The disaster that is Park Seeds! - Page 2

**tomatoaddict** · March 27, 2009

Quote:

If Parks can't handle internet orders in an honest way, they shouldn't be taking internet orders!

Yes!! That was my big issue and what pi$$ed me off so bad. They should have had it listed as "BO". Not make you believe it is in stock and keep waiting until you are sweating bullets because you need what you ordered.. If something isn't in stock when you order it you can go to Plan B. Just be honest with customers when they order.

jebgordon · March 28, 2009

I agree that Park Seed really has issues in their internet orders. I ordered from Park for the first time last Fall. I was very interested to try out the "Bio-Dome" product. It stated the bio-dome will ship in Nov., but I only recd. it this Feb.
This item is imported from Holland, so it must have been shipped on a really slow boat to arrive so late. I also ordered an "APS24" seed starting system from Gardeners Supply Co. based on a recommedation from Tomatofest.com. This system uses seed starter potting mix verses the bio-domes plugs to start your tomato seeds.
To test the two systems, I planted one seed in each cell/plug and each seed germinated in a few days. Boy was I happy, but after the seedlings began to grow the plants
in the APS were really taking off. The bio-dome plants were
like midgets. At the end of five weeks the APS plants are
hardened off and ready to plant out this weekend. The bio-dome plants are healthy ,but two weeks behind in maturity.
Does anymore else have comparisons growing seedlings in
seed starter mix verses grow plugs?
Thanks, JB

geeboss · March 28, 2009

Woodchuck

What were your backorder items from Park's?

George

Woodchuck · March 28, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by geeboss

Woodchuck

What were your backorder items from Park's?

George

2 more cultivars have allegedly shipped, leaving 5.

Early Dwarf Hakucho Soybean

Little Lucy Okra

Sweet Pickle Pepper

Hestia Dwarf Runner Bean

Moneymaker Tomato

~Woodchuck

karpes · March 28, 2009

I ordered in early December and received several deliveries. I canceled after the fourth delivery because I could buy cheaper locally and the freight charges were more expensive than the cost of the seeds. My lesson learned is to ask if everything I order is in stock and not to assume that they will ship everything in one order. Other than that the seed germination rates were good and they were courteous and apologetic when I canceled the unreceived items in February.
Karpes

Woodchuck · March 28, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by karpes

My lesson learned is to ask if everything I order is in stock and not to assume that they will ship everything in one order.

I asked that very question BEFORE I placed the order. That's what burns me the most, I was lied to.

Anyway...
I received some seeds today....I didn't receive some of the seeds that were supposed to have been shipped with THIS shipment according to the online status and customer service ....still 6 on back order. The seeds were shipped to the wrong address...they ignored the ship-to address, that could have led to disaster, but luckily, it worked out!

I'm done with Park Seeds!

~Woodchuck

Woodchuck · March 28, 2009

I ordered from several other companies this year without serious problems, just like I always do.

All were honest.
I had a minor problem with Tomato Growers Supply.
I entered a ship to address when I ordered and received an email confirmation after ordering that included the proper ship to address. Because of some software glitch or something, the office didn't get the proper ship to address info.
The seeds were shipped to the wrong address, but luckily it worked out without a major problem.
I called and told them what happened, they apologized and were thankful for the information.

I ordered from Nichol's without any problem...but get this...the order number....8JD80DHG8U0G9LHCKTSNK0VB30.

I called them...
"Supercalafragilisticexpialodocious, I think your order number is quite atrocious!" LMAO!

No Joke!

Talk about a breeding ground for errors!

What's up with that? LOL

All companies deserve high marks except for Parks!!!

~Woodchuck

karpes · March 28, 2009

WOODCHUCK
It looks like the Daves garden watchdog agrees with you. Check it out and post your opinion if you feel inclined. Looks like their services are declining.
Karpes

http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/3/

**Mischka** · March 29, 2009

After reading the Watchdog ratings, I have removed Park's Seed from the list of seed sellers here.

