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Resources for Businesses

My Home Location

Columbus, OH, USA

My BBB

BBB of Central Ohio
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Business Profile

Nursery Stock

Tennessee Wholesale Nursery

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Nursery Stock.

Important information

  • Customer Complaint:
    BBB files indicate that this business has a pattern of complaints concerning product issues; specifically, plants do not grow or are dead upon arrival. Consumers allege that the plants are dead when a scratch test is performed on the plants, per the company’s direction.  When consumers request a refund, replacement, or credit, per the company’s posted one-year guarantee, they are told that it does not apply, or they do not receive a response. Consumers also allege they do not receive the correct plants or number of plants as ordered.  On March 21, 2023, BBB submitted a written request to the company, encouraging them to address the pattern of complaints. BBB has not received a response from the company. 

    Read more
  • Customer Complaint:
    BBB files indicate that this business has a pattern of complaints concerning product quality and health of plants. On November 5, 2012, the BBB received an email from Tammy Sons, Vice President of Tennessee Wholesale Nursery, stating "please do not send us anymore of your complaints." BBB contact Ms. Sons and explained, the BBB will continue to send consumer complaints to them in hopes that they will respond.

    Read more

Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Tennessee Wholesale Nursery's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

Find a Location

Tennessee Wholesale Nursery has 2 locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 121 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 46 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

    Sort by

    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/14/2025

      Type:Delivery Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I originally placed an order( ******** )on March 3. Multiple forms of communication were ignored and parts of my order are still missing. I requested a refund, which has been denied. Despite most of my order being poor quality, I am only asking for the missing portion (29.99 plus tax) to be refunded.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/14/2025

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      In Jan 2025 I ordered quantity 2 Chinese Snowball Bushes from this business. Business stated that plants, bare root, would be in a dormant state. The plants were received in Mid Feb 2025. I planted the plants, together with a Snowball bush purchased from ******. All three were in close proximity to each other in a newly prepared bed. After 6 weeks of regular watering and in day temperatures in mid 70's there was no sign of life from the TN plants whereas the ****** plant had several branches and multiple leaves. I contacted the business and advised that I believed the plants to be dead. I advised that I could return them for their inspection. I forwarded pictures of the two TN plants and the ****** plant. A couple of days later I received a curt response from the business. "You must perform a scratch test" Not knowing what a scratch test was I requested info. on how to perform that test and what to look for. After several days with no response I searched Google for information. " Cut a sliver of bark from the plant and look for light colored or green inners" I performed as per those instructions. The wood under the missing barks was dark brown, approaching black. According to google those plants were dead. I advised TN of that and also removed them from the ground. At that time Idisposed of them but subsequently saved them. I advised TN that I would be filing a complaint. I have heard no more.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/14/2025

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On January 28,2025, I purchase plants for $74,27, to be delivered in the spring. On February 4, I cancelled this order. They agreed to cancel and refund $74.27. I have contacted then by email two times, and still have not received the refund.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/13/2025

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I purchased the plant Hamamelis virginiana from this retailer as a dormant plant. The plant is now old enough to bloom and does not look correct for the species purchased. I have confirmed through several reputable gardeners and Master Gardeners the plant I received is Hamamelis vernalis, which I did not want nor purchase. Customer service “lost” my emails with the flower photos, did not respond to me, and after a phone call, decided without documented evidence or explanation that they had sent me the correct species. The species I ordered blooms in the fall, not in March, and has yellow flowers, not orange. This company misrepresented what they sold and refuses to make it right.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/27/2025

      Type:Delivery Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      2-10-25 order with TN Nursery was placed. 2-12-25 order delivered 2-13-25: I sent an email to the company that not all of my trees I purchased and ordered are in the box. They responded back to send a picture. I sent pictures and emails. Today is 2-25-25 and the last email I received from them is they can only fix this within 24 hours from delivery in which I did.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 03/22/2025

      Hi this is ******* ******, after waiting weeks and playing the email game with them, they finally sent me my complete order.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/06/2025

