Poor service from J Parker Bulbs - any alternatives?

I've gone back to using the GC where you can see what you're buying, even if it does cost more. I too have been disappointed by various mail order companies.

I rarely buy growing plants by mail order prefering to buy from private nurseries. Bulbs I do buy mail order - try Jacques Amand UK or Pottertons. You will find both more expensive than J Parker Bulbs but you have already experienced buying cheap!

My daughter doesn't have a local garden centre and is working very long hours so stuck with online. She uses Suttons and has, as yet, keeping fingers crossed, had no problems with plants, delivery or anything.

I am also having problems with Parkers and have been waiting weeks for some plants to arrive. After 3 emails they are coming next week. Suttons seem to be good.

I have always used Gardening Direct for plug plants ,and been very satisfied with the quality and service.

I can't say enough about Crocus. I've used them on several occasions. Their delivery promises are kept, the packaging of the plants is quite exceptional (The only problem is disposing of the piles of cardboard and tape).
The quality of the plants is all that I could ask for and the information they provide is excellent. I expect they may be a bit more expensive, but if they are, I willingly dig a bit deeper in my pocket for a stress-free life and the after-sales service available by 'phone.
(I wonder where I can buy some shares in the company!)

Thank you all very much for your replies. I will look into the mail order companies you suggest. Having been let down by Parkers, I have bought some plants at my local garden centre - mind you they are very expensive! However as you say you get what you pay for. I am fortunate in one way that I have at least been refunded for some of the plants I have complained about. However, others, planted up as soon as they arrived in the dormant state, are so far behind I will certainly not get much of a show from them this year, plus not all have grown. Their plants on the whole are very poor quality and their delivery in my area is very bad with any plants in small parcels arriving all bashed to bits! Thanks again.

And I swear by Burncoose who do advertise on here (I used them long before I joined though).
Not the cheapest, but everything arrives safely and in good condition.

I ordered from them in March as the Guardian Newspaper also use them as their supplier, so I thought that they had some credibility. They took about 3 weeks to deliver, which is not as quick as some but is well within the 28 days it says (plants take time to grow!)

You get want you pay for - the 12 med/tall perennials were largeish plugs and looked dreadful - but they are all looking great now.

It sounds like their packing is at fault with yourself.