So true lol!- not funny it happened but you’re right I couldn’t have imagined her mad! There was no way that plant came well packaged and the thrip damage was not overnight.
You did everything perfectly! I’m a 30 years business owner and we would never would have succeeded if we treated customers that way. She got a bad review and we all saw what happened. UNACCEPTABLE. How can she sleep at night knowing she upset a customer who is her bread and butter? How much business will she lose because of her business ethics. You did exactly what you should have. Have a great birthday and move on. I advise a bigger splurge in a plant purchase, and feel like you should, the BEST plant mama, and feeling good about it. Forget this experience! You deserve better.
Thank you! 🥹 I will definitely have to treat myself from a reputable seller! You're exactly right! When I start selling more regularly I hope to only be the best I can and if anything happens I make it right immediately. I would never want anyone to feel like I did here.
Thank you fern 🥹 yes! they are so stressful 😩 I’m glad she fully refunded me! I’m still sad about the situation and how it was handled but I do truly wish her the best and hope she takes this opportunity to improve 😔
Omg crappy situation, but your reaction to the thrips did make me chuckle. You literally reacted exactly how I would’ve hahaha. Feel better Melissa, don’t be too bummed!! 😊
As a seller you should always eat the loss. Never question the customer like this. Sadly, when I post videos like this I get attacked, so I'm glad that's not happening to you! Its important to show that this can happen. A lot of people are afraid to say something! ❤
My friend always said, "if you aren't ready to drop kick your package across the room, you aren't ready to send it through the mail!" Fragile stickers are useless. I feel like most times that just puts a bigger target on your box.
@kyrad6543 ~ Oh, yeah ... NEVER put a warning sticker on a package. That's just begging some mean-spirited postal employee to do exactly what the sticker asks them NOT to do. A couple of months ago we ordered a 2024 calendar. The package arrived with a large DO NOT BEND sticker on the outside. Well, some lovely postal employee decided that was their cue to FOLD the package. Our calendar arrived with a huge crease right down the middle of it.
You were 100% justified in standing your ground. You weren't disrespectful and even were very careful to not speak poorly of the seller even with this situation. I appreciate the way you handled this and shared with us, I recently had a VERY similar experience with a prince of orange and didn't get a refund and the seller essentially told me that the spider mites must have come from the usps truck. The plant is still struggling to this day and hasn't grown a single new leaf.
Definitely not okay! When you become a seller you should be inspecting plants super closely. Sounds like it was easy to blame USPS for the spider mites because it couldn’t have already been on the plant 😒 I mean no hate to her and I completely understand things happen. I honestly wish her the best and hope she takes this experience and improves 🫶🏻
I'm glad you recorded the unboxing. This usually happens without proof. I think with your amazing collection, your reaction was understandable and you were more than fair with that Seller. However, if you were that upset, I'd have just dumped the plant after the refund, end of story. However if anyone can nurse this poor plant back to health it's you, and I'm glad it has you caring for it and not that Seller, Mel ❤
I’m so sorry you went through this. If you’re looking for recommendations I enjoy Lost in the Forrest in Minneapolis, great shipping, amazing owner. I also looked at blossm and cannot find your review I really hope it didn’t get deleted.
So sorry this happened to you. She definitely needed to fully refund, with your beautiful collection I would be really upset too. Fingers crossed it comes out ok.
Thank you! I'm still upset by everything. I think if I opened this in my plant room I would be so worried right now. I am definitely taking this experience and will be more cautious moving forward with unboxings and where I order plants from 🫶
You are completely right! That plant had bugs before she sent it. You definitely should have been refunded. That is not normal business practice! So sorry this happened to you. But I want you to have a wonderful birthday 🎂
Thank you so much! I felt so bad about everything and it's never my intention to make anyone look bad. I only hope this situation can help others and I definitely learned a lot myself 🥹
@@plantsbymelissa I completely understand and can relate but never feel bad for telling the truth! I love your content, you are one of the most genuine plant vloggers so I know and your other viewers know your intentions were not to be malicious.
Sorry this crap happened to you on such a special plant. I gotta say it was totally funny and caught me off guard to hear your curse. That was the Real-Deal right there. No holding back. Loved it!
Melissa, I think you handled this very well. I’m a relatively new plant mom and try my hardest to check my plants. I’d never seen a thrip before you shared and it helps so much. I’d love to know if you already have or if you’d consider making a video on how to get rid of spider mites, thrips, fungus, gnats, etc.
I’m like you in feeling bad. However you have that on film and it’s unacceptable to get a plant with pests. Funny thing I just received a variegated string of hearts from CA to CO last week before our cold snap from a grower and worried about the cold nights but it’s doing great but I’m going to put it in a baggie too cause you never know even though it looks good. Thank you for sharing that
Sorry to hear you had to go through this ordeal for your birthday 😰 I hope the plant heals and you beat those pesky thrips! It'll be wonderful to see an update on this baby down the line when she's well and thriving. There might have been lots of frustration but it's good that at least the issue was sorted out with the seller. Wishing you loads of good luck!
What a sad experience for you, and on birthday plant mail too! You handled it the best way you could even tho you were uncomfortable about the whole thing! Although I have to say I’m not super excited to order online, which I’ve only done a couple of times. Good luck with it all!!
Don’t worry Melissa, karma will get her. Almost 8.5k views of your video and the review on her website is a good start. 😊 I trust you will get some positive/good vibes/plants in the near future to overcome this bad experience. You will be an awesome seller! Great attitude at the end. Blessings. 🙏
This is honestly my worst nightmare.. I've only had about 2 good plant mail experiences out of the 10+. I no longer order plants online, but I understand those that do, especially if your nurseries don't carry these plants. But to carry a pest as well? Not okay AT ALL. I dislike the way this seller handled the situation, super unprofessional. I would be just as upset girlie. I'm so sorry that this happened. 😢
Omg. What a bummer situation, but honestly, I LOVE this video!!! This was a good reminder to open everything outside! Seriously. I’m so tired of pests. I will have spider mites forever 😡 Luckily when I spotted thrips, they were only on 3 new plants over a couple months, so I was able to get rid of them. I kept them in my laundry room under a grow light for 6 months 😂. After 6 months of not seeing any, I finally felt okay with bringing them out. I just really didn’t trust them. You should have a little flashlight handy too. It’s crazy how hard they are to see until you shine light right on them. I know you know that though. I just saw some spider mites on my Silver Sword with my light on my phone 😡. I never noticed them before. Ugghh. Spider mites suck so bad and I feel like I will never get rid of them permanently 🤨
That whole plant would've hit the trash soooooo fast!! ALWAYS ALWAYS ask for a refund in scenarios like this. You matter! I'm so sorry that happened to you.
this made me realize that I need to do a better job at inspecting my plants so thank you for this. also, as a girlie that curses a lot, I loved hearing your cursing 🤣 it was real and authentic which makes me appreciate this video even more. I look forward to seeing the progress on this plant. I think you can rehab it and have it blossom into the plant you want it to be.
