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Re: new ideas


From: Marty Wingate <martywin@earthlink.net>

I delight in championing independent nurseries and mail-order sources
for plants in my articles. But regularly I get taken to task by those
same nurseries saying I shouldn't write about a particular new (not the
overhyped new) or unusual plant because then people actually want to buy
it, and they haven't had time to get enough stock. So, could I please
check in with them about what I'm writing first?

Mary,

As a consumer I dislike trying to track down items which have been mentioned in a magazine article, but lack a list of sources. I crease subscribing to those that don't list ethical and reliable sources.

I have had editors tell me not to include a source unless I previously had contacted them and they could supply a specific number of plants. The number varied depending on the readership of the publication. The reasoning of the editor was they rather not receive nasty letters about the readership's inability to obtain the items. It was also understood that I would be placing my reputation on the line if the supplier I listed provided poor quality items, long delays in shipping, and generally poor customer satisfaction.

It is frequently very difficult to place a single order and be sure that the service and quality you receive is representative of what the average customer will receive. This type of networking between garden writers is essential. I sure would like to a centralized private database ranking vendor's products, customer service, and consumer satisfaction.

An ethical grower depends on word of mouth referrals and repeat business. There are enough small suppliers of specialty plant that do not grow and maintain a regular inventory of plants ready to ship. Delays of several months to a year can elapsed without delivery. Sometime a lot of effort has been expended in creating very professional web sites, but the underlying business practices are such that I would never recommend them as a source.

I personally believe we should make it clear when a new plant is being developed, but is not yet available for sale in commercial quantities.

Claude Sweet
San Diego, CA



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