On the subject of mail order bulb problems: I once worked for Gardenimport Inc, and so I know that mail order companies are at the mercy of the bulb growers and suppliers. The mail order company places a wholesale order with a grower or supplier in, say, Holland, a long time ahead of receiving any retail orders, so they have to guess how many of each variety they will need, and pay in advance of getting any income. If the bulb grower has a crop failure, or the supplier substitutes varieties at the last minute, or sends the wrong bulbs, or customers order more bulbs than predicted, the mail order company gets the blame when the customer recieves no bulbs or the wrong varieties. Also, if the stock arrives late, orders can't be filled on time. Most mail order companies know that customer goodwill will affect next year's orders and will send refunds or credit notes to customers who complain, even though the company may be struggling to pay its own bills. It really helps to indicate on your bulb order that you will accept substitutes.
