Comments regarding John Scheepers, Inc.

This past year was the first time i ordered bulbs from scheepers....i've had a great success rate and some stunning flowers....working on bulb order for this fall :-)

lynda

I've had wonderful experiences when ordering from both John Scheepers and Kitchen Garden Seeds. I tried KGS after a rather minor problem (bulb variety mix up where all in a mixed bag were same color, I think) with some amaryllis bulbs was made right with a credit. After they bloomed and I noticed the issue, it was naturally too late to replace them, hence the credit. They did not make me send the bulbs back, even though I offered.

I had absolutely NO problems with customer service. They said nothing about a minimum order, so that may be a new policy. Instead, I was given the choice of their companies to use my credit, and everything was handled with cheerfulness and attention to the customer. Their customer handling and their products have been top notch in my experience, and I am just about to go to their website to order again.

I noticed that most of the negative or neutral reviews seem to have happened close to the same time. Perhaps there was a reason on their end, say a reorg or move, that contributed. I know my experiences with them over the past 5 years have been just great.

I love this company. Their customer service is incredibly friendly and prompt, and their bulbs are nice and big and plump. So far, everything I've ordered from them that was supposed to bloom already has bloomed beautifully. My front yard was filled with daffs by late January, and the crocuses and hyacinths are just gorgeous. Can't wait to see the irises and tulips.

I only wish they sold spring bulbs, too. I will most certainly order from them again.

I have had excellent results ordering from this company yearly for the past 5 years. I have always ordered amaryllis bulbs and they are the largest bulbs I have ever seen for a very reasonable price. Their shipping methods are oustanding and the bulbs are labelled and in perfect condition.
The bulbs always produce huge blooms and 2 and 3 stalks per bloom. The blooms last a very long time.
This year I added 'paperwhites' to my order and again the biggest bulbs I have ever seen.
All of the bulbs have arrived at the proper time for planting.

Every order over the years that I've placed with Scheepers has been filled correctly and delivered at the proper planitng time. The bulbs always have arrived in good condition and have bloomed the following spring, increasing each year. I gave up on tulips, though, only for the fact that the deer keep eating them....The different varieties of daffodils are so beautiful in the spring. I plan on placing another order with them next growing season.

I had ordered, among other bulbs, a muscari mix, and only ONE came up in spring. Scheepers offered a credit to be used on my next order, in the amount of approx. $15.00.

When I phoned them to place a new order for replacement of the same bulb mix, for $15.00, I was told that there was a $35.00 minimum for bulb orders. So I wound up paying more than I really wanted to spend, just to get my replacement.

Bad policy.

My order arrived perfectly packaged, at the proper planting time for my area. Bulbs were a very generous size & the prices are great.

I recieved my order from John Scheepers and the bulbs were wonderful condition and quality. This is the 2nd time I have ordered from John Scheepers and I assure you cannot go wrong by ordering from them. It is good to see that there are still trustworthy place to purchase garden supplies.

I have been buying bulbs (primarily lilies and amaryllis) from the John Scheepers Company every autumn for about 10 years now and have had only good experiences with this company. The bulbs are consistently larger, fresher and in better condition on arrival than any other mail-order I have purchased from, and I have never had any problem with their shipping or customer service. (And their selection of bulbs is outstanding!) Be aware that new introductions often sell out- get your order in early.

And it may be of interest to potential customers to know that this company has "friends in high places". A few years ago, the UPS truck pulled into my driveway to deliver my 2 boxes of bulbs and I noticed he had an emormous mountain of John Scheepers boxes on the truck for a local delivery. I said, "wow, somebody's getting a big bunch of bulbs" and he replied, "yeah, those are for Martha Stewart" (she has a summer house in the area). So I guess, when it comes to the John Scheepers Company, "It's a good thing"!

I ordered bulbs in the fall of 2006...good experience, nice bulbs. I just went online to order bulbs for fall 2007 (mid July) and I wanted to say that the Scheepers online catalog and shopping cart system are the best I have used in 5 years of internet shopping. Intuitive, thorough, quick, easy to navigate, just as quick as using a paper catalog. Thanks Scheepers...kudos to your web designer!

I order hundreds of bulbs each year and never have a problem. Their bulbs are top quality and the flowers absolutely beautiful. Their customer service staff is very friendly and helpful. Ordering online is a breeze. I rarely buy bulbs anywhere else.

