Comments regarding Swan Island Dahlias

On the plus side, all seven tubers have sprouted. However, the ink on the tubers detailing the name was degraded so much I couldn’t make out the names. The company did suggest I email pictures to them and they would help, but I potted them up and will label at bloom time. I would be less disappointed if only one or two names were illegible, but not all seven.

"On Jun 8, 2021 3:36 PM, Swan Island Dahlias responded with:

I am so sorry that you are disappointed in our labeling system. We did try to assist you however, you had already planted and did not wish to dig them up for assistance. We have been using this labeling system for more than 50 years and most customers love the fact that the tubers are directly labeled. We did include plant tags to help make labeling your tubers easier this season. Happy to hear that they are all growing. We wish you a beautiful summer full of beautiful dahlias. "

Ordered more than once from this company--slick operation. They leave these long boilerplate replies here as if they care and they do-- once they get your money they will never give it up.

They send the world's tiniest tubers. Dahlias were always so easy. I always got the best show from other company's dahlias...but not their nano dahlias.

Oh and when they don't come up and you want a credit, a replacement, NOT even a refund-- suddenly you are speaking to a boiler room sale toughie. They grill you. They want you to dig up. They ARE so suspicious and this makes me suspicious because cheaters think that others are trying to cheat. All this over dahlias, which grow like weeds. Big glorious beautiful weeds.

sometimes tempted by their catalog. How could a plant lover not be? But I remind myself-- you won't get the picture with their measly tubers. And if there is a problem, which there will be, because spindly tubers have no cushion to survive, this "family business" has its guarantee--a guarantee to screw the customer.

"On Jan 20, 2021 8:41 AM, Swan Island Dahlias responded with:

Good Morning, I am a bit surprised by your negative post today. It sounds like you are unhappy with the size of our tubers. However, all U.S. Growers sell single divisions and tuber size is directly related to the genetics of the variety and a growing season, which can make smaller or larger tubers overall. We care deeply about our customers and the beautiful dahlias we grow and enjoy sharing the love with others. I would love to further help you, if you wish to give us your name. In regards to our guarantee, we stand behind every dahlia we sell, but do ask for customers to help with identifying the issue if there is a failure, by digging up the tuber and sending photos if needed, per our guarantee. ([HYPERLINK@www.dahlias.com]) Every reply to an email is replied by one of our staff personally. I hope you have a beautiful growing season."

I spent $117 buying dahlia tubers from Swan Island, and most came up, but a few did not. The three tubers which did not come up were expensive, two for $19.95 and one $24.95 ( which I have found can be found cheaper on other sites). When received, some of the tubers were extremely small, but I hoped for the best. When I contacted Swan Island about the failure to grow at the end of California’s long growing season, they wanted me to dig up the tubers and send a picture! First, they had been in the ground and watered for five months, and most likely were rotted and gone. Second, I plant my dahlias in my vegetable garden, as there is good soil and lots of sun, but I do not label plants as I find labels ugly, so where do I dig? The company refused to replace the tubers, and treated me like I was lying,which made me very angry. If the tubers were $5.95, I would not have even complained, but I had paid $65.00 for three tubers which never grew! I am an idiot for paying so much, but I am an extremely good gardner with fifty years of experience, and the tubers did not fail to grow due to any failure on my part. And I am angry the company does not stand behind their product. I will never order from this company again.

"On Nov 26, 2019 9:49 AM, Swan Island Dahlias responded with:

Good Morning dawnkrusi, Thank you for posting your review. We are a family that has been growing dahlias for over 90 years. We offer outstanding service and beautiful dahlias. I would love to help you further with your failed dahlias. We do offer a 100% guarantee, however, we do ask for help from our customers to understand what went wrong during the growing period. We do ask that all failures and concerns be reported during the growing season or by October 1st at the latest, which is our cut off date for the season, which is stated online, in our catalog, and on your invoice. However, yesterday, November 25, 2019, when you called us after the cutoff date, we tried to assist you had you been willing to help us by digging, which we needed you to do. In your circumstance, my staff member asked you to dig up the tubers and send photos so we could help you further with what went wrong, which you refused to do since you didn't even know where they were located. This helps us understand the issue and figure out what happened to the dahlias. We do request this when customer's have failures, in no way did we think you were lying, however, we do have a policy and cutoff date and needed you to help us to be able to extend our guarantee. All dahlias should emerge within 3-5 weeks after planting. I understand you don't label them, however, all of our tubers are stamped with the variety name directly on the tuber. If you had tried to dig the failed tubers up and they hadn't rotted you might have been able to see the name or letters on the tuber to determine which one failed. We do ask that our customers keep track of where they planted the tubers in the case of a failure you can help us determine the reason for failure, which can include rotting, rodent damage, weather damage, insect damage, etc. I am so sorry that you are unhappy with our policy and service. I wish you would have called us this summer during the growing season when you didn't see them, so we could have helped you further. We were open 7 days a week during August and September and would have been more than happy to help you further, but again, we would have asked you to dig and figure out why the tubers failed at that time, which helps us with quality control. I wish you a beautiful holiday season. "

They do carry a good variety of dahlias. But all 3 tubers I received are ridiculously small - literally just one finger. And finger means just the size of my finger. And unfortunately only one came up. The other two tubers simply rotted. Meanwhile all other dahlias (from other nurseries) planted in the same bed are growing like crazy.

Even the Home Depot sells bigger, healthier tubers than they do. I really feel like an idiot for paying much higher prices with them thinking they might be better because they specialize in dahlia. No they are not.

So if you really want that one variety that can not be found anywhere else, maybe give them a try. Otherwise for those common varieties, seriously, buy from the Home Depot.

