Would you ask for replacements?

I received two orders yesterday. Grapes from Guerneys and pawpaw trees from One Green World. I had a problem with both. The grapes, though the same variety, came very differently. The first one was bone dry by the time I received it. The second one was still wet and fine. You can see the difference in the color of the straws. So I planted them both but I'm fairly certain the one is dead.

The pawpaw trees had a different problem. 2 of them dive bombed across the box during transit and had a lot of broken branches. Once I trimmed them off, the trees looked really pathetic. They might make it, I did plant them, but I have no idea.

My husband thinks since I planted them anyway I should just accept it but man, one of the trees has a single tiny branch with a single leaf on it alive. Just not what I would have paid for, ya know.

Pics are a bit crazy. My kids were super enthusiastic about being in EVERY picture. Oyza!

I got seaberries from One Green World and one of them didn't look healthy.  I planted it anyway cuz it might have made it.  It died.  When I contacted them a month later they said I needed to contact them within 10 days of arrival.

So I'd err on the side of complaining right away.  I'm glad you have pictures of it to send them before you trimmed it.

I guess I'd contact Guerneys also about the grapes, it can't hurt to start the conversation early.

Mike Jay wrote:I got seaberries from One Green World and one of them didn't look healthy.  I planted it anyway cuz it might have made it.  It died.  When I contacted them a month later they said I needed to contact them within 10 days of arrival.

So I'd err on the side of complaining right away.  I'm glad you have pictures of it to send them before you trimmed it.

I guess I'd contact Guerneys also about the grapes, it can't hurt to start the conversation early.

Working for lawyers I'm an expert at documenting things. LOL So I took a pic as soon as I opened the box and saw what it looked like in there.

Hi Ellie;  Despite planting them.
I would definitely contact the sellers.  
That one grape looked bad, and although the others may make it... they arrived in damaged condition.
Lets think the best of people and say that both will offer a replacement.
I personally have had two different company's stand behind their product recently and send me new replacement items !   Lets hope you do as well.

I would send the sellers the same information you've posted here....I'm sure both businesses will want a chance to make it right.

We have bought a few trees from Starks over the years and  the bare root apricots we planted last november never leafed out this spring.  We let them know and they immediately offered a refund or credit.  They have us hooked now with such considerate customer service and generally quality fruit trees.  That was six months after purchase that we contacted them.  I don't think a ten day return is enough time for plants or trees but if they arrived damaged and especially dry, I would let them know soon.  


edit...
that's bad packing if the trees are moving around in the box....everyone knows how packages get handled these days and they need to pack accordingly.

Arriving dry is just as bad and since you have another properly hydrated to compare, that sounds as though it was a packing error also.

For what it's worth, I've spent way too much money on mail order pawpaws over the years (at least four figures, those suckers are pricey), and have yet to have any of them live. Perhaps you'll have better luck, but if it was me I wouldn't bother with getting a replacement since it would just die on me anyways. These days, I buy pawpaws by the hundreds from the state nursery, expect 75%+ to die the first year, and then graft over the survivors the following year.

A mail order nursery has the responsibility of making sure that the plants are packed correctly for shipping.  There are ways to ensure that plants don't move around in the box.  They should have no problem replacing them if you ask, especially with the pictures.

Judith Browning wrote:I would send the sellers the same information you've posted here....I'm sure both businesses will want a chance to make it right.

We have bought a few trees from Starks over the years and  the bare root apricots we planted last november never leafed out this spring.  We let them know and they immediately offered a refund or credit.  They have us hooked now with such considerate customer service and generally quality fruit trees.  That was six months after purchase that we contacted them.  I don't think a ten day return is enough time for plants or trees but if they arrived damaged and especially dry, I would let them know soon.  


edit...
that's bad packing if the trees are moving around in the box....everyone knows how packages get handled these days and they need to pack accordingly.

Arriving dry is just as bad and since you have another properly hydrated to compare, that sounds as though it was a packing error also.

So usually the stakes they put in each pot keep them from moving around. I don't know what happened in shipping to these but the stake went right through the pot so then the pot was able to move up and down the stake, which it did. But just on 2 of them. So odd!

John Wolfram wrote:For what it's worth, I've spent way too much money on mail order pawpaws over the years (at least four figures, those suckers are pricey), and have yet to have any of them live. Perhaps you'll have better luck, but if it was me I wouldn't bother with getting a replacement since it would just die on me anyways. These days, I buy pawpaws by the hundreds from the state nursery, expect 75%+ to die the first year, and then graft over the survivors the following year.

This is my 4th attempt at pawpaws. lol I've had some of them live for several years before dying but I've never watered before, like ever. These ones are planted along a drip line so I have a lot of hope for them!

I sent emails to both with pics. Let you know what happens!

So Gurney's said they were sold out and gave me a credit. Not super happy with that as it means I won't get a replacement until probably next year, when they are back in stock.


One Green World told me to keep an eye on the trees. I'm to see if they die within 2 weeks. Not really that happy with that either as I don't have trees now, I have sticks, and expensive ones at that. With my luck they'll die during week 3. lol

Well to use the Gurneys replacement I have to call.

PawPaw trees are still alive so far.