Anyone come across this company,Mail order trees, they are offering trees/shrubs at what appear to be a good price ,

Paul

I have a couple of fantastic trade suppliers in my neck of the woods who I hold accounts with however the client brought this site to my attention when I told him my prices.

He said his friends had recommended them after receiving good service happy with stock and so on

I am tempted to tell him to supply the stock he wants and I will give him a price for planting up

Time ordering stock, making sure all is as ment to be put a few quid profit on the stock price to cover and he will question

That might be why he is loaded and I am not.

*

Paul McNulty said:

I guess that if the customer wants to cut costs and is fully aware that it's firstly a mail-order plant they're getting, and secondly that it's a "reduced to clear", then it's up to them.

Personally I don't buy mail-order, as I've never found them to be as good quality, or anywhere near as good a price, as a decent trade nursery. You also get to collect the plants when you want them, and they're not sitting around waiting to be planted. I guess if there's not a trade nursery or decent indie garden centre near you that's a problem, but otherwise I prefer to have a good relationship with a local supplier with everything if possible.

You raise exactly the point I made. The client finds a supplier of "second-class stock, mailed to you so it can sit with it's roots drying out", and they try to compare it to your local supplier who offers decent plants with enough margin for you not to charge fees for collecting.

I'd actually refuse to plant this stuff. The client orders second-grade plants, you lose any possible margin on the supply, but you plant them, and accept responsibility? I can only suggest that you might be the one who is blamed if there are any problems in the future, and I think there might well be issues that will be thrown back at you. If the client wants to buy reduced-to-clear mail order plants then it's their choice, so let them plant them and maintain them. I'd refuse to get involved myself.

Replies

David Cox November 12, 2012 at 11:33am

Nurseries to me often have "seconds" for £5 - The reason for the price is they are often Root-bound or have dead "leader" stems, are leaners or have an "unattractive" form - they will take several years to grow into good plants, and will need abit more care.

The rootbound ones will struggle and will likely root - girdle themselves as a result - again will need sorting before planting on.
Paul McNulty November 12, 2012 at 2:17pm

I guess that if the customer wants to cut costs and is fully aware that it's firstly a mail-order plant they're getting, and secondly that it's a "reduced to clear", then it's up to them.

Personally I don't buy mail-order, as I've never found them to be as good quality, or anywhere near as good a price, as a decent trade nursery. You also get to collect the plants when you want them, and they're not sitting around waiting to be planted. I guess if there's not a trade nursery or decent indie garden centre near you that's a problem, but otherwise I prefer to have a good relationship with a local supplier with everything if possible.
Bespoke Lawncare November 12, 2012 at 8:15pm

Paul

I have a couple of fantastic trade suppliers in my neck of the woods who I hold accounts with however the client brought this site to my attention when I told him my prices.

He said his friends had recommended them after receiving good service happy with stock and so on

I am tempted to tell him to supply the stock he wants and I will give him a price for planting up

Time ordering stock, making sure all is as ment to be put a few quid profit on the stock price to cover and he will question

That might be why he is loaded and I am not.

*

Paul McNulty said:

I guess that if the customer wants to cut costs and is fully aware that it's firstly a mail-order plant they're getting, and secondly that it's a "reduced to clear", then it's up to them.

Personally I don't buy mail-order, as I've never found them to be as good quality, or anywhere near as good a price, as a decent trade nursery. You also get to collect the plants when you want them, and they're not sitting around waiting to be planted. I guess if there's not a trade nursery or decent indie garden centre near you that's a problem, but otherwise I prefer to have a good relationship with a local supplier with everything if possible.
Paul McNulty November 12, 2012 at 11:17pm

You raise exactly the point I made. The client finds a supplier of "second-class stock, mailed to you so it can sit with it's roots drying out", and they try to compare it to your local supplier who offers decent plants with enough margin for you not to charge fees for collecting.

I'd actually refuse to plant this stuff. The client orders second-grade plants, you lose any possible margin on the supply, but you plant them, and accept responsibility? I can only suggest that you might be the one who is blamed if there are any problems in the future, and I think there might well be issues that will be thrown back at you. If the client wants to buy reduced-to-clear mail order plants then it's their choice, so let them plant them and maintain them. I'd refuse to get involved myself.