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Plants at Wal-Mart
I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to
look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Angie |
Plants at Wal-Mart
Angela Coffey wrote:
I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Two years ago, our local K-Mart had the same types of problems. But these mass-marketers live and die by numbers, so as the monthly and quarterly numbers come in, and one particular store stands out as having more losses and fewer sales than comparable stores, someone will have to answer for it. So maybe next year they might have some good, well cared-for pants. Or maybe not. ;) -- Warren H. ========== Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife. Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants to go outside now. |
Plants at Wal-Mart
Angela Coffey wrote:
I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Angie Yet another reason not to shop at the Evil Corporate Giants. Go to a local garden center instead. Yeah, I'm preaching, I know. |
Plants at Wal-Mart
ROTFLMAO.
Yeah sure. That will happen when pigs can fly. They pay wages that would even be insulting to a master gardener. It really wouldn't matter who takes care of the plants if those managing the store do not cooperate. You go and call the corporate offices. They couldn't care less. To them, the plants are a just a gimmick they use to attract customers. They simply write off the losses. There should be laws requiring a certain degree of minimal care to those who sell live plants. On the other hand, you can rest assured that Wal-Mart still sells hand guns!!!! Angela Coffey wrote in message ... I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Angie |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 18:53:36 GMT, "Cereoid-XXX"
wrote: ROTFLMAO. Yeah sure. That will happen when pigs can fly. They pay wages that would even be insulting to a master gardener. It really wouldn't matter who takes care of the plants if those managing the store do not cooperate. You go and call the corporate offices. They couldn't care less. To them, the plants are a just a gimmick they use to attract customers. They simply write off the losses. There should be laws requiring a certain degree of minimal care to those who sell live plants. And how about the same thing for those who sell live animals? I don't want to get into the conditions that obtain in so many pet stores! Talk about cruelty!!! Why isn't this more closely supervised? Answer: No money; but billions available to go kill Iraqui children. On the other hand, you can rest assured that Wal-Mart still sells hand guns!!!! They are the target of law enforcement for selling guns to felons. Their excuse: Untrained clerks. Yeah, sure! I just don't buy in Wal-Mart, period. Angela Coffey wrote in message ... I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Angie -- Polar |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 14:11:50 -0400, spampot wrote:
Angela Coffey wrote: I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Angie Yet another reason not to shop at the Evil Corporate Giants. Go to a local garden center instead. Yeah, I'm preaching, I know. I calls it giving rational advice. I go to local garden centers where I am known, treated with respect, cheerfully offered exchange-refund on request if plants/seeds N.G., and generally feel I am dealing with human beings instead of an "Evil Corporate Giant" (love it!) -- Polar |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 11:53:14 -0500, "Angela Coffey"
wrote: I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... If you knew what those employees are paid, and how they are exploited (forced overtime, no pay, for example), you might understand how they have no time to care for the poor plants. I think it would be way cool if you showed up with a watering can and pruning shears and went around caring for the plants; watering; dead-heading, etc. Have a camera crew from your local TV station accompany you. -- Polar |
Plants at Wal-Mart
I calls it giving rational advice. I go to local garden centers I'm very lucky in that our landlady apparently did a lot of business at a local nursery and the employees all know her and (more importantly, from my perspective) her yard and are able to help me out with different problem areas that I have had. :) Tracey |
Plants at Wal-Mart
Home Depot has the same results. They sell plants extremely cheap to draw
