ONLINE BUYING TIPS
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1. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Amazing deals do come up online, but generally you do get what you pay for, so if you see that rare aroid for £5, do think before you jump, because rare plants don’t come cheap. Be extra suspicious and check everything out very carefully before you buy.
2. What you see isn’t always what you get. It’s easy to be wowed by pictures of houseplants, but ask yourself, are the pictures showing the actual plants that will be delivered? Some sellers will put up pictures of a plant that’s the eventual, fully-grown size of the plant you have ordered, rather than the size it will arrive at your door. Look for information about pot size, plant height and so on: good sellers should make it abundantly clear whether the picture next to a description is the actual plant you are buying or not. If it’s a cutting, are you buying rooted or unrooted? Will the plant be sent still in the pot or bareroot? All of these factors should influence the price you are paying. If it’s not clear to you from the website, ask the seller – a good seller should be upfront about all this.
3. Check the courier. Many houseplant sellers fall down not because of anything they have done wrong, but because the delivery company they employ to get your plants to you is unreliable. Check what company your seller uses, and investigate their reputation online. Steer clear of couriers who have poor reviews that talk of parcels being flung over fences. When buying multiple plants, make sure you know whether you’ll pay a flat delivery fee for all of them, or an individual fee per plant – this can add considerably to your bill!
4. Be extra-cautious when buying from overseas. Sometimes the only place to get hold of more choice varieties is a supplier outside your home country, but think carefully before proceeding on this one. All plants imported into the UK will be subect to customs checks and will need phytosanitary certificates from the seller, which cost extra. Delivery costs can be sky-high, delivery slow, and there can be unexpected roadblocks like delays at customs. Importing plants into the UK is not without its risks, and can be very expensive, so if in doubt, leave it to the professionals. Always choose a seller that has lots of experience selling overseas.
5. Reward great service with a five-star review. The best plant sellers build their reputation on excellent customer service, so if you have had a good experience with a particular company, spread the word online and offline.
