I, too, have talked lots of people out of buying lots of plants -- if they
gave me the least indication whatsoever that they were open to advice. But
I've also had
quite a few get truly huffy at the merest question that so much as hinted
that they might need some advice ...

It may be different up in Ray's neck of the woods, but down here, I deal
with a _lot_ of different types of customers -- among the true hobbyists:
some are novices, some have been growing since before I was born [1958,
which means they've been at it for a while]; and all in-between. [Most
novices tell me so, and I can usually spot the long-timers; it's the
in-betweeners that tend to get touchy.]

Then there are those not really interested in growing orchids
at all: those buying gifts (and as Ray noted, some of those gift recipients
have greatly exaggerated their orchid-growing interest/abilities to their
loved
ones -- I've had several similar experiences*); and some are buying orchids
as house decorations, realizing that even if tossed [or given the
housekeeper, etc.] after this blooming,
they're still a better value than cut flowers.

As Diana mentions, the setting is also a major factor -- it's not usually
hard to get a little rapport with folks who visit here at the nursery
[although there are (thank goodness!) some days when we have 3 sets of
customers at once, with the phone ringing throughout]; but some orders just
come in via the website.
There's a mail-to link there, for anyone with questions; I get lots, and am
happy to answer them. But if someone just orders Plant X on the order form,
I figure they know what they want. And then there are shows -- sometimes
it's slow and I have plenty of time to chat; other times, there are multiple
customers lined up ...

*The most disappointing, in my personal experience, involved a young lady
who was convinced that her mother was "an orchid grower." She and I spent
quite a bit of time on the phone, customizing one of our variety collections
so that Mom would get one plant in bloom, and then 3 others that would bloom
at different times of the year. I can't repeat Mom's irate phone call here
in
its entirety, but mostly, she was furious that "3 of these AREN'T EVEN IN
BLOOM." My sympathies really went out to the poor, misled daughter!

The bottom line being, if you are a newbie, or even an experienced grower
branching out into a new type of plant, SAY SO -- BEFORE you buy the plant!
I, and most every grower I know, will be happy to try to guide and help you,
even if you don't know the right questions to ask. But don't ask us to
guess your level of expertise or growing conditions just by looking at you
....

--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids

http://www.jborchids.com
"Ray" wrote in message
...
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