Recs for Buying Plants in Bulk or Discount?
1steaky
2 years ago
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago1steaky
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Good Bargain on Bulk Bulbs...
Comments (16)Well, I'm a computer programmer by day, so I have no connection with Costco other than buying computer equipment there when it's on sale. Don't even own any of their stock. On the other hand, they should start charging my wife rent, as she seems to spend more time there than at home some days (oh, right, I've seen the bills -- they *are* charging her rent!) Anyway, I have no qualms about buying nursery products from Costco, or from Home Depot or Lowes. Their prices are good, and if you get the plants right after they come in, before they've had a chance to kill them, the quality is good, too. I understand that smaller businesses are getting squeezed by the big box stores. There are few nurserys who can go directly to a Dutch grower and order a couple hundred tons of bulbs, and like everything else they carry, the big stores get deeper discounts because they order in huge quantities. This isn't limited to plant material -- when we buy nails and paint at Home Depot, we're slowly killing off the independent local hardware stores. Smaller local stores complain about Wal Mart's predatory pricing, and do go out of business when one opens up nearby. I do buy products from smaller local stores, including hardware and nursery products, when my needs justify it. Sometimes I need specialty items; sometimes I need advice and customer service; sometimes I buy other stuff at the same time to save another trip; sometimes I go to the closest store and pay more to save time. The point here is that smaller stores and nurserys can compete with the big box stores, but price is one of the areas where they probably shouldn't even bother....See MoreWhere/when to buy plants on sale this fall?
Comments (13)I agree with Brent. Frost is so variable in the MAG area (at least here in the DC outskirts) and winter temperatures set in so late, that while my cannas and sages might be zapped in late October or mid-November, I usually have reblooming irises on my Thanksgiving table and two years in a row I've been out in shorts on New Years' day planting bulbs (in 70 degree weather; I'm no masochist!) Since it takes so long for the ground to freeze in the DC area at least, I find that most fall-planted things have no trouble achieving enough root growth to spurt ahead in Spring -- with the exception of mediterranean plants that can't deal with the wetness; they rot out from the crown. By the way, I'm writing this from San Diego, visiting my Mom; we're going to a couple area nurseries tomorrow to see what goodies we can find for both our gardens. But I've already snagged a gallon Princess Plant and a greggeii sage at Lowes for $3 each -- oh, those California gardens! Lynn...See MoreBulk Superhot Seeds Source
Comments (12)What kind of seed got thrown out? A few hundred seeds is really not that much. 10 seeds for $8 is a good way to get seeds for next year. What is your intention ? I have no problem sharing seed its a big part of this hobby. Post what your looking for and im sure something can be done here. You could just buy a few new new strains to share next year and get a pay forward now. Just remember your obligation next season. Im sure we will have lots of newbies in need of the same gesture. I personally did not buy any seed last year and this year only purchased Brown Mougas only because nobody had any to trade.All other peppers came from other members who received seed they desired in exchange. Love it when thing work out . Join the club you can share alot of seed with 100 plants. And save alot of $ helping others it a ++ all around. Got your seed dude just Email me My list is in my profile. I plan on sharing Brown Mougas next year . I would be a rich man if I could get 25 cents a seed. Greed and Gardening really dont go together [ too much stress] God gives us seed Pepper Joe is just a middleman cashing in...See MoreHow do dealers calculate discounts for package deals?
Comments (19)Amongst my work colleagues, at least, statements like "all generalizations are false" are part of a well-known joke. We say "all generalizations are false... including this one." Since two people (at least) reacted negatively, I probably should have included both the punchline and a smiley for those who don't get my sometimes dry humor. Sorry if it seems like I was flipping anyone off. I tried to show examples of sales tax being due and collected collected when one might think it would not, as well as the other way around .. so I was really only trying to make the point about generalizations being dangerous and often inaccurate. FWIW, I believe that MT and OR are not the only states with no sales tax... I think NH an DE (and AK) similarly have no sales tax. I don't know if local jurisdictions impose a tax or not, nor do I know anything about whether the jurisdictions in any of these 5 states impose a use tax on out-of-state purchases that are brought into the state. Obviously, a person living in these states have a different set of concerns than persons who live in other states. It's also true that some states have (like NY) have what I think they call "safe harbor provisions" on their tax returns. With these, you can voluntarily pay the state essentially an "estimated" use tax based on your AGI. These may not cover everything -- in NY I think it only applies to purchases under $1k. YMMV, of course .. .and I'm not a lawyer, CPA, or employee of the Tax department. The real point I was trying to make is that folks should 'never say never' or 'never say always' when it comes to these kinds of topics, since the laws vary dramatically from state to state. Finally, re: local vs. "internet" purchases -- Weissman is correct that depending on the individual (and the manufacturer), after sales service may or may not be a consideration. The macroeconomic arguments for or against local vs long-distance purchases are interesting. The conclusion is not obvious (to me, anyhow). The impact on the local economy is more obvious. This should be an incentive for "local" vendors to provide well-trained sales folks and competitive pricing....See Morelkloes
2 years agogyr_falcon
2 years agogobluedjm 9/18 CA
2 years ago
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