in customers to buy other things in the store and don't really care that the plants don't fare well. Lowe's Home Improvement was doing the same thing until last summer. They have now contracted with a company that has people water and maintain the plants. What a difference! I actually knew the girl who was maintaining the plants. We had worked for a local garden center together in the past. She knew her plants. The nice part is that Lowe's still offers plants at the same competitive price as Home Depot. I have a flower planting business and sometimes can get plants at Lowe's cheaper than what I can buy from my wholesalers. Again, it's a ploy to get customers to enter their store. So they can afford to lose some money or break even, if it means higher sales inside the store. I don't know if Lowe's is doing this nationally or not. This is in Raleigh, NC. Go ahead and vent to Wal-Mart management and see if you get some results. They don't know until you tell them. Penny Zone 7b - North Carolina "Angela Coffey" wrote in message ... I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Angie |
Plants at Wal-Mart
Thank goodness many of them were in prisons and torture chambers away from their parents when the bombs fell... On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 12:49:25 -0700, Polar wrote: And how about the same thing for those who sell live animals? I don't want to get into the conditions that obtain in so many pet stores! Talk about cruelty!!! Why isn't this more closely supervised? Answer: No money; but billions available to go kill Iraqui children. |
Plants at Wal-Mart
Funny, I went to Lowe's Friday - their plants were pathetic - went to Home
Depot and their plant were in great shape (Plano, TX). |
Plants at Wal-Mart
I bought a whole bunch of plants from Walmart last week from the Round Rock
store. They had tons of herbs and I bought a few flats of bluebonnets and some vines here and there. Mind you, I have no idea where they will go. I have covered about every inch of our property and every vertical are with plants. I have seen very poorly run Walmart garden centers in my time. I go into the manager and express my disgust both as a gardener and shareholder. At the same time, when the garden center looks good I go to the manager and give a compliment to the staff. On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 11:53:14 -0500, "Angela Coffey" wrote: I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Angie |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 12:53:24 -0700, Polar wrote:
If you knew what those employees are paid, and how they are exploited (forced overtime, no pay, for example), you might understand how they have no time to care for the poor plants. No, I don't. Please site how much they are paid and how they work for no pay. I'd be interested in the source for this information. I think it would be way cool if you showed up with a watering can and pruning shears and went around caring for the plants; watering; dead-heading, etc. Have a camera crew from your local TV station accompany you. Don't laugh. Way back when, I got my job at a garden center where I was a customer at first. I'd spend hours walking around the 10 acres cleaning plants, pulling weeds, etc. I did this because I lived in a condo and I really NEEDED to be on some land. One day the owner came over to me and asked if I'd like to work there and that's how I became a commercial grower. Talk about no money...don't get me started. I made money, but barely what I was making doing Weapon Spec work for the government. Back in the early 80's I was making 25 dollars an hour. I left all that to make about 10 dollars an hour, maybe it was even a bit less. |
Plants at Wal-Mart
"John S. DeBoo" wrote in message
... Angela Coffey wrote: I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. One of the superstores in Albuquerque has some decent looking ones - finally, but only because they built a fairly civil area to store them inside wherew they are protected from the elements. Went by a Lowes 2 weeks ago and they left theirs outside (very cold and in the wind that night) overnight. Pathetic looking little things. -- John S. DeBoo As a bit of defense for Wal-Mart, we have a great person in charge of the garden section at our local super center. I have know him for the past four years and found him dedicated to his job. When I look for him with a question or problem, I most often find him with a water wand in his hand taking care of the newly arrived acquisitions or older plants that need tending. (Most of the stuff moves so rapidly that it doesn't have time to dry out or die.) His biggest complaint is that the management forces him to contend with "bodies" in getting things done. I have purchased a lot of plant material from bulbs to fruit trees from this Wal-Mart and feel I've always received good product and good treatment. I made it a point to write several letters to the management regarding what a great employee he is. BTW, Wal-Mart has been an extremely generous supporter of local beautification projects in the parks and public buildings our area by the local garden clubs. Not all Wal-Marts are community pariahs. John |
Plants at Wal-Mart
Figures that butt kissing BJ would be in support of Wal-Mart. They don't
