Japanese and Siberian irises

Okay, you can color me confused ;o)

I'm sorry I'm confusing you Terry. Maybe I'm confused myself.

I guess what I was trying to say is that I did not see it as vendors violating the rules, as a DG person was the one who initiated the co-op. I see the vendors doing the financial, shipping, etc., which I was referring to as running the co-op. But I did not mean to imply I felt it was wrong. It was my understanding from reading the AUP that vendors could only not 'start', or organize the co-op. To me organizing the co-op, meant starting it, and running it meant the process after it was started.

I do not want to imply there are any trouble with the co-ops, nor do I wish to put the co-ops in jeopardy. I think I may have phrased it wrong, and I apologize.

My only intent was to see how we could get more attention to the classifieds.

Of course co-ops are a marketing tool for vendors. Why else would they offer them? The fact that co-ops are being used by vendors to market their merchandise does not negate the positive results of co-ops for DG members. Obviously co-ops are a much enjoyed member benefit here at DG, in spite of the occasional problems that arise with them.

As long as a vendor has a DG member willing to "organize" the co-op for them, I don't see as there's any violation of the AUP. Perhaps "organize" should be specifically defined within the AUP if there is some question about what is and isn't allowed in terms of vendor involvement in co-ops.

Terry, a $5.00 ad that pays for itself is still nothing more than a break-even proposition. I need a better return than that on my advertising dollar. At this point, I don't see the classified ads here at DG as a sound ad investment for me. If and when the classifieds are more actively promoted by DG and utilized by the membership, I will undoubtedly see them as a wiser investment.

Laurie

Okay, I feel like we're talking past each other.

In re: co-ops....vendors don't offer them - or at least they shouldn't. In theory (and in practice, in my own experience) a member decides to organize a co-op. They find a vendor willing to offer a discount for a group buy, and then they (the organizer) goes to the members (within the co-op forum) and find willing buyers. Vendors shouldn't see co-ops as a marketing opportunity - it's simply a large purchase for which they're willing to give a discount.

If co-ops are not being run that way, then there's a high likelihood there are problems that need to be addressed.

In re: the ads, I guess my point in asking you to consider running an ad is this: you're asking Dave to invest time and make significant programming changes (not to mention affecting the tone and tenor of the forums) because you fear a $5 ad might not work well for you. We've had about 300 paid ads in the last year (and probably that many were rejected.)

From the paid advertisers, we've never had anyone complain or ask for their money back. Most of the vendors who have run them have indicated they are very pleased with their return on investment (ROI), compared to other forms of advertising.

So my suggestion was to simply try it before making any assumptions. If the ad is a bust, you're out $5 and you have a better leg to stand on to request changes from Dave. (And let's face it: that's not a big investment as ad $$$ go - I paid far more than that to have a yard sale advertised in our little community paper for a two-day run ;o)

I'm more than a little surprised at your response, Terry. My understanding was that suggestions for improvements were welcome here at DG. I didn't realize that we have to pay money (more than what we already pay in membership fees) in order for our suggestions to be considered. Is that in the AUP?

Laurie

It wasn't that long ago that the format changed as we enlarged a photo that was posted and now we can read the post at the right hand side as we view the photo. I didn't realize it would affect the tone and tenor of the forums and can't envision how one line at the top of a page would be such a significant programming change.

There have been so many changes since I first subscribed, just two years ago, that I thought changes were part of Dave's constant improvement policy. Just look at the little things like the post number, the bullet lines that read "Mark as unread" and "The Irises forum" just as very minor examples. Index tabs have changed. The photo contest always seems to change to appeal to more people.

It's not the cost of the ad that is troublesome - not at all. It is the idea of promoting the Classified Ads. As bluegrassmom said so well: Everyone seems pushed for time and we cannot read everything, everyday.

I, for one, would love to be alerted to related classified ads. Is Dave saying this is significant programming time? Or that he has other priorities at this time and will consider our suggestion? I'd like to hear from Dave.

Thanks, boojum. I think we'd all like to know if Dave feels it's possible to have our alert system.

The classified ads system was created as a place where vendors could freely post their commercial notices to the members without pushing those things in front of members in the normal forums.

The way it currently works is great and I'm not going to change it. Many vendors have told us that they got an incredible response from their classified ad, and we're only charging $5 per ad (in other words, we're not making any money on this thing).

