So true lol!- not funny it happened but you’re right I couldn’t have imagined her mad! There was no way that plant came well packaged and the thrip damage was not overnight.
Ughh I’ve been in your shoes Melissa 😖 sorry you had to go through this. This honestly makes me angry from private plant sellers. If you can’t properly secure a plant for mail and check for pests before sending that plant off you have no business selling plants.
So glad you got a refund. Asking you to send back a pesty plant on your dime or keep it for a partial refund sounds very scammy. I have received so many plants in the mail-some sellers even zip tie the plant down in the box so it doesn’t move. Blaming the postal service was a total cop out on her part. So far the only plant app I’ve ordered on is Plantstory and every seller has been pretty good. If they aren’t, word spreads very quickly if they don’t make it right with a quickness. Likewise, if certain buyers are ghosting their auction wins or doing other shady things, that’s also dealt with.
Honestly I think you handled it right. I have only ever sold a handful of plants and I would feel awful if I sent someone a plant with thrips! Not to mention with all my customer service experience at a business that only sold shipped products I can tell you that all the carriers are hard on them. And many many facilities aren’t even people handling them they are big slide type things sorting the packages. It’s always better to over protect the plant than under and there Is no reason for it to not at least be wrapped in paper. So many sellers take pride in how the package a plant AND in how it looks upon opening. So when I saw how vulnerable it was when you pulled it out I gasped!
woow. Shipping a plant in that poor conditions and with F... thrips it's just.. no words. If you sell a plant, you must check your plant for pest before. I had had thrips a year ago and it's really devastating, especially if you don't act really soon: so so difficult to eliminate at 100%
Grillll im sorry this happened to you but i started cracking up when you kept cursing 🤬 i love how you handle it! I would of been cursing her out. god bless you!
Dude this sucks. You handled it like a champ... i wouldve trashed the plant and the seller. I hope you find the same plant in person and the plant gods bless you for this shitty situation!
So sorry you had a bad experience like this 😢 Bad plant mail is super upsetting, I had a couple of really bad experiences recently and one was a delivery with a plant that was a present for my mom and I was super upset they reluctantly gave me a refund but it’s not fair when we as the buyer have to ask it for our money back because like you I would give a refund if it was me, no question about it. Hope you find a better experience next time plant purchasing ❤
I order online from natures good guys! Not everyone likes them and says they have bad quality mites and evergreen growing is better but they're too expensive to ship to me. I use a Sony ZV1 for filming!
Im absolutely disgusted over this. So if you sent the plant back she would of just re sold it again. I think as soon as i saw the bug it all would of went outside in the trash. Im so sorry your going thru this horrible experience
I wanted to trash it all but I felt so bad for the plant 🥲 I wanted to share my experience because I think it can only help others in a similar situation. I'm still really upset by it all but hopefully I can move on here soon and just take this as a learning opportunity!
A plant unboxing nightmare! I am so so sorry! I was cringing. I'm so glad you got your well Deserved full refund. I hope someone sends you a new pest free plant for your birthday. 🎁
Sorry you had to deal with this crap. Seller knows she has thrip trouble. I could tell there was leaf damage so she should have known. Irresponsible seller. If you weren't experienced you could have infested your collection. PS Happy birthday 🎉
Thank you! She said she never had them before but that definitely doesn’t make it okay. If you look close enough you can see them so it wasn’t inspected very well 😔
I think of your albo props and your new expensive ,small babies that could have been hurt or died because of someone's carelessness.Im so sorry for one of your birthday gifts to have sucked so badly.
You did everything perfectly! I’m a 30 years business owner and we would never would have succeeded if we treated customers that way. She got a bad review and we all saw what happened. UNACCEPTABLE. How can she sleep at night knowing she upset a customer who is her bread and butter? How much business will she lose because of her business ethics. You did exactly what you should have. Have a great birthday and move on. I advise a bigger splurge in a plant purchase, and feel like you should, the BEST plant mama, and feeling good about it. Forget this experience! You deserve better.
Thank you! 🥹 I will definitely have to treat myself from a reputable seller! You're exactly right! When I start selling more regularly I hope to only be the best I can and if anything happens I make it right immediately. I would never want anyone to feel like I did here.
Thank you fern 🥹 yes! they are so stressful 😩 I’m glad she fully refunded me! I’m still sad about the situation and how it was handled but I do truly wish her the best and hope she takes this opportunity to improve 😔
Omg crappy situation, but your reaction to the thrips did make me chuckle. You literally reacted exactly how I would’ve hahaha. Feel better Melissa, don’t be too bummed!! 😊
As a seller you should always eat the loss. Never question the customer like this. Sadly, when I post videos like this I get attacked, so I'm glad that's not happening to you! Its important to show that this can happen. A lot of people are afraid to say something! ❤
My friend always said, "if you aren't ready to drop kick your package across the room, you aren't ready to send it through the mail!" Fragile stickers are useless. I feel like most times that just puts a bigger target on your box.
@kyrad6543 ~ Oh, yeah ... NEVER put a warning sticker on a package. That's just begging some mean-spirited postal employee to do exactly what the sticker asks them NOT to do. A couple of months ago we ordered a 2024 calendar. The package arrived with a large DO NOT BEND sticker on the outside. Well, some lovely postal employee decided that was their cue to FOLD the package. Our calendar arrived with a huge crease right down the middle of it.
You were 100% justified in standing your ground. You weren't disrespectful and even were very careful to not speak poorly of the seller even with this situation. I appreciate the way you handled this and shared with us, I recently had a VERY similar experience with a prince of orange and didn't get a refund and the seller essentially told me that the spider mites must have come from the usps truck. The plant is still struggling to this day and hasn't grown a single new leaf.
