My seeds arrived today from, seedsofchange.com. Very fast shipping! But there was a little problem with my order. I had noticed that my debit card had been overcharged almost $4.According to their website and confirmation email, I was to be charged $2.79 per packet.
In the invoice from today's shipment, I noticed that I was charged $3.29 per packet, and the Marigold's were charged $3.69.
This is very pricey!
I sent off an email today (Saturday) asking for an explanation, and didn't expect a reply until Monday. Needless to say, I was surprised they responded in minutes. Customer service apologized and said to expect a refund of the difference within 24 to 72 business hours.
No explanation of why I was overcharged for the seeds.
I can only assume that maybe they had gone up on their prices and this wasn't reflected on their website?
Shipping was $9.14 for those 5 packet of seeds... No free seeds, no catalog with shipment...
Anyway, just giving you a heads-up in case you're planning to buy from seedsofchange.com ~
I think I'm going to check out the Natural Gardener here in Austin for the rest of my seeds. This way I can buy locally and save on shipping. Besides, I'm always looking for an excuse to drive out there.
On the bright side, I planted my lemon Basil Heirloom seeds today in my new planter and sat it in my kitchen window. This particular Basil heirloom seeds were mentioned in a 1597 edition of John Gerard's book, The Herbal.
I learned something today about Basil. When used in tea, it can relieve nausea and gas pains. The ancient Greeks used Basil to relieve flatulance ;-)
UPDATE:
I just checked online and Seeds of Change, HAS gone up on prices. I must have purchased just in the nick of time.
This is good for me, as I wouldn't have paid $3.29 a packet. I can understand how they tried to bill me correctly, but with my evidence (email invoice) they had no choice but to refund the difference.
I can not wait to plant the catnip!!!
ReplyDeleteGotta give some of that there basil to my dh! ;)
ReplyDeleteDid you know shipping was so high before you ordered?
ReplyDeleteI have ordered from them for years and they have had excellent service. I just looked at my catalog and your right, they have gone up. But they do have some varieties that no one else has. I've ordered the Yakon this year. I ordered it last year and they ran out before my order. I've never seen it in any other source, and it does sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteI agree. They do have varieties that I can't find elsewhere. When my family visited Homestead Heritage in Waco, I'd noticed they used/sold Seeds from SOC too.
ReplyDeleteI'll still purchase from them what I can't find locally. Their customer service was good considering the mishap, but their shipping is steep.
I am often put off by the cost of shipping. I think you can get most of the seeds in Austin at places like Natural gardener, Barton Springs, Shoal Creek and yesterday I saw a good selection at Zinger.
ReplyDeleteMy son needs basil tea!!
ReplyDeleteI also get seeds of change seeds, but I bought them here.I can't remember how much I paid.
This is the first yr I'm ordering from a seed catalog. You're right about Seeds of Change. They are pricey. Fortunately I ordered most of what I needed from Bountiful Gardens. They are part of Ecology Action and are real into Bio-Intensive Gardening. Based out of California, they have been around for 34 yrs, helping people around the world learn sustainable, organic gardening practices.
ReplyDeleteTheir seeds range in price from $1.95-$3 something. They did note in the catalog that they made a deliberate choice to NOT raise the price of seed this yr specifically for the purpose of not pricing those people out that may need the grow thier own food the most! Is that awsome or what!
I've already told DH that I'll be making a 2nd order just to stock up since obviously seeds are getting expensive.
They have some really interesting and heirloom varieties. They also carry some conventional stuff with the note that they were verified to be grown without chems or pesticides etc. To the best of my knowledge, they don't carry any GMO stuff.
But I'd email someone to verify it for myself. You honestly can't be too careful when it comes to frankenfoods!
Check 'em out! ...and save!
Valerie
Wow that is high shipping for something so lite.....thanks for sharing about the basil..! :)
ReplyDelete