Thank you! 🥹🫶🏻 haha I definitely have my cursing moments. I try not to do it on camera or I edit things out but I felt like I had to share how I was feeling here 😢
Thrips are the WORST. I got a plant from someone that had Thrips on it and I found them within a day but ended up losing 80% of my collection because of that stupid plant!
Thrips - what a nightmare! I'd cut off the big leaf and not leave any chances for eggs. Just restart from the node. - Yeah, I used to dream of selling plants, but I don't think it's for me. I'm too much of a perfectionist and just can't stand bugs. My thrips are rising again in January :(
Good for you for standing up for yourself! You were much more generous than what I would have been. You have a great attitude and I appreciate you sharing your experience.
Horrible packaging! My business with that seller would end right there. Seller can't just say it's just leaves it will grow right back. People spend a good amount money on plants and should not expect sellers to skimp on packaging.
I agree with you very upsetting to see how you were sent this plant so disappointing 😮. I’m glad you were refunded your money I already deleted her information definitely a professional seller. I am praying you can save it and I’ll be waiting to see how this evolves. Wishing you the best.
I’m definitely still paranoid 😅 I cleaned the table and have been looking at these plants every day over here now 🫣 I unloaded a bunch of cucumeris mites on them too.
I always wondered if some sellers Who re use the Polly, insulation,box,etc could transfer bugs on or in it. Just thinking out loud. I’ve been using PS recently. I think for the most part I’m a pretty good read of people. I’ll watch several lives to kind of get a feel from who I might want to buy from. Nothing is ever perfect but I also expect people to do the right thing when something goes wrong Sorry about you birthday plant😢
Livid!! Does anyone else get the feeling she just wanted to unload a rotting pest covered plant on someone & Melissa just happened to be the unlucky one? Polyfill wouldn’t move around in shipping like that. I sure as shit know that isn’t a thing that, those leaves would get the other side of the polyfill . Really is a sellers responsibility to ensure that they inspect plants before they ship them. It’s a high value plant, that could have cost you a whole lot more in treatment for thrips if you hadn’t noticed them & they got in your plant collection. Oh what a beautiful new plant you have there.. I’m sure you are so happy you bothered buying it? Happy birthday anyway! Good luck with it .
I would hope no one would ever do that to someone on purpose that is just wrong 😟 I’ve been checking over my plants every day since and put out lots of predatory mites so hoping nothing pops up. I’m still very anxious about it 😔
Oh wow, you had every right to expect a full refund for that plant. If I received a plant that hadn't been secured to the inside the the box, had root rot AND was infested with adult thrips, I would be livid. Yes, that damage you showed on the back of the leaf is from thrips - it's where they go along in a line laying their eggs in the leaf tissue. Watch that area for larvae. The good thing is that you washed off the adults and got rid of the substrate (which is where they pupate), so unless there are any adults hiding within a petiolar sheath, you should only have larvae to deal with, and they are easy to get rid of as long as they don't get the chance to pupate into more adults. It's the adults that are the worst because they can live up to 40 days and lay eggs that whole time. But the larval stage is quite short, so check every couple of days to make sure you catch them while they are squishable. Personally I would have cut the entire top of the plant off and tried regrowing from the chonk, as that is unlikely to have any thrips in it. As far as beneficial mites, get some stratiolaelaps to go with your cucumeris. Cucumeris will eat thrips larvae but you need strats to protect the soil from the pupal stages (and fungus gnats too, which is a bonus). If you want something to cover the adult thrips, get some lacewings as well. But you don't normally need those if you're just applying to the rest of your collection preventatively. Good luck! I had a thripocalypse late last year so I know exactly how you feel.
Thank you so much! I appreciate all the information! thripocalypse is the worst and definitely why I was so upset about another possible outbreak. I checked it today and didn't see anything yet so going to try and rehab it because I feel so bad for it 😔
@@plantsbymelissa Oh, that’s good news. Poor plant! I’m sure you can nurse it back to health. Pallidiflorum is on my wishlist too, but we can’t get them in New Zealand and can’t import plants, so it’ll likely remain there for some time *sigh*
8 місяців тому+5
Ughhhh this is so frustrating!! Another reason why I’m nervous to order online. You handled the situation well.
$89 is ridiculous to be receiving a plant with one leaf when it was purchased with 5 because of their poor packaging. And then to have a response like that is completely unacceptable. I’m so sorry you had this experience.
You handled this situation correctly; you gave the shop owner the chance to make it right. Being a plant business owner I’m surprised she didn’t realize you have a following on YT & many people will see how she handled this situation. I have to say you had me & my hubby laughing when you dropped those bombs when you saw the thrips. We totally understood after you battled thrips in the past on your marantas. We ❤ watching you & your videos are very helpful & entertaining. Have a Happy Birthday 🎈
Thank you! I’m not sure if she knew of my account or not. I didn’t say anything to her. I always want a fair purchase 🥺 I was trying to be understanding on both sides and I wasn’t mean at all. I was so upset when I woke up the next morning and read her response 😔 I felt like I shouldn’t have had to ask for it.
Rot AND thrips? Unacceptable. You deserved so much better. I hope that seller is being held accountable...still watching. Hope there is a decent outcome.:L I'm so sorry this happened. I was sent an alocasia with mealies from Green Escape and I've finally eradicated them after 3 months of treatment, quarantine, and repots--that sucked. I can't imagine being sent a plant with thrips.:c
Ughh I’ve been in your shoes Melissa 😖 sorry you had to go through this. This honestly makes me angry from private plant sellers. If you can’t properly secure a plant for mail and check for pests before sending that plant off you have no business selling plants.
I'm just impressed that you can see thrips with your bare eyes, i need a magnifying glass to see pests. That's why they're always four generations in before i catch on.
Holy moly!! Sooo frustrating for that seller to be so careless with the packing and the pests! Seems that they just wanted to pawn off on someone or a seller that has no idea! Melissa elegantly cussing 🤬 don’t blame you
Why would she use polyfill?! Its so many chemicals that go into making polyfill! Poor baby it was suffocating in a chemical filled box. But its meant for you, it couldn't have reached a better mother. You know what to do to bring it back to life. The plant probably spoke to you as a cry for help.
@@plantsbymelissa I've never shipped plants before, only cakes because I'm a baker lol. I absolutely love taking care of plants like you. Maybe bubble wrap or cheese cloth? I think something more delicate, so when unrapping it, it doesn't shift the leaves around too much. Oh and btw I'll be buying a plant from you soon. I really want a variegated alocasia frydek or a Alocasia Reginula black velvet. I'll check out your shop. Thanks for all the helpful tips, my plants are thriving because of you.
