| Author | Content |
dave
Jacksonville, TX
(Zone 8a)
 October 31, 2005
9:50 AM Post #1848975
| There are a total of 274 votes:
| To look up a company's feedback before I buy
(216 votes, 78%) |  |
| To locate companies near me (using the ZIP code search)
(6 votes, 2%) | |
| To compare companies within a category
(10 votes, 3%) | |
| To browse for companies in a specific country or state/province
(9 votes, 3%) | |
| To contact companies (request catalogs or...?)
(5 votes, 1%) | |
| To see which companies are affiliated
(3 votes, 1%) | |
| I'd use the Watchdog more if... [please share your suggestions for improvement]
(3 votes, 1%) | |
| I prefer another directory over the Watchdog (which one, and why?)
(0 votes, 0%) | |
| What's the Garden Watchdog?
(22 votes, 8%) | |
|
Previous Polls |
Gwendalou
Langley, WA
(Zone 7b)
October 31, 2005
10:01 AM Post #1848987
| I don't use it too often but have found it helpful when I did.
Gwendalou |
ginnylynn
Blyth, ON
(Zone 5b)
October 31, 2005
10:41 AM Post #1849060
| A company's rating information helps me to make decisions about what/if I will purchase from them. Even with a relatively low rating, I may still purchase from a company if it is something no one else has, I would like to try it, but it isn't important enough to me to matter if it doesn't work out. If I look them up and make the decision to purchase anyway in the face of a poor rating, then I don't end up disappointed. Win-win! --Ginny |
GardenGeek_WI
Central, WI
(Zone 4a)
October 31, 2005
11:25 AM Post #1849127
| I use it the most to look up ratings b4 I buy,,,however I use it various other ways also. It's one of the great tools we have here on DG.
Kelly |
flowerfrenzy
Vancouver, WA
(Zone 7a)
October 31, 2005
11:54 AM Post #1849177
| I look up the rating before I buy from a company. I have found that the companies with the best ratings have given me the best customer service. I make sure to add my own rating for companies I've used, as well as add new companies that aren't in the database. I've found the Garden Watchdog to be a great resource! |
salvia_lover
Modi'in
(Israel)
October 31, 2005
12:37 PM Post #1849255
| I'd use the Watchdog more if... I actually bought plants or seeds online. I'm sure I would buy online if I lived in the States. But as it is, buying online isn't very realistic.
-Julie |
Kelli
Los Angeles (Canoga , CA
(Zone 10a)
October 31, 2005
1:00 PM Post #1849313
| I don't use it a lot because I don't buy a lot, but if I am looking for something that I can't find from sources that I trust, I will use it to look up sellers with good ratings. |
sadie_mae
Central, KY
(Zone 6b)
October 31, 2005
1:01 PM Post #1849315
| I always use it to look up a new company before I buy. I also use it to find companies in certain categories and those located close to me. |
Karrie20x
Spokane, WA
(Zone 6a)
October 31, 2005
3:37 PM Post #1849531
| wow - look at that vote! mine is in the top long one as well - I love the Garden Watchdog - it's helped me save time and money by finding out what others have to say about their experiences with a company before purchasing. |
scooterbug
TwinLakes,WI Athens, TN
(Zone 7a)
October 31, 2005
5:10 PM Post #1849697
| Garden Watchdog was one of the things I checked daily for new entries. ... That was back when we were getting the DG newsletter via personal Email.
Ever since that service was stopped I seldom think of coming here to pull up the Newsletter anymore.
Outta Sight - Outta Mind.
Sure wish DG would reinstated the sending of the News letters ;-D |
MitchF
Lindsay, OK
(Zone 7a)
October 31, 2005
5:47 PM Post #1849747
| If I never see any negs or it is not in there I asume it is safe to buy from. The negs are the best part - they give you the real view of the place.
Mitch |
Zarebeth
Circle Pines, MN
(Zone 4b)
October 31, 2005
11:45 PM Post #1850421
| I used the Garden Watchdog for about a year before I joined, and I joined because I was so impressed with that and the PlantFiles section. Never regretted it for a moment, and will re-up membership as soon as it runs out!
|
scutler
Charleston, SC
(Zone 8b)
October 31, 2005
11:47 PM Post #1850425
| In addition to checking ratings on specific vendors, I use it to find new companies that (1) have high ratings and/or (2) offer a particular item for which I am looking. Last year while browsing the top 20 list, I found and placed orders with at least 4 new companies of which I was previously unaware.
