first post - again

Hi List
 
Here is a cut and paste of message one, seems I messed up!
 
Hi Tim and list
 
A strange point at which to burst out of the closet and say 'Hi' but possibly a subject near to my heart or, at least, bank.  Small nurseries in the UK: I run a very small one as a sideline (I design gardens and am obsessed with all plants exotic.  Well most, anyway.) and it is very much a labour of love; I certainly don't make anything like a living from it.  Possibly a self-funding hobby with enough left over to try a few stock plants out in the garden is the best way to look at it.
 
I used to send plants by post, but stopped this year for two reasons; cost effectiveness and Parcelforce. 
 
Firstly the profit margin for small nurseries is low on plants bought in - I have meagre facilities for propagating myself so rely on sourcing and buying unusual plants - larger nurseries that import directly have a different tale but for me the margin is very low indeed.  To wrap a few plants, box and label them and take the box to the nearest Parcelforce depot for posting takes too long and actually ends up costing money, if time is money.   This wouldn't necessarily be the end of the story, it is rewarding to distribute plants that are otherwise difficult to find for gardeners to then enjoy and grow.
 
The major problem is Parcelforce - a name that sends shudders down the spine of English parcel senders everywhere.  The largest and effectively the only parcel service within the UK, they estimate they will deliver packages within 3-5 working days.  Notice their use of the word 'estimate'. In reality 10 working days is, to them, acceptable and they won't accept any claims for dead plants unless beyond this time or longer.  This gives them a 3 to 10 day period in which to kick, jump on or drive over the boxes in their posession and the percentage of squashed parcels is unacceptable.  To not make profit selling plants that end up dead because of the poor delivery service or just simply abuse is soul destroying; the claims proceedure is obstructive and time consuming.
 
The options?  They operate a guaranteed 48 hr delivery service which is more expensive than using a private overnight courier.  SO plants can be sent by overnight courier at a cost of £15 for the first 10kgs.   This is staggeringly expensive but there are NO options.
 
I am terribly sorry to enter the fray on such a negative note, but feel an inside view would give a useful perspective.   Perhaps it is better to talk about plants, but this post is far too long anyway!
 
regards to all
 
Paul Spracklin
42 Greenwood Avenue
South Benfleet
Essex
SS7 1LD
England
tel +44 (0) 1268 757666
fax +44 (0) 1268 795646
website: www.oasisdesigns.co.uk
discussion forum: www.ukoasis.fsnet.co.uk
 
 
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