I am dismayed at having to post this, but I am needing advice. We have purchased from Seeds of Change for many years. Has this company recently been bought out by a larger corporation? I have always viewed it as a business that rested on higher moral ground. But I ordered a $78 permaculture book from them recently, and they sent instead a Misto Olive Oil sprayer. I was told I had to have a return UPS slip from the corporate office to send it back and get my money. After multiple phone calls and emails to Helena in customer service, as well as a message left at the corporate office customer care specialist voice mail, still no return slip. Am I actually going to get stiffed by this company? Has anyone had a similar experience and how did you resolve it if they absolutely would not handle their part of the transaction?

Hi Tanya,
welcome to the forum!
I have not dealt with this company but I have had dealings with companies that refuse to do the right thing.
I'm sure for $78. you don't want to just walk away.
Here is what has worked for me, after I've done what you have done and gotten nowhere.

I send snail letters to the local better business bureau, chamber of commerce, attorney general of the state, and send COPIES of the letters to the company. Actually sometimes to save postage, I just send the copies to the company. I have never failed to get a just resolution. Most places just don't want that kind of trouble.

good luck

ellen

quote:

Originally posted by Tanya:
...Has this company recently been bought out by a larger corporation?...

Seeds of Change has been owned by M & M Mars since 1997. Mars markets, candy bars, Uncle Ben's Rice, pet food, some health care products, etc.

I've bought from SOC on occasion with the usual good results. I've only heard good things about them. No company is perfect and do make mistakes or have an occasional episode of customer service failure.

Good luck.

Wayne

Glitches do happen. But $78 is $78 and it's not like you haven't made repeated efforts to get this settled.

I'd find out the names of as many SOC corporate staff and send each an email, making sure to CC the email addresses of various garden magazines. It's not so much that the garden magazines can give a hoot, just the fact that those CCs appear on the emails sent to corporate might make them notice and act more readily.

I'd keep calling also. Always asking for a different person or a supervisor and always getting their name and extension number.

I don't know if SOC is one of those companies w/menu options when you call, but if there are, then hit each one of them, even though it may not seem appropriate for your needs. The more people you talk with...and the more often...the better. Oh, and each time you speak (or write w/someone) make sure to tell them you are a member of one of the largest read gardening communities online and you've already posted your dilemma and dissatisfaction w/SOC. Also mention you intend to list them on Dave's Garden Watchdog as being uncooperative and that you'll describe your problems with them on that site. Garden Watchdog is a major source for gardeners to check out a company...and the companies know a bad rap on that listing can have a severe impact on their p.r.

I've had to do all of the above on several past occasions when receiving unsatisfactory service from a few garden venues. One or another of these actions always worked and I received restitution. I never did business w/any of them again, however.

Seeds of Change is the same company that sent a sales representative to my door, unexpected and uninvited. He was a former Johhny's employee and that's the only way he could have gotten my address. I was not happy and I won't do business with this company.
The SOC's employee stole my personal information when he worked for Johnny's. I would rather do business with a company that shows respect for my privacy. I get mailings from them now even though I had never ordered or requested anything from them.
At best, it was a pathetic bid to try to steal some of Johnny's customers.

Stay on em, honey. And do use your state agencies to help you if necessary. I've not dealt with them and don't think that's gonna happen anytime soon. LOL

It's a shame when this happens to people, using good safety precautions using the internet for purchase is so much easier, but then you run into things like this. sigh

All good advice. I suspected that this was no longer a "Mom & Pop" company. Thanks so much.

My organic gardening friend also said she's had customer service issues. I used Territorial Seed co this year and so far have been happy. Haven't gotten my plants yet, too early.

Maggie

Even if they are owned by Mars, I still prefer to buy from them then from Burpee, or Johnny's- Monsanto bought those two and a few others (Territorial, Nichols and Stokes) out. This is from Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle," a rather good book for anyone into Organic gardening.

Whatever the case, I know that Mars handles the organic processed foods half of SOC, not their Seeds half (as much).