Comments regarding Wayside Gardens

We placed an order in July 2006 for delivery for the fall planting season. Our credit card account was charged immediately, even though product shipment wouldn't be for months (a sign of trouble I should have recognized). I lost track of matters, so I was surprised to receive the last part of the shipment in October 2007. No credit to my card in the meantime, or even a call from the company telling me what was going on. I guess they think I should be happy that they remembered to ship the order at all, even if a year late!

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I have located your order and I am in the process of reviewing your information. I would like you to know that I will be contacting you via e-mail shortly. We will make every effort to resolve this issue.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
[e-mail:JJohnson@parkseed.com]
"

Sadly, I'm among those who have tried them and can NOT recommend them to others.

I recently placed my first order, and was absolutely shocked at the TINY size of the plants that arrived -- entirely inappropriate for the $12.95 price tag. The word "miniscule" would apply here: Huechera had only 1-2 frail leaves, and a geranium was under 2" tall. A Honeysuckle vine was frail and damaged, with only 2 frail leaders. Of those, one (half of the plant) had snapped off at the base and was brittle and covered with dead leaves.

I immediately contacted Wayside in writing with my concerns, in a way I hoped was fair: Acknowledged that they were indeed packed well, but that the size-to-price ratio was entirely inappropriate and unlike anything I'd ever experienced from other nurseries (mail order or not). A more established plant within the same pot size could be entirely satisfactory, but these were certainly not. I gave the benefit of the doubt and said I hoped this was simply an error -- which we'd understand completely -- but that if intentional if bordered on questionable business practice.

I've posted Wayside's response below, in the hope it will help other consumers. In a nutshell, they delicately ignored our request for replacement plants or a refund, and instead explained why they consider it A-OK to ship plants with little to no above-ground growth. (These weren't bare-root items, mind you, but items listed as either 4-inch or quart pots.) The reminder that mail-order gardening takes patience is particularly amusing.

Result: $160.00 for a 12 "seedlings," and an inconvenient 6-month wait for any possible refund or replacement. Sadly, we feel that falls short of "Excellent plant quality" and "Impeccable service" stated in "About Us" section of Wayside's website.

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Thank you so much for contacting us here at Wayside! We value our customers comments and questions very highly, and we appreciate hearing from you.

For the most part, the plants we offer are one- to two-year-old specimens, which is the standard practice in the mail-order plant industry. The plants are containerized in the smallest size that will accommodate the root system. Many of the plants are shipped as dormant as possible to reduce the stress of transit and transplant, therefore, there may be little or no above-ground growth. At Wayside Gardens, we pride ourselves in offering only the highest quality root stock and we are often the first to offer new and exciting cultivars for the most discriminating gardeners. Gardening by mail-order is not "instant" and does require patience but we feel that the wait is well rewarded. I have noted your order of your concern. If they fail to grow in the spring, please let us know, they are guaranteed. Please accept our apology for any inconvenience caused.

Barbara
Wayside Gardens Customer Contact Team
1 Garden Lane
Hodges, South Carolina 29695
Telephone: 800-845-1124
Fax: 800-817-1124
//www.waysidecs.com
email: info@waysidecs.com

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I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
[e-mail:JJohnson@parkseed.com]"

I placed an order for 12 Japanese Fern "Ursula's Red" on 9/17. The website advertised that the plant was available for Fall shipping. I checked online everyday to see the status of my order. It was "to be shipped". Since I live in Michigan I was concerned that the plants might arrive too late for planting, so I decided to call customer service. Much to my surprise and disappointment the customer service rep said that my plants would be shipped in January. I told her that would not work and canceled my order. I sent Wayside a message about my order and got a quick response telling me that their website has to be manually updated and that they "were busy".

Just checked the Wayside website before writing this message and they still show the Japanese Fern "Ursula's Red" available for Fall shipping.

Beware gardeners.

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I have located your order and I am in the process of reviewing your information. I would like you to know that I will be contacting you via e-mail shortly. We will make every effort to resolve this issue.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
[e-mail:JJohnson@parkseed.com]"

In the early spring I ordered sevearal items. The fir two items came but the second set of items never came and so I called them. I told them if they could not get it to me quickly to forget it. Six months later they email me and tell me they have shipped the three plants!!! They are really sloppy and a stupid company as I was trying to save them from being shipped back by offering to keep them for half price or so. They were puny tiny plants, sent at the end of the growing season for full price-total rip-off!!! I will never do business with them again and I have a huge brand new backyard that needs tons of plants and stuff--stupid company.

