I was expecting my order from Plant Delights today (rec. a tracking # regarding it). It was coming through the dreaded (in my opinion) FedEx Ground del.

Around 5 pm, I got to wondering about it and if it had come. I looked out the front door, hoping and expecting the box to be there and it wasn't. Then, I glanced down our front steps that go down to our driveway and saw something white down toward the bottom of the steps. Even though I only had socks on (the concert was dry enough from all the rain we had), decided to check it out. I was aggravated to see that not only it was the PD box, but they stood it on its end vertically!

When I placed the order, as I do with all my orders, I add to the 'comments' section... to leave at front door only! I don't like FedEx Ground, because they're so LAZY and don't want to walk up the steps to the front door! In fact, they're the reason I always add that when I place an order. Ever since FE-G started years ago, I've had so many problems with boxes being left at the bottom of our steps!

The plants seemed to be ok when I got them out and as I was watering them on our covered porch, the rain started again. Good thing I got them off the steps when I did.

Yesterday, while I was weeding out front, I thought that was the delivery day for the box and kept an eye out for the truck, but when it got late and dark, I realized it was the wrong day. Too bad, too.

I'll let you know how the GC plants are when they arrive May 1 on Tuesday. They were shipped out on Thursday. Hopefully, the FE-G person doesn't leave them at the bottom of the steps!

Here's the front porch and the steps leading down to the driveway. I took these pics in late March this year...

virginiarose said:Rita count yourself lucky, they did the same to me. They will send something big and healthy the first time to get you hooked, then when you put in a larger order that's when they rip you off. Any time you can get something in a two or three gallon pot marked down its good too. But when you buy the small ones they will send bare root twigs.

I got two orders of Coneflowers and three orders of Hosta in past three days, Today I got a huge box from Mamajacks and It was packed right! So many plants, my husband and I got our shovels out and it started raining, whatever my back hurts anyway. I did get some stuff potted up, mostly Coneflowers and got to go back out and do the other half of the Hosta. Here is what I got from Mamajack, just picture for now.

Looks great!

Goodluck with any delivery peron reading instructions. I leave a comment to put boxes in the garage. It never happens.

FedEx is pretty good around here.
I am usually so excited to see the plants I put them in the ground right away.
Most of my orders come in boxes with arrows showing which direction. I doubt the drivers pay any attention to that either.

Whenever I get new plants, either mail order or locally, I usually give them a week or so to harden off to my conditions before I plant.

Karen

Thanks everybody!

Usually if they put 'This side up' they will turn it upside down and throw it. They seem to be going postal and taking it out on the customers. I got a very mutilated box from USPS yesterday and that is rare but I guess it just depends on the attitudes that happen down the line. I know my drivers as far as FedEx and UPS, they always do what I say and are happy to do so.
I know some people had a good time playing football with my box and I sure hope they feel better. Mamajack KNOWS how to pack a box and in-spite of the damage to box all was well inside. I took pics because I thought I was going to have to file a claim, I was upset when I first saw the box!

Its a problem with automated systems.Faster isnt always better.

Seems like they automatically get chewed up, that's all.

You should hear what mamajack has to say about shipping damage...or maybe not. It would be rather, um, *warm*...

OTOH,

Just this weekend they were showing on TV how packages get mishandled by the guys working for the delivery services. Not every job is always a walk in the park, but it is a job and any joy takes effort if they don't want to do a good job they should let someone else that would would jump at the chance to take their place.

virginiarose said: OTOH,

What does that mean, Susan?

daylilydreams said:Just this weekend they were showing on TV how packages get mishandled by the guys working for the delivery services. Not every job is always a walk in the park, but it is a job and any joy takes effort if they don't want to do a good job they should let someone else that would would jump at the chance to take their place.

I saw that footage.

lovemyhouse said:You should hear what mamajack has to say about shipping damage...or maybe not. It would be rather, um, *warm*...

Marilyn
I was OTOH'ing about this! I'm all ears too!

daylilydreams said:Just this weekend they were showing on TV how packages get mishandled by the guys working for the delivery services. Not every job is always a walk in the park, but it is a job and any joy takes effort if they don't want to do a good job they should let someone else that would would jump at the chance to take their place.

You are right Betty, I have seen all the footage with them throwing computers over the fence. I did some business with a online nursery who did track packages and feedback pretty well, he said he does not write 'THIS END UP' because those are the boxes that end up with the most damage. Go figure!

I think I will look up what mamajack thinks about the shipping business. I am sure those workers mishandling our packages still expect to get their paycheck.

It might come to the point where they will have to insure packages for free, just to get people to ship by them. Or they might merge Fedex and UPS into one company and call them Fed-Up! They are fedup, they are very over worked. Long, long hours spent in a truck that dosn't even fit into a drive-thru. I would be mad too!

I really think the condition of the plants is mostly determined by the supplier's packaging.

The order I got from Garden Harvest Supply had the most unique packaging I've ever seen. Though the outer box was somewhat crushed by the company handling them (UPS), the plants were in top shape.

The thread "Order from Garden Harvest Supply" in Cottage Gardening forum

Karen

The companies have the responsibility to improve conditions they do it or lose business. When you are angry about things involved in your job you do not take it out on customers they don't have any say in how your company operates.

It's not right to take it out on the customers but I am afraid they do.


Garden Harvest Supply- great company, great prices! I bought Powwow Berry two years ago for 2.99 and the packing was great. I like the small affordable plants, I can get extras whenever I want. I have some stuff in my shopping cart right now.

This was my first order from them and I was really impressed by their packaging, prices, and the plants. I think I'll definitely be ordering from them in the future.

Karen