I have no absolutely no plans to change the classified ads system in any way.

I ran a couple of ads..............it is true that I received so much dmail saying, "please give me a heads up next time you sell plants".....................I think it is a great way for DG members to empty their overloaded shelves and they are priced in such a fashion that both buyers and sellers are in a win/win situation.

If DG classified serve the needs of the people on DG...............then, it works!!!!! I have already been told by several members of DG that they plan on doing just what i did. When you have a surplus of good plant material, why not offer them to your friends and growers of whatever you are selling?

I get excited even thinking about these other people taking out classified ads so that I can buy some things i would like and don't have. Trading is lots of fun, but then I am just adding more to what I have! (LOL)

I've bought plants from a classified ad and am very pleased with them. I do check classified ads daily, just to see what is going on. Ditto coop forum. Started doing this after I missed a couple of coops where I really wanted to participate.

As I needed to make room for new iris, had to -sob- do something about some other garden plants. I went to the Winnipeg garage sale site and sold them there, (after checking with Terry about using ebay and being told no way, in case I ever wanted to run a coop).

Edited to add: Don't think I would place a classified ad because it would only be for Canadians anyway. Cdn. postage is so expensive for ordinary garden plants that selling locally for pickup works better for me. As well, many plants are donated. It is a case of giving forward. A couple of years ago Cdn. DGers really helped our Guerrilla garden with donations, so am just passing it on.

inanda

This message was edited Oct 15, 2007 9:24 AM

I wonder it's time to change the rules. DG is owned by a company now. It provides
for all of us a forum but it benefits in more than fees. Without the contribution from this community PlantFiles and other services would be nothing. I don't see why classified adds
can't be mentioned. I for one would prefer to hear the opinions of others on the services and quality of plants.

DG is now owned by a company, but I am still given 100% latitude in making decisions on how the site will be operated. Strong-arming me into cooperating with your suggestions after I've already made my decision would be a bad idea.

There's no strong-arming going just a discussion. One way to give commercial sellers and DG sellers the same treatment would be supplying a HaveForSale link at the PlantFiles entry for both. I don't sell, but I do buy a lot. Watchdog is a terrific service. How can I find more about a classified add provider?

To find out more aboaut a classified ad person, go to their web site. Simple.
inanda

Forgot this was on the iris forum. Lets get back to irises.

And if you're interested in discussing vendors and sellers, you are welcome to do so in this forum and others. The only thing is that you can't promote your own products or business outside of the areas that are designated for that.

Thanks to all who posted.

Yes, Inanda, please let's get back to irises and the advantages of Classified Ads here at DG.

Okay. Here goes-I have enjoyed buying SDBs from laurief. As you know she has an amazing variety of irises and I love that they are from MN and very adapted to my climate! :))

Good point. It's also nice to have something from another DG garden - I hate saying I have a DG plot (sounds too morbid) but I do - for daylilies.

HA! (a DG plot)

DH gets a kick out of "The Family Plot" with named daylilies.

A "plot" ?Do I detect a conspiracy to make my gardens bigger than they already are? Heaven fobid! LOL

I check out the classified ads. I would much rather buy garden goodeis from someone I've grown to know and respect on DG.

This was the first year that I sold a few iris rather than give them all away to friends & newbies. I just put a sign in the front yard a week in advance & sold $350 the first day. (At $1 to $2 each for named cultivars) I'm building up an email list of "locals" to warn them of my sale next year. I still had enough iris left to send out 40 plus Free Newbie iris boxes this year. Addicting others is 1/2 the fun.

It is fun. Actually the plot ends up sounding, to me, more like a cemetery. A plot to entice people would be much more fun.

Congrats, Wanda! (And mighty nice to 'see' you again!)

Sounds to me like ya done good! Next thing ya know you'll have a chain of front yards selling "Wanda's Flowers"! Put me on your franchise list! :>)

Glad you are bringing in some income to help defray the cost of your habit.

Wishing you and yours the Best!

Shoe

Locals, how about your DG buddies? I would love to buy a few!
Just LMK about a sale! I am happy with my purchases from the classifieds. I also did well on my DG ad. Horseshoe, it does help on the flower funds. LOL
Teresa in KY

Horseshoe? Great to "talk" to you again!

