If that may be of some help, I ordered from RC last year and I was worried about getting frozen bulbs too because they ship too late in the fall. I asked if it was possible to ship them in the spring and they did, I got my parcel at the end of may and everything was top shape. I ordered from them again this year with the same thing in mind, I asked for my order to be shipped next spring (2009) and they agreed, I should get my bulb next may, same as last year.

Laurier
My web site

I ordered from quite a few places last season. Some of my bulbs did arrive frozen, from a different company.

Royal Colors was the best place that I ordered from.

I received my order from them in February, with no freeze problems. I was really surprised that they did not arrive frozen, because the bulbs were in transit for more than a month, during the coldest part of winter.

Since you have had frozen bulbs from them before, it might be a good idea to have them ship the bulbs later, like Laurier did.

As long as you check your mail when it arrives, and are on hand to meet the mail carrier, there should be no problem... or, if you have a warm side porch that your mail carrier could slip the package into, or a neighbor that could watch while you're at work... I received my Royal Colors order last season, and it was frigid out there, with no problems whatsoever.

I kept an eye on my mailbox around the time the package was due, and I also let my post office know that I was expecting some tender bulbs, and there was absolutely no damage to any of the bulbs in the box. I was very pleased.

Hey guys....

Thanks so much for your feedback.

Laurier: That makes good sense and challenges my wanting to have Amaryllis for Xmas time :-). It really shouldn't matter when I get the bulbs as long as I get them in good condition.

Jodik: To that end, I've asked Royal Colors to let me know what the process of shipping would be i.e. would the bulbs, on their final leg of the journey, be shipped via Canada Post or with some courier. This way if I know, I can contact the appropriate company and let them know I'm expecting a shipment of tender plant material.

One thing that Royal Colors has informed me of though, is that they are no longer responsible for bulbs that arrive in a frozen state due to the negligence of the carrier. Unfortunately, this would leave me to pursue a credit with the courier company or the postal service. Royal Colors did indicate that they would mark their packages "Protect from freezing". There is an office here at the apartment complex where I live where the package can be stored so that it would not be left in the cold etc. If it is Canada Post delivering etc, they know to drop any parcels off at the office that are too large to fit in the mail slot etc. I hope this works out okay as I've spend over $50 on bulbs and I would not be too pleased if they arrive in anything other than good condition.

Thanks again for your feedback guys.

Gerard.

Last year I ordered from RC in November and the package arrived mid december - here in Quebec it can be mighty frosty by then. I had someone at home keeping a watch out most days and also advised the mailman of my precious cargo arriving. When the package arrived on Dec 18, I was pleased to see that it was wrapped in a type of "blanket", (and it had come via France!) which I assume was to protect the contents. The bulbs were all beautiful, healthy and went on bloom superbly. RC is great - good customer service, they always respond in a timely fashion. This year I ordered earlier (and more than last year!), in Sept, and the package went out this past Thursday they said, and so in 10-15 days, it should arrive. Earlier than last year, but I am still anxious and doing the various "advisals" like last year.

PS - and I've spent around $122 on bulbs from RC this year! So I am extra vigilant!

My Royal Colors box came via French Post, as well... it took roughly a month to arrive, give or take a few days. Because they don't offer any other shipping options, it takes quite a while, but my bulbs were no worse the wear, and they all performed wonderfully. If I could afford to place an order right now, that's where I'd be ordering from.

Their Customer Service is second to none... and that's a big plus!

Oh how I wish Paul (RC) is reading this thread. If he is, I'm sure there would be a big smile in his face. That's all he cares for...

"Quality bulbs for happy customers!"

RC had a lot of problems in their shipments to US last season. Lots of their bulbs "bloomed in the bag" due to delay in US Customs. RC should not be responsible for this as they do ship very good bulbs and use a very good and expensive shipping company in Europe. It is here in US were the problems start. BUT being a very good and reputable bulb comapany that "backs up" their products, RC took care of the problems.

AGAIN, this season, RC is encountering problems with their shipments to USA. AGAIN, it is not RC's fault. USDA-APHIS in Holland messed up their paperworks. RC is right now fixing this so please be patient.

It would be a shame if RC bulbs would not be permitted to enter US when all these "junk", sick, virused and mite infested bulbs from other companies are all over.

I have not even placed any order from RC yet. I KNOW that anytime in their shipping season (Oct-May) that I order from them, I'm guaranteed of the BEST bulbs available.

I'm going to wait, too, Maria... I'm not able to order right now, but I think that once the initial "bulb rush" is over, things will move much smoother. After things slow down for us, I should have more to spend on bulbs.

I was so impressed by Royal Colors last year... I was scared for a little while when my first shipment got lost, but they reshipped immediately, and the bulbs were spectacular! Every single one flowered! And today, the bulbs are all healthy and doing fine!

And, I can say only good things about their customer service... the girl I corresponded with was so pleasant and nice to deal with! That's what keeps people coming back!

If at any time you'd like to include quotes from my messages, Maria... please do send them to Paul R. at Royal Colors! He's got a wonderful company with very nice people, and a good product, and he should be proud!

Jokik, Anna and Mariava:

Thanks for the encouraging information. I guess because I had problems the first time I had been leery about ordering again. Question: did the package come from the postal company or some courier? Did you have to pay any extra duty etc etc after the package arrived? The reason I'm asking is because if it is the postal company that delivers and there is NO extra charge, the package will be waiting for me in the office of the apartment building I live in...nice and warm! If there is extra money to be paid on duty etc etc then I know the package will be waiting down the street at a postal outlet. Again..it'll be in a warm spot. Was the package marked clearly enough "Protect From Freezing"? I'm concerned about the Canada Post or the courier company not paying attention to that and leaving the package in an unheated truck or van etc.

I trust your judgment with this and agree that Royal Colors has been exemplary in their customer service AND that there are things out of their control. One of which would be what the postal/courier companies at this end do with the packages. How could they be faulted for that. Still, I would want a way to be able to track down the responsible parties involved in my bulbs arriving in a state other than what they left Royal Colors (which of course would be nothing short of healthy).

Thanks again for your information and advice gals.

P.S.: My large Furore that I bought this year, is gonna be in bloom in a few days (Maybe a week or so) and I can't wait to get pics of it and get em up on this site.

Cheers,

Gerard.

Gerard, I may not be the best one to answer some of your questions since I only ordered once from them, but my parcel came with Canada Post and it was clearly marked as being a gift. Being a gift, it was not unduly delayed at the border and there was no additional fees, gifts worth only a few $$$ are duty and tax free in Canada (hint if you order bulbs from outside Canada...).

There were no extra charges, and the box came via French Post and was handed off to the USPS, our regular Postal Service, when entering the States. I don't recall if the box was marked "Keep From Freezing".

Since I live in a small town, I can call the Post Office and have Birdie hold all boxes once the weather gets cold. She'll call me if a box arrives, and I can drive the 2 or 3 miles to the Post Office to pick it up... knowing the local Postmaster by nickname, one of the perks of small town living!

Because the box will be shipped inexpensively, it will take some time to get there... be patient, and keep watch for it. I would imagine Royal Colors ships thousands of orders all over the world, and I'm sure most boxes arrive at their destination without a hitch.

I wouldn't worry... there are many repeat customers, several just from our forum, and we all keep ordering from Royal Colors year after year... the odds that you'll get your bulbs in good shape are very good!

Sorry, I also don't recall if the box said keep from freezing, but as I said, there was a type of "blanket" around the box, which I assumed was some form of protection from freezing.