The disaster that is Park Seeds!
 

I'm fuming!

I placed an order with Park Seeds a little over 4 weeks ago..just 9 items.
When I placed the order I specifically asked if everything was in stock and was assured that nothing was on backorder and EVERYTHING would ship promptly.

I called 2 times after a 2 week wait and was told each time that the order would ship soon and nothing was on backorder!

I called again yesterday. I was told again that the order was being processed and nothing was on backorder.

Well, today I checked the online status to find that 2 items have allegedly shipped and 7 are on backorder. I called to confirm, yup, 7 items backordered!

I was intentionally lied to and I'm NOT a happy camper!!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! :x

I should have checked the BBB and other reviews before ordering! They have received hundreds of complaints!

[URL]http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/3/[/URL]


~Woodchuck

i won't be buying from park again.

county fair cuke seed is hard to find and park sells it. i ordered county fair and some non trellis edible pea pod peas for a friend the 3rd week in october. i threw away all the documentation so off the top of my head -

got the cuke seeds in 2 weeks no peas.

mid nov was told i'd have the peas by thanksgiving

in early decemeber was told i'd have the peas by christmas

in mid january was told i'd have the peas by the 4th week in january

in early february was told i'd have the peas by march

the peas arrived in the last week in february

i was ready to cancel the order and ask for the money paid for postage and the cuke seeds to be refunded but i wanted those peas for a friend as i'd have to find them and pay postage somewhere else.

i'm done with park.

tom

Wow.... I am fuming at Park seed myself. I ordered their bio sponges over a month ago. Nothing was on backorder. Then I get an email thanking me for the order and told it would be shipping soon. Two weeks later....nothing. I wait another week and in the meantime I have tomato seeds that needed sown "right now". Finally after 3 weeks, I call and am told that they are on backorder. I lost it. I asked the girl why the status wasn't marked as backordered when I made the order? ..."she doesn't know". Then I ask why they didn't mention that in the email they sent?. Again... "she doesn't know". So, trying to keep calm I ask...When do you expect them in?... She says she "doesn't know". Then I'm really ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ed. I say " you mean you have no way of finding out when they will be in?" and she says NO.
I told her to just cancel the order. Didn't even phase her. She just says.. OK. No apology, nothing.
Park seed isn't the cheapest place around. They charge a lot more than many places. You would expect for the extra coin you pay they would bend over backwards to make you happy.:explode:

I've ordered from Parks Seeds for years without a problem.

Last year they back ordered the Bush Celebrity, but then everyone else was either out or back ordered as well on that variety. I eventually got what I ordered.

Other than that, Parks has been prompt and complete with all my orders over the years and I have never had a germination problem with their seed.

I stopped ordering from them a few years ago. Plants I bought were DOA and their customer service was useless in the matter. The next year, foolishly I thought, "Well if I only order seeds, I'll be fine." I have no idea what possessed me...let's just blame it on spring fever.

It took over a month for my seeds to arrive yet they charged my credit card for them immediately...I was even charged for the ones that were out of stock. The seed counts (per pack) were WAY off and germination was disappointing. I'm sorry but that's just ridiculous.

:no:

Yep --- me too
 

This is my first year to start my own plants from seeds. i did not order seeds from Park, but I had researched various seed starting methods and the bio-dome system got high marks. I ordered the starter set - bio-dome, sponges and a heat mat --- a package deal. Biodome and sponges arrive with no problem. No heat mat. I wait a week. No heat mat. I order a heat mat from Ferris Morse. No heat mat for another week. I order another one from ebay. The ebay mat arrives promptly and I finally get to start my seeds --- two weeks late. ARGGHH. Then the Ferry Morse heat mat arrives - the day after the ebay one. Two weeks later --- 6 weeks after inital order, the Park mat arrives. The good news is that the biodome is great.

But I think I am going to try the dense planting method that I read about here.

I wanted to try lots of varieties and I only started 48 seeds --- which my husband objected to because there is no way we have room for even 8 tomato plants. I told him we would give the extras away. We had almost 100% germination. Only the Brown Berry and Aunt Ruby's German Green were total failures (I only planted 3 seeds of each). So the bio dome really worked.

But now I have all these seeds for next year.

Elaine:yes:

My Park order arrived one or two packets at a time. Of course, some got here too late to sow. It must have cost those folks a fortune in postage, but I have a lot of nice bubble mailing envelopes now, and everything did arrive eventually. Sounds like they had some supply problems.

I ordered from Tomato Growers Supply and Baker Creek the last two years GREAT companies and GREAT germination rate. I tried to order from Vermont Bean and Seed this year but got the run-a-round, seems they cant tell you if something is in stock or not and how long it will take to get them...so next year im sticking with Baker and TGS..my 2 cents...Gizzard

Check out Gourmet Seeds International. Great stuff and great service. Nice folks to talk to on the phone too.