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I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
[e-mail:JJohnson@parkseed.com]

I am concerned that I have not yet resolved the issue at hand and would like an opportunity to do so; however, I have not yet received a reply from you concerning this matter. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. Customer satisfaction is very important to us.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
[e-mail:JJohnson@parkseed.com]

I am concerned that I have not yet resolved the issue at hand and would like an opportunity to do so; however, I have not yet received a reply from you concerning this matter. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. Customer satisfaction is very important to us.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
[e-mail:JJohnson@parkseed.com]
"

I ordered a plant on line in mid-May, and my credit card was charged. After contacting them twice on the phone I was told the plant was not available. I sent an e-mail and received a reply saying a refund would be made in 3-5 business days. I have not yet seen the refund.

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I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
[e-mail:JJohnson@parkseed.com]"

this january, i ordered 5 roses from this company got them in early april and one didn't make it call the company and was told my warranty had expired in june nothing more they can do for me. i spend over $120 on them and there's nothing more they can do for me. so i lost $24; they lost much more: my return business, negative review and many future would-be customers. just think who the genius running this company.

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I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com"

I ordered my plants in April. Only after repeated communications with them was I finally told in June that my plants were not available and I would be getting a refund. Now, after 6 more weeks of back and forth, I still have not seen my refund.

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I have located your order and I am in the process of reviewing your information. I would like you to know that I will be contacting you via e-mail shortly. We will make every effort to resolve this issue.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
[e-mail:JJohnson@parkseed.com]

"

I was warned that Wayside Gardens advertizes plants for sale that they do not have in stock, but they are even worse than I imagined. I changed my order to more reliable companies whenever possible, but I ordered four plants from Wayside Gardens because no one else offered them. DON'T FALL FOR IT!!!

Wayside Gardens method of business is worse than AOL, three months later I am still waiting for my money back for something never sent me! Reputatable companies don't advertize items they do not have, and they certainly do not charge a credit card until those items are sent. Poor me, I'm stuck waiting on them to do what they've promised me three times now—give me my money back. This has been going on since April 20, 2007!

"

I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com

I am concerned that I have not yet resolved the issue at hand and would like an opportunity to do so; however, I have not yet received a reply from you concerning this matter. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. Customer satisfaction is very important to us.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com
"

I ordered 2 Ice Angels series Camellias in Fall 2006. Both arrived in great shape and were planted.
Spring 2007, neither were showing any signs of life.
Summer 2007, 1 begins to put on new growth. The other is dead, brown underneath the bark when scratched. Wayside was contacted and promised a replacement of the same plant in Fall 2007. I received an e-mail notifying me that a different Camellia was shipped, in late June as opposed to Fall, and it was not even part of the Ice Angels series. On contacting Wayside I was told that a decision was made at the last minute to switch the plants in all orders due to poor stock quality on the Ice Angels Camellias. I was never contacted by Wayside for my approval of this switch! I was not satisfied and requested a refund, which is supposed to be processed (haven't received that cc bill yet....).
They did ask me to keep the plant they had already shipped--which was somewhat nice since they didn't refund my original shipping charge and wasted my time by not just contacting me in the first place.

"

I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com

I am concerned that I have not yet resolved the issue at hand and would like an opportunity to do so; however, I have not yet received a reply from you concerning this matter. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. Customer satisfaction is very important to us.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com
"

Wayside has slipped over the past few years. Of the plants ordered this year only one has survived. Some could be the fault of natural conditions (It has been very, very dry) but shipping a rose boxed within an open plastic bag with a bit of dry fiber around the roots shows every sign of a company too busy to provide a bit of extra care when shipping plants.

"

I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com

I am concerned that I have not yet resolved the issue at hand and would like an opportunity to do so; however, I have not yet received a reply from you concerning this matter. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. Customer satisfaction is very important to us.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com
"

This company sent my order promptly but plants are small for the price. 2 plants were diseased plants (different varieties). When I complained, they replaced the plants with 2 more diseased plants. A second complaint got my money back but not the shipping or the lost year of growth I would have had in my garden. I do not recommend this company although they were honest in their guarantee.

"

I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com

I am concerned that I have not yet resolved the issue at hand and would like an opportunity to do so; however, I have not yet received a reply from you concerning this matter. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. Customer satisfaction is very important to us.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com
"

I have had the same trouble as many other posters. Ordered plants in early March and still had not received them by mid June, despite many promises that they would ship "next week" or "in two weeks". Finally cancelled my order and asked for a refund, but that has yielded the same results: many empty assurances that my refund had been "processed yesterday" or that "I'm processing it right now". I've not received the plants or my money, just a never ending list of excuses and the most apathetic customer service you can imagine. I've ordered from Wayside on and off for probably twenty years, and they used to be adequate, but lately I can't describe them as anything but thieves. Do not order from them!

