Comments regarding Vermont Bean Seed Company

Our story is similar to that of others. We ordered from this firm based on advertising in a "country" journal we subscribe to. We ordered various vegetable and flower seeds. When I tried, after several weeks, to find out where our order was, I learned the company was shipping from the midwest, not Vermont. I got a man who indicated, after I complained, that our order would be sent out immediately. This was after waiting about four weeks for any piece of the order. (Needless to say our money had already gone through their till.) The rate of germination of the seeds was the poorest we've had in over twenty-five years of gardening. We also bought plants that were clearly stressed (long leggy, light-starved appearance) and did not survive more than a couple of weeks. We will not order from this company again. (I wish I'd known about this WEB site before we ordered the first time! Thanks for a great service fellow gardeners!)

I ordered all my seeds, from 3 different companies, on the same day. The 2 other orders came within 10 days. After a month of waiting for Vermont, I called and was told my order hadn't even been processed yet, and would be sent to the order-filling department in 10 days to 2 weeks. After another 3 weeks had gone by I called again and was told my order would be sent to the order-filling department in 10 days to 2 weeks! At that point I cancelled. Under no circumstances would I recommend anyone use this company!!!

Plants ordered never arrived. Customer service says shipped 10 days ago - but can't track shipment because they didn't chosse to use UPS or Fed Ex. For seeds, some packets ordered not included in shipment. Avoid at all costs. Excuse by customer service, "Overwhelmed by orders." Shouldn't be a problem next year. This misjudgement on my part to be resolved through the credit card company.

Each year I order seeds from a variety of companies. This year I ordered from J.L. Hudson, Select Seeds, Park's, Seymour's, Johnny's Selected Seeds, Cook's Garden and others. The yields were anywhere from 80 to 100% except for one company: Vermont Bean Seed. The yield was 0%. I sowed a second batch. 0%. Given that I germinated the same seeds (just different colors) from other companies at the same time and same conditions I would have to say that this is not a company I would order from again.

I placed an order in January, and a lot of the seeds I wanted to order were already out of stock. It also took 2 mos. for my order to arrive. When it did arrive, the order was correct. I probably won't order from them again unless there are some seeds I cannot find anywhere else.

This used to be a good company. I hesitated this year when I saw their address as I recognized it as associated with another company which had disintegrated into a very poor company to deal with. I should have listened to my instincts as I have been unable to acquire a refund or my seeds well past the time when they should have been shipped.

Placed a vegatable seed order in early February. Here it is almost mid-April. No seeds, no notification.

Going back to my reliable sources, Pinetree and Stokes.

Vermont Bean Seed Company may have a wide selection but their service is very bad. I placed our order on February 21, 2003. To date, I have received two partial shipments. The last shipment billed us for two items (thermometer and ties) which were not in the box.

We have called, spoken with a rep., and sent an email but have not yet received the items or been credited the charge.

In addition, I have recently sent an email requesting information on a number of backordered items and some plants that are on hold. I wanted to know when VBS expected to receive the backordered items and when is the anticipated ship dates for the plants. After waiting over five weeks, this is not an unreasonable request.

I received a very short answer stating "Thank you for your order, It is in the filling area along with most of your backordered items. " Well, a lot of good that does me for planning purposes.

I haver sent off another request asking for specific information. All I want is basic information about my order.

I have purchased from three other seeds companies this season, including Johnnys Seeds. All the other companies provided prompt shipping and were very helpful in answering questions. Vermont Bean is the worst. I will not purchase from them again.

This is not the same company I ordered from back in the 70s & 80s.

It took almost a month for our seeds to come this season & with backorders. Being a small Farm, we depend on getting the right seed that is offered for sale. Their site is a mess & needs updated.

I called for 2 weeks & wrote 6 e-mails, none of them were answered, that's right even the telephone. Well for those of you who were growing back in the 70s, you will recognize their partners today are those seed houses we did not order from even back then.

It seems like a lot of the great seed vendors out of the 70s, have the same name but the people who made it like that then are gone now.

I ordered from Stokes the same day, & got my seeds in 2 days. Stokes will call you when there is a back order.
Don't waste your money on whatever this has become, it's not Vermont Bean & seed any longer. I even took them out of my favorites.

35 DAYS since I ordered and nothing has arrived.I have called three times in the past two weeks and unlike a previous comment, I received the same excuse "your order is in the shipping room now and will be going out in the next day or two" same operator?. NEVER AGAIN

Customer service is abysmal. On-line order placed, including 2 phone numbers & e-mail address. A US mail question re: my order was sent 5 days after the on-line order. Received by me 10 days after order placement. No phone call or e-mail to request follow up information. So why do they need them??? if not for service, eh? After 10 calls to customer service and not being able to get through, I sent an e-mail questioning customer service. This has not yet been responded to (3 days) and continued the telephone attempts. 5 attempts later I was able to at least leave a message. Again, no response...3 days. Certainly can not recommend.

This company is to beans and peas what Tomato Growers Supply is to tomatoes and peppers. You will find varieties here you can find nowhere else, including both new varieties and lots of heirlooms. Their selection on other types of vegetables is nothing to write home about, but after reading their catalog you'll want to plant nothing but beans anyway. Quality is always high.

i ordered 25 asparagus roots, and 2 different kinds of potatoes. i was worried at first that they wouldn't arrive in time to plant but they did and i planted as soon as they arrived. everything made it and growing great. i also ordered a bunch of beans every seed came up. i am very happy and will order from them again.

I would not order from this company again even if someone paid me. The customer service stunk...it took almost a month and a half to receive my order. I made phone call after phone call and each time got a different excuse.

We have had good success with seeds from Vermont Bean Seed.

First time to order form their web site. What Happened? Most of their products never came up when selected. Also typed in the skew number and nothing happened. They better update their site, don't think I'll be back.

Good source for beans, excellent results!

I HAVE USED THIS COMPANY ONCE AND THEIR SEEDS GERMINATED JUST FINE.

I have used this company one time and service was fine.My seeds came in a timely manner and germination rate was good.

We have been ordering large amounts of seed, perennials, fruit and shrubs for the farm over the past decade. For seed, we recommend the Vermont Bean Seed Company, which has lots more than beans…

Guess what their specialty is??? BEANS. All kinds of BEANS!! Plus other assorted vegetables and a few flowers from Seymours. If you are looking for an heirloom bean, these guys probably have it!