Burgess Seed & Plant Poor quality, unresponsive, doesn't live up to guarantee - Caveat Emptor for sure. Bloomington Illinois

 I'd like to preface this by stating that I'm a Master Gardener, have a small farm operation, and have been gardening for over 40 years; I really don't think the problem is with me. 

Plants arrived in horrible condition, some of them pretty much dead.  When I tried to get replacements, they told me to go ahead and plant them first and see what happened.  What happened was I wasted my time and garden space planting dead peppers and tomatoes!  They SAY they have a money back guarantee, but don't you believe it. 

I also bought 24 of the hybrid willow - almost $100 right there - and not a single one came out of dormancy.  It was really no surprise, since the bareroot stock arrived without any protection whatsoever on the roots.  I followed Burgess procedure, mailing them back the original packing list and a request for refund or replacement.  They RETURNED my letter, and one of my packing lists (not sure what happened to the other packing list).  I then collected all the dead trees and shipped them back to Burgess - at my cost - and still nothing.  By this time 6 months had passed and I had no recourse through my credit card company - planned by Burgess, I imagine - so I filed a complaint with the BBB. 

About 18 months after the original purchase, they sent me replacements for the trees, and a voucher for $20 (not that I will ever buy from them again).  Even though it was almost winter, I had no choice but to plant the new trees - which arrived in the same condition as the original ones, I might add - hoping they would thrive.  It is now spring, and not a single one has survived.