Definitely not okay! When you become a seller you should be inspecting plants super closely. Sounds like it was easy to blame USPS for the spider mites because it couldn’t have already been on the plant 😒 I mean no hate to her and I completely understand things happen. I honestly wish her the best and hope she takes this experience and improves 🫶🏻
I'm glad you recorded the unboxing. This usually happens without proof. I think with your amazing collection, your reaction was understandable and you were more than fair with that Seller. However, if you were that upset, I'd have just dumped the plant after the refund, end of story. However if anyone can nurse this poor plant back to health it's you, and I'm glad it has you caring for it and not that Seller, Mel ❤
So sorry this happened to you. She definitely needed to fully refund, with your beautiful collection I would be really upset too. Fingers crossed it comes out ok.
Thank you! I'm still upset by everything. I think if I opened this in my plant room I would be so worried right now. I am definitely taking this experience and will be more cautious moving forward with unboxings and where I order plants from 🫶
I’m so sorry you went through this. If you’re looking for recommendations I enjoy Lost in the Forrest in Minneapolis, great shipping, amazing owner. I also looked at blossm and cannot find your review I really hope it didn’t get deleted.
Thank you so much! I felt so bad about everything and it's never my intention to make anyone look bad. I only hope this situation can help others and I definitely learned a lot myself 🥹
@@plantsbymelissa I completely understand and can relate but never feel bad for telling the truth! I love your content, you are one of the most genuine plant vloggers so I know and your other viewers know your intentions were not to be malicious.
You are completely right! That plant had bugs before she sent it. You definitely should have been refunded. That is not normal business practice! So sorry this happened to you. But I want you to have a wonderful birthday 🎂
Sorry this crap happened to you on such a special plant. I gotta say it was totally funny and caught me off guard to hear your curse. That was the Real-Deal right there. No holding back. Loved it!
Melissa, I think you handled this very well. I’m a relatively new plant mom and try my hardest to check my plants. I’d never seen a thrip before you shared and it helps so much. I’d love to know if you already have or if you’d consider making a video on how to get rid of spider mites, thrips, fungus, gnats, etc.
Seeing Melissa so upset annoys be so much. The fact that this seller thinks selling a plant with pests and damaged leaves is appropriate is disgusting. And the disregard for your entire collection you’ve worked so hard for hurts my heart.
What a sad experience for you, and on birthday plant mail too! You handled it the best way you could even tho you were uncomfortable about the whole thing! Although I have to say I’m not super excited to order online, which I’ve only done a couple of times. Good luck with it all!!
I’m like you in feeling bad. However you have that on film and it’s unacceptable to get a plant with pests. Funny thing I just received a variegated string of hearts from CA to CO last week before our cold snap from a grower and worried about the cold nights but it’s doing great but I’m going to put it in a baggie too cause you never know even though it looks good. Thank you for sharing that
Sorry to hear you had to go through this ordeal for your birthday 😰 I hope the plant heals and you beat those pesky thrips! It'll be wonderful to see an update on this baby down the line when she's well and thriving. There might have been lots of frustration but it's good that at least the issue was sorted out with the seller. Wishing you loads of good luck!
Omg. What a bummer situation, but honestly, I LOVE this video!!! This was a good reminder to open everything outside! Seriously. I’m so tired of pests. I will have spider mites forever 😡 Luckily when I spotted thrips, they were only on 3 new plants over a couple months, so I was able to get rid of them. I kept them in my laundry room under a grow light for 6 months 😂. After 6 months of not seeing any, I finally felt okay with bringing them out. I just really didn’t trust them. You should have a little flashlight handy too. It’s crazy how hard they are to see until you shine light right on them. I know you know that though. I just saw some spider mites on my Silver Sword with my light on my phone 😡. I never noticed them before. Ugghh. Spider mites suck so bad and I feel like I will never get rid of them permanently 🤨
Don’t worry Melissa, karma will get her. Almost 8.5k views of your video and the review on her website is a good start. 😊 I trust you will get some positive/good vibes/plants in the near future to overcome this bad experience. You will be an awesome seller! Great attitude at the end. Blessings. 🙏
Good for you for standing up for yourself! You were much more generous than what I would have been. You have a great attitude and I appreciate you sharing your experience.
This is honestly my worst nightmare.. I've only had about 2 good plant mail experiences out of the 10+. I no longer order plants online, but I understand those that do, especially if your nurseries don't carry these plants. But to carry a pest as well? Not okay AT ALL. I dislike the way this seller handled the situation, super unprofessional. I would be just as upset girlie. I'm so sorry that this happened. 😢
this made me realize that I need to do a better job at inspecting my plants so thank you for this. also, as a girlie that curses a lot, I loved hearing your cursing 🤣 it was real and authentic which makes me appreciate this video even more. I look forward to seeing the progress on this plant. I think you can rehab it and have it blossom into the plant you want it to be.
Thank you! 🥹🫶🏻 haha I definitely have my cursing moments. I try not to do it on camera or I edit things out but I felt like I had to share how I was feeling here 😢
That whole plant would've hit the trash soooooo fast!! ALWAYS ALWAYS ask for a refund in scenarios like this. You matter! I'm so sorry that happened to you.
Thrips are the WORST. I got a plant from someone that had Thrips on it and I found them within a day but ended up losing 80% of my collection because of that stupid plant!
Thrips - what a nightmare! I'd cut off the big leaf and not leave any chances for eggs. Just restart from the node. - Yeah, I used to dream of selling plants, but I don't think it's for me. I'm too much of a perfectionist and just can't stand bugs. My thrips are rising again in January :(
I’m definitely still paranoid 😅 I cleaned the table and have been looking at these plants every day over here now 🫣 I unloaded a bunch of cucumeris mites on them too.
SMH very inappropriate and irresponsible of the seller 🤦🏽♀️ I'm so sorry this happened. This scares me now when buying new plants but I learned so much from this video and your experience Melissa. Thank you so much for sharing this, you handled this so well! I will be even more diligent when I handle my new plants and am now going to look through my entire collection 😅
I agree with you very upsetting to see how you were sent this plant so disappointing 😮. I’m glad you were refunded your money I already deleted her information definitely a professional seller. I am praying you can save it and I’ll be waiting to see how this evolves. Wishing you the best.
