This is my experience with Gardening Express (GE), following a BBC programme I watched sometime in October last year. I believe it was either Rip Off Britain or Watchdog. In that programme, Gardening Express stated that they had “promised to review their systems”.
Unfortunately, my experience strongly suggests that they have not done so.
I purchased plants from Gardening Express in June 2024. When they arrived, they were already past their best. I contacted GE at the time and was told that the plants were fine, that I would need to wait until the following year to see the benefit, and that they were covered by a five-year guarantee.
I waited as advised. After a year, seven of the plants showed no signs of life at all. The remaining three showed some brief signs of growth, but these did not last.
After extensive correspondence with Gardening Express, they eventually stopped responding to my emails. As a result, I issued an Online Civil Money Claim.
Shortly after the claim was received, I was contacted by Kit from Customer Support at Gardening Express, who wrote:
“I am reaching out to request payment details in relation to the Small Claims Court Claim, Reference: 702MC044, so that payment can be made to settle this case…”
I replied promptly with all the requested bank details. Despite this, no payment was made.
A default judgment was then entered against Gardening Express. I subsequently applied for a Warrant of Control to recover the cost of the plants, court fees, and the warrant fee, totalling £195.99.
Gardening Express advertise that they hold 8,000 plants in stock. However, when the bailiff attempted to carry out the warrant, it was discovered that the address provided was a PO Box or virtual office, with no goods available to seize.
In my view, this company has shown a complete lack of integrity. They waste people’s time and money, make promises they do not keep, and appear to structure their business in a way that avoids enforcement of court judgments.
I am 78 years old and have just been released from hospital, with ongoing treatment. I could really do without the stress this situation has caused. £195.99 is a significant amount of money to me.
I informed Gardening Express that I will post this on Trust Pilot and again they have ignored me.