"

I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem, I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
[e-mail:JJohnson@parkseed.com]

I am concerned that I have not yet resolved the issue at hand and would like an opportunity to do so; however, I have not yet received a reply from you concerning this matter. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. Customer satisfaction is very important to us.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com
"

Do Not Do Business With Wayside Gardens!

My Order was placed, and my MasterCard Charged, in November 2006 with shipping anticipated within 60 days. March I called, Shipping expected in 30 days. April I called, Shipping by May 21st. June 1st I called Quality Problems, will ship soon. June 29 I call, expect shipping in Fall. I will never do business with them again. Anyone visiting my 1/2 acre garden in San Jose will hear my Wayside Story. June 29 Lisa promises full refund, free plants when available with free shipping... I don't believe a word of it. More to follow if the plants ever arrive.

"

I have located your order and I am in the process of reviewing your information. I would like you to know that I will be contacting you via e-mail shortly. We will make every effort to resolve this issue.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
[e-mail:JJohnson@parkseed.com]"

If there were a catagory that I could select below negative, I would certainly choose it.... and if I could find Karen Park Jennings phone number she would be speaking to me as I type. I have never been told so many lies by one company.

Ordered April 8th, and of course was charged immediately. One item came I believe within a week. Another may have strolled in a week later. A couple of weeks after that they sent another tiny speciman, not the gallon I had ordered.

Still waiting on my other (12) twelve plants, listening to excuse after excuse when calling them, I made the mistake of ordering something else ( 9 plants). I was assured they never shipped on Thurs. or Fri. so the merchandise did not sit over the weekend. Another lie. Tracking proved that they shipped and sat in a truck or warehouse over the weekend. Needless to say they were not in the best of shape when they arrived being in 3 inch pots. I have been attempting to nurse them to health, so far three don't appear to be making it. Still waiting on my 12 ... 1 gallons, I called the end of May and and was told once again they had oversold, did not have them in stock and now having them in stock they were not big enough to ship but even if they did get big enough, they could not tell me if I was in the list to get them. After much complaining about " you HAVE to have records of who gets what first" I got a call back from Linda saying that I WAS on the list, and they would be shipped the middle of June and they were oh SO SO SO sorry. ( Linda was very helpful, the best of anyone I spoke with, I am certain that she did as she was told and did not tell me any intentional lies )Well, guess what, is is the end of June, no plants, no answer to give to my ARB board who I submitted a landscape plan to for our new home.

So I call again and left a message. No call back. I called again and was told, oh, I am SO SO SO sorry, it is past your planting cut off, we can not ship until August. What a crock.

I could have gone to Home Depot any day of the week or the local nursery and had these things in the ground the first of April.

Karen Park Jennings needs to spend some of her millions on buying her company perpetual inventory software that will not allow her trusting customers to place orders for things that they do not have and do not have any idea when they are getting them in or what size they will be when and if they get them in.

And of course...how many times was I told this.....our horticulturist will not approve them for shipment yet. Another crock. And how many times was I told to read the fine print on the web site and they would recite it to me. I never could find the BS they read back to me on the web site. Must have been pretty darn fine print if I could not find it at all.

Me? I am done with them. I am calling their Consumer Relations folks tomorrow and going as far up the chain as I can possibly go. They can personally deliver my plants to my door step in their company vehicle or I will go to every consumer agency I can find to file a complaint. If you value your sanity and your time.....find a local nursery or go to your closet Home Depot. This place is a joke.

"

I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem, I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
[e-mail:JJohnson@parkseed.com]

I am concerned that I have not yet resolved the issue at hand and would like an opportunity to do so; however, I have not yet received a reply from you concerning this matter. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. Customer satisfaction is very important to us.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com
"

On May 22 of this year I ordered Gruss Van Aachen rose from Wayside on order number 4802576. It was a web special at $9.95 and I received order confirmation for Spring shipping. My debit card was charged $17.90 upon receipt of the order.

On 6/8 I inquired as to when it might be shipping. I received a response that it would "ship shortly since it was under review by the nursery manager".

When, on 6/13 the order status had not changed I wrote inquiring again since we were approaching the Spring cutoff date. I did not receive an email response.

