Less-than-honest online plant seller… recourse?
#unscrupuloussellers
The seller is botanista plants
https://botanistaplants.ca/
https://instagram.com/botanistaplants
💬I gave seller a few more days to make it right before I posted info.
It has now been fifteen days and two emails and no reply.
Original post:
Hi everyone
I was stupid and bought an overpriced pink princess (and a WAY overpriced white princess but that’s another story) from an online retailer. I opened the packages and knew right away that I was sent a different pink princess than the one in the picture. Also, the one I received had dying lower leaves already. (And it’s reverted or at least reverting).
I’ve attached a picture - top left is what I ordered, the others are of the plant I got.
I emailed the seller twelve (12!) days ago, very nicely, saying I think there was a mistake. They have not replied. I sent a prompt email again today but I dont feel optimistic. What do you think is appropriate recourse here?
Take the hit? Contact my credit card company?
It may not be relevant, but I’ll also add there was another shady part of the dealing. I paid extra for one day shipping and then after the transaction was complete I got a message saying they need 7 days before shipping an order. Basically I’m getting kinda… pissed.
Thanks all 🍀🌴🌲☘️🌿🌱
The seller is botanista plants
https://botanistaplants.ca/
https://instagram.com/botanistaplants
💬I gave seller a few more days to make it right before I posted info.
It has now been fifteen days and two emails and no reply.
Original post:
Hi everyone
I was stupid and bought an overpriced pink princess (and a WAY overpriced white princess but that’s another story) from an online retailer. I opened the packages and knew right away that I was sent a different pink princess than the one in the picture. Also, the one I received had dying lower leaves already. (And it’s reverted or at least reverting).
I’ve attached a picture - top left is what I ordered, the others are of the plant I got.
I emailed the seller twelve (12!) days ago, very nicely, saying I think there was a mistake. They have not replied. I sent a prompt email again today but I dont feel optimistic. What do you think is appropriate recourse here?
Take the hit? Contact my credit card company?
It may not be relevant, but I’ll also add there was another shady part of the dealing. I paid extra for one day shipping and then after the transaction was complete I got a message saying they need 7 days before shipping an order. Basically I’m getting kinda… pissed.
Thanks all 🍀🌴🌲☘️🌿🌱
12
Personally, I’d try to see what I could do with my bank and then if they’re not able to do anything, report the seller on whatever site you used, let others know about their not-so-good business practices and unfortunately take the hit.
It’s a learning experience, this plant world! 🙌🏽🪴💚
The yellowing leaves could be older leaves that are retiring or leaves that are being retired due to shock caused by shipping. Nontheless, your PPP is gorgeous and somewhat resembles the original picture 😊
Did the listing say it would be the exact same plant in the picture or something alike?
It’s a learning experience, this plant world! 🙌🏽🪴💚
The yellowing leaves could be older leaves that are retiring or leaves that are being retired due to shock caused by shipping. Nontheless, your PPP is gorgeous and somewhat resembles the original picture 😊
Did the listing say it would be the exact same plant in the picture or something alike?
Was the seller on FB or just an online nursery/Etsy seller? If it’s through Etsy they will help resolve the dispute. If you used PP you can contact them since the seller sent you a different plant. If neither of those two, I would contact your credit card. I’m on a FB group that has seller reviews (all online sellers). If you want I can give you the name of that group. I always check those before buying. I’m sorry about your plant. I understand the shipping but usually shipping only applies to the timeframe after it leaves the original destination. Many people/shops will hold a plant because they only ship on certain days. The fast shipping doesn’t apply to your situation because they didn’t send it that day- it’s the time from when it left to when it got to you. Good luck!!
Hi Dariana and Lynn!
Lynn, I totally get it with the shipping :) but it would have been helpful to know before ordering that there was a 7-day prep and packing window, just so I could plan to be home etc :)
Unforttuuuuunately, I bought from an independent seller so there’s no marketplace oversight. I think what is starting to happen a lot is is people are making independent shops, buying plants inexpensively from retailers and reselling them, I.E., not cultivating or buying from distributors.
I’m in Toronto, by the way - I know the plant selection and market is way better in the states because shipping with USPS is quick and reliable. I’ve noticed many American sellers will ship all across the country. So jealous!
Darn, I don’t use Facebook, but it may be worth getting it just for the group! I’d love the name, thank you Lynn!
Lynn, I totally get it with the shipping :) but it would have been helpful to know before ordering that there was a 7-day prep and packing window, just so I could plan to be home etc :)
Unforttuuuuunately, I bought from an independent seller so there’s no marketplace oversight. I think what is starting to happen a lot is is people are making independent shops, buying plants inexpensively from retailers and reselling them, I.E., not cultivating or buying from distributors.
I’m in Toronto, by the way - I know the plant selection and market is way better in the states because shipping with USPS is quick and reliable. I’ve noticed many American sellers will ship all across the country. So jealous!
Darn, I don’t use Facebook, but it may be worth getting it just for the group! I’d love the name, thank you Lynn!
So sorry this is happening to you! 😩 Looks like you got some good advice. @Sassylimey started a hashtag on here for this sort of thing. If you wanna edit your post and add #unscrupuloussellers to it. If you don't mind sharing the name of the seller so we can avoid them too, but you don't have to! I really hope your situation gets resolved and you get your money back 🙏🏻💚
It looks like their photo has it in a 4" and you have a 6" so it may be sitting in too wet of a soil. I'd pull it put and see if it doesn't need to go back in a 4" to avoid root rot. Those yellowing leaves could be from that soil being too wet so pot decrease may help. You have photos, so snip off those yellow leaves. Give her some light and let her dry out before watering and she'll bounce back for you.
I've learned, just like we take photos with out best angles and filters, so do these sellers. I've learned to seriously lower my expectations and buy from those that offer refunds, returns, or discounts if there is an issue.
I've learned, just like we take photos with out best angles and filters, so do these sellers. I've learned to seriously lower my expectations and buy from those that offer refunds, returns, or discounts if there is an issue.
@AwesomePlants totally. And I get it- I would also take good photos of whatever I was selling! I was kinda naively thinking that the steep price was in direct relationship to the quality of the plant (variegation etc). But that was also me being a dupe. With XL plants the pictures are more “honest” but with the little guys I think sellers really adjust settings to enhance the look. But sending a different one entirely is another issue!
Thanks so much for replying :)
Thanks so much for replying :)
PS: will share name of seller if I don’t hear back from them by end of weekend. For now will hashtag #unscrupuloussellers - great idea!
@AwesomePlants lol!
The WP is healthy it was just 3x more $$ than it should have been.
unfortunately I paid with Sezzle so my receipt doesn’t show me a pic of the plant I ordered. It’s not the one I got but the one I got is close enough
The WP is healthy it was just 3x more $$ than it should have been.
unfortunately I paid with Sezzle so my receipt doesn’t show me a pic of the plant I ordered. It’s not the one I got but the one I got is close enough