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Comments regarding K. Van Bourgondien & Sons, Inc.

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  Feedback History and Summary  
21 positives
10 neutrals
32 negatives

Comments:

RatingAuthorContent
Positive cwalke
(19 reviews)
On Nov 2, 2020, cwalke Longview, WA (Zone 8b) wrote:

I have ordered from this company for many years and they offer a great range of common bulbs as well as bulbs that are harder to find. This year I ordered 200 daffodils and was pleasantly surprised at the large bags I received...many double nose bulbs but all large and healthy.
And their pricing is reasonable. Very happy with my experiences K. van Bourgondien.

Positive gardenertom
(2 reviews)
On Jan 12, 2020, gardenertom Felton, CA (Zone 9a) wrote:

A mixed experience, but leaning towards positive. I ordered 6 items - tulips, daffodils, and alliums. On the negative side, two of the bags had mold problems that looked fatal to about a quarter of the bulbs. However, after an email exchange with customer service I was promptly sent replacements for one bag and given a store credit for the second (because it was out of stock). I was pleased with the quick response from customer service. The tulip bulbs were on the smaller size, but in line with what I expected for the discounted prices. The bag of mixed daffodils came with a bunch of bonus bulbs. Overall, I was satisfied with the experience.

Positive Suze1
(6 reviews)
On Jun 1, 2018, Suze1 Dodge Center, MN wrote:

I recently ordered Ozark Beauty strawberries, and was notified that the order arrived damaged at the shipment facility. When I let customer service know, they were prompt, proactive and professional. They cancelled the charge on my card and provided expedited shipping on my reshipment. The new shipment arrived securely packed, plenty of peat, plenty of runners, and healthy roots.

Positive arinazina
(3 reviews)
On Apr 15, 2018, arinazina Kennebunkport, ME (Zone 5b) wrote:

I have ordered from this company multiple times over 5-6 years. The order has always been correct. Sometimes a bulb or plant doesn't make it but their prices are low and the bulk bulbs and plants have helped me populate over an acre of garden area much cheaper than from almost any other place. If anything, they send their orders out a little too early for Maine but I just store things in a cool place.

Positive Stretch777
(1 review)
On Apr 6, 2018, Stretch777 Little River, SC wrote:

I ordered their 10 mixed hosta plants, 10 hosta Aureo Marhinata, and 25 Lily of the Valley from this company in January 2018. I had read all the positive (and bad) reviews, so a little skeptical, but I could not beat their prices. I said if even 1/2 grew I would be happy. Imagine my stunned look on my face when I unpacked them. The root base was very large, many crowns with more than one eye! I planted and boy did they grow! I only lost one out of the mixed bag hostas. There was some variety in variegated and plain, but not much. However, very excellent for my use. The same with the Lily of the Valley. Extensive root systems with very large pips. None of the plants had rot or mildew. The other group of hostas initially grew only 5. I sent them an email about the situation and they sent me another 10 at no charge!. I only wanted five. It turns out that two more sprouted very late, about one month after the other ones grew.. Excellent customer service! I was so happy with the plants that I sent a repeat order. It also came quickly. From my perspective, this is a 5 star company who now has a customer for life.

Positive tomspeak
(12 reviews)
On Mar 31, 2018, tomspeak Vashon, WA wrote:

I've order hundreds of dollars of bulbs and starts over the years from K. Van Bourgondien & Sons, Inc. and have always been happy with the stock I received. In the few instances when the bulbs had issues, the company sent me replacements immediately.

Positive architectmom
(5 reviews)
On Jul 27, 2017, architectmom San Francisco, CA wrote:

Very happy - Dahlias - The tubers were well packed and healthy, and large. All have matured into healthy, robust plants and blooms. I was lucky to get them on sale and they are a great value. Like that the tubers come in multiples of 5. Looks better in the garden and it's easier to figure out if they do well in my garden with multiple plants. Will shop again next year.

Positive BlazingFungi
(1 review)
On Oct 19, 2016, BlazingFungi Sumas, WA (Zone 6b) wrote:

Never had a problem with their service or their product. Everything has been in top condition and expertly packed, and their catalogue is sent nice and early in the year so I can plan what goes where. Great company!

Positive lraff1
(4 reviews)
On Oct 3, 2016, lraff1 Colorado Springs, CO wrote:

My mother and I purchased dahlia tubers for the 2016 planting season. We did not receive one of the most important tubers we had ordered. It was disappointing to say the least, but Van Bourgondien issued a credit back to our credit card - note NOT a store credit or a commitment to send next year. Later in the season, as plants started to grow, a number of the tubers did not grow the expected plants. I photographed these and sent the descriptions of the problems to Van Bourgondien last week. Again, they were prompt and gracious about issuing a credit to our card. All of the companies we deal with (at least 6 in any season) make mistakes. It just happens, and sometimes the plants genetically revert on bi-colored hybrids. You will find this anywhere. However, you will find few companies that process an outright refund as readily as this company has. Though we had mixed results this year, we will certainly order again due to their excellent customer service and guarantee practices.

