Re: Welcome to Gardeners Choice!
- To:
- Subject: Re: Welcome to Gardeners Choice!
- From: M* T*
- Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2000 04:31:56 -0400
Well, Valerie, had not heard of these folks, so went to their site to
take a look. Their site is not one that gives me immediate
confidence for the following reasons:
- There is no section telling anything about the concern - who runs
it, their background...nuthin'....and only a P.O. box address....
- They do not use botanical names - someone tell me what a
Hummingbird Vine is...no clue is given by the really lousy graphics
they use in lieu of actual photos of the plants;
- Everything I looked at was described in the same glowing terms used
by some of the mass mailers of dubious repute;
- Could not find any reference to what size plants are being shipped
or whether they are potted or bare root;
- Their "free" seeds are pretty expensive at $1.00/pack to cover
"shipping".
- I distrust immediately a nursery who describes every plant they
sell (and it's a pathetic list) as being able to grow anywhere in any
kind of soil and ends a so-called plant description with ACT NOW!....
Being curious, did a Whois search and find that the domain is
registered to Lipenwald, Inc., Eversley Avenue, Norwalk, CT
06851....thought that interesting as the P.O. box address on the site
is in Hartford, MI.
So, did a search on Lipenwald, Inc. and the first hit that popped up
was the Plants by Mail FAQ:
http://pbmfaq.dvol.com/list/gardenerschoice.html
The entry for this company was a long list of complaints about not
receiving anything or getting dried up twigs. The most interesting
posting included the following from someone who had contacted the
Better Business Bureau in MI and was told that the MI address was
only a postal drop for the CT company. This person contacted the BBB
in Wallingford, CT and found (copied and pasted from the FAQ):
"According to the Better Business Bureau's file information,
Lipenwald Incorporated does business under numerous promotional
names including: Alpha A H R research Project, Cosmetic
Laboratory Sales, Gardener's Choice, National Growers Nursery,
National Magnet Therapy, National TV Bargains, Posterworks,
Prosta Trol, Retinol Lab Sales, Retinol Laboratory, Video
Bargains, and Video Memories. This company offers a variety of
ordered product sales through newspaper advertisements and
catalogs."
"The Better Business Bureau opened its file on Lipenwald
Incorporated in May, 1993. The Bureau has received complaints
alleging non-delivery of ordered merchandise or dissatisfaction
with the ordered product. The company responded to most
complaints by shipping products or by sending refund checks. One
complaint remains on file unanswered."
So, I'd say this one ranks down there with the infamous Michigan Bulb
Co. and your friend better save his/her money toward a decent
specimen from a reputable nursery. Send your inquirer to the FAQ
page...interesting reading there.
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor: Gardening in Shade
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----------
> From: Valerie-Anne Mullett <valerie-anne@lineone.net>
> Date: Sunday, August 13, 2000 9:37 AM
>
> I have received the following and would be grateful for any
feedback.
>
> TIA
>
> Valerie, Sth Yorks, U.K.
>
>
> <<Have any of you ever ordered from Gardener's Choice?
> I've never dealt with them. Have you heard from anyone
> that has before?
>
> http://www.gardenerschoice.net/
>
> I'm seriously thinking of getting a few of these trees,
> 'Paulowna tomentosa (P. imperialis) Bignoniaceae. Empress Tree.'
>
> I'm thinking that they'd be most beautiful planting in with some
> Eucalyptus Trees.
>
> Sounds like they've got a great deal on these guys.
> I just don't know if they are a quality company or not.
> Wish I knew someone that had done business with them.
> I'm sure someone on the perennial list has dealt with them.
> Valerie, are you still on the perennial list? Could you ask for
> me if you are?>>
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