Additional Rate and Review Forum

17 years ago

One rating and reviewing something outside GW, such as nurseries, instead of just exchanges made through here might bring in some traffic. The nursery evaluation forum at a another site seems to generate a noticeable amount of interest.

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Comments (16)

mrbrownthumb
17 years ago
Now that is one great suggestion.

And it would be cool if it wasn't just mail order but even some local independent garden centers for people who prefer to see what they are buying.
Embothrium
Original Author
17 years ago
Glad you agree. Thanks for your vote.
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FAQS for Rate & Review Forum, there are None
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Comments (29)
JUST MY OPINION... I am not really in favor of leaving someone a favorable comment simply because they followed through in sending an SASBE in order to get seeds. To me, it's like praising someone for coming to the dinner table and eating my food. And if we leave positive feedback for those who send out their SASBE requests, then shouldn't it follow that we leave negative feedback for someone who doesn't follow through? If that was the case, I'd be leaving negative feedback for dozens of people, as I'm sure anyone who has offered seeds for SASBE would as well. Though it's frustrating to hold seeds for someone who doesn't follow through, I don't really think it's an important enough of a matter to leave negative comments over. The whole concept of posting comments regarding SASBEs has other drawbacks. Last spring I offered a lot of seeds for SASBE, and one in particular stuck out. When I had looked at the person's want list, I saw she was looking for hardy geraniums. I found a few odds and ends, small amounts of several varieties, so I packaged them separately and included them as well thinking she'd be happy with the additional surpise. I was quite taken aback when she emailed me after receiving the SASBE and told me that I needed to read the FAQs, that "10 or 12 seeds was not considered a sufficient amount of seeds" and she would be leaving me negative feedback. I was stunned. Fortunately for her, she didn't leave the comments, or I would have responded with words including "ignorant", "selfish", and "ungrateful"... (Can you tell I'm still a tad steamed, LOL...) I think the sample comments for negative reviews are very good ones--Jack Webb of Dragnet would be happy with the "Just the facts, Maam" attitude. However, there are a few gray areas I am wondering about. What do you suggest regarding feedback if the trader sends mismarked seeds (ie, agastache instead of lavender); unviable seeds (such as sunflower seeds that were flat, white, and bendy, obviously underdeveloped); or a trader who waits until he/she has received the other person's seeds to tell them that he/she is out of several of the seeds they wanted and that they need to pick substitutes. I've always handled these matters privately. I know honest mistakes happen as in the first two cases--but the third example has happened to me a few times now (twice with the same trader--not going to trade with her again) and is starting to bother me as I feel it may be a bait and switch tactic. Still I'm not sure I'm comfortable about leaving negative feedback even in that situation. I'm sure it sounds as though I am focusing on the bad side of trading/SASBEs, which I am, but it's only because good trades and positive feedback are pretty self-evident. Kate
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New Rate & Review Forum
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i haven't been there, but i will check it out. i haven't done much trading since the swap last spring, i do gotta get in touch with Jody to get her some pots (call me if u see this Jody) - i will be doing good to have stuff ready for this spring....damn armadillos have been interrupting everything in my beds, but that is another post - another rant! :) And yes, I have gotten wonderful STUFF from both Terry & Tony - and lots of others too! I am gonna come in the spring as long as my niece/nephew's ball doesn't get in the way - but i may not be bringing anything back! :) I may just come visit.
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Anyone notice the 'Rate & Review Vendors' forum?
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Comments (6)
I saw it yesterday too. It is a nice feature, like the Garden Watchdog at Dave's Garden, but I'm not sure a forum format is the best way to do it. At first I even thought that it was totally unnecessary since there is the Garden Watchdog, but after I found out that Dave's Garden has been sold it wouldn't hurt to have two websites with this type of feature. However, it would be nice if GardenWeb invested some time and resources into making it a full feature and not just a forum. Hopefully if this new forum stirs some interest they will improve it later :)
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Rate and Review forum (for trades)
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Comments (3)
This worked for me. At top in Search Bar, type the person's user name. A drop list comes below, click in Garden Web. It will bring up all post concerning a user. Hope this helps!!
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mrbrownthumb
17 years ago
No prob, I think it's a really good idea. In the HP forum (and other "indoor" forums I visit) there are always threads about "have you ordered from XYZ?" and most recently there are some about ebay sellers and what people's experience has been. Setting up something like that other place would be a good idea.