If they are having supply problems or are just totally booked, they should do what heirloomseeds.com did and just shut down until they can handle more orders.
[url]http://www.heirloomseeds.com/main/index.html[/url]

Yeah. I placed an order on 2/24 and most of my order just shipped today....no telling when the rest will ship. I can certainly understand being busy, but the lack of communication is inconsiderate of their customers. They do know, after all, that alot of these items are needed w/i a certain time frame in the spring. I ordered some flower seeds, mirai corn seeds, county fair cukes, snap peas that were out of stock at Johnny's, and such. Now, some of these items aren't a problem, but others definitely are....I already puchased sugar snap pea seeds locally because I needed to plant them. They're definitely not my favorite place to shop, but they carry a few things I need. I guess the lesson I learned is to order from them much earlier in order to be guaranteed delivery on time. Does that make it right? No. But it is what it is. :)

Stacie

That's why you [U][B]DO[/B][/U] need to order in January! Even by late December! I've started to place my orders in October since I now live in Texas. I got 99% of the seeds I ordered. Only 2 varieties were on back order.

Speaking of Park's Seeds.... ALL of my seeds came "AS Ordered" 2007, 2008 and 2009. In a timely manner.... 1 week! :surprised: :)

~* Robin

[quote=Polar_Lace;125489]That's why you [U][B]DO[/B][/U] need to order in January! [/quote]


Whoa!

PARKS needs to update their internet software to reflect inventory and NOT intentionally lie to customers! If Parks can't handle internet orders in an honest way, they shouldn't be taking internet orders! Honesty is always the best policy! If Parks can't respect customers enough to show common courtesy, customers should and will go elsewhere!

At the rate they are going, there will be no Park Seeds!

I've ordered from Parks since 1979, the Parks of today is a disaster! They're ruining their name!


~Woodchuck

I placed an online order w/Park Seed a few years back for some non-seed items. I was billed a surcharge of $12 for shipping to Alaska, which was not displayed when I checked out. I never found, even later, any fine print which would have warned me of that. I expect I could have disputed it through my credit card company, since I definitely did not authorize that amount, but instead I've just never ordered from them since, nor will I ever again.

Sherry

I've had great service from Casey's Heirlooms of Airdrie, TGS, Sandhill, Heirloom Seeds, Harris Seeds and Victory.

[QUOTE]
If Parks can't handle internet orders in an honest way, they shouldn't be taking internet orders!
[/QUOTE]

Yes!! That was my big issue and what pi$$ed me off so bad. They should have had it listed as "BO". Not make you believe it is in stock and keep waiting until you are sweating bullets because you need what you ordered.. If something isn't in stock when you order it you can go to Plan B. Just be honest with customers when they order.

I agree that Park Seed really has issues in their internet orders. I ordered from Park for the first time last Fall. I was very interested to try out the "Bio-Dome" product. It stated the bio-dome will ship in Nov., but I only recd. it this Feb.
This item is imported from Holland, so it must have been shipped on a really slow boat to arrive so late. I also ordered an "APS24" seed starting system from Gardeners Supply Co. based on a recommedation from Tomatofest.com. This system uses seed starter potting mix verses the bio-domes plugs to start your tomato seeds.
To test the two systems, I planted one seed in each cell/plug and each seed germinated in a few days. Boy was I happy, but after the seedlings began to grow the plants
in the APS were really taking off. The bio-dome plants were
like midgets. At the end of five weeks the APS plants are
hardened off and ready to plant out this weekend. The bio-dome plants are healthy ,but two weeks behind in maturity.
Does anymore else have comparisons growing seedlings in
seed starter mix verses grow plugs?
Thanks, JB

Woodchuck

What were your backorder items from Park's?

George

[quote=geeboss;125622]Woodchuck

What were your backorder items from Park's?

George[/quote]

2 more cultivars have allegedly shipped, leaving 5.

Early Dwarf Hakucho Soybean

Little Lucy Okra

Sweet Pickle Pepper

Hestia Dwarf Runner Bean

Moneymaker Tomato


~Woodchuck

I ordered in early December and received several deliveries. I canceled after the fourth delivery because I could buy cheaper locally and the freight charges were more expensive than the cost of the seeds. My lesson learned is to ask if everything I order is in stock and not to assume that they will ship everything in one order. Other than that the seed germination rates were good and they were courteous and apologetic when I canceled the unreceived items in February.
Karpes

[quote=karpes;125668]My lesson learned is to ask if everything I order is in stock and not to assume that they will ship everything in one order.[/quote]

I asked that very question BEFORE I placed the order. That's what burns me the most, I was lied to.

Anyway...
I received some seeds today....I didn't receive some of the seeds that were supposed to have been shipped with THIS shipment according to the online status and customer service ....still 6 on back order. The seeds were shipped to the wrong address...they ignored the ship-to address, that could have led to disaster, but luckily, it worked out!

I'm done with Park Seeds!

~Woodchuck

I ordered from several other companies this year without serious problems, just like I always do.

