Publishers Clearing House plants

I'm not sure if it would be a Garden Watchdog entry, it has plants/bulbs offered... as well as everything else under the sun. I don't normally "go for" things like that, they just seem so untrustworthy, but I ordered bulbs/plants from them a few times... much to my misfortune. The first time the bulbs arrived, after I had gave up on ever seeing them, they were not the "exotic" bulbs promised just misslabeled common bulbs... and to make it worse they were so horribly dried out they were rock solid shriveled lumps.... so I sent them back. Then a few months passed and again they had a offer that caught my interest, I decided to give them another chance. I ordered a set of "exotic house plants" (I have only the desperation that winter brings to blame!), months later they had still not showen up... but a overdue bill for them had stating they were going to turn me into a collection agency. I wrote the company telling them I had not recieved the plants and that I was unhappy with recieving a threat letter as my first notification that there was a problem. The letter I recieved back stated "I'm sorry you can't order any more of the 'exotic plants', that offer is expired". Order more?! What are they talking about? So I contacted them online, and recieved a similar response... it's been a few months now, I haven't recieved another threat letter or any other mail about it from them. I don't know if they ever solved the problem, maybe my letter finally got to someone who could read english. My sister had ordered from them several times this year, she's never recieved a single one of the plants she has ordered, but on the bright side she's never recieved a bill either. My question is should this be in the Garden Watch Dog? They are not a plant/seed/bulb catalog, although they offer plants/bulbs in thier fliers often.

Crimson, is it Publishers Clearing House or Publishers Choice? Publishers Choice sells the Miracle Bush tomato, white feather pampas grass and hanging strawberry garden; we do have them listed here: http://gardenwatchdog.com/c/2423/

If it's Publishers Clearing House, send me any details you have (website, etc.) and I'll be glad to check into it.

I also had a similar experience with some plants ordered from Publishers Clearing House..never got them but got MANY bills for them. After sending reply after reply that I never received the plants, I just gave up and ignored them, which is what they had been doing to my letters for months..

earthling: Yup, that sounds like my experience with them. go_vols: Publishers Clearing House. 101 Winners Circle, Port Washington, New York 11050. www.pch.com 1-800-645-9242. I really could just kick myself for getting involved with them! If anything ever shows up from them, I'll promptly return it... the "free" pen they sent cost $5.26 shipping & handling! They are right up there with Michigan Bulb as one of the all time worse rip off companies.

Crimson, and Earthling, seems like you both have ample reason and experience to enter this into the WatchDog.

earthling: Yup, that sounds like my experience with them. go_vols: Publishers Clearing House. 101 Winners Circle, Port Washington, New York 11050. www.pch.com 1-800-645-9242. I really could just kick myself for getting involved with them! If anything ever shows up from them, I'll promptly return it... the "free" pen they sent cost $5.26 shipping & handling! They are right up there with Michigan Bulb as one of the all time worse rip off companies. I'll get them entered in Garden Watchdog, and I'll leave my comment.

When I was in college, a guy I studied with had a part time job writing promotional copy for the magazine subscription department at Publisher's Clearinghouse. This was thirty years ago. I remember him saying that his employers were the slickest, sleaziest people he had met in his life.

Even allowing for the fact that this was the early 70s in the backwash of the 60s (and so we were apt to overstate things a bit), I'd say that among people in business today, Publisher's Clearinghouse is considered to have lived up to my friend's evaluation, and then some.

Steer "clear!"

My friend is now a senior executive at AOL; I guess he's not perfect either ;~)

Adam.

Crimson-check with the Consumer Protection Agency-608-224-4960 or 1-800-422-7128. They were able to help with a class action suit a zillion yeaars ago, they may be able to help you. Good Luck.

Crimson, this is why I don't even bother opening mail from companies like this: they go directly into the fireplace or the recycle bin, unopened. I hope that is where you put all future offers from them (and from some of the other disreputable companies!)

If you get plant desperate, just holler! Hang on, spring is coming! (((Crimson)))

MarciaGeiger: Thank you I'll keep them in mind if I have anymore problem from them.

lupinelover: Thanks! Spring just doesn't come fast enough for me, I need to go back to zone 6 (at least!)... I'm not made for the colder zones. I get cabin fever before winter even comes! :)