call him BJ for nothing. Did you kneel before the late John Walton? "BTW, Wal-Mart has been an extremely generous supporter of local beautification projects in the parks and public buildings our area by the local garden clubs." Too bad they pay their own employees little more than minimum wage and treat them like crap. They should clean up their own house first before kissing up to the politicians and their wives. B & J wrote in message ... "John S. DeBoo" wrote in message ... Angela Coffey wrote: I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. One of the superstores in Albuquerque has some decent looking ones - finally, but only because they built a fairly civil area to store them inside wherew they are protected from the elements. Went by a Lowes 2 weeks ago and they left theirs outside (very cold and in the wind that night) overnight. Pathetic looking little things. -- John S. DeBoo As a bit of defense for Wal-Mart, we have a great person in charge of the garden section at our local super center. I have know him for the past four years and found him dedicated to his job. When I look for him with a question or problem, I most often find him with a water wand in his hand taking care of the newly arrived acquisitions or older plants that need tending. (Most of the stuff moves so rapidly that it doesn't have time to dry out or die.) His biggest complaint is that the management forces him to contend with "bodies" in getting things done. I have purchased a lot of plant material from bulbs to fruit trees from this Wal-Mart and feel I've always received good product and good treatment. I made it a point to write several letters to the management regarding what a great employee he is. BTW, Wal-Mart has been an extremely generous supporter of local beautification projects in the parks and public buildings our area by the local garden clubs. Not all Wal-Marts are community pariahs. John |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 23:50:53 -0500, "B & J"
wrote: [...] BTW, Wal-Mart has been an extremely generous supporter of local beautification projects in the parks and public buildings our area by the local garden clubs. Not all Wal-Marts are community pariahs. They write it off on their taxes. They'd never give a dime otherwise, nor would any corporate donors. Reminds me of Charles Hurwitz, the Maxxam mogul who raped the Headwaters old growth forest to ship the lumber to Japan to make chop sticks to bail out his junque bonds. Many Web sites with links to details of the scandal. Here's a few: http://www.iww.org/iu120/local/maxxam.html http://bari.iww.org/iu120/local/Wagner1.html When the Maxxam scandal hit the news -- wow, is it ten years ago??!!! his rabbi in Texas came out with the same pious statements to the effect that Hurwitz was a model member of the congregation, supported the community, etc.etc. blah blah....while he's raping our national heritage. -- Polar |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Sun, 13 Apr 2003 01:56:20 GMT, animaux
wrote: On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 12:53:24 -0700, Polar wrote: If you knew what those employees are paid, and how they are exploited (forced overtime, no pay, for example), you might understand how they have no time to care for the poor plants. No, I don't. Please cite how much they are paid and how they work for no pay. I'd be interested in the source for this information. Try a Google search under key words such as "wal-mart employees". You'll get a gazillion hits. Here's one: http://www.pbs.org/storewars/stores3.html I think it would be way cool if you showed up with a watering can and pruning shears and went around caring for the plants; watering; dead-heading, etc. Have a camera crew from your local TV station accompany you. Don't laugh. Way back when, I got my job at a garden center where I was a customer at first. I'd spend hours walking around the 10 acres cleaning plants, pulling weeds, etc. I did this because I lived in a condo and I really NEEDED to be on some land. One day the owner came over to me and asked if I'd like to work there and that's how I became a commercial grower. Talk about no money...don't get me started. I made money, but barely what I was making doing Weapon Spec work for the government. Back in the early 80's I was making 25 dollars an hour. I left all that to make about 10 dollars an hour, maybe it was even a bit less. Now that is one helluva story!! Stand tall man/lady! You have major cojones, or the female equivalent, as the case may be. On your death bed (may you be spared for many years), will you be glad you did weapons spec work, or that you worked with living things that brought joy to yourself and others. You made my day! -- Polar |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 19:22:15 -0500, Kevin Miller
wrote: Thank goodness many of them were in prisons and torture chambers away from their parents when the bombs fell... I've seen obscene and I've seen obscene, but that one tops it all. On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 12:49:25 -0700, Polar wrote: And how about the same thing for those who sell live animals? I don't want to get into the conditions that obtain in so many pet stores! Talk about cruelty!!! Why isn't this more closely supervised? Answer: No money; but billions available to go kill Iraqui children. -- Polar |
