I suppose this shows it's right to complain, sometimes.

The nursery manager tracked down all the information in the system, and
responded that the original wait-listed order from 2008 had specified
trucked delivery, which combined with several over-sized plants that had
already been slated to go prior to my more recent instructions caused it
to be sent out by truck.

However he acknowledged my instructions had not been followed and as a
result offered to split the cost of the shipping.

To my mind this is quite fair, as there were several taller plants, and
the total cost to me will be only marginally more than if all had
shipped by post in several packages.

In regards to the shipping weight he said the total is weighed on
calibrated scales verified biannually by govt inspectors. So I guess
the pallet was quite heavy.

All in all a satisfying result.

cheers,

-E