The things you learn on ATP, Sue. Astounding, isn't it.

Those were some angry gnomes! Look at that distruction!

UndertheSun said:Big dogs (check)
Crazy weed eating chickens (check)
Iris gnomes (check)
and......
Man running after you in a pink tutu (check)

Just going over my list of things to fear at Tom's house.

I think that would be quite awesome to see in action. I would probably die laughing, but all the same.

Can't think of a better way to go, can you?

I need to vent - would someone explain to me why a grower would charge not only 10. for shipping but then another 11. for packing. ? That's
21. on top of a very high charge for a recent offering. For one rhizome.
I cancelled. Sometimes I need a reality check like that.

Say WHAT?!? The $10 shipping is pretty standard, even if only shipping one rhizome, but I have never heard of a plant vendor who added more 'handling' on top of that other cost. And certainly not 110% more than the shipping cost.

Sue, I hear that the gnomes love to eat a product called "Goper Rid" If you put a lot of that down their holes they will love you for it, and leave the iris alone.

Rob, you forgot the part about singing "Tiptoe Through the Tulips"

Jan, many vendors charge a small per rhizome fee to cover the cost of processing. It's ususally a lot less then $10. though. Anywhere from $.50 to a 1.50 usually. Some have minimum orders too, as it takes a lot of time to process and pack just one rhizome. So they don't make much on one. That's why I always select a few to come along for the ride.

Good news is you don't have to worry about the ukelele--it's all a cappella.

tveguy3 said: David, I don't claim to be a hybridizer, just dabbing in pollen a bit! But, so far I haven't made the same cross again once I have seeds, but that's not saying much as this is only the second batch of seeds I've produced. Of course if one cross produces nice one,s I might try it again. What are you doing over here in the iris forum? I thought you were strictly a veggie guy! But welcome anyway! This is a fun group! Your sence of humor will fit right in. Do you have any irises?

You got that right Debra, you know the insurance companies need to increase their profits by at least a $150,000,000. Each year!

Jan, I don't make enough money to insure my irises, I just have big dogs.

Ha!,

I'm so happy you caught the humour which is what I hoped for.
I do love Irises and of course bounce around throughout the ATP site here and there to see others garden beauties. Other then African and Walkers I have pitifully few gorgeous Irises to share as those sorts are short term here at best once even once June sets in.

Tropicals are us on the whole and Thank You for the kind words. I'll check in on you's guys every now and then to see what your up to!

Beautiful flowers you guys do grow and create up there in those higher lands! :thumbsup:

We have Florida Gnomes too, but I use Cats to keep them in control. (Mine are in at night but the ferels are fierce in the hood )

Our gnomes have names. Armadillo, Raccoon, Opussum, Squirrel. We also have the Hawk and really big Owl family which keeps them at bay a tad though!

Jan -- that aggravates me too. Packing an Iris is part of the expense of doing business -- don't charge me extra for it. Or if you do, add it to the price of the the rhizome so it doesn't hit me in the face. MidAmerica charges $1.00 per rhizome for packing -- I ordered ten rhizomes, they charged me $10.00 for *handling*. I'd much rather they charged $8.00 for a $7.00 rhizome, and used the extra dollar however they need to. Problem is like everyone else, they are trying to be competitive in the marketplace, so they don't want to raise prices.

For me -- I really, really, really wanted that bonus Iris -- *Dare Me* -- so I just counted that $10.00 as the cost of that rhizome. And for a 2014 Introduction, that's not bad.

Also -- most of the Iris houses that charge a handling fee are very generous with extras/gifts/bonuses -- so you're getting something for your money. Your single rhizome order would likely have increased to two or three Irises.

Anyone who ships anything should offer an actual shipping charge for any shipment before accepted. This should even be more expected from large dealers and business'.

Shipping charges are a part of the deal. If it were not for selling products through mail a lot of business' would fail.

Benevolence is a good thing and charities even have operating costs.
*************
The point being:........don't order anything unless you know the bottom dollar before you pay.

It's like those commercials for items that always offer the second "free one" if you "Order Right NOW!!!" (just pay separate shipping and handling!)

19.95 turns into 37.50 and they are sent in the same box!

I like doing business like Mary Ann suggested. Vendors just need to tell me what they want for the iris and give me actual shipping and I will order a bunch. If they are going to tell me I am getting a deal, or even competitive prices, and then they put fees on the end to raise the price I feel a bit like I am dealing with a 'snake oil salesman' and delete the order before I finalize the deal. I have even ordered the same iris from another dealer for a buck of buck-fifty more just because it was stated plainly as the cost with no additional fees. If they need to charge me for reading my emails or taking my calls or any other business service then I do not need to do business with that company. I know I am in the minority about this but its the way I do business. However, I will have to state here that the loss of my business will not impact any iris grower. Lol

Yes David -- those commercials aggravate the crap outta me!!!! Free my butt!!!!

My butts been free from believing in "The Perfect world" presented in commercials a while now! ...........and then some!

I

Mailing one rhizome costs around $2 First Class. Then add the cost of the person processing the order, the person getting it from the right bin, the person putting it in the envelope and printing the shipping label, and the cost of the packing materials. I dunno how that breaks down over thousands of rhizomes.

I am mailing out a pair of shoes I sold on eBay. They sold for 4.99. I charged 5.99 for shipping. Shipping in a Priority Legal Envelope is $4.99 (thru eBay's bulk rate). My packing materials are free as my son works at a surgical center and they throw away tons of sterile cotton cloths and bubble wrap that came with equipment. eBay will take 15% of my sales and shipping charge.

I got 10.99 from the buyer, less 1.65 to eBay, less 4.99 postage, less 1.57 for the shoes. I made 2.78. If I had to pay someone for labor and packing materials, I would have to hang it up.

So, I guess I would agree with putting more of the actual cost with the rhizome. One has to reflect the cost of property tax, equipment and every other thing it takes to run a farm. However, they are competing with others in the business who display at lower prices with the jacked shipping. Perhaps it would make sense to have flat rates for one or two rhizomes and then percentage rates for bigger orders. I dunno. Bulk rate postage for 1 rhizome in a perforated padded envelope is $1.93.

Thanks for the responses to my little rant, everyone.
I do understand about shipping costs. I mail fragile pottery around the country, double-boxed and insured. Safely.
It costs.
However, caught in the grip of iris lust yesterday, I succumbed to spending 32. for a desired beauty. (shakes head unbelievingly!!!).
I really thought my rhizome-ordering was over for this year, but I fell in love...and was willing to order just one - that is until checkout. $10. for shipping.
(ok) -AND $11. for handling! Bringing the total to $53. ! For one rhizome. This woke me up . No way !
If it hadn't been for the handling cost I would have gone for it. (shakes head again)

I'm caught up with my planting now, and am "tap toeing" as Jan pegged the words waiting for my next order. I still have 6 orders to arrive. NAPA order is in the mail.

Besides my shipment from the land of Guard Chickens ( ), I am in a long waiting pattern. So far the answer to ship dates seems to be "mid August." That is a lot of toe tapping time!

Got 2 emails today that my orders are on the way ! With one at the post office!