[RHPL]

Well they figure that they are getting a deal if they opt to not take the warrenty. Arguably, the customers most likely to opt out of the warrenty are those that would likely take care of the plants either way. I suspect that the majority of my customers will choose not to get the warrenty, especially since so many of them these days have sprinkler systems. That being said, the plant warrenty still does not cover neglacted plant material. They still have to water it...

[mdvaden]

I can understand how you feel about guarantees.

We don't offer any. We only offer to do a good job planting and installing.

Since 1988, my customers - combined - have lost only about $500 worth of plants: all installations combined.

Really, plant losses have almost no excuse if the planting is done right, and the watering is done right. And that may even take shoving wood dowels into the rootball. But whatever it takes - it's available and that's what it takes.

When we offer an estimate, we point this out, and explain that the irrigation is out of our hands - that it's up to the homeowner.

And we either give them a hand-out, or point them to the appropriate advice page on our website, which I first wrote for my customers; with them in mind.

The result is customers taking a higher amount of personal responsibility, and almost non-existent losses.

They seem to like the idea of their plants being monitored and watered right without paying for the insurance, instead of the alternative.

[GLAN]

I've heard that optional 5% or whatever for a guarantee before...

Around me.......have to provide a guarantee........

I limit my guarantees depending on plant material..........perennials.....nothing at all through a winter.....plant stock and trees......Generaly about 9 months....That will take us through either a summer or a winter and once it goes past those extremes........either it will survive or it won't...I won't go through a second extreme season in the case of giving a 1 year guarantee.

Haven't done a 1 year guarantee in 3 years.........if asked.....Sure..........pay me more