I had been relying on my Landscaper to purchase my plants for my properties.
Not getting exactly what I wanted from relying on my Landscaper to purchase plants for me, I decided to take matters into my own hands.
I often drive by the Moon Valley location on Sherman Way, and finally stopped in as I needed some plants.
Actually, I needed quite a few plants.
I met with Mike Freeland and he showed me some options. I consulted with my Landscaper and we decided on 239 Boxwoods and 60 succulents.
I made my purchase totaling $3,584.47.
Mike didn't have all the plants, thus I had to wait. I had an emergency at one of my properties a couple days after my purchase, and I called Mike to cancel the order for the time being. Mike said that I would be charged a cancellation fee. I discussed with him that the plants hadn't been moved, or delivered, so I would appreciate it if we could hold off on the order. Mike pointed me to the terms and conditions on the back of the receipt. I read the terms and conditions and thought, OK, those are the terms. I let the order ride.
However, the terms of the sale should be clearly explained when you are making your purchase. I am not quite sure if Moon Valley has not spent any money or effort moving, loading, or planting a plant...why a client shouldn't be able to get a refund.
That's OK, I thought, I know the terms for next time.
So we moved forward, and that's where things fell apart...and for me, there will not be a next time with Moon Valley.
The events are as follows:
My Landscaper picked up the Boxwoods. Mike had told me that the succulents that were ordered at the same time were to be delivered at a later date. I said, OK.
Without going into a long detailed recanting of every detail...I made my purchase on 9/16/2016.
From approximately two weeks after the purchase, and pickup of my Boxwoods...I called Mike for 3 MONTHS trying to get my succulents!
Let me repeat that...3 MONTHS OF THE CUSTOMER CALLING THE COMPANY TO GET MY PLANTS!!
Every point of contact with Mike was met with a machine gun delivered response. Basically, I couldn't get a straight answer, and every promise to do something was met with no follow through on Mike's end.
To be fair, Mike might have called me back one time.
Finally at the end of December, I had had it.
I called Mike and expressed my discomfort, and told him we needed to wrap this up.
He said that he couldn't get the succulents, then told me he was going to call someone as a last ditch effort.
At the same time, I was planning another project with my Landscaper. He asked me if I wanted him to get the 75 plants we needed from his supplier? I told him to hold off as I thought...maybe Mike was going to pull it off, and that something could be salvaged from my poor experience to date with Mike, and that we could move forward with future projects.
Well, I received a call from Mike a few days later and he informed me the succulents had arrived.
AWESOME!
So I called my Landscaper and told him to go to Moon Valley and get the 75 plants there.
Until...
Later that same day, I received another call from Mike telling me that the succulents he had were not 1 gallon, which is what I ordered. Rather they were 3 gallon. Well, I thought before he said the next thing...That's your problem.
Mike then said to me, I'm going to have to charge you $6.00 more per plant.
I said, I want a refund.
Mike swiftly acquiesced to my my request, and gave me the refund.
I want to pause a moment and look back to the beginning of this harrowing tale.
When nothing had been done, not a finger lifted, except to swipe my credit card, and print my receipt, I couldn't get a refund. Now, plants have transported, energy has been exerted, money spent, and now I can get a refund without a problem. Pretty convenient, and seemingly a bit perplexing on the logic there. I understand it's more based on Mike not being able to come through...but again... pretty convenient.
Well, as we come to a close here...I immediately called my Landscaper and told him to go to his supplier and get the 75 plants.
My business with Moon Valley was concluded at that very moment.
In conclusion, I am sure there are great people within Moon Valley's organization. Personally, I am sure Mike is a great guy. He did not strike me as otherwise. However, from a business standpoint...not so great on my transaction.
I am a business owner. I own apartment buildings and single family rentals. In total I have approximately 30,000 sq. feet of green space. Green space that is always being maintained, changed, upgraded. The source of my plants, will not be coming from Moon Valley Nurseries.
I'd call that an...OOPS!
The way I conduct my business...every dollar counts. No client is ever ignored. That's the way I do business, and I don't do business with companies that do not share my same ideologies. As I know, in no uncertain terms...that is the right way to do business. read more