After finding success with his seeds, Donkers opened Sensi Seeds in 1997. Today, the entire Donker family is involved in the business in some way, either working in the bank regularly or as part of the IT department. Today Sensi Seeds is one of the biggest, and also one of the best, seed banks one could find online. Some of the best strains they not only offer but are responsible for developing are: Big Bud, Jack Herer, Northern Lights, Purple Bud, and Hindu Kush.

Variety

Growers can get any kind of cannabis seeds at Sensi Seeds, including feminized and auto-flowering seeds. Being a breeder, Sensi Seeds only sells the seeds that they have specifically developed but because they’ve been part of the industry for so long, and they have so much experience at what they do, there’s still a strain to be found for anyone at Sensi Seeds. In all, Sensi Seeds has approximately 100 different types of strains.

In addition to the many seeds they have available, Sensi Seeds also has CBD oil for sale. This oil, which the website recommends using as a dietary supplement, is simply taken in drop form every day, and brings those suffering from certain ailments relief in the form of CBD – the non-psychoactive component of cannabis.

In addition to CBD oil and seeds, Sensi Seeds also has merchandise, vaporizers, and other accessories, all that can be found on the home page of their website.

Value

Being one of the biggest seed banks online, it’s easy for one to assume that they’re also one of the most expensive, but this is not true. In fact, Sensi Seeds has some of the most reasonably priced seeds online, often even beating their most affordable competitors when it comes to pricing.

However, Sensi Seeds doesn’t seem to offer any promotions or deals with their seeds – something nearly every other seed bank does. There is no sale section on the Sensi Seeds website, nor do they advertise any free gifts with purchase. This is one way in which the competition has it easily over Sensi Seeds.

Website

The Sensi Seeds website is very easy to navigate and although they have many different products, it’s not at all overwhelming. Seeds are clearly listed at the top of the page, so one only needs to decide what type of seeds they want and they’ll be well on their way to claiming them. The FAQ section of the website will also not only help customers understand things such as payment and shipping policies, but they also include questions about actually growing. These will be helpful to any beginner who is just starting out in growing their own seeds.

Customer Service

It’s also easy to assume that because they’re one of the biggest seed banks online, that they wouldn’t have time for their customers and therefore, their customer service may be a bit lacking. In fact, the opposite is true.

Sensi Seeds wants to make sure that every single customer is happy with their purchase. They don’t only provide their customer support phone number at the top of every page of their website, but they also provide a physical address, as well as an email address, that customers can use to direct any of their questions and concerns. And, they even have a forum, something that’s rarely found with seed banks, so customers can also use it to get help with their seeds or find solutions for problems they may be having.

Delivery

The one area in which Sensi Seeds falls short is that they don’t deliver seeds outside of European countries. This isn’t exactly unheard of, as a few other seed banks have the same policy, but it does leave those outside of the area searching for another seed bank.

Sensi Seeds also does their best in the number of payment methods they offer customers. Not only can one pay with credit cards, but cash is also accepted, as are bank transfer.

Like most seed banks, Sensi Seeds will deliver products to their customers using plain, white envelopes with bubble wrap inside to protect the contents within. While the words “Sensi Seeds”, “marijuana”, and “cannabis” will not be on the outside, if the package is opened anyone would easily be able to tell what’s inside. This is where Sensi Seeds’ competition ranks slightly better than them, as some offer packaging so discreet you can’t even tell what’s inside after it’s been opened.

There’s little doubt that Sensi Seeds is one of the best seed banks that can be found online (and in European storefronts as well). And with great customer service, a huge selection, and a website filled with information, one may even be tempted to say that they’re the best. However, the fact that they don’t deliver outside of Europe, and that their packaging lacks in discretion, are the only things keeping Sensi Seeds from a perfect score.

What operates now as the Original Seed Store online at http://www.originalseedstore.com was actually started way back in 1992. At that time the owners of today’s company traveled to Amsterdam and learned about the hybrid seeds and early hydroponic equipment that were just beginning to emerge at the time. Excited, they went back to Spain, where they began developing their own equipment that would enable them to sell and distribute seeds around the world.

