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  • From: becky watkins <beckywatkins2002 AT yahoo.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Re: Perennial/Annual sales
  • Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2003 23:39:41 -0700 (PDT)

Del,
I admire your ideas and your values. Sincerely, Becky
--- Del Williams <delannw AT dlogue.net> wrote:
> Katy,
>
> Just my 2 cents on it... but I think that being able
> to talk with customers and build a relationship with
> them is not only one of the best parts of retail,
> it's good for the business. It sets up a human
> connection. That is what distinguishes small
> business from big business. (Although I have to say
> that Wal-Mart's idea of putting elderly employees
> who know gardening in their garden centers is pretty
> damn smart.)
>
> We get a lot of young couples who come in to start
> planting around their first homes. They don't know
> much about plants or planting and they usually have
> a kid or two in tow. I usually take the kids inside
> and let them pick out an apple or a pear to eat
> while their parents wander around. But I spend a
> lot of time talking to the adults about their home,
> where they are planting, what they have in mind.
> (the kids go look at the goldfish pond...yep, we
> have one inside our main greenhouse... )
>
> These young and ambitious proud homeowners are
> really into making their yards look nice. So that
> extra conversation and getting to know their
> interests is very important. Not just to make the
> sale, but to make sure their plants are planted
> properly and maintained.
>
> Reminds me of some folks who came in with a grand
> plan. I looked at it and said, OK, this is what
> you're in for. Then, I said, our landscaper happens
> to be here today. Could you hang around for a few
> minutes more while I ask him for his
> recommendations? Sure.
>
> So he put together a planting plan for them at no
> cost to them. I sold them $300 worth of perennials
> and sent them to a competitor for some soil
> improvement amendments. You know what I know?
> They'll Be Back.
>
> Sure enough. The husband came back to tell me how
> he screwed up one of the plantings. Poor fellow.
> He thought that once the plants were out of the pots
> and in the ground he couldn't move them again. LOL.
> Oh my.
>
> This is where some respect for the customer comes
> into play. This is not a stupid young man. He is
> ignorant about plants and planting. So, I show some
> respect for his intelligence and offer him some
> knowledge.
>
> I suppose this is where the old teacher in me starts
> working.
>
> In sales of perennials or annuals, fruits or
> vegetables, your knowledge is something to be
> shared. It has value. Sometimes you can charge for
> it. As a market gardener, I could share what I knew
> about the use of herbs or vegetables in cooking, and
> in gardening. I gave out lots of free recipes.
>
> And isn't that what makes the difference between the
> supermarket and you?
>
> Isn't that what makes the difference between the
> resellers and those of us who grew and used what we
> grew for our own lives?
>
> If you are doing what you love, you can't help but
> share the wealth of knowledge you have acquired.
> Customers seem to play into that zest for the same
> thing.
>
> I think that very little of what I do is actually
> sales. It's connecting with someone else's dream.
>
> And if I'm dreaming, don't wake me up. Otherwise,
> I'll figure this is nothing more than a job.
>
> Del Williams
> Clifton, IL
>
> > _______________________________________________
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>
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>
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>


=====
"Before you speak, ask yourself: Is it kind, is it necessary, is it true,
does it improve on the silence?" Shirdi Sai Baba, Indian saint.

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