Acceptable shipping practices? - Orchid Board

hypostatic · #1 05-07-2020, 04:58 PM

So if you are shipped an orchid from someone, and it arrives on the scheduled time, but in poor condition, would you expect to receive a refund?

I recently got this package of orchids that was damaged by the carrier. This of course isn't the seller's fault; the package was also insured. Due to the package being crushed, and sub-optimal packing from the seller, all the orchids got at least a little damaged.

One plant in particular, seemed to be in particularly bad shape -- and to me this looks like it's due to care negligence on the part of the seller:

I feel like it's obvious that this orchid wasn't appropriately cared for.

Would you expect to get a refund for at least this one orchid, especially since the whole shipment was insured for?

DirtyCoconuts · #2 05-07-2020, 05:07 PM

i would.

that is why you have insurance.

they should refund your whole purchase or just send you a new box of the same plants and they should claim the loss against the carrier.

hypostatic · #3 05-07-2020, 05:14 PM

Oh, also to add to the OP, I DID ask for a refund. The seller said it was only "roughed up a bit", and that if I wanted a refund, I could ship it back and the seller would apply credit to a next purchase...

Leafmite · #4 05-07-2020, 05:24 PM

I am so sorry that you received an order so disappointing. I know how it feels to be excited and then open the box and...

The first thing I would do is to soak the orchid pot in distilled/rain water for a few days to see if it becomes plump again. Some orchids will recover completely and some won't, depending on the type of orchid (I can think of one particular orchid that this would normal after giving it the needed 'dry season').

The second thing I would do is ask the vendor whether this orchid was recently imported into the US. Sometimes, recently imported orchids do look like this because they are brought into the US bare-root and the shipping can take a few weeks. They do recover with quite a bit of tender care. The vendor might admit that the orchid was recently imported and then recommend what care is needed for the orchid. Still, I would not order from this vendor again. Responsible vendors who buy from overseas keep the orchids until they are fully recovered and growing again before selling them but there are those other vendors who buy from others, raise the price, then quickly flip all the orchids because they don't want to waste money to have the dedicated greenhouse space. It is best to avoid orchid flippers (many can be found on Ebay).

If the orchid should never look like that and it doesn't re-hydrate, then yes, I would wish to have a full refund and a good vendor will not hesitate to compensate you.

If you are not pleased with the orchids or service, in the future, always research your vendors and only buy from the ones that have an excellent reputation. There are so many really, really good vendors that deserve our business.

Good luck!

SouthPark · #5 05-07-2020, 05:26 PM

The one with the very wrinkled leaves goes into the category of ridiculous in terms of the situation. The 'roughened up a bit' comment from the seller is pretty much in the area of disrespectful. What this particular seller needs to do next time is - have a photograph of what the plant looks like just prior to shipping.

Leafmite · #6 05-07-2020, 05:27 PM

What vendor is this?

SouthPark · #7 05-07-2020, 05:28 PM

The orchid next to it appears to be nice - good leaves.

Clawhammer · #8 05-07-2020, 06:29 PM

Yes, please share the name of the vendor so I can avoid. The "roughed up a little" comment and the requirement for you to send it back in that state is a big red flag imo.

Ray · #9 05-07-2020, 06:36 PM

The vendor has the responsibility to ensure that the products are packaged properly to avoid loss or damage.

I really hope you paid by credit card. Challenge the charge with the card issuer, stating you received damaged goods.

You do not need to return it at your expense nor pay for it, AND the crappy vendor will lose the revenue and sustain a chargeback fee.

I cal that the "penalty for being a bad vendor".

DirtyCoconuts · #10 05-07-2020, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hypostatic

Oh, also to add to the OP, I DID ask for a refund. The seller said it was only "roughed up a bit", and that if I wanted a refund, I could ship it back and the seller would apply credit to a next purchase...

this is arrogance....assuming youd ever buy there again...