Xref: kermit rec.gardens.orchids:50990

I don't know... I find this whole conversation silly. If you
do not like the AOS practices, don't pay the dues. If enough
vendors feel as you do they will change their business
model. If there aren't enough, you can either lower your
prices, or demonstrate you have over the top fabulous plants
for the price. Orchid sales are a cut-throat business. I'm
betting you have a lot more to worry about then the AOS
selling plants. There is a *ton* of competition, obviously. And
things will probably only get worse for the orchid vendor.
With all the complaints I read about the AOS, I'm surprised
more people don't opt out of AOS dues. Money talks...
and it doesn't do much good to just complain and keep
rewarding them for bad behavior.

Crystal

--
http://home.comcast.net/~xtals/orchid.htm
"William Hill" wrote in message
om...
(William Hill) wrote in message
. com...
Hi All, Has anyone noticed that The A.O.S. headquarters in DelRay
Beach is selling orchid plants at wholesale prices??? This to the
detriment of any commercial growers in the area. This passed weekend
they held a blowout sale!! They sent notices to all south Florida
Orchid Societies to the effect that on 10/11-12 they would sell plants
to society members at greatly reduced prices. (how much lower can they
go????) What makes this especially disgusting is that they timed their
sale to coincide with the Fort Pierce Orchid Society's Show. This show
was A.O.S. sanctioned and judged--so they can't say they didn't know.
Was this an attempt to hurt the Fort Pierce Show???? You can bet on
it!!! Are they slapping commercial growers in the area, in the face???
You can bet on it!! Another thing that is unethical AND illegal is
that they are using their TAX EXEMPT status to advertise all of this.
Orchid Societies and commercial growers account for most of the A.O.S.
membership. (not only do all of the above pay dues, but they
distribute more membership applications than anyone else!!!!! I am
told that Lee Cook is primarily responsable for this. TRY TO GET HIM
ON THE PHONE, OR TRY TO GET HIM TO RETURN PHONE CALLS!!!!! They are


Hi All, I AM OPTING OUT OF THIS DISCUSSION, BUT YOU ALL GO AHEAD. I
HAVE ALWAYS RESPECTED LEE COOK & THINK HE DOES A GREAT JOB---BUT I DO
NOT THINK AOS SHOULD BE SELLING ORCHID PLANTS WHEN FLORIDA CALIFORNIA
HAWAII & LOTS OF FOLKS IN BETWEEN (who are all dues paying members of
AOS) Have plenty to offer. I have personally looked at every plant in
the gift shop--THOSE ARE WHOLESALE PRICES. If AOS wants to have a
sale---let it be from Tues. to Thurs. (no conflict with any society
show!!!!)I meant no disrespect to LEE --Just wanted to be as emphatic
as possible about AOS DOES NOT NEED TO BE SELLING PLANTS!!!(NOR SHOULD
THEY) Bill
laying themselves wide open for a class-action lawsuit. I hope this
can be stopped, but so far the "Powers that be" seem to be thumbing
their noses at us "Little Folks" who are so dumb--that every election
time we blindly send in our proxies so that "THE BIG WHEELS" stay in
power & pretty much do as they please. If you want to contact Lee
---just tell the operator who answers the phone that you want to make
a large donation---He'll respond to that !!!!! Bill