David Fairley Gardens Ltd Reviews 324

[update] *** I have been waiting to submit a dispute claim with my credit card company since writing this and have now been advised by the relevant solicitors that the company is being liquidated and wound up. I would be exceptionally wary of engaging the prior Directors of this business in future due to their behaviour while the business was clearly in difficulty. ***

We ordered four 120-150cm Quercus ilex feathered hedge plants on the 18 February 2023. I understood these are large items that need to be prepared, and thought a three or four week wait was reasonable. I emailed on the 13 March to enquire about a delivery date as I wanted to ensure we were available for delivery. I received a reply saying that DFG were experiencing delays with their suppliers.

Another two weeks passed with no communication from David Fairley Gardens, and I emailed again on 1 April 2023, requesting a firm delivery date of the order. As I wished to ensure this hedging was planted with time to get somewhat established before the peak of summer heat, I stated that unless there was a known delivery date, I wanted the order cancelled and refunded, so that I could source the hedging elsewhere.

David Fairley Gardens replied on 3 April 2023 stating that my order was to be delivered on the 24 April 2023, between 2pm and 4pm. The relative promptness and nature of this reply following my email requesting cancellation of the order unless a delivery date was known made me quite suspicious, but I gave benefit of the doubt.

The 24 April 2023 came, and went, with no order being delivered and no explanation or apology from David Fairley Gardens.

I have since emailed twice, and have had no response or contact from David Fairley Gardens.

Clearly there are a number of issues here.

Firstly, David Fairley Gardens offering items for sale which they do not have in stock, nor do they know if and when they’ll have them in stock. Recognising the unmitigated disaster that is Brexit, I am willing to be very sympathetic to retailers suffering the impacts.

Secondly, David Fairly Gardens made a promise of delivery which I am almost entirely certain they never intended to meet, in order to keep hold of my money. I strongly suspect David Fairly Gardens knowingly lied to me. [Edit - I now know they did lie to me, as obviously their suppliers were obviously not providing them with stock.]

Thirdly, David Fairly Gardens has failed to deliver the promised goods, and despite my attempts to illicit a response from them, have failed to refund my money or indeed even respond to me, and the entire episode - particularly lying about a delivery date - it felt very much like Fraud by Misrepresentation.

Order early March and two and a half months later not only have they failed to deliver but there is no answer to emails, the phone is not answered and you cannot leave a voicemail. I suspect a scam. Do not use this shocking company.

I ordered two 10litre shrubs early this year and waited several weeks for delivery. After some delays following dispatch the plants finally arrived, and were well packaged. A month later one shrub is doing fine, but the other is on its last legs. Three of the five branches have failed to produce leaf buds and now the two branches with leaflets are stunted and wilting. Very disappointing considering what I paid for them, only sourced online as I couldn't find these specific plants locally. I have previously used DF but won't be doing so in the future.

- to follow on from my last review, I think the company is now being liquidated!

Ordered trees that were listed as in stock.
After payment turns out were not in stock.
Delivery finally arranged 2months later.
No show on delivery day.
2 weeks of no response to multiple emails and phone messages since.
Now not accepting voicemail.
Website offline.
Have had to resort to opening a case with credit card company to try and retrieve the 2k.
Has this company gone bust?
Very poor experience, still not resolved

This company is in liquidation- do not order from them

I ordered 2 trees well over £1000 and David Fairley Gardens called me to change the delivery and planting date. They haven't answered any of my phone calls despite leaving voicemails and didn't show up on the delivery date they gave me, with no warning they wouldn't turn up. I feel like I have been scammed, so be careful before you order. I've since requested a chargeback from my credit card company to see if I can get the money back!

Do not use no trees no contact avoid. I ordered 4 Cyprus Trees on the 27 March received an email stating they would be delivered on the 26 April nothing arrived no contact or further correspondence. Have written numerous emails no response and telephoned no response just and answer phone saying your call cannot be taken. Now I am out of pocket by nearly £600!

I ordered 2 expensive trees a few weeks ago. I have had no updates, I have emailed twice asking for an update and tried calling multiple times - I get a message saying ‘your call can’t be answered and you can’t leave a message’. I don’t know what to do next but this is at worst a sham, and at best absolutely awful service.

High quality trees delivered very quickly

David personally welcomed us to visit and ran through all the various options suitable for our garden. We have now purchased a very unique magnolia tree which we are looking forward to receiving. He has a very unique selection of trees. David was very knowledgeable, accommodating and passionate which gave us confidence in choosing him over other suppliers. Will definitely use David Fairley Gardens again soon!

We bought four Quercus Ilex (Holly Oak) pleached trees. Sam & Ed delivered and planted the trees together with robust support stakes in one day. They were thorough, hard working, with a pleasant demeanour, in extremely cold conditions! They did an excellent job and we are very pleased with the result.

Purchased several spiral Prunus. Exceptional quality and beautiful trees. Delighted with my purchase!

We ordered some 1/2 and 3/4 clear stem Magnolia Grandiflora trees along with the planting service from David Fairley. We are extremely pleased with them. The trees arrived carefully wrapped and the planting service was very professional.
The trees look lovely and healthy, and we were pleasantly surprised at how tall the 3/4 trees are. We have also had many comments from passersby as to how attractive the trees look.
Thank you to David and his team for the great service.

ilex 'Nellie R Steven' Cone Holly. I don't normally order trees online as I like to see firsthand the quality I am buying. I phone DFG late on 26/10 and was very impressed with the advice and helpfulness of David Fairley who sent me a quote immediately. Next day I asked for a photo of the tree they would send if I ordered, which came quickly. They then responded quickly to my other questions regarding planting. I ordered the Cone Holly on 28/10 which is quick for me.
The Cone Holly arrived promptly on 2/11, and to say that I was delighted with the Cone Holly is a great understatement. The shape was perfect with a good lot of red berries, but most importantly it looked very healthy.
It is now planted in the front garden. I have had a lot of admiring comments and have been pleased to pass on DSFG's name.
Peter Fundrey

Ordered a pair of 4-6cm trees when they arrived they’re barely 2cm . When I query they ignore you. Would not recommend product or company.

I ordered 6 multi-stem Osmanthus aquifolium and was delighted with them when they arrived. Very good size specimens and in excellent condition.

I ordered 6 pleached magnolia trees on the 18th April ands waited patiently for the delivery which took longer than expected and arrived the 11th May 2022. I understand it was a large order and it may take longer than the two weeks quoted which I was fine with. the order was missing a tree, the delivery driver said he couldn't fit it in the van, again I was understanding and contacted Max who I was dealing with but to date I still have had no response!!!! I have called countless times, emailed Max and also the info email address they have as a contact on the website and had no response. I have resorted to messaging on Instagram posts and this is the only response I have had. I was told two weeks ago my missing tree was going to be added to the delivery schedule and again two weeks have passed no tree and again no correspondence its now the 7th July 11 weeks since I placed and paid for my order and I find it so hard to believe they haven't got the decency to pick up the phone or send a email to keep me up dated!!! Absolutely terrible customer service. I have never wrote a review before but I feel its the only was to get contact from them!!!!!!!!

Exceptional service and great value from DFG. We worked with Max, who was absolutely brilliant, knowledgable and helpful. He also didn’t tire of my never ending questions! Thanks DFG, we are loving our magnolias!

Brilliant. I placed my order on Sunday 5 June and it was delivered on Thursday 6 June. Very well packed, in excellent condition, and such good value. Highly recommended.