If you will look back, when David's name was first brought
up way back, I basically said the same thing as you are
saying below. This is not my first experience with a vendor
who is doing nothing but importing and shipping things on.
I actually make orders from these types of vendors every
few months. So getting plants that have been ridden hard
so to speak, and loosing some here and there is one thing,
but loosing close to a third is another. So I am being
objective. Additionally... so what about not paying up front.
Everyone thinks that is so great.. and I don't know why. I
personally would not appreciate the comments he left in
the ogres database for the first person who had problems
with him. Justified or not. Honestly my other vendors have
my credit card on file. I took a chance on them, and I would
prefer to pay when my order ships instead of sending a check
later on. Just because you do not pay up front seems to make
him think he doesn't have to provide the same service as most
vendors do. Namely, letting you know when an order will
ship. Not everyone has someone at home to bring a shipment
inside. My area gets HOT. Sure... he is giving a service of
doing the importing... but that doesn't make much difference
if those plants are lost.
Crystal
--
http://home.attbi.com/~xtals/orchid.htm
"Ray @ First Rays Orchids" wrote in message
...
Wendy,
I think you hit the nail on the head.
If you've ever imported enough plants directly, you're bound to get some
that are in great condition, and some that are horrendous.
Both George and David are providing a service by going through the hassle
of
doing the importing themselves, and the price you pay for that service is
a
bit of extra cash plus the additional risk of a day or two extra in
transit.
They also offer something of a guarantee, which I seriously doubt they are
getting from their suppliers, so part of their service is absorption of
risk.
Neither asks for money up front, and as there is a guarantee, it behooves
the individual to be strict in his interpretation of plant quality and in
his ability to resurrect abused plants.
I'll have to admit that I used to be quite disappointed with some of the
plants I got from George, and felt quite guilty about withholding payment
for the bad ones, but let's be a bit more objective: HE doesn't seem to
have any problem with that, so why should I?
As I've worked with both these guys, I've learned to categorize the plants
offered in terms of 1) how well they're likely to travel, and 2) how well
that genus tends to do in the cultural conditions I can offer. If I limit
my purchases to plants with positive answers to those questions and also
weigh the amount of risk I'm willing to take to get something special, I
have ended up being far more pleased with the result.
Sure, I've gotten a couple of sad examples every now and then, but it
isn't
that bad making a claim - it's all part of the process.
Another aspect of this whole situation is how personally we tend to take
our
orchids. It may not be unique to orchids, but how often have we heard
folks
whining that "my baby is going to die!" when it's a $10 Lowes NOID phal?
We
tend to personalize the whole hobby, including the purchasing
transactions.
Get a really bad plant in an order? Sure you're disappointed - I know I
am - but the buying and selling of plants is a business, so treat it more
business-like.
I won't try to defend the "bill collector" incident that started this
thread, as that's bad business, but based upon my own experience, a lot of
stuff like this begins with a misunderstanding, not the intent to cheat
someone.
--
Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids
http://www.firstrays.com
Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!
"Wendy" wrote in message
news:3ETBa.61231$MJ5.54173@fed1read03...
I put in my order for Madagascar plants about 2 weeks ago, so we shall
see.
I have also bought a ton of
plants from George Norris & find that buying plants that have been
shipped
here & there are always
on the touchy side. A chance one takes I guess!
Cheers Wendy
"femalestrom" wrote in message
news:KxCBa.794313$Zo.165245@sccrnsc03...
Eh... I think this is all the complaining I am going to do. I had
been stewing about the really poor level of communication
this guy had, and him doing the bill collector thing on me just
inflamed me. The thing is he wouldn't have to put out that
much more effort to make people happier. But it is painfully
obvious he is just completely disorganized. I can put up
with a few failed plants here and there, but a few things are
basically a hope and a prayer if they are going to be viable.
Oh well... he has plenty of competition. Maybe I am just
spoiled by the effortless transactions I do with other vendors.
Crystal
--
http://home.attbi.com/~xtals/orchid.htm
"Wendy" wrote in message
news:dnABa.59211$MJ5.37770@fed1read03...
Oh! oh! I think one of the most important aspects in buying plants
is
that
the seller/vendor informs
the buyer of approximate delivery. This is so easy on the net.
I ordered 5 Lycastes from John & no problem with them. They are
doing
great.
Isn't there some place on the net that customers can complain.....I
can't
think of
it off hand.
Crystal, I would send the bad plants back regardless!
Cheers Wendy
"femalestrom" wrote in message
news:BIaBa.1024957$F1.122700@sccrnsc04...
Sorry this is so long.
Okay... now I am bordering on ****ed. I've already decided I
am not going to purchase from him again, so please do not
offer this as an option. I have been trying to give this guy the
benefit of the doubt, but I just can not anymore. I have gotten
two orders from him. On the first order I lost 2 plants outright.
One the bulbs were so shriveled I knew that no matter how
much pampering it would not recover. The other blew leaves
within the first week. I figured... the shipping would cost 1/3
the price of the plants, so I would just eat the price. Yesterday
I tossed 2 more from this shipment. But he has recently
changed his "return anytime" policy to three days. It has now
been a month.
The last order I received on Thursday of last week. I've
already lost 2, and a third is not going to recover. Eriopsis
bilboa came with black bulbs. I thought this was the way
the plant was suppose to look until the leaves became
engulfed after 2 days. The other... the bulbs became mushy
within the same time. The third.. not going to recover. He
doesn't tell you ever when he is going to ship, so they sat
in the hot sun all day. One of those days it was still hot at
10:00, didn't get home until 8, and couldn't even finish
potting everything till the next morning. Did I mention he
has a 3 day return policy now?
Today.. he sends me an email saying he had not gotten
payment from my first shipment. Check written on the 24th
the day after the shipment arrived, cashed on the 28th. I have
a copy of it in my last bank statement.
Now I deal with a couple bare root import vendors, and
I have never lost so many plants. Despite ordering many
of the same types of finicky varieties.. In his defense, the
plants that have survived have done well.. but at this point I
have spent several hundred dollars, and he makes it pretty
clear he doesn't need my business. I would like to think
I do not ask for a lot. Notification my order was received,
and a heads up when my order is shipping incase I am not
home. Honestly.. his customer service sucks.
Crystal
--
http://home.attbi.com/~xtals/orchid.htm