Plants at Wal-Mart
The reason the plants are dead is because none of the big box stores own the
merchandise until you buy it. The grower is the one who must pick up the plants and take the loss. As to the few stores with live plants. The grower provides the store with a merchandiser to care for the plants. Just more loss for the grower. Last year growers that serviced these stores went bankrupt left and right. Three were here in my state and I'm sure more are to follow and maybe then they will see that the mass markets are not made for plants. BUY FROM A REPUTABLE LOCAL GARDEN CENTER is my best advice. "Angela Coffey" wrote in message ... I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Angie |
Plants at Wal-Mart
"spampot" wrote in message ... Angela Coffey wrote: I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Angie Yet another reason not to shop at the Evil Corporate Giants. Go to a local garden center instead. Yeah, I'm preaching, I know. I recommend Gray's Garden Centers in the Eugene/Springfield OR. area. (wife works there, ; )) |
Plants at Wal-Mart
Polar wrote:
BTW, Wal-Mart has been an extremely generous supporter of local beautification projects in the parks and public buildings our area by the local garden clubs. Not all Wal-Marts are community pariahs. They write it off on their taxes. They'd never give a dime otherwise, nor would any corporate donors. Why stop at corporate donors? Everyone gets to write-off donations. By your logic, no one would donate otherwise. Also, keep in mind it's a tax deduction, not a credit. If your marginal tax rate is 40%, and you write-off a $100 donation, you'll save $40 in taxes. But if you don't donate the $100, even after paying the $40 in taxes, you'd still have $60 in your pocket that you wouldn't have if you made the donation. So donating and writing it off doesn't mean you're saving any more money for yourself. You're still taking money out of your pocket. -- Warren H. ========== Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife. Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants to go outside now. |
Plants at Wal-Mart
Thanks for that unbiased testimonial, Scooter.
Too bad the only reason you recommend it is because you admit you are having sex with the employees there. I hear that's why BJ got involved with gardening too! john wardle wrote in message ... "spampot" wrote in message ... Angela Coffey wrote: I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Angie Yet another reason not to shop at the Evil Corporate Giants. Go to a local garden center instead. Yeah, I'm preaching, I know. I recommend Gray's Garden Centers in the Eugene/Springfield OR. area. (wife works there, ; )) |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Sun, 13 Apr 2003 16:56:27 GMT, "Warren"
wrote: Polar wrote: BTW, Wal-Mart has been an extremely generous supporter of local beautification projects in the parks and public buildings our area by the local garden clubs. Not all Wal-Marts are community pariahs. They write it off on their taxes. They'd never give a dime otherwise, nor would any corporate donors. Why stop at corporate donors? Everyone gets to write-off donations. By your logic, no one would donate otherwise. Also, keep in mind it's a tax deduction, not a credit. If your marginal tax rate is 40%, and you write-off a $100 donation, you'll save $40 in taxes. But if you don't donate the $100, even after paying the $40 in taxes, you'd still have $60 in your pocket that you wouldn't have if you made the donation. So donating and writing it off doesn't mean you're saving any more money for yourself. You're still taking money out of your pocket. No economist, moi, but I suspect things work a little differently for corporations than for individual donors. Does the name "Enron" ring a bell? -- Polar |
Plants at Wal-Mart
It's all about the garden manager. Some do their job, others don't
(or have a boss that won't let them). This happens in other stores too. On Sat, 12 Apr 2003 11:53:14 -0500, "Angela Coffey" wrote: I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Angie |
Plants at Wal-Mart
"Warren" wrote in message
news:%Egma.202910$Zo.37807@sccrnsc03... Why stop at corporate donors? Everyone gets to write-off donations. By your logic, no one would donate otherwise. Also, keep in mind it's a tax deduction, not a credit. If your marginal tax rate is 40%, and you write-off a $100 donation, you'll save $40 in taxes. But if you don't donate the $100, even after paying the $40 in taxes, you'd still have $60 in your pocket that you wouldn't have if you made the donation. So donating and writing it off doesn't mean you're saving any more money for yourself. You're still taking money out of your pocket. Corporations get a lot more financial mileage out of their donations, then regular folks like you and I get. Especially when they donate products. Remember they get to deduct the market value of their donations, which is full retail, not the wholesale value. Plus they get to put a sign at park, press coverage etc, all that say "plants provided by Wal-Mart". In effect tax-deductible advertisements. Sameer |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Sun, 13 Apr 2003 01:38:16 -0700, Polar wrote:
