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After
being away from gardening for a while, I decided it
was time to clean up the yard a bit and plant some new
bulbs and perennials. I'd I received a Breck's Bulbs
catalog in the mail in late August, 2005. There was
a coupon attached for $20.00 off any order, no questions
asked. I'm a sucker for coupons. I placed an order soon
after receiving the catalog, on the internet.
I
called Breck's soon after because I never received a
confirmation e-mail. I was assured that everything was
in order and that bulbs would ship "right away."
Call me a sucker again! When I think right away, I think,
well, right away. Breck's would want my continued business.
Maybe not.
My
order was rather mundane: Grape Hyacinths, Crocuses,
low-growing tulips, irises and an odd allium here or
there. Nothing earth-shattering. I gave Breck's 2-3
weeks. Then, I called again. This time, I get someone
who tells me my order will be "delayed" but
it's nothing to worry about. I was given a spiel about
a farmers digging up the bulbs and hand-packing my order
in Holland. It sounded as if she was reading from a
piece of paper. I pressed for a date. She wouldn't give
me one. So, I begged her for my order number, since
I never received the confirmation e-mail. I got it and
went on-line. Lo and behold, the shipping date is the
last week of November-first week of December!!!!! Hello????
This is Massachusetts!!!! So, I called again. I get
a different person. "Well, I see you do have a
wait, but I assure you that planting bulbs in frosty
soil is no problem whatsoever!" (Maybe for her.
I've had 3 failed spinal surgeries.) I replied to her
that gardening is supposed to be a pleasure, not a tempting
of the fates nor elements. Please cancel my order.
Unfortunately,
it said that one portion, the grape hyacinths, had already
shipped and were due to arrive in one week. These were
supposed to be "gratis" because of the coupon.
That was 3 weeks ago. I e-mailed Breck's again. The
grape hyacinths are not due to arrive because, you guessed
it! A farmer in Holland is picking the bulbs and hand-packing
my order. It will take 5-6 weeks to get here and clear
customs. I told them where to put the grape hyacinths.
She e-mailed me back, saying the grape hyacinths would
now cost me and to ship them back.....when the get here.
It'll be interesting to see when that happens.
Breck's: Bottom of the Barrel!!! Avoid At All Costs!!!
I went to Home Depot last weekend and bought all of
the same species of bulbs for a tenth of the price.
They're in the ground. They bulbs had the "Holland"
stamp on them. The average price per bag was $6.95.
Most of the bulbs were of a large size and good quality.
Most of all, I enjoyed putting them in the ground.
Sincerely,
Amanda Parker
Sharon, MA
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