My first order, consisting of 4 different Tulip varieties, with this company. All are blooming beautifully now in CT; all are as described; no underachievers nor comminglers. I'm delighted and plan to order from them again this year.

After dealing with close to a dozen others over the last 20 years John Scheepers is the only bulb company I do business with now. Best selection, prices & quality, if there is a problem they make good without giving you the run around. Last year about half of a bag of tulips were the wrong type and they replaced al of them at no charge.

I ordered 7 Amaryllis bulbs at 11 PM on Wed, Jan 10 and received them Fri afternoon, Jan 12. How's that for quick service? I know these bulbs were mostly for Christmas and the rush was over, but stiil...5 of the bulbs were great, huge and beautiful! 2 were not, 1 grew in bag and 1 had soft black area, again, probably because it is so late in the season. I emailed customer service Friday night and Monday they emailed me to tell me they had shipped 2 replacement bulbs. The prices are GREAT, half of what I paid for similar Amaryllis bulbs at Dutch Gardens and White Flower Farms (8.75 vs 18.00) and the shipping is very reasonable (6.00 for 7 large bulbs). I will be buying exclusively from them next Christmas, for myself and for gifts. They are one of the best companies I have ever dealt with. Wish I had more room in the yard, their spring bulbs look great too!

I was very impressed with the Exotica amaryllis I ordered from Scheepers this year. It produced 3 stalks and--since the first one had five buds--a total of 13 flowers! The other bulbs I received were very nice too.

Great bulbs and prices . AAA+++

I ordered crocus, snowdrops and muscari from John Scheepers at the end of the summer and I was satisfied with everything they sent me. The bulbs were all in good condition and I liked their customer service. Great pricing too. I'll definitely order from them again.

I ordered from this company for the first time this year, because I needed a fairly large number of bulbs, and I couldn't find the full selection of what I was looking for at my usual supplier (Brent and Becky's). Now B&B sets a pretty high standard for high quality bulbs and good service, and I was very pleased to receive equally good bulbs for a very good price from Scheepers'. I am a MG and needed to have my bulbs a bit earlier than the usual shipping time for Scheepers'.

I am going to be doing a hands-on bulb planting demonstration for a new gardening club, and I wanted to have enough bulbs to let apx. a dozen people plant their own bulbs and take them home after the meeting. When I explained this to the sales staff, they were very accomodating putting a rather large (over 1,200 bulbs) into the mail the next day as promised. It arrived 3 days (including Saturday) after I called to expedite the order. The bulbs were extremely well packed and appear to be in excellent condition. I am now including this company on my list of sources.

I must say, I received my order last week and was in disbelief at how large and healthy all the bulbs were. Comparing them to local stores, who sell bulbs, they were easily double to triple in size. I am so happy with my order that my neighbor and I are putting in another one tomorrow.. I will never again buy bulbs from stores, virtually the same price with just a small amount of shipping and twice the size, you cant go wrong with John Scheepers.

I placed my very first order 9/28/06, it was with a CS rep over the phone. I got everything I wanted and a ship time that worked for me, arrive by 11/1/06. Everything seemed fine, until today 10/26/06. I was notified that the scilla item I ordered is out of stock, not a big deal, I got a substitute item. Due to their low inventory I bought a more expensive scilla that was not in my preffered color. I asked if I could have a discount on the scilla, I was told no. I asked if I would be getting my items by the date I requested and was told no. But I was really surprised by the excuses they offered, which was that I ordered too late and that the item was out of stock when I ordered, (although the website still had it available and the cs person on the phone took the order anyway). They say they have no record of my delivery date request and didn't offer to do anything to try to get it to me earlier than their standard shipping process. My bulbs will go in a truck some time next week, and when that truck is full, it will take another 8 business days before I get them. They basically did nothing, I'm left with the impression that people in Zone 8 have few options with this company.

