Fairview Garden Center — Local services in Apex

I had Fairview come plant some trees and shrubs for me last year, and have experienced several issues. The first thing to go wrong was them severing my cable line, despite it being marked. The second thing to go wrong was when my Japanese Zelcova died due to a wood boring Ambrosia beetle infestation. When I contacted Fairview to see what was wrong with the tree, they acknowledged that they had sent out a load of trees with Ambrosia beetle infestations, but instead of taking responsibility and replacing my tree, they still required me to pay a price difference for the tree to be replaced under my warranty, since the first one was a sale price, and I also had to pay an installation fee — which I found a little absurd considering it was being replaced due to their own negligence.

Now this morning two of the Natchez Crepe Myrtle’s they planted are blooming pink! So I guess they aren’t Natchez Crepe Myrtle’s at all — because Natchez are supposed to be white. I am being told that they have an issue with a supplier mislabeling their trees — which doesn’t make me feel very comfortable buying other trees from them. I will say they were eager to remedy the situation, but since it is the beginning of summer, I decided it would be best to wait until the fall to have my two Crepe Myrtle’s replaced, keeping in mind that each time I have to have something replaced, it is resetting the starting point of my garden. This mistake has cost me a full year of growth and design continuity in my landscape, and I shouldn’t need to explain why that is upsetting.

All in all, I think the folks at Fairview are friendly and knowledgeable, but the quality of their services could...

I have been using Fairview for my gardening needs since 2009. In fact, back then, they helped me plan my garden, which looks wonderful. Earlier in the year, I spent more than $100 on plants for spring. However, my most recent visit was marred by a very poor customer service experience. Here's the story. I bought a very pricey bird bath in spring last year, costing well over $150. It was very attractive, proper ceramic (unlike cheap fiberglass items) looked perfect along the path to my door. Then, in February this year, I noticed the bird bath was empty. The middle of the tray had broken away entirely so all the water leaked out of a big hole—clearly a design or manufacturing flaw. So this weekend, I went in to let them know, and the gentleman said nope, there was nothing they could do since nothing from the store was guaranteed beyond 30 days. There was no indication of sympathy or empathizing—just we're not going to do anything. At the very least, I'd expect them to apologize for selling shoddy product, most likely at 100% markup. And if I'd been in charge, I'd at least have offered something, perhaps a 10% discount on future purchases or something... So my recommendation--do NOT buy anything other than plants from Fairview (bird bath, plant pot, etc.). And if you want a quality product, shop elsewhere. We bought a bird bath from Atlantic Garden Center long before the piece of rubbish from Fairview and it is still keeping our beloved wild...

If I could give less than one star I would. It's not so much the quality of the plants, which is questionable, it's the absolute lack of customer service and sheer gratitude for customers overall. We went to fulfill their guarantee and they stated they could not uphold it. The employee who helped us less than a year ago made an obvious mistake in guiding us in our purchase, leading us to purchase items not covered under their warranty, when we specifically asked to make sure. He stapled the receipt to the guarantee assuring us. Now in going back for just two plants, they say they cannot do anything. It isnt so much what they could do but the way we were treated. They spoke to us like we are supposed to know specialties about plants. Why go spend the costs they have if they cannot provide expert advice. The whole point of a customer going to a small garden center is to get personal attention in choosing the right plants. This is not the place to go. They speak to customers in a condescending way, almost scolding us. They offered nothing and let us walk away saying we would never come back again. Regardless of all the choices, I'm shocked they could let lifetime customers go! The amount on our total receipt showed we had committed our plantings purchases to...