A unique purchasing experience
3 years ago
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Comments (20)
- 3 years ago
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Experience with 'Box Store' purchases?
Comments (19)I've worked at two garden centers. The live plants, bulbs, etc. are often the same source as those found in the box stores. Especially the bulbs, etc. In fact, who do you think gets the first choice and best service when they make an order: the buyer from Home Depot who is making a 5 million dollar order or the garden center owner who is making one for 5 thousand? Don't be fooled by by labels and pots. Large distributors contract out to a variety of greenhouses, bulb farms, etc. There is a good coment above about the box stores not always being the least expensive. The biggies often average out their prices so the customer pays '4.99' (or whatever). This makes normally more expensive bulbs and plants more of a bargain and less expensive ones less of a bargain. There is an issue with what happens to the plants after they arrive at a box store. I'm sure this varies across the continent but Walmart is AWFUL...in contrast home Depot usually has trained horticulturalists. At the end of the day I'm willing to spend a bit more (up to 20%) to support a local garden center but not a lot more....See MoreUnique Garden Plants: Any experience with this vendor?
Comments (5)Haven't ordered from them, but based on the website I'm not eager to. Navigation is jarring, plants are pricey ($15 for common gallon perennials?) and there apparently is no way to check on shipping/handling costs until you place an order....See MoreA funny lesson for those trying to purchase a unique old home
Comments (31)We moved in two days ago Kim :) It's taken this long to get the internet working (and it only works on the back side of the house LOL) More work to do I guess. Thank you :) We do love the house and grounds, although the sheer size is intimidating as you think about cleaning it LOL More so as we've moved in somewhat. Probably more so after we have 20 overnight guests next weekend. It was the oldest B&B in the pacific northwest, (35 years) prior it was an apartment building and prior to that a hospital, and then the original owners had it until their deaths. (early 20's) We are lucky that the folks who did the big restoration in the 60's and 70's didn't follow current fashion (painting all of the wood for instance) and they were sensative to the home. In addition, when the bathrooms were added in the last 20 years (another owner who was also sensative to the house) it was done incredibly well, taking a few feet of space from each room, but integrating them well (some B&B's cheap out and put the tubs and sinks in the rooms). They will be easy to upgrade to more victorian features (is that an upgrade backgrade?) There are three buildings on site. One is considered the carriage house (but really is the base of a 3 1/2 story water tower we will eventually rebuild). The other is the original gardners cottage. They take up one lot and the gardens take up the other. Talk about intimidating...too much garden LOL And on top of too much garden...I have 400 house plants (maybe not that but five or six per room). The poor things are doomed in my care. I'm thinking of a sidewalk give away very very soon to save their lives! Poor dears...even my husband feels sorry for them. I tried to convince my mother that they are guest gifts and that guests (her) must take one each time they visit but she hasn't gone for it yet (I sometimes think if she were senile my life would be much easier...) Today we turn the old office off the kitchen (our future family dining room after we remodel the kitchen, but that's a few years off) into a play room for DS. I hope this grand old home likes thomas the train LOL Oh here's a funny....we get about a dozen visits a day asking if we have a vacancy! It was funny but is getting annoying LOL They want tours and won't always take "private home" for an answer LMAO. "Oh dear...no rooms? Well can we just see it?" No go knock on the neighbors house and ask for a tour heh heh Oh let's see...nope not a B&B (I'm not nice enough since DS was born and keeps me up all night) :) And how many bathrooms? Sigh...12 Do you think the B&B potential guests might think that the tour includes a once in a lifetime opportunity to clean a victorian bathroom? I might let them in.......See MoreUnique outdoor experience?
Comments (35)I love your inspiration photos and hope you get the advice of a carpenter, contractor or landscape architect before tearing it down. The structure looks strong and the wood appears to be in good condition, but I understand how photos don't show all the hidden problems. I wouldn't hesitate to do something with an open design, and with vines. Keep in mind there are vines that don't attach directly to wood and I wouldn't think rot would be that big an issue in your area. You just have to make sure the structure can support the vines you intend to use....See More- 3 years ago
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