Positive paullg
(1 review)
On Mar 9, 2016, paullg Paramus, NJ wrote:

We were surprised to see so many negative comments on this site. We've been buying bulbs and other plants from Van Bourgondien for years (maybe decades) without problems. The garden materials we've received have been of excellent quality and the service impeccable. Maybe we've just been lucky? Hope not. We intend to remain customers.

Positive flowermaiden2
(19 reviews)
On May 21, 2015, flowermaiden2 Saint Maries, ID wrote:

Posted on May 10, 2015, updated May 21, 2015
Right now, I am giving them a neutral, because what's left of my order hasn't arrived yet, so I don't know how the quality will be.

I will say this much: At the time I placed my order for 3 sets of 3 Eremurus Foxtail Lilies Shelford Hyrbrids, I was told that all three colors were in stock.

Awhile later, I received an e-mail with my order status, and I noticed that one of the colors wasn't listed. I called, and was told it was out of stock.

Recently, I received a postcard as well as an e-mail telling the a second color was out of stock.

I know that I shall now be receiving only the remaining color I ordered.

Now, this company has been good about keeping me informed about out of stock merchandise. They have also offered to refund (credit) my account for the overpayment without my having to ask them to do so.

As for their being out of stock, something could have happened that decimated their stock. They didn't say why, but I am giving them the benefit of the doubt. They could indeed have had all of my order in stock at the time I ordered it, and something went wrong afterward, and it may have been something out of their control. Things happen.

So, I shall wait to receive the one set of three remaining, and I shall also wait to see if they really do credit my account for the others.

If they come through, and the quality of their product is good, I shall change my rating to positive.



On May 21st, 2015, flowermaiden2 changed the rating from neutral to positive and added the following:

My order arrived with the one set of three foxtail lilies. They look good, with a well-developed root system. While I don't have as good a luck with bareroot as I do with potted plants, these look like they should do well.

I particularly appreciate that full planting instructions are provided on the label, as to depth, space apart, etc.

Don't know what happened with the rest of their stock, but at least I have these, and if they do well this season, I can order more next year. Maybe by then the company's problems will be ironed out.

Positive connoisseur
(26 reviews)
On Oct 28, 2014, connoisseur Indianapolis, IN wrote:

In regard to spring-flowering bulbs, I had a positive experience so far this fall. Bulbs were comparable in quality to those of other major companies. There were some bad bulbs (as there are with most companies), but customer service readily gave me credit. In fact, I now have a second order. Of course, I don't know yet if the bulbs are true to name. One positive also is that I was able to order bulbs in smaller lots (25 tulips, for example, rather than 100) at a very good price using the company's discounts.

Positive BetNC
(6 reviews)
On Sep 21, 2014, BetNC Hendersonville, NC (Zone 7a) wrote:

I ordered alot of different bulbs (for a spring layering garden) from the wholesale site. I couldn't be more pleased! They arrived when promised - and when I called customer service later that day about two items that hadn't been included: the lady was very nice and helpful, arranging to have them shipped immediately . . . well, here is a copy of the email thanks I sent

Today I received the missing items from my original order and can have my gardener plant my entire flower bed tomorrow as we had originally scheduled.

I had called customer service about the missing items and explained that my gardener was scheduled to come in 4 days since I couldn't plant my own bulbs. The lady was very nice and helpful. . . but I had no idea HOW helpful until the missing bulbs arrived! I had told her "things happen". . . . but this prompt (and TIMELY) correction of a mistake is really impressive!

I had expressed my amazement at how large, well-formed and CLEAN the bulbs I HAD received were and then this superlative experience with your customer service! I will continue to do business with your company whenever the need arises, without hesitation.

Although I initially had reservations about having bulbs shipped from overseas to the States, I have ruefully discovered that the particular company's committment to customer service determines the difference rather than the distance.

Positive Sequoiadendron4
(26 reviews)
On Apr 29, 2014, Sequoiadendron4 Lititz, PA (Zone 6b) wrote:

I purchased a ton of bulbs from the wholesale side of this business. The prices were too good not to purchase! All of the bulbs arrived last fall in good condition and I planted them shortly after. One of my selections was unavailable and it was no trouble getting a refund from them. This spring all of the bulbs have come up and are quite beautiful and I am pleased with my experience so far. It's too bad they have such a large amount of negative feedback but I will definitely look to be placing another order this fall. I'll stick with the wholesale side though, perhaps it's run by different people.

