Sutton Bedding Plants offer is damp squib

Terry_conquest

In April I thought I would take advantage of the discount code on MSE for 72 bedding plants for £15.99 plus £4.99 postage.  I correctly assumed that these would be in high demand as I headed over to their website. Placing the order was troublesome to say the least having to submit and reload pages time after time, but eventually after some time, the payment was made and the plants were due to be dispatched within 24 hours.  The plants didn't arrive and on the 30th I got an email apologizing explaining that there would be a delay and I could expect my plants to be dispatched between 27/04/2021 To 07/05/2021.  Still no plants, today (11th May 2021) I get another email apologizing and stating that the plants will be dispatched between 07/05/2021 To 11/06/2021. So I'm currently £20 light and have 72 bare spaces in my garden where these plants should be. When putting out these kind off offers you might assume that clever analytical people, or indeed software would predict demand and work out the logistics of fulfilling orders in a timely manner. So please be aware that if you take up any of their offers there is likely to be a loooooooooooong delay before the good arrive, I wouldn't be surprised if, when they do eventually get here the order would have changed to winter plants!

Update
Unbelievably I have just received an email from Sutton promoting the same product for just £4.99, they can't meet the current demand so how do they intend to meet the demand that this new heavily discounted offer will generate.

quirkydeptless

Yep, still waiting for mine too.

£100+ worth of plants for a few quid? Too good to be true?

I must be on a garden centre mugs list now 

Emmia

I ordered some cucumelon plants from Sutton's 5 weeks ago, and they arrived on Saturday well packaged, and in good condition, ready to plant out.  There were a few delays, but they did email to advise of this. 

Sarah Raven also sent good quality plants and had excellent information on dispatch - I'm still waiting for the last part of my order, but I wasn't expecting shipment until May anyway.

In contrast I ordered an indoor pot plant from Primrose which was late - but no email from them to advise of this automatically, I had to email and then repeatedly telephone (I *love* spending time (45mins) on hold) only to be told they have Covid related staff shortages + high demand (can they not have recruited at any point in the last year?)  The plant eventually arrived...

Unfortunately it was very poorly packed and seemed to have been seriously thrown around, 75% of its leaves had broken off and were scattered around inside the box - getting a refund or discount seemed almost impossible (I took photos as soon as I opened the box).

So, on the basis of that experience I'd use Sutton's and Sarah Raven again, but wouldn't touch Primrose with a bargepole.

quirkydeptless

For the people who have received plants from Suttons, did they use DX delivery by any chance?
Two failed deliveries from them so far, despite me being in all day both days. Re-delivery tomorrow, but I don't hold out much hope for the poor little plug plants being stuck in a van for so many days 

As for DX delivery
"Our driver left a card." - No they didn't, twice
"According to our GPS, they are outside your property" - no they aren't! I am looking up and down my road 
"Our driver will call you" - OK, fine, phone at the ready
"That's for tomorrow's re-delivery"   

Fosterdog

I went for a similar offer with Thompson and Morgan (72 bedding plants for £9.99 + p&p) I ordered back in Feb for delivery by end of April, now mid May with me chasing every few days and no plants received but still putting out the same offers (or now £6.99 for same bundle) looking at reviews it looks like this is a regular complaint for both companies. 

henry24

I'm also disappointed with T&M I ordered begonias to come early April but had email saying going to be sent 3rd May so I emailed to cancel as to late to grow them big enough for planting out middle of May and what happens I got them this morning 14th May

Fosterdog

Mine finally arrived yesterday and they were in an awful state, some turned to mush and others dried out and dead/dying. Out of 72 plugs there are maybe 10 looking almost healthy and another 5-10 that might be salvageable but the rest there is no hope for them.

Farway

Fosterdog said:

Mine finally arrived yesterday and they were in an awful state, some turned to mush and others dried out and dead/dying. Out of 72 plugs there are maybe 10 looking almost healthy and another 5-10 that might be salvageable but the rest there is no hope for them.

That's awful! Presumably a refund is on the way

I gave up buying plugs etc mail order a few years ago after similar experiences and just went to Morrison's / Lidl / Asda where at least they can be viewed and chosen, maybe not the choice but OK for bog standard bedding

Paspatur

Totally agree. I have 30 Impatiens, 52 wax Begonias, 20 petunias, 52 trailing lobelia and 12 nemesia. All from Tesco, Aldi & Lidl. Total cost £32.37 for 166 plants a lot of which are jumbo plugs.

Murphybear

Fosterdog said:

I went for a similar offer with Thompson and Morgan (72 bedding plants for £9.99 + p&p) I ordered back in Feb for delivery by end of April, now mid May with me chasing every few days and no plants received but still putting out the same offers (or now £6.99 for same bundle) looking at reviews it looks like this is a regular complaint for both companies. 

I joined Thompson and Morgan Gardening Club.  It cost £5 and you get 4 x £5 vouchers, 10% off everything and lots of special offers.  I’ve had loads of free or £1.99 plug plants, pay postage.  They’ve all been brilliant and no problems with deliveries.   I’ve got loads of tomatoes, strawberries, petunias, begonias, gazanias, fuchsias and geraniums for small outlay.  

Apodemus

Murphybear, I'm glad someone is getting good results from T&M.
Fosterdog, make sure you specify that you want a refund, otherwise they will re-send you the goods next time they are available...which could well be November!