05-22-2011, 02:19 AM
(05-20-2011, 08:17 AM)Lorna Wrote: i have a couple of sprouting books but never look at them - this website always answers any questions i have, haven't bought from them though as they're based in the us i think so don't know what they're like as a retailer
Sproutpeople definitely has the best selection of gourmet sprout mixes, as well as incredibly in-depth info!
I have bought from them several times and, unfortunately, I was not happy with their service. They never answer the phone but will communicate via email only. This is fine with routine orders, but I like being able to reach a human when there's a problem.
And, they didn't seem at all interested in the satisfaction of their customers. I spent several hundred dollars on an assortment of sprouting seeds and other items, over just a couple of months, and a few of the bags of seeds became infested with bugs. I had stored them according to directions, ie. no refrigeration required, but storing in the frig would just give a longer shelf life. I knew we'd use them up within 6 months or so, so I didn't bother to refrigerate.
I sent them pictures of the bugs and they said it was because the seeds had gotten too hot. Well, I do live in Texas, but our house is air conditioned, so I don't see how they got too hot. But the point is that I stored them according to directions.
I didn't even ask for a complete refund, but would have appreciated some gesture. I thought it would be fair if they at least shared in the responsibility, since I was new at this and couldn't be expected to know about storing seeds. So I suggested that they improve their already-excellent directions, to include special directions for those in warmer climates.
I felt that good customer service would have been to replace the bags of seeds. I lost several bags, totaling about $40, but would have been happy if they had just offered me a credit of $20 or so, but when I asked, they basically said, too bad.
I most definitely would have shopped elsewhere after that, but there is no elsewhere. I don't know of any other company that offers such an incredible selection! So I continue to order from them, but I won't give them rave reviews. I am disappointed that they were so uninterested in customer feedback. It seemed to me that their business must be so good, since they have no competitors really, that they knew I'd be back despite my dissatisfaction. And, they were right.