Buying plants online can be just as simple and rewarding as other types of online shopping. However, there can also be greater risks involved. Here are some expert tips for buying plants online to help you get the best deals and the healthiest plants:
Consider location & season
One of the first things to learn about a potential online plant purchase is where it'll be shipping from. While online shopping makes it easier for people in more remote areas or less favorable climates to buy plants, buying from a source that's too far away might pose issues for your shipment. The longer a plant is in transit, the more potential there is for damage.
It's also important to be mindful of the season when ordering plants online. Many online retailers won't ship during the winter, or will offer extra "winter insurance" for heated delivery. Even if a plant is coming to you from somewhere nearby, shipping in below-freezing temperatures can be lethal.
Know what to expect
Each plant is unique, which is part of the fun of buying them. However, it also means you won't always get a plant exactly like an online photo. Many retailers are careful to include multiple shots of the same plant or many examples, but it's essential to know what you buy will not be perfectly identical to what's on a website.
However, it's reasonable to expect the seller to advertise truthfully. Familiarize yourself with their return policies and other customer service options in case you receive a badly damaged or significantly different plant than the one you ordered.
These are just some of the most important tips for ordering plants online. Keep an open mind but understand your options, and you'll have the best possible online shopping experience.
About the Author
Judy Szablak
With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.
She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.
Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”
Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com