The bearded iris sale was just an experiment. The darn things multiply so fast in my yard & are too pretty to throw away. I had thinned 50 or so clumps and had extra iris left. The sale was fun & I met 3 new friends who have since joined DG and our local gardening group. Quite a haul for one day, huh?

When I had far too many Hosta Plantaginea I asked a local person if she wanted any more since I had thoughts back then of selling them. She said she had one (I had given it to her) but if I wanted to "get rid of any" she knew someone who'd "take" them (as if I were giving away junk) but "not for money". I kept them instead.

I have trouble trying to give iris to my local DG friends--they all want to pay! LOL We all share alot of our extra goodies. I'm handing out extra lillium bulbs this month.

I had to laugh. When I mentioned I was selling locally, 2 DGers dmailed me asking to buy "the collection". Why not? Then the rest went into my "DG Newbie " Free Iris offer.
Nothing wasted.

I think I'll start taking names at my "Spring Iris Walk" and let them buy when I dig in August.
I usually get 100 people or so into my gardens enjoying the blooms. More come every year. I don't want to dig on demand, but they are welcome to choose from whatever I've cleaned out of the beds. With over 300 varities of bearded iris, something always needs digging.

I feel the same way with 2,000 daylilies! I should follow your lead and have a Daylily Walk in mid July. Good idea.

Most people only see purple or yellow irises. They have no idea that bearded iris come in so many heights & color combinations. It's fun listening to their amazement as they walk around the yard. Four Master Gardeners came in 2006 led by a DGer and stayed to talk. I ended up traveling to their county and giving an illustrated lecture on growing bearded iris to them in March. Power Point makes it so easy to do.

I just put a sign in my yard a week in advance of the walk. The word gets all over town. Some people even stop early & look since they will be out of town on the designated weekend. No problem since I'm probably out in the yard grooming the beds anyway. Others stop back a week or so later to see what else is blooming.

I always enjoy meeting other gardeners. And they always ask me where they can buy such beautiful flowers. Why not me, if I'm digging anyway? Not a business, just supporting my habits.

One local daylily person never digs during bloom time but takes orders for the Fall. Then his garden is left in its full glory until cooler weather approaches.

Jackie only digs in the fall that at her local "My Savannah". On the other hand, I can run up to Knoxville & Bob will dig a hunk of any daylily spider or UNF I want for $5 !!! Hard to come home with just a few....

I don't like to dig when a plant is in bloom but I've made exceptions for some people who haven't had the courtesy of even sending a thank you note. No more!

If any of you folks have a few JIs for sale at a reasonable price feel free to D Mail me. ( I dont think thats illegal.)

I'm being urged to consider it more and more for next September.

Since you brought up the subject of a reasonable price, what would you expect to pay?

For my two orders at one big online site I had to pay $25.00 shipping and that seemed steep to me. Would the two day flat rate box for $8.95 be acceptable to you or would you prefer free shipping with an order of $50.00?

pirl, have you checked shipping rates lately? They aren't cheap! And you're talking about shipping plants that have to be wet-packed which increases the weight and shipping cost of your boxes. I'd certainly be attracted to any vendor who offered free shipping, but I expect any such vendor would also have to increase the prices of their plants in order to cover the cost of shipping one way or another.

I personally think it's a better strategy to keep plant prices as low as you're comfortable with and then include a reasonable shipping fee (which customers expect to pay, anyway). Check other vendors who sell the same types of irises and see how they structure their shipping fees, then stay within their normal average fee range.

Laurie

The average of all my Japanese Iris purchased last year was $10.00. I'm not sure what the median was, but I would guesstimate $8.00-$9.00. The shipping was from $8.95 to $22 something.

I'm not even going to tell you how many I purchased.

I think $50.00 is too low for free shipping, maybe $100.00 to one address. It would be worth it to get a friend to go in with you. I am assuming you could preorder how many you wanted of each named variety. This would be a great way to purchase gifts for family and friends. I'm sure we can discuss it to death and get all the particulars ironed out before next September. So happy you are considering running an ad.

Hi pollyk, I might have known you'd be posting at the same time. My dil was so pleased with the two JI I brought to KY when Rob was burned, I'd love to give her more for Christmas and her birthday. We all know that Pirls are the cream of the crop, wipe off that drool.