Positive garyloveslucy
(2 reviews)
On Mar 28, 2014, garyloveslucy Jefferson City, MO wrote:

This is the first order I've made from this company in many years. I ordered 9 live plants - coreposis and echinacea. I couldn't be happier with the quality I received and the price paid. I've also purchase tuberose bulbs and some toad lilies to plant. In the past, I never had a problem with their bulbs. Hopefully I won't again. I read the complaints. Not sure what happened to others but my order was well received - VERY good quality live plants!! I ordered them from their 50% off sale. Plants aren't cheap - if you find them cheap, they're either dead or on their way out. You know the places I'm talking about! :) I am pleased, and WILL do business with them again. Just wish I would have ordered more after seeing the quality I received. The packaging of the live plants was among the best I have ever seen. Completely protected and "crush" proof. Again, I'm very pleased.

Positive Gene66
(1 review)
On Feb 26, 2014, Gene66 Norris City, IL wrote:

In the fall of 2013 I ordered a bag of mixed daffodils. I received them promptly and after planting half of the bag, I read the tag and discovered that they were a single variety, not the mixture I had ordered. I notified the company of the mixup ( I did not ask for a replacement), and they responded the next day that they were sending me a bag of mixed daffodils at no charge. The correct bulbs arrived very soon after. Both bags of bulbs were in good shape when they arrived. I will order from them again.

Positive jacintac
(3 reviews)
On Apr 4, 2013, jacintac Fairfield, CT wrote:

Positive: the 25 astilbe were nice big multi-eye roots! Very pleased.
Negative: they shipped them to me in February. I live in CT and was luckily at home to bring them indoors immediately.
Overall: you can't beat 25 good astilbe for less than $2 each!


On Apr 4, 2013, K. Van Bourgondien & Sons, Inc. responded with:

"On Apr 5, 2013 12:21 PM, K. Van Bourgondien & Sons, Inc. responded with:

Thank you for sharing. If you have any problems just let us know. Beautiful garden to you!"


Positive Nanniegreenthum
(1 review)
On Sep 8, 2012, Nanniegreenthum Seminole, FL wrote:

I am crazy about the wonderful KVB team, though I'll be brutally honest and say it has been a long road to get there. Since the company was acquired and the integration of all the databases, systems etc. was completed, I can say with 100% conviction that this is THE BEST team for OUTSTANDING customer service and support and GREAT products.

From lost orders, to orders re-routed to different call centers, to products that arrived looking like the nasty stuff you get in your refrigerator if you leave the beansprouts too long untouched (yeah, white slime - eyuck!) the company has well and truly redeemed itself.

The customer service team is - in my opinion - the main reason that I am a totally dedicated customer. I've called and emailed and written many times about product and shipping issues, and EACH and EVERY time I've been treated like a friend of the family. Most recently, the amazing Peter in customer service helped me with a very tricky credit memo problem and never once lost patience with me.

I can't wait to get my new fall orders to see if the issues with packing have been resolved, but GUESS WHAT - even if they haven't, I know the incredible KVB team will make it right no matter what it takes.

I LOVE KVB and am going to be a customer for life!

Positive vweavers
(2 reviews)
On Jun 9, 2012, vweavers Simonton Lake, IN wrote:

Ordered early April (never knew of any financial troubles). They were the only place I could find online that had the Double Oriental Lily Lodewijk in stock still. The order took a little longer than expected to arrive (packing list showed 3 weeks from order to pack date) Of the 3 kinds of lilys ordered, 5 for 5 on one, 4 of 5 on the other, and the Lodewijk only has 3 of 5 so far, but they were the last to sprout- the other two may come up yet. The bulbs were not as large as advertised, and may not grow as large as desired in this first season. Otherwise satisfied. If I order next year- I will use a recommended company from this site, but if k.van Bourgondien is the only place to get a particular item, I would order again.

Positive crazykaos
(3 reviews)
On Apr 20, 2012, crazykaos Austin, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:

I ordered some cannas, peruvian daffs, and ginger lilies back in February. I have been a nervous wreck about my order wondering if I would get it or not as the shipping date kept getting pushed back(bankrupcy case).
Well the Peruvian daffs and ginger lilies arrived in excellent condition, and exceeded my expectations big time. I don't think I have been happier with an online order ever. Bulbs were huge. Definitely ordering from them again.
Wish the items shipped faster, but if I am going to wait, this was so worth it.

Positive cathrn67
(4 reviews)
On Feb 18, 2012, cathrn67 louisburg,
United States wrote:

That's too bad-I wondered what was going on,I had a nice big order now I have to find someone else:(