They must have new management or something along those lines.

This reminds me of when the dubious direct marketing firm Foster & Gallagher bought out Gurney's, Henry Field's, Spring Hill Nurseries, Breck's, Michigan Bulb Co., Stark Brothers, Vermont Wildflower Farms and single handedly destroyed the reputations of them all, simultaneously.

I grew up ordering from Gurney's and was saddened to see them decimated. Looks like Park's is following in their footsteps.

**Mischka** · March 29, 2009

FOLLOWUP: After doing some investigating and making a few phone calls, I can confirm that Park Seed Co. is no longer controlled by Karen Park Jennings or her family members.

It is controlled by an investment holding company, M-Three Concepts, Inc.

There's an address listed for them at 2170 West State Road 434 in Longwood, Florida.

There is some type of litigation going on between them and if/when I find out more details, I'll post them here.

**tomatoaddict** · March 29, 2009

I wondered myself if Park was under new management. Too bad. Good investigative skills M!

ContainerTed · March 29, 2009

I feel very fortunate. I actually ordered from Park Seeds twice last year and received both my complete orders without delay or substitutions/backorders. It is always a shame to see any supplier go the wrong way. I feel that our tomato passion is somehow diminished by this business failure.

Ted

johnsonjrbm · March 29, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mischka

After reading the Watchdog ratings, I have removed Park's Seed from the list of seed sellers here.

They must have new management or something along those lines.

This reminds me of when the dubious direct marketing firm Foster & Gallagher bought out Gurney's, Henry Field's, Spring Hill Nurseries, Breck's, Michigan Bulb Co., Stark Brothers, Vermont Wildflower Farms and single handedly destroyed the reputations of them all, simultaneously.

I grew up ordering from Gurney's and was saddened to see them decimated. Looks like Park's is following in their footsteps.

Yeah, Jackson & Perkins used to have decent roses, too, until they were bought out by the company that now owns Park...

**Mischka** · March 30, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsonjrbm

Yeah, Jackson & Perkins used to have decent roses, too, until they were bought out by the company that now owns Park...

Jackson & Perkins’ new president is Charles “Chas" Fox, as of last year.

"Chas" doesn’t have a horticulture background or anything remotely resembling one. He’s a former NFL wide receiver. (!) He played for the KC Chiefs for his entire 1 year career back in 1986.

Here's another big surprise. Along with his post at Jackson & Perkins, he’s also president of Park Seed, Park Wholesale and Wayside Gardens and also president and CEO of Southern Sun Biosystems.

From ZoomInfo: "We make plants grow faster at a lower cost, and we're better for the environment," claims Fox.

Southern Sun calls its technology "the operating system of the next century" for plant production. Patented by Clemson University scientist Dr. Jeff Adelberg, it accelerates the growing process by producing "finger-sized tissue culture transplants that are free of diseases, pests and pesticides."

"The transplants, called CU-Starts, are small enough to be shipped internationally and strong enough to be planted directly into the field. The Acclimatron houses transplants in a natural light hydroponic growing system that delivers plant nutrients through circulating water."

All the companies are owned by the same investor, Don Hachenberger. (who with his wife Glenda, is one of the founders of the RE/MAX real estate empire)

Now we know where some of that real estate bubble money went... gobbling up these companies that will be stripped of their assets, real estate holdings and sadly, once-sterling reputations.

The value of their real estate business has been battered, so what's the next step to recoup some fast cash? Product quality and customer satisfaction both take a back seat to profits when this happens.

They have more holding companies on paper than you can imagine. This is a tip-off that they've insulated their assets from each other in the event one of them financially collapses - legal yes, but a red flag in my eyes. Sort of a shell game on paper.

Spend your hard-earned money elsewhere, folks.

newatthiskat · March 30, 2009

Thanks for that tidbit of info Mischka. I will know not to buy from them!