Shortly thereafter I noticed that the Spring shipping had ceased. I had not received a response to my last email. I called in to confirm that it had not shipped and that Spring shipping had ceased. Customer Service confirmed that it had. I asked them to CANCEL the order and issue credit in the amount of $17.90 to my debit card since the weather in NE PA is not conducive to planting roses in the Fall.

When I did not see credit happening, I called Customer Service again. This time a different rep told me that although the order was cancelled and notated for credit apparently the summer help did the cancellation and was unaware that paperwork needed to be processed to get the credit done. She (Pam I believe her name was) was processing the paperwork immediately and requesting a credit to my card.

On June 18th I wrote again via email asking where my credit was and reiterating the entire saga. I put a read receipt on it...and to date it is apparently not read and it has not been responded to.

It's June 26. Certainly enough time has elapsed for them to process credit or at LEAST respond to my emails. I am beginning to believe their sales are bait and switch operations to snag orders and book revenues and then postpone shipping as long as possible.

I am extremely unhappy with them over this incidence and can only say I won't be buying from them again.

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I have located your order and I am in the process of reviewing your information. I would like you to know that I will be contacting you via e-mail shortly. We will make every effort to resolve this issue.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com"

Based on a recent experience with Wayside, I think BUYER BEWARE is the order of the day with this company. Wayside so far has failed to make my order right as set out below even though I have called customer service. I have not completely given up and have emailed them and will followup today with a fax. From reading other comments on this forum (which I wish I had read before I ordered) I am not too optimistic.

On June 11, I responded to a 3 for 1 internet promotion by ordered two separate items: the 8838 Lily Red Mix (price was 3/$4.95) and the 46743 Thymus Ruby Glow (price was $3.32 for a 3 inch pot) .

I ordered 3 each of these items which under the promotion means Wayside should have shipped 9 packages (27 bulbs) of the lilies and 9 pots of the thyme. My credit card was charged on June 14 for a total of $37.85 which is $14.94 for 3 packages of lilies and $9.96 for 3 pots of thyme plus $12.95 for shipping. These lilies were a "mix" and not named bulbs - therefore, a package of 3 bulbs for $4.95 is a market price and not a sale price without the bonus that was promised.

I received only 3 packages of the lilies with none of the 3 for 1 extras due under the promotion. Wayside "customer service" took the position that I was not due any more lilies and that each 3 inch pot of thyme was priced at $9.96 which is absurd and in conflict with the internet ad and the confirmation I printed out. Furthermore the thyme was not available for Spring shipping in contradiction of the confirmation sheet at the time of order. Because of the company's failure to honor its advertisement in price and shipping time, I cancelled the thyme order (which had been rescheduled to "fall" without my permission). On the website the cancellation is reported but no credit has been given me on my credit card.

I have emailed asking 1) for a credit card credit (not a store credit) for the $9.96 I was charged for the thyme and for proportional shipping charges and 2) for immediate shipment of the 9 red mix lily bulbs ( i.e. 3 packages of 3 each) that were missing from my order for the bonus if any unsprouted bulbs are still available -- otherwise a credit for $9.96 for the missing lily bulbs.

I intend to report this charge to Mastercard as a disputed account.

My order number is 4833076.

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I have located your order and I am in the process of reviewing your information. I would like you to know that I will be contacting you via e-mail shortly. We will make every effort to resolve this issue.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com"

Worst experience with online gardening site I have ever had.
Ordered and billed total amount immediately in eary April, tried to cancel at end of May when nothing had arrived. Partial order arrived shortly thereafter. Called again to cancel the balance, instead they tried to substitute something at a higher price and billed my credit card more without my consent. Took another call and finally a manager to cancel the balance of the order and get credited the balance (I hope). BEWARE of these people--they will bill you upon receipt of your order and send you what they want whenever they want and try and bill you additional if they can get away with it. I will never do business with them again.

