it or a refund so the ground that I have ready for plants is sitting with tarps on it to keep the ground from eroding. I live in Minnesota so our growing season is very short anyway. I don't have the funds to purchase other plants and the ones that I would get are no longer available here anyway. I will not ever use this company again1 |
Negative | shadenut (2 reviews) | On Apr 24, 2015, shadenut Charlotte, NC (Zone 7b) wrote: I placed an order on 2/28/15 with Royal Dutch Gardens for many spring plants, totaling $143.00. My account was charged within 2 days for that amount. |
Negative | lpollard (1 review) | On Apr 17, 2015, lpollard Centerville, GA (Zone 8a) wrote: Highly doubt that I will ever order from this company again. They don't appear to know what customer service is, and seem to have no concept of how to package plants safely for shipping. My order was shipped in a large plastic bag instead of a box, with no padding or protection at all. So now I have banged up bulbs and a broken, mostly leafless thing that I can only assume is supposed to be a magnolia that had all just been sealed in individual plastic bags and thrown in the big bag. Definately NOT a good way to ship plants, I would rather pay a dollar or two more for shipping and get a box and packing material to protect the plants and bulbs. Also, occasional order status information and shipping updates along the way would be greatly appreciated too. After the initial order receipt email(and a charge to my card 3 days after I placed the order), I received no other correspondence about my order for 6 weeks, when, after trying to call their phone line numerous times and always getting a busy signal, I sent a message to the company requesting an update and finally received a reply back 4 days later. Overall, this has been an experience I really don't care to repeat anytime soon, and I definately would not recommend them to anyone else. |
Negative | plj2000 (1 review) | On Feb 24, 2015, plj2000 Covington, GA wrote: I ordered Reblooming Iris plants, a spring-blooming plant. They sent daylilies, a summer blooming plant, as a substitute stating that the Iris plants were out of stock. Per instructions, I returned the label and requested the Iris plants. Again I received daylilies with the same "out of stock" notice. I had checked the website before my reorder, and they were offering the Iris plants. |
Negative | ruinedfingernai (3 reviews) | On Dec 8, 2014, ruinedfingernai Ellsworth, MI wrote: The ABSOLUTE WORST mail order company EVER!!!!! I sent in my order on August 18, 2014. It arrived the first week of November, as the ground was freezing. We had snow 3 days later. The bulbs were moldy and rotting. The iris rhizome was very small and crispy-dry. All of this was sent in a plastic bag, not a cardboard box! I sent the whole thing back. As requested, I also sent a letter to customer service, along with the original shipping label. Here it is, December 8th, and I still am waiting for my refund. They just sent me an email, saying I needed to send ANOTHER letter to them with the original shipping label. One hand knows not what the other does at this place. I don't know how they stay in business. Horrible service!!!!!! I just want my refund of $63.72. |
Negative | 3590 (1 review) | On Jun 19, 2014, 3590 wrote: I was totally disappointed with my experience with this company. Bulbs were moldy. Roots dried out and dead. Nothing grew. I informed company. They sent half of what I ordered in wrong colors and again moldy in a plastic bag. Both times,no invoice or notification of they cared about the consummer. |
Negative | Flowers4Seasons (2 reviews) | On Jun 5, 2014, Flowers4Seasons wrote: Buyer Beware!!! I paid a premium price for red clematis and Bewilderbeast Iris. When the plants bloomed, the clematis flowers were pink, and the Iris was a dull beige. I contacted the company and they would not refund or replace. |
Negative | HelbigMann (1 review) | On Apr 23, 2014, HelbigMann wrote: Do not buy from this company. I promised not to ever use them because of their poor bulb/plant quality and their impossible return policy. I got sucked in again (looking at catalogs in winter is dangerous). I received my plants/rhizomes/bulbs today. They were all in poor shape but one large and moderately expensive bulb was a bag of mush. It had to have been shipped already rotten. They will not refund or replace any product unless the buyer pays for shipping, returns the poor products, and encloses the original packing slip (even though they have a record of your order). So much for their one year guarantee, as who keeps a slip that is permanently attached to a crappy plastic shipping bag? And if something doesn't doesn't survive a year, what will you ship back to them? |
