They're feeding you a line of garbage. Until I retired, I worked for a big Fortune 500 company and there's always a way to cancel a order even if it's in "shipping status". They just don't want to lose a sale. I know what you mean though...it would make me absolutely furious to be told I couldn't cancel an order. Another good reason not to order from J&P or whatever they are now.

If your order last summer was bareroots and they turned out ok, maybe it would be worth it if you really wanted these 2 roses. Good luck to you and I'm sorry for your trouble; J&P used to be a nice company to deal with.
-terry

I would refuse shipment, as they are so darned late on your shipment.

I think allowances should be made when ordering live plant material and the policy of fortune 500 companies has nothing to do with it. If you don't make some allowance, either the price goes up or we lose another rose supplier. Having said that, I think you probably have a legitimate complaint about the delay. Refusing shipment makes a statement, I suppose, but it isn't going to remove the charge on your credit card.

I have never worked for a rose company, but I suspect that what's flipping you out is the vision of your roses in a box waiting..when in fact they tell you "it's on the floor"..my guess is that it's just the order that's on the floor..not the actual roses..I imagine them pulling the roses from cold storage right before packing and shipping..and it's the order that sits there till they get to it.
Personally, I would accept the order..if it's bad, call your credit card company and file a complaint and ask to have the charges reversed, as well as calling J & P to do do the same thing.
I just have a feeling that the communication in that company needs some serious revamping, but i hope that it is just that, and that your roses will be pulled and shipped promptly.
as far as an order being stopped in mid stream..it can be stopped anywhere in the process untill it leaves their facility, so on that point, i do understand your frustration, it's a load of bull, IMO...but take a breath..the worst thing that can happen is that you'll get your money back, and you will..and maybe it'll work out well! donna

If you feel you've been treated badly (& I would in your circumstances) you can also complain to the Better Business Bureau.

J&P used to be one of the country's premier rose houses, but that was some decades ago. I won't order from them.

I live in J&P country and I can tell you that I would not buy a bare root rose from them now even being able to pick it up at their facility. If your roses arent going to arrive until July 4th, and you absolutely must have them, please, please make sure that you take off all traces of the wax that the stems come with. I think that they use it to prevent the stems from drying out. The ones that I planted in the early, very hot summer last year burned to a crisp because of the wax that they coat them with. Yucky stuff! You may already be aware of this issue but I thought I would throw in my two cents. best of luck, Kat

have you ever ordered from Heirloom Roses (heirloomroses.com) ? Their roses are shipped in small containers and are very young; they sell only own root roses and i have had the best experiences with them for the last 6 years whether visiting their gardens in newberg, oregon, talking to them on the phone, or ordering from them on the phone or online. I will not order roses from J&P or at that even some others... i only do "business" with heirloom. I would encourage you to give them a try sometime. I don't think you would ever be dissappointed.

may you enjoy your roses always,
aby

I've stuck up for J&P over the years for various reasons but they are now Park Seed/Wayside/Michigan Bulb/Whatever or WTF Rose Co. and I think they were insane to complete the sale in the middle of their shipping season.
Everything I've seen posted here has been negative and they don't seem to care who they piss off.
I don't plan to order from them until (or if) they get their act together and suggest a "Buyer Beware" policy.
What really worries me is what happens to their very active hybridizing efforts.
Over the years they've introduced many great Roses that are still in commerce today and I personally am a big fan of Keith Zary.
Love 'em or hate 'em J&P as it was will be missed.
RIP Jackson and Perkins.

Mike R - just to clarify...wasn't referring to the POLICY of Fortune 500 companies, but the way that an automated computer shipping system works. Cancellations should be allowed until product is loaded on a truck and shipped. That was my point and sorry you misunderstood.

This late in the year I would pot them up if you decide you really want them. Then you could control the sun the roses get as this is rather late for bare roots.

Good luck!

It is sad another quality company bites the dust.

F.L.

Thats total BS. If they won't let you cancel the order, then refuse delivery and never order from them again. You must be allowed to cancel an order right up until the package leaves their facility. Also, there's no excuse for being shipped bare root plants in late June! Unacceptable.

Wow, thanks for all the responses! I'm really torn. I'm mad at two of my local nurseries because of their customer service and now this. I work for the VA and just had a 3 hour customer service program that is required for all staff. Maybe these companies should do the same.

I haven't been able to find Dream Weaver any place else and Helpmefind.com gives it very good reviews. Don Juan is pretty common, but not the DW. If I want her I have to use J&P. I probably will accept shipment, pot and then plant this fall. I just hope DW does well, or I will never even consider another order from them.

I did tell both women I talked to that the garden forums do not rate them well. The first woman wasn't interested, the second one seemed concerned and said she'd pass it on. Word of mouth sells a lot of roses, so they need to pay attention to us.

Thanks, for all the time you folks took to answer me.

TerryJean, I guess my point was that shipping live bareroot roses is not the same thing as shipping widgets by one of the fortune 500 companies. I suspect the bareroots have to be kept dormant at something like 40 degrees and once they're taken out of cold storage, they have to be shipped or discarded. I admit, my first reaction is always to defend rose suppliers. I think I was wrong in this case.