Variety

The Original Seeds Store carries seeds from over 100 of the best breeders all around the world, from Afghanistan to Canada. Among these breeders, and each has its own page where users can find out more about them. From those breeders, growers and smokers can then choose from some of the best strains in the world including Cheese, Girl Scout Cookies, and Green Crack. The Original Seeds Store also carries feminized seeds and auto-flowering seeds for those looking to make their growing experience even easier.

Value

The downside of using The Original Seeds Store is that seeds are a lot more expensive here than they are at other seed banks. While one can find a pack of ten Northern Lights seeds for as little as 20 pounds, The Original Seeds Store offers the same pack at nearly 100 pounds – five times the price! The reason for this price difference isn’t quite clear, but it does seem to be significant across several different strains.

If The Original Seeds Store is more expensive than other seed banks, however, they try to make up for it by offering a great discount with every purchase. While their competitors may offer three to five seeds of a specific strain with bulk orders, The Original Seeds Store offers ten seeds of any variety, and the more customers purchase, the more savings they’ll incur. In addition, some of the breeders on the site also offer additional free seeds on every purchase.

Website

The Original Seeds Store website is easy to navigate, and everything is there for the user to find at a glance as soon as they land on the home page. For those that want to learn more about breeders and learn about specific strains from those breeders, the “Seed Banks” link is very helpful; while those just looking to quickly purchase the best strain seeds will be better served by visiting the “Cannabis Strains” section.

Customer Service

The Original Seeds Store excels when it comes to customer service. The company is based out of Spain and so they provide a phone number for those within the country to contact them, but they also have a UK line for customers elsewhere in Europe. International customers can use the email address provided to send inquiries and concerns, and the company responds to all emails in a fairly timely and very helpful manner.

One of the customer service features The Original Seeds Store has that many other seed banks do not is that they have a customer service representative available for a live chat right through their website. This can be invaluable to users that have urgent questions they need an answer to right away, or those that just need someone to talk them through the germination and growing processes.

Delivery

The good news for international buyers is that The Original Seeds Store will ship seeds anywhere in the world, something many seed banks are reluctant to do. They offer three shipping methods from standard (the most affordable) to insured express delivery with tracking. All of their shipment methods are available to be delivered with stealth packaging, although for this they do add on an additional fee.

There are many great things to say about The Original Seeds Store. They have a huge selection of strains, along with a variety of breeders and information on each. The customer service users will receive from the company may just be the best in the business. But the biggest drawback to buying from The Original Seeds Store is that the prices are significantly higher than their competitors. And that may be enough for many growers and smokers to look elsewhere for their seeds.

It was in the late 1980s when Mau, the owner and founder of today’s online Nirvana Shop worked in Positronics, the legendary grow shop in Amsterdam. With a dream of branching out on his own someday, he spent his time traveling the world, collecting seeds from the best cannabis strains available and learning everything he could about first-rate hybrids and crossbreeding his own strains.

Variety

At the Nirvana Shop, one can find dozens of strains, all Nirvana Originals that have been developed and bred by the company itself. Among the strains one can also find Gold Label strains, a sure sign that anyone will fall in love with a specific strain.

Of course along with the regular strains, customers will also find medical marijuana seeds, auto-flowering seeds, and feminized seeds. The Nirvana Shop also sells hemp products including hemp vinegar, hemp ice tea and hemp liqueur however, these are only available within the storefront. On the website, customers are restricted to cannabis seeds, growing equipment, and nutrients.

Value

Perhaps because the Nirvana Shop actually breeds as well as sells and distributes their own seeds, they do come at a higher price than customers can find on competitor websites. At the time of this review, a pack of five Amnesia Haze seeds developed by the Nirvana Shop costs 30 pounds, while they could be found on competitor’s websites at the same price, but with customers getting twice as many seeds – ten!

