WANTED: catalogue order split & swap? What do you think?

17 years ago

While browsing (again) my Vesey's, Wm. Dam and Stokes catalogues I had an idea. Why not arrange trades in advance from our 2007 catalogue orders? The idea is to order knowing that you're going to split the seeds 50-50 with a trading partner, who is doing the same for you. It's a variation of a bulk order, but we don't need to order bulk quantities. .

I can see several advantages to order splitting:

- we get named varieties

- we get fresh seed

- we can save money by taking advantage of the catalogue "volume discounts", especially with expensive seed (for example: 10 seeds for $4 ; 50 for $10)

- we may be encouraged to make larger orders (knowing that they'll be "doubled" through trades) and thereby qualify for free-shipping specials (i.e. Stokes $50 minimum, Vesey's $25, etc.)

- - we put the entire seed packet to good use right away-- less waste, less stale seed. Seed packets often contain far too many seeds to use (or trade!) within a few years. I'm not comfortable trading seeds that are more than a few years old. This way we can keep realistic "trial" quantities and the rest don't get wasted.

The details are a little sketchy-- perhaps some of you can refine these ideas and we can come up with a workable plan.

Here's how it might work:

1. Fiona and Phineas (along with other traders) post thier various proposed catalogue orders to a GW thread. Lists include vendor name (i.e. Veseys, T & M, Gardens North), the packet price and the number of seeds per packet.

2. Fiona decides she wants five items from Phineas' list. Fiona adds up the retail value of these seeds. She proposes a trade. Phineas looks at Fiona's list and, if he decides he's interested, chooses items that amount to roughly the same value of the seeds Fiona has chosen.

3. Fiona and Phineas agree on a trade, and go ahead make their orders to the seed houses.

4. When orders arrive, each splits (in half) the packets to be shared, and mails them off to the trading partner.

- arrangements can be made off-the-board, and when seeds on lists become "spoken for", traders can post a "list closed" notice

- "equal value" can be set at plus or minus 50 cents, or some other mutually agreed number

- this type of honour system probably involves a higher degree of risk than regular trades, because the seeds may be of higher value. But if you were going to purchase the seeds anyway, the risk is about the same.

- traders should do their research first, so they are ordering the "best value"-- prices for identical seed varieties vary widely

What do you think? Is this a harebrained ideas or would anyone like to try it? Have I completely forgotten something-- some crucial detail that will make the whole system a flop?

I'm looking forward to your feedback and ideas. If enough people want to go ahead, I'll start a new thread for shopping lists...

Bev

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Comments (6)

sharont
17 years ago
I lke the idea.
As an add on:
I also order from ORGS (Ontario Rock Garden Society) & NARGS (North American Rock Grden Society) and there are often too many seeds in SOME of the packages. I would be willing to swap a half a package of a species. The only problem is that I wont know if there is ENOUGH seed to swap, until the order arrives. (Sometimes there is only 10 seeds to a species). So I would have to list after they arrive. Which brings up the subject of fair trade value.
I believe each trader would have to acknowledge the trade being as close to possible a 'monetary fair trade'.
sam
bev_w
Original Author
17 years ago
Good points. Yes, some seed suppliers don't tell you how many seeds are in a package, so you really don't know the value, and you wouldn't be able tell in advance whether a trade would be fair.

I propose that items only be put on a list if the number of seeds is known, whether through catalogue information or, as you mention, by having already received the seed packet.

The "monetary fair trade" you mention can be determined in advance because traders can (usually) verify the retail price from the vendor's web site. If the company does not have an online catalogue, I'd just Google to see what a typical price would be.

I'm going to post two of my lists and see if this might work. If anyone is interested in splitting, just e-mail me with your proposed trade (at least three items, listing seed vendor, variety, number of seeds in packet, and packet price).

VESEYs
Variety packet price (seed count)

Verbena "Peaches and Cream" $4.90 (40)
Plectranthrus / Swedish Ivy "Silver Shield" (2 packets) $9.90 (20)
Linum Scarlet Flax $1.95 (500)
Osteospermum "Sky and Ice" $2.95 (35)
Mirabilis "Limelight" $2.50 (28)
Hibiscus acetosella "Red Shield" $3.95 (20)
Marigold "Lemon Gem" $1.50 (250)
White Robe Nierembergia $2.95 (count? prob. several hundred, at 6,000 per gram. Harris lists 500 per packet)

STOKES
Cerastium "Silver Carpet" $1.95 (500)
Delphinium Pacific Giant "Astolat" $3.50 (50)
Arenaria / Sandwort $1.95 (250)
Arabis "Spring Charm" Bletharophylla type $2.15 (150)
Silene/Catchfly "Royal Electra" $1.95 (130 - 150)
Helichrysum (Foliage type) Petiolare Minus "Silver mist" $7.15 (25)
Celosia "Flamingo Feather" $1.75 (50)
Brachycome / Swan River Daisy Purple $1.95 (250)

- - - - - -

If anyone is interested in these varieties, please e-mail me with your proposed split/swap, giving the same information. I'd appreciate a minimum of three items per trade.

I'll keep the board updated on how this works out-- and when a variety is "out" (i.e. already spoken for)

- Bev
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konne
17 years ago
I like your idea Bev.
My Thompson and Morgan Order is:
Aster Starlight Mixed 150 seeds @ .99
Dahlia Fireworks Mixed 75 seeds @ 2.95
Centaurea Frosted Queen 200 seeds @ 2.25
Pansies Can Can Mixed 25 seeds @ 4.25
Petunia Double Cascade Burgundy 25 seeds @ 4.75
Petunia Prism Sunshine 80 seeds @3.45
Zinnia Aztec Sunset 200 seeds @.99
Zinnia tenuifolia Red Spider 50 seeds @ 2.95
Sweet Pea America 25 seeds @ .99
Nasturtium Double Gleam Mixed 30 seeds @ .99
Nemesia Nebula Mixed F1 Hybrid 30 seeds @ 1.99
Sweet Pea Borderline 25 seeds @ .99
Aster chinensis Hulk 30 seeds @ 2.95
Thanks for your post, this should be interesting.
Connie
bev_w
Original Author
17 years ago
I've sent you an e-mail, Connie. The three I chose from your TM list are pretty much equal to the value of your choices from my Vesey's list.

This will work! Thanks!

Bev
origami_master
17 years ago
Bev, just wanted to let you know, Park Seed has limelight mirabilis 40 seeds for 2.50 but they are in the states, so shipping might even out the cost of the two
bev_w
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks. I like to use US seed suppliers only when the variety is not available locally. I didn't already have an order going to Park, so Vesey's is fine.

Plus, the Mirabilis will probably self-sow like crazy and I'll be drowning in seed next year! Wonder if it'll come true from seed, or revert to the usual foliage colour. I'm usually not a big fan of Four-O'clocks, but this one might look great even when it's not blooming. Worth a try.

WANTED: catalogue order split & swap? What do you think?

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sharont

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WANTED: catalogue order split & swap? What do you think?

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konne

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origami_master

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