SmallBizGenius Analysis

Arborday.org, the online presence of the Arbor Day Foundation, receives mixed to negative reviews. Customers frequently report issues with receiving dead or incorrect trees, poor customer service, and concerns about the organization's practices.

Category Breakdown

Scores based on analysis of 91 recent reviews

Product Quality

2.5/10

Many reviewers report receiving dead, damaged, or incorrect trees. Customers frequently describe the trees as 'sticks' with little to no chance of survival, expressing disappointment in the quality of the products received. For example, many customers reported that the trees arrived dried out and dead.

45 reviews mention this

Shipping & Delivery

3.0/10

Numerous customers complain about significant delays in shipping and receiving trees at inappropriate times of the year for planting. Some reviewers mention receiving trees months after the promised delivery date, while others report that trees arrived during winter when the ground was frozen. One customer stated, "Ordered trees summer of 2022 for fall. They did not show up until December (250 seedlings). Hastily planted them and of course, all died due to hard freeze that happened shortly after planting."

25 reviews mention this

Customer Service

3.5/10

Several reviewers express frustration with Arbor Day Foundation's customer service, citing difficulty reaching representatives and unhelpful responses. Some customers report being ignored or receiving generic replies that do not address their specific concerns. One reviewer said, "They sell you dead trees with no refund, no replacement and no reply."

20 reviews mention this

Donation Concerns

4.0/10

Some reviewers express skepticism about where their donations are going and whether the Arbor Day Foundation is truly planting trees as promised. These concerns are often fueled by negative experiences with receiving poor-quality trees or a lack of transparency from the organization. For instance, one reviewer stated, "As far as this writer is aware, the Arbor Day Foundation seems suspect to me because of the following reason: Here in Myrtle Beach/Horry County, SC, developers (with county approvals) are taking trees down daily to deforest the area to build high density housing."

10 reviews mention this

Misleading Offers & Promotions

3.0/10

Several reviewers report feeling misled by Arbor Day Foundation's offers of 'free' trees in exchange for donations or purchases. Some customers claim they never received the promised trees or that the trees they received were not the advertised species. One reviewer said, "I received a letter in the mail offering free trees, a care book and trees if you donated. I donated and received another letter about a month later with none of the freebies."

8 reviews mention this

Pros & Cons

What Customers Love

Mission to plant trees and help the environment Mentioned 5x
"I donate to the arbor day foundation because I want to help the planet and help plant more trees."
Barefoot trees survived Mentioned 2x
"They have sent me over 15 bareroot trees and all have survived."

Common Complaints

Dead or dying trees upon arrival Mentioned 35x
"DEAD TREES, If they send you dead trees and then replace them with more dead trees you do NOT get your money back. Fool me once!"
Incorrect tree species shipped Mentioned 8x
"The trees I received were not red maple and not redbud but some unknown variety of trees."
Shipping delays and improper timing Mentioned 25x
"Ordered trees summer of 2022 for fall. They did not show up until December (250 seedlings). Hastily planted them and of course, all died due to hard freeze that happened shortly after planting."
Poor customer service and lack of response Mentioned 20x
"They sell you dead trees with no refund, no replacement and no reply."
Misleading promotions and unfulfilled promises Mentioned 8x
"I received a letter in the mail offering free trees, a care book and trees if you donated. I donated and received another letter about a month later with none of the freebies."

Common Questions About Arborday

Answers derived from customer review patterns

Is Arborday legit and trustworthy?

Based on 91 reviews, there are significant concerns about Arborday's legitimacy and trustworthiness. Many customers report receiving dead or incorrect trees, experiencing shipping delays, and struggling to get adequate customer service. While the Arbor Day Foundation is a registered non-profit, the consistent negative feedback raises questions about the effectiveness of their operations and the quality of their products. Potential customers should carefully consider these issues before making a purchase or donation.

Based on 45 reviews

Does Arborday have good customer service?

The majority of reviews suggest that Arborday's customer service is lacking. Many customers report difficulty reaching representatives, receiving generic responses, or being ignored altogether. Some reviewers mention that they were unable to resolve issues with their orders or obtain refunds for dead trees. The negative experiences with customer service contribute to the overall dissatisfaction expressed by many reviewers.

Based on 20 reviews

Is Arborday worth it for small business?

For small businesses, the value proposition of Arborday is questionable based on the available reviews. The high rate of dead or incorrect trees, coupled with shipping delays and poor customer service, makes it a risky choice for bulk purchases or donations. Small businesses seeking reliable tree suppliers or trustworthy environmental organizations may want to consider alternative options with more positive customer feedback.

Based on 30 reviews