Weak on Customer Service: I did order one bulb which is supposed to be 32+cm and was noticiably smaller at 24 cm. It looks like a runt! The supervisor said there was nothing she could do unless I mailed it back at my own cost, and then they would credit me for the single bulb. I explained that I was quite happy with my other bulbs and I wanted this one, but expected it to be 32 cm. I suggested they offer me a partial credit and am waiting 24 hours for a response. I'm beginning to wonder if the slighted, unhappy person below dealt with the same supervisor. I had receieved one rotton bulb from Van Engelen and they said they would issue me a credit. It hasn't happened yet. Now I'm a little worried about the quality of my other bulbs from Scheepers (I ordered about $300 and still have another $90 worth of bulbs to receive).

Excellent company. I received my bulbs exactly one week from the day that I placed my order. Good sized healthy bulbs. I'd gladly order from them again. In my opinion, John Scheepers belongs in the Top 30!

My bulb order from Scheepers arrived today, the first I've recieved this season despite a minor billing mix-up (not their fault; I got a new credit card between placing my order and getting billed). The packaging is very nice, the bulb bags being contained in boxes inside the outer box to minimize movement. The bulbs are fresh, lovely, and big, without a single dud. Overall I'm happy with Scheepers and will probably order from them again.

As a northern gardener, I am unhappy with my experience with Scheepers bulbs. It is mid-Oct and snowing in my growing area. In late Sept, I inquired about a large shipment of bulbs I had ordered during the summer. Scheepers told me the lillies were held up, but agreed to send out the hyacinthoides in advance. I rec'd the hyacinthoides, but then was charged twice for these bulbs. It's been very inconvenient trying to get a refund as they never canceled these bulbs from the original order. I am told I have to wait to receive them and send them back before I am issued a refund. I am already annoyed to have to plant bulbs in the snow. Several years ago I planted Scheepers bulbs that never came up. Other companies sent bulbs to my zone 4 area much earlier. We need time to get bulbs established in cold growing areas.

Well, got my bulbs from John Scheepers this morning! They were gorgeous, as expected :), but a bit of a surprise since they sent me this email last month:
"Thank you for contacting John Scheepers. I have checked in both of our companies, John Scheepers as well as Van Engelen, and I cannot find an order under your name.
How did you place your order (web, mail, fax or phone). We would have sent you a confirmation card detailing your item numbers, quantities, pricing etc. We do have you in our system, but there is no activity on your accounts, just that we have sent you catalogs in the past.
Sincerely,
Edith King
John Scheeper, Inc.
Customer Service
860 567-0838
customerservice@johnscheepers.com"
Made my spouse furious, and me just happy as a clam :D especially since I'd followed up and ordered from Van Engelen as soon as I'd heard that I wasn't going to get my order from Scheeper's. Not really their fault, I should have kept a receipt on my computer with an order number, and I really can't say I'm displeased at all. I will remember next fall to get and keep track of my order number though!
That said the bulbs are gorgeous, and I am looking forward to receiving my next order, and ordering with them again in 2007. Healthy fat bulbs!!

I ordered from John Scheepers for the first time this fall. The bulbs arrived this past week and they look spectacular. They are huge and in great condition.

I am especially impressed with the foxtail lilies. I have planted these before, but I have never seen such huge tubers for this plant. The numerous roots are almost a foot long and the crown is very good sized.

I can not wait to see everything I ordered bloom next spring!

To Comet9,
Your rambling diatribe about John Scheepers leaves more than an inkling to your state of mind. No wonder they chose not to do business with you anymore. They are a seasonal business and incredibly busy in a very short window of time, Why should they have to babysit your checking account and deal with all the drama?
My experience with them has been this: fabulous quality bulbs, knowledgeable customer service, not to mention a spectacular catalog.

Sounds to me like you need to bump up your meds and persue another hobby that isn't going to trigger another episode.

I love Scheepers and have been ordering for years. They have awesome prices and a wonderful selection. I would post photos if I could. They know their stuff and don't rip you off. Comet's comments (hmm that sounds funny) are ludicrous! All companies bill when they ship the product. That is why I try to remember to use a credit and not debit card.
Others: don't let those negative comments turn you away from good, cheap bulbs.

Dear comet9:

I agree with Scheepers, take your business elsewhere. The best bulbs I have ever received ever have come from Scheepers. In the spring when the alliums come up, I have strangers stop at my front yard and ask me where I got these from. I do not think that your experience of insisting to use a debit card is fair to a company that has very high quality products. They are not a bank, they are a bulb supplier. Use a credit card or a check next time. It was unfair of you to insist on the company conforming to your unability to control your checking account. Buy at the store next time and keep your comments to the quality of the products.