So, I use it not only to check up on companies, but also to shop for companies (i.e., by rating, area of specialization, etc)
This message was edited Oct 31, 2005 11:51 PM |
SudieGoodman
Broaddus, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 1, 2005
6:34 AM Post #1850634
| Zone 8b, Broaddus, Southeast, TX
Garden Watchdog, along with all of DG's programs, are useful, informtive, and most appreciated.
Keep up the good work, guys and Happy gardening
Sudie |
mickgene
Linden, VA
(Zone 6a)
November 1, 2005
7:19 AM Post #1850664
| The Watchdog is how I initially came to know DG. Although I had googled and often come up with DG results when researching plants, I never took it any further until I'd used the Watchdog and been very impressed. I primarily use it to filter out the companies with poor customer service before buying; but having seen both improvements and degradations in various companies' GW ratings over time, I will check out a company's rating before re-ordering from them just to be sure there haven't been any significant changes since my last order (or to see if somebody's improvement makes me willing to try them out at a later date.) |
carrielamont
Milton, MA
(Zone 6a)
November 1, 2005
11:17 AM Post #1851015
| The Watchdog brought me to DG initially. Finding that my own bad transactions were not due to black thumb (?) or inexperience, but were shared by good and bad gardeners alike, made me trust my own instincts more. Finding the companies I had decided to trust on my own listed in the TOP THIRTY made me join!
xxx Carrie |
fancyvan
Calgary, AB
(Zone 3a)
November 1, 2005
2:13 PM Post #1851337
| I already have some favorite reliable companies before I joined here a couple of months ago - but I would use Gardeb Watchdog if I was ordering from a company that was not familiar to me or recommended by a fellow gardner. |
McGlory
Southeast, NE
(Zone 5a)
November 1, 2005
6:49 PM Post #1851881
| I voted for looking up rating before I buy, but I also use it to find companies and browse their sites. It's much more effective than Google. When I see a company in Watchdog I'm unfamiliar with, I will check out their website if it has a good rating. As a result, I have many more options to shop from and do some bargain-hunting.
This message was edited Nov 1, 2005 5:49 PM |
LucasCatChow
Tulsa, OK
November 1, 2005
8:02 PM Post #1852034
| I'd like to find out which companies have paper catalogs without having to call them. Some of the sources listed on Daves have a notation that they have a catalog (which means paper to me), others don't mention it. Does that mean they don't have one, Dave doesn't know if they have one, or someone forgot to write it down? How about a price list available SASE? That's not mentioned either. Not everyone wants to spend hours with a kinked neck peering through bifocals at line after line of daylilies (for example) on the computer. It would be so helpful if Daves mentioned who did or did not have a printed catalog (and a notation if none was available) or even an SASE price list. That would be first rate! |
Jazzpunkin
Springfield, OH
(Zone 5b)
November 1, 2005
8:50 PM Post #1852130
| I like checking out a company's rating before I buy. It's good to hear people's personal experiences and thoughts about different places. I always look first |
gomyway
Bancroft, MI
November 1, 2005
9:10 PM Post #1852160
| I like to keep track of the ratings posted for the companies I am interested in. I order from a few catalogs and look up their rating entries to see what people are saying about them each year. Also, I second Scutler's use. It's a great resource for finding new companies that sell gardening supplies. I tried a new company this year that I first saw as an advertiser on Dave's Garden, then checked out their company information in the Garden Watchdog. The company did not have a paper catalog only an online store. I had never ordered from a company that didn't do paper catalogs before but decided to give them a try after researching them on the Watchdog...will also say, I was happy with my order.
Addicted to checking the current ratings done on the home page too :) |
Calalily
South Padre Island, TX
(Zone 10a)
November 1, 2005
11:01 PM Post #1852408
| I use the GWD to see if there are a lot of problems with a company's shipping or quality before I buy. If I still choose to order from them, at least I know the risks going in. One or two negatives out of several positives won't influence me much, but if they have a lot of negatives(especially if it's over the same thing) I won't buy from them. |
BingsBell
SC, MT
(Zone 5a)
November 2, 2005
10:34 AM Post #1852879
| Before I even knew of Dave's Garden and the Watchdog, I had asked people I know about good places to mail order from. I was told of one place and I ordered from it. Totally disappointed, I decided if I couldn't get what I wanted locally, I wouldn't try mail order again.