But those looking to get a discount can find them at the Nirvana Shop by going over to their sale section. Here several strains can be found at clearance prices, and the section is updated regularly.

Like many of their competitors, the Nirvana Shop will include free seeds with each order. When two seeds are purchased, customers will receive three free seeds, and they can choose whichever free seeds they’d like. This gives the Nirvana Shop an edge over those that have fixed strains included with every order.

Website

The Nirvana Shop website is very easy to navigate and immediately after landing on the home page, customers will find many articles that will help them grow their seeds. Also on the home page, links can be found for seed strains and grow solutions. And for those that want even more advice, clicking on the “Experts” section will give them everything they need. Here users can simply type in a question, and an expert will give them a solution. Or they can read through a list of the most frequently asked questions by other users and find the answer there.

Customer Service

The Nirvana Shop has really done everything they can to answer any question that growers and smokers may have. Along with the expert section, users can also click on “Support” on the home page and they’ll be taken to a knowledgebase. Here they can find the topic they need – germinating, growers, orders, and payment methods – to get the answer they were searching for.

When the answer is not found within the knowledgebase, customers can use the “Contact Us” tab to get in touch directly with the company by filling out an online form. And for those that need further help, there is also a live representative available to chat through the website at any time.

Delivery

The Nirvana Shop delivers to most customers worldwide, but currently they do not offer delivery to Japan or Australia. While the shipping times may be fairly standard, the Nirvana Shop also includes “handling times”, all of which are four days. This may be too long for some customers, as some seed banks deliver the seeds within the same week and with no additional handling time. It’s this handling time that causes shipments to take one or two weeks, even when they’re being delivered within the European Union. Customers in the United States or other parts of the world can expect two to four weeks before their shipment arrives.

While one would hope that the Nirvana Shop’s packaging is delivered in discreet packaging, they do not identify any types of stealth packaging within their website.

The Nirvana Shop certainly has an interesting story, and they have developed some of the best seeds in the world. However, there’s some work to be done before they can be proclaimed one of the best seed banks in the world. Lowering their prices, delivering to all international customers, and streamlining their delivery and shipment process would help rank this website higher.

Variety

The Bonza Seed Bank has tried to collect strains from nearly every breeder that’s out there, and they just may have succeeded. Literally from A to Z – Ace Seeds to Zambeza Seeds – they cover over one hundred breeders from which, customers can find hundreds, if not thousands, of sativa and indica strains.

One unique feature visitors will find after seeing the site is Bonza Seeds’ “Rock n’ Rollups Collection”. Here users will find strains that have been launched by cannabis and music enthusiasts, and they all have names that are a tribute to a song, artist or genre. Blue Moon, Haze of glory, and Motown Chunk are just a few of the fun strains growers will find here.

Value

While mixing and matching individual seeds may be good for some, Bonza Seeds proves that it can also be very expensive. At the time of this review, a single Skunk #1 seed cost ten pounds on Bonza Seeds, while competitors offer as many as ten seeds for the low price of twenty pounds. For some, the ability to mix and match may not be worth the added cost.

Bonza Seeds tries to make up for the difference in price point by offering free seeds to their customers. But the problem is that it’s never known whether a customer is going to get free seeds until their package arrives. Bonza Seeds explains that free seeds may not always be applicable, and that it largely depends on how many seeds were ordered originally, and based on the promotions they’re holding at the time.

Bonza Seeds also states that free seeds are not processed until the end of the ordering process, and so this is why free seeds do not appear on order summaries.

Website

The Bonza Seeds website is certainly full of information, and it’s all easy to find. Users will learn about different breeders and their strains, and there are links at the top that quickly directs users to wherever they want to go. The site would benefit from a bit more information and tips about actually growing the seeds, taking them through the germination, vegetative and flowering processes, but as a basic seed bank site, it will give most customers what they’re looking for.

