RE: Plant Scout & Plant Files

Dave, I ADORE the addition of Plant Scout to the Plant Files! (I also ADORE DG!)

I realize that this is a new feature and will have "bugs/annoyances" that can be worked out. Two of these really "bug" me with the current information given. Just suggestions:

1) If the source only sells wholesale to nurseries, I think this should appear in their listing. I'm not looking for 72 plants, only enough for my home garden. It's just annoying to go to these sites, which often don't make this clear at first, find what I want to purchase, only to find that I can't buy it anyway, or at least not in that quantity. If they could just put the words "wholesale vendor only" or some such, I would know not to go there for my own needs.

2) It's really annoying to me to go to a site that is listed as a vendor for a plant, only to do a search that turns up 0 returns from your search, "plant not found," etc. If they are listed as a vendor for a plant, a search should at least indicate that they carry the plant, but are currently out of stock, or say that they no longer carry the plant. The inference given is, "We don't carry that plant, why would you think that we would?" It's no better than a random search of various nurseries.

I realize that it's hard to always be totally up to date on what is currently in stock, or on changes in decisions about stock to make available. But I feel that, if they are listed on Plant Scout as a vendor for a plant, they should at least keep that plant in their database and provide information about why they no longer, or do not currently, have it. It's a database discourtesy to their customers, but also to ours (DG's). It's a change they can make by simply adding a site address to formerly available plants until they update their info on "our" Plant Scout. I've had plants that showed 3-4 vendors, all of whom responded with "Huh???, What???"

These are just two improvements for the future of Plant Scout that I believe would greatly enhance users experiences with both DG's Plant Scout and with these individual vendors, many of whom we give high ratings in our Garden Watchdog.

Re: our Plant Files. Sometimes when I'm reading information given about a plant, I have a question. I know that I could go on one of the forums/fora and ask the question. But is there some way that users could ask a question about the particular plant on the Plant Files page, that would be reviewed and forwarded to the right experts/forum about that particular plant, with a DG email notification to members where to find the answer when it is posted, if it is of interest to the general forum? Maybe a small listing of suggested forums to post it to? More complicated, I know, but a nice service to subscribers, no?

DG is great like it is, believe me! I've just had these ideas when using these features, and thought I'd toss them out for you guys/gals to load and refire back at me!!! LOL

Thanks all of you for your wonderful work and assistance!!!

Hugs!

How is this supposed to work to send people to my trade list.
http:/davesgarden.com/trading/tl/kareoke

Judith,

At this point, I don't think we have any strictly wholesale companies in PlantScout. (I could be wrong, but I think all of the companies participating sell retail quantities.)

I agree that it's important for PlantScout companies to keep their lists updated - but we can only do so much in that regard. Your best bet is to send them a note and ask them if they carry an item you can't find on their site, but is listed in PlantScout. I don't mean to suggest that users become intentional nuisances to companies, but a few notes along the way will do a lot to prompt them to keep their inventory updated. Companies have the option of temporarily disabling any item listed in PlantScout, although a temporary out-of-stock is probably more hassle than it's worth (I can see it used more for the items that are out-of-stock for the season, but will assuredly be back next year.)

If they are truly drawing a blank when you contact them, there's always the possibility that they sell a plant under another name. For example, Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate' is also known as 'Blue and Gold' - if in doubt, you can check the PlantFiles entry for all known synonyms.

I'll leave your suggestion for PlantFiles for Dave to field ;o)