Now that is one helluva story!! Stand tall man/lady! You have major cojones, or the female equivalent, as the case may be. On your death bed (may you be spared for many years), will you be glad you did weapons spec work, or that you worked with living things that brought joy to yourself and others. You made my day! Well, of course I am far more happy to have brought life to the planet, than death. The parts I worked on were for Boeing commercial jets, not fighters. Weapon Spec is the quality of the assembly and soldering, etc, not necessarily assembling weapons. Either way, the best thing I did was take the job at the garden center. After years of trade shows, and such...I doubt I could do that work any more. I'd much prefer to water the pansies if I were to go back to work. Believe it or not, I've never hired ONE PERSON who knew how to properly water flats of plants or pots. V |
Plants at Wal-Mart
I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last
week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Angie Yet another reason not to shop at the Evil Corporate Giants. Go to a local garden center instead. Yeah, I'm preaching, I know. I calls it giving rational advice. I go to local garden centers where I am known, treated with respect, cheerfully offered exchange-refund on request if plants/seeds N.G., and generally feel I am dealing with human beings instead of an "Evil Corporate Giant" (love it!) Polar Personally, I love to go to the road side stands that we have along a few of the lesser travelled highways here in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. They have some excellent choices for bedding plants, and they take excellent care of them too. Most are grown on site (not all), and best of all, I find that the individuals who work at these places are very knowledgable! Besides, I can trade a banana box filled with Canna tubers for a hanging planter every year! :) Buzzy |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Sun, 13 Apr 2003 21:07:58 -0400, "Buzzy" wrote:
Personally, I love to go to the road side stands that we have along a few of the lesser travelled highways here in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. They have some excellent choices for bedding plants, and they take excellent care of them too. Most are grown on site (not all), and best of all, I find that the individuals who work at these places are very knowledgable! Besides, I can trade a banana box filled with Canna tubers for a hanging planter every year! :) Buzzy That's a great idea. I spend all my money at basically two garden centers. Both are in Austin. The Natural Gardener, and Barton Springs Garden Center. However, I buy annuals and ordinary things at the box stores. Both the garden centers I named are minimally 35 miles from my house. I make the trip about once a month all year. Annuals and stuff, Lowes or Home Depot 6 miles away. |
Plants at Wal-Mart
Polar wrote:
No economist, moi, but I suspect things work a little differently for corporations than for individual donors. Does the name "Enron" ring a bell? Tax accounting is as related to economics as driveway paving is to gardening. Enron has nothing to do with this either. And while the numbers that apply to corporations may differ from individuals, and the specifics of what is allowable, and what isn't may differ, the concept is the same. Deductions are essentially a reduction of taxable income, and a credit is a reduction of the actual tax. Wal-Mart gets a deduction when they contribute to a non-profit organization. None of this has anything to do with gardening, however. To get back to how this thread relates to gardening, what you find at any particular Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowes, or any other chain store in their gardening department cannot be universally be applied to the entire chain. It's questionable whether it can even be applied to the outlets in a geographical area, either. Merchandise may come into the store from the same suppliers. The format of the display may be prescribed by the corporation as well. But unlike a display of coffee, plants require care even after they're set out on the merchandising floor, and the quality of care they get can vary greatly from store to store. You can find mass merchandisers with garden centers cared for by wonderfully skilled professionals. You can also find local garden centers that make use of surly teenagers from the local detention center for their uncaring workforce. I'd never be so presumptuous to tell someone 1000 miles away where to get the best plants, any more than I'd be so presumptuous to make baseless blanket statements about what the motivates people or businesses to donate to charitable organizations. -- Warren H. ========== Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife. Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants to go outside now. |