Excellent bulbs, excellent service. I have never found another bulb company with the same quality at that price.

I have never had such a miserable experience with a company as I have had with John Scheepers.

I believe it was two years ago when I last placed an order with the company. I asked that my debit card be charged immediately as I had had problems the year prior, when the company charged my debit card earlier than the date given. Consequently, a check I had written, was returned due to insufficient funds. I was told by the customer service rep. that they could not charge my card until the time when the bulbs were shipped(months later). I asked her to give me the earliest date that the transaction could possibly take place so that I could mark my day-planner and make certain that the funds would be available. I was given a date with full assurance that the transaction would not take place prior to this. Once again, I incurred several bounced check fees due to the fact that the John Scheepers charge came in early.
It was incredibly frustrating and costly(not to mention embarrassing). I, of course, had to cover not only the costs of the bounced checks with my bank- but with the businesses I had written the checks to. I asked John Scheepers to reimburse me for my bank charges as they had not honored their word, again. They agreed to pay for half the fees.
I have never experienced a company's refusal to charge my card at the time of ordering. Apparently, however, they will accept a check or money order at the time the order is placed. And, in fact, they require it if it is your chosen method of payment. So, this year, I thought I would send a money order to avoid any problems. I hadn't received my annual catalogue so I ordered through their website sometime in June-to no avail. I then left two messages with my request (weeks apart), through their catalogue ordering voice mail. I never received a catalogue or a response. Yesterday morning, I called again to order. I spoke with a human being this time. After confirming all of my information, the customer service rep. asked if she could call me back. I asked her why that would be necessary given that I simply wanted to be sent a catalogue. She told me that they were having computer glitches. I told her I would hold-sensing something was amiss. After putting me on hold several times, finally, another woman came on the line(apparently a supervisor with the company). She told me that it would be better for both of us if I did my bulb buying elsewhere. I asked her why and she told me that it was the president of the company's decision. I requested to speak with the president, but of course her line was busy. I was assured that she would call me right back. I stressed to the supervisor that I would be staying home from work to wait for her call. During the two and a half hours that passed without a return call- I called John Scheepers two other times. The first time I asked for the presidents name and extension, which I was denied, but was forwarded to her voice mail, where I left a message. The second time, I requested to speak with the supervisor who I had originally spoken with. She was "unavailable" so I requested to be forwarded to her voice mail, where I left a message.

Finally, I received a return call from Joanne-apparently the president of the company. The first thing a asked her was why they were unwilling to do business with me. Her response: "You're unhappy and we're unhappy and it would be better for both of us if you did your business elsewhere". This generic mantra was repeated during the conversation. Then I was told that her decision hadn't been final but in light of my "behavior" it was clear that they didn't want to do business with me. When I asked her what "behavior" she was referring to, she said it was my having "demanded" her company cover my bounce check fees and for having "upset" her employees earlier in the morning. She also said that our conversation was the worst she'd ever had.

So this is what I want to say to you President Joanne(who's last name is apparently unavailable to pesky customers):

I didn't "demand" anything. I politely and apologetically requested some compensation for a situation that came out of misinformation from your company-despite my taking every measure to prevent it.

As for my "behavior" yesterday-I was civil, matter of fact, yet persistent with your employees, which I believe, is the only reason I received a return call from you. Perhaps your employees were upset, having been put in the position of having to be dishonest and evasive, in order to do your screening. Especially upsetting given the fact that I didn't simply give up and go away out of complete frustration(which I was tempted to do). Had I not insisted on holding the line yesterday morning, when I called to order a catalogue, I am certain I would have never heard back from you(a computer glitch?).
Had your company had the decency to respond to my catalogue requests(months ago) and at least be honest with me, I could have pursued getting my bulbs elsewhere. But, it's now the middle of August and as past experience proves, it's probably too late to get the bulbs my customers want.
Your expressed trauma of having never had a conversation like ours is something that I'm incredulous to Joanne. If an excitable tone of voice and interruptions constitute the worst conversation of your life-it's because money and power are insulating. But, I don't buy the affected naivety routine. When you treat people the way your company has treated me, it tends to make people angry. I assure you that I was on my best behavior given the circumstances.
I have been professionally gardening for ten years. I deal with many nurseries and businesses and continue to have great relationships with all of them. They are the barometer that I use to measure how I behave and treat people-not you. I have never encountered the poor treatment that I have recieved from your company. And, I will not allow you to manipulate me- the way you attempted to do on the phone yesterday-into making this about me and my "behavior". You should run for public office-you're a natural.
By the way, thanks for reminding me of what a huge successful company you are and how insignificant I am in your whole scheme of things. I think it would behoove you to take a lesson from a company like L.L. Bean-a company that is enormously successful and wealthy, and still manages to make the little guy feel valued and respected. They know it's good for business and it's the right way to treat people.
Good riddance John Scheepers! And thanks to this website for an opportunity to vent.

