Problems with seed suppliers stock?

[kt.]

I am looking to order specific F1 varieties of different fruit & veg that I have not tried before and can get them all at one place, Thompson & Morgan.  After reading last years threads and people were waiting ages for some things - would it be worth ordering now to save disappointment from seed being out of stock or are they usually reliable.  What I want to do not want to do is buy seeds that have two years shelf life as I would not use them all in one year.

90% of my seeds come from Kings whose stock we sell in our lottie shop.  So it is only my other 10% from T&M for my querie. ???

Many thanks. 

[kt.]

[saddad]

The two year viability date on the packets is a requirement but many seeds last much longer esp if kept in those foil packets!  :)

[ceres]

I had problems with a seed potato order with them last year and I know others who had the same trouble.  I think their system is rubbish.  If you order online, they (eventually) fax the order to a farmer in Scotland who evidently doesn't have the capacity to deal with the volume of orders.  Won't use them again for seed potatoes.

I've found ordering other stuff from them fine.  I think all seeds are marked as use within 2 years but I'm still using some 5 year old seed with good germination.

[Deb P]

I have a similar dilemma....T&M are stocking some seed potatoes I can't find elsewhere, I have also suffered from their inaction and late potato delivery in the past....do I risk it just for these few varieties or not!? Seeds they have supplied quickly in the past, but I usually wait until the Summer seed sales now and don't bother ordering direct!

[ceres]

They told me in one of the many phone calls I had with them that they process potato orders in the order they are received so if you ordered now, presumably you'd be quite near the front of the queue? 

[grawrc]

I think they get some if not all of their seed potatoes from Alan Romans but you can order from them direct.
http://www.alanromans.com/. I've used them for a few years now and so far I have had no problems. You can place your order anytime and they send the potatoes as they become available. I think usually in January. Anyway have a look and see what you think.

[Tee Gee]

can get them all at one place, Thompson & Morgan.

I think there might lye the problem!!

I have found that at least with live plants, T&M outsource the supply of these e.g. to Guernsey and they are sent direct to the customer from their suppliers on the island.

I have also found that a few other well known seed merchants from Holland and the UK source their supplies from the same source.

Last year when I ordered plants from both T&M and Van Meuwen they arrived on successive days in identical packaging, only the logo on the labels were diferrent as you can see here;



I think it has something to do with VAT rules i.e. it saves them money!!

Having said that on the few occasions I have bought seeds off them(T&M) I have had no late delivery problems, but then I again I don't buy much seed from them they are too expensive for my liking!

I don't think what I have written might  be of mulch help to you in making your decision but it explains my thoughts on T&M produce, however I do have a feeling that they deal more or less on a first come first served basis, so your thoughts on ordering early might be justified.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I'll be getting my seed potatoes locally this year, after having had problems last time.

[grawrc]

Well Alan Romans is kind of local for me - just across the Forth Road Bridge in Fife.

[luckydog]

T & M can also be ordered direct from this website.  Haven't used them personally though.

http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk/prods_manufacturer.asp

:)

[Tee Gee]

just across the Forth Road Bridge in Fife.

Where about exactly?

Just interested as this is the part of the world I grew up in.

[Barnowl]

Has anyone tried Tuckers for seed potatoes? 

[grawrc]

just across the Forth Road Bridge in Fife.

Where about exactly?

Just interested as this is the part of the world I grew up in.

Kettlebridge on the Cupar ROAD.

[Tee Gee]

Kettlebridge on the Cupar ROAD.

Thanks for your prompt reply, must admit I don't know that area very well.

Only new of Cupar as the 'County Town'

It is over forty years since I left that area so I guess most of it will have changed now :'(

I was born in Lochgelly, raised in Bowhill / Cardenden and my grand parents lived in Inverkeithing.

And dare I say it 8) I was part educated in the same town as our Prime Minister Mr Brown....Kirkcaldy! the rest of my education was done in Cowdenbeath.