Customer is always right.... Old saying. I guess this is the risk when buying from a private seller like that. It's a bit different when buying from a nursery. I think you took the right action and glad you got your money back. I never had any experience with thrips but from what I have seen from the various channels I definitely don't want to ever come across them. Everything I have ever heard about them is really nasty. Mealy bugs are unsightly but not nearly as bad and not as easy to miss. I'll take those over thrips any day... Well, I hope your new plant get's well after this.
Having to send a plant back for a full refund is not uncommon. Had to do it twice to save my other plants. So sorry to hear that story, though! Hopefully this plant got better!
No one should ever sell a plant with thrips. She should've offered you a full refund and told you to just throw away the plant. This is so disheartening. I hope the rest of your birthday is better.
SMH very inappropriate and irresponsible of the seller 🤦🏽♀️ I'm so sorry this happened. This scares me now when buying new plants but I learned so much from this video and your experience Melissa. Thank you so much for sharing this, you handled this so well! I will be even more diligent when I handle my new plants and am now going to look through my entire collection 😅
I had to rewind it 3x just to hear Melissa say f**k. 😂😂 Sorry this happened to you, but if anyone can save it, it’s you. My pallidiflorum is a vigorous grower. She’ll be back up and running in no time.
Mine as well but I've had thrips in my own collection... a small amount...i just keep spraying with alcohol(the Christmas cactus 🌵) and squishing any adults that pop outta hiding area... thankfully they've never been on my Pallidiflorum. It's a vigorous grower. I've got mine in a fern fibre mix like Charmaine's.
Omg!! Similar happened to me today!( no thrips thank god)but I received a syngonium frosted heart today, 4 out of 5 leaves were toast. The packaging was good except she put the heat pack right at the leaves! They were all shriveled and mushy :( I paid $85 for it, I have one leaf. She gave me free shipping on my next order 🤷🏻♀️
Girl! I would’ve been just a pissed as you! But you kept putting your hair on the table and it was stressing me out! Glad you stood up for yourself and the rest of the plant community cause this is everyone’s worst nightmare.
How would anyone think that's a good way to pack that? I'll tell you right now, she's a con. You can tell by that response. I would make very clear who the seller was to protect your followers - there is no reason to protect her. This is how the market should work.
I mentioned who it was in the first part of the video. I have no reason to not tell people because I'm very honest! The reviews were positive and she had some more expensive plants in her collection so I really thought it was in good care. I will definitely be more cautious where I order plants next time!
Thank you! I wanted to toss everything I was so upset but I felt like the plant wanted me to care for it in a way. I know that sounds crazy 🥺 I hope no more hatch and my collection is ok!
The seller seems inexperienced and that perhaps contributed to the poor packaging and not being open to refunding your money. I think you handled this well and with grace and also stood up for yourself. This could have potentially been a disaster and that’s what the seller needs to be aware of. Quality of your product is pertinent!
Sorry about this experience, I looked at her IG and her plants looked so perfect. I bath plants in a bath of soap and alcohol for a long time if I find thrips. I hate thrips.
WTH, that’s terrible!! I hate thrips too, I still see them on my plants too. But however the best method is to first rinse the plant down with water. Then make a bath mixed with water, neem oil (spray) and a little dish soap. This works wonders, do this twice a week and within the first week they should be GONE.
Oh my, this made me want to cry for you. I've recently started collecting some plants, but i would have freaked. When someone wants something defective back it makes me think they don't believe me and I'm trying to scam them. GRRR. Good luck sweetie!
Thank you for sharing this experience! I feel like if you wouldn't have made a video she wouldn't have refunded you. Making it right is giving you a full refund, or replacement plant. If it where anybody else I don't think the seller would have made it right. SO thank you
Oh, you poor, poor girl! I had dissapointing plant mail a few days ago. I had ordered an Alocasia baginda "dragon scale" in a 14 cm pot from a webshop. Basically, a medium sized plant. The plant came damaged, dried out, in a pot a size smaller, decidedly less full than the one in the picture, and when I checked it, I discovered that it was actually two baby plug plants. The rootballs consisted of two roots the size of a finger. Not what I expect for a plant of the size I ordered. I contacted the seller, sent him pictures, and a new plant is on it's way!
Ughhhhh that is horrible! :( I am so sorry. I mailed a strappy anthurium to a friend and I double insulation layered that bish. I had never mailed a plant before, but the person who received it told me the heat pack was still warm and it was packaged and protected perfectly, was even fixing to bloom. I would NEVER ship a plant with only polyfill, especially in the winter. Also, I’m a seller on Etsy (not of plants), and I would be absolutely mortified if someone received something from me with such a bad experience, omg, I would die of embarrassment. I have totally had to eat cost before whether through refunds or through full on replacing a product, it’s just the right thing to do (as you stated). And I have only ever offered to have someone mail something back to me once (a custom order they said they didn’t like), but they chose to keep the product so. Oh well, ya know? Anyway, I hope that seller pulls their listings and goes hardcore against thrips, I could absolutely not in good conscience sell something that I know was a problem. Customers don’t deserve that, ugh. If it helps and you want to replace it someday, I got my palladiflorum from Ecuagenera USA and he’s popping off with new leaves right now. Came in great shape. =) And they ship out of Florida.
Thank you so much! You are an amazing person and friend for the way you packaged that plant! It shows how much you care! 🥺 I really hope her collection is okay and I wish her the best honestly. I feel bad for everything and going to try and move past this and save this poor thing. I will have to check out ecuagenera because I have been curious but never purchased from them before!
@@plantsbymelissa Ecuagenera US has higher prices than Ecuagenera itself (in Ecuador), and I can tell you that even with the import fee, usually the Ecuador shop is cheaper. It takes longer but I've had great luck with them. Depending on what you're after, the two have some of the same plants and also some different plants, so keep that in mind. The only plant I have had a serious issue with was an El Choco Red that was severely cold damaged but tbh I consider that to be on me for ordering in January in Pennsylvania lol, like it's not their fault I did that.
No no that’s not acceptable madam. The box was to small. Those are costly, I’m been buying since pandemic and the boxing and packing Iv been given has out surpass this mess she since you.😢😢. That wasn’t. Cheap🤨. Please reach out to her and send her this video please. Take care
I just recent sent a seller an update on a plant o received. Ordered a fuzzy petiole. It looked diff but i thot oh its just a starter so maybe suppose look diff. Its now ben few mths later an it IS in fact diff plant from wati i ordered. I sent them pics of order an wat it looks like now. They apologized for mix up an offered on my nxt order to make a note an they wud send me a free replacement along with it! My intention was NOT for free plant since mths later. Just to be informative. But even mths later they still tried making it right an didn't question me. THATS a good seller/customer satisfaction! Im so sorry u went thru this, specially on bday mail
I don’t think she had a situation come up like this before so I can understand how it was probably hard to navigate. Hopefully she takes this as a learning opportunity 🫶🏻
I was definitely venting on your behalf lol! I would have given her the benefit of the doubt too. Surprised though she didn't wrap that gorgeous plant in a cardboard tube and tape it down. You figure she' s ordered a lot of plants online like the rest of us. Yep, hopefully she learns some better practices from this! It was a gorgeous pallidiflorum by the way@@plantsbymelissa
So glad you got a refund. Asking you to send back a pesty plant on your dime or keep it for a partial refund sounds very scammy. I have received so many plants in the mail-some sellers even zip tie the plant down in the box so it doesn’t move. Blaming the postal service was a total cop out on her part. So far the only plant app I’ve ordered on is Plantstory and every seller has been pretty good. If they aren’t, word spreads very quickly if they don’t make it right with a quickness. Likewise, if certain buyers are ghosting their auction wins or doing other shady things, that’s also dealt with.