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I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem, I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com

I am concerned that I have not yet resolved the issue at hand and would like an opportunity to do so; however, I have not yet received a reply from you concerning this matter. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. Customer satisfaction is very important to us.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com
"

Last June I had a totally negative experience with Wayside Gardens-Unacceptable shipping & dead plants (this was reported here, so I won't dwell on it again) I was sent a certificate to atone for the fact that I never received the plants that I'd counted on & I wasn't going to even bother ordering, but decided to give them a second chance. I placed an order that was covered by the certificate in Feb & was notified by e-mail that it was scheduled for "spring delivery". I have heard nothing since, so today I called to ask when I might expect shipment & was told "there must be a problem". Do you think so!?! I explained that I was concerned because this order was my second attempt to receive acceptable service from the company & was told "someone will look into it". I asked for a call back in a timely manner & was told "um..OK" I waited, but was not asked for my phone number-I guess these folks are psychic or something, because after 6 months of silence, they certainly MUST know how to contact me! So I asked the representative to prepare the canned response on garden watchdog, because I'd be posting. Still, no remedial action. In short, they chose terrible shipping (over 11 days for live plants) last year, but they DID offer a certificate to give them a second chance-THEN they don't ship the second chance order a year later! They dropped the ball a year ago & I don't see where there has been any improvement. At least it didn't cost me anything this time! I will NEVER attempt to do business with these people again-even on their dollar! I currently have a backorder with another garden company, and I have been contacted by them by both e-mail & phone, keeping me advised of the situation & offering me the option of changing the order, so excellent service DOES exist! Knowing that, I will hold out for decent treatment, & that totally excludes doing business with these jerks! BEWARE! I only wish that there was a sub-negative catagory for such companies!

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I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com"

I have to agree with others that I've had a frustrating experience. Of the 7 items I ordered well in advance (in the depths of a Minnesota winter) I have received only one so far. While I understand that it was a rough Spring and nature took its toll, what I cannot understand is the complete lack of communication on significantly backordered items. After waiting and waiting and finally calling, I was advised that these items would not be shipped until fall. Apparently, they just assume that I am willing to wait until fall for an order I placed and paid for the previous winter. A little communication goes a long way. If they had only communicated the delay, reason for the delay and offered a refund in a timely manner, I would not be writing this comment.

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I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com

"

I just wanted to add my name to the growing list of dissatisfied customers.

These guys handled my order horribly in a number of ways, but the main one was they backordered one of my "Spring" Deliveries until AUGUST 2008 -- they did not notify me in any way.

Furhter they were going to hold the rest of my order until the backordered stuff showed up in august.

No email, no call, no nothing

the rep just said "do you want them or not"?

I cancelled the order and was told I was given a full refund on my credit card--however, there is no confirm # or reference of any kind so we will see when my credit card bill arrives if they really handled it.

I would never deal with these folks again, and it sounds like I am not alone....

"

I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com

I am concerned that I have not yet resolved the issue at hand and would like an opportunity to do so; however, I have not yet received a reply from you concerning this matter. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. Customer satisfaction is very important to us.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com
"

I have been receiving their catalog for many many years. It is a real shame what has happened to this once very good company. Years ago you could count on them for quality plants in both size and healthy vigor. NO MORE!!! It seems they don't care or know what they are sending out. I placed an order this Spring and it will be my last. The 3 daylilies were shocking!!! I have never ever received this size daylily in the over 20 years I have been buying plants! I was flabbergasted!! They looked like blades of grass! And each one was $18.00!!!I called and complained and they offered to reship. I declined and wanted a refund. I waited and waited. No refund. Soon in the mail a credit certificate arrived! Like I ever want anything from them again. NOT! So I called and told them that they said I would get a refund. They said they would cancel the credit cert and issue a refund. That was not accomplished until I called an additional 2 times and requested to speak to a supervisor. Terrible!!!!!!!! Poor business practices and I will never in my wildest dreams consider ordering from this company again. BEWARE!!!

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I have located your order and I am in the process of reviewing your information. I would like you to know that I will be contacting you via e-mail shortly. We will make every effort to resolve this issue.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com"

I ordered some verbenas (variety:hot lips) on January 5 for spring delivery(order 4469283). They did not ship until 5/3 and then the shipment got lost(DHL delivered to a post office in Plano, TX while I live in Garland, TX). I talked with them on 5/15 and they said they would re-ship via UPS and it would take about 2 weeks. Well, it's 5/30 and now they say it looks like it's back-ordered and won't be shipped until fall. I'm waiting for a manager call back. Doesn't the Federal Trade Commission have rules about back-ordering orders such as this? I'm going to find out.