When I found Dave's Garden and the Watchdog...I was very happy. I have considered myself lucky to find places with good reputations and ordered from them. I have never been disappointed.
I also find places to buy things that are rare or hard to find.
Another thing is where companies are located and how long it takes to ship. I stay away from East Coast companies because it takes too long to ship out here to Montana...It isn't the companies faults as much as it is the carriers. I can't afford premium shipping prices so I just have to avoid shopping there.
I find Dave's Garden (all included) very helpful. |
mickgene
Linden, VA
(Zone 6a)
November 2, 2005
12:09 PM Post #1853033
| BingsBell, you're sure right about the carriers. I shipped a plant trade priority mail from VA to NE on September 12 and it arrived on October 19! 5 weeks. I think they walked it all the way there. Definitely not a normal situation, but it's not something you want to risk with live plants. |
2zeus
(Zone 7b)
November 2, 2005
3:52 PM Post #1853328
| GW is how I found out about DG, and I was so thrilled with the idea that I don't have to "buy blind" that I figured any website with such a good idea on it, must be great all over - and, of course, it is!
GW has several times caused me to think twice about ordering from a company, and any I have used with a positive rating, I've been very satisfied with my result - what more could a mad gardener ask for? |
dottik
Oakland, OR
(Zone 8a)
November 2, 2005
5:11 PM Post #1853419
| I join many of the people who found DG after I had found GW and I use GW to check ratings of companies I am thinking about purchasing from, however the main use I have for GW is to check for mail order and on line gardening companies located in Oregon. I realize that it is getting more expensive all of the time to ship plants, seeds and supplies and if I can manage it, I'd prefer to buy from a business located close enough so that I can go get the stuff. Fuel for my van is cheaper than USPS, UPS or FEDEX! (Besides I am just plain curious about the companies located here in Oregon) LOL Dotti |
sjms
Keene, NH
(Zone 5a)
November 2, 2005
6:08 PM Post #1853513
| Before I joined DG, if it was a cold winter evening, and I was missing the garden, I would go onto GardenWatchdog, click onto Peonies, or Irises and look at one catalog after another..I never knew so many companies existed...I remember thinking- who are these people that put this together anyway- what an amazing thing to have available for free!...I definitely still use it for vicarious thrills- but it is also a great tool that I use a lot. Plus- it led me to DG! |
Pudgy
Plano, TX
November 3, 2005
8:55 AM Post #1854438
| Since my gardening efforts are to first and foremost cost me nothing, the Garden Watchdog doesn't really apply to me. I cruise the alleyways of Plano TX looking for tossout items. To date, I have found everything I have in gardening (except the compost starter 1.5 yards I used) for free. That includes, 100s of pots, many abandoned and orphaned plants, chemicals, tools, woods, hoses, lighting, building materials (woods, metals, sheeting, insulation, wiring) and more. In the world we share, it is amazing what people throw away.
This message was edited Nov 3, 2005 7:57 AM |
IsThisHeaven
Fenton, MO
(Zone 5b)
November 3, 2005
10:11 AM Post #1854539
| I use it when I have never ordered from a paticular company, to see what others say about it. Great resource! |
jestelleoan
Tyler, TX
(Zone 8a)
November 3, 2005
10:09 PM Post #1855782
| I use it every day. I never order any thing with out looking them up first and I see what the new reports are and look at those companies just to see what they have. I just found Rare Seed Source this way. If I use a company I always write it up because I am so happy that others will take the time to write how they feel about a company. Joan |
woodspirit1
Lake Toxaway, NC
(Zone 7a)
November 4, 2005
7:25 AM Post #1856145
| I use it for most of the reasons listed. But I also use it to help me find specific plants, especially those that are hard to find. For instance, I am still looking for a Mexican anise. It was advertised in Wayside's catalog about 5 years ago. They continually put it on back order and finally this year, they finally said they were just not going to be able to offer it. Mexican anise must be awfully hard to root or germinate or whatever. |
AnaM149
Sanford, FL
(Zone 9b)
November 4, 2005
8:05 AM Post #1856201
| I use it mostly for finding Florida nurseries. I find that even though a company says that a plant will grow here, it does not thrive well or just gives up during our summers. So, I figure, if a Florida nursery sells it, then it will do well. THEN I see who else sells it and use the feedback to find who to buy from. Plus, it is nice to know that there are other nurseries in my area that I would not have found otherwise. |
treelover3
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4a)
November 4, 2005
9:01 AM Post #1856299
| I always check to see what kind of feedback a company has before I even consider buying plants from them. I also use the watchdog to see if a company is associated with any of the Caution!-don't-ever-buy-from companies. (:o)
A couple of negative responses will not prevent me from buying from a particular company since it is pretty much impossible to please everyone, all of the time.
