Disappointed with David Austin

Janie B

Just to say I just bought a lovely jug on their website to give as a gift.

https://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/classic-enamel-jug

When it arrived, it was stamped on the bottom, not, unfortunately with David Austin (which would've been lovely), but with a less premium brand, Garden Trading. Looking online I realised that Garden Trading are selling the same jug at £5 less than I paid for it! I contacted DA to see if they'd price match, but they replied saying they sell it at the manufacturers recommended retail price, and I could return it for a full refund if I so wished.

Moral of the story is I should've shopped around, admittedly, but I trusted that DA wouldn't overprice like this, and I just feel a little bit disappointed... 

Dovefromabove

Caveat emptor I’m afraid.

Just the same as if you bought a tin of Heinz beans at Tesco and you later found out you could’ve bought them cheaper from Waitrose ... same thing. Tesco will charge what their customers will pay. 

AnniD

I don't know whether David Austin would also refund the postage charges incurred by returning it, but for the sake of £5 it probably isn't worth the hassle. 
If the person you bought it for would love the design and the thought that you chose it because you knew they'd like it, that's the main thing. If they're more concerned about the designer/label then maybe you should go to the trouble of returning it.
I appreciate what you're saying, and l agree that most people would assume that David Austin would sell only exclusive designs made for them, but as my friend's granddaughter has started saying "It is what it is" (From "Love Island" apparently😎).

Obelixx

Horrible expression.  Goes back a lot further than Love Island but they'll have helped spread it.

AnniD

I hadn't heard it (well, not that often), then apparently she said it in conversation three times in as many days. I thought it was just a conversational "tick", but it was explained to me !

Mr. Vine Eye

I wouldn't be buying anything directly from them other than bare-root roses.

The prices they charge for tools and pots etc. are eye-wateringly expensive and many of them aren't even Austin branded things, just the same products you could buy from any garden centre, Amazon or screwfix for half the price.

BenCotto

The same products ... for half the price. I don’t think so. I have just checked a random selection of about six products comparing David Austin with sellers on Google. In every case I could find things more cheaply but never half the price and, not infrequently, I found retailers who charged more. David Austin also sells items which are difficult otherwise to source such as Sneeboer and Niwaki. Good luck finding them in Screwfix or your local garden centre.

amancalledgeorge

Enamel jugs are not exactly what Austin are known for...just find one you like the look of and be done with it. All this faux drama about what badge is on the bottom seems like a totally Hyacinth Bucket type of problem. The local Sainsbury's sells nice ones too...unfair to be disappointed on a retailer based on judgement of a product of their non core business. 

edhelka

They make roses. The reason why they sell other things is that some people want to buy more things in one place. Because they don't have large stock and choice of other things (not getting the best price from the wholesaler, possibly, etc.), they need to charge more because otherwise it wouldn't make commercial sense for them. You are judging them but you haven't walk in their shoes. It's not their obligation to offer these things. You don't like them? Don't buy.

Mr. Vine Eye

Picidae said:

The same products ... for half the price. I dton’t think so.

I do. Most of these examples are far less than half price - some are nearly 1/3 of the price


Large tensioner: (190mm)

DA: £5.95
SF: £2.69

Jute twine:

DA: £5.95 (160m)
Wilko: £2.50 (250m)

2mm Galvanised straining wire:

DA: £6.95 (20m) approx 35p/m
my local garden centres: £3.99 (30m) 13p/m

Plain coated steel garden arch large - self assembly

DA: £395!!!
Various: £10-£70 depending on style and decoration

Large garden obelisk - self assembly

DA: £235
Various: £10 - £109 some of these matching twin packs or cast iron


Now while some of their products can be had significantly cheaper (20% or more) if you insist on buying one particular brand such as Felco. If you were not being fussy about brand and just wanted the best rated tools available for a reasonable price then you can save well over 50%. So same product different name on the handle.


80cm Bypass Loppers
DA: £140 (Felco)
Amazon £110 (Felco) or £13 - £50 for top rated equivalents.