Negative | AprilsWin24 (3 reviews) | On Apr 1, 2014, AprilsWin24 Bowleys Quarters, MD wrote: Posted on April 1, 2014, updated April 1, 2014 On April 1st, 2014, AprilsWin24 added the following: In response to Royal Dutch's reply to my post: I am familiar with bare root plants, what you sent me was dead in addition to being dead root. It has yet to do anything. The Voodoo bulbs, rotten. I blame your poor stock and equally horrible shipping methods. On April 1st, 2014, AprilsWin24 added the following: In response to Royal Dutch's reply to my post: I am familiar with bare root plants, what you sent me was bare root in addition to being dead root. It has yet to do anything. The Voodoo bulbs, rotten. Also, thanks for replying 15 days after my initial post with advice for soaking in water overnight- very helpful 15 DAYS LATER! Luckily, I was smart enough to have already done this- and still nothing. You sent me a twig. Call it bare root all you want, but you sent a stick in the mail, a stick with broken and damaged roots. Also, the customer care rep I spoke with said I needed to mail the product back and pay for shipping to receive a refund so you are obviously not on the same page. I blame my dead plants on your poor stock and crappy shipping. Who sends plants in a plastic garment bag in 20 degree weather with no protection?????? On Apr 1, 2014, Royal Dutch responded with: "On Mar 26, 2014 9:40 AM, Royal Dutch responded with: Many of our items are shipped bare root and dormant as this allows them to be transplanted with much higher degrees of success. It does not mean they are dead, but since they are dormant, and not leafed out, people unfamiliar with bareroot nursery stock may they mistake them for dead. We suggest soaking in water overnight or for a few hours before planting. Then keep well watered after planting and within 6 weeks of warm weather, the plants should break dormancy and show signs of leaf. |
Negative | dansb (5 reviews) | On Jul 30, 2013, dansb Mishawaka, IN wrote: Posted on July 20, 2013, updated July 30, 2013 On May 7th, 2013, dansb added the following: Still waiting for some type of resolution. I attempted to call, (continued ringing) and emailed, (no reply). Bottom line: nothing has grown from this order, The Thailand Giant, (tiny start) didn't survive it's trip in it's plastic shipping bad and the Border Lily bulbs and their lengthy sprouts did not survive the outdoor elements. Your not suppose to plant bulbs like this anyway. I will not wait much longer but please consider staying away. Should I receive a fair and timely resolution I will kindly change my review. On May 25th, 2013, dansb changed the rating from negative to positive and added the following: This company kept it's word and replaced my last order which is the reason I've changed my rating. If you don't want your order to arrive in a thick plastic sealed bag then look elsewhere. Fair pricing for the stock they send. Strong guarantee provided you don't forget to cut the mailing label off your shipping bag. This is one of many companies under one umbrella. On July 20th, 2013, dansb changed the rating from positive to negative and added the following: Well the positive rating was short lived when the plants began to grow and bloom. This company replaced the Red Border Lilies with some other lily so its back to a negative rating. I'm not sure what the problem is there but but the trust factor, (trust that you will receive quality, CORRECT items), is gone. Order at your own risk. They should have to replace the bulbs they sent incorrectly but I'm waiting for the next "bump" in the road! On July 30th, 2013, dansb added the following: This company is now requesting the shipping label for the incorrect replacement bulbs they sent. I do not have it and they have the original label on file. This is not about poor quality stock, not about dead plants or mushy bulbs. This is about correcting the company's mistake. I can't produce a label so I am stuck with some bulbs they sent me in error! Not quite sure why the customer is being punished for something he had no control of. Would you do business with this company?. I think the Illinois Attorney Generals Office should hear this one! On Jul 30, 2013, Royal Dutch responded with: "On Apr 30, 2013 1:49 PM, Royal Dutch responded with: We are sorry to hear of this customers experience as it is not typical. |
Negative | rambam (5 reviews) | On Dec 31, 2012, rambam Buffalo, MN wrote: I'm an experienced gardener, and I know that shipping isn't good for plants. But I've ordered from plenty of companies that understand how it works, and can ship successfully. Therefore I expect my garden purchases to arrive in healthy shape, ready to be planted. On Dec 31, 2012, Royal Dutch responded with: "On Jan 15, 2013 12:48 PM, Royal Dutch responded with: A customer care representative has contacted this customer for further information. We do hope to hear back from the customer as we would like to help resolve this problem." |
Negative | SHELBYCOREALTOR (6 reviews) | On May 23, 2012, SHELBYCOREALTOR Fairfield, AL wrote: I am new to Gardening. But very much enjoying it and my yard reflects it. I ordered from Royal Dutch Gardens several Preplanned Gardens. On May 23, 2012, Royal Dutch responded with: "On Sep 5, 2012 12:22 PM, Royal Dutch responded with: The shipping label located on the outside of the package does list each item included in the package. The items would have also come labeled with the name. We are sorry to hear of the misunderstanding regarding instruction needed to plant the begonias as we are always happy to be of help. We do show that the package was returned and a refund was processed promptly. |
