Well of course it's reasonable to expect that a reputable business isn't going to sell you plants that have bugs on them. It's even more reasonable to expect that they won't sell you buggy plants knowingly.

That said, this is a stressful time of year to be in the plant business, and it can be frustrating to deal with certain pest issues in a greenhouse setting. So yeah, it's their fault, and the reaction with the gardenia was over the top, but it probably has very little to do with you. I wouldn't take it too personally. I wouldn't be inclined to shop there again, though.

You might also consider sending something about this to the store in writing. It may or may not accomplish anything, but there's always the possibility that they might extend you additional store credit, or try to make it up to you in some way or another. If you do elect to write something up, be as specific as you can: how many plants you've bought from them over the years, specific dates when you bought the plants in question, employee names if you know any. It isn't that being specific will necessarily get you anything, but it'll make them better able to decide whose heads need to roll, if any, how much money they think might mollify you, and it's all down on a piece of paper that they're going to have to deal with one way or another. They may deal with it by throwing it in the trash, granted, but I think writing a semi-formal complaint and sending it in might be to your benefit.

Or don't. I wouldn't blame you if you just wanted to be done with these people.

OH Mike, you certainly did NOT do anything wrong..on the contrary..the manager was damn rude..reading your post pisses me off..How dare he say the things he did, and act like a maniac!!!
He's a manager?? That guy should be fired, or at the least, admonished for his rude bahavior.
First off, the customer is always right, even if they're not, but in your case, you WERE right..You pointed out bug infested plants..Their Citrus should have been burned. He was told to toss them by the insect controller, yet sold them without thinking twice about selling to unsuspecting customers who paid with their hard-earned money, only to end up bringing home unhealthy plants.
I'm sure all nurseries have some type of bug on plants, but legit places do their best ridding insects, via insecticides, (hosing, if possible.) If they're highly infested, plants are tossed or returned to the green house they were shipped from.
Mike, perhaps you should write to the owner/corporation..tell them you 'were' a regular customer, and always dwelt with kind, helpful employees. Describe what transpired. If you know the managers name, even better..explain how rude he was, told you not to shop there anymore..tell them how he belittled you in front of customers and employees..How devestated you felt. If you write, don't sound angry..act upset. Like they say you can catch more flys with honey,....
You should also mention you have established plants at home... after bringing home their citrus and gardenia, you dicovered your plants contracted insects.. plants you've had for 'x' years..Explain how you went back to the store to check their plants, to see if they were the source, and while checking you found 'scale'/'mites'..Mention pointing the insects out to employee/s..I don't know if you want to name names..employees may or may not be willing to stand behind you for fear of losing their job, or dealing with their obnoxious manager.

Mike, is the store a chain or family owned business? If family owned, it'd be easier talking to the owner, possibly in person if you're in a small town. They should be aware who they hire as managers..one downfall is, if family owned, it's possible the manager is a relative..but I'd still bring it to their attention. It'd have been better if you brought a camera, took pics of scale/mite plants..Date and send along with the letter.
I don't know how far you want to go with this, Mike, if you'd rather not deal with the nursery, ignore it, that's up to you, of course...but if you know people who shop there, I'd definately tell them to inspect any plants they buy..tell them about your citrus/gardinia issue. How your established plants ended up with mites and scale..
Whatever you do, I wish you the best, and hope you rid those nasty bugs.
I'm sure you felt shaky, who wouldn't? You did the right thing..who wants to bring home a new plant loaded with insects, not to mention infest your home-grown plants? I know from the other forum the love you have for citrus. So, I'm sure you were delighted your local nursery suddenly had them in stock.
I'm 5'5, weigh 116 lbs, but I feel like going to your nursery and punching that guy out!! :) Hugs, Toni

Here, here, Toni,

I totally agree with you 100%! I would get a hold of the OWNER (s) and tell them what this idiot said to you, forget the manager! You can't reason with anyone like that! This so called manager is probably nasty like that in his personal life as well!
He's a jerk, and shouldn't be in any business where he has to deal with people, at least live people. Maybe he should be digging graves up in the Hollywood Hills!

I would call the owner and talk to him, or, maybe set up a meeting at the nursery. Don't be nasty, but be VERY firm, tell the owner how much you like shopping at his place, all the plants you bought etc,and then everything this guy said to you, what all "he" did wrong" not you! Hopefully, they will get rid of him quick! One bad persons experience and word of mouth can ruin a business, of course, the other buyers can see for themselves and make complaints. That manager is working for a pay check, not your happiness! Don't take ANY abuse, let the owner know what happened, you'll feel a lot better if you do.

I would let the owner know if this ever happened to me. I consider myself a good costumer here at a local nursery, and If the manager was like rude to me like that and just plain disrespectful, he would certainly wish he picked on someone else to yell at and bully, that's for sure!!!

