Agristarts Rocks????

Neukman51 · 07-10-2009, 10:36 AM

I must disagree with a recent member comment on the bottom of a photo of "AgriStarts blue berries stating that "Agristarts Rocks!". My exerience has been quite the contrarty! After exchanging several purchase orders and emails about availability; I was ultimately refused on a purchase order of two trays of bananas when I couldn't produce a wholesaler's "tax exemption certificate".

I advised Agristarts that I was an orchid enthusiast as well as a banana hobbyist... and that I had purchased numerous orchids from Florida Orchid Growers without the requirement of a tax exemption certificate. If our organization wants to continue to endorse Agristarts and put their link on our web "quick links" I believe we need to have them resolve their requirement for "tax exemption certificates" which clearly is NOT a Florida state requirement, but merely an internal requirement.

Having read other threads, I can understand their lack of enthusiasm for group orders that are broken down and re-shipped. But refusing a single buyer 2 Flat Puchase... Get Real. My business now goes elsewhere!

Neukman51 · 07-10-2009, 10:55 AM

Ooops... I need to correct my prior thread comments. It's Agristarts that shows Bananas.org on it's quick links (see below). However, our site does not endorse or list their link... and rightly so!

AGRI-STARTS, INC.: Links

xavierdlc61887 · 07-10-2009, 10:59 AM

HA HA is all i can say

Richard · 07-10-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neukman51

I was ultimately refused on a purchase order of two trays of bananas when I couldn't produce a wholesaler's "tax exemption certificate".

If Agristarts sold retail, they would have to file quarterly tax statements, transmit the sales tax you paid to the government, and generally increase their accounting labor by 20% or more.

I think you are silly not to have a resell (tax exempt) certificate: they are free!

sandy0225 · 07-10-2009, 01:30 PM

I think a business can put any kind of restrictions on their product they want. If I decide as a company policy that I'm not going to sell to anyone with blue shoes on, I can reserve that right.
I know this will be controversial but I like the idea that they are asking for documentation.
As a small business, it's hard enough to make any money without letting hobbyists get the same starter plants you get at the same prices. How can you resell the plants and make any money when the hobbyists can just get them from the same wholesaler as you do? Doesn't that kind of just put the greenhouse out of the picture entirely?
This is the other side of the coin speaking.

Caloosamusa · 07-10-2009, 09:14 PM

Agri-S has been professional, prompt, courteous, and their products excellent!! Great job!!

Bananaman88 · 07-10-2009, 10:02 PM

I have to say that I completely agree with Sandy. I thought that Agri-Starts was strictly a wholesaler and was very surprised when I found out that they would sell to hobbyists. They are a business after all, and as Sandy points out, how are businesses like hers to make money if we can all buy at wholesale?

ewitte · 07-10-2009, 10:12 PM

Can't be too picky who your selling too these days

Just to be selling at all is a blessing to a lot of businesses.

I guess you could do the tissue cultures yourself if you really want to make a larger profit.

john_ny · 07-10-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewitte

Can't be too picky who your selling too these days

Just to be selling at all is a blessing to a lot of businesses.

I guess you could do the tissue cultures yourself if you really want to make a larger profit.

????

harveyc · 07-11-2009, 01:59 AM

I think it's okay for them to have this policy but it would be a good idea to make it clear up front (notice on their site) so people don't waste time trying to place an order with them. I once had an inquiry from a potential customer who complained I wasn't growing chestnuts organically. I tried to explain why I didn't but he interrupted me and I told him to go grow his own. Fortunately, very few people try to tell me how to run my business other than to say I should grow more.

Richard · 07-11-2009, 02:11 AM

A Vegan customer at the Mira Mesa Farmers Market just about fainted when she learned that her favorite certified organic produce seller (near my booth) was using blood meal for a nitrogen source.

ewitte · 07-11-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_ny

????

Lots of businesses going under because nobody is buying.

