Van Meuwen - Sizzling Summer Plant Deal - Rip off!

banjo-freak

Van Meuwen were advertising 40 bedding plants for an impressive £9.99. I ordered two lots on the 7th June, almost immediately after they appeared on this site.

They arrived today and I've been sent 2 lots of 40 hanging basket plants

Called their customer services and the response was "Ah, I've received another call about this. It appears we've totally run out of the bedding plants and so we've sent you hanging basket plants instead". I pointed out I that if I had wanted hanging basked plants I would have bought hanging basket plants. As it happens I had wanted bedding plants. Just like the ones I ordered. "If you call back on Monday we'll give you a refund. We can't now because the system hasn't been updated with the fact you've received them".

I then asked why they were STILL advertising the bedding plant deal....no sensible answer. I asked to speak to a manager. "I've already raised it with him", was the response.

I ordered these 9 days ago and I was fast. How many more people have ordered since the 7th June and will also now be receiving hanging basked plants? Absolute con :mad::mad::mad:

To anyone else looking slightly bemused at their bedding plants that have the appearance of hanging basket plants; call and complain! Please don't just thing "oh well, I suppose I can use these". Don't let these jokers get away with this trick! Insist on a refund!

martin1372

At least you have had something dispatched. I ordered on 7th June and not had anything more.:mad:

B5hp8BqJls1p

I also received the hanging basket plants instead of the bedding plants. Can't remember when I ordered (couple of weeks ago) but they arrived yesterday.

terryandsheelagh

Banjo-Freak's experience - almost word-for-word what happened to me. Phoning on Saturday after receiving 40 hanging basket plants. Being told that they must have sent the wrong plants, and I could keep these, and to phone Monday to sort out for a new batch to be sent out. Phoning on Monday to be told they were not sure why I had been told to phone back, but she had dealt with someone on Saturday who had the same problem. She would speak to her supervisor and ring me back. She rang back and said that the labelling was just a shorthard and it contained both hanging and bedding plants. I asked her why none of the plants corresponded with those listed on the information sheet sent out with the plants. She said she would send some further information out, which I can also get on their website (I checked - there is none!).
So, I agree a rip off!! and certainly these 40 plants are no way worth £100. This is my first experience of Van Meuwen - I won't touch them again.

Blueorange

My 40 plants arrived this morning. I ordered mine on 7 June.

And yes, I received 40 hanging basket plants too!

Rang customer services at 1.05pm and am awaiting supervisor call back (she'd gone to lunch).

Will be definately arguing case for refund - their own T&Cs say if they run out of stock they'll send something similar (hanging basket plants aren't similar) or as part of their Five Star Guarantee for 100% customer satisfaction, will offer a replacement or refund/credit.

POST NOTE
They rang back and assured me that these plants can also be used for bedding. I'm not a plant expert so will be looking up the names to ascertain if this is in fact correct! (I can see there might be a problem with the ivy already).

creativesam

I too have been very disappointed, and have emailled requesting either the advertised offer or a refund. 40 bedraggled hanging basket plants is not my idea of a good deal.

plane340

Had mine delivered today, all described as hanging basket plants (not what I had ordered)
Phoned them and spoke to a very uninterested girl who said that the 'Hanging Basket' description is wrong and they can be used as bedding plants.
I then said that there was no way that the selection I received was worth £100 so I was told to send them back and then they would refund me.
I know it's only £15 worth but I am NOT gonna let them get away with this.
Disgusting, Con, Ripoff............

mmdoram

I received my £100 of plants today,” yes right”, priced up plants at B&Q £18 for the same as delivered. Disappointed in Martins money for recommending a rip off deal. Does anyone check these deals before they are recommend or does it depend on how much they pay. Will be very cautious in the future.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Buyer beware !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking at the feedback, every one is pleased with what they got, A great deal for who?

CharmOffensive

Looks like you got yours early, mine just arrived today.

I too was ripped off. I have emailed and also rang up but didn't get offered a refund. Obviously that was early on before they had so many complaints.

What is the address you were given to post them back to? Were they FAO of anyone in particular or a reference number? I'm going to post mine back anyway.

I spoke to an arrogant man and they obviously already have their argument ammunition ready which is "They were advertised as a mix, bedding & basket plants, pot luck, deal etc etc" and "The basket plants can also be bedding plants/planted in a low pot..."

It's utter rubbish! They were advertised as £100 worth of bedding plants! They are TINY individual plants, no flowers and they amount to -£20 worth of BASKET plants. The phrase "bedding & basket mix" only appeared on my dispatch email just 2 days ago, it wasn't on the page of the deal and it wasn't on my order confirmation!

I put these points to them and made it clear that even if I had agreed to purchase a "basket & bedding mix" there are NO bedding plants, there is NO mix, this is NOT what was advertised. However they refuse to accept that and he kept saying "I can not agree with you, I can give you the address for a formal complaint".

FOBBED off!

I too am very disappointed that this comes Martin Lewis recommended, this is against everything he stands for, it represents customers being completely mislead and ripped off without the opportunity for refund. I do not believe it was properly investigated or the website's reputation researched.

NEVER order from Van Meuwen!

CharmOffensive

mmdoram wrote: »

Disappointed in Martins money for recommending a rip off deal.

I too am disappointed that Martin's site would recommend this! But hey, it's just been bought by Money Supermarket . com so perhaps it's all downhill from here? It's already public knowledge that this site has made Martin millions so with them keeping his face on it as a positive PR tactic for the next 2 years perhaps it's representation of value will fall and it's affiliate referral links will rise making it a great deal more money! Only time will tell.


I am annoyed to have to send these plants back as half of the £15 will probably be spent sending them back as the package is so big but it is principle! I'll try standard parcels if it's cheaper than 1st clas and they can receive them dead in 5 days time! :mad:

phil-955

Clear breach of trade descriptions. Only basket plants and not worth the £100 stated. Perhaps MSE will take up the campaign for a refund for us? One hings for sure, Van Meuwen haven't done their reputation any favours!