That’s so funny you added in the comment about flinging the box all over the place. It literally hurt my soul watching you toss the box around in circles. The leaves will grow back don’t beat yourself up over it.
This is a classic case of, “I can sell plants!” but not doing proper research on packaging/business practices. To be selling without a thorough examination for pests and proper protection is a big rookie mistake. That yellow leaf the seller mentioned should have been a red flag for the seller to check for pests and rot. Normally I don’t like to name and shame small businesses regardless of the situation, but sometimes as a seller, you have to learn the hard way when money is exchanged. You have to own your negligence when at fault.
When those thrips appeared and the f bombs started flying it was plantsbymelissaafterdark! 🤣Thrips are the most annoying and destructive pests so I don't blame you one bit for being upset. Horror stories like this are why I tend to only buy plants at local plant swaps/sales and online shops like BWH or Canopy plant co, but it's harder to get the rare gems. I'm sorry you went through this experience and I'm sending anti-trips vibes your way!
This is like a found footage horror film! I literally just had thrips ravage my home! I've released lady bugs and gave gone through two bottles of insecticidal soap. Things seem fine now but they destroyed my huge monstera. I know the fear now
The packaging is just horrendous. I've bought and sold thousands of plants and I have never seen a plant directly stuffed in the box with polyfils like that. No wonder why the leaves were broken off. I'd be surprised if they had not.
You’ve always been my favorite plants heroine - I started my journey and have been following you since (over a year). You calm me down 🥰 But during this video I was like “WTF!, look at what thrips did to my inspiration!” 😳 Like, clearly I have never have them and now I am so afraid of them. 😭 Seriously: I am sorry you had to go through this and glad they refunded you fully. I’m not a professional seller but I’ve travelled with plants and even I have packaged them better than how your plant was packaged. But please don’t let this incident steal your peace any longer. PS. Praying I never reincarnate as a thrip, anything but that, at least not while we share this life simultaneously.
Personally I would toss plant. Thrips aren't worth. Or send it back. I have had to do it for a refund. I get the seller doesn't want you to rehab the plant and when all is said and done. You have your money and free plant. Yes you had to do a lot of work to get it there. I see both sides yours and her. But if I was refunded I would toss plant. Not worth collection. Cause they can come back
Im absolutely disgusted over this. So if you sent the plant back she would of just re sold it again. I think as soon as i saw the bug it all would of went outside in the trash. Im so sorry your going thru this horrible experience
I wanted to trash it all but I felt so bad for the plant 🥲 I wanted to share my experience because I think it can only help others in a similar situation. I'm still really upset by it all but hopefully I can move on here soon and just take this as a learning opportunity!
so sorry this happened to you 💔 I checked their profile on blossm, but couldn't find your review - i seriously hope they didn't delete it. regardless this was absolutely unnaceptable and i'm so sorry it ended that way. hoping it grows without any more issues 😇
Update video is now Live here: ua-cam.com/video/6KzHFelpOzw/v-deo.html
Melissa seems so cute, innocent, reserved, calm and collected............until she sees some thrips and then she goes balls to the walls.
Indeed. I know it's not a funny thing to happen, but it made me chuckle, just seeing Melissa react like that.
So true lol!- not funny it happened but you’re right I couldn’t have imagined her mad!
There was no way that plant came well packaged and the thrip damage was not overnight.
I know, I am always so surprised when she swears. 😊
Yup! 😂😂😂
I'm sorry I keep rewinding. Its a pest...she's frozen . She goes off😂😂😂😂😂
Root rot, broken leaves, and thrips? You handled that much better than I would have. ❤😂
when you make Melissa cuss, we ride at dawn!!!
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Ha ha. Best comment ever!!! 😂😂😂
😂 Glorious!
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You did everything perfectly! I’m a 30 years business owner and we would never would have succeeded if we treated customers that way. She got a bad review and we all saw what happened. UNACCEPTABLE. How can she sleep at night knowing she upset a customer who is her bread and butter? How much business will she lose because of her business ethics. You did exactly what you should have. Have a great birthday and move on. I advise a bigger splurge in a plant purchase, and feel like you should, the BEST plant mama, and feeling good about it. Forget this experience! You deserve better.
Thank you! 🥹 I will definitely have to treat myself from a reputable seller! You're exactly right! When I start selling more regularly I hope to only be the best I can and if anything happens I make it right immediately. I would never want anyone to feel like I did here.
@@plantsbymelissa Well, with that attitude, I will be your most loyal customer! AND I promise you’ll be very successful as a reputable seller. 😜👍🪴
I can't wait to make my 1st purchase from U😊
Omg what the heck!! I’m so shook at her response 😧 that is brutal. Sorry this happened to you, thrips are so stressful to deal with 💚
Thank you fern 🥹 yes! they are so stressful 😩 I’m glad she fully refunded me! I’m still sad about the situation and how it was handled but I do truly wish her the best and hope she takes this opportunity to improve 😔
You were very kind and generous to give her a 2 star review. I would put it in an envelope and send it back , thrips and all
My husband told me to leave 1 star 🤭 If she wasn't going to fully refund me I was definitely leaving a 1 star review.
Yes, two stars was very generous for sure!
Sorry this happened to you!
But this video is a good reminder to all of us that online orders don't always go as expected.
As someone who also suffers post thrip stress disorder, your reaction is justified. I just got over a 7month battle with them demon spawn.
Yes! I saw red haha. I had major flashbacks to last summer and the thought of an outbreak made me so mad 😔
Straight up! I battle spider mites HARD all summer, a thrips infestation would kill me lmao
Omg crappy situation, but your reaction to the thrips did make me chuckle. You literally reacted exactly how I would’ve hahaha. Feel better Melissa, don’t be too bummed!! 😊
Thank you! I'm still bummed about everything but trying to move past it all. I was so mad at seeing the thrips haha.
As a seller you should always eat the loss. Never question the customer like this. Sadly, when I post videos like this I get attacked, so I'm glad that's not happening to you! Its important to show that this can happen. A lot of people are afraid to say something! ❤
My friend always said, "if you aren't ready to drop kick your package across the room, you aren't ready to send it through the mail!" Fragile stickers are useless. I feel like most times that just puts a bigger target on your box.
