Is anyone else feeling unhappy with Marshalls?
After some 15 years of dealing with them I am now getting seriously unhappy. Thet let me down with my order for Raspberry canes and strawberries, despite repeated chasing and promises they not delivered until mid-december. Other people on my allotment site got their strawberries much earlier.I am very concerned about whether they will survive the winter.
The 2006 catalogue also looks very dated, and does not seem to contain many new varieties. I know that they changed hands recently, is this the thin end of the wedge.
Who else can you recommend as reliable suppliers?
Moaning about Marshalls
Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter, Chief Spud
-
Colin Miles
- KG Regular
- Posts: 1025
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 8:18 pm
- Location: Llannon, Llanelli
I wouldn't worry about your strawberries. Just make sure they are in large enough pots and plant them out when you and the ground and the weather are ready. A few years ago I bought a dozen plants (Marshmellow from Marshalls) and I wasn't able to put them out on the allotment for 18 months after which they did fantastically well - much better than varieties put in straight away. My bare-rooted ones received last month (Mae and Marshmellow from Marshalls) were potted up straight away and are sitting happily in the greenhouse - originally kept outside as are some I presented to my son-in-law.
Marshall's catalogue is another matter. Yes - not the most informative. Looks like a rush job to produce a new catalogue by the new owners. Some bits good but overall disappointing and likely to lose customers unless it is improved. Web site also looks a bit transitional. I sent a seed order off last week - wonder how long it will take to arrive?
Marshall's catalogue is another matter. Yes - not the most informative. Looks like a rush job to produce a new catalogue by the new owners. Some bits good but overall disappointing and likely to lose customers unless it is improved. Web site also looks a bit transitional. I sent a seed order off last week - wonder how long it will take to arrive?
-
Guest
I had to give up on Marshalls.
First, the rhubarb crown that went mouldy because it was delivered in the depth of winter and despite my soaking with fungicide. The replacement went the same way. I replaced it from DT Brown, no problem.
Second, I used to get tomato supersweet 100 seeds from them, they stopped that and brought in sweet million 'to replace it'which I trialled, not the same at all. Moles seeds still supply SS100 even though deleted from the national seed list.
Third, chicory zoom which was moved to a silly category and I assumed it was deleted. Fourth, they still put their seeds in paper packs and no seed count so I couldn't plan my order. The only item I still bought from them was Propapak trays and they are no longer available.
They still send me all their mailings, nothing of any interest to me that I cannot buy elsewhere.
First, the rhubarb crown that went mouldy because it was delivered in the depth of winter and despite my soaking with fungicide. The replacement went the same way. I replaced it from DT Brown, no problem.
Second, I used to get tomato supersweet 100 seeds from them, they stopped that and brought in sweet million 'to replace it'which I trialled, not the same at all. Moles seeds still supply SS100 even though deleted from the national seed list.
Third, chicory zoom which was moved to a silly category and I assumed it was deleted. Fourth, they still put their seeds in paper packs and no seed count so I couldn't plan my order. The only item I still bought from them was Propapak trays and they are no longer available.
They still send me all their mailings, nothing of any interest to me that I cannot buy elsewhere.
-
Ian F
Thanks for the advice. I actually planted my Strawberries, and covered them with fleece, as I was afraid that I would not get a crop this season.Fingers crossed that they survive.
It's a shame about Marshalls, as they have been very good in the past - crediting me when a Gooseberry did not flourish etc.
It's a shame about Marshalls, as they have been very good in the past - crediting me when a Gooseberry did not flourish etc.