Received a 75 page gardening catalog from Gardener's Choice from Michigan. There were many unusual items in this catalog and I happen to have an e-mail friend in Michigan and I asked her if she ever ordered from them. She had not heard of Gardener's Choice and referred to the internet and found they were not a company you would care to do business with. Bad service, poor product and poor customer service. Really hate to see people send their hard earned money to a company that does not stand behind what they sell. -and some didn't even get what they had ordered. Hope I have samed someone time and money.

-- Jean (kjean@i-rule.net), February 11, 2001

Answers

Response to Beware

Thanks for the heads up! It's always good to be aware of what mail order outfits to steer clear of. Fortunately most are reputable in my experience.

-- Bob Johnson (Backwoods_Bob@excite.com), February 11, 2001.

Response to Beware

Hate to rip on my own state, but Michigan Bulb is another well-known one to avoid.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), February 11, 2001.

Response to Beware

I put this in another post, but it belongs here too.

http://pbmfaq.dvol.com/

Plants By Mail FAQ maintains a list of mail order garden companies with consumer comments and ratings for them. It was a big help last year when I planned my garden and orchard.

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), February 12, 2001.

I've ordered from Michigan Bulb Co. in the past and haven't had any problems. You do need to make sure that you know what you're getting for your money - row run or tiny stock. I have two beautiful double flowering Rose of Sharon trees that I got from them years ago that I would love to have more of. I've also gotten mums, peonies, glads, lilys and other plants from them that did well with just a bit of babying. No - the plants aren't going to look like the pictures in the catalog - not for a couple of years anyway. You have to be willing to do some of the nurseryman's work for the low cost of the plants.

-- Polly (tigger@moultrie.com), February 12, 2001.

Well....I seem to be buying from the bad companies. I used to have a very green thumb, but the last several orders have died (I blamed it on my neighbor who was a BIG fan of pesticides and would do anything to get "garden of the month"). It still may have been her..but..I have bought from Michigan Bulb..never did get my order or my money back, Gardener's Choice..all the plants were moldy and covered in aphids...Farmer's Choice..tiny little plants, still waiting to see if they will ever do anything, Gurney's, some good, some bad. They always throw in extra plants and replace those that die. It takes A LONG time to get the replacements though. This year, I am trying Burgess and Farmer's Seed..did I see them listed somewhere as being bad?? I am going to check that out before I mail that one....

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), February 12, 2001.

My sister-in-law worked for a reputable plant company, (forget which), and they sold their culls to Michigan Bulb. Piedmont Plant Company is wonderful. Great onions. Have always been satisfied with their product.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), February 13, 2001.

I'll agree with Shannon! On the plus side, I have had good results from Pinetree, Johnny's, Fedco, Harris, Burpee (pricey), Dixondale, Miller's, and of course, Seed Saver's Exchange. GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), February 14, 2001.

I think that Michigan Bulb is okay as one to do business with as large as you realize that they have cheaper prices because their products are tinier. They can sometimes be the only way that someone without a lot of money to spend can afford to get some of their plants. I found their stuff to be healthy, just very small. It just means you wait a little longer to get big plants. Also, Park seed had poor germination rates on the seed we bought from them ten years ago. We were a retail greenhouse business and stopped getting their seed because it failed so often and we couldn't afford to lose time replanting.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), February 16, 2001.