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It is important to know a few important tips when ordering mail order seeds to make sure that you get the best quality seeds at the best price available.

Mail order seeds are a good way to purchase different varieties of plants at a cheaper price. Compared to visiting your local garden store and asking them to put in an order, it is often more cost effective to order mail-order seeds.

However, it is important to be aware of potential pitfalls when ordering mail-order seeds. There are many reputable suppliers, but even a supplier with a good standing will always have an occasional bag of defective seeds, and it is important to make sure that the seeds you have paid for will do the job.

Why order mail order seeds? Simply because the selection in catalogues is often greater than your local garden store, and often the price, including postage, is cheaper than purchasing seeds at the store. For those who live far away from a garden store, mail order is a viable option, and ordering some different plants from a mail order catalogue may well give your garden that exotic' touch you were looking for. Ordering a different looking plant can also often be a handy conversation starter with visiting guests.

There are, however, several potential problems that you must be wary of before ordering your seeds. The best way to avoid having any problems is to be prepared.

Firstly make sure that your supplier has a good reputation. Look at the number of orders they receive, the satisfaction/complaints of their customers, their seed range, and the clientele they cater for. If they sell primarily exotic' plants, it would probably not be advisable to order a common Hibiscus from them. Furthermore, if they only ship seeds by the thousands, it would not be fitting for you to order three dozen seeds from their catalogue. Look at their range, whether they mail to your area or state, and how well known they are in the mail order seed community.

Secondly, it is important for your supplier to have good customer service. Make sure they have an address, an office number and solid customer support, should you happen to end up with a defective batch of seeds. Make sure you have knowledge of their protocols and refund or exchange policies in case you would like to return a defective/unwanted package of seeds. Also make sure you are aware of how they calculate their prices. Do they calculate by weight, or per seed? Also ensure that you know their prices for shipping, and if a minimum order is required. The length of time the seeds take to arrive is another important point. All these questions can usually be resolved with a little research, whether online, on the telephone, or by talking to those who have ordered from the company in the past.

In conclusion, it is important to conduct some research before ordering your seeds. Of paramount value is communication with your supplier and knowledge of their refund/exchange policies, pricing, and projected mail arrival times. Making sure that you take care of all avenues will improve the chances that you will receive the product you ordered. In case you need to return your package, knowledge of their return/refund policies will be of great help.

Learn more about this author, Edmund K.
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