Parin Orchids: Avoid this Thailand Orchid Dealer

I found a website for Parin Orchids in Thailand back in March of this year and had contacted them to purchase some Habenarias. They appeared to be very professional and I had placed an order and sent payment. Problems began almost immediately. My USDA permit requires that plants be sent by Express Mail Service and I received an email that the plants had been sent and was provided a tracking number for a registered mail package. That package was not traceable until it appeared as delivered in South Korea. There was an apology and a promise to send another shipment. There were a number of erratic emails indicating that the second shipment was being prepared but after a couple of months without any actual progress I finally requested that they cancel the order and send a refund. The emails have stopped and they will not respond. The owner's name is Parin Kulsrisawat and everyone should beware of dealing with this person or the company.

 

It seems that I was premature in my assessment. After I had posted the above I was contacted by Mr. Kulsrisawat and he has been working very hard to get everything straightened out. I have spoken with a friend who lived in Thailand for about a year and he has informed me that they have many holidays and a very relaxed way of life there and it appears that there may have been some language differences that resulted in the misunderstanding. I will let everyone know when the issue is finally resolved but it looks like I have egg on my face.

 

After I had posted the comment in August I was contacted and the order was shipped on July 9, 2013. I spoke with the USDA inspectors in Houston when it arrived and they found two untreatable pathogens and the shipment had to be destroyed. When I contacted Parin Orchids they first promised to ship new plants but after much delay agreed to send a refund. Each time I have contacted them to check when the refund would be sent there has been a delay and then some excuse why it could not be sent. The last promise was for a December 15 refund but that has not materialized. I am of the opinion that they are just stalling and dragging this out in the hopes that eventually I will just forget about it. I have been told that they will be selling at a show in New Jersey this spring. I would highly recommend against any pre-orders for that show.