That's it Mitch. You can order to the moon as long as you meet the requirements:

1-gallons are groups of 10, only. 10, 20, 50, and so on.
3-gallons are groups of 3, only. 3, 6, 9, etc.
5-gallons are groups of 2, only. 2, 4 and so on.
Anything 7-10 gallon or larger is 1 per order. Occasionally, the might have for example a Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Waasland' as one of many examples listed on their inventory (only what's "current" on their website) saying they have X amount of these in 7-gallon pots. You purchase one but they don't have a box large enough. They'll email you and let you know. Other than that, don't order on the telephone and submit all your orders online. The only time I call is when I wish to pay with a credit card. They'll send you an invoice after you order stating the amount is due prior to shipment (you select when you want your plants shipped, not them) - and that's it.

Dax

Let me explain further how the current availability works:

They have the most plants "available" during winter and spring. Right now for example, because I looked the other day, they don't have much available. Right now they're potting up plants that will be for sale winter/spring, or, they're going to have more plants available when they purchase them from other nurseries, after these guys have got their plants ready for next year to be sold. To find all the plants you want could take years, and probably will. I waited more than three years for Picea mariana Aureovariegata to be "Shown" on their availability list. So the trick is to log in often and view what is available.

There are no refunds, if something dies, move on with life. If you call them and ask for a replacement, don't expect to be a customer from that point forward. These folks are understaffed and have something like 10,000 people like you or I only ordering 10 or 20 or 30 plants at a time. They don't have time for little stuff -

And I neglected to mention that 4" pots are sold per (15).

Dax

Thanks a lot, Dax. That helpd enormously. Last question- I submitted an order before I found out about the minimum order requirements (I think I ordered like 18 1 gals and 8 4" pots). When I pressed submit I got an automatic invoice emailed and it said that a sales representative would contact me regarding my order. Is that normal?
-Mitch

one thing to expect.. given the price you are paying. ... is that there will be losses that the middle man usually absorbs ...

since i was paying 1/3 to 1/10 of retail ... I NEVER REALLY COMPLAINED ABOUT LOSING A FEW OF THEM .... CODB!!!!! .. cost of doing business ...

dont know where you are ... so i cant make any further suggestions...

ken

You also MUST be a member of the Conifer Society to order from Stanley and Sons. If you're not a member, I would join so you can order from them. It's sort of a benefit of being in the society.

If membership wasn't necessary, anyone could contact them to order whatever they wanted, at wholesale prices.

If this was mentioned, above, sorry for posting it twice. I just skimmed through the other posts.
Mike

As Mike also suggested prior when this question has been brought up ...if you're ordering 4" plants (15 is an order to clarify to your question above^ (you ordered an ODD AMOUNT - OF Needed quantities, that's why the sales person will be contacting you) - - when ordering 4" plants, ask that the gravel not be added to the pots - write it in the suggestions box or whatever it is... so you cut down your shipping price, significantly. I can't hold that it is true that you need to be an American Conifer Society member, however, you may ask. Hell, you can even tell us for that matter.

Dax

PS - When hey do call you and ask you if you can read, reply that 'yes, I've figured it all out' - 'there are certain "quantities" that must be met, regardless.' And if you really want to impress the guy, tell him 'I realize that you (Stanley & Sons) aren't capable of mixing and matching pot size and throwing/shipping them all in one box.'

See ya, What's the deal about being an ACS member if I can ask again.

Thanks

Dax

Placed the order- nobody asked if I was a member of the ACS, (which I am not).

There are a few things going on here that do hurt the nursery business. There are reasons that the vast majority of wholesalers do not sell to both wholesale and retail customers with the same pricing structure. Most of you are not wholesale customers who resell what you are buying.

I know I sometimes read comments on here about how retailers "stick it to their customers" and take excessive mark ups. That may happen, but retail garden centers are not getting rich. Next time you walk around one, look at the employees and calculate how much they cost the business. Consider freight charges for plants. Then look at what is still sitting around in the fall. Everything on site was paid for and the profit for the year is what you see sitting around. Discount it and customers become used to waiting until "fall specials", which helps kill the profitable spring business.

Many retail garden centers buy from Stanley and Sons, but many others do not. He has a great product for a great price. However, word gets around that he sells to retail customers for the same prices. When a retailer hears that, he stops buying from Stanley. He can't make money when his customers buy from the same sources at the same prices as he does.

Wholesalers set wholesale quantities for purchasers and don't much care whether or not you have a resale license as long as you purchase honest wholesale quanities, which usually means at least ten of each variety. Pick and choose customers buy at a different price scale since they are "cherry picking" or are actually retail people.

Wholesale nurseries lose money on sales to retail people, hurt their business with their wholesale customers, and waste a lot of time doing it.

Larry has been a good friend of mine for over 25 years and we do a lot of business with each other. I know his business has been hurt by not having a separate pricing structure for "cherry pickers". In many ways he has hurt my own business but since I do Coenosium Gardens as a sideline, he does not "take food off of my table". I overlook it because of our friendship. I do keep on his case about it in terms of how he is hurting himself.