Negative | LynnWB (1 review) | On Apr 16, 2012, LynnWB Kingstown, NC wrote: I ordered several hundred dollars of product from Royal Dutch. Users should know that your credit card is charged immediately, and not when the product is shipped. Also, we scheduled landscape work and expected the products ordered to be shipped within a few weeks. THe products were not shipped, even though we were promised they would be shipped 2 weeks ago. Furthermore, you should know that the only phone number given is an answering service, and they claim they cannot contact the company, nor provide any information on orders. That also includes tracking numbers or someone to contact. Since my credit card has been billed and there is no contact, I would not recommend doing business with these people. I am trying to figure out what recourse, if any , I might have. On Apr 16, 2012, Royal Dutch responded with: "On Aug 30, 2012 9:34 AM, Royal Dutch responded with: An order was received from this customer on 03-20-12 and was shipped before the customer made this posting. We contacted the customer by dmail on 4/19, but have not received a response, so assume the order was received.. The home page, order confirmation and shipping policies on the website from which the customer ordered did explain that processing of an order takes 1-2 weeks and then orders are shipped out based on weather and availability of the product. In addition, our phones are answered by our own employees right here at the nursery, not an answering service as the poster claims. |
Negative | PaulettaW (1 review) | On Apr 9, 2012, PaulettaW Pocahontas, AR wrote: I am totally disgusted with Royal Dutch Gardens! I feel I have been openly lied to by this company. After reading some of the reviews, I realize now that this is (apparently) an unreliable company. I wonder if any of you think going to the newspapers might encourage the Burgess Seed & Plant Co. to look into the flagrant injustice being meted out by Royal Dutch Gardens? On Apr 9, 2012, Royal Dutch responded with: "On Aug 30, 2012 9:33 AM, Royal Dutch responded with: We contacted this customer via dmail on 4/13 and found that they were upset because their order was taking so long. The customer said that they had mailed the order on March 4, but for some reason, we did not receive the order until 3/20. In the meantime the order had been shipped, so we were able to let the customer know this and have not received a further reponse. |
Negative | bigballamatt (1 review) | On Apr 2, 2012, bigballamatt Richmond, KY wrote: Next to exciting gardens, this is the worst company i have yet to order from. I ordered a lily that was suposed to have jumbo bulbs, but when they arrived, the bulbs were puny. I also ordered three iris plants that arrived in very bad condition. I will never order from this company again. DO NOT PLACE AN ORDER FROM THEM. IT IS A NIGHTMARE!!! |
Negative | docknee (10 reviews) | On Mar 20, 2012, docknee Murphy, NC (Zone 7a) wrote: I ordered a number of things from Royal Dutch, one item was a collection of bulbs for a Spring Garden. One item, Liatris Spicata bulbs where full of mold and rot. Value about Two Dollars but I got a round around via email that would cause me to never use them again. They would rather debate "Form over Substance" then replace Two Dollars worth of bulbs. A subsidary of Burgess, I will not use any of the related companies again. On Mar 20, 2012, Royal Dutch responded with: "On Aug 30, 2012 9:32 AM, Royal Dutch responded with: We do have a one year replacement guarantee on all of our products which is clearly stated in our catalogs and on our website. We have contacted the customer via dmail regarding the guarantee and offered replacements. We do hope that the customer takes advantage of the guarantee for his bulbs. |
Negative | ColourfulCathy (1 review) | On Nov 20, 2011, ColourfulCathy Fenton, MI wrote: I placed a substantial order with Royal Dutch in the spring and it took a long tim to receive the order. When I did it came in part and the bag had a strong horrible ordor. I had to wait to the next day due to work. I took the bag outside to open it and when I did the smell of rot and black mold overtook me sending me into a dangerous asthma attack. I took pictures much later after my husband opened the packages. The bulbs were mushy/rotten, there was a black mold and green mold on the dead plants. Everythig in the tightly sealed plastic bag had gone bad like it had been sitting in the bag for many weeks. I contacted the company by email immediately to let them know what arrived and how it did and never heard from them. Since the "invoice" was contaminated by black mold I had to find an expert so as to remove the black mold so no one else would be exposed to it in the postal service. Then I sent the invoice back at my expense-that's where they get you, requesting all my money back and to cancel the rest of my order. I never heard from them, I contacted them several times. Then a couple months later several more packages show up from them and I refused them, placing them back on my mailbox for the mailman to pick them up; which he did return them to the post office. I again contacted the company and reminded them of their problem. They told me that I was at fault for not returning the "invoice" within the certain amount of time-I had explained that in the email-you cannot send toxic/poisonous substances through the mail so I had to decontaminate it. Then they told me for many months they never received any of the packages back I returned so they refused to refund the money. I faxed them a copy of the letter the mailman wrote saying he did, in fact, return the packages the next day. Their response to me was "We cannot open attachments to see them". So they refused to see the documentation that I was not lying as they implicated. So it has been 5 months, they told me to go to the Michigan Better Business Bureau when I threatened it. They told me to go to my credit card company as they will do nothing. So now I am carrying through with what I said; 5 months is long enough to give them to make things right. I also understand that House of Wesley and Burgess are their sister companies: many of their items arrive the same way and if you don't like them you have to send the invoice in and they claim that they didn't receive it-thus you are out the "original" invoice. What a racket they have going, and very costly to the consumer. |