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I have located your order and I am in the process of reviewing your information. I would like you to know that I will be contacting you via e-mail shortly. We will make every effort to resolve this issue.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com
"

I ordered plants in early March, for "Spring" delivery. Early May, I received half of the shipment, but the size was not what I ordered. It was much, much smaller than originally represented, and I had not been notified that I would be receiving a substitute for my original order. Had they notified me that my original order was not available, I would have cancelled immediately. Instead, I paid an outrageous amount of shipping for 6 very, very small plants. They were Hydrangeas, and 2 of the plants were bare (no leaves at all). I was issued a refund for half of the actual cost of the 6 original plants ordered, and was advised that this refund would be applicable to my next order. I called the customer service number, and advised that this was not acceptable, I wanted my refund immediately. I was advised that one would be issued (I still have not received), and that the second half of my shipment would be shipped 5/19. I still have not received the rest of my order, nor have I had any communication from them. The first plants I received are floundering, as it is now getting very hot and dry where I live. This was my first order, and I do not intend to order from the vendor again. I wish that I had found this site before placing my order - I spent over $200, and so far have received 6 wilted, bare, 12" plants.

"

I have located your order and I am in the process of reviewing your information. I would like you to know that I will be contacting you via e-mail shortly. We will make every effort to resolve this issue.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
[e-mail:JJohnson@parkseed.com]


"

My experience actually began last spring (2006). My husband placed an order for me for mother's day last year for 2 Eden roses, 1 Japanese magnolia and 3 Paris Polyphylla's. While the order was placed well ahead of the shipping dates (back in very early April-ish), Wayside charged his card immediately. OK, we could live with that so long as the order came on time when the shipping began for our zone (5). We too, also received the email telling us the shipping began for our zone, and eagerly I awaited it's arrival. When it finally came, the Japanese magnolia was barely alive, the roses seemed OK, and the Paris Polyphylla's were missing completely. I contacted Wayside about the missing part of the order, and was first told it was on backorder, but that it had been sent. OK, many days go by still no order. So, I re-contacted them and got a different rep, who told me there was a quality problem with the plants and that they didn't know if they would be made available. What the heck? Three days later I get an email from this rep again telling me my "1" Paris Polyphylla has been shipped. Well, I wrote him back explaining the original order had been for 3. He writes me back and says the other two are being shipped separately. OK, well all three finally arrived in the same box. Sadly, not a single one ever came up. I did manage to salvage the Japanese magnolia (it's still alive but still very small). Of the two roses, last summer only one bloomed. While the other did send up leaves but no blooms and that one didn't survive our winter here. The one that bloomed last year did survive the winter (they are both planted in the same bed a few feet from each other). The one that survived is sending up shoots from the root ball and not the union bud though, so won't know for sure unless it blooms this year if it's still truly an Eden or a sport. All in all I'm really disappointed and have wavered on whether I'll ever order from them again. I really wish I had seen this forum last year before I gave my husband my wishlist. It's my fault he ordered from Wayside to begin with. And it was the Paris Polyphylla's that prompted me to order in the first place :( Won't be ordering from them again that's for sure.

"

I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com"

After many attempts to get a straight answer about order #4739085 and what the hold up was, I was informed that part of my order was being held by the nurserymen, and some of it would not be shipped until fall. In addition to that, 2 of the plants I had ordered would not be shipped until August. Now, how many people plant plants in the blistering heat of August?!? I understand their logic though- If I'm stupid enough to order from Wayside, I'll probably be stupid enough to plant something in August.
Needless to say, I canceled the rest of my order, and I will now just use their magazine for reference purposes, and a constant reminder that a flashy magazine does not a reputable company make!
BEWARE: Everyone THINKING of ordering from Wayside. Send ME your money, and I will jerk you around on the phone for half the cost they would.

I ordered two things from their spring catalogue 1 sorbaria sem and 1 ilex berry heavy winterberry. I called them twice getting different answers both times. Needless to say i still have not received my orders and the last thing i heard was they are on back order and i will not probably get them till fall. This is totally unnexcetable to me. They did the same thing to me last fall in which i was forced to cancel my order and order from forest farm nursery. Never Again. AugieGary.

After ordering 2 trees I could not get a consistent answer by email or phone when delivery would take place. It was extended by days and weeks each time I contacted them for various reasons, (grower decision, plant immaturity, busy season, shipping issues,), and each person had a different reason within the same 24 hour period of time but assured my delivery was being implemented. However, my credit card had been charged immeadiatley.
When I decided to cancel the order they did that within few minutes per their website but I was told cannot refund for 10 days!!!! I asked to talk to a manager or owner and "they will call me back" ....RIGHT.

Wayside is an embarressment and dissapointment. I feel pretty sure that when I place an order at the end of march and my credit card is billed, that by May 23rd the order should be here. Ive recieved half my orders.
The second order was placed because the website offered Fed Ex upgrade, two day shipping for free. I really got taken. Most of that order isnt even here and its been over a week.