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Ughhhh this is so frustrating!! Another reason why I’m nervous to order online. You handled the situation well.
I always wondered if some sellers Who re use the Polly, insulation,box,etc could transfer bugs on or in it. Just thinking out loud. I’ve been using PS recently. I think for the most part I’m a pretty good read of people. I’ll watch several lives to kind of get a feel from who I might want to buy from. Nothing is ever perfect but I also expect people to do the right thing when something goes wrong Sorry about you birthday plant😢
Horrible packaging! My business with that seller would end right there. Seller can't just say it's just leaves it will grow right back. People spend a good amount money on plants and should not expect sellers to skimp on packaging.
You handled this situation correctly; you gave the shop owner the chance to make it right. Being a plant business owner I’m surprised she didn’t realize you have a following on YT & many people will see how she handled this situation. I have to say you had me & my hubby laughing when you dropped those bombs when you saw the thrips. We totally understood after you battled thrips in the past on your marantas. We ❤ watching you & your videos are very helpful & entertaining. Have a Happy Birthday 🎈
Thank you! I’m not sure if she knew of my account or not. I didn’t say anything to her. I always want a fair purchase 🥺 I was trying to be understanding on both sides and I wasn’t mean at all. I was so upset when I woke up the next morning and read her response 😔 I felt like I shouldn’t have had to ask for it.
WTH, that’s terrible!! I hate thrips too, I still see them on my plants too. But however the best method is to first rinse the plant down with water. Then make a bath mixed with water, neem oil (spray) and a little dish soap. This works wonders, do this twice a week and within the first week they should be GONE.
$89 is ridiculous to be receiving a plant with one leaf when it was purchased with 5 because of their poor packaging. And then to have a response like that is completely unacceptable. I’m so sorry you had this experience.
Holy moly!! Sooo frustrating for that seller to be so careless with the packing and the pests! Seems that they just wanted to pawn off on someone or a seller that has no idea! Melissa elegantly cussing 🤬 don’t blame you
Livid!! Does anyone else get the feeling she just wanted to unload a rotting pest covered plant on someone & Melissa just happened to be the unlucky one? Polyfill wouldn’t move around in shipping like that. I sure as shit know that isn’t a thing that, those leaves would get the other side of the polyfill . Really is a sellers responsibility to ensure that they inspect plants before they ship them. It’s a high value plant, that could have cost you a whole lot more in treatment for thrips if you hadn’t noticed them & they got in your plant collection. Oh what a beautiful new plant you have there.. I’m sure you are so happy you bothered buying it? Happy birthday anyway! Good luck with it .
I would hope no one would ever do that to someone on purpose that is just wrong 😟 I’ve been checking over my plants every day since and put out lots of predatory mites so hoping nothing pops up. I’m still very anxious about it 😔
Oh wow, you had every right to expect a full refund for that plant. If I received a plant that hadn't been secured to the inside the the box, had root rot AND was infested with adult thrips, I would be livid. Yes, that damage you showed on the back of the leaf is from thrips - it's where they go along in a line laying their eggs in the leaf tissue. Watch that area for larvae. The good thing is that you washed off the adults and got rid of the substrate (which is where they pupate), so unless there are any adults hiding within a petiolar sheath, you should only have larvae to deal with, and they are easy to get rid of as long as they don't get the chance to pupate into more adults. It's the adults that are the worst because they can live up to 40 days and lay eggs that whole time. But the larval stage is quite short, so check every couple of days to make sure you catch them while they are squishable. Personally I would have cut the entire top of the plant off and tried regrowing from the chonk, as that is unlikely to have any thrips in it. As far as beneficial mites, get some stratiolaelaps to go with your cucumeris. Cucumeris will eat thrips larvae but you need strats to protect the soil from the pupal stages (and fungus gnats too, which is a bonus). If you want something to cover the adult thrips, get some lacewings as well. But you don't normally need those if you're just applying to the rest of your collection preventatively. Good luck! I had a thripocalypse late last year so I know exactly how you feel.
Thank you so much! I appreciate all the information! thripocalypse is the worst and definitely why I was so upset about another possible outbreak. I checked it today and didn't see anything yet so going to try and rehab it because I feel so bad for it 😔
@@plantsbymelissa Oh, that’s good news. Poor plant! I’m sure you can nurse it back to health. Pallidiflorum is on my wishlist too, but we can’t get them in New Zealand and can’t import plants, so it’ll likely remain there for some time *sigh*
I'm just impressed that you can see thrips with your bare eyes, i need a magnifying glass to see pests. That's why they're always four generations in before i catch on.
Rot AND thrips? Unacceptable. You deserved so much better. I hope that seller is being held accountable...still watching. Hope there is a decent outcome.:L I'm so sorry this happened. I was sent an alocasia with mealies from Green Escape and I've finally eradicated them after 3 months of treatment, quarantine, and repots--that sucked. I can't imagine being sent a plant with thrips.:c
Oh my, this made me want to cry for you. I've recently started collecting some plants, but i would have freaked. When someone wants something defective back it makes me think they don't believe me and I'm trying to scam them. GRRR. Good luck sweetie!
Oh, you poor, poor girl! I had dissapointing plant mail a few days ago. I had ordered an Alocasia baginda "dragon scale" in a 14 cm pot from a webshop. Basically, a medium sized plant. The plant came damaged, dried out, in a pot a size smaller, decidedly less full than the one in the picture, and when I checked it, I discovered that it was actually two baby plug plants. The rootballs consisted of two roots the size of a finger. Not what I expect for a plant of the size I ordered. I contacted the seller, sent him pictures, and a new plant is on it's way!
