Kitchen Garden Forum

Has anyone else had problems ordering seed potatoes?
I ordered a load over the internet from a company who will remain nameless.

Some arrived after a few weeks, but the box was bashed around to the point of disintergrating, of the sarpo mira 4 out of 10 were rotten, one variety was replaced, another came with explaitions as to why they were under-sized.

So I phoned up to complain, and was assured that the sarp mira would be replaced and the rest of the order would be with me shortly. A second box arrived, but after a month I called again. There was no record of the earlier call, or agreement to replace the rotten spuds, nor of the free ones I was meant to get for spending loads....

Told it would take 15 days to three weeks for the outstanding part of the order to arrive... not much time to chit the first earlies then!

Sorry, just moaning, but soo frustrated

Dear Di, i'm afraid these things do happen, but it certainly doesn't make things better.
I hope you got a decent apology from them, if not i think you should name the company.

I have all mine, they are first quality tubers and are chitting nicely. Sorry.

Agreed - I think you should name the company. Remember to take the person's name when calling to complain/check an order also.

KGAmin

Hi Di,
Best to name and shame for everybody's sake.
JB.

Ok, it was Thompson and Morgan, didn't think I should put that on the site as the magazine might not want companies named on their site.

Hi Di. I agree that the Company should be named, after all they are quite happy to accept laurels. shallotman

I just got mine from them today, I ordered the blight busters collection and 3 of the 6 varietys had been substituted, sarpo mirs, markies and something else i cant remember. I phoned up straight away and have got half the value of the order refunded in garden centre vouchers, which is ok except if they had told me when I ordered i would have had time to still get them somewhere else, likely to be sold out by now. I do get to keep all the potatos though and will probably have for more than i need now!

Mandy

To give T&M their due, I ordered our potatoes in October and received them in January, well packed and in perfect order, all the varieties I had requested as well as 20 tubers of Ulster Sceptre, free. They are chitting now.

Hi Monika,

I guess you got in ahead of the rush, I ordered mine Jan 2nd. Still if they knew they had problems sourcing stuff after last year's awful conditions they should put some warning on their web site at least.

How have other companies coped, anyone bought from the others?

We have a couple of nurseries within a six mile radius that sell seed potatoes loose, the beauty being you can select each spud by hand. [approx 30 varieties] also knowing how many you need for a row, you do not buy more than you want. shallotman

I got 2 packs of the free ulster sceptre, 40 tubers, probably as a sweetner, they dont sound very exciting though, i'll probably plant a row and give the others away.

I have shared your experiences with T & M.

I ordered my potatoes in mid January and was keenly anticipating their delivery. It is, after all, the year of the potato. I read articles in various newspapers and magazines, including one by Bob Flowerdew - "Size matters" (KG Feb 2008). And in mid February they arrived.

To be fair, the Picasso were fine: reasonably sized tubers in good condition. But the Charlotte and Sarpo Axona (both organic) were a bit of a let down. At least half of them were undersized, shrivelled and damaged. They were smaller than the sized stated on the packaging. I asked around fellow allotment holders but no one seemed to be experiencing similar problems. Seed potatoes had been bought from other suppliers, potato days and even the local garden centre. It did not seem that this was a "bad year’ for potatoes.

But what has irritated me, more than the poor quality of the seed potatoes, has been the even poorer quality of T & M’s Customer Care. When I first received my potatoes, I e-mailed them, expressing my disappointment and attaching some photos of the sad little specimens. Ten days later, having heard nothing, I e-mailed again. This time I received an automated reply, promising action within six working days. Ten days later, still having heard nothing, I e-mailed again. I am not holding my breath.

However, I will not be ordering from T & M again

I've always got my seed spuds from T&M and never had a problem with them. I can only put it down to the conditions last year. I agree that they should have put a warning on the site when ordering.

I'm thinking of getting mine from Alan Romans this year. Just ordered some seeds off him so will see how they are. Should be here tomorrow.

I only want to order one variety this year so am concentrating on ones that can't be bought in the shops.

I suggest you get in touch with T&M. I've never had a problem and I doubt they would want their reputation damaged. You may get a few gifts.

Hmm, thats got me thinking, my vouchers haven't arrived yet

Mandy