All were honest.
I had a minor problem with Tomato Growers Supply.
I entered a ship to address when I ordered and received an email confirmation after ordering that included the proper ship to address. Because of some software glitch or something, the office didn't get the proper ship to address info.
The seeds were shipped to the wrong address, but luckily it worked out without a major problem.
I called and told them what happened, they apologized and were thankful for the information.

I ordered from Nichol's without any problem...but get this...the order number....8JD80DHG8U0G9LHCKTSNK0VB30.

I called them...
"Supercalafragilisticexpialodocious, I think your order number is quite atrocious!" LMAO!

No Joke!

Talk about a breeding ground for errors!

What's up with that? LOL

All companies deserve high marks except for Parks!!!


~Woodchuck

WOODCHUCK
It looks like the Daves garden watchdog agrees with you. Check it out and post your opinion if you feel inclined. Looks like their services are declining.
Karpes

[URL]http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/3/[/URL]

After reading the Watchdog ratings, I have removed Park's Seed from the list of seed sellers here. :o

They must have new management or something along those lines.

This reminds me of when the dubious direct marketing firm Foster & Gallagher bought out Gurney's, Henry Field's, Spring Hill Nurseries, Breck's, Michigan Bulb Co., Stark Brothers, Vermont Wildflower Farms and single handedly destroyed the reputations of them all, simultaneously.

I grew up ordering from Gurney's and was saddened to see them decimated. Looks like Park's is following in their footsteps. :cry:

FOLLOWUP: After doing some investigating and making a few phone calls, I can confirm that Park Seed Co. is no longer controlled by Karen Park Jennings or her family members.

It is controlled by an investment holding company, M-Three Concepts, Inc.

There's an address listed for them at 2170 West State Road 434 in Longwood, Florida.

There is some type of litigation going on between them and if/when I find out more details, I'll post them here.

I wondered myself if Park was under new management. Too bad. Good investigative skills M!

I feel very fortunate. I actually ordered from Park Seeds twice last year and received both my complete orders without delay or substitutions/backorders. It is always a shame to see any supplier go the wrong way. I feel that our tomato passion is somehow diminished by this business failure.

Ted

[quote=Mischka;125744]After reading the Watchdog ratings, I have removed Park's Seed from the list of seed sellers here. :o

They must have new management or something along those lines.

This reminds me of when the dubious direct marketing firm Foster & Gallagher bought out Gurney's, Henry Field's, Spring Hill Nurseries, Breck's, Michigan Bulb Co., Stark Brothers, Vermont Wildflower Farms and single handedly destroyed the reputations of them all, simultaneously.

I grew up ordering from Gurney's and was saddened to see them decimated. Looks like Park's is following in their footsteps. :cry:[/quote]

Yeah, Jackson & Perkins used to have decent roses, too, until they were bought out by the company that now owns Park...

[quote=johnsonjrbm;125784]Yeah, Jackson & Perkins used to have decent roses, too, until they were bought out by the company that now owns Park...[/quote]

Jackson & Perkins’ new president is Charles “Chas" Fox, as of last year.

"Chas" doesn’t have a horticulture background or anything remotely resembling one. He’s a former NFL wide receiver. (!) He played for the KC Chiefs for his entire [I]1 year career[/I] back in 1986.

Here's another big surprise. Along with his post at [B][COLOR=red]Jackson & Perkins[/COLOR][/B], he’s also president of [B][COLOR=purple]Park Seed[/COLOR][/B], [COLOR=purple][B]Park Wholesale[/B][/COLOR] and [B][COLOR=purple]Wayside Gardens[/COLOR][/B] and also president and CEO of [B][COLOR=green]Southern Sun Biosystems.[/COLOR][/B]

From ZoomInfo: [I]"We make plants grow faster at a lower cost, and we're better for the environment," claims [COLOR=black]Fox[/COLOR].[/I]

[I]Southern Sun calls its technology "the operating system of the next century" for plant production. Patented by Clemson University scientist Dr. Jeff Adelberg, it accelerates the growing process by producing "finger-sized tissue culture transplants that are free of diseases, pests and pesticides."[/I]

[I]"The transplants, called CU-Starts, are small enough to be shipped internationally and strong enough to be planted directly into the field. The Acclimatron houses transplants in a natural light hydroponic growing system that delivers plant nutrients through circulating water."[/I]

All the companies are owned by the same [I]investor,[/I] Don Hachenberger. (who with his wife Glenda, is one of the founders of the RE/MAX real estate empire)

Now we know where some of that real estate bubble money went... gobbling up these companies that will be stripped of their assets, real estate holdings and sadly, once-sterling reputations.

The value of their real estate business has been battered, so what's the next step to recoup some fast cash? Product quality and customer satisfaction both take a back seat to profits when this happens.

They have more holding companies on paper than you can imagine. This is a tip-off that they've insulated their assets from each other in the event one of them financially collapses - legal yes, but a red flag in my eyes. Sort of a shell game on paper.

[B]Spend your hard-earned money elsewhere, folks.[/B]

reply
 

Thanks for that tidbit of info Mischka. I will know not to buy from them!:no:
Kat