As long as you are looking for bargain purchases, and Larry is willing to provide them, go right ahead and buy there. Just keep in mind that when you spread the information in an open forum and give all kinds of details about what is going on, you aren't doing his business any favors. I figure he sells to you as a favor or courtesy, not because he is making any profit on the sales.

Bob

Hi Bob,

I've been telling my local nursery about Stanley for years... evidently the guy probably never took the time to see what Larry's business has to offer, to him. I used to work there and when I became injured they asked that I strictly sell in the nursery. Previously I was installing landscapes and doing grunt work. When I made some sales that literally blew the roof off the house, and they discovered that I knew plants as well as the owner, I figured he might take adept a listen to my suggestion of Stanley's conifers. At that time, eight years ago, there wasn't a big business in conifers though. At least not here, there wasn't. As I left that job though, they started bringing in more and more conifers each year 'until' about four years ago I noticed they were bringing in 5' tall Pendula Bruns and all kinds of stuff like Rainbow's End, Sherwood Compact - plants that finally were being seen at least, here. Now, it's a big portion of his lot.

I'm the rare type that likes to walk a nursery and not buy anything though. It's leisurely activity for me. Although like with Coenosium Gardens I try to purchase at least one or two conifers from this guy as well as you, every year.

My point still being is that (if there is one) - he doesn't yet buy from Larry. All he'd need to do is have a truck stop at Iseli and load up/ then drive to Larry's and load up - etc-. Heck there are several nurseries all right there in the same vicinity. My only other pointed thought is that if people are purchasing trees, they are enriching their lives, and, the lives of others.

Your own points, are very clear, I should mention.

Best Regards,

Dax

Mr. Fincham

Doesn't help your business by coming on here name calling (cherry pickers) and criticizing members of the conifer community. Sounds like you're a little upset that COLLECTORS can actually get some nice specimens from Mr. Stanley at decent prices versus your overly priced stock that often accumulates your property. Or is it jealousy? I've bought plenty from you over the years, but NO MORE! I will NEVER buy from Coenosium Gardens again! You rarely post on here. Seems like you've RUDELY posted several times criticizing and attempting to justify your overly priced, small, 1 gallon conifer grafts. You come across as being bitter and arrogant. We all realize that Mr. Stanley sells to us out of courtesy and it's a privilege that can be taken from us. I'm very greatful for Mr. Stanley allowing me to order from him! Most of us low budget hobbyist, collectors, and American Conifer Society members wouldn't have many conifers if we had to pay your ridiculous prices for all our plants. Thank you Mr. Stanley! Lossen up and relax Mr. Fincham! Quit hurting your own business!

oo oo ee ee

OK.....I've got to jump in here now.

First off Monkeybrains you're a coward. I say this for two reasons...first, since you just registered yesterday I would assume you are actually someone else from this board and are too afraid to make such comments to someone who is liked by everyone on this site, under your real identity. That implies you have an alterior motive against Bob.

Secondly, without knowing him personally I'll bet Bob has all the business he needs or wants without needing to come on here to promote for it. So what he says, I'm sure he says from the heart and experience.

While I am one of those people that would love to buy everything I buy wholesale, I'm also intelligent enough to know I can't. And I look hard across the web to find the best deals I can before purchasing because that's good use of my money. But I buy almost as many things from my local retailers as I do online because it also has strong benefits in doing so such as guarantees, etc.

So I support both sides of the coin. I understand and appreciate Bob's position and comments. And I can see the truth in what he is saying. But like a lot of people who say they hate Walmarts, they still go there for things because it's good business for their family's budget. I'm sure Stanley & Sons knew what risks they took when they opened their doors to both sides of the market, but had their reasons for doing so anyway. Time will tell if it hurts them.

So if someone needs to lighten up here, I'd say it has to be you Monkeybrains. I think everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it shouldn't come at the price of someone else's reputation.

mark

Congratulations and thanks Mark......for jumping in...that is. You're awesome!

As for me being a coward? I've been lurking on the board for several years and never posted til now. As for real identity, guess you want my name? My name is Jake. Assumptions make you look foolish Mark.

Alterior motive against Mr. Fincham......nope! As I said, I've purchased lots of plants from him. I had a great job and could afford them then. I just think his post was a bit critical to us "budgeting" collectors. Everybody doesn't have great financial situations Mark! Without Mr. Stanley, I wouldn't be able to enjoy conifers at all.

So Mark....if you have nothing new to add to this thread except calling me names and putting me down......get into your Jaguar and drive into the sunset.....aka get lost.

Oh yeah....Sorry Mr. Fincham if I was too critical toward you!

Jake

"So Mark....if you have nothing new to add to this thread except calling me names and putting me down......get into your Jaguar and drive into the sunset.....aka get lost."

Man, is that not the pot calling the kettle black? ha ha

mark

Hi Monkeybrains,

You do seem to have some problems and react with a knee jerk over an inconsequential comment.