Kat

March 28, 2009	#22
Woodchuck Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 64	I ordered from several other companies this year without serious problems, just like I always do. All were honest. I had a minor problem with Tomato Growers Supply. I entered a ship to address when I ordered and received an email confirmation after ordering that included the proper ship to address. Because of some software glitch or something, the office didn't get the proper ship to address info. The seeds were shipped to the wrong address, but luckily it worked out without a major problem. I called and told them what happened, they apologized and were thankful for the information. I ordered from Nichol's without any problem...but get this...the order number....8JD80DHG8U0G9LHCKTSNK0VB30. I called them... "Supercalafragilisticexpialodocious, I think your order number is quite atrocious!" LMAO! No Joke! Talk about a breeding ground for errors! What's up with that? LOL All companies deserve high marks except for Parks!!! ~Woodchuck __________________ . Last edited by Woodchuck; March 28, 2009 at 10:48 PM.

March 29, 2009	#24
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	After reading the Watchdog ratings, I have removed Park's Seed from the list of seed sellers here. They must have new management or something along those lines. This reminds me of when the dubious direct marketing firm Foster & Gallagher bought out Gurney's, Henry Field's, Spring Hill Nurseries, Breck's, Michigan Bulb Co., Stark Brothers, Vermont Wildflower Farms and single handedly destroyed the reputations of them all, simultaneously. I grew up ordering from Gurney's and was saddened to see them decimated. Looks like Park's is following in their footsteps. __________________ Mischka One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

March 29, 2009	#25
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	FOLLOWUP: After doing some investigating and making a few phone calls, I can confirm that Park Seed Co. is no longer controlled by Karen Park Jennings or her family members. It is controlled by an investment holding company, M-Three Concepts, Inc. There's an address listed for them at 2170 West State Road 434 in Longwood, Florida. There is some type of litigation going on between them and if/when I find out more details, I'll post them here. __________________ Mischka One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

March 29, 2009	#26
tomatoaddict Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: zone 5 Posts: 1,459	I wondered myself if Park was under new management. Too bad. Good investigative skills M! __________________ Secretseedcartel.com

March 29, 2009	#27
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	I feel very fortunate. I actually ordered from Park Seeds twice last year and received both my complete orders without delay or substitutions/backorders. It is always a shame to see any supplier go the wrong way. I feel that our tomato passion is somehow diminished by this business failure. Ted __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

March 28, 2009	#17
jebgordon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Millbrae, CA Posts: 15	I agree that Park Seed really has issues in their internet orders. I ordered from Park for the first time last Fall. I was very interested to try out the "Bio-Dome" product. It stated the bio-dome will ship in Nov., but I only recd. it this Feb. This item is imported from Holland, so it must have been shipped on a really slow boat to arrive so late. I also ordered an "APS24" seed starting system from Gardeners Supply Co. based on a recommedation from Tomatofest.com. This system uses seed starter potting mix verses the bio-domes plugs to start your tomato seeds. To test the two systems, I planted one seed in each cell/plug and each seed germinated in a few days. Boy was I happy, but after the seedlings began to grow the plants in the APS were really taking off. The bio-dome plants were like midgets. At the end of five weeks the APS plants are hardened off and ready to plant out this weekend. The bio-dome plants are healthy ,but two weeks behind in maturity. Does anymore else have comparisons growing seedlings in seed starter mix verses grow plugs? Thanks, JB

March 28, 2009	#18
geeboss Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Fairfax, VA Z7 Posts: 524	Woodchuck What were your backorder items from Park's? George

March 28, 2009	#20
karpes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 73	I ordered in early December and received several deliveries. I canceled after the fourth delivery because I could buy cheaper locally and the freight charges were more expensive than the cost of the seeds. My lesson learned is to ask if everything I order is in stock and not to assume that they will ship everything in one order. Other than that the seed germination rates were good and they were courteous and apologetic when I canceled the unreceived items in February. Karpes

March 30, 2009	#30
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	reply Thanks for that tidbit of info Mischka. I will know not to buy from them! Kat