Thank you for sharing this experience! I feel like if you wouldn't have made a video she wouldn't have refunded you. Making it right is giving you a full refund, or replacement plant. If it where anybody else I don't think the seller would have made it right. SO thank you
I just recent sent a seller an update on a plant o received. Ordered a fuzzy petiole. It looked diff but i thot oh its just a starter so maybe suppose look diff. Its now ben few mths later an it IS in fact diff plant from wati i ordered. I sent them pics of order an wat it looks like now. They apologized for mix up an offered on my nxt order to make a note an they wud send me a free replacement along with it! My intention was NOT for free plant since mths later. Just to be informative. But even mths later they still tried making it right an didn't question me. THATS a good seller/customer satisfaction! Im so sorry u went thru this, specially on bday mail
No no that’s not acceptable madam. The box was to small. Those are costly, I’m been buying since pandemic and the boxing and packing Iv been given has out surpass this mess she since you.😢😢. That wasn’t. Cheap🤨. Please reach out to her and send her this video please. Take care
This is like a found footage horror film! I literally just had thrips ravage my home! I've released lady bugs and gave gone through two bottles of insecticidal soap. Things seem fine now but they destroyed my huge monstera. I know the fear now
This is a classic case of, “I can sell plants!” but not doing proper research on packaging/business practices. To be selling without a thorough examination for pests and proper protection is a big rookie mistake. That yellow leaf the seller mentioned should have been a red flag for the seller to check for pests and rot. Normally I don’t like to name and shame small businesses regardless of the situation, but sometimes as a seller, you have to learn the hard way when money is exchanged. You have to own your negligence when at fault.
That’s so funny you added in the comment about flinging the box all over the place. It literally hurt my soul watching you toss the box around in circles. The leaves will grow back don’t beat yourself up over it.
The packaging is just horrendous. I've bought and sold thousands of plants and I have never seen a plant directly stuffed in the box with polyfils like that. No wonder why the leaves were broken off. I'd be surprised if they had not.
Thrips and mealybugs are the worst to deal with I just had a plant come to me with mealybugs so mad about it I treated it but the plant is a hot mess I just ended up taking a cutting and throwing it away. She should have refunded you so sorry what a nightmare.
Personally I would toss plant. Thrips aren't worth. Or send it back. I have had to do it for a refund. I get the seller doesn't want you to rehab the plant and when all is said and done. You have your money and free plant. Yes you had to do a lot of work to get it there. I see both sides yours and her. But if I was refunded I would toss plant. Not worth collection. Cause they can come back
Customer is always right.... Old saying. I guess this is the risk when buying from a private seller like that. It's a bit different when buying from a nursery. I think you took the right action and glad you got your money back. I never had any experience with thrips but from what I have seen from the various channels I definitely don't want to ever come across them. Everything I have ever heard about them is really nasty. Mealy bugs are unsightly but not nearly as bad and not as easy to miss. I'll take those over thrips any day... Well, I hope your new plant get's well after this.
Do you have some systemic to add to the mix? I would get totally mid evil on treatment. Too bad, the plant looked like it was so beautiful. I have never ordered by mail and probably won’t because I just don’t need a plant that bad.
Dude, I sell on occasion and I always secure the plant in the box so it doesn't get thrown around. At least a paper wrap and tape the root ball. It is not that hard! New leaves won't come out above where you cut. It will be inflorescence eventually :)
Update video is now Live here: th-cam.com/video/6KzHFelpOzw/w-d-xo.html
Melissa seems so cute, innocent, reserved, calm and collected............until she sees some thrips and then she goes balls to the walls.
Indeed. I know it's not a funny thing to happen, but it made me chuckle, just seeing Melissa react like that.
So true lol!- not funny it happened but you’re right I couldn’t have imagined her mad!
There was no way that plant came well packaged and the thrip damage was not overnight.
I know, I am always so surprised when she swears. 😊
Yup! 😂😂😂
I'm sorry I keep rewinding. Its a pest...she's frozen . She goes off😂😂😂😂😂
As someone who also suffers post thrip stress disorder, your reaction is justified. I just got over a 7month battle with them demon spawn.
Yes! I saw red haha. I had major flashbacks to last summer and the thought of an outbreak made me so mad 😔
Straight up! I battle spider mites HARD all summer, a thrips infestation would kill me lmao
As I’m watching this, I’m inspecting a black pagoda lipstick plant and discover a full on invasion of thrips. Never had them before….this’ll be fun
I’m so sorry 😢
Ughh I’ve been in your shoes Melissa 😖 sorry you had to go through this. This honestly makes me angry from private plant sellers. If you can’t properly secure a plant for mail and check for pests before sending that plant off you have no business selling plants.
So glad you got a refund. Asking you to send back a pesty plant on your dime or keep it for a partial refund sounds very scammy.
I have received so many plants in the mail-some sellers even zip tie the plant down in the box so it doesn’t move. Blaming the postal service was a total cop out on her part.
So far the only plant app I’ve ordered on is Plantstory and every seller has been pretty good. If they aren’t, word spreads very quickly if they don’t make it right with a quickness. Likewise, if certain buyers are ghosting their auction wins or doing other shady things, that’s also dealt with.
Honestly I think you handled it right. I have only ever sold a handful of plants and I would feel awful if I sent someone a plant with thrips! Not to mention with all my customer service experience at a business that only sold shipped products I can tell you that all the carriers are hard on them. And many many facilities aren’t even people handling them they are big slide type things sorting the packages. It’s always better to over protect the plant than under and there
Is no reason for it to not at least be wrapped in paper. So many sellers take pride in how the package a plant AND in how it looks upon opening. So when I saw how vulnerable it was when you pulled it out I gasped!
woow. Shipping a plant in that poor conditions and with F... thrips it's just.. no words. If you sell a plant, you must check your plant for pest before. I had had thrips a year ago and it's really devastating, especially if you don't act really soon: so so difficult to eliminate at 100%
Grillll im sorry this happened to you but i started cracking up when you kept cursing 🤬 i love how you handle it! I would of been cursing her out. god bless you!
Dude this sucks. You handled it like a champ... i wouldve trashed the plant and the seller. I hope you find the same plant in person and the plant gods bless you for this shitty situation!
