I ended up placing an order. They are expensive (eg 2.49 a packet, and $3.95 for shipping), but I wanted what they had, so I did.

I placed my order online. Right after I placed it (like one hour) I discovered I had already ordered some of the things from another company, and I decided to cancel my order to this company. I called them, I e-mailed them.

That was Jan 21 - thus far- no response.
So yesterday I send letters to their local Chamber of Commerce, and Better Business Bureau, and the Attorney General of California, copies to the company.
Hopefully that will get their attention.

Makes me mad.

ellen

Luke

I too have ordered from swallowtail gardens many times and have always been pleased with my purchases and germination of the seeds ordered.

Lisa

I understand your frustration.

P

I'm sorry you've had trouble with them. It can happen with any company. Unless it's chronic, I cut people some slack so long as I get it resolved in the end.

Frankly I don't envy anyone running a business by email, think it would bog me down in a hurry. They don't have a toll free # but I saw a # on there somewhere just in case.

I once called Swallowtail because the seed order didn't show up on my credit card. They answered the phone, (or called me right back) and explained that the bulk zinnia seeds would take a couple of weeks to come in, and they don't charge credit cards until then. (I think it said there would be a wait for bulk seeds on the site, too).

This may be a sign of problems starting at Swallowtail, which has been a great place so far. Their shipping is actually lower than most everyone else's. I hope you will post this in GW's vendor rate and review (we have one, right?) and over that the DG site, too.

Last summer I started some seeds I hadn't gotten to over the previous winter. When I opened one package, I discovered that it was labeled correctly, but contained some mystery (to me) seed. I sent an e-mail to them letting them know what happened. I explained that since it had been so long since I received the order I certainly wouldn't blame them for not sending me the right seed. The sent me that seed and 3 others! Furthermore, they were able to identify the seed for me when I sent a picture of it.

Now, I thought that was pretty impressive. At any rate, based on my experience and the experience of other posters here, I'd say that the poor experience is an exception.

Becky

If they do have a legitimate excuse or maybe accidentally deleted the email, spam trapper got it, hard saying, whatever, I try to put myself in their place if I were trying to run a small business because of the above, if I get sick or have family emergency, etc., no I don't think so without reliable backup helpers who would know what's what and that is a tall order sometimes.

Take a deep breath a give it some time! I do hope, however, that they got the order cancellation you mailed for both of your sakes.

I'd like to say also that running a mail-order/internet business is not easy especially if it's just a family run operation. I did it myself for 15 years and would never do it again because of the impossibility of doing it well and pleasing everyone, and still caring for my family. I ended up quitting my business because it was impossible to run it when it got too big, yet also impossible to hire help.

The internet provides a place for people to vent, but it's too easy to trash a company now days. The results of a trashing will forever be there for everyone to read.

We expect everything NOW! But we'd like others to have patience with us. You know the Golden Rule, just live by it.

I've never ordered from Swallow Tail, so I have no personal experience with them, but I do have personal experience with intolerant customers. And believe me I'd never go into business again because of it.

Last year, I ordered seeds from Swallowtail. In researching my order AFTER placing it, I realized one pack of seeds would not grow in my area - always hoping tropicals will flourish here in about desert-ville - UGH. I called them and the customer service lady was very patient and gladly adjusted my order, fixing MY mistake.

Swallowtail Garden Seeds is one of my favorite seed companies.

The lady was very apologetic, "this is not the way we do business". She didn't offer any explanation. She told me to keep the seeds which had been mailed.

And guess what? Of the two seed packets I have opened so far, one is sup'd to contain 75 seeds, contains 25, and one is supposed to contain 50, and contains 20.

Very strange.

otoh, I had very good experiences with Park Seeds and Bluestone Perennials.

ellen

Bobbie