Negative | ahiggins (1 review) | On Sep 19, 2011, ahiggins Hilliard, FL wrote: Never Order From This Company!!! On Sep 19, 2011, Royal Dutch responded with: "On Oct 26, 2011 11:23 AM, Royal Dutch responded with: We did receive this order in June, however the order was placed out of a Fall catalog. Many of the fall items are not available until September when they can safely be dug from the fields. Our computers were down on the day of September 19, and unfortunately we were not able to access any files or shipping information. We are sorry for the inconvenience experienced by all of our customers at this time. The order was shipped in September as soon as the items were prepared, and we have not heard back from the customer." |
Negative | Safieh (1 review) | On Aug 17, 2011, Safieh Spencer, NC wrote: My order took a very long time to arrive and only did so after i phoned to complain. Their prices seemed exceptionally good; unfortunately the quality was exceptionally poor . I returned three items which were moldy and rotten and dead, the replacements were just the same. I won't order from them again. On Aug 17, 2011, Royal Dutch responded with: "On Oct 26, 2011 11:23 AM, Royal Dutch responded with: We did receive an order for this customer on 04-26-11 totaling $85.35. Our website does state to allow up to 2 weeks for processing and then the order will be shipped based upon weather and availability. The order was shipped within 2 ½ weeks of receipt. We did issue replacement for the items complained about (totaling $9.95). We are sorry to hear of the problem with the bulbs and would be more than happy to issue further replacement. We have been able to contact this customer via Dmail and do hope that he takes advantage of the replacement guarantee available on all of our plants." |
Negative | karmag (2 reviews) | On Jul 3, 2011, karmag Pittsburgh, PA wrote: I ordered perennial plants and bulbs from Royal Dutch for the first time, trying to save money. About 80% of the plants and bulbs did not grow. Even the free daylilies that came with my order never came up, and those are some of the easiest to grow plants ever. I am not pleased with Royal Dutch's return policies and will go back to ordering from Dutch Gardens. You get what you pay for; I learned my lesson. |
Negative | MaryForks (1 review) | On Apr 26, 2011, MaryForks Beaver, WA wrote: I have been attempting to resolve a delivery issue with the Royal Dutch Company for over six months. I sent a written order for spring bulbs last fall. They twice confused my mailing address and physical address resulting in non-delivery. They refuse to accept responsibility for the address error and refuse to refund my credit card which was very efficiently charged. They have now sent me replacement product (without asking for my preference) of alternative product - worth about half the value of my original order. Further calls tell me that they have shipped part of my original order (in the wrong season) - I'm still waiting! I definitely will never deal with this company again and would not recommend them to anyone. |
Negative | mn_gardener_4 (6 reviews) | On Oct 27, 2010, mn_gardener_4 Buffalo, MN wrote: I'm not a picky person, and I understand how busy growers can get. But when I mail an order in July for fall plants and months go by where nobody so much as acknowledges me (aside from charging my credit card), I get a little concerned. |
Negative | jill4paws (1 review) | On May 27, 2010, jill4paws Akron, OH wrote: Just got off the phone with their customer service department. I was told that even though I paid $9.99 for shipping & handling and my bulbs were squished & some rotted, I needed to have the label from the plastic wrap shipping envelop. I wish I had read your reviews. The bulbs were of poor quality, shipped cheaply, and poor customer service. They told me everyone knew that they had to have the label to get a replacement. |
Negative | bclehmann (1 review) | On May 25, 2010, bclehmann Vancouver, WA wrote: Ordered Hanging Begonias, Hollyhock, glads, dahlias, cannas. |
Negative | Chargoth (1 review) | On May 11, 2010, Chargoth Lufkin, TX wrote: First, when I first ordered I knew there would be a 1 or 2 week processing time. I figured it would be 3 weeks at the most to receive the plants and bulbs. It took a little more then 5 weeks before I actually got the order. Ordered about March 24, received May 8. |
Negative | Brittanicals (1 review) | On May 6, 2010, Brittanicals Everett, WA wrote: Posted on April 19, 2010, updated May 6, 2010 On May 6th, 2010, Brittanicals added the following: Finally got the bulbs I ordered. They were half the size of most bulbs I have ever planted, somewhat sprouted, and the sprouts were pale and flimsy. I do a lot of planting every year, and will now avoid this company at all costs. |