Fast-Growing-Trees Makes Internet Promises But Fails To Stand Behind Their Products Internet, North Carolina
Anyone who reads all of the hype on the company's website is falsely lured into believing that this company ships quality products. I purchased one of their "cold-hardy" avocado trees and the sale was paid immediately. Even though I live in the far south and the time of year was at the end of April (well into a hot spring in Texas), the order took two weeks to arrive (first sign of trouble).
Their web site claims to have an exclusive device that is made to water the trees much better however, when I received the "water-bags", I determined immediately that these devices could not be used with the trees I ordered (should have been common sense to the company, but it was impossible to see the items without receiving them first). (Second sign of trouble)
I contacted customer service who told me that they didn't normally authorize any returns. (Third sign of trouble). After arguing my point that the items could not be evaluated without seeing them first, I finally was given an approval to return the items at my expense. Even after the company received my return, they failed to return credit to my bank card. I had to call three times and ask why the credit was not posted, and they gave me the run-around for a week.
In August, the tree that I paid premium money for finally died, even though I am an experienced horticulturist with over 30 years experience in horticuilture. I went to the company's website and I was completely ripped off when I read that they don't even guarantee their trees beyond 5 days!
I can go to any home improvement store of even my favorite discount department store and their policy is that they will guarantee trees for one year! I hope everyone reads this before buying anything from that ripoff business! I will always come to this site first to see if any company is in their database before I buy anything from a new vendor. Thank you for making this page possible and for allowing me to warn others!
1 Updates & Rebuttals
1_ripped_off_customer
Beeville,Texas,
United States of America
Chris....A Great Company Asset!
#2Author of original report
Mon, August 27, 2012
Within 1 hour of my posting, a very concerned and valuable company asset (Chris) called me to discuss my posting. Everything I told him was factual and he apologized for all the barriers that I experienced.
He was immediately interested in solving the issue and trying to understand what caused the problem. I told him that when I went to the "Contact Us" link on the web page, I was completely disappointed in their actual "guarantee" that even though I had went to such extremes to take good care of my tree, that their limited time period was not even enough time for the roots to be established and that I was not going to consider fighting the issue. That is what caused me to create the original posting. I did voice all of my concerns and that I did have 30 years of horticulture experience. I actually have a Masters from Texas A&M University which is one of the best agriculture universities in the country....maybe the best thing I did learn there was to fight back when I did not believe I was treated just like I would treat others in my daily routine.
I told Chris that my only objective was to warn others of a potential issue that needed to be corrected and he was very serious in making me a satisfied customer. I typically would not expect such FAST service in getting my issue resloved but Chris was truly admirable in trying to gain my respect and to preserve my image of loyalty to the company.
After we had a long constructive chat, Chris assured me that the barriers that I encountered would be rectified and that he would also make me a happy customer by replacing the tree. I did mention to him that it was only common expectatiions when they were in competition with all of the major home improvement stores nation-wide and all of the common discount department stores who have nurseries and who all offer a one-year replacement policy for all live trees sold. I reiterated my expectations in hopes that all customers might have the same experience if they had a problem.
In closing, I would like to change my posting to POSITIVE and consider this day as a blessing. Maybe the customer service department in all Internet business deals can be improved with the use of this webpage. If I have been remiss in making the initial posting, I hope adding this comment can be taken as constructive criticism. I seriously didn't expect such quick action to be taken by the company but then again, not every company has someone like Chris who can fill the shoes so well.
Sometimes, we have to understand that getting a deficiency report causes us to see exactly where a problem lies.....and to get it FIXED immediately.
Thank you Chris for coming to the rescue....and for making me a happy customer!
Hopefully, other who need to contact customer service can have a happier resolution from the beginning.
Consider this one resolved.....and a SUCCESS Story......
THANK YOU for the opportunity to make a difference and to make my day!