Billy Rae

Billy, your post sounds like you thought this terrible thing happened to me..It didn't..It happened to Mike, the original poster of this thread..
Reading his words upset me..I can't stand people who think the world won't exsist if it wasn't for them..or the world revolves around THEM. Just because he's a manager, he thinks his sh** don't stink..Oh I'm sorry, but people like that manager outta be, well, forget it..I've said enough..
Yes, that so-called man is a Bully, with a capital B..Toni

Toni,

I'm tired, but not that tired, lol.

I was agreeing with what you said to Mike in your post before going into my own rant about that stupid manager.

Billy Rae

Frankly, I'd just move on. Yes, you can write & complain, it may or may not change anything. I would document that you were told to shop elsewhere, that's incredibly bad business, anywhere for any reason.

That said, I would move on & never go back there. I'm a bit put off that you kept going back after getting bugs several times. IMO, not a good idea.

Then again, it's usual practice for many indoor gardeners to isolate their new purchases from the rest of their collections, precisely for this reason. Then if one found bugs it'd be BEFORE they spread to the whole collection. I suggest you not shop there any more & adopt this isolation practice for your own collection.

Hi everyone...Thanks so much for listenenig to what happened. Here's is the follow up. I took all of your advice except for one, and called to speak to the owner since it is a family buisness, and little did the manager know, I know the familiy. I spoke to the owner and expalained what had happened. He said that one of his workers had made him aware of what happened too, and he felt awful about it. He even said that I should work there, since I am more in tune to his infected plants than his own help is, and that he would have less aggrivations if his plants were thrown out when they are beyond help. In fact he thought the Citrus I bought were thrown out, because he also was aware of the mites they had, but didn't know the manager was still selling them!..
He also said that he knows me personally and that alot of his people who work there like me, not that that matters, since any customer should be treated fairly. But also that I am a wonderful loyal cutomer.
He is sending me a HUGE gift certificate to make up for all the gas, unjust treatment , and any promblems this may have caused me. I told him I will use it to purchase Landscaping plants since I am hesitant to even walk back into the garden shop.
He asked me not to stay away, but when I am comfortable, to come back, since there is going to be some big changes.
Sorry pirate girl, I never back after getting bugs SEVERAL times, it was only my second visit since my first bad experience with pests. I always give someone a chance. I figured after the first time they knew of their insect promblem, they would be more in tune with this and by the time 5 months rolled by, it would of been addressed. But now I learned my lesson.:-)
Thankyou so much for caring Toni,mr_subjunctive, greattigerdane,and pirate_girl.
It's good to know you all! :-)
You all gave me the courage to handle a situation appropiatly, and with insight.

Good to hear.

Mike, I'm so happy you ran into the owner, and the nursery isn't a chain, or owned by a corporation. (most could care less)
I'm also glad the owner appreciates you as a person and a customer, and because of your grief gave you a gift certificate. That's wonderful news. If you garden outdoors, there ya go.
I didn't mean to go on a rampage yesterday, but hearing what went on, truly upset me.
A similar situation happened to my brother last week. The cashier is a witch with a B, treats customers like trash. Like you, other emplyoees and customers overheard the dispute, and apologized to him. His 3 little girls were present when this happened. The casher laughed in his face when he threatened writing the owner.
Anyway, I'm so happy hearing you got everything resolved. The sad part is, if it's the only nursery around, where will you shop for plants? (S)
Like Karen said, since their plants are infested, it's better to steer clear. BUT, now that the cats out of the bag, maybe the owner will hire someone with knowledge, someone who will discard diseased/infested plants, or at the minimum resolve the problem..If buggy plants are coming from the green house they order from, they better look elsewhere.
Mike are you going to take the owner up on his offer? It'd sure be nice, working with plants..plus you'd have access to rare tropicals/succulents before customers get their hands on them..LOL..One advantage working in a nursery.
What type of plants do you grow outdoors? Toni

Mike,

I'm so glad you decided to call the owner! It's something the owner needed to hear about.
He, the owner, sounds like a fair and decent guy that does care about his costumers.
Maybe that manager will be looking for another job with the BIG CHANGES coming huh?
At least then you won't have to feel uncomfortable going inside the nursery again, and showing him your not intimidated at all by him is always good for the soul.Your in the drivers seat NOW, so, i'd go back and buy some house plants, lol.

I have a feeling you won't be getting yelled at again by this clown anytime soon. Hopefully the owner gave him a "What For" and hopefully soon, the boot! Good going!

Happy Shopping:>)
Billy Rae

Billy Rae,

hahahhaahhahahalolololoololhahahahahahha...YOu are so darn funny. I neded a good laugh!!! hahahahhhahaa

oh goodness,,
I was laughing so hard, sheesh, I forgot to thank my dear friends Toni, and mr_subjunctive...lolololol
I am still laughing...Seriously, thanks for much for all you did for me all of you and your kindness!!!
That is what good people are for....Thanks!!!:-)