Customer Service

The Bonza Seeds company does have a live representative available anytime on their site, which will be the most helpful for users with questions and concerns. This is useful, because otherwise users are left to find the answers on the site on their own. This is made easier through the use of Bonza Seeds’ knowledgebase, a page filled with links explaining the ordering and payment process, but it is still quite lacking. This is because many users won’t want to browse through link after link to find what they’re looking for; and the knowledgebase also doesn’t cover any questions about the strains they carry, the breeders they use, or the growing process.

Delivery

Bonza Seeds clearly states that they will ship anywhere worldwide, with no restrictions. However, they just as clearly state time and time again throughout the site that germinating marijuana seeds is not legal in many countries, and users are urged to check with local laws before purchase.

While Bonza Seeds doesn’t give any specific times for their shipping and handling processes, they do include stealth shipping with every package so no one will ever know what’s inside the package until it’s been opened. Bonza Seeds also doesn’t charge extra for stealth shipping, unlike many of their competitors.

Bonza Seeds has a strain for just about any grower or smoker, but there are many things this company can do to improve the user’s experience. Consolidating the FAQ section into one expanded page, and offering better customer service overall would definitely help. But users will most likely find that it’s the pricing they have the hardest time with, especially when they find out that those prices only include one seed. However, this is the very thing that might make Bonza Seeds a great seed bank for beginners that aren’t sure just yet what they’re looking for.

Variety

If there’s one area in which the Ministry may fall short, it’s in their variety. While users can expect to see the best of the best strains on the website, unfortunately it seems that’s all the Ministry carries. So even on their “mixed seeds” page, there’s not a lot to be uncovered. And while they also sell feminized seeds and auto-flowering varieties, unfortunately there aren’t a lot more options within those categories. Each has about a dozen, or just under. Some of the top strains one is likely to find on the Ministry’s website are Cheese, Blue Amnesia, and their very own Carnival and Zensation seeds.

However, for the cannabis enthusiast, the Ministry does also offer merchandise including shirts, sweaters, and gadgets that make growing and smoking easier and more fun.

Value

Perhaps it’s because the Ministry doesn’t offer a huge selection that they need to charge so much for the seeds they have in stock. It will do customers well to remember that they are buying seeds of some of the best strains available, but they’ll probably also be able to find those same strains cheaper on competitor sites.

At the time of this review, the Ministry was selling two Big Bud cannabis seeds for 13 pounds (exchanged from euros) while other sites provide customers with ten seeds for just a few pounds more. Also, the Ministry doesn’t seem to provide any additional value in the form of discounts, or even free seeds – something most seed banks offer today.

Website

The Ministry’s website is very easy to navigate through, with all relevant links at the top of the home page so users can find the information they need quickly and easily. Furthermore, the Ministry tries to keep customers up to date and informed by providing links to their most recent blog posts at the bottom of the page.

Customer Service

Unfortunately, the customer service at Ministry of Cannabis is also slightly disappointing. While they keep their phone number at the top of every page, so customers can phone wherever they are within the site, there’s not a lot else in the form of customer support. While some of their competitors go so far as to have live representatives available to chat on their website, the Ministry has only a contact form, and no guarantee of how long it will take them to reply to questions and concerns.

Delivery

There is an area in which the Ministry excels and goes above and beyond all of their competition. They ensure that although it may take days or even weeks for customers to get their package, they will be shipped out within 24 hours of payment being received. So the time length for orders to arrive depends solely on where in the world the customer lives.

There are also different delivery options for customers, from registered mail to UPS courier. There is never any reference to marijuana, cannabis, or the Ministry on the packaging, and seeds are wrapped in bubble wrap so that they arrive at the destination in the same good, fresh shape that they left the Ministry.

There are definitely some features missing from the Ministry of Cannabis’ website. More varieties would be extremely helpful, and lower prices would also draw more customers. However, the fact that they’ll ship anywhere in the world, and that they have some of the best strains available, should be enough for any grower or smoker to at least visit and see what the Ministry has to offer when trying to decide which seeds to buy, and from where.