      Type:Delivery Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Ordered plants, took 3 weeks for them to ship. Tried to cancel and was not able to. Multiple attempts to contact business to see what order status was. Told that they could not give me and update as to when they would ship. When items finally did ship, I could not plant them as the ground was frozen. Order was refused and sent back to business within 2 days and they refuse to give a refund. There are multiple other complaints against this company and they are shady.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:12/30/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Ordered 11 trees from TN Nursery on 11-29-24, 1st order got lost so a second was shipped and received on 12-21-24. After examining the trees & measuring them I found that the 2 Chicago Figs were only 31" & 32" well below the specified size of 3' to 5' listed on website. On 12-23-24 I made contact & explained my two issues of not receiving the 2 DewBerry plants & the 2 fig tree heights. Sales advised me to email CC which I did right away. When I received their response I was a bit confused being told that the root system(1st time ever hearing of this) is included in the height so I emailed back & said thats incorrect as the tree height is always measured from ground level upwards since including the roots they can vary in size & that will take away from size. I sent more pictures of the trees & along with a Google response to the question. I thouroughly went over the companies website to see if I could find anything about their claim and there is nothing. My 3rd email I even asked to have them provide me proof were I could find this info on their website & on two replies I was never given an answer. I even asked the CC & two female sales people, why isnt this information listed next to the trees height, especially the details, what you'll expect sections or the website in general to inform customers on what exactley to expect and not get surprised like I did. Not being transparent & honset is a dirty & sneaky way of doing business. What frustrates me the most is I have ordered from this company for 4+ years now & have bought some 60+ trees & plants with never having this issue with them ever being shorter than the size listed in the description. Dont understand being that the box height was 50" why so much of any tree gets cut so mucher shorter than it needs to be especially the 2 figs. The Manager only wanted to offer me a $5.00 refund which I said was such an insult & I refused. Being a loyal customer means nothing anymore to this company.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:12/04/2024

      Type:Delivery Issues
      Status:
      Unresolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I ordered trees online on 5/23/24 for the “fall shipping”, I emailed them on 9/20/24 to ask when my order will be shipped, they responded “at the end of October “, I waited and then emailed them again on 11/10/24 asking when my order will be shipped. They responded that they are fulling orders and I would be notified. I emailed again on 11/19/24 to request that my order be canceled and refunded due to the ground starting to freeze. They denied my request. I informed them that I would contact the Better Business Bureau if they did not fulfill my order or cancel/refund me. The next day I received an email saying my order was shipped, however, when I track my order it tells me only a label has been created. I emailed them again saying I would like to cancel my order due to the ground being frozen and I have no way to keep the trees alive through winter, I have yet to receive a response.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 12/23/2024

      Hello,

      I did hear from the company via email saying my item shipped. And I did receive my item, however I attempted to contact the company 3 times now to return my order and get a refund. I have not gotten a reply from them. To clarify, I ordered trees that were supposed to be delivered in October, I did not receive them until December. It is winter in Wisconsin and the ground is frozen so I have no way to plant the trees or keep them alive until spring. Thus, why I want to return them and get my money back. Thank you for all your help.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:12/02/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Complaint concerning purchase from Tennessee Wholesale Nursery On May 4, 2023, I ordered $46.99 worth of flowering plants from Tennessee Wholesale Nursery: Renunculus Repens, Oxeye Daisy, Wild Geranium, Wood Poppy, and Virginia Bluebell. Order #*********. On June 28, 2023, I emailed their Customer Service explaining that all the plants failed to grow. Their response on July 13, 2023, was: “Your order has a one-year warranty. Please wait until spring to see if the plants will come up. If they do not come back, we can issue you in-store credit.” On May 23, 2024 (spring), I again emailed customer service to once again notify them that the plants (except Ranunculu Repens) did not grow, and I asked for the promised store credit. I again emailed about the credit on Sept. 23, 2024. Their reply was “I apologize, but you would've had to reach out with pictures before the warranty period ended to receive the credit. The warranty ended in May 2024.” My email was sent on May 23, 2024. Prior to their last email, there was no request for pictures. After almost a year, I do not know how a customer could get pictures of dead roots.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:12/02/2024

      Type:Delivery Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I purchased two PawPaw tree shoots in October. I was told they would be shipped in a few weeks, starting in early November. I called them two weeks ago asking the status and was told they are "still preparing the Paw Paws for shipment" and that I'd get them in a week or two. It has been 2+ weeks and no shipment. I'm sick of the fraud and being lied to.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 12/16/2024

      The company never contacted me, but they did ship the product within a week of me filing the complaint with you.  No explanation or “customer service” provided by the company – just a VERY delayed delivery without follow-through on our communications.

      So, resolved but not satisfactorily (no contact or explanation provided – not even an “oops”).

       

    Tennessee Wholesale Nursery is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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