I purchased a bonsai tree as a Christmas gift from Eastern Leaf. The tree arrived completely dead because they shipped it over five days during winter conditions. I offered to pay an additional $100 for overnight shipping to ensure safe arrival, but this was inexplicably refused by their team. For those who are more experienced with bonsai: is this normal?
After contacting them about the dead tree, I was informed my original tree was out of stock. Their proposed replacements were unacceptable: they were trees of half the original value, smaller size, and significantly lower quality. When I requested a full refund for the product THEY failed to deliver alive, they refused, stating they would only issue a partial refund.
For anyone looking to purchase a tree online, Eastern Leaf demonstrates a severe lack of adequate care when shipping live plants. They also fail to stand behind their product, refusing a full refund when their service results in a dead product.
Do NOT order live plants from this company. I’m now disputing the charge with my credit card company to recover the full cost of the dead bonsai.
Has anyone had better luck with Brussel’s Bonsai?
by KrustyKrbPizza
13 Comments
Hey buying trees online from big sites is usually pretty unfruitful. Auction sites like 99 cent bonsai and bonsai auctions on FB are usually reliable, and Wigerts should be your go-to spot for buying tropicals.
But also, you shouldnt have purchased tropicals to be delivered in the winter when you live in MN. I would recommend going for cold hardy species, or waiting until spring to get a tropical.
Pro tip moving forward – don’t buy sensitive tropical trees delivered to the Midwest in the middle of winter.
How much was the partial refund for?
As others have said, don’t have tropical shipped to MN in the dead of winter. That being said, they never should have accepted the order in the first place.
I’m sorry but it probably wouldn’t have made it overnight either. It’s too cold to be shipping tropicals in these temps like everyone else is saying.
I also agree they shouldn’t be shipping tropicals this time of the year. Hope you get your money back but I’d take this more of a learning opportunity
I have had very similar experiences with Eastern Leaf. At high season in the spring stock arrived dead and then wrangling back forth with ‘customer service’. And their BS return policy. Never again.
Brussel’s bonsai is a reputable company. I have had trees shipped in the cold and they were packed very well. I’m not sure I would order a true tropical when it’s 15 degrees out, but if you call them they should take care of you and insulate the box even better. I have not bought ant trees from them in many years, but used to travel there once or twice a year to purchase wholesale. They were always very accommodating and took care of me. Great nursery to visit if you ever get the chance.
Even if that thing came alive, it looks terrible. Take this as a lesson and upgrade to something else though a source mentioned in this thread
Had a similar experience. Decided to just go to a local (ish) nursery instead of doing online.
As others have said don’t buy trees in the winter. As for the refund, take the partial refund and write a honest review of your experience everywhere you possibly can I’ve had a few companies that all of a sudden had a generous change of heart once I wrote about them in 10+ sites lol. (Twitter is fantastic if they have one)
I just got one from them shipped to the northeast US. Arrived yesterday seemingly alive. Guess you got unlucky
I feel like the tree had a worse experience than you did.
Everyone is correct about the timing but they’re shit regardless of season. Ebay and Etsy are great because you’re not given a random tree and 95% of sellers are mindful.
“In bonsai there are no losses, only lessons”
-me
– Michael Scott
I’ve ordered a few trees from Brussel’s and have had a positive experience, though not in mid winter. It blows my mind that they even processed the order if they didn’t intend to ship with heat packs. People keep putting the blame on you for buying a tropical in mid-winter in a northern state but it should 100% be on Eastern Leaf for shipping it without protection, or at the very least letting you know the risks involved.