@kyrad6543 ~ Oh, yeah ... NEVER put a warning sticker on a package. That's just begging some mean-spirited postal employee to do exactly what the sticker asks them NOT to do. A couple of months ago we ordered a 2024 calendar. The package arrived with a large DO NOT BEND sticker on the outside. Well, some lovely postal employee decided that was their cue to FOLD the package. Our calendar arrived with a huge crease right down the middle of it.
Yep! I’ve NEVER had any of my plant packages delayed but the one time it said “LIVE PLANTS INSIDE” it was delayed for 5 extra days
You were 100% justified in standing your ground. You weren't disrespectful and even were very careful to not speak poorly of the seller even with this situation. I appreciate the way you handled this and shared with us, I recently had a VERY similar experience with a prince of orange and didn't get a refund and the seller essentially told me that the spider mites must have come from the usps truck. The plant is still struggling to this day and hasn't grown a single new leaf.
Definitely not okay! When you become a seller you should be inspecting plants super closely. Sounds like it was easy to blame USPS for the spider mites because it couldn’t have already been on the plant 😒 I mean no hate to her and I completely understand things happen. I honestly wish her the best and hope she takes this experience and improves 🫶🏻
“Must have picked up spider mites in transit” - that’s a new one. 😂 wow.
I'm glad you recorded the unboxing. This usually happens without proof. I think with your amazing collection, your reaction was understandable and you were more than fair with that Seller. However, if you were that upset, I'd have just dumped the plant after the refund, end of story. However if anyone can nurse this poor plant back to health it's you, and I'm glad it has you caring for it and not that Seller, Mel ❤
I’m so sorry you went through this. If you’re looking for recommendations I enjoy Lost in the Forrest in Minneapolis, great shipping, amazing owner.
I also looked at blossm and cannot find your review I really hope it didn’t get deleted.
Thank you! Never heard of them before! I'm not sure why the review isn't there 😔
Lost in the Forest is amazing!
I'm glad you stood your ground. It was good for her to learn from this as well. I hope the plant is ok now.
And we all learned from this so thank you for sharing!
Thank you! I'm happy to share my experiences good and bad 🫶
So sorry this happened to you. She definitely needed to fully refund, with your beautiful collection I would be really upset too. Fingers crossed it comes out ok.
Thank you! I'm still upset by everything. I think if I opened this in my plant room I would be so worried right now. I am definitely taking this experience and will be more cautious moving forward with unboxings and where I order plants from 🫶
You are completely right! That plant had bugs before she sent it. You definitely should have been refunded. That is not normal business practice! So sorry this happened to you. But I want you to have a wonderful birthday 🎂
Wow! I’m so sorry you experienced this but I’m happy you made this video to help bring awareness to others before they purchase from this seller
Thank you so much! I felt so bad about everything and it's never my intention to make anyone look bad. I only hope this situation can help others and I definitely learned a lot myself 🥹
@@plantsbymelissa I completely understand and can relate but never feel bad for telling the truth! I love your content, you are one of the most genuine plant vloggers so I know and your other viewers know your intentions were not to be malicious.
Thank you! 🥹
Sorry this crap happened to you on such a special plant.
I gotta say it was totally funny and caught me off guard to hear your curse. That was the Real-Deal right there. No holding back. Loved it!
haha I was so mad at seeing the thrips. I had such a bad flashback to last summer 😂
JFC you are so dramatic 😂😂😂
Melissa, I think you handled this very well. I’m a relatively new plant mom and try my hardest to check my plants. I’d never seen a thrip before you shared and it helps so much. I’d love to know if you already have or if you’d consider making a video on how to get rid of spider mites, thrips, fungus, gnats, etc.
I’m like you in feeling bad. However you have that on film and it’s unacceptable to get a plant with pests. Funny thing I just received a variegated string of hearts from CA to CO last week before our cold snap from a grower and worried about the cold nights but it’s doing great but I’m going to put it in a baggie too cause you never know even though it looks good. Thank you for sharing that
Sorry to hear you had to go through this ordeal for your birthday 😰 I hope the plant heals and you beat those pesky thrips! It'll be wonderful to see an update on this baby down the line when she's well and thriving. There might have been lots of frustration but it's good that at least the issue was sorted out with the seller. Wishing you loads of good luck!
Thank you so much! I checked on it today and no thrips yet so I think that's my sign to try and save it 🥺
What a sad experience for you, and on birthday plant mail too! You handled it the best way you could even tho you were uncomfortable about the whole thing! Although I have to say I’m not super excited to order online, which I’ve only done a couple of times. Good luck with it all!!
Thank you! 😢 It can definitely be risky sometimes especially if you don’t know the seller. I hope the plant will be okay though and no thrips pop up 😬
Don’t worry Melissa, karma will get her. Almost 8.5k views of your video and the review on her website is a good start. 😊 I trust you will get some positive/good vibes/plants in the near future to overcome this bad experience. You will be an awesome seller! Great attitude at the end. Blessings. 🙏
This is honestly my worst nightmare.. I've only had about 2 good plant mail experiences out of the 10+. I no longer order plants online, but I understand those that do, especially if your nurseries don't carry these plants. But to carry a pest as well? Not okay AT ALL. I dislike the way this seller handled the situation, super unprofessional. I would be just as upset girlie. I'm so sorry that this happened. 😢
Omg. What a bummer situation, but honestly, I LOVE this video!!! This was a good reminder to open everything outside! Seriously. I’m so tired of pests. I will have spider mites forever 😡 Luckily when I spotted thrips, they were only on 3 new plants over a couple months, so I was able to get rid of them. I kept them in my laundry room under a grow light for 6 months 😂. After 6 months of not seeing any, I finally felt okay with bringing them out. I just really didn’t trust them. You should have a little flashlight handy too. It’s crazy how hard they are to see until you shine light right on them. I know you know that though. I just saw some spider mites on my Silver Sword with my light on my phone 😡. I never noticed them before. Ugghh. Spider mites suck so bad and I feel like I will never get rid of them permanently 🤨
That whole plant would've hit the trash soooooo fast!! ALWAYS ALWAYS ask for a refund in scenarios like this. You matter! I'm so sorry that happened to you.
this made me realize that I need to do a better job at inspecting my plants so thank you for this. also, as a girlie that curses a lot, I loved hearing your cursing 🤣 it was real and authentic which makes me appreciate this video even more. I look forward to seeing the progress on this plant. I think you can rehab it and have it blossom into the plant you want it to be.
Thank you! 🥹🫶🏻 haha I definitely have my cursing moments. I try not to do it on camera or I edit things out but I felt like I had to share how I was feeling here 😢
Thrips are the WORST. I got a plant from someone that had Thrips on it and I found them within a day but ended up losing 80% of my collection because of that stupid plant!
