HOW WE WORK
At Plants For Today And Tomorrow, our primary goal is to provide competitively priced, quality plant material, delivered when you need it. Our ability to meet this commitment is influenced by three major factors: the inventories and production schedules of the nurseries we represent; the supplier's price for the material (which PFTT has no part in setting), and a large variety of issues that affect the freight hauling industry.
CUSTOMER ORDERS & REQUESTS FOR QUOTES
The inquiries we receive from customers fall into a few general categories. Each of these has a unique set of circumstances that require a different response.
Orders For Immediate Delivery. These are the most straight forward transactions. A member of our staff determines the best combination of price, quality and supplier location (for consolidating freight pick up and delivery) that will provide the best over-all value to the customer. In this case, we are able to provide a fixed price for the plant material and estimate, as closely as possible, the cost of shipping.
Orders For A Future Date. For orders that are to be filled in the future, plant availability can become a factor. Nursery inventories change daily and an individual supplier may or may not be willing or able to hold material for delivery at some date in the future.
Smaller Orders. The cost of shipping becomes a big factor in our ability to fill smaller orders. This becomes particularly difficult when the plants come from more than one supplier. Depending on the time of year and customer's needs, smaller orders may be filled most efficiently by using local sources.
Requests For Quotes. When a customer requests a quote for plants included in jobs they are bidding, timing becomes a big factor. The actual installation may be more than a year away, raising both pricing and availability concerns. In these cases, PFTT provides a "safe" price that we believe is achievable. When it comes time to fill the actual order, if there is a quality product at a better price, we will provide it. Conversely, the price may be higher than estimated due to a number of factors.
PLANT MATERIAL DELIVERY
Arranging plant delivery is a complicated and time consuming effort. Many of the freight haulers we use are independent (sometimes very much so!) business operators who have their own way of doing things. Once the truck leaves the nursery, we have very limited control. In addition, outside factors such as fuel costs and unusual circumstances (such as hurricane Katrina) influence the industry greatly.
Spring And Fall Shipping Seasons. Arranging shipments is easiest in the spring and fall when plants are being harvested by the nurseries. At these times, a lot of material is being delivered and partial loads are much easier to fill quickly and efficiently.
Mid-Season Deliveries. When the volume of plants being shipped is lower (generally June through mid September), arranging deliveries becomes more difficult. It often takes longer to assemble a load of plants that can be efficiently picked up and delivered.
Multiple Pick-Up And Drop Points. At times, we assemble a full load of plants by combining shipments from several nurseries to several customers. However, many shippers limit the number of stops they are willing to make on both ends (and charge an extra fee when they are willing to do it). This problem can sometimes be mitigated by asking customers to pick up their order at another, convenient location.
Partial Loads. Partial loads are possible, however, mileage charges do not decrease and the cost of freight per plant increases. Ordering as far in advance of when you need the plants as possible will help us assemble a full truck load that will arrive at a time that meets your schedule.
Delivery From Local Sources. When orders are most efficiently filled by using local sources, PFTT may or may not be able to arrange delivery. If delivery cannot be arranged, the best solution is often for the customer to pick up their plants at the nursery.
