Seed germination: a cautionary tale

[BilboWaggins]

The advice I was trying to give appears to have been misunderstood so I think it best that I remove it.

[Alison]

I agree totally that you sometimes get duff packets of seeds (thankfully I've very rarely experienced this and firmly believe that poor germination in my case is usually due to poor conditions on sowing - eg cold snaps etc) and also that you sometimes get very bad customer service from companies (I've posted before about ropey service from T&M plants and as a result of using them twice and twice having problems I'll never use them again) but you really do need to tell them about the problems you have experienced - otherwise they won't know they have a problem and so can quite legitimately tell other customers who take the time to complain that they genuinely are the first if you see what I mean. Much as it pains me to post on support of that particular company but it's not really fair on them to judge them by your experiences of somebody else's service.

[chris]

I also agree, and I do not use T&M due to poor customer service too. (After sales) To be honest, the majority of my seeds for the past 2 years have been free- either from friends here or the VSP.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Fingers crossed, I have had no problems with T&M and I have dealt with them for a goodly number of years.

[Potstubsdustbins]

SWMBO had some trouble with plants bought from T & M. I phoned their customer services for her. The complaint was taken seriously and corrected within 48 hours. Excellent service.

Which begs the question does it depend on the individual you speak to?

Potty.

[Bren In Pots]

Confession time I only use T&M when I have free vouchers to spend plus I hang on to them until its free postage as well.

[Kaiya]

I've only had one issue with them (bought a packet of oregano seeds that was actually utterly empty: led to me sending an email going "I know the seeds are small, but...") and they sent another packet straight away of a different brand (presumably to avoid any batch issue), no quibbling. I occasionally go for their free-if-you-pay-postage potatoes and plants etc. offers and also have had no issues with plant quality, packaging or delivery, plus they often randomly give free seeds in such orders. That said, I prefer to support smaller companies, simply because I feel smaller companies can better stick to their principles. I feel there's something a bit soulless about larger companies like T&M, and things like supermarkets etc. which isn't a very rational feeling to have but there you are.

I think it is worth letting T&M know - even if it's just an FYI for their records re: a batch number etc. They buy the seeds from someone else anyway so it's not necessarily a reflection on them, but it is something they'd probably prefer to know about. The fact you're an experienced gardener lends weight to the info you provide them. Also, because they are a large company, they have the slush money to compensate with new seeds, and a gift horse should not be sniffed at.

[Hazel at the Hill]

In 2011 when I had lousy germination rates from Sarah Raven sweet peas I was thoroughly disgusted by the attitude of the company who told me "no-one else has these problems, customers are ALWAYS phoning to tell us how wonderful the plants are". I'll not be wasting my time complaining to T&M. Will I ever spend another penny with them? Will I heck.

I know you won't be buying from them again, but I think that T&M deserve the chance to put things right - it'll only take a couple of minutes to drop an email to their customer services (link to your post here? ) and it would help them to identify if they do have a duff supplier/batch (although they should do their own germination tests of course).

I'm sure that I've seen a report into 'most reliable germination rates by seed supplier' a couple of years ago - I don't know if it was in Gardening Which? or in the Grow your Own mag. It would be interesting to see where T&M came, if anyone has or can dig out a copy...?

[BilboWaggins]

Hazel, that emphasis is yours, not mine.

Last time I complained to a seed company I was called a liar. Why would I put myself through that again?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Bilbo, one swallow doesn't make a summer. i.e. all seed companies are not the same. It helps no-one least of all yourself if you don't complain and of course it helps everyone if complaints are noted and acted upon.

[veggiechicken]

This has become a rather strange thread now that the original post with the "Cautionary tale" has been deleted

[Aberdeenplotter]

strange indeed

[Thelma Sanders]

Luckily it was quoted by Hazel - so we do still know what was said

[veggiechicken]

There was a lot more said than is in the quote though!

[Alison]

This has become a rather strange thread now that the original post with the "Cautionary tale" has been deleted

Indeed, very confusing.