Beware of Sarah Raven

[Cr01ssant55]

They are sending out plants that aren’t those ordered without informing customers , they’re impossible to contact and don’t reply when you do. Lots of issues online with quality too.

Im actually really shocked with what they’re getting away with. I have two sets of plants that are absolutely not what I ordered and others I’m questioning. I complained re one set weeks ago and they haven’t replied. They’re impossible to contact. Went online and found loads of disgruntled customers with really poor plants pictured.

That’s a pain. I’m in North Somerset and generally fare pretty well, think I am lucky. Found a new one recently near Wells that was a bit of a trek but glad we went as they had a decent, well priced selection of acers. We also have a great plant swap site which has been helpful.

Website has been down most of the afternoon - I hope that is unrelated to the restructure! Not an encouraging sign

Yes. They mainly all come from giant glasshouses in Holland and to a lesser extent from growers in the UK. But if you are there in person as a customer, you can go through the specimens they have and pick the best, and you can also check the size of the plant and its state of health. None of which you can do if you are ordering online. You can also see whether there is anything else you like the look of.

Specialist nurseries & growers are fine if you are a knowledgeable and experienced gardener adding to your collection of unusual varieties which can't be obtained anywhere else. But I don't think that Sarah Raven falls into that category, does it?

I stopped buying from SR a while ago. The quality was poor with very long delivery times.

I buy from Hayloft, Farmer Gracy and Crocus. My local garden centre is also pretty good for all the usual stuff.

I suspect that @MaxandMeg was responding to your:
‘Why people buy any plants online apart from bulbs and seeds is beyond me’

I’m not an experienced gardener but saw a beautiful salvia on gardeners’ world that I wanted to try and doubt I would have easily picked it up at a garden centre even if one were close to me. Got it on sale from Sarah Raven in the end. Online can be very useful, when it works!

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14912669/Empty-seed-packets-Tools-snap-half-hits-financial-difficulty-gardening-queen-bee-Sarah-Ravens-27m-empire-wilting-fast.html

I’m so glad I’ve seen this thread (via the Daily Mail) because I thought I was just unlucky this year. My Sarah Raven Preference Cactus dahlia has turned out to be a Cafe De Paris. Not what I ordered! Waiting for the Mango Madness I ordered to bloom time if that’s wrong too. Very poor form.

Also my Farmer Gracy Labyrinth dahlia looks so weak and pathetic, like the runt of the litter. Last year’s was fabulous and really big. This year’s looks awful. Sorry to see it’s not just me then.

I was sent the wrong dahlias. Clear from the label. The Chat feature was a waste of time and emails were ignored. Managed to phone when the lines had just opened & was told the Chat wasn't working. I got a refund and kept the wrong dahlias - they are the complete opposite of what I wanted though - enormous flowers according to the description. Gave up on plants after last year's disaster - endless delays, then told some not available and those that arrived had been chucked about by courier and stems were broken as packing was minimal. Took forever to get a refund again. Wonder how many of their suppliers are going to lose out by the restructuring,

Crocus are brilliant. Never had a problem with them. Good quality plants that have thrived.

I’d used Sarah Raven for years and really rated their high quality plants.

I foolishly remained loyal, but the quality has plummeted, the wrong plants sent, thinks half dead, terrible customer service when it used to be prompt and helpful…

The company seems to have gone down the pan. Still expensive but now poor quality and unreliable.

Second part of my order has arrived, appears to be what I ordered but time will tell. Plants were actually ok as were the first ones. Everything now planted out to be slug food.

https://homeofdirectcommerce.com/news/sarah-raven-acquires-brand-she-co-founded-in-a-pre-pack-deal/

The company went into administration and Sarah Raven has conveniently bought it back from the administrators, presumably, as is usual, without the burden of the debts it owed.

Last time this household will be dealing with Ms Raven.

I found van something or other really good. Lots of bringing on to do and some didn't make it but so much cheaper than buying established plants.

van meeuwen?

Website now shows a new company, Raven's Haven, which was incorporated 18 June. Wonder what happens to all the orders for bulbs from the old company. Have these customers lost their money? Ditto anyone who bought gift vouchers. There is nothing about this on the website

You're scaremongering. It states clearly on the website that after the change of ownership all existing orders, returns and gift cards remain valid.
I myself just had a delivery of plants which I'd ordered in May( knew at the time this part of my order would be sent later) with no problems.

I spent about £150 this year with Sarah raven thinking it was going to be great quality, and for the most part it has been.
however, everything was delivered late (ammi in late June!) my phlox crème brûlée were tiny and all died but I think that could’ve been the shitty b&q peat free compost I used. I ordered a rose that arrived dead bar one leaf and has since died in my border despite careful watering and feeding.
i complained and they refunded the phlox and the rose, but I won’t be using them again.

But what about all the other creditors? All the suppliers, for example, many of whom will be small businesses. Sarah Raven has undoubtedly done very well out of this - how about all those other people?

Tarnished name for me - shan't be using them again.

Thanks, Buxton, but it took me a lot of searching to find what you say. For others, wondering like I was, you need to go to Help and FAQ, I would have thought it should have been on the Home page.

I have lots of small plant nurseries near me and support, them but buy at least half my plants online. Crocus, Roots (really been impressed with them) David Austin and Harkness Roses have all been brilliant. Much bigger range and better plants than the big one gardening centres.

If you look at the RHS website and Crocus, it’s clear Crocus supplies RHS (and Waitrose plants)

A lot of small independent nurseries would struggle without online sales. If you're a specialist in a particular plant you could hardly rely on the local sales to keep going.

Well they still haven’t answered my emails
or the online form I filled.

I've given up on Sarah Raven... my go-to for seeds is now Stocks & Green - the range is not as big , but good value seeds with good germination, always speedy