The Barrel Store: Poor quality & Customer Service
The reason for the barrel?, my mature Wisteria had been growing happily up an old plum tree, until high winds brought the tree down. As the Wisteria was already in bud I had to act fast. I ordered a beautiful metal support frame from Country Charm (see review) and took the opportunity to move the Wisteria into an extra large 90cm half barrel.
I decided on the Barrel Store because they are a family business, and their claims regarding quality etc. I ordered a very expensive extra large barrel for £100 including delivery. Six days after ordering the barrel I had not received any notification regarding delivery. When I enquired, I was told "Saturday" no time slot, no AM/PM. When I asked for one, I was told "Sorry, we deliver all our orders in-house". I suggested that they must have an approximate time, no answer. I followed up the next day and was told "late afternoon, early evening"
The barrel turned up at 8pm, the top metal band was completely off the barrel. The second metal band was loose, there were splits and gouges everywhere, and the barrel had been cut unevenly. I was shocked at the quality. You could argue that maybe the band came off in transit, but the shoddy workmanship in cutting the barrel, and the splits and gouges? Someone made the decision to send that barrel out looking like that.
I reported the issues, and provided photos of the barrel. I didn't even get an apology, or any recognition on their part for the poor quality. I was offered a replacement barrel. I explained that I had already waited 8 days for the barrel to plant the Wisteria, another 8 days or more wasn't an option.
Two days later, I hadn't heard anything and asked for a response. I was offered a swap or refund, I explained that was not an option and that they should at least offer me a discount. That was 11 days ago, they never responded.
I have a total of 9 barrels in my garden, 8 large barrels from B&M @£24 each. All of them are far superior quality than the £100 barrel from the The Barrel Store. All in all, a very disappointing experience, proof that you don't always get what you pay for.And the realisation that "small family business" isn't any indication or guarantee of quality!