I wanted to start growing Oriental and Orienpet lilies this past year, and wasn't sure where to get my first bulbs. I got some from several places, with mixed results. But I have to say, the 40 or so Orientals and Orienpets I received from John Scheepers were both BEAUTIFUL and INEXPENSIVE. Compared with the other Orientals/Orienpets that came from an even better-known company, JS's were HUGE and ALL came up and are blooming extremely well. Only 5 out of 8 of the other company's bulbs came up, and they were very small and "wimpy", with one bloom per weak stem. JS's had 4-6 blooms per stem and they were VERY IMPRESSIVE. I will continue to make John Scheeper's my #1 source of bulbs. In fact, I am planning to order MANY daffodils, tulips and lilies very soon. :0)

I placed an order last fall for the first time from them. Great bulbs. They arrived in great shape and all bloomed well this spring. I will definitely order from them again.

My bulbs arrived in perfect condition. Their selection is wonderful and I will definitely order from them again. Tamara

I really liked the discriminating selection of vegetable and herbs seeds in their attractive catalog so placed a major seed order with them. However, after just getting through with the sowing of spring I was pretty dismayed at the truly stingy amount of seeds provided in most cases.

Maybe they need to re-check their scales. Will post again after germination.

Baker's Heirlooms, by contrast, gives you heaping amounts of seeds. Johnny's and Cook's as well (not quite heaping but a good amount for the money).

I ordered crocus and daffodil bulbs last fall and was impressed when I received them - they arrived quickly and were well packaged and healthy. This spring they all grew and bloomed well and were true to name. I was very happy with my order and will order again.

I actually have been ordering from Van Engelen, Scheepers' sister
company. They are one and the same company, same address, same fax
number. The bulbs actually were shipped in boxes with both names
printed outside.

They offer identical bulbs, Scheepers in smaller quantity, VE larger.
The large order bulbs are usually cheaper from VE.

I just look at Scheepers' catalog then order from VE since VE's catalog
does not have any pictures.

Love their bulbs. Excellent quality, excellent price, excellent
packaging and excellent customer service. The bulbs always arrived at
perfect time for planting. The shipping notice is also a wonderful
touch. I know exactly what day to expect the delivery.

The bulbs ordered at the end-of-season sale were shipped immediately
and arrived within a few days. I received huge and healthy lily bulbs
with no blemish what so ever.

I already have a list of what to order from VE/Scheepers for next fall.

Last fall I purchased several King Alfred daffodils. My mom recommended John Scheepers to me since she used to order her daffodils from this company years ago. The bulbs that were sent were very impressive (Mom would have been pleased if she had seen them before I put them in their new home!). When Spring arrived, and despite our mini-drought here, up came these gorgeous, bright jonquils that are just huge! I will definitely order bulbs from John Scheepers again in the future.

I have always bought my bulbs from this company for at least 12 years. I have never been disappointed. If I get anxious about shipping dates, I e-mail them and they always respond promptly to tell me if there is a hold up (this year their amarylli bulbs were late and held up the order a week) and when they will most likely be shipping. They are always true to their word in my experience. I will continue to order from them.

I placed a very large order, well at least for me, this fall. When the shipment arrived, I was missing 10 blue pearl hyacinth, and several of the other hyacinth bags (all total 20 in all- Pink Pearl, Blue Jacket, and 3 Woodstock)had rotting/moldy bulbs in it. I emailed the company IMMEDIATELY, but I never received any sort of response back.

I just really hate it when companies make it so hard for the customer to be served.

However, all this being said, the other bulbs were in good condition, and I am very excited about seeing them bloom next year.