There Ougta be a Law...or Why Chain Stores Shouldn't Sell Plant

Top 2. Jun 11, 2001 4:50 PM

» Treeman - Re: Walmart

In response to message posted by Kirk_Johnson:

Yes just about all chains seem to have the same problems...inattention to the details of care. I was much encouraged last year by Lowes, their stock seemed to be so much better and the care seemed to be improved....but alas, this year they are right back with the pack. Even to begin with they are getting in poor quality and inappropropriate material and the level of care is lacking as of old. So much wasted! I guess last year was the the year to improve the garden section and this year something else. Why bother to begin with if management is going to allow them to back slide. Well its their throat not mine.

-- posted by Treeman

Top 3. Jun 12, 2001 12:20 AM

» Kirk_Johnson - Fred Meyers

In response to message posted by Treeman:

In Oregon we have a chain of stores called "Fred Meyers". This chain is a bit classier than Walmart, but is aimed at people who don't have a lot of money. Fred Meyers has great garden departments. The plants are always in good condition, as soon as they start to look shabby, they are put on sale.

I have found a number of unusual perennials at Fred Meyers. There is a world of difference between Walmart and Fred Meyers.

-- posted by Kirk_Johnson

Top 4. Nov 6, 2001 9:03 PM

» cmborris - Death in aisle 7A

Hi Wesley,

I saw you online and thought I'd pop over and check out your topic.

I agree with your assessment of the chain store abuse to living items. My son worked at a major chain store and because of his caring nature the plants survived and the garden department was a pleasure to walk through but not now.

He's moved on and the new help - well - your article said it all. It is so sad.

Have you mailed this to the major culprits? They are losing thousands of dollars.

-- posted by cmborris

Top 5. Jan 21, 2002 9:59 AM

» ravenfairie - chain store plants

Hi! I'm joining this discussion a little late, smile

Here, up in Canada our big chain stores sell plants that do often look sad and wilty too. It makes my heart ache to see them and sometimes I buy them simpley because i can not bare the thought of them dying.

a number of them do often die after i get them home, but often with a little bit extra love and care they perk up and grow beautifully. I think they're just so happy to be some place better.

Just felt like adding my thoughts.

Anne Ellis
C. Editor ~ Shamanic Healing

-- posted by ravenfairie

Top 6. Jan 22, 2002 9:00 AM

» Treeman - Re: chain store plants

In response to message posted by ravenfairie:

Anne, what a Plant Angel you are. I bet the stores love you. I would.

Actually if a person is a careful judge, they can pick up some good bargains on the discount bench. Just wait out the store management then pick over the clearance plants for those that will respond to loving care. Definitely a tactic to consider when you need the pedestrian commodity varieties.

-- posted by Treeman

Top 7. Jan 22, 2002 11:51 AM

» gardengremlin - Re: Death in aisle 7A

In response to message posted by cmborris:

Yes, one person in a store who nurtures the plants can make all the difference! I travel 150 km. to a small chain store to buy my plants. We have the same store here, but the plants aren't good. In the faraway store (same plant supplier), even the end-of-season markdowns are healthy and vigorous. I have not lost a single plant.

The garden centre where I live is terrible. Every plant I have bought there died...even though they were well-watered and appeared healthy when I bought them, I learned from an ex-employee that the plants are stressed from improper watering previously. So much for patronizing local businesses.

One thing we do here is to find out from the larger chain stores when they get the plants brought in. Then we go the next day to shop. If someone in the local gardening club sees a truck unloading, we call our friends to tell them. Time is of the essence!

Walmart here doesn't even bother to sort the plants into logical groups. Marigolds are mixed in with perennials, vegetables with marigolds, so if you want to buy something, you'd better have all day to find it. The staff don't know a tire from a tree.

And watch out for the indoor plants they bring in. A couple of years ago, they had Norfolk pines at Christmas time. The pines infested the store with some weird tropical bug, and I can only imagine how many houses in town now have pest problem!

-- posted by gardengremlin

Top 8. Nov 4, 2005 10:51 PM

» kmunyer52 - There Ougta be a Law...or Why Chain Stores Shouldn't Sell Plant

My sister is a manager at a Home Depot in another state. On one of her visits here (California) I complained to her about the really sad, abusive treatment of plants at my local HD's garden center. She told me that HD didn't really care about the treatment of the plants one way or another because the garden centers were considered a "write off" as far as actual monetary profits were concerned. She said HD classified the garden centers as a "draw." As in drawing or luring the consumers into the garden center for an item with the high probability that they will stroll through the rest of the store and buy more stuff inside. She said that was the only aspect that HD considered profitable as there is really no money being made on the plants.

-- posted by kmunyer52

Top 9. Jan 10, 2006 10:01 AM

» Treeman - Re: There Ougta be a Law...or Why Chain Stores Shouldn't Sell P

In response to There Ougta be a Law...or Why Chain Stores Shouldn't Sell Plant posted by kmunyer52:

Wow someone is still reading Me? What a shock!!!

-- posted by Treeman