[Pelican]

I've been solicited by a company in Florida called Plant Find. From what the woman describes it sounds like some kind of networking outfit and I'm not usually big on these things. Does anyone have any input on this company?

[Stonehenge]

I used to get a flurry of emails from them, but now I don't (probably put them into a filter of some sort). Looked through the website and I'm guessing the purpose is to connect people selling with people buying. Though I'm honestly not sure which category I'd fall in (selling my services, or buying equipment/materials for the services I offer).

[NCSULandscaper]

just another plant broker company

[site]

Look in the back of "American Nurseryman" magazine. You can find almost everything there.

[plantbroker]

It is indeed an online broker service. They do not however handle the money. They make their money thru charging an annual fee to access their site.

It really is a good idea, but I just don't know if our industry is ready to embrace it. I am a broker myself and have found lots of sales using this site.

I doubt this kind of business will really "take off" in the near future, because most everyone in our business enjoys the face-to-face contact. Who knows what the future could bring.

Andy C.

[Bill Schwab]

We have a local place called the same thing, servicing Orange, San Diego, and L.A. counties.

The problem is, anything they can get, I can get, and without the 15% fee. I get alot of plant specific specialty discount items, like 60" box olive trees, lots of specimen plantings, things like that.

I'm not going to rule them out if I'm in need of some item and can't find it, but right now, it's all at the touch of a phone, delivered the day we need it.

[Dale Wiley]

There was an outfit up here that brokered plant materials as well.

They wanted a 20% commission on plants they sold, ANNNNDDDD....

they also wanted a 20% commission on any thing we sold outside of their channels..



I near fell over when I read that on their web site, and then I had some fun with the dude when he called me up as well.

I can get anything I want within hours. Most plant broikers up here are just trying to sell an inferior product at an inflated price.

[plantbroker]

I have seen circumstances where a broker is selling the same product for 20% more and that has never made sense to me. We have found our niche by getting several brokers together and being able to find plants that are "hard to get" for a particular area.

We all travel so much we are able to pick up good deals here and there and pass along the savings. If I can make money selling a 3" tree for $95 and the landscaper is making money, then it truly is a win-win situation.

Andy C.