Norman's Orchids/orchids.com - Orchid Board

phaladdict · #1 12-24-2009, 07:03 PM

I just received my first order from Norman's Orchids and I am REALLY REALLY disappointed. I've ordered orchids online before, but I never had anything like this happened to me! As I excitedly opened the package, I saw something awful! What supposed to be a beautiful phals were completely destroyed!!! They were soaking wet!!! I sent them e-mail with picture and I am waiting for their reply.

Sad thing is, where I live, I can't find any decent phals except for big box stores. Even then, I have to buy them when they just arrive from shipment. I've tried 2 other online stores out of desperation. Phals from Hausermann's suffered cold and I didn't get to see them bloom (all the buds blasted). Phals from 1888orchids.com arrived in good condition, but wrong colors! My phal collection now looks more like phal hospital!!! Buying phals in Germany were much easier. If anybody know good online store to buy phals, PLEASE let me know!!!! Thanks and have a happy holidays!

ronaldhanko · #2 12-24-2009, 07:20 PM

I can't tell for sure, but these look like they were frozen. If I order plants this time of the year, I have them wait until spring to ship. It's just to iffy to ship them during winter weather.

Carl Austin · #3 12-25-2009, 12:31 AM

As Ronald says, it's hard to be certain but it looks like the plants were frozen in transit.
Was this shipment to Germany? I've never ordered from Norman's because it says on his site that he doesn't ship out of the United States. I'd love to place an order with his nursery.
It'll be interesting to see his response to your damaged order. Keep us posted.

Carl

puckpuggy · #4 12-25-2009, 12:34 AM

I've had very good luck with this seller so I'd say it's the shipping in cold weather. Did it have a heat pack included?

phaladdict · #5 12-25-2009, 01:52 AM

Thank you for reply everyone! Sorry for not clarifying clearly. The plants were from California to South Dakota and a heat pack was included. They were shipped via FEDEX 2 day air. As I am typing this, poor plants are still soaking wet...

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #6 12-25-2009, 02:48 AM

Since you live in a colder part of the US where it can snow, it's best to not buy any plants during the winter, heat pack or no heat pack.

Try again in spring.

There's always Orchid Limited, located in Minnesota.

Buy Orchids and Orchid Supplies

I used to work for Norman's Orchids, they're kinda douchebags about complaints. Don't be surprised if you get into an argument with them (not saying that it'll happen, but it might - especially if you're speaking with Norman).

SP2340 · #7 12-25-2009, 09:30 AM

You can also try buying them on ebay. Since customer comments directly affect their business you will pretty much always get you plants in excellent condition.

tuvoc · #8 12-25-2009, 11:30 AM

Bummer! They look like they were nice plants once upon a time. I've ordered from Norman's before, with very mixed results, and as King said, good, courteous customer service is pretty much non existent. Better luck next time.

Kim

cb977 · #9 12-25-2009, 12:16 PM

That stinks!

It's too late now but for future reference...
please look through our Vendor Feedback forum prior to ordering from anywhere. It's filled with our member's personal experience with a number of merchants.

In the meantime, get these babies out of what they were shipped in. Clean up the root area, give them a good spritz of Listerine (I always do this for anything coming from Norman's) and let them sit out of the pot for a day, then repot them.

These blooms are goners but you can probably save the plant

cb977 · #10 12-25-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP2340

You can also try buying them on ebay. Since customer comments directly affect their business you will pretty much always get you plants in excellent condition.

Not always...there are certain folks on ebay you don't want to go anywhere near!

Please look through the vendor feedback forum for some of the background stories