Ordering online in Europe? Beware of DHL! - Orchid Board

Val · #1 06-23-2011, 01:49 PM

On monday, Elsner sent 4 nice orchids to me via DHL. Today I've learned that the plants will be arriving on Saturday

Six days for 300 km, from Germany to Belgium.

Do you think that 5 nights at 10-12C (50-54F) will badly affect Phalaenopsis?

And this is the second time this year that DHL has proved unreliable. A couple of months ago I needed a document urgently, from EU to EU. Paid some 70 Euro, and got the document in... 5 days. By regular mail it would have arrived in 3 days (and 67 Euro less).

So - beware!

Daethen · #2 06-23-2011, 02:35 PM

Sounds like you should let Elsner know that they should find a better shipping company.

Val · #3 06-23-2011, 02:48 PM

I just did.

Mrs Regina Elsner called DHL today and confirmed to me that the plants were stil in Germany, three days after they were dispatched.

It goes without saying that I won't order online anymore unless DHL is OUT of the equation.

camille1585 · #4 06-23-2011, 06:39 PM

I'm afraid you won't be ordering from Germany anymore then, they all use DHL since that the German national mail carrier. Personally I think that 1 week shipping is reasonable within Europe and at this time of year there's no need to worry about temperatures. 10-12C is well above freezing, so they'll be fine. I've ordered from Germany in January, and the orchids survived 6 days in a box just fine. Even within France (using La Poste) I have to wait 5-6 days for my plants....

Daethen · #5 06-23-2011, 06:47 PM

Wow, I just got some today from Washington state and they were sent Monday or Tuesday. I guess we shouldn't complain about our mail service.

camille1585 · #6 06-23-2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daethen

Wow, I just got some today from Washington state and they were sent Monday or Tuesday. I guess we shouldn't complain about our mail service.

That's still in the same country. Over here packages usually have to get handed over to the postal authorities of each country they go though, and it's a huge waste of time! Even with expensive DHL stuff sits in their international sorting platforms for ages.... I do love the mail service within the Netherlands though. Next day delivery is nearly guaranteed!

Val · #7 06-23-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

I'm afraid you won't be ordering from Germany anymore then, they all use DHL since that the German national mail carrier. Personally I think that 1 week shipping is reasonable within Europe and at this time of year there's no need to worry about temperatures. 10-12C is well above freezing, so they'll be fine. I've ordered from Germany in January, and the orchids survived 6 days in a box just fine. Even within France (using La Poste) I have to wait 5-6 days for my plants....

In January I would expect the package to include a heat-pack, which would keep them warm for up to 48 hours.

The previous package from Elsner (which was also my first online order) arrived in 3 days, and that seemed long enough for me. I guess my expectations are to high.

I'll see in what state these orchids will arrive and I'll decide whether I'll venture to order online from Germany again. The alternative would be to pay them a visit every 6 months or so - which sounds tempting, because I like to drive and Germany is a beautiful country.

Anyway, DHL is out of the question for express deliveries, since 24 hours means 5 days for them.

nenella · #8 06-23-2011, 08:48 PM

I Look forward to seeing a pic or 2 of your orchids when they arrive & how they were packed?.
I have had several deliveries where the post worked more slowly than expected...(although not in 'winter months') but the orchids were ok. Some growers packing is definitely better than others.. & my absolute orchid supplier 'n° 1 packer' is a German grower.. My last order arrived a good week later, but packed in a grey coloured polystyrene box; the concerned orchids are actively putting out new leaves and root growth.

RosieC · #9 06-24-2011, 08:48 AM

I've had packages from Germany take just over a week. At this time of year cold should not be a problem. I'm always nervous though when they are taking that long.

My last ones were mounted and so that was just over a week without water. They looked very dehydrated but soon perked up when watered.

Val · #10 06-24-2011, 05:38 PM

Mrs. Elsner assured me that the orchids won't suffer. Fingers crossed

However, a postal service that is slower than me walking or biking (300 Km in 5 days) is a bad one, in my book.
A month ago, a package sent by regular Belgian mail travelled 2100 km in 3 days. That's more like it.