Alton Garden Centre Reviews 

395
TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

1.7

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I went there today has we had scene the newly refurbished restaurant and convinced family members it was worth a try. The quality of the food is so poor , when ordering was advised they were only doin... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Visited today, very disappointed in the whole centre and the new restaurant (which did look lovely) the poor girls in the restaurant were understaffed, we had to wait 45 mins for our breakfast!! b... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Just had lunch in the cafe at alto. Garden centre first Lesley on the till needs some customer service training we waited 40 mins for our food when it arrived I had order the ploughman lunch half th... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The garden set arrived within 24 hours of ordering. Very polite delivery men. Just a slight hitch with one of the chairs but soon sorted by a handy husband. Instructions on parasol need to be clearer... See more

Company details

  1. Garden Center

Information provided by various external sources

As the largest garden centre in essex, here at Altons we have everything for the essex gardener from garden sundries such as propogation equipment, seeds and tools through to stylish garden furniture and barbecues.


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1.7

Bad

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

395 reviews

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1.7

All reviews

(395)

17 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great value - speedy delivery

You need a new garden tool. You find a good price online and then you wonder how long it will take to come. Your worries are over with these people. Swift despatch means next day or in my case I chose the day after that as I knew someone would be home. Great customer service and a fair delivery charge. You deserve to succeed. Thanks.

September 3, 2012
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Superb customer service

Recently purchased a Garden Patio Set, and it was delivered within 3 days, which was great. However, there was a problem with the parasol. When I called customer services they passed me through to the online sales team, and to be honest I was expecting the usual "couldn't care less" attitude we seem to have adopted in this country. But I couldn't have been more wrong. They said they'd look into the problem and call me back later that morning - which I doubted - but within 40 mins they had called back, and sorted the problem and told me a replacement was on its way. They couldn't have been more apologetic abut the fact I had a problem which need to be resolved, but the manner in which they sorted the problem (and the timescale) was brilliant. I will definitely be placing more orders with this company, and I have already recommended them to family and friends.

September 2, 2012
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Almost a scam

I ordered a Ryobi sprayer from your website. When it arrived it has no battery and no charger. There was no warning whatever, on the website page displaying the sprayer, that these items had to be bought separately at considerable extra cost. There was no attempt to direct people to any page offering these items, and subsequent enquiries showed that you were unable even to supply a single battery and charger suitable for use with the sprayer.

Your behaviour over this is totally unacceptable.

August 31, 2012
Unprompted review
Alton Garden Centre logo

Reply from Alton Garden Centre

Product page clearly states that the battery is sold separately. Offered the customer the opportunity to return the goods, however no response was received.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent prompt service with a gracious manner

The garden set arrived within 24 hours of ordering. Very polite delivery men. Just a slight hitch with one of the chairs but soon sorted by a handy husband. Instructions on parasol need to be clearer to anchor in windy conditions. Overall extremely pleased - have used frequently.

August 29, 2012
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

This day, next day, sometime, never !

I wanted to buy 2 fertiliser items from one supplier in order to keep carriage charges to the minimum. Alton Garden Centre had what I wanted. They 'phoned me to say one item was out of stock and recommended another make that they used themselves. That was great service, so I said yes and was told the goods would be with me next day - Friday. It didn't arrive but a card was put in the door from UK Mail saying 'you were out , we'll deliver next Monday. There were two of us in the house waiting for the delivery, but hey-ho, we stayed in on Monday but nothing materialised. On Tuesday we went on UK Mail's website to see that the latest news of our parcel which said "No-Access". No idea what that means but one assumes they couldn't get into the road! We 'phoned again and were told they would send on Wednesday but again it did not come. On Thursday I spoke again to UK Mail who said it was still in the warehouse, and would I like to come and fetch it! They promised to deliver it on Friday Morning, as we explained we were going out at 4pm. Of course we rather expected it not to come and it didn't. At 3.45pm I telephoned to say the goods had not arrived and they said it was on the van and would be with us before 6pm! When I told them to return the goods to Alton Garden Centre they said they would not, as the order to return had to come from Alton! I telephoned the Garden Centre this morning, (Saturday in case you are now totally confused) and was told that the 'On Line' service was not available until next Tuesday!!
Do you think I should try a local Garden Centre instead, or do you think that would be a bit too hasty and unreasonable!

August 25, 2012
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Top Service

Impressed with service - goods arrived very promptly as promised and well packaged. Highly recommended.

August 6, 2012
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Canopy to canapes

My canopy was sad and forlorn, sun bleached, wind damaged, frayed, rain soaked and frozen. It had lichen growing on it and it was used as a bird toilet. My owner's friends and neighbours looked on in dispair until he decided to rejuvinate me with a new canopy. It was ordered and arrived in three days. It now sits snug and proud on my top frame and I feel like a new swing seat. Friends and neighbours can now sit on me in the shade of my new canopy and enjoy their canapes.

August 6, 2012
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

quick efficient and quality

We ordered our furniture late sunday and it was delivered early on Tuesday morning. Emails notified us it was despatched and when it would arrive. Quality is perfect and we are very pleased with our purchase and dealings with Alton garden Center.

August 3, 2012
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Altons your website lets you down!

I find your website very confusing. It is fine for furniture, mowers, gloves, gardening tools, tubs of every description, landscaping of every description, but what about the plants? "Plant info and advice on over 10,000 plants". Where? Unless you know the full name of the plant. Where are the menus for trees, shrubs, conifers, roses, hardy plants? I searched but found nothing. I was looking for a particular conifer - bought at Altons recently - but the buyer a neighbour had thrown away all the info and didn't have a clue about the name. Alton's reputation was built on the expertise and advice given by the plants people in your organisation. The website doesn't reflect this. Eventually after talking to your on-line help desk (who didn't have a clue as to what I was saying obviously never having looked at the website) I was transfered to the plants section and I spoke to someone who most definitely did have a clue. From my description of "it is golden and shaggy and unusual and looks like something out of a fairy tale" this wonderful man came up with an answer. I'll be in as soon as possible to buy it. If it is not the one he will come up with another suggestion. I have just joined the gardening club and have had an e-mail from you thanking me for my purchase! "Welcome to the gardening club" would be nice with info on how to get the 10% discount and tea/coffee vouchers. You really must sort yourselves out.

August 2, 2012
Unprompted review

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