Breezy Acres Garden Center - St Albans City, Vermont

Jeffrey N.

I have been happily shopping here many years (great location, selection, products) but the customer service I received with a recent compost order was awful.

Last time I ordered 4 cubic yards of soil to be delivered (for raised beds) and when it arrived, I didn't think the piles looked like enough (we filled my 1-yard trailer, pictured empty, and then the resulting pile looked more like twice the first amount, not 3 times) I told the delivery driver as much and figured I would measure it out in 5-gallon buckets to be more accurate. Sure enough, it was 120 5-gallon buckets not 140-160 (which looks proper according to different internet sources), so 3 yards. I mentioned it when I (eventually) ordered again, letting the owner know I wouldn't mind "splitting the difference" since it had been a while. I figured no big deal, $26 on about $500 worth of business right? The owner started to get snippy about me not calling right away (before I knew how much it was short by?) but did give me $20 off the current order and so while not ideal the previous order was rectified.

Then the second order came, supposedly 4 yards again: again I filled my 1-yard trailer and again the pile looked too small, again I mentioned it to the driver. I didn't want to be doubted about the buckets again so I built a 4-yard raised bed around the pile, 4'x8.25'x39"=108 cubic feet = 4 cubic yards. The bed was not full so I raked it flat and measured the deficit, By the best of my measurements I was short 16" of the 39", so about 1.63 yards.

A few days later I went to the garden center (with the below letter and contact details just in case the owner wasn't there that day). After I presented it to her she almost immediately flew into an adult tantrum, saying no one at her business had made a mistake and how dare I call her business a cheat (I had not, only said that the shipment was 'shy'. Many years in customer service for multiple companies have taught me to never suspect malfeasance where it could be just incompetence/human error). She said that she had been in business 20 years (you probably know the type- if you have been in the town/state for less time you're a lesser person) and never had any complaints. I replied that
1) I needed her to deescalate
2) no customer wants to hear that it's 'just them'
3) most people who receive compost deliveries couldn't be bothered to know how many yards they were being delivered anyway.
4) I said most people *trust* them to deliver the right amount. "That's right!" she said smugly, as if that settled it in her favor
5) I was willing to (and did) show her pictures of the box and measurements I took
6) I asked if there was any reason they couldn't just mark the truck bed (and/or paint it?) so customers can be assured before they unload--she said they have some sort of clicker-1/2-yard-scoop system but sounds like it's easy enough to underfill the scoop or overcount the number of scoops

She went on a bit more, super arrogant and hostile, practically throwing back the paper I had given her-- "I don't want your figures!" and "I'm just trying to get you out of here so you'll never shop here again!" As far as I was concerned the business owed me the 1.63 yards plus something for my time and materials building the auditing device/bed. I told her there was no need to get personal, this was just business. It eventually either sunk in (or maybe just another customer was coming?) because she eventually said she'd deliver 2 yards more to conclude the deal. I expressed doubt since whatever measuring system so far hadn't worked, and my time was worth more than than. She offered 2.5 yards then I said okay and left.

A few days later they showed up with supposedly (only!) 2 yards. She was at least civil this time (but no apology for the tantrum) The last photo is what she said was 6 yards (LOL) which is fairly completely contained by the 4-yard bed.

Kate B.

After going to Lowe's and Walmarts garden center for tomato and basil plants and seeing sickly dry specimens, we found breezy acres on Google. Huge greenhouses with healthy plants that had six plants for the price of one of the sickly ones at the big box stores. Beautiful annuals, perennials, trees, a huge assortment. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. We will go every year. Outstanding!

Dave H.

Very helpful & friendly. The flowers for our window boxes are beautiful.

Kathy C.

Quality products from plants, garden supplies, decorative items and a lovely home store. Locally owned and staffed by friendly, knowledgeable people. Bought an African violet and a Christmas cactus. Both are healthy and thrivi g a month later. Also picked up a few sideline items. Very pleased.

Michael I. S.

I love visiting Breezy Acres! Landscaped with a variety of beautiful flowers I've found everything from hostas to aloe to catnip plants along with everything you need for indoor and outdoor plants such as pots, seeds, soil, organic plant food and some of the best prices on mulch around.

Johna G.

Nice plant selection. Well stocked gardeners store. Fun to visit.

John J.

Went there for the first time today on a whim. I wanted to revamp my flowerbed and add a lilac bush in the corner of my front yard. I was helped almost right away by a sage easy spoken employee and shown to what I was looking for and given some ideas based on what I was looking for. I must say a closer alternative to the larger suppliers to the south.

Mary H.

Marilyn is great. She knows her stuff as well as her staff. Has a great variety of plants, flowers, vegetables and herbs as well as any planters etc you need. 🙂 👍