Doodlebugdesigns Opiniões 

Extremely poor communication and unacceptable delays

I placed an order with Doodlebug Designs in August 2022 for a flower preservation piece from my wedding in December 2022, with the understanding work would begin around Jan/Feb 2023. Unfortunately, the entire experience was incredibly frustrating and disappointing.

The work didn’t actually start until December 2023 – over a year later. Throughout 2023, I repeatedly had to chase for updates, and each time I was told it would be “a few more months” due to backlogs. I was even assured in November that it would be ready for Christmas, which didn’t happen.

Communication has been a major issue. I was promised progress photos at different stages (as stated on their website), but I received none. I also requested photos of the finished piece multiple times before dispatch (again, something their own process stated they provide), and was been ignored.

Despite being told in January 2024 that my order was complete and would be posted the next day, it still hadn’t been shipped, with further delays and minimal updates. While I understand personal circumstances can arise, this was ongoing for well over a year with very poor communication and missed commitments throughout.

I paid in full upfront and feel let down by the lack of transparency, delays, and failure to follow their own stated process.

I would strongly advise others to think carefully before ordering, especially if timelines and communication are important to you.

The end product is beautiful, you just have to wait a very long time (nearly 2 years due to personal circumstances of the business). More communication about expected timescales at each stage of the process would have helped.

I have never felt the need to leave a review for a company/business before. Unfortunately the level of my dissatisfaction has meant I have no choice but to leave some feedback and warn other potential customers.

It has taken just over 2 years to receive my order. It was not apparent in the terms and conditions, social media or via direct communication that orders could take this long. At the time of booking 6 months was mentioned in the terms and conditions and that she would endeavour to complete orders as timely as possible. I was under no impression it could take 2 years. I started to think my flowers had been damaged or lost, which obviously was distressing as they were a special memory and expensive.

Although 2 years is a long wait time, if I was aware of this from the outset it would have managed my expectations. I feel being transparent about this would improve customer satisfaction.

Often I would send emails chasing my order and I was very understanding of the situation when I received replies explaining her personal circumstances. I do not want to dismiss anyone’s personal struggles but in my opinion if you run a business then you also have a duty to your paying customers. The business model means that money is taken at time of ordering. This means there was no pressure on the business to complete orders quickly as payment had already been received. In other words I felt I had no leg to stand on.

Unfortunately communication was also very delayed and often a little dismissive. At times I was waiting 4-6 weeks for an email response. I was then often told another story of how life was difficult, making me feel guilty for enquiring. Occasionally she would appear on Instagram giving the impression that messaging only delays her being able to physically work on the products. It wasn’t the professional response a customer would expect.

After finally receiving my order I felt overall happy enough with the product. A few pieces are more clear Perspex than floral which is a little disappointing.

Overall I wanted to send words of warning to any other couples looking at using this business to preserve their flowers. Manage your expectations and do not expect your product any time soon.

Unfortunately it took 26 months for the preservation to be completed, and through this time there was next to no communication other than the same excuses every time I emailed. I understand life happens but when you’re running a business, your children’s minor illnesses and wanting to take time off in the school holidays really shouldn’t create a 2+ year delay, especially when payment is demanded up front and there is nothing but wedding shows and events posted on the company Instagram showing you clearly aren’t that busy. Equally being so disparaging and rude to people who are asking about the flowers they paid a lot of money for online is really off putting.
When the flowers arrived they were packaged well but didn’t include anything to say thank you for waiting so long, just some printed care instructions thrown on top. The flowers themselves were mediocre. They were incredibly yellow and hardly any had been used, contrary again to the numerous pictures of very full pieces on Instagram, between 3 large letters, 2 teddy bears, and a candle holder, only 20 small flowers had been used, including two large flowers that were not part of my wedding bouquet at all so I have no idea who’s flowers are in my pieces, and a handful of greenery which is mostly just sticks with a lot of open resin space. The resin is clear with no bubbles or scratch marks, but it is an awful lot of money to spend on empty resin and someone else’s flowers shoved in with mine. After 2+ years of waiting I’m not surprised that they’ve been ruined and look decayed, as well as being muddled in with someone else’s.
Given I sent my large bouquet and 3 bridesmaid bouquets, I expected much more- frankly I expected it to look like the advertised items on Instagram, but I guess those are only for wedding shows and influencers.
Unfortunately I really wouldn’t bother with this company, I’m only giving 2 stars because the product actually arrived and at this point I was quite shocked I received anything at all.

I am afraid I really can’t give more than this on the flower presentation pieces I’ve received because of a few key reasons. We waited over 2 years for our flower preservation pieces to arrive. I can appreciate that life can get in the way, but at the same time it is a business, and I have found that the social media shared by the page has been quite defensive and rude referring customers to the T&C’s and that it takes time for perfection. That being said, I have always received a polite reply when asking for an update by email.

The pieces received though, are lovely. There are definitely some imperfections though, which from what expectations were set I am a little surprised by. Despite waiting over 2 years I somehow feel this has still been rushed!

I would advise anyone who considers Doodlebug to speak to them first to make sure you are happy with the service and expectations before booking.

The preservation took absolutely ages. I emailed a number of times to ask for updates and was given sob stories relating to moving house, child having minor illnesses etc etc. It was reasonably expensive and the product was fine but the wait time was ridiculous. I saw people who had been married a year after me who got their preserved bouquets from other companies before I got mine from Doodlebug Designs.
Hard to give a date for this experience as it took so long.

I paid in full straight away, exactly as requested, trusting that the contract and agreed timescales would be honoured. Unfortunately, they weren’t. The piece arrived very late, and communication throughout was dismissive, rude, and full of excuses whenever I asked for a time frame or an update - I was told as per her T&Cs and basically go away.

If the piece had arrived and been utterly beautiful, I could have forgiven the delays and the awful customer service. But it isn’t. The resin is full of small bubbles, ruining the clear glass-like effect.
There are deep marks on the back from her sanding that show through to the front, and the flowers look partly rotted and see-through, as though they weren’t in good condition before being set.

A free keyring was included, but that doesn’t make up for the poor workmanship, broken promises, or unprofessional attitude. After such a long wait, high cost, and constant disappointment, I’m left with something that feels nothing like the beautiful keepsake I’d hoped for.

It’s heartbreaking that such a sentimental item now only reminds me of rudeness and missed expectations. She got paid on time — I just wish the same level of care and integrity had been shown in return. Whenever I asked for an update I was made aware I was a last minute client to her and to leave her alone.

I truly feel she has taken on too many clients and she can’t cope with the volume.

Don’t let the beautiful website fool you. Full length of time was 14 months! I was told 6/12 maximum.

Scam company, do not purchase! We placed an order for our wedding flowers and was told the lead time was 6-12 months. Our wedding was in April 2024… It’s now 18 months later and we have still not received what we paid for. Very little communication from the company and you’re actually encouraged not to chase them (I wonder why). I do not understand how this company still operates. Very poor, avoid at all costs no matter how pretty the website looks.

Happy with the product that arrived but terms and conditions changed from up to a year turn around (as stated on website when purchasing) to way over (website now updated to give no timeframe). When trying to get status updates was met with very snappy replies. It’s a shame because this person makes great pieces but the turn around is ridiculously long and it seems as though she views all her customers as a pain. Maybe a customer service representative who can speak/communicate with people better would be a big help and do justice to the work. Left with a sour taste and can’t look as the pieces in the same light as previously was excited for.