I have received a few e-mails and comments from fellow nurserypeople about how hard it is to give advice to the customer, only to see them walk out the door to the local Home Depot to buy their recommendation. This is a common theme in our business. I know of one nursery that said that was the final straw in their decision to shut down.
Just for the record this irritates me too. That’s why I don’t carry or recommend what the box store has! I don’t have to worry about them walking out to get it there! It also fun showing people an alternative to the mass produced and hyped products. Now I know many, if not most nurseries and experts disagree. Yes, the national brands have a huge leverage on the buying public. I see the pallets of Scott’s Fertilizers going out the box store doors and realize my way is like fighting a tidal wave. Why don’t I just give in and carry these national brands?
I don’t know. There is a real argument for having the big names and your own smaller labels side by side. Maybe I can convince them to try ours, and if I don’t at least they bought the Miracle-gro and kept the cash flow going. It’s just that I like being different! That doesn’t make it good business sense. That just makes it me.
Hi again Trey!
We don’t carry the major brands either. We carry Mastery Nursery and E.B Stone, mainly. Rarely is this a problem. We are able to explain that its basically same formula, ingredients etc. as other one, just independent nursery brand, that we like better.
We uually always ask them first though if they have soemthing at home. I wont sell them one of ours if they have Miracle Gro or whatever already. Use that one up, then come back and see us next time. Im amazed how many people will go ahead and pick ours up anyhow….I think they like the fact that we arent trying to sell to them!
Comment by Tina — July 24, 2007 @ 10:30 pm
Tina, I think people are so tired of being sold to, that they respond favorably when you simply speak the truth. We not trying to sell to you but rather start a long term conversation.
Comment by Trey Pitsenberger — July 25, 2007 @ 4:11 am
I would like to see a group of small garden centers rise up against the Scott’s company and point out loud and clear for all of the pitiful, unsuspecting consumers to see; that Miracle Grow for your flowers and veggies, and Turf Builder for your lawns is “plant Heroin” that they are pushing. It is a cheap, synthetic fertilizer that kills the life in your soil. There are much higher quality products available, like Dr. Earth, which has added microbes and organic ingredients. I sell these and educate my customers. They appreciate the info. We need to be the whistleblowers. We are the honest, hardworking, educated group that our customers Love and trust.
Comment by Jodee — July 25, 2007 @ 7:26 am
Jodee, We just keep moving forward with our own organic products. The consumers we are trying to attract are noticing!
Comment by Trey Pitsenberger — July 25, 2007 @ 2:14 pm