Thrips - what a nightmare! I'd cut off the big leaf and not leave any chances for eggs. Just restart from the node. - Yeah, I used to dream of selling plants, but I don't think it's for me. I'm too much of a perfectionist and just can't stand bugs. My thrips are rising again in January :(
Good for you for standing up for yourself! You were much more generous than what I would have been. You have a great attitude and I appreciate you sharing your experience.
Get yo money bck. Madam. Wash yo hair , also change yo clothes.
As I’m watching this, I’m inspecting a black pagoda lipstick plant and discover a full on invasion of thrips. Never had them before….this’ll be fun
I wonder how she was able to get the 2 star review removed because all she has is 5 stars.
I have the luxury of never ever having ever seen thrips. I know not the terror.
Horrible packaging! My business with that seller would end right there. Seller can't just say it's just leaves it will grow right back. People spend a good amount money on plants and should not expect sellers to skimp on packaging.
I agree with you very upsetting to see how you were sent this plant so disappointing 😮. I’m glad you were refunded your money I already deleted her information definitely a professional seller. I am praying you can save it and I’ll be waiting to see how this evolves. Wishing you the best.
Did you vacuum and 494 your dining table, chairs & floor? I’d be freaking
I’m definitely still paranoid 😅 I cleaned the table and have been looking at these plants every day over here now 🫣 I unloaded a bunch of cucumeris mites on them too.
Looks to me like she deleted your review, if that's even possible. Or maybe I'm just blind 😂
I'm not sure what happened to it 😔
Hahahaha 😂 “WTF IS THAT” I couldn’t relate more, darn thrips!
haha in my head I immediately knew what it was but I was like this cannot be real rn. I was just so disappointed 😔
That’s so not packaged correctly!!! Demand a refund!! That’s horrible!!
I always wondered if some sellers Who re use the Polly, insulation,box,etc could transfer bugs on or in it.
Just thinking out loud.
I’ve been using PS recently. I think for the most part I’m a pretty good read of people. I’ll watch several lives to kind of get a feel from who I might want to buy from. Nothing is ever perfect but I also expect people to do the right thing when something goes wrong
Sorry about you birthday plant😢
Livid!! Does anyone else get the feeling she just wanted to unload a rotting pest covered plant on someone & Melissa just happened to be the unlucky one? Polyfill wouldn’t move around in shipping like that. I sure as shit know that isn’t a thing that, those leaves would get the other side of the polyfill .
Really is a sellers responsibility to ensure that they inspect plants before they ship them.
It’s a high value plant, that could have cost you a whole lot more in treatment for thrips if you hadn’t noticed them & they got in your plant collection.
Oh what a beautiful new plant you have there.. I’m sure you are so happy you bothered buying it?
Happy birthday anyway!
Good luck with it .
I would hope no one would ever do that to someone on purpose that is just wrong 😟 I’ve been checking over my plants every day since and put out lots of predatory mites so hoping nothing pops up. I’m still very anxious about it 😔
Oh wow, you had every right to expect a full refund for that plant. If I received a plant that hadn't been secured to the inside the the box, had root rot AND was infested with adult thrips, I would be livid. Yes, that damage you showed on the back of the leaf is from thrips - it's where they go along in a line laying their eggs in the leaf tissue. Watch that area for larvae. The good thing is that you washed off the adults and got rid of the substrate (which is where they pupate), so unless there are any adults hiding within a petiolar sheath, you should only have larvae to deal with, and they are easy to get rid of as long as they don't get the chance to pupate into more adults. It's the adults that are the worst because they can live up to 40 days and lay eggs that whole time. But the larval stage is quite short, so check every couple of days to make sure you catch them while they are squishable. Personally I would have cut the entire top of the plant off and tried regrowing from the chonk, as that is unlikely to have any thrips in it. As far as beneficial mites, get some stratiolaelaps to go with your cucumeris. Cucumeris will eat thrips larvae but you need strats to protect the soil from the pupal stages (and fungus gnats too, which is a bonus). If you want something to cover the adult thrips, get some lacewings as well. But you don't normally need those if you're just applying to the rest of your collection preventatively. Good luck! I had a thripocalypse late last year so I know exactly how you feel.
Thank you so much! I appreciate all the information! thripocalypse is the worst and definitely why I was so upset about another possible outbreak. I checked it today and didn't see anything yet so going to try and rehab it because I feel so bad for it 😔
@@plantsbymelissa Oh, that’s good news. Poor plant! I’m sure you can nurse it back to health. Pallidiflorum is on my wishlist too, but we can’t get them in New Zealand and can’t import plants, so it’ll likely remain there for some time *sigh*
Ughhhh this is so frustrating!! Another reason why I’m nervous to order online. You handled the situation well.
Thank you!
Most online orders I've received just fine! Check all the reviews. I usually do not order from somewhere if it's below 4.5 stars. :)
I totally agree.
@@puddsmax863Thanks!
$89 is ridiculous to be receiving a plant with one leaf when it was purchased with 5 because of their poor packaging. And then to have a response like that is completely unacceptable. I’m so sorry you had this experience.
You handled this situation correctly; you gave the shop owner the chance to make it right. Being a plant business owner I’m surprised she didn’t realize you have a following on YT & many people will see how she handled this situation. I have to say you had me & my hubby laughing when you dropped those bombs when you saw the thrips. We totally understood after you battled thrips in the past on your marantas. We ❤ watching you & your videos are very helpful & entertaining. Have a Happy Birthday 🎈
Thank you! I’m not sure if she knew of my account or not. I didn’t say anything to her. I always want a fair purchase 🥺 I was trying to be understanding on both sides and I wasn’t mean at all. I was so upset when I woke up the next morning and read her response 😔 I felt like I shouldn’t have had to ask for it.
Oh boy that is A LOT of thrips damage! Not just a little. So sorry 😢 That sucks
thank you 🙏🥲
This is really sad when someone is very passionate about their plants and spend a lot of money.
She needed to do MORE. In packaging, with inspecting for pests, and in her response to you.
Rot AND thrips? Unacceptable. You deserved so much better. I hope that seller is being held accountable...still watching. Hope there is a decent outcome.:L I'm so sorry this happened.
I was sent an alocasia with mealies from Green Escape and I've finally eradicated them after 3 months of treatment, quarantine, and repots--that sucked. I can't imagine being sent a plant with thrips.:c
Ughh I’ve been in your shoes Melissa 😖 sorry you had to go through this. This honestly makes me angry from private plant sellers. If you can’t properly secure a plant for mail and check for pests before sending that plant off you have no business selling plants.
I'm just impressed that you can see thrips with your bare eyes, i need a magnifying glass to see pests. That's why they're always four generations in before i catch on.