I'll link to your post in a couple of places and see if more people will chime in.
Embothrium
Original Author
17 years ago
OK. Great!
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
I third the motion!
gabro14
17 years ago
Hi bboy. I posted about Ebay seller in the House Plants main forum, and mrbrownthumb sent me a link to this thread and asked that I post it here. So here is the copy and paste of it...hope it helps. If you want to read the whole thread thus far, just go into house plants forum and look for "buying on ebay" (I think that's what I named the subject!).
Gabi

"I've seen some questions on this site as to whether or not to buy from ebay. I've had some good experiences and some bad. I don't want to list the bad sellers, as I don't find that to be very nice, but I will list my favorite sellers in case any of you are interested and want to know of some good sellers:
Cowboyflowerman: Sells lots of hoyas and other plants. Great plants and well packaged.

herbs-mint-4-u: Nice plants (bought mainly hoyas from them), and nice plant accessories. VERY fast shipment (took 2 or 3 days from California to NY).

Professionalteam: Bought succulents from them. Very nice plants. They sell unusual cacti and succulents. They are also accomodating...a plant I received was damaged when it got to me and they immediately refunded my money, no questions asked.

Mosiac-world: Sells cacti and succulents. The plants look exactly as pictured (I think he sends the exact one as in the picture). He posts in spurts, but when he does post he has a huge selection.

Nanettealene: I only bought soil from them, but they sell plants too (Mostly cacti and succulents). They send a full flat rate priority box of great cactus/succulent soil for $19 (including shipping). It's great soil (contains tons of pumice, sand, and perlite) and especially great for those of us who are too lazy to make our own!

Shellfndr2003: Sells really nice succelents and cacti. Very nice to deal with as well.

Hope that helps. Feel free to ask me any questions, as most of the plants I get are from ebay, and I can answer you privately regarding who to avoid.

Happy Holidays,
Gabi"
karyn1
17 years ago
I think it's a great idea. I frequently check out nurseries and seed vendors on that "other site". Listing Ebay sellers, good and bad, is also a good idea.
Karyn
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
17 years ago
Great idea! Let's help GW by thinking of a name for it. Maybe we can come up something that the powers that be likes...and maybe they could/would give a prize for the winning name if chosen. Maybe Not.

Anyway, I like the idea, but wonder if it covered Ebay sellers, and others who don't advertise here, if there could be a problem with the paying advertisers who (I think) fund this site. Maybe not.

Sue
josh_ivillage
17 years ago
I think this is a great idea as well. We'll open a forum for this in the next few weeks. We have some things in the works for the Spring that will let you create some great guides that I think you will find to be much better than the ones on the "other site" ;).
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
17 years ago
What "other site"?

Sue...clueless as usual
remy_gw
17 years ago
Sue, lol, the one with the watchdog!
Remy
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
17 years ago
OHHHHHH...that other site. I've heard of it a few times here and there in passing.

Silly Sue
Embothrium
Original Author
17 years ago
Sounds like a plan, glad to hear it. Anything to increase the frequency of posting on the forums I check here would be welcome.
rusty_blackhaw
17 years ago
It'll be helpful to gardeners to have a place here to rate nurseries and other mail order operators.

That said, Garden Watchdog needs continued support as well. It's built up an excellent database showing long-term history of sellers that's really impossible to duplicate (G. Watchdog originally was two separate sites that merged some time back). It's been a great help to me in weeding out problem sites and picking good ones.
Embothrium
Original Author
17 years ago
Well, we can all use help in weeding. Just noticed new Rate & Review is up already. Thanks!
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
17 years ago
That was sure quick!

Thanks!

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Rate and Review Vendors

Additional Rate and Review Forum

Comments (16)

mrbrownthumb

Embothrium
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