CookieCows · 07-11-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

If Agristarts sold retail, they would have to file quarterly tax statements, transmit the sales tax you paid to the government, and generally increase their accounting labor by 20% or more.

I think you are silly not to have a resell (tax exempt) certificate: they are free!

Sounds like problem solved

conejov · 07-11-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

A Vegan customer at the Mira Mesa Farmers Market just about fainted when she learned that her favorite certified organic produce seller (near my booth) was using blood meal for a nitrogen source.

Now that was Funny!

Richard · 07-11-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

A Vegan customer at the Mira Mesa Farmers Market just about fainted when she learned that her favorite certified organic produce seller (near my booth) was using blood meal for a nitrogen source.

Quote:

Originally Posted by conejov

Now that was Funny!

I had to take pity on the young woman. She had always thought that "organic" meant "no animal material used". But I did have a good laugh later!

ewitte · 07-11-2009, 04:17 PM

T5 or HPS if I were designing a building I'd get as much natural sunlight in there as possible. I do have one banana currently on LED but its much more expensive than either of the other two.

Nicolas Naranja · 07-23-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neukman51

I must disagree with a recent member comment on the bottom of a photo of "AgriStarts blue berries stating that "Agristarts Rocks!". My exerience has been quite the contrarty! After exchanging several purchase orders and emails about availability; I was ultimately refused on a purchase order of two trays of bananas when I couldn't produce a wholesaler's "tax exemption certificate".

I advised Agristarts that I was an orchid enthusiast as well as a banana hobbyist... and that I had purchased numerous orchids from Florida Orchid Growers without the requirement of a tax exemption certificate. If our organization wants to continue to endorse Agristarts and put their link on our web "quick links" I believe we need to have them resolve their requirement for "tax exemption certificates" which clearly is NOT a Florida state requirement, but merely an internal requirement.

Having read other threads, I can understand their lack of enthusiasm for group orders that are broken down and re-shipped. But refusing a single buyer 2 Flat Puchase... Get Real. My business now goes elsewhere!

I had a similar problem at first because as I was starting my farm I didn't have any kind of tax exempt certificate as I wasn't a reseller. But I looked around and found out that there was a solution for me since farmers buying seeds or plants aren't required to pay sales tax, so I submitted them the form and they took it. I have since incorporated, but so far the quality of bananas has been good. I would argue that generally the nurseries charge way too much for their bananas. All told it takes me about 4 months, $2.50 and not much effort to produce a very nice 3 gallon size banana plant and I have seen them for sale for more than $10.00

07-10-2009, 10:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
Neukman51 Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 14 BananaBucks : 1,661 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 4 Posts Welcomes: 0	Agristarts Rocks???? I must disagree with a recent member comment on the bottom of a photo of "AgriStarts blue berries stating that "Agristarts Rocks!". My exerience has been quite the contrarty! After exchanging several purchase orders and emails about availability; I was ultimately refused on a purchase order of two trays of bananas when I couldn't produce a wholesaler's "tax exemption certificate". I advised Agristarts that I was an orchid enthusiast as well as a banana hobbyist... and that I had purchased numerous orchids from Florida Orchid Growers without the requirement of a tax exemption certificate. If our organization wants to continue to endorse Agristarts and put their link on our web "quick links" I believe we need to have them resolve their requirement for "tax exemption certificates" which clearly is NOT a Florida state requirement, but merely an internal requirement. Having read other threads, I can understand their lack of enthusiasm for group orders that are broken down and re-shipped. But refusing a single buyer 2 Flat Puchase... Get Real. My business now goes elsewhere!

