Norman's Orchids/Orchids.com sent beautiful phals

[TomThumb]

So i have mixed experience with Norman's. They're not great customer service wise if you call them and i had to because i just moved and there was an issue with the address on my CC. However after a fiasco of a phone call where the person who picked up basically didn't want to help me (i couldn't change the CC info on the order online because of how they programmed the site to lock) I decided to make another order from them anyway because they have a variety of Phal. schillerianas and i really wanted them.

I made a huge order for various schillerianas and they arrived a bit chilled but in perfect condition. They all cleaned up nicely although one had quite a few rotten mushy roots. She had enough healthy ones that she's fine. I know that they've been getting mixed reviews lately so I just want to say it's hit or miss? I've only received one order from them so far so it might not be a fair assessment. They do have such a large variety of orchids and reasonable prices that its a hard company to write off.

I've since made another order for various phals (phals and vandas are my favorites so far but i also really like some catasetum types) so we'll see what condition they arrive in.

[fooferdoggie]

I have had a couple good orders a couple bad. the black phal was really good the panda sucked. but has recovered after almost a year and now is blooming twice this year.

[TomThumb]

Yah. I've read some bad things about orchids arriving half dead in some reviews. I'm hoping that they improved their service but who knows. I wouldn't order anything too rare/delicate from then right now but phals are pretty hardy and seem to bounce back ok.

I love the panda btw. Haven't ordered it but it's on my wishlist. Which one is the black Phal? I think I saw one but it's $85 and in not ready for that commitment yet....

[Leafmite]

Good luck! I hope your next order is just as good! They do offer some beautiful orchids! I have never ordered from them because of the reviews, though.

[TomThumb]

Thanks! Yeah. I feel ok ordering hardier plants from them. I hope they got their act together because they really do have some amazing plants.

[MrHappyRotter]

You lucked out, time to go buy a lottery ticket!

I can confirm, from a recent terrible experience, that they do not have their act together, unfortunately.

I would caution anybody who is considering ordering from there to reconsider. I'm not just saying that because I'm a displeased former customer. I'm saying that because I know that we orchid people tend to implicitly trust other orchid people, and this vendor unscrupulously takes advantage of that trust. I'm saying it because some of us can't afford to toss our money into the trash without a second thought, so when we make a big purchase, it actually hurts when things arrive sick and misidentified. And I know what it's like to be alight with anticipation and excitement knowing a coveted plant or few are on their way, only to open the box and have that sinking feeling of disappointment hit you in the gut, then to be topped off by frustration and stress as you try to (often unsuccessfully) navigate some form of recourse.

For me, it's really not worth the gamble. And if my experience can save others a bit of negativity and stress in their lives, at least some good can come of it.

[TomThumb]

MrHappyRotter,

Would you mind telling me your experience? Did ppl receive sick/infested plants? I only ordered phals so I just cleaned and wiped them down with alcohol pretty thoroughly to be sure they didnt have spider mites. I didnt see any other issues.

I made another order of just phals (miniature though so they might be more delicate). I hope they arrive in good condition.

[fooferdoggie]

with me it was a vanda. the bottom of the roots were rotten from over watering and the leaves were brown on the edges and split. took a year to recover and now it has bloomed twice in 3 months., the wrong color but still nice.

[Dollythehun]

I am a bit puzzled as to why, with so many wonderful vendors out there, you would even risk ordering from them. Surely others have a great selection... My

[TomThumb]

I made the first order from them because they had a variety of phal. schillerianas with info as to their background. A lot of places offer schills but they're often no name, no info or they only have one common variety. I ordered several schills from Norman's that were not offered anywhere else. I have to say i'm in love with the differences in leaf shapes and patterns so i am very very happy with my order. I am aware that not every order from them will be good but i know that these schills were all recent additions to their stock so that might be why they're in such good condition?