A "cherry picker" is someone who selects the best things from an inventory and leaves the more common things behind. It is a very common term in the nursery industry and not meant to be demeaning. Everybody "cherry picks" when they select from a wide variety of choices in anything. The problem with cherry picking in the wholesale nursery industry is that the special items that attract customers are gone and the wholesaler can't throw in some specialty things to his regular customers when they place a normal order. Since few of the people on the conifer forum are not in the nursery business, few wholesalers will sell to them because they want to be true to their wholesale customers and not undersell them.

I guess you never got to my last paragraph where I summarized my whole reason for writing in this thread. Stanley does not need details thrown about on an open forum about people buying wholesale from him. It hurts his wholesale business. Once someone comes on the forum asking about it, respondees should try to work with the person via email off of the forum.

Larry hurts my business but I don't care. There is plenty for everybody. Otherwise Larry would not have gotten much of his conifer collection from me. The same thing is true with Don at Porterhowse. I have always considered competition to be healthy in the rare conifer business.

On a personal note, if you don't like my prices and the quality of my plants, you can "stick it". I know I have more than fair pricing and I know that most of my plants are oversized. I hope that you don't buy from me anymore since you are obviously upset at the material we ship and our pricing structure. We do not want dissatisfied people buying from us.

We have a lot of very satisfied customers who have been buying from us for a long time. So we must be doing something right.

willio, my apologies because, yes it is normal for you to see a message after you place your order, stating, 'a salesperson will be in contact with you soon.' I got myself so wound up that I missed what you typed: "automatic invoice emailed" - it's not very often I get grouchy like that. Naturally, I had assumed you were asking me to re-write everything I had already written. I'm sorry about that. Do re-check your order each time before submitting it though, because I believe you can type in "odd" quantities while still being able to place (any) order. In other words, (not 100% sure) you can create an order that is not possible for them, to ship.

With Regards,

Dax

Not hard to see why Bob does not post here much anymore.

Bob is just telling it like it is. Which he is entitled to do. How many times he posts on this forum is his decision to make. I have to thank him several times for coming to my rescue.

Aside from that he is the go to man for rare and unusual conifers and a gentleman to do business with.

Keep them coming Bob.

Dave

I'll second Dave's remarks here. He hasn't been in business for over thirty years by selling common plants at 'ridiculous prices'. Go check his availability lists and price compare. Oh wait, nevermind, most of his stock has no other source. Bob and Diane have had a successful 'side business' because they offer:

Exceptionally rare and choice conifers
Exceptionally healthy and robust specimens
Consistent record of business professionalism

all at a strong stock/value relationship.

I've bought plants from literally a hundred nurseries but few keep me coming back like Coenosium Gardens. Nevermind that they are great people and of the 'ma and pa' style business which we all usually prefer.

I have purchased many plants from Larry, some for my display gardens, some for the botanical gardens I work with and some for retail/landscaping side business I run.

I've always considered it a 'privaledge' to be able to buy from Larry, and I've always had great appreciation for his hard work(and BELIEVE ME, he works HARD). I still buy plants regularly from Coenosium Gardens and other 'retail' nurseries. If he changed his policy overnight, I would understand and not cry foul. It's HIS business and I'm sure he had reasons for allowing the more 'casual' collector to buy plants from him. Bob has a very good point that the worst thing you can actually do is 'open the flood gates' to every joe off the street. This only hurts Larry and other, hard working nursery owners.

Running a nursery is really a lot like running a farm. It's hard work, profits are marginal and you're really often at the mercy of mother nature. All of us, from the weekend gardener to the obsessive collector should have a greater appreciation of your regular nursery. As Bob said, these people aren't exactly drowning in money.

On a final note, I wanted to say I've seen negativity on a high level 2-3 times since I've been a visitor of these forums. While that's hardly excessive I think people should step back and remember gardening is a happy, healthy hobby.

If you're getting irritated or enraged about an issue on these forums, I'd recommend you turn off your computer, go outside with a cold drink, enjoy your plants - and smile.

-Will

Hoo-weeee monkeybrains, you put your head in the hole of the table now! Ã

I've bought from Bob. Nice folks, he and his wife Dianne, who (or is it whom?) I had the pleasure of meeting in person in Iowa during an ACS convention. And by the way Bob, thanks for recommending "The Cultivated Hemlock". It was a good read for me.

I've also bought from Stanley. Met Larry at the same convention. Nice gentleman as well who gave free plants to all the first time conventioners (mine was a Cham. obtusa 'Chirimen')

I have valid reasons for buying from each because each brings a separate set of good "value added" qualities to the deal.

tj

WOW this a vicious thread lets all calm down here.I have bought from a lot of different nurseries be cause they have what i am looking for.I have not bought from Coenosium yet but i will because they have what i want and Bob,s prices are reasonable i think.I have bought from Porterhowse,Bethlehem,The old Collector nursey,Stanley,Bloomriver( thanks Will for turning me on to them)Girard,Whitny Gardens,Van Veen,Arrowhead, and a few more i can,t remember.So Buy what your are looking for not because of price and you will be happier in the long run. Peace everyone, Joe