07-10-2009, 10:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Neukman51 Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 14 BananaBucks : 1,661 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 4 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Agristarts Rocks???? Ooops... I need to correct my prior thread comments. It's Agristarts that shows Bananas.org on it's quick links (see below). However, our site does not endorse or list their link... and rightly so! AGRI-STARTS, INC.: Links

07-10-2009, 10:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
xavierdlc61887 xavierdlc61887's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 740 BananaBucks : 24,164 Feedback: 19 / 100% Thanks: 183 Thanked 178 Times in 113 Posts Welcomes: 97	Re: Agristarts Rocks???? HA HA is all i can say

07-10-2009, 01:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 919 BananaBucks : 30,747 Feedback: 26 / 97% Thanks: 18 Thanked 546 Times in 243 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Agristarts Rocks???? I think a business can put any kind of restrictions on their product they want. If I decide as a company policy that I'm not going to sell to anyone with blue shoes on, I can reserve that right. I know this will be controversial but I like the idea that they are asking for documentation. As a small business, it's hard enough to make any money without letting hobbyists get the same starter plants you get at the same prices. How can you resell the plants and make any money when the hobbyists can just get them from the same wholesaler as you do? Doesn't that kind of just put the greenhouse out of the picture entirely? This is the other side of the coin speaking. __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website! Last edited by sandy0225 : 07-10-2009 at 01:31 PM. Reason: changed my mind

07-10-2009, 09:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Caloosamusa Caloosamusa's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,983 BananaBucks : 7,236 Feedback: 1 / 67% Thanks: 1,432 Thanked 418 Times in 263 Posts Welcomes: 264	Re: Agristarts Rocks???? Agri-S has been professional, prompt, courteous, and their products excellent!! Great job!!

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07-10-2009, 10:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bananaman88 Bananaculturist Bananaman88's Photo Gallery Location: Pearland, TX Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Brent Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,402 BananaBucks : 34,267 Feedback: 20 / 100% Thanks: 772 Thanked 1,385 Times in 776 Posts Welcomes: 139	Re: Agristarts Rocks???? I have to say that I completely agree with Sandy. I thought that Agri-Starts was strictly a wholesaler and was very surprised when I found out that they would sell to hobbyists. They are a business after all, and as Sandy points out, how are businesses like hers to make money if we can all buy at wholesale?

07-10-2009, 10:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
ewitte ewitte's Photo Gallery Location: Houston Zone: 9 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 407 BananaBucks : 6,019 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 0 Thanked 133 Times in 78 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Agristarts Rocks???? Can't be too picky who your selling too these days Just to be selling at all is a blessing to a lot of businesses. I guess you could do the tissue cultures yourself if you really want to make a larger profit.

07-11-2009, 01:59 AM	#10 (permalink)
harveyc Been nuts, gone bananas harveyc's Photo Gallery Location: Isleton, Calif Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Harvey Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3,196 BananaBucks : 61,700 Feedback: 4 / 100% Thanks: 2,813 Thanked 1,762 Times in 843 Posts Welcomes: 157	Re: Agristarts Rocks???? I think it's okay for them to have this policy but it would be a good idea to make it clear up front (notice on their site) so people don't waste time trying to place an order with them. I once had an inquiry from a potential customer who complained I wasn't growing chestnuts organically. I tried to explain why I didn't but he interrupted me and I told him to go grow his own. Fortunately, very few people try to tell me how to run my business other than to say I should grow more. __________________ Reminder to self - Try doing something today that Tog would have done.

07-11-2009, 02:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
Richard Hermitian Operator Richard's Photo Gallery Location: NW San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 9+ / 10- Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,928 BananaBucks : 247 Feedback: 6 / 100% Thanks: 1,177 Thanked 2,628 Times in 1,347 Posts Welcomes: 1,225	Re: Agristarts Rocks???? A Vegan customer at the Mira Mesa Farmers Market just about fainted when she learned that her favorite certified organic produce seller (near my booth) was using blood meal for a nitrogen source. __________________ email: richard@plantsthatproduce.com website: http://www.PlantsThatProduce.com

07-11-2009, 04:17 PM	#16 (permalink)
ewitte ewitte's Photo Gallery Location: Houston Zone: 9 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 407 BananaBucks : 6,019 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 0 Thanked 133 Times in 78 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Agristarts Rocks???? T5 or HPS if I were designing a building I'd get as much natural sunlight in there as possible. I do have one banana currently on LED but its much more expensive than either of the other two.

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