I cannot tell you how many times I've talked people out of buying a plant,
and it surprises the hell out of them!

Simply, I'd prefer that they get a plant that's appropriate for their
conditions rather than get one they end up killing, possibly turning them
off to me and/or orchids altogether.

Then there was the time someone insisted that the recipient of their gift -
ten bare-root ascocendas - absolutely know how to care for them. (The
recipient returned them a week later...)

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

.. . . . . . . . . . .
"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
hlink.net...
If you order an orchid via my website (or visit my booth at a show, or
come
into my shadehouse, and select a plant), do you _really_ want me to grill
you about your growing conditions before I allow you to purchase it?

Even if you personally might prefer that, I can tell you from experience
that a lot of customers don't -- and some will get quite huffy about it!

Personally, I think it would be a good service to a customer to politely
ask
about growing conditions, at least if the transaction is in person. (Doing
so on the web might seem kind of cold.) After all, if a customer
purchases
something that will quickly expire after purchase, that does no good for
the
seller or the buyer. Perhaps a way to handle it would be to ask if the
customer needs culture advice for the plant. Someone who knows what
he/she
is doing will say no, while a newbie would gratefully accept, and buy
something else if the plant in question is not suitable for its intended
environment.

No, I wouldn't relish being "grilled" about my growing conditions, but
it's
not what you say, it's how you say it...........

Diana