Is this fair?

[Ger-annie-um]

Beginning of 2020 we bought 2 lots of bareroot raspberries from a nursery that 'guaranteed ' their plants. We followed the planting instructions but not one grew. Contacted the nursery who asked whether we wanted replacements or refund, we requested replacements and paid the additional £11 delivery costs. Total so far just under £43. We've now contacted the nursery because, out of the 2nd batch only one has shown any sign of shooting. We've been told that only the 1st plants were guaranteed and no refund will be made. Are we being unreasonable in being a bit put out? We can't really afford to keep on ordering canes that don't grow so can anyone advise the best way to buy raspberries. Thanks

[burnie]

I had a similar situation, some years back, I asked the person declining to do a refund if they had heard of social media and did they have a facebook page, I got my refund straight away.

[greenishfing]

I have bought raspberry canes a couple of times for myself and as presents. I have never bought them barerooted though, just from the local garden centre in a pot, about 5 to a pot. We have always had 100% success buying them this way.

[Ger-annie-um]

I have bought raspberry canes a couple of times for myself and as presents. I have never bought them barerooted though, just from the local garden centre in a pot, about 5 to a pot. We have always had 100% success buying them this way.

We wanted 2 particular types, Joan J and Polka. We couldn't find them locally in pots so thought a specialised nursery would be ok.............lesson learned, the hard way ☹

[annie8]

I bought bare rooted rasps from Marshall’s and none of them took. Have to confess I didn’t go back and ask for refund though. Really should have.

[SimpleSimon]

Beginning of 2020 we bought 2 lots of bareroot raspberries from a nursery that 'guaranteed ' their plants. We followed the planting instructions but not one grew. Contacted the nursery who asked whether we wanted replacements or refund, we requested replacements and paid the additional £11 delivery costs. Total so far just under £43. We've now contacted the nursery because, out of the 2nd batch only one has shown any sign of shooting. We've been told that only the 1st plants were guaranteed and no refund will be made. Are we being unreasonable in being a bit put out? We can't really afford to keep on ordering canes that don't grow so can anyone advise the best way to buy raspberries. Thanks

This wasn't ashridge trees was it? I ordered some 2020 and planted them the day they delivered them. I emailed them when they didn't take and they said ok under the guarantee we will replace but for £11.40 postage! Haha the postage was free on the first order so basically I was just being told I could buy more at a small discount. The order was £16.

[Nicos]

Beginning of 2020 we bought 2 lots of bareroot raspberries from a nursery that 'guaranteed ' their plants. We followed the planting instructions but not one grew. Contacted the nursery who asked whether we wanted replacements or refund, we requested replacements and paid the additional £11 delivery costs. Total so far just under £43. We've now contacted the nursery because, out of the 2nd batch only one has shown any sign of shooting. We've been told that only the 1st plants were guaranteed and no refund will be made. Are we being unreasonable in being a bit put out? We can't really afford to keep on ordering canes that don't grow so can anyone advise the best way to buy raspberries. Thanks

If they don’t cooperate then name them on here....send them a screenshot of this post.
Genuine poor reviews can harm a business so do make sure you talk with them first.

So many businesses are struggling at the moment so you can understand if they are trying to protect themselves then it is understandable, but they should put you first!
Was there any small print you may have missed?

[Babru]

If we're giving negative stories, let's give positive ones too. I ordered bare root raspberries from Pomona last spring. There was one short. I contacted them, and they sent a replacement a couple of months ago (it was too late in the season at the time for bare root).

[nick the grief]

sadly a lot of places couldn't give a tos ... err tinkers curse for customer service these days as there are planty of folks who order from them and they only have to do enough to keep reasonable reviews. Contact someone like citizens advice reguarding the small claims court or the sale of goods act - as theyre clearly not of saleable quality

[DannyK]

Have a look at this--

Do you have a legal add on on your household insurance? Might be worth giving them a call. To expect you to pay for delivery of replacements seems OTT!

Had plenty of bare root plants, none have failed .

[lottie dolly]

sorry to hear about your fruit,a few years ago,i ordered some from KINGS SEEDS,they were brill,joan J,they were bare roots,the instructions were to soak the roots in water for a while,prior to planting,have had a few bits from them in the past,and had no bother,
Just thought,has anyone on here got any,that would be willing to send you a few,at the end of the year,when they dig out the ones that escape,if you were to pay the postage,the plot that mine were on,i have given up a while ago,or i would have sent some to you,
just thought,the younger new of shuts seem to have fine soft roots,not hard like the garden places,these are ideal for sending on to another,as i have done in the past,smaller,lighter,and easier to post in a larger plastic padded onvelope,or as a small parcel,as long as the roots have damp tissue around roots,and a poly bag or cling film to keep it in,they will be fine.

[Jungle Jane]

I’m just thinking but imagine being a nursery & sending out plants to a customer,the plants failing,then sending out more,those plants failing,how many times do they need to send plants out,maybe it’s in the company’s terms of service,small print it might say about their guarantee policy?

[Ger-annie-um]

Thanks for all the responses. I went back over the ASHRIDGE NURSERIES t&c's. Yes it does say we are liable for carriage on replacement plants. It also says "they are not themselves replacements ". Presumably this means that the 1yr guarantee only applies to the original plants? Not at all happy, more than a little confused and will definitely not be recommending this company to anyone.

[Ger-annie-um]

This wasn't ashridge trees was it? I ordered some 2020 and planted them the day they delivered them. I emailed them when they didn't take and they said ok under the guarantee we will replace but for £11.40 postage! Haha the postage was free on the first order so basically I was just being told I could buy more at a small discount. The order was £16.

Yes it was........feeling a bit stupid right now, older age seems to brought a lack of logical thought with it. We really should have insisted on a refund, we will endeavour not to get caught out again

[FB.]

In my experience, many varieties of raspberry don't transplant well (or the canes are dead on arrival). The modern varieties seem to be quite weak/slow growers.

In the past I've had good quality plants of all types - including raspberries - from Keepers Nursery in Kent but I haven't ordered anything from them for several years and I think in the last few years the original owner might have passed the business down to his son/s or a new owner so things might have changed.

I have what I think are Autumn Bliss and Allgold/Fallgold which came from Keepers many years ago and they're tough as old boots and vigorous growers despite my soil being shallow, low in nutrients and dry most of the summer.