Plants at Wal-Mart
Snooze wrote:
Corporations get a lot more financial mileage out of their donations, then regular folks like you and I get. Especially when they donate products. Remember they get to deduct the market value of their donations, which is full retail, not the wholesale value. Plus they get to put a sign at park, press coverage etc, all that say "plants provided by Wal-Mart". In effect tax-deductible advertisements. That's a far cry from saying that businesses only donate to charity because of the tax deduction, and doesn't explain all the cash donations that never even make it to a press release. -- Warren H. ========== Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife. Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants to go outside now. |
Plants at Wal-Mart
"Cereoid-XXX" wrote in message
. .. Figures that butt kissing BJ would be in support of Wal-Mart. They don't call him BJ for nothing. Did you kneel before the late John Walton? And there goes Asteroid-30 into orbit again. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury; Signifying nothing. Shakespeare said it eloquently! |
Plants at Wal-Mart
"Cereoid-XXX" wrote in message
. .. Thanks for that unbiased testimonial, Scooter. Too bad the only reason you recommend it is because you admit you are having sex with the employees there. I hear that's why BJ got involved with gardening too! Somehow I think that's has to be your problem Asteroid-30. You must suffer from a lack of loving/sex. Why else would anyone spew forth so much venom except a frustrated psyche? (Psych. 101) Good service or treatment is something that should receive commendation. Your verbal pollution adds nothing to this ng even though some think it's "cute." BTW, check the derivation of "cute." John |
Plants at Wal-Mart
"Phisherman" wrote in message
... It's all about the garden manager. Some do their job, others don't (or have a boss that won't let them). This happens in other stores too. Thank you for that note of sanity. The person in charge of our local Wal-Mart garden center is a quality employee who knows and loves his job. I make it a point to make a comment to the management when I receive exceptionally good service, be it from a waiter, a technician, or service person who does repair work at my home. Too many people don't live in the real work and think exceptional service is their due because they're the "Lord High Poobah." John |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Mon, 14 Apr 2003 00:22:12 -0500, "B & J"
wrote: "Phisherman" wrote in message .. . It's all about the garden manager. Some do their job, others don't (or have a boss that won't let them). This happens in other stores too. Thank you for that note of sanity. The person in charge of our local Wal-Mart garden center is a quality employee who knows and loves his job. I make it a point to make a comment to the management when I receive exceptionally good service, be it from a waiter, a technician, or service person who does repair work at my home. Too many people don't live in the real work and think exceptional service is their due because they're the "Lord High Poobah." John I agree. I would have said Dittos but your liberal heart wouldn't have appreciated it. ;-) zhan |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Sun, 13 Apr 2003 07:54:41 -0500, "None"
wrote: The reason the plants are dead is because none of the big box stores own the merchandise until you buy it. The grower is the one who must pick up the plants and take the loss. As to the few stores with live plants. The grower provides the store with a merchandiser to care for the plants. Just more loss for the grower. Last year growers that serviced these stores went bankrupt left and right. Three were here in my state and I'm sure more are to follow and maybe then they will see that the mass markets are not made for plants. BUY FROM A REPUTABLE LOCAL GARDEN CENTER is my best advice. I do, and I'd like to do it a lot more often. I just have a real hard time paying double or triple the price I can get elsewhere. I tend to browse a number of stores, including both garden centers and the evil giant discounters. That way I know what's available, what their quality is, and what the going rates are. I tend to buy from all of them. I've also seen some pretty sad looking plants at some garden centers, so its not just the superstores. I'm not sure how some of them stay in business. I guess that maybe after the spring and early summer rush, they've made their profits for the year. Can they write off plant losses? Swyck |
