I have been trying to get a hold of R. H. Shumway, but they do not answer their phone, however, their website is still there. Anybody know anything about this?

-- Gertie (hirefams@mhtc.net), March 19, 2002

Answers

I have a friend who works with Shumway (not for them, but in connection with them). I will call the office tomorrow and get you a number you can connect with them, or see if I can find out why they aren't answering. I haven't heard that they went out, but I'm not sure.

-- Christine in OK (cljford@mmcable.com), March 19, 2002.

Hello Gertie,

I ordered seeds from them in late January. A month later I did not get my seeds so I emailed them at: www.rhshumway.com . They sent part of my order out within a few days after my email. I am still waiting for the rest of my order. I just emailed them again the other day about it so I do not know what is going on.

Sincerely,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), March 19, 2002.

I also ordered from them and have only recieved part of my order. Also my calls are not answered.

-- Leighanne T. (robertt@click1.net), March 19, 2002.

I ordered from them in early January and have received none of my order and no response from my email questioning this. However, upon rechecking what I had ordered from them, there were only a couple seed packs and some root stock. I was hoping they were holding out to send it all together when it is appropriate to send the root stock, but from what is listed above, this does not sound too promising. I'm glad I didn't order much from them!

-- Sheryl in ME (radams@sacoriver.net), March 19, 2002.

Thanks everyone for responding. I hope your friend knows something about the situation, Christine. I lost $100 from Gurney's last year, and now it appears I might be losing another $100 from Shumway's. Do I give up mail orders for seeds altogether??? Thanks for hearing my complaints.

-- Gertie (hirefams@mhtc.net), March 19, 2002.

Did not Shumway have a point collection?It seemed that I ordered seeds every year from them so that I would accumulate points and at some stage of the game would turn them in for free merchandise. I noted I could not find this in my catalog this year. Sounds like they are having a tough time. Terry

-- Terry Lipe (elipe@fidnet.com), March 19, 2002.

I may be mistaken, but I seem to remember hearing recently from our growers assoc. that the parent corporation of several seed companies has gone chapter 11. I think it was Gurneys, shumways and Henry Fields. Possibly a few others. AS I understand they were all subsidiaries of the same corp.

-- JJ Grandits (JJGBDF@aol.com), March 19, 2002.

I don't have anything good to say about Shumway. I ordered seeds in January and have yet to see any of them. I called three weeks ago and was told their supplier didn't ship the seed to them because he was afraid they would freeze. Whatever. If I don't see them in another week or so, I guess I will call back. I had good experience with Totally tomatoes, which is supposedly a side company of Shumway. I would also recommend Pine Tree Garden seeds, they are excellent!

-- Mike PA (mleeyworm@yahoo.com), March 20, 2002.

I also ordered from Shumways in January and didn't recieve my order. After calling for a long time (busy signals) I got thru last week and the woman told me that they were back ordered, very busy and hadn't sent the order out. I asked if she knew when it would be sent, I got the very simple 'No' in response. I couldn't believe it and after expressing my disbelief and having her repeat that she had no answers and couldn't tell me anything I cancelled the order and quickly reordered from someone else. Something seemed very fishy. They have lost a very good customer, and I am sure Im not the only one.

-- Bob Fade (fadefarm@aol.com), March 20, 2002.

Glad I read this I was going to send off an order today, was all ready to go to the mail box!!! I think I'll order from some where else!

-- jack c (injack1@aol.com), March 20, 2002.

I think I am beginning to answer my own question. I called the Graniteville Post Office (hometown of Shumway's) and they said that they are still in business. From what the lady has heard from customers, they are still filling orders, but they are very late, but seem to be making some headway in catching up. Take it for what its worth. And in answer to previous writers, Shumway did go out of business last year and was bought out by someone else. I thought it was safe to order...wrong. It could be that the new owners do not know what they are doing, rather than cheating us all. My next call is the the Better Business Bureau. I'll get back to you.

-- Gertie (hirefams@mhtc.net), March 20, 2002.

No info from BBB. We'll just have to wait and see if anyone can shed more light on the subject. Gertie

-- Gertie (hirefams@mhtc.net), March 20, 2002.

Can you cancel your order Gertie? Maybe you could still cancel the check so that you don't lose your money?? We ordered from another company a while back(computer stuff) and never got our order. We had to cancel it through our credit card company. There has got to be something you can do instead of lose your money?? HOpe that everything works out ok for you!!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), March 20, 2002.

Thanks for the heads up Gertie. I had an order almost ready to go into the mail. Now I'll pay a little more and order from my old standbys Johnny's and Fedco.

-- Murray in ME (lkdmfarm@megalink.net), March 20, 2002.

I *finally* got my Shumways order yesterday - I ordered Jan 2., and had called them several times. I got less than good customer service, they short shipped me, and they didn't include the freebies I was entitled to. I'm ticked at them, frankly. I ordered from them because they have the best selection I've seen of OP sweet corns, and I wanted to try, "Howling Mob," but I'm not impressed. After all that, instead of reducing my bill or giving me extras, they sent in coupon for $3 off next year's order - as if!

-- Sharon in NY (astyk@brandeis.edu), March 21, 2002.

Wow, I'm glad I didn't order from them this year. I never had problems with them in the past, but I'll eliminate their website from my favorites today.

I've always gotten excellent service from

www.cooksgarden.com www.southernexposure.com www.rareseeds.com www.heirloomseeds.com www.johnnyseeds.com www.traditionalgardening.com

These companies have open-pollinated, organic seed, which is all I ever use since I do save seed. There are some really interesting old time favorites and rare seeds available as well.

Gertie, I hope you're able to cancel your order and get your seeds in time for spring planting.

Have a Blessed Day

-- Michaela (flhomestead@hotmail.com), March 22, 2002.