Okay admit it....what did YOU NOT buy 2015 Edition--Why? - Orchid Board

MattWoelfsen · #1 06-02-2015, 09:22 PM

Recently I tried to buy a Podangis from Marlow's Orchids. I also wanted to buy a Renanthera histrionica, but Marlow's Orchids noted this specie was not available BUT I could get a hybrid with Renanthera histrionica as a parent. So I placed my order. I ordered on 05/08/15, got confirmation for my order. Credit card debited. That was the last I heard.

A week later wrote an email to Marlow's Orchids, no reply, a week later I sent another email, asking for a reply. Two days later I get a reply stating email failed, profuse apologies and stated my order will be shipped.

A week later, last Wednesday, I get an email from Marlow's stating that the plants won't be available until July 15!! This past Friday, I decided to cancel my order and ask for my money back. Two months to complete an order?

How long does it take to get a credit refund? Marlow's gets a lot of good reviews, so one bad experience doesn't mean they are bad.

But I do not know if I would try them again--you have only one chance to make a good first impression.

wintergirl · #2 06-02-2015, 10:23 PM

Well, funny you should ask. I tried to buy a couple orchids from Marlow's and he never charged my card but I never got the plants either. We had some emails back and forth but in the end nothing. Not sure what is going on with him but I heard he had nice plants so I was disappointed. There are plenty of growers out there with nice plants and I prefer to associate with ones that actually send the plants.

MattWoelfsen · #3 06-02-2015, 10:29 PM

Hello wintergirl...that is an odd experience. You are right, there are many other vendors to chose to do business. I just didn't think this would be a bad experience. Misery does love company, glad to know I am not the only one!

My Green Pets · #4 06-02-2015, 11:18 PM

Bought a Psychopsis in bud, got it home, virus tested...positive for ORSV.

Back it goes.

wintergirl · #5 06-02-2015, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CambriaWhat

Bought a Psychopsis in bud, got it home, virus tested...positive for ORSV.

Back it goes.

From Marlows?

---------- Post added at 10:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:22 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Hello wintergirl...that is an odd experience. You are right, there are many other vendors to chose to do business. I just didn't think this would be a bad experience. Misery does love company, glad to know I am not the only one!

I thought it was odd too. I just figured maybe he didn't like to ship and only wanted local customers. I just didn't really know what to think.

Leafmite · #6 06-03-2015, 12:46 AM

I am guessing that something has happened and he's trying but is too overwhelmed right now. Marlow's has been in the OSWP show in the past and the man I met was really nice and helpful. I even wrote him an email thanking him for finding such wonderful orchids for me and he responded right away. When you are dealing with small orchid vendors, you have to remember that if something happens in their personal life, the orchid business might just be left to slide for a while. Most of them have other jobs and the orchid business is more of a hobby or a way to pay for their orchid habit...it doesn't pay the bills.

Orchids I didn't buy:

Vanda coerulescens...our little dog chewed this one up a few years ago and I often toy with the idea of replacing it. I was about to order it from Andy's but went with a different Vanda instead. Maybe some other day.

Eurychone rothschildiana I was going to buy this at an open house but I couldn't remember the name...I will have to email the vendor and see if he still has one. The vendor had tried to sell it to me at a meeting but I knew nothing about it. Looked it up and discovered it was rather neat.

Angraecum ? I didn't recognize the name and as some of them aren't fragrant, I resisted. I don't regret it. I have enough of them, really.

Andy's had some encyclia in spike. He was sold out by the time I made my order so I didn't get it. As I can't remember which one it was, I think I can live without it.

Cattleya aclandiae. Again, Andy's was sold out. It is okay as I already have one.

ddivey36 · #7 06-03-2015, 08:25 AM

HA HA - I have NO strength NOT to buy, so I stay away from places that I might see a new orchid. But, I am wanting to tweak my collection now that I am at 100. I find that I have favorites and some types are easier for me than others.

MattWoelfsen · #8 06-03-2015, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddivey36

HA HA - I have NO strength NOT to buy, so I stay away from places that I might see a new orchid. But, I am wanting to tweak my collection now that I am at 100. I find that I have favorites and some types are easier for me than others.

Precisely ddivey, once you start growing more and more plants, you start to think of acquiring plants along types--that grow and bloom for you.

I would love a Zygopetalum, but I've killed so many of them, so when I see a truly lovely one, I wish I could buy it nip it it doesn't fir my environment.

AnonYMouse · #9 06-04-2015, 02:24 AM

I did NOT buy a Masdie today. It might have been a Prince Charming (or maybe not). I wasn't spending $25 on a NoID that I'll just kill (already killed one).

Skycat · #10 06-04-2015, 12:29 PM

I really want a Neofinetia falcata, and I've seen them on a bunch of sites for not-too-bad prices, but money is a problem for me (so much so that I can definitely say I've been buying too many orchids already and desperately need to slow down), so I still don't have one

Also one time at an OS meeting, I tried to buy a particularly cute Cattleya of some sort, but I didn't have cash and the guy wasn't taking cards.