Holy moly!! Sooo frustrating for that seller to be so careless with the packing and the pests! Seems that they just wanted to pawn off on someone or a seller that has no idea! Melissa elegantly cussing 🤬 don’t blame you
Throw the whole plant away. Eggs are already in the leaf. I am so sorry for u 😢
Why would she use polyfill?! Its so many chemicals that go into making polyfill! Poor baby it was suffocating in a chemical filled box. But its meant for you, it couldn't have reached a better mother. You know what to do to bring it back to life. The plant probably spoke to you as a cry for help.
What do you suggest using besides polyfill? I've used polyfill to ship out plants to help protect the leaves but I also securely package them.
@@plantsbymelissa I've never shipped plants before, only cakes because I'm a baker lol. I absolutely love taking care of plants like you. Maybe bubble wrap or cheese cloth? I think something more delicate, so when unrapping it, it doesn't shift the leaves around too much. Oh and btw I'll be buying a plant from you soon. I really want a variegated alocasia frydek or a Alocasia Reginula black velvet. I'll check out your shop. Thanks for all the helpful tips, my plants are thriving because of you.
Sorry for your disappointment, especially on your birthday. You handled it well. I hope your plant survive and the pests are gone.
How disappointing! I’ve dealt with thrips and your think they’re gone and then they appear again! It’s awful. I hope things work out well.
After watching your journey with thrips last year I completely understand your reaction. I would feel that way regardless of any pest I found.
"I'm not expecting any leaf damage or cold weather damage." Oh hunny if you only knew what you were in for. 😅
Customer is always right.... Old saying. I guess this is the risk when buying from a private seller like that. It's a bit different when buying from a nursery. I think you took the right action and glad you got your money back. I never had any experience with thrips but from what I have seen from the various channels I definitely don't want to ever come across them. Everything I have ever heard about them is really nasty. Mealy bugs are unsightly but not nearly as bad and not as easy to miss. I'll take those over thrips any day... Well, I hope your new plant get's well after this.
Have you ever tried Diatomaceous Earth?
a long time ago!
Having to send a plant back for a full refund is not uncommon. Had to do it twice to save my other plants.
So sorry to hear that story, though! Hopefully this plant got better!
No one should ever sell a plant with thrips. She should've offered you a full refund and told you to just throw away the plant. This is so disheartening. I hope the rest of your birthday is better.
Thank you!🙏🏼
SMH very inappropriate and irresponsible of the seller 🤦🏽♀️ I'm so sorry this happened. This scares me now when buying new plants but I learned so much from this video and your experience Melissa. Thank you so much for sharing this, you handled this so well! I will be even more diligent when I handle my new plants and am now going to look through my entire collection 😅
I literally heard you say the f word and I RAN to my phone to see what was happening!!! Boo for people who can’t take accountability 🙁
Happy she ended up refunding you!
The thought of having thrips again scares the crap at of me 😫 I was so worried!
@@plantsbymelissaI couldn’t 😅 I would have reacted the same or more extreme lol hope you are well ❤
I had to rewind it 3x just to hear Melissa say f**k. 😂😂 Sorry this happened to you, but if anyone can save it, it’s you. My pallidiflorum is a vigorous grower. She’ll be back up and running in no time.
Thank you! the fbombs were flying 😂🫶🏻
Mine as well but I've had thrips in my own collection... a small amount...i just keep spraying with alcohol(the Christmas cactus 🌵) and squishing any adults that pop outta hiding area... thankfully they've never been on my Pallidiflorum.
It's a vigorous grower. I've got mine in a fern fibre mix like Charmaine's.
I’m disappointed and cringing just watching you deal with this plant! The plant was an absolute disaster. Sorry for you.
Awe Melissa I wanted to hug you through the screen! Happy Birthday ❤🎉
Damn that really sucks I recently seen your video battling thrips and now your exciting new order was filled with more 😟I feel for you.
Omg!! Similar happened to me today!( no thrips thank god)but I received a syngonium frosted heart today, 4 out of 5 leaves were toast. The packaging was good except she put the heat pack right at the leaves! They were all shriveled and mushy :(
I paid $85 for it, I have one leaf. She gave me free shipping on my next order 🤷🏻♀️
Sorry to hear that! That’s so much money for one leaf 😩 free shipping?! That doesn’t seem right 🥲
Girl! I would’ve been just a pissed as you! But you kept putting your hair on the table and it was stressing me out! Glad you stood up for yourself and the rest of the plant community cause this is everyone’s worst nightmare.
How would anyone think that's a good way to pack that? I'll tell you right now, she's a con. You can tell by that response. I would make very clear who the seller was to protect your followers - there is no reason to protect her. This is how the market should work.
I mentioned who it was in the first part of the video. I have no reason to not tell people because I'm very honest! The reviews were positive and she had some more expensive plants in her collection so I really thought it was in good care. I will definitely be more cautious where I order plants next time!
Wow!!! Her response, pisses me off for you!!!!! I'd be so dang embarrassed, I'd most definitely refund immediately!!! Smfh
I’ve never heard her cuss before lol I would’ve been swearing everything!! I’m dead right now!!!
First time watching. Heart breaking! You are tougher than me, I would have taken to any outside dumpster immediately. So sorry that happened!!!
Thank you! I wanted to toss everything I was so upset but I felt like the plant wanted me to care for it in a way. I know that sounds crazy 🥺 I hope no more hatch and my collection is ok!
@@plantsbymelissa fingers crossed!!!
The seller seems inexperienced and that perhaps contributed to the poor packaging and not being open to refunding your money. I think you handled this well and with grace and also stood up for yourself. This could have potentially been a disaster and that’s what the seller needs to be aware of. Quality of your product is pertinent!
Sorry about this experience, I looked at her IG and her plants looked so perfect. I bath plants in a bath of soap and alcohol for a long time if I find thrips. I hate thrips.
WTH, that’s terrible!! I hate thrips too, I still see them on my plants too. But however the best method is to first rinse the plant down with water. Then make a bath mixed with water, neem oil (spray) and a little dish soap. This works wonders, do this twice a week and within the first week they should be GONE.
Oh my, this made me want to cry for you. I've recently started collecting some plants, but i would have freaked. When someone wants something defective back it makes me think they don't believe me and I'm trying to scam them. GRRR. Good luck sweetie!
Thank you for sharing this experience! I feel like if you wouldn't have made a video she wouldn't have refunded you. Making it right is giving you a full refund, or replacement plant. If it where anybody else I don't think the seller would have made it right. SO thank you
Oh, you poor, poor girl! I had dissapointing plant mail a few days ago. I had ordered an Alocasia baginda "dragon scale" in a 14 cm pot from a webshop. Basically, a medium sized plant. The plant came damaged, dried out, in a pot a size smaller, decidedly less full than the one in the picture, and when I checked it, I discovered that it was actually two baby plug plants. The rootballs consisted of two roots the size of a finger. Not what I expect for a plant of the size I ordered.
I contacted the seller, sent him pictures, and a new plant is on it's way!