Plants at Wal-Mart
"Warren" wrote in message
news:10qma.176601$OV.257760@rwcrnsc54... That's a far cry from saying that businesses only donate to charity because of the tax deduction, and doesn't explain all the cash donations that never even make it to a press release. Small businesses donate because truly care about the cause, or want to give back to the community. Large corporations may have individuals that care about the community or cause, but there are always accountants, marketing and spokespeople, doing their job, to maximize the benefits. Large corporations orchestrate their behavior a lot more then people realize. Hint, have you seen any commercials for gasoline since this war started? |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Mon, 14 Apr 2003 00:22:12 -0500, "B & J"
wrote: "Phisherman" wrote in message .. . It's all about the garden manager. Some do their job, others don't (or have a boss that won't let them). This happens in other stores too. Thank you for that note of sanity. The person in charge of our local Wal-Mart garden center is a quality employee who knows and loves his job. I make it a point to make a comment to the management when I receive exceptionally good service, be it from a waiter, a technician, or service person who does repair work at my home. Too many people don't live in the real work and think exceptional service is their due because they're the "Lord High Poobah." Four cheers! Same M.O. here. I just got off a note to the cable company about the good service and friendly personality of the installer. No stats, but I fear that far more people complain than praise. Besides, I was brought up with, and can't seem to shake, this silly philosophy that one should always try to leave a situation better than before. (Confession: Many breaches of said philosophy, but always regroup and keep working on it.) -- Polar |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Sun, 13 Apr 2003 21:07:58 -0400, "Buzzy"
wrote: I went to my local Wal-Mart Supercenter (in Mount Pleasant, TX) last week to look at some flowers for my gardens. They were the most pitiful looking things I've ever seen! I almost cried! At least 3/4 of their plants (flowers, veggies, EVERYTHING) was either dead or dying. Seems to me they should hire some people for that department that know what the hell they're doing:( I'm thinking I may call the corporate offices and complain. Poor plants, didn't have a chance with the people they've got working there now! Maybe I should go work there, LOL! Ok...just wanted to vent... Angie Yet another reason not to shop at the Evil Corporate Giants. Go to a local garden center instead. Yeah, I'm preaching, I know. I calls it giving rational advice. I go to local garden centers where I am known, treated with respect, cheerfully offered exchange-refund on request if plants/seeds N.G., and generally feel I am dealing with human beings instead of an "Evil Corporate Giant" (love it!) Polar Personally, I love to go to the road side stands that we have along a few of the lesser travelled highways here in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. They have some excellent choices for bedding plants, and they take excellent care of them too. Most are grown on site (not all), and best of all, I find that the individuals who work at these places are very knowledgable! Besides, I can trade a banana box filled with Canna tubers for a hanging planter every year! :) On that same note, we are truly fortunate in my area to have four (4) farmers' markets every week. They are strictly controlled such that only "homegrown" products may be sold; no retailing of wholesale acquisitions. Also, over the years I have noticed increasing popularity of organic produce and other food items; percentage rising. -- Polar |
Plants at Wal-Mart
On Sun, 13 Apr 2003 22:28:00 GMT, animaux
wrote: On Sun, 13 Apr 2003 01:38:16 -0700, Polar wrote: Now that is one helluva story!! Stand tall man/lady! You have major cojones, or the female equivalent, as the case may be. On your death bed (may you be spared for many years), will you be glad you did weapons spec work, or that you worked with living things that brought joy to yourself and others. You made my day! Well, of course I am far more happy to have brought life to the planet, than death. The parts I worked on were for Boeing commercial jets, not fighters. Weapon Spec is the quality of the assembly and soldering, etc, not necessarily assembling weapons. Either way, the best thing I did was take the job at the garden center. After years of trade shows, and such...I doubt I could do that work any more. I'd much prefer to water the pansies if I were to go back to work. Believe it or not, I've never hired ONE PERSON who knew how to properly water flats of plants or pots. Uh, oh! Is there something I need to learn? What IS the proper way? -- Polar |
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