It's common for non-gardeners to be placed in CSR positions. So it is to be expected that you'll run into ignorance in any company.

Were you able to talk to a super?

Supervisors are usually much more understanding of the fact that some bulbs are duds.

I was told that it would take several days for a supervisor to get back with me and that I should dig up my bulbs in preparation for that contact. As if bulbs that didn't produce would be happily sleeping with little zzzz's hoovering over them.

I'll let y'all know how it turns out.
c

Not trying to defend VE rep's ignorance, but you should of call them in a spring when actual non-show happened and receive a credit, which you will be able to apply to the fall purchase.
That's how I did a few times and so far everything was working to my satisfaction.

This is what I did in the past. It was never a problem. One year I did call when one variety of tulips didn't grow. I was told they could do a refund or I could apply it to my fall order. I did, then just let them know the next time something happened in the fall. I guess I just got lazy.

BTW I still haven't gotten a response. I sent an email to customer service after I spoke to the rep on the 14th. not a word.

c

You waited way too long to call them. All of my alliums didn't come up either but there are factors that makes that happen like voles, moles, chipmuncks, skunks and the planting in pots.

if I waited too long this year, it is a new policy. I have no moles, voles, chipmuncks or skunks. I did plant some in a pot, but that shouldn't have any effect and it certainly would not have an impact on those in the ground. I think there had to be something wrong with the alliums they sent me.

I planted some from Sam's club...cheap though they were and about half of those made it. If I had any come up I would have said nothing. Planting in a pot in zone 8 is a a different world than zone 5. A little extra chill is a good thing here. Plus, the sweet alyssim planted on top of the pot was happy all winter. No harsh freeze and the pot was well drained. I would have blamed it on the pot if those in ground had come up... .

FYI I planted 2000 tulips and hundreds of anemones...they were happy.

Just thought I would bump this up, cause for the first time ever, and it's been years, I received bad bulbs from Van Engelen, mushy bulbs right in the middle of the mesh bag. 17 were bad, I had read this so instead of calling I e mailed, offered to send a pic if they needed it. I emailed on a saturday morning and had a reply that afternoon. The rep apologized and offered me either money back or an order from the 'sister' company John Scheepers for 20 of the same daf bulb ( Oregon Snow ) I choose the bulbs, with a reply on Sunday. I received an e mail today from Scheepers stating my bulbs were shipped out and I will have them on Wednesday. Now that's service, I was thinking about your experience, and that is really a shame, bet the bulbs were bad. I know in the future I'm gonna e mail rather than call, that way they can't ask questions that you have to answer on the spot. !!!
Cindy

Cindy
I think that is great and it's what I expect from VE. The customer service rep told me I would hear back in a few days. I did not. I also emailed and advised them to contact me regarding the dud alliums before sending this years order, and I gave the order number....They did not.

I got the email that my order Had Been Shipped with still no response. I thought they might have incuded a few Alliums to cover last years duds...They did not.

I suppose I've learned that the bulb guarantee is only for bad bulbs upon delivery. And that is fine, but they should have simply sent an email saying that, that that their policy had changed.

I am glad that I ordered more from Colorblends this year. The VE bulbs were great! They are already in the fridge chilling. But my enthusiasm for this company is now too cold.

BTW, I had iris reticulata that didn't bloom and geranium tuberosa that didn't bloom. Those I blamed upon me. The alliums were duds.

How is Van engelen treating me? Their customer service is an assault team if you call with a problem with the order. I received the wrong bulbs and they denied they were wrong, or mislabeled or not as described,etc. I am so exhausted by the rudeness I have decided to cut my losses and never buy from them again.

All of my bulbs were well packed and in good condition. 7 of my 10 pink wonder daffodils were huge doubles and the other three were huge too. All were firm. My little gem narcissus (100) most were actually triples that had not been split so I really got close to 250 not the 100. All other bulbs were firm and in good condition most of my iris raticulata (rock iris) were doubles as well.

The only thing that was troublesome was getting them to ship them to me at a decent date. They automatically hold your bulbs till the weather is supposed to cool in your zone. My zone 8 (PNW) is different than the southern zone 8. They also recommended that I pre-chill which I dont need to here.

Once I called them, they shipped them. The customer service lady shipped them out when I called and requested it.

Just give them a chance to right their wrong. I order from companies that a lot of people say are disreputable like Direct Gardening. And ya know what - I have never had a problem getting a replacement from Direct Gardening. I know their stock isn't the cream of the crop (their plants/bulbs are super cheap), but I have a pretty green thumb and with a little care usually things end up thriving. When they don't, the company is great about sending me a replacement. I haven't dealt with Van Engelen, but give them a chance to make good on it again. Treat this like an isolated experience with only one person/representative and you will probably have a much different experience with another rep or their supervisor.

I ordered from them this year and my tulips and daffs are very nice. Barret Browning Daffs were HUGE. As long as the order is fine, they are great. I may be tempted by their annual sale around Thanksgiving. Sometimes it starts about a week before. c

I've ordered from them during the end of season sale for 2 years in a row and love them. My order arrived the day after I placed it this year, was correct, and the bulbs were beautiful. I think last year it took 2 days, but it was perfect.

HORRIBLE! I have been growing tulips for over 25 years and thought I'd try a new company this last year. What a total rip off and heartbreaking season. Every year I anticipate ordering my bulbs, then excitedly wait for them to come, plant and wait until Spring so I can fill my house with tulips and show up to friends houses with vases full of gorgeous tulips.

This year though, my 'tulips' from Van Engelen were basically barren. Nothing bloomed!! I planted 800 bulbs - yes 800 ---and I got only SIX flowers. I even paid for pre-chill as I always do. In all my years of growing I have never had anything like this happen. I was devastated! I am devastated!

I emailed them telling them exactly the same story and have heard nothing back. I asked for a refund - nothing. Crickets.

Heartbroken.

Reading all this feedback has me shocked! I have wanted to order from van Engelen for years; and last year I ordered the Allium Special, planted the bulbs in good soil to trim both sides of a long sidewalk. Well only three bloomed at all and even those looked sick! I sent photos & answered all the questions and was refunded only $24. Believing Van Engelen wouldn’t let that happen twice, I received a bigger order of Allium Globemaster and Ambassador today. I also ordered 100 Fritillaria, trusting. Well, I guess the only thing to do is say a prayer and get the bulbs Planted. This year will be the final test of the company. I hope your gardens have better shipments this year too.

It isn't just Van Engelen, I ordered (two years ago) common camassia from Brent&Beckys, received huge bulbs, which all lived. Not a one of them flowered the first year, and only about half the second year. I blame it on improper storage.

Everyone tries to take short cuts to make more money (resulting in inferior product).

Van Engelen gets overwhelmingly positive customer reviews on Garden Watchdog. But no company can hit the nail on the head every single time.......problems can happen.

It would be interesting to know how much of the described "poor performance" was really due to the company and/or its merchandise and how much was due to operator error :-)