The GWD is one of THE greatest resources on the Internet for gardeners.
Mike
|
Nan
SW, WI
(Zone 4b)
November 4, 2005
1:07 PM Post #1856737
| Yes, the GWD is famous!
I voted the first choice...but I got to thinking.
It would be nice (but maybe not possible) if there could be a 'sub-category' for Ebay sellers, since some of them don't have 'nursery names'. Someone (Vossner, I think?) had suggested this on the Plumeria forum a while back, and after I thought about it, it made perfect sense.
Ebay's feedback system is a bit twisted, IMHO...often feedback isn't left at all after a bad experience, as many sellers wait to leave feedback until the buyer leaves feedback...buyer leaves no feedback...seller leaves no feedback.
Personally, I feel that the seller should leave feedback immediately if paid via paypal...as the buyer's end of the transaction is completed...but many sellers wait, and if the buyer leaves neutral or negative feedback, the seller will often follow suit, even though they were paid quickly. |
tyshee
Kenai, AK
November 4, 2005
4:48 PM Post #1857143
| There are not a lot of nurseries or new species of plants available in my area so the internet opened up a whole new world. GW trades and gifts helped a lot but online shopping is a must for new and different plants and seeds. I usually consider the rating of a company. I read the negatives to see if they are realistic and I post my own rating and opinion. I also use it to find a specific type of plant or company that sells a specific plant. I have found many wonderful companies because of this rating system and probably avoided many pitfalls as I rarely have a bad experience ording plants now. Thanks GW. |
Calalily
South Padre Island, TX
(Zone 10a)
November 5, 2005
10:15 AM Post #1858259
| Nan, you're exactly right about Ebay. I've bought from a couple of sellers lately and they're waiting for me to leave feedback first. I've seen what they do to other people who leave negatives/neutrals, so I'm leaving none. It's not worth the hassle.
|
mysticmoonshine
Easley, SC
(Zone 7b)
November 5, 2005
2:23 PM Post #1858649
| i love the Garden Watchdog!!! since i am a novice at all of this it is a great resource for me so i can find what i want quickly and easily. seeing the feedback for the companies is often the deciding factor for me and makes me feel much better about purchasing from companies online. |
doss
Stanford, CA
(Zone 9b)
November 6, 2005
7:20 PM Post #1860848
| I love the watchdog too. I wish there were a search function by type of plants - eg iris, succulents, daylilies, roses, seeds, etc. We could have a sort of 'general' category for those companies who offer a wide range of plants.
Sometimes the companies names don't include what they sell and so don't come up in a "names" search. Or maybe I'm missing something? |
art_n_garden
Colorado Springs, CO
(Zone 6a)
November 7, 2005
1:20 AM Post #1861538
| I like to read feedback on the worst companies, lol...it's entertaining! And I also look up companies before I buy. |
Jadwin59
Rochester, NY
(Zone 6a)
November 7, 2005
9:24 AM Post #1861783
| Garden Watchdog is useful for us. I use it to choose companies that have a rep for good value and customer service. I would never have found Avant Gardens without the GW.
GW is also powerful. Company representatives are constantly cruising the Watchdog files to try to remedy nightmare transactions that have been reported there. This has happened to me too - with von Bourgondien, a company whose feedback shows that none of us should *ever* order from them.
|
doss
Stanford, CA
(Zone 9b)
November 7, 2005
1:08 PM Post #1862233
| Weirdest thing - I just went to find the Ty Ty nursery which DG had a Do Not Buy rating on and I couldn't find them in the watchdog. What's up? |
onewish1
Denville, NJ
(Zone 6a)
November 7, 2005
4:43 PM Post #1862551
| To look up a company's feedback before I buy
|
sjms
Keene, NH
(Zone 5a)
November 8, 2005
10:06 PM Post #1865064
| doss- re the search by category...that's the only way i use watchdog- just go to categories: plants-iris or peony- or dahlia- whew- it can cost you hours...isn't that what you mean?? |