I ordered a rose bush "Josephs Coat" end of March and I was informed today it wouldnt be available til fall and if the weather isnt "up to par" it would not be mailed til next spring. I asked if it is on back order and the rep said she didnt know but one is reserved for me. Huh, big whoop! I will have found something else to go in that spot by next spring and wont even want it.
I ordered from Wayside because I read it was a upstanding company. Seems they are biteing off more than can chew. This is the last time I will order from them. What a waste of time. My family is getting a good chuckle at my gulibility.

"

I have located your order and I am in the process of reviewing your information. I would like you to know that I will be contacting you via e-mail shortly. We will make every effort to resolve this issue.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com"

I should have read this forum before ordering from Wayside.

Anyhow, when I finalized my order, the final page said Wayside would not charge my credit card until my order shipped.

Wayside did not wait for my order to ship---- they charged my credit card the very next day.

Also, all items were in stock , but 11 days later their website indicates nothing has shipped.

I called their support number but waited 10 minutes and was unable to speak to anyone.

I emailed their support but have yet to hear back from anyone.

My advice is to steer clear of this company. $92.00 down the drain.

I will post updates as they occur --- if they occur !

I called Wayside today. I was going to place an order for $277.95 and I asked if I could get the 20% discount that they advertise on their catalog. I was told no, because I don't have a catalog as I was ordering on line. I would have thought that she would have given me the discount if I gave the order to her. I was incorrect. I'll purchase these plants elsewhere!

Jan

I ordered a number of Azazelas, Roses, Clematis, and a multi-colored Spirea. The Azaleas are doing fine, but two of the roses were dead, and the others, while alive, are faring poorly. The Clematis also died, as did the Spirea. I emailed them, they gave me a merch credit for the two roses, which were out of stock, and sent replacements for the spirea and the clemates -- the spir. is much smaller than the original they sent, one of the clemates is dead, one looking as if it's going to kick the dust any day now, and one's fine. All in all, lots of hassle for very little reward, and with their hefty prices, that's not good enough. Silke Weineck

I was a first time customer, and was impressed by the catalog since the plants looked unique.
I placed an order for some perennials several weeks ago. When I spoke to the customer service reprentative, I was assured that the plants would be shipped beginning of May.
Since that time, I have spoken to customer service a few times, and each time I receive a different story. Add to this I also recieved an email that an out-of-stock item was now available, I called only to find that it was a "computer error". It's not so much the delay that bothers me, it's the fact that the customer service people all give you a different answer when you call (i.e. it's going next week, the nursery supervisor is handling this and it should go soon, that will not be going for a long time) All of these are responses I got for the same order. Since they cannot even foresee when they expect to ship my order (even though I have been charged for it months ago) I finally just cancelled the entire order. I was unpleasantly surprised at the lack of service from this company.

In late March 2005 I purchased a Davidia Sonoma or Dove Tree with a 2 year extended guarantee. The plant was sold as being small and I felt it was prudent to extend the guarantee for the extra year. It arrived, was planted, and cared for, and increased in size.I was so pleased. It was going to be old enough to bloom this year. It has never put out leaves this year and the buds are dry and dead. I called Wayside today with all my order information and was disappointed to be told my guarantee expired in March of 2007. I explained that I could not have anticipated this happening and I had hoped the guarantee on a decidious tree that is shipped dormant would be for it to leaf-out for two years.In my area it has been cool I was hoping for the best. Since this 18"-24" tree cost me $99.95+shipping, I felt miss-led that the extended guarantee ended on the specific date, I would not have purchased it, for the additional $7.50.I guess if I ever were to order from them agin I would only do it if I could specify shipping date.

Folks,
First, let ne say that I wish that I had read these comments before I ordered from Wayside Gardens. Also, it appears that the folks at Wayside are very quick to respond to the comments posted here, way quicker than shipping orders promptly or notifying customers of problems and/or backorders.
Now to my story, I ordered several items from Wayside sometime in early April, at that time I was told that my items would arrive in a couple of weeks. I phoned Wayside around may 1st to check on the order and found that my order was waiting on a backorder, I had received no communication from Wayside other than more e-Newsletters hawking more plants that I should purchase. I phoned them again this AM, and instructed them to ship whatever they had, if my order was waiting on "free stuff" please don't send me any free items, and to substitute items of equal quality and price for those that I had paid for, and that they had charged my VISA for. I instructed them to remove my name from all of their mailing lists and their e-Mailing list. The person to whom I spoke was very pleasant, but I had to insist to speak to a managerial person in order to accomplish what has been described. I also asked them to phone my 82 yo mother, who sent me a present to be marked "Happy Easter" that also has not arrived and neither has the remainder of her order. It has been over an hour and my mom has yet to be called by Wayside personell!!
I feel that the only person at Wayside who is interested in excellent job performance is the Photographer who takes their excellent photos.
Their "customer service" personell should advise that there are un-fillable orders or backorders when a customer places the order. This was my first and last order with Wayside.....bottom line they are all show and glitz and no substance!!!!
Thank you, Dave, for the opportunity and a forum for folks to get their viewpoint out.
I would not recommend Wayside to anyone, and if you must order from them insist on the availability of the item of your interest.
Glenn Klima
New Milton, WV

