There was a time when the only place to get houseplants was the garden center or if one was lucky, the floral department of the local grocery store. Now, thanks to catalogs and the Internet, houseplant lovers have access to a wide variety of plants, including ones they might never have had the chance to own otherwise. However, ordering by mail or online does come with certain risks. Here are some tips to help make the experience a good one:
Research- Before making a purchase from any online or mail order nursery, it’s important to do some homework first. Visit the Better Business Bureau’s site and pull up their report on the nursery in question. It will include the number of complaints they’ve received in a 12 to 48 month period, and whether they were handled satisfactorily. Avoid any business with an unsatisfactory rating! Another good place to check out mail order and online nurseries is Gardenweb’s Garden Watchdog site, which holds a massive collection of user reviews for every nursery imaginable.
If the purchase being considered will be made from Ebay, be sure to read the seller’s feedback carefully. Take note of the responses, if any, the seller has made to the feedback received. Lots of name calling or rude remarks is a sign of an unprofessional seller and one who may not be willing to work with you if something goes wrong. It’s also important to carefully read the seller’s refund and shipping policies. Good sellers will either refrain from shipping during periods of extreme cold or will add heat packs to the box to keep plants from freezing.
Payment- The payment methods an online or mail order nursery will accept say a lot about them. Be wary of any that insist on cash or money orders only. These methods are insecure, untraceable, and the chances of getting a refund if necessary are low. Credit cards are the best way to pay due to their built in protections.
Presence- Finally, check and see if the nursery has a brick and mortar presence. There’s nothing wrong with those that are strictly online or mail order, in fact many are quite good, but those that also do a retail “face to face” business tend to be more reliable.
Buying plants online or through mail order can be a satisfying and rewarding experience, giving houseplant lovers a chance to purchase plants they otherwise may never have had access to. By following these tips and doing a little housework, the bad seeds can be avoided. Happy shopping!
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