Ughhhhh that is horrible! :( I am so sorry. I mailed a strappy anthurium to a friend and I double insulation layered that bish. I had never mailed a plant before, but the person who received it told me the heat pack was still warm and it was packaged and protected perfectly, was even fixing to bloom. I would NEVER ship a plant with only polyfill, especially in the winter.
Also, I’m a seller on Etsy (not of plants), and I would be absolutely mortified if someone received something from me with such a bad experience, omg, I would die of embarrassment. I have totally had to eat cost before whether through refunds or through full on replacing a product, it’s just the right thing to do (as you stated). And I have only ever offered to have someone mail something back to me once (a custom order they said they didn’t like), but they chose to keep the product so. Oh well, ya know?
Anyway, I hope that seller pulls their listings and goes hardcore against thrips, I could absolutely not in good conscience sell something that I know was a problem. Customers don’t deserve that, ugh.
If it helps and you want to replace it someday, I got my palladiflorum from Ecuagenera USA and he’s popping off with new leaves right now. Came in great shape. =) And they ship out of Florida.
Thank you so much! You are an amazing person and friend for the way you packaged that plant! It shows how much you care! 🥺 I really hope her collection is okay and I wish her the best honestly. I feel bad for everything and going to try and move past this and save this poor thing. I will have to check out ecuagenera because I have been curious but never purchased from them before!
@@plantsbymelissa Ecuagenera US has higher prices than Ecuagenera itself (in Ecuador), and I can tell you that even with the import fee, usually the Ecuador shop is cheaper. It takes longer but I've had great luck with them. Depending on what you're after, the two have some of the same plants and also some different plants, so keep that in mind. The only plant I have had a serious issue with was an El Choco Red that was severely cold damaged but tbh I consider that to be on me for ordering in January in Pennsylvania lol, like it's not their fault I did that.
No no that’s not acceptable madam. The box was to small. Those are costly, I’m been buying since pandemic and the boxing and packing Iv been given has out surpass this mess she since you.😢😢. That wasn’t. Cheap🤨. Please reach out to her and send her this video please. Take care
I just recent sent a seller an update on a plant o received. Ordered a fuzzy petiole. It looked diff but i thot oh its just a starter so maybe suppose look diff. Its now ben few mths later an it IS in fact diff plant from wati i ordered. I sent them pics of order an wat it looks like now. They apologized for mix up an offered on my nxt order to make a note an they wud send me a free replacement along with it! My intention was NOT for free plant since mths later. Just to be informative. But even mths later they still tried making it right an didn't question me. THATS a good seller/customer satisfaction! Im so sorry u went thru this, specially on bday mail
Wow! your story got worse and worse! That's one of the worst customer service stories I've ever heard. What is up with people?
I don’t think she had a situation come up like this before so I can understand how it was probably hard to navigate. Hopefully she takes this as a learning opportunity 🫶🏻
I was definitely venting on your behalf lol! I would have given her the benefit of the doubt too. Surprised though she didn't wrap that gorgeous plant in a cardboard tube and tape it down. You figure she' s ordered a lot of plants online like the rest of us. Yep, hopefully she learns some better practices from this! It was a gorgeous pallidiflorum by the way@@plantsbymelissa
So glad you got a refund. Asking you to send back a pesty plant on your dime or keep it for a partial refund sounds very scammy.
I have received so many plants in the mail-some sellers even zip tie the plant down in the box so it doesn’t move. Blaming the postal service was a total cop out on her part.
So far the only plant app I’ve ordered on is Plantstory and every seller has been pretty good. If they aren’t, word spreads very quickly if they don’t make it right with a quickness. Likewise, if certain buyers are ghosting their auction wins or doing other shady things, that’s also dealt with.
That’s so funny you added in the comment about flinging the box all over the place. It literally hurt my soul watching you toss the box around in circles. The leaves will grow back don’t beat yourself up over it.
This is a classic case of, “I can sell plants!” but not doing proper research on packaging/business practices.
To be selling without a thorough examination for pests and proper protection is a big rookie mistake. That yellow leaf the seller mentioned should have been a red flag for the seller to check for pests and rot.
Normally I don’t like to name and shame small businesses regardless of the situation, but sometimes as a seller, you have to learn the hard way when money is exchanged. You have to own your negligence when at fault.
When those thrips appeared and the f bombs started flying it was plantsbymelissaafterdark! 🤣Thrips are the most annoying and destructive pests so I don't blame you one bit for being upset.
Horror stories like this are why I tend to only buy plants at local plant swaps/sales and online shops like BWH or Canopy plant co, but it's harder to get the rare gems. I'm sorry you went through this experience and I'm sending anti-trips vibes your way!
This is like a found footage horror film! I literally just had thrips ravage my home! I've released lady bugs and gave gone through two bottles of insecticidal soap. Things seem fine now but they destroyed my huge monstera. I know the fear now
The packaging is just horrendous. I've bought and sold thousands of plants and I have never seen a plant directly stuffed in the box with polyfils like that. No wonder why the leaves were broken off. I'd be surprised if they had not.
You’ve always been my favorite plants heroine - I started my journey and have been following you since (over a year). You calm me down 🥰 But during this video I was like “WTF!, look at what thrips did to my inspiration!” 😳 Like, clearly I have never have them and now I am so afraid of them. 😭
Seriously: I am sorry you had to go through this and glad they refunded you fully. I’m not a professional seller but I’ve travelled with plants and even I have packaged them better than how your plant was packaged. But please don’t let this incident steal your peace any longer.
PS. Praying I never reincarnate as a thrip, anything but that, at least not while we share this life simultaneously.
I imported my palidiflorum from Ecuador and it was in pristine condition so this honestly looks like it took some negligence!
Personally I would toss plant. Thrips aren't worth. Or send it back. I have had to do it for a refund. I get the seller doesn't want you to rehab the plant and when all is said and done. You have your money and free plant. Yes you had to do a lot of work to get it there. I see both sides yours and her. But if I was refunded I would toss plant. Not worth collection. Cause they can come back
Im absolutely disgusted over this. So if you sent the plant back she would of just re sold it again. I think as soon as i saw the bug it all would of went outside in the trash. Im so sorry your going thru this horrible experience
I wanted to trash it all but I felt so bad for the plant 🥲 I wanted to share my experience because I think it can only help others in a similar situation. I'm still really upset by it all but hopefully I can move on here soon and just take this as a learning opportunity!
@@plantsbymelissa it's a great way to think about it. You got this. If anyone can fix that plant, it's you 😉
OMG!!! Girl....I'm cussing right along with you! I feel your pain.
so sorry this happened to you 💔 I checked their profile on blossm, but couldn't find your review - i seriously hope they didn't delete it. regardless this was absolutely unnaceptable and i'm so sorry it ended that way. hoping it grows without any more issues 😇
Thank you so much! A few others mentioned the review not being there and I am not sure why! 🥲