Have you noticed an increase in price for orchid supplies??????

[maria1971]

I went to a local orchid supply vendor and I was shocked at the price of their bag of hydroton.

When I made the switch to 100% hydroton, their price for the BIG bag was 20.00. Then, they increased it to 25.00. I didn't think it was unreasonable. For a long time, they were out of hydroton, and so I looked for alternative sources. I found hydroponics stores around my area and started calling around. All of them quoted me 20.00 for the SAME bag of hydroton.

So, I bought the hydroton from the hydroponics stores.

A couple of weeks ago, I ran out of hydroton (again) and I went back this local orchid supply vendor. They are now selling their bags for 30.00!!!

I have to admit that I was shocked!!!!

Really! 30 bucks for a bag of hydroton that I know other vendors are selling for 20 bucks???

I thought to myself, "I need to check the price the hydroponic stores are selling this stuff."

So, I called, and yup, the price for their hydroton is STILL 20.00 for the big bag.

Now, why such a dramatic difference? I think a 10 dollar difference within the same geographic location for the same product is nuts. I actually drove this weekend and bought 2 bags of the hydroton at the hydroponics supply store, and I'm planning on buying at least one more next weekend.

So, is this a case of increasing cost of supplies, or is this a case of the store being sort of greedy?

your thoughts?

[Stitz]

Hi Maria,
Will you please specify the size of your "BIG bag"? That will be helpful for this conversation.

Thanks,

--Stitz--

[bearded orchid]

Supply and demand. If you had to drive to get it cheaper, chances are others will buy it at a higher price for the sake of convenience.

[maria1971]

Originally Posted by bearded orchid

Supply and demand. If you had to drive to get it cheaper, chances are others will buy it at a higher price for the sake of convenience.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I have to drive 10 minutes to either vendor. The only inconvenience is that I have to pay in cash for one and the orchid supply vendor takes atm cards.


Stitz, it's the huge, I think 50 gallon bag of hydroton.

[bearded orchid]

Ah, well that makes things a bit different. Perhaps you should ask each where they purchase from. If it's from different wholesalers then they're base prices could explain the markup.

[Fishmom]

It could also be that your orchid vendor is struggling as a business and trying to raise profit margins. The hydroponics store may be doing better volume and can afford to order more at one time and thus lower his own costs, passing along that saving to you. If you value the orchid supply vendor, you might want to talk to them about how they set their pricing and how their business is going.

[orchids4me]

I agree with all the answers I see here. But let med add to the wholesale place they order from with differeing whole salers also they may be facing specials offered to the retailer and may depend on quantity they buy in bulk at a time. They may get better deals to pass on to the retailer if they purchase larger quantities also..

[Bolero]

Maybe his business isn't doing so well and he's looking for extra income. There can be many reasons for the difference. Sometimes supporting local business is worth the extra money but 50% seems to be a lot.

[rcb]

Originally Posted by maria1971

Stitz, it's the huge, I think 50 gallon bag of hydroton.

Seriously 50 gal for only $20 - 30 dollars?

WOW

I get it at the same range for only 45 liters.

As for the difference in price, I've always noticed "orchid supplies" are more for the same product than in other markets.

Thats the price I paid for the same bag, Maria...I guess I missed out on the old price. I am just starting and I am a beginner in this method. But I have no complaints: they deliver fast and its professionally packed. Besides, I need it...if I discovered that diamonds can make my orchids bloom faster and more beautiful...Id buy my orchids diamonds!

[1joyceh]

Around here it is 50L for $40.00 plus tax, of course...

Thats good to know...Joyce

[Ray]

Don't forget that all brands of LECA in North America are imported - most from Europe, Aliflor from South America, so incur ocean transport, brokerage, and overland delivery costs, not to mention fuel surcharges all along the way. Then there is currency exchange variations, too.

I think the prices reflect one of more of the items discussed - true landed cost plus a reasonable profit, what the market may bear, or out-and-out greed.

I will add that I have seen increases in fertilizer costs, as many of the chemicals used to make them up are also imported, and being from the petrochemical industry in the first place, it's not unexpected.

[11Orchid126]

Perhaps the orchid place is local but the hydroponic store is a chain, which can buy in bulk whereas the local orchid grower cannot.

[Stitz]

For what it's worth.........

My local "hydroponics" store advertises 50 liter bags of Hydroton @ $20.99 This is probably the same "BIG bag" that Maria referenced earlier in this thread.

I post this for comparative purposes only.

--Stitz--