So sorry you had a bad experience like this 😢 Bad plant mail is super upsetting, I had a couple of really bad experiences recently and one was a delivery with a plant that was a present for my mom and I was super upset they reluctantly gave me a refund but it’s not fair when we as the buyer have to ask it for our money back because like you I would give a refund if it was me, no question about it. Hope you find a better experience next time plant purchasing ❤
Those are really hard to ship anyway. I've broken many leaves just bumping it or cleaning it. I don't think I'd ever ship one for this reason.
Melissa what kind of plant is your marble queen that's on the pole in alot of your videos?
Bless your heart gurl your such a sweet babe! I wish I could be like you I would be like a Tasmanian devil over that pat your back
Where can we find the the benefits bugs?:)
Also what is your camera set up?:)
I order online from natures good guys! Not everyone likes them and says they have bad quality mites and evergreen growing is better but they're too expensive to ship to me. I use a Sony ZV1 for filming!
Im absolutely disgusted over this. So if you sent the plant back she would of just re sold it again. I think as soon as i saw the bug it all would of went outside in the trash. Im so sorry your going thru this horrible experience
I wanted to trash it all but I felt so bad for the plant 🥲 I wanted to share my experience because I think it can only help others in a similar situation. I'm still really upset by it all but hopefully I can move on here soon and just take this as a learning opportunity!
@@plantsbymelissa it's a great way to think about it. You got this. If anyone can fix that plant, it's you 😉
A plant unboxing nightmare! I am so so sorry! I was cringing. I'm so glad you got your well
Deserved full refund. I hope someone sends you a new pest free plant for your birthday. 🎁
Thank you so much! 🫶
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Sorry you had to deal with this crap. Seller knows she has thrip trouble. I could tell there was leaf damage so she should have known. Irresponsible seller. If you weren't experienced you could have infested your collection. PS Happy birthday 🎉
Thank you! She said she never had them before but that definitely doesn’t make it okay. If you look close enough you can see them so it wasn’t inspected very well 😔
I think of your albo props and your new expensive ,small babies that could have been hurt or died because of someone's carelessness.Im so sorry for one of your birthday gifts to have sucked so badly.
Thank you! I won't be purchasing from random sellers anymore at all. This was a huge learning experience for me! 🥹
I feel so sorry that this is happened to you, especially because it is your birthday plant ☹
Thank you 🥹
You did everything perfectly! I’m a 30 years business owner and we would never would have succeeded if we treated customers that way. She got a bad review and we all saw what happened. UNACCEPTABLE. How can she sleep at night knowing she upset a customer who is her bread and butter? How much business will she lose because of her business ethics. You did exactly what you should have. Have a great birthday and move on. I advise a bigger splurge in a plant purchase, and feel like you should, the BEST plant mama, and feeling good about it. Forget this experience! You deserve better.
Thank you! 🥹 I will definitely have to treat myself from a reputable seller! You're exactly right! When I start selling more regularly I hope to only be the best I can and if anything happens I make it right immediately. I would never want anyone to feel like I did here.
@@plantsbymelissa Well, with that attitude, I will be your most loyal customer! AND I promise you’ll be very successful as a reputable seller. 😜👍🪴
I can't wait to make my 1st purchase from U😊
Root rot, broken leaves, and thrips? You handled that much better than I would have. ❤😂
Omg what the heck!! I’m so shook at her response 😧 that is brutal. Sorry this happened to you, thrips are so stressful to deal with 💚
Thank you fern 🥹 yes! they are so stressful 😩 I’m glad she fully refunded me! I’m still sad about the situation and how it was handled but I do truly wish her the best and hope she takes this opportunity to improve 😔
when you make Melissa cuss, we ride at dawn!!!
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Ha ha. Best comment ever!!! 😂😂😂
😂 Glorious!
😂😂😂
You were very kind and generous to give her a 2 star review. I would put it in an envelope and send it back , thrips and all
My husband told me to leave 1 star 🤭 If she wasn't going to fully refund me I was definitely leaving a 1 star review.
Yes, two stars was very generous for sure!
Sorry this happened to you!
But this video is a good reminder to all of us that online orders don't always go as expected.
Omg crappy situation, but your reaction to the thrips did make me chuckle. You literally reacted exactly how I would’ve hahaha. Feel better Melissa, don’t be too bummed!! 😊
Thank you! I'm still bummed about everything but trying to move past it all. I was so mad at seeing the thrips haha.
As a seller you should always eat the loss. Never question the customer like this. Sadly, when I post videos like this I get attacked, so I'm glad that's not happening to you! Its important to show that this can happen. A lot of people are afraid to say something! ❤
My friend always said, "if you aren't ready to drop kick your package across the room, you aren't ready to send it through the mail!" Fragile stickers are useless. I feel like most times that just puts a bigger target on your box.
@kyrad6543 ~ Oh, yeah ... NEVER put a warning sticker on a package. That's just begging some mean-spirited postal employee to do exactly what the sticker asks them NOT to do. A couple of months ago we ordered a 2024 calendar. The package arrived with a large DO NOT BEND sticker on the outside. Well, some lovely postal employee decided that was their cue to FOLD the package. Our calendar arrived with a huge crease right down the middle of it.
Yep! I’ve NEVER had any of my plant packages delayed but the one time it said “LIVE PLANTS INSIDE” it was delayed for 5 extra days
You were 100% justified in standing your ground. You weren't disrespectful and even were very careful to not speak poorly of the seller even with this situation. I appreciate the way you handled this and shared with us, I recently had a VERY similar experience with a prince of orange and didn't get a refund and the seller essentially told me that the spider mites must have come from the usps truck. The plant is still struggling to this day and hasn't grown a single new leaf.
Definitely not okay! When you become a seller you should be inspecting plants super closely. Sounds like it was easy to blame USPS for the spider mites because it couldn’t have already been on the plant 😒 I mean no hate to her and I completely understand things happen. I honestly wish her the best and hope she takes this experience and improves 🫶🏻
“Must have picked up spider mites in transit” - that’s a new one. 😂 wow.
I'm glad you stood your ground. It was good for her to learn from this as well. I hope the plant is ok now.
And we all learned from this so thank you for sharing!