"

I have located your order and I am in the process of reviewing your information. I would like you to know that I will be contacting you via e-mail shortly. We will make every effort to resolve this issue.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com"

I place an order in early April for a variety of perennials and one hydrangea. After receiving email advertisments from Wayside that "shipping for my zone has started", I called to see why my order had not shipped. They informed at that one of the perennials I ordered was now backordered and they were holding the entire order for fall shipping. No email or anything to inform me of this. So, I cancelled the order for the one item that was backordered and they said the rest of my order would ship. They shipped in on Thursday 5/3 using DHL and USPS. I did not receive it until Thursday 5/10. The bareroot perennials seem fine. The hydrangea was unfortuntely totally dried up. The dirt had emptied out of the tiny plastic pot and all of the leaves on the hydrangea had shriveled up and turned brown. So I called the customer service line. They asked if I had scratched the stem to see if it was still alive and to give it 4-6 weeks to see it came around and then call them back.

"

I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com"

I ordered, among other plants, 3 apple-trees and
some primroses. All arrived in a timely fashion, but
small, dessicated, and impossible to revive. I wrote and returned them; I'm still [2.5 months later] awaiting a response.

In the same order I paid for a KnockOut rosebush for $20; I received received a much smaller, $10 plant and a store credit for the difference [no credit for the postage I paid]. The bush I received was inadequate; why would I want a credit to shop further with the store-credit? The store epresentative "can't," he says, change their policy.

Bad plants, worse customer service.
Tacky.
I wish I had read the responses here before ordering.
I wish there were a category worse than "negative" here.

"

I have located your order and I am in the process of reviewing your information. I would like you to know that I will be contacting you via e-mail shortly. We will make every effort to resolve this issue.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com"

Order #4747162, Poor order handling, unresponsive to emails and phone calls, 12 hours becomes 2 days, shipping DHL which turns into Postal service, worst online experience I've ever had. First and last order. Ordered 4/25 still waiting, Never again. I noticed after reading several of these comments that the rebuttal looks rather a standard statement. Too bad I didn't check here before placing my order.

"

I have located your order and I am in the process of reviewing your information. I would like you to know that I will be contacting you via e-mail shortly. We will make every effort to resolve this issue.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com"

I ordered 6 hardy starburst ice plants, (delosperma floribundum) and these plants performed well during the first summer. However they did not survive the winter. I am in zone 6, and this plant is rated by Wayside from 4-9.

I inquired with the company, and got the canned response previously posted by others on this thread. Like others, I was surprised at the changed guarantee.

So I asked "what would be 'proper winter care'? this plant is supposed to be very hardy. There were no specific instructions on this, but most of the plants were mulched, all in very sunny spots"

Their response said to mulch and water as needed. (note this plant is a desert succulent, thus watering in a pgh winter?) c'mon guys, does not even look like they thought about the answer or the plant in question.

I have found another website, that classifies this plant as hardy in zones 9-11 to be perennial. Additional research has also suggested that this plant will not survive the wet winters we usually have.

Needless to say, I will pass on Wayside in the future.

"

I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com"

I placed an order in March. Six weeks and three phone calls later, the plants still had not arrived, despite my being told that shipping had indeed begun for my zone. Customer service was less than responsive, and my promised phone call from a supervisor never happened. The last time I called, I finally spoke to someone who told me that they could not guarantee when any of the plants would ship -- although I had been charged for all of them. I cancelled the order, and now, rather than spending my free time planting, have wasted the time on the phone with Wayside Gardens and tracking down these plants at other nurseries.

"

I have reviewed your above posting and I am seeking the opportunity to address this matter. Unfortunately, the information contained within was not sufficient to locate your order in our database. In order to rectify the problem I must request that you e-mail us with your billing information, including zip code and order number if available.

Jay Johnson
Customer Contact Representative
JJohnson@parkseed.com"