Retail Sales

[Green in Idaho]

I just had an idea while eating lunch munching on a hotdog (yea, I know). It's not that great of idea though, I only get those in the evening after a few glasses of Sangiovese

Anyway for a contractor doing organic lawn care (or anyone) how about also selling the products to homeowners ?

A do-it-yourself homeowner is not in the market for professional lawn care. Yes most of the products are already available in garden stores, but the retailers are not always well versed in the products.

How many times has someone lawnsite post" I've been thinking of opening a retail outlet (nursery)"? Now put the organic twist on it... The ponds/waterfalls people are promoting the products for water maintenance in a retail manner...

Offering retail sales provides another channel for sales. If you already have the products and are buying at bulk or wholesale prices, hey it's a good fit for profits and reaching that other DIY customer (who may also become an account later).

But having a retail location quickly misses the profits due to selling a seasonal product. Tough to pay for space in January!

So here's the idea, roadside sales. Just like a fruit stand!

Scenario:
Lawn operation owner has a few employees for a couple crews. Wife helps out with phone and books and such, right?

With the right location, they can establish a retail sales outlet. She becomes very proficient with the products and the concept and helps out occasionally too. Then retailing with either
-delivery to customers
-Internet sales
-out of garage
-out of a van or trailer
-adjacent roadside stand
-or a premium corner as a fruit stand. Organic produce AND organic products.
-combination of the above.

It's all about COMBINING organic lawn care services with retailing of the products.

[dvmcmrhp52]

I like A thinking man.....GOOD for you!
Just three things to remember: Location,Location,Location.

[Green in Idaho]

Exactly.

Farmers market
To sell product only - and give produce away was the enticer.. "here try this tomoto for free grown with these products.

And/or the van to park on the perfect location.

[Green in Idaho]

Retail products to include
-Compost bins
-Vermicomposters (bins)


Throw another twist in it and organize as a 501(c)(3) for educational purposes....

Want grant money to launch?
501(c) makes it easy to get them.

Want to go to schools to teach kids about compost and organics???

"Johnny, what did you learn in school today?"

Johnny says, "Well, organic lawn care is econonically viable and healthy for the lawn and me. And we learned about recycling kitchen waste into plant food from this outfit named Joe's Organic Lawn Care. Here is free beneficial bug with their phone number on the packaging mommy."

Did ya see how that worked? The really good ones flow after the cork pops!

[dvmcmrhp52]

I'll bet mom liked that free BUG!
On a more serious note,It would be great if kids were to once again learn about natural things as they once did when the population was much more rural and agriculturally dependent.(not all that long ago)

[dan deutekom]

I would be happy if they would just teach the kids the 3 R's without resorting to calculators, computers and videos. Get them the basics and then move on to the more modern methods.

[dvmcmrhp52]

I'm not sure they know how to teach the basics any more....
It got lost along the same path as the lack understanding of what makes the natural world go round. Too many people spending too much time eyeing up four walls instead of eyeing up what is beyond those walls.
But I digress ...a bit off topic.

[Ric]

Green in Idaho dvmcmrhp52 & dan deutekom

Hate to rain on your parade with only two words. FERTILIZER LAW.

yep I have made billions of dollars sitting at the kitchen table with friends. Those get rich Ideas are great until the light of day.

[dvmcmrhp52]

Ric,
This is still America,If you want to do it you can.....Just have to want it.

[woodycrest]

Ric,

You keep bringing up the fertilizer law thing.

What are the consequences of not following the laws??

As mentioned in another thread, the fertilzer laws are different depending on where you live. What applies in Florida does not neccesarily apply in Pa. or Ontario or Idaho. It seems to me that there is a 'grey area' surrounding organics. Corn meal, alfalfa, corn gluten meal, coffee grounds, compost etc. I have found very few specific references to these in fertilizer laws that i have found while searching the internet.

Are there different rules concerning retail sales vs application by an LCO? If a retail product is advertised to 'improve the soil' then it would not neccesarily be categorized as 'fertilizer' would it? Leaves could be term as an organic fertilizer to couldnt they? or are they organic matter? Corn, and alfalfa are organic matter too. Where do you draw the line??