Sloat Garden Ctr

06/24/09

Super lousy customer service.

by kivanov

Super lousy customer service.  There was a line of people waiting at the counter this weekend.  The person working was the slowest cashier I've ever seen in my entire life.  Their selection was really lousy, and the plants I bought are fighting for its life.  Thanks a lot!!!

12/02/06

Plants average, Bad customer service

by nryan4

We go there because it is close to our house and we can get some decent plants. Overall the plants look like they have been through the ringer. The big problem I had is when I put something on special order. I had paid to have one of their designers design a plan for us then I couldn't get half the plants on the design. I wouldn't get a call that something came in and I would go down there to find it was put outside to be bought by anyone. When I asked the person in charge of ordering, she offered no apoligizes only that she claimed messages were left, which they were not. It happened every time. Then there we items that they could never get. If they couldn't get it from a larger grower, they weren't willing to help. I ended up going to East Bay Nursery in Berkeley where the staff there were so much more helpful AND knowledgeable. Also, if they didn't have it, they sent me to a small grower who would. I drove to Santa Rosa to get a plant that was on special order with Sloat for almost a year. There was only one person, Dustin, at the main Sloat store that was really helpful and he unfortunately was tranfered to the Marin store. I guess that is where they send all the good people.

07/27/06

Best Deals, plants, & knowledge...

by betelumineux

For the 15 years I've lived in San Francisco and lots of shopping around, no one has beat Sloat on pricing, selection and help for my gardening needs in BOTH locations. Nearly all plants are presented with staff-written information about care and maintenance. And nearly all outdoor plants for sale are selected for their ability to do well locally, with remarks for those that may need more care than others.

The staff there has always been helpful in my experience. While they don't rush about trying to sell to or pamper customers, it's never a problem or a task asking someone for help with questions and many of the shoppers there seem more than happy to add their gardening experience to help you if they overhear you.

The grounds are well kept and organized... shade/part-shade/part-sun/full-sun as well as a huge selection of gorgeous indoor plants, supplies, pots, beneficial garden insects, environmentally sound pest-control, and even fun gardening kits aimed at child education

Aside from supplies... they even offer classes and lectures on many gardening, plant care, soil, and animal/insect help/problem topics and have rotating deals year-round.

• Pros: ample parking, selection, pricing
• Cons: distance from city center