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Replies

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  Nick Steele September 18, 2008 at 10:02pm

  Of course - send me a brief and I'll let you know what we can do....
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  Classic Gardens September 19, 2008 at 6:12pm

  I have no problem with giving other people work on this forum it shows the network is working.
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  Nick Steele September 19, 2008 at 7:23pm

  "Personally If I was the customer I would expect the paid 'desighner' to do just that."
  
  If I was the customer and was paying a "designer" to do my garden and they subbed it out to someone else, I'd be a bit peeved too. However, if I was a householder who was paying a gardener to sort out their garden, I'd only care that they deliver what I wanted; how they achieved that would be immaterial.
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  Tim Haywood September 19, 2008 at 8:03pm

  I am only short of time because I'm trying to pull forward the completion date at the customer's request. As I said, usually I would spec and source the plants.
  
  Besides, it's not as if I am tasking someone else to plant up a garden without my input. I'm retaining the final say over things and as ultimately it is my reputation on the line, I won't settle for second best.
  
  I think generally the assumption that a nurseryman/woman who spends their life knowing their plants is less able to come up with a plan than a 'designer' is a little pretentious.
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  Lara Warner September 22, 2008 at 10:48am

  I think there needs to be a distinction drawn between "farming out" and working with your plant suppliers to give your client a planting plan that is available dependent on their budget, requirements and most importantly your suppliers stock.
  
  We work closely with Steve and Tina from Plants to Go. They are able to make recommendations to us based on our client's brief and budget to provide the best possible planting plan from their stocks. This is a win win situation for all concerned - particularly the customer - who is able to enjoy a professionally installed garden with award winning planting.
  
  Whilst we obviously have plant knowledge within our company I have no issue in admitting that Steve and Tina have forgotten more than I will ever know about plants - it is simply about giving your client the benefit of the experience of those within your supplier network. It is no different than asking a stone merchant for a recommendation for a particular area of paving.
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  Nick Steele October 13, 2008 at 5:52pm

  I'm very pleased to report that as a result of this posting, Barlow Nurseries delivered a garden's worth of shrubs, trees and herbaceous perennials to Tim's garden in Nottingham, and hopefully by now, its been transformed! Well done Phil and Landscapejuice for making this possible. Landscape juice works !
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  Tim Haywood October 14, 2008 at 1:41pm

  After 3 weeks of hard work, and a few last-minute changes requested by the customer, I've just finished off the job in West Bridgford, Nottingham that Nick mentioned. I'm pleased to report that the customer is overjoyed with their new garden. Nick supplied c.150 plants for the garden and all were of a very high standard. It is refreshing to work with a supplier who appreciates a good quality product, delivers to spec and on-time and is not just interested with shifting stock. Thanks to Barlow Nurseries for helping out at short notice and to Phil for setting up this forum.