Selecting a Bonsai Nursery
You are intrigued by the concept of a bonsai tree. Perhaps the thought of a miniature tree within your home or having your backyard landscaped with bonsai holds considerable appeal that may include adding a sophisticated beauty to your home or inducing a meditative atmosphere. Your next step is to look into a bonsai nursery and decide which business will best suit your needs.
With an indoor bonsai tree costing close to $50 or more, and an outdoor bonsai tree costing $100 or more, you want to make sure you select the right bonsai nursery. When choosing a nursery there are certain key elements to check: The number of years in business, their reputation, customer service, and products offered.
How Long?
The first consideration in selecting your bonsai nursery would be how long the store’s been in business. An extensive amount of time as a bonsai nursery would be a strong indicator of their success in this line of work, and also indicate an experience with trends and advances in the field.
Reputation
Another important consideration in selecting your bonsai nursery is their reputation. Ask about their return policy, any guarantees or warranties on their trees, and their commitment to customer satisfaction. Also, what is the expertise and knowledge level of the staff? Do they have the reputation of distinguishing themselves when it comes to bonsai trees? Do they travel abroad to learn more and bring back the best selections possible to their customers?
Additionally, by word of mouth or by searching the internet, you can investigate the reputation of the nursery. Neighbors, gardening clubs, or landscaping companies might also be willing to share their experiences with the business. You can contact the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints have been registered – this option is also available online.
Customer Service
A critical component in conducting business with a bonsai nursery is their customer service. Considerations to take note of: Is the staff helpful prior to the sale? Do they freely offer suggestions and are they courteous and friendly? Do they also provide easy to understand instructions to ensure the success of your bonsai experience and encourage questions? Do they follow-up with you to ask about your satisfaction post-sale if you return to the same nursery? Also, do they offer to inform you of new products?
Products
Lastly, does the bonsai nursery that you are considering import bonsai trees from world-renowned bonsai markets? How does their selection process work? What standards do they maintain