"On May 13, 2019 9:37 AM, Swan Island Dahlias responded with:

Thank you for your feedback. We are so sorry to hear that you have had failures with your dahlias you have received from us and that you are unhappy with our product. As they are perishable items, we have a 100% guarantee on all of our gorgeous dahlias. So many things can happen from when they leave our farm to growing in yard - this is why we guarantee them. I hope you have contacted us by phone toll free at 1.800.410.6540 or email at info@dahlias.com to let us know that you had trouble with these dahlias so we could send out replacements for you immediately – as we absolutely stand behind our beautiful product.

We are family owned and operated and have been in business for over 92 years. We strive to offer only top-quality single division dahlias that are 100% guaranteed to grow and be as absolutely beautiful as shown in the catalog, on the website, and social media. All of our tubers that we sell and ship out are the top quality – largest – grade A – which each variety produces. All dahlias grow from various shapes and sizes of tubers and all will be different, just like people. Even though the tuber size and shape can vary, all will grow to full potential with beautiful plants and blooms and produce many more tubers for you for following seasons. But we do most certainly guarantee them to grow and be absolutely gorgeous for you. We want you to be satisfied with your dahlias that you receive from us. If you would rather a refund than plant them and see their beauty and very much superior quality than those imported dahlias purchased at big box stores - please do send them back to us right away. Please contact us at info@dahlias.com if you are going to send them back so that we know to watch for them.

We dig up and replant our entire 40 plus acres of dahlias every year and the tubers that we replant are 1/4 to 1/2 of the size of the tubers that we mail out to our customers – they are the “seconds” that we cannot sell, and they grow to be absolutely beautiful. Our fields are in full bloom by the first week in August every year.

Again, I hope you contact us with the names of any dahlias you had trouble with so that we can send out replacements. Or if you choose not to keep them and see their beauty, please let us know they are being sent back right away.

Sincerely,
The Gitts Family
Swan Island Dahlias
http://www.dahlias.com

*Nation’s leading dahlia grower for more than 92 years*
"

Ordered quite a few dahlias last fall. 14 I think with 2 free. I was dismayed when i received my order this spring. The tubers were small and there were no tags. The names were stamped on the tubers and i couldnt read most of them. Planted them in several beds, most of them in my main long perennial border. Only 2 have come up. Contacted the company as they advertise a 100% guarantee. Finally spoke to someone on the phone just now. They expect me to try to dig up my perennial bed to find these tubers (and who knows whether even if i could remember exactly where they are planted, there is anything there that hasnt rotted or withered away?) so i can take photos to send them. First of all, i am disabled and it is a great effort to plant but i make it because that is what i love. Second, as they didnt come up, i dont even know where i this crowded bed they are. And, it is hot outside and i have been ill this summer, so it is overwhelming to even think of doing this. I am so disappointed with the product i received and then the poor customer service. What a waste of money and effort to plant. Will never purchase from this company again.

last year I ordered a dozen tubers from swan island island. I planted in may of this year and by june only four or five very weak shoots appeared. when I contacted them they made prompt replacements, most of which were duds. never have I had poorer dahlias and next year i will be back to my trusted source, HOME DEPOT AND AT CONSIDERABLY REDUCED COST. submitted august, 2013

"On Aug 12, 2013 8:49 AM, Swan Island Dahlias responded with:

Hello comgmail,

I am sorry to see that you have posted a negative review for us. Even after you reported failures and new dahlias were sent to you free of charge. We absolutely take care of our customers and have for over 87 years. We always stand behind our product and help our customers. We want your dahlias to be as beautiful for you as they are for us. We would have helped you even more had you chose to contact us and not just left us a negative. We are sorry you have chosen that path. I wish you the best of luck with your future yard and garden.

Have a beautiful day!

Jennifer Gitts-Eubanks
The Gitts Family
Swan Island Dahlias "

Last September I bought 33 tubers (to be shipped in March 2012) to a tune of $209.45. The tubers shipped as promised and all looked healthy.

However, it is now the end of August and only 5 of those 33 tubers have poped up above the soil.

When I contacted Swan Island Dahlias about the problem (via e-mail) they asked what the tubers looked like now. So after alot of effort (I am disabled) I dug up 10 of the 33 and discovered that most had rotted away, the two that I did find appear to have rotted from the inside out.

Needless to say I am rather unhappy. That was large sum of money to invest in something I got only limited return for.

Will I buy from them again? Probably not, I might expect some tubers not to sprout...but 28 tubers is very bizarre.

"On Aug 25, 2012 10:13 AM, Swan Island Dahlias responded with:

Hello,

I am so sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your dahlias that you purchased from us for spring 2012. We are truly disappointed that you have a posted a negative feedback regarding this matter before contacting us and giving us the opportunity to help you with these dahlias. We absolutely guarantee them to grow and be beautiful for you. There are many growing conditions or reasons that could cause the results you are seeing. And would have loved to have helped you with your dahlias...

There is still plenty of growing time left for us to help you with them if you would like - please contact us at 1-800-410-6540.

The Gitts Family
Swan Island Dahlias

America's leading dahlia grower for more 85 years. dahlias.com

"

I ordered many dahlias and most of them didnt sprout. Didnt even bother to contact them again for new ones they grow there I think so I rather get them straight from the store or holland. The few that did sprout were poor performers... Sorry had a bad experience wont be repeat customer

Last spring I received 9 tubers. 5 sprouted, 4 didn't. I notified them, and they sent replacements this spring. I always start my tubers in pots, successfully. Well, these 4 didn't sprout at all, after being in pots for 2 months. One was in a pot for 3 months, because I reeeaaallly wanted this one more than anything. All tubers were still firm when I finally gave up on all of them. No growth whatsoever. I'm not even going to waste my time telling them; I'll never order from them again.