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Gardener's Choice - What To Do

Gardeners' Choice • Consumer Complaints • Order not received • Dead plants • What to do • Company response • The other Gardener's Choice --- News • Gardeners' Choice Complaints Sprout Annually

Dr. Carl of Orwigsburg PA was diligent in pursuing Gardeners' Choice. He writes (7/16/02):
"Gardener's Choice" is a catalog of plants/vegetables. I sent an order totaling $125.96 on March 15, 2000. In April I made 22 attempts in 2 days to contact them by telephone (203-857-3800) which all met with busy signals. Calling this number before 9AM found a taped message instructing one to leave a message, but it could not be done.

I sent a certified letter asking for the status of my order. The return receipt was sent back to me, but no further communication was received. Another certified letter was sent 6-5-00, requesting a full refund. Return receipt signed by Robt. J. Kabel of PO Box 25 with same address otherwise. No refund, no communication.

Contacted Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan, who in turn contacted their Connecticut affiliate upon discovery that the Michigan address was a "mail drop" from whcih everything was supposedly forwarded to National Growers Nursery, one of many promotional names belonging to Lipenwald, Inc. of the CT address above.

On June 28, 2000, I sent a third certified letter to Lipenwald in CT requesting a refund plus postage costs for a total of $134.90. Return receipt again received, but no further communication and no refund. Better Business Bureau cannot help any further. I wrote to the Federal Trade Commission because it is clear that this company has violated the Mail Merchandise Rules. I also filed a complaint with the Post Office for mail fraud.

As Dr. Carl's report shows, it's hard to resolve this problem. The best solution is prevention. Don't use checks to buy through the mail or online. There is virtually nothing you can do if the transaction is unsatisfactory. Either buy locally or use a credit card, which allows you 60 days to contest a charge.

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