Hausermann's

[Leafmite]

I just recieved my order. All the plants were ultra healthy but they accidently sent me Cattleya dowiana instead of the schroederae I had ordered. Eek! I really wanted a schroederae! I made certain to check 'no substitution' to prevent such an unhappy surprise.
So, I just sent them an email to let them know and am waiting for their reply. I am confident they will find a way to fix this. I understand that mistakes do happen.

[zxyqu]

They'll probably just comp you the accident plant and mail you the right one. Haussarmans is awesome in my experience. They probably are mad at themselves for the mistake.

[Leafmite]

I am not too worried. I think they are a great place. The quality of the plants they always send show the quality of people who own the place, in my opinion, and all the plants they have sent have been fantastic and have thrived. This has just never happened before.

[Stray59]

Have you been there in person? It is mind blowing. When I was twenty-one, (and dinosaurs walked the earth) my 'orchid mentor' took me there. He had known the family for years and they gave us VIP treatment. Now this was before the family break-up when George and Carl Hausermann were still running the business together. I believe it was George who broke from the business and started a competitive greenhouse, but not really sure of this. One of the brother's broke off and from what I heard, many things changed after that. But regardless, they have always been the creme-de-la-creme of orchid growers in the midwest. I have never had a bad experience with them and have been shopping with them since 1980 - I am older than peat moss, as you can tell!
Some of their crosses have gone on to become industry standards, such as Irene Finney, Bow Bells, Bob Betts, George Hausermann, the Jewelbox hybrid series, and on and on.
I am sure they will correct the mistake - I have never known of them to not try and make the customer happy.
Best of luck with the next shipment!
Anyone in the Chicago area needs to go to Hausermann's and experience their their greenhouse. It is a fantastic experience and during the holidays they do phenom displays!
Steve

[Leafmite]

I haven't had the chance to go there but I have made quite a few orders and have always been pleased. I think it is just a mistake and that I will hear from them very soon with a solution. If not, I will assume the email wasn't seen and give them a call.
Sadly, everything changes. Whatever happened to the second business?

[Leafmite]

Today, I called Hausermann's and, as anticipated, there was no problem. They looked up what I ordered, confirmed who I was and took care of the matter. They are sending the right plant. This is really how a top-notch vendor should operate.

[zxyqu]

A top notch vendor Hausermann's is. Glad they solved it, but you're right, that's how it should be.

[cbuchman]

I've never been there either, but have ordered from them many times over the years and have never been disappointed.

[Stray59]

And you will not be disappointed. Hausermann's made their name by providing excellent crosses with top notch professionalism. I have never been disappointed with them.
To answer your question about the second business - now this is second hand and may not be completely accurate, but Dick from Hilltop told me that Carl and George, the two brothers that brought the company into it's Golden Era (the 70's - 80's, with phenomenal hybrid development). Then there was some family disagreement and, I believe it was George that broke off from the parent company. There was some really bad blood about something that was exacerbated by both brothers wanting to use the Hausermann name in the same area. I understand that eventually George moved to Florida and is either there now, or perhaps has passed on. Regardless, the rumor is that the parent company does not have a breeder now and, from what I hear they are mainly relying on their older hybrids, some commercial stock and a limited amount of species.
But their stock is still one of the strongest on the market, their plant care is excellent and, as stated, they are the pinnacle of professional practice. Their personnel will find out about anything you want to know concerning their stock and will go out of their way to make their customers happy. They tend to be a little pricey in some of their offers, but the quality of plant you receive is worth the extra cost.
Again, a trip to this place is an orchid lover's wet dream.
Hope you get to visit at least once - it will leave an impression for sure!
Have to go - the Colts are playing the Lions - GO COLTS! GO LUCK!
Steve

[Leafmite]

I have not yet been disappointed. I am pleased I could report that their customer service matched the wonderful quality of the plants they have sent!