TO PLANT OR NOT...NOW THAT IS THE QUESTION.

I had ordered from Makro online a few times and had never been disappointed, until the last order placed (4 x 50Kg compost) on the 19th July. An online only deal. There was a 7-10 working day delivery lead time, so I waited patiently and gave a extra day or 2, just in case.

On the 29th July, I received notification that my order had been packed, with a lovely little note at the end of the mail "We hope that you've enjoyed the experience and that we'll see you again. " JACKPOT, the seedings I had purchased could now be planted.

But, I waited and waited and still no delivery notification.

On the 4th Aug, I emailed Makro support and received a return mail advising that they were "currently receiving a lot more emails / messages than normal, which means it is taking us longer to reply"

On the 6th Aug, I received a very polite note advising that Makro Support is following up with the relevant department and I would be informed immediately, once there was feedback.

On the 7th Aug, I was notified that the "delivery query has been escalated to our sellers for urgent assistance with feedback on when delivery of your order will take place and once feedback is given you will be reverted back to."

It's now the 15th of August and it's been radio silence ever since.

My seedlings have grown out of there little tubs and are no longer useable - you owe me an additional R70 there, please Makro.

BUT, I still need my compost, so, please can you deliver the R600 worth of stock - you're even welcome to change the brand, as I have never been disappointed with the Garden Master stock you've delivered many times before.

I would however recommend that you relook the relationship with your special "Online Partner" who quite obviously doesn't share the same service levels as you do, but are now giving you a bad name.