Thank you! I'm happy to share my experiences good and bad 🫶
I'm glad you recorded the unboxing. This usually happens without proof. I think with your amazing collection, your reaction was understandable and you were more than fair with that Seller. However, if you were that upset, I'd have just dumped the plant after the refund, end of story. However if anyone can nurse this poor plant back to health it's you, and I'm glad it has you caring for it and not that Seller, Mel ❤
So sorry this happened to you. She definitely needed to fully refund, with your beautiful collection I would be really upset too. Fingers crossed it comes out ok.
Thank you! I'm still upset by everything. I think if I opened this in my plant room I would be so worried right now. I am definitely taking this experience and will be more cautious moving forward with unboxings and where I order plants from 🫶
I’m so sorry you went through this. If you’re looking for recommendations I enjoy Lost in the Forrest in Minneapolis, great shipping, amazing owner.
I also looked at blossm and cannot find your review I really hope it didn’t get deleted.
Thank you! Never heard of them before! I'm not sure why the review isn't there 😔
Lost in the Forest is amazing!
Wow! I’m so sorry you experienced this but I’m happy you made this video to help bring awareness to others before they purchase from this seller
Thank you so much! I felt so bad about everything and it's never my intention to make anyone look bad. I only hope this situation can help others and I definitely learned a lot myself 🥹
@@plantsbymelissa I completely understand and can relate but never feel bad for telling the truth! I love your content, you are one of the most genuine plant vloggers so I know and your other viewers know your intentions were not to be malicious.
Thank you! 🥹
You are completely right! That plant had bugs before she sent it. You definitely should have been refunded. That is not normal business practice! So sorry this happened to you. But I want you to have a wonderful birthday 🎂
Sorry this crap happened to you on such a special plant.
I gotta say it was totally funny and caught me off guard to hear your curse. That was the Real-Deal right there. No holding back. Loved it!
haha I was so mad at seeing the thrips. I had such a bad flashback to last summer 😂
Melissa, I think you handled this very well. I’m a relatively new plant mom and try my hardest to check my plants. I’d never seen a thrip before you shared and it helps so much. I’d love to know if you already have or if you’d consider making a video on how to get rid of spider mites, thrips, fungus, gnats, etc.
Seeing Melissa so upset annoys be so much. The fact that this seller thinks selling a plant with pests and damaged leaves is appropriate is disgusting. And the disregard for your entire collection you’ve worked so hard for hurts my heart.
What a sad experience for you, and on birthday plant mail too! You handled it the best way you could even tho you were uncomfortable about the whole thing! Although I have to say I’m not super excited to order online, which I’ve only done a couple of times. Good luck with it all!!
Thank you! 😢 It can definitely be risky sometimes especially if you don’t know the seller. I hope the plant will be okay though and no thrips pop up 😬
I’m like you in feeling bad. However you have that on film and it’s unacceptable to get a plant with pests. Funny thing I just received a variegated string of hearts from CA to CO last week before our cold snap from a grower and worried about the cold nights but it’s doing great but I’m going to put it in a baggie too cause you never know even though it looks good. Thank you for sharing that
Sorry to hear you had to go through this ordeal for your birthday 😰 I hope the plant heals and you beat those pesky thrips! It'll be wonderful to see an update on this baby down the line when she's well and thriving. There might have been lots of frustration but it's good that at least the issue was sorted out with the seller. Wishing you loads of good luck!
Thank you so much! I checked on it today and no thrips yet so I think that's my sign to try and save it 🥺
Omg. What a bummer situation, but honestly, I LOVE this video!!! This was a good reminder to open everything outside! Seriously. I’m so tired of pests. I will have spider mites forever 😡 Luckily when I spotted thrips, they were only on 3 new plants over a couple months, so I was able to get rid of them. I kept them in my laundry room under a grow light for 6 months 😂. After 6 months of not seeing any, I finally felt okay with bringing them out. I just really didn’t trust them. You should have a little flashlight handy too. It’s crazy how hard they are to see until you shine light right on them. I know you know that though. I just saw some spider mites on my Silver Sword with my light on my phone 😡. I never noticed them before. Ugghh. Spider mites suck so bad and I feel like I will never get rid of them permanently 🤨
JFC you are so dramatic 😂😂😂
Don’t worry Melissa, karma will get her. Almost 8.5k views of your video and the review on her website is a good start. 😊 I trust you will get some positive/good vibes/plants in the near future to overcome this bad experience. You will be an awesome seller! Great attitude at the end. Blessings. 🙏
Good for you for standing up for yourself! You were much more generous than what I would have been. You have a great attitude and I appreciate you sharing your experience.
This is honestly my worst nightmare.. I've only had about 2 good plant mail experiences out of the 10+. I no longer order plants online, but I understand those that do, especially if your nurseries don't carry these plants. But to carry a pest as well? Not okay AT ALL. I dislike the way this seller handled the situation, super unprofessional. I would be just as upset girlie. I'm so sorry that this happened. 😢
this made me realize that I need to do a better job at inspecting my plants so thank you for this. also, as a girlie that curses a lot, I loved hearing your cursing 🤣 it was real and authentic which makes me appreciate this video even more. I look forward to seeing the progress on this plant. I think you can rehab it and have it blossom into the plant you want it to be.
Thank you! 🥹🫶🏻 haha I definitely have my cursing moments. I try not to do it on camera or I edit things out but I felt like I had to share how I was feeling here 😢
That whole plant would've hit the trash soooooo fast!! ALWAYS ALWAYS ask for a refund in scenarios like this. You matter! I'm so sorry that happened to you.
Get yo money bck. Madam. Wash yo hair , also change yo clothes.
I have the luxury of never ever having ever seen thrips. I know not the terror.
I wonder how she was able to get the 2 star review removed because all she has is 5 stars.
Thrips are the WORST. I got a plant from someone that had Thrips on it and I found them within a day but ended up losing 80% of my collection because of that stupid plant!
Thrips - what a nightmare! I'd cut off the big leaf and not leave any chances for eggs. Just restart from the node. - Yeah, I used to dream of selling plants, but I don't think it's for me. I'm too much of a perfectionist and just can't stand bugs. My thrips are rising again in January :(
Looks to me like she deleted your review, if that's even possible. Or maybe I'm just blind 😂
I'm not sure what happened to it 😔
Did you vacuum and 494 your dining table, chairs & floor? I’d be freaking
I’m definitely still paranoid 😅 I cleaned the table and have been looking at these plants every day over here now 🫣 I unloaded a bunch of cucumeris mites on them too.
SMH very inappropriate and irresponsible of the seller 🤦🏽♀️ I'm so sorry this happened. This scares me now when buying new plants but I learned so much from this video and your experience Melissa. Thank you so much for sharing this, you handled this so well! I will be even more diligent when I handle my new plants and am now going to look through my entire collection 😅
I agree with you very upsetting to see how you were sent this plant so disappointing 😮. I’m glad you were refunded your money I already deleted her information definitely a professional seller. I am praying you can save it and I’ll be waiting to see how this evolves. Wishing you the best.
Ughhhh this is so frustrating!! Another reason why I’m nervous to order online. You handled the situation well.
Thank you!
Most online orders I've received just fine! Check all the reviews. I usually do not order from somewhere if it's below 4.5 stars. :)
I totally agree.
@@puddsmax863Thanks!
Hahahaha 😂 “WTF IS THAT” I couldn’t relate more, darn thrips!
haha in my head I immediately knew what it was but I was like this cannot be real rn. I was just so disappointed 😔
I always wondered if some sellers Who re use the Polly, insulation,box,etc could transfer bugs on or in it.
Just thinking out loud.
I’ve been using PS recently. I think for the most part I’m a pretty good read of people. I’ll watch several lives to kind of get a feel from who I might want to buy from. Nothing is ever perfect but I also expect people to do the right thing when something goes wrong
Sorry about you birthday plant😢
Horrible packaging! My business with that seller would end right there. Seller can't just say it's just leaves it will grow right back. People spend a good amount money on plants and should not expect sellers to skimp on packaging.
You handled this situation correctly; you gave the shop owner the chance to make it right. Being a plant business owner I’m surprised she didn’t realize you have a following on YT & many people will see how she handled this situation. I have to say you had me & my hubby laughing when you dropped those bombs when you saw the thrips. We totally understood after you battled thrips in the past on your marantas. We ❤ watching you & your videos are very helpful & entertaining. Have a Happy Birthday 🎈
Thank you! I’m not sure if she knew of my account or not. I didn’t say anything to her. I always want a fair purchase 🥺 I was trying to be understanding on both sides and I wasn’t mean at all. I was so upset when I woke up the next morning and read her response 😔 I felt like I shouldn’t have had to ask for it.
WTH, that’s terrible!! I hate thrips too, I still see them on my plants too. But however the best method is to first rinse the plant down with water. Then make a bath mixed with water, neem oil (spray) and a little dish soap. This works wonders, do this twice a week and within the first week they should be GONE.
That’s so not packaged correctly!!! Demand a refund!! That’s horrible!!
$89 is ridiculous to be receiving a plant with one leaf when it was purchased with 5 because of their poor packaging. And then to have a response like that is completely unacceptable. I’m so sorry you had this experience.
This is really sad when someone is very passionate about their plants and spend a lot of money.
She needed to do MORE. In packaging, with inspecting for pests, and in her response to you.
I’m disappointed and cringing just watching you deal with this plant! The plant was an absolute disaster. Sorry for you.
Oh boy that is A LOT of thrips damage! Not just a little. So sorry 😢 That sucks
thank you 🙏🥲
How disappointing! I’ve dealt with thrips and your think they’re gone and then they appear again! It’s awful. I hope things work out well.
Holy moly!! Sooo frustrating for that seller to be so careless with the packing and the pests! Seems that they just wanted to pawn off on someone or a seller that has no idea! Melissa elegantly cussing 🤬 don’t blame you
Livid!! Does anyone else get the feeling she just wanted to unload a rotting pest covered plant on someone & Melissa just happened to be the unlucky one? Polyfill wouldn’t move around in shipping like that. I sure as shit know that isn’t a thing that, those leaves would get the other side of the polyfill .
Really is a sellers responsibility to ensure that they inspect plants before they ship them.
It’s a high value plant, that could have cost you a whole lot more in treatment for thrips if you hadn’t noticed them & they got in your plant collection.
Oh what a beautiful new plant you have there.. I’m sure you are so happy you bothered buying it?
Happy birthday anyway!
Good luck with it .
I would hope no one would ever do that to someone on purpose that is just wrong 😟 I’ve been checking over my plants every day since and put out lots of predatory mites so hoping nothing pops up. I’m still very anxious about it 😔
Oh wow, you had every right to expect a full refund for that plant. If I received a plant that hadn't been secured to the inside the the box, had root rot AND was infested with adult thrips, I would be livid. Yes, that damage you showed on the back of the leaf is from thrips - it's where they go along in a line laying their eggs in the leaf tissue. Watch that area for larvae. The good thing is that you washed off the adults and got rid of the substrate (which is where they pupate), so unless there are any adults hiding within a petiolar sheath, you should only have larvae to deal with, and they are easy to get rid of as long as they don't get the chance to pupate into more adults. It's the adults that are the worst because they can live up to 40 days and lay eggs that whole time. But the larval stage is quite short, so check every couple of days to make sure you catch them while they are squishable. Personally I would have cut the entire top of the plant off and tried regrowing from the chonk, as that is unlikely to have any thrips in it. As far as beneficial mites, get some stratiolaelaps to go with your cucumeris. Cucumeris will eat thrips larvae but you need strats to protect the soil from the pupal stages (and fungus gnats too, which is a bonus). If you want something to cover the adult thrips, get some lacewings as well. But you don't normally need those if you're just applying to the rest of your collection preventatively. Good luck! I had a thripocalypse late last year so I know exactly how you feel.
Thank you so much! I appreciate all the information! thripocalypse is the worst and definitely why I was so upset about another possible outbreak. I checked it today and didn't see anything yet so going to try and rehab it because I feel so bad for it 😔
@@plantsbymelissa Oh, that’s good news. Poor plant! I’m sure you can nurse it back to health. Pallidiflorum is on my wishlist too, but we can’t get them in New Zealand and can’t import plants, so it’ll likely remain there for some time *sigh*
I'm just impressed that you can see thrips with your bare eyes, i need a magnifying glass to see pests. That's why they're always four generations in before i catch on.
Rot AND thrips? Unacceptable. You deserved so much better. I hope that seller is being held accountable...still watching. Hope there is a decent outcome.:L I'm so sorry this happened.
I was sent an alocasia with mealies from Green Escape and I've finally eradicated them after 3 months of treatment, quarantine, and repots--that sucked. I can't imagine being sent a plant with thrips.:c
Oh my, this made me want to cry for you. I've recently started collecting some plants, but i would have freaked. When someone wants something defective back it makes me think they don't believe me and I'm trying to scam them. GRRR. Good luck sweetie!
Throw the whole plant away. Eggs are already in the leaf. I am so sorry for u 😢
I literally heard you say the f word and I RAN to my phone to see what was happening!!! Boo for people who can’t take accountability 🙁
Happy she ended up refunding you!
The thought of having thrips again scares the crap at of me 😫 I was so worried!
@@plantsbymelissaI couldn’t 😅 I would have reacted the same or more extreme lol hope you are well ❤
Oh, you poor, poor girl! I had dissapointing plant mail a few days ago. I had ordered an Alocasia baginda "dragon scale" in a 14 cm pot from a webshop. Basically, a medium sized plant. The plant came damaged, dried out, in a pot a size smaller, decidedly less full than the one in the picture, and when I checked it, I discovered that it was actually two baby plug plants. The rootballs consisted of two roots the size of a finger. Not what I expect for a plant of the size I ordered.
I contacted the seller, sent him pictures, and a new plant is on it's way!
Thank you for sharing this experience! I feel like if you wouldn't have made a video she wouldn't have refunded you. Making it right is giving you a full refund, or replacement plant. If it where anybody else I don't think the seller would have made it right. SO thank you
Wow!!! Her response, pisses me off for you!!!!! I'd be so dang embarrassed, I'd most definitely refund immediately!!! Smfh
I just recent sent a seller an update on a plant o received. Ordered a fuzzy petiole. It looked diff but i thot oh its just a starter so maybe suppose look diff. Its now ben few mths later an it IS in fact diff plant from wati i ordered. I sent them pics of order an wat it looks like now. They apologized for mix up an offered on my nxt order to make a note an they wud send me a free replacement along with it! My intention was NOT for free plant since mths later. Just to be informative. But even mths later they still tried making it right an didn't question me. THATS a good seller/customer satisfaction! Im so sorry u went thru this, specially on bday mail
No no that’s not acceptable madam. The box was to small. Those are costly, I’m been buying since pandemic and the boxing and packing Iv been given has out surpass this mess she since you.😢😢. That wasn’t. Cheap🤨. Please reach out to her and send her this video please. Take care
Sorry for your disappointment, especially on your birthday. You handled it well. I hope your plant survive and the pests are gone.
This is like a found footage horror film! I literally just had thrips ravage my home! I've released lady bugs and gave gone through two bottles of insecticidal soap. Things seem fine now but they destroyed my huge monstera. I know the fear now
This is a classic case of, “I can sell plants!” but not doing proper research on packaging/business practices.
To be selling without a thorough examination for pests and proper protection is a big rookie mistake. That yellow leaf the seller mentioned should have been a red flag for the seller to check for pests and rot.
Normally I don’t like to name and shame small businesses regardless of the situation, but sometimes as a seller, you have to learn the hard way when money is exchanged. You have to own your negligence when at fault.
After watching your journey with thrips last year I completely understand your reaction. I would feel that way regardless of any pest I found.
Damn that really sucks I recently seen your video battling thrips and now your exciting new order was filled with more 😟I feel for you.
That’s so funny you added in the comment about flinging the box all over the place. It literally hurt my soul watching you toss the box around in circles. The leaves will grow back don’t beat yourself up over it.
The packaging is just horrendous. I've bought and sold thousands of plants and I have never seen a plant directly stuffed in the box with polyfils like that. No wonder why the leaves were broken off. I'd be surprised if they had not.
Thrips and mealybugs are the worst to deal with I just had a plant come to me with mealybugs so mad about it I treated it but the plant is a hot mess I just ended up taking a cutting and throwing it away. She should have refunded you so sorry what a nightmare.
Personally I would toss plant. Thrips aren't worth. Or send it back. I have had to do it for a refund. I get the seller doesn't want you to rehab the plant and when all is said and done. You have your money and free plant. Yes you had to do a lot of work to get it there. I see both sides yours and her. But if I was refunded I would toss plant. Not worth collection. Cause they can come back
Customer is always right.... Old saying. I guess this is the risk when buying from a private seller like that. It's a bit different when buying from a nursery. I think you took the right action and glad you got your money back. I never had any experience with thrips but from what I have seen from the various channels I definitely don't want to ever come across them. Everything I have ever heard about them is really nasty. Mealy bugs are unsightly but not nearly as bad and not as easy to miss. I'll take those over thrips any day... Well, I hope your new plant get's well after this.
Have you ever tried Diatomaceous Earth?
a long time ago!
Do you have some systemic to add to the mix? I would get totally mid evil on treatment. Too bad, the plant looked like it was so beautiful. I have never ordered by mail and probably won’t because I just don’t need a plant that bad.
"I'm not expecting any leaf damage or cold weather damage." Oh hunny if you only knew what you were in for. 😅
Dude, I sell on occasion and I always secure the plant in the box so it doesn't get thrown around. At least a paper wrap and tape the root ball. It is not that hard! New leaves won't come out above where you cut. It will be inflorescence eventually :)