Comments regarding Easy to Grow Bulbs

Sorry, but I can't understand how this company has received so many positive ratings. I placed a small order and only one item (Picotee Begonoia tubers) have performed (3 out of 3 growing well). The Yellow Roseform Begonias were 2 out of 3, but while started under identical conditions the two that sprouted are less than 1/4 the growth of the Picotee. One tuber was a complete dud. The Achimenes Ambrose Verschaffelt have had a zero germination rate (20 bulbs - nothing), and the 3 Tuberose rhizomes show no signs of coming out of dormency. Everything in my yard is going gangbusters as we had an early warm spring. This is the lowest success rate of any mail order firm, nursery, or garden center (or for that matter ANY) source of plants I've used. What is particularly annoying is their response to my e-mail advising them that their products had not performed to my satisfaction: they were happy that the Picotee Begonias had grown (maybe the fact that anything grew surprised them) and suggested that I continue to wait on all the duds. Never again. . . there are just too many alternatives where the company actually CARES about customer service and satisfaction.

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We have contacted this customer again, to follow up, but in fairness, it's worth noting that:

1. His email expressing concern was answered within 3 hours

2. The answer was a personal one not a form letter, which we avoid.

3. Our response was a multi paragraph note suggesting that since all of the bulbs in question are tropicals that prefer hot weather, he should allow a little more time for them to break dormancy and begin growing. With some varieties, 6-8 weeks is not unheard of. This situation is common with tropical bulbs, as Mother Nature works on her own timelines. The customer's tuberous begonias have already begun to sprout and grow, albeit at different rates for the two varieties, which again, is normal.

4. Our customer service rep finished her note with "Please keep me posted on their progress!" Instead, the customer notified us that he had detailed his dissatisfaction online and intended to inform members of his garden club of his displeasure. Of course, we're disappointed with this choice.

While we still feel that a bit more patience is likely to results in success, not everyone is able to give this. For gardeners who need immediate results, we suggest choosing non-tropical bulbs that tend to respond more quickly, especially in all but the warmest temperatures."

2005 I ordered 3 varieties of Amaryllis.
1. received a different variety than ordered.
2. received two bulbs of the ordered variety but they performed poorly (grew only 5" tall, flowers only partially opened before dying) and the third bulb was of a variety I did not order.
3. received the variety ordered and they performed well.
Wally Eberhart

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We are very sorry to hear of this customer's experience with our amaryllis bulbs and sorrier still that we haven't heard from him so we could rectify the situation.

While it's certainly possible that an incorrect item was shipped, we receive VERY few communications about this. When this does occur, we always reship the correct product promptly.

Regarding the problem with the bulbs' growth rate, this mystifies us. Thousands of amaryllis were shipped over the 2005 fall - holiday season and we have not heard of this "stunting" problem from any other customers. Hopefully, we'll hear from this customer to learn which variety he is referencing and to give us an opportunity to correct the situation. customerservice@easytogrowbulbs.com"

I ordered some decollate snails from this place 4 months ago, when I never recieved them I emailed them numerous times as well as called and left messages, with no emails back regarding my order, so after 3 months went by the last email I sent to them is that they were very unprofessional and to cancel my order, they never billed my credit card thank god, and never got a response about that either.

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We're pretty sure this customer was never a customer of ours. She states she placed an order at a time when we didn't carry deccolate snails, we received no emails from them, and they even admit we never charged them for any merchandise. Upon further research we found they did turn around and leave another negative review for another vendor who also sells deccolate snails right after leaving this one for us. We can only guess that she errored and left us this review on accident. Unfortuantely, our attempts to contact her have gone in vein, so we're not sure what to do. We are not in the business of ignoring our customers. I hope she ends up with Deccolates at some point though and she's welcome to actually try us next season."

Isn't the website beautiful? I placed a $50 order on 2/13/05 and got an email that things would be shipping shortly. Then, nothing happened. I followed up and didn't get a timely response. When I did get a response, I was told items would be shipped by 3/7 due to "frost issues" -Today is 3/11 - no bulbs, no shipping notice and no word. Now, No order - I canceled it. I wish it had worked. This was my first try and I had high hopes. Any other suggestions out there on where I can order or buy quality bulbs? I live in Fallbrook CA. I really loved the website for Easy to Grow bulbs, sounds like my experience was out of the ordinary....too bad.

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This review really hurt. Somehow this customer was only receiving some of the emails we were sending and she therefore felt ignored (understandably). Her home is only a 15-20 minute drive from here and I offered to hand deliver the order but haven't yet heard back from her. I would still very much like to salvage this relationship and hope to hear back from her in the future. My well wishes go out to her either way. "