Eric: Too bad you are having trouble getting plants from Canadian vendors. Of course, as Joanne wrote, shipping plants is difficult in winter .
Maybe the problem is that vendors don't answer quickly to you E-mails? I had a lot of trouble with many of them...some canadian vendors never answer to my E-mails. Some grower answer only if I return the same E-mail every few days for a long time... I learned that some vendors never answer if I ask for a plant they don't have in their greenhouses... One vendor answers me 9 months after I sent a message!!)
And BTW I found Kimberly to be a very kind person....she was always answering quickly to my request!!!!
Hey! What about me? I answer quickly.
Plus, shipping is no problem in the winter if the plants are sent via courier, not through the mail. I use FedEx. The vendor simply drops off the package at the depot and the customer picks the package up at the other end at their local depot. The package is marked "Hold for Pick-up", so that it does not go out on a cold truck and won't be left at your door in the cold. I've never had trouble using this method. I just don't know why so many people say that you can't ship in the winter; you can, with confidence that all will be well. Of course, you need to choose a fast service, like overnight; or 2nd day air. Never choose ground service.
Eric, what "Kimberly person"? Is this an employee of Paramount; or, a different vendor altogether?
Sorry to learn that you've had troubles. Anything but respectful service and prompt communication, is totally unacceptable. Although, I must disagree with your assertion that it's a "Canadian" thing. I've had more than enough really crappy service from US orchid companies. But, I think it's got nothing to do with nationality. It's got more to do with the fact that a lot of orchid companies in both our countries get started by hobbyists who evolved into vendors. Many of them know how to grow orchids and all the practical things needed to produce a nice plant; but, they have no skills or training in the field of customer service and/or successful marketing.
Also, many places (in Canada and the USA), are just not interested in the red tape involved with exporting. So, it helps a lot to explain right away that you are not wanting them to export to you......but, you would have them ship your order to a Canadian address and you'd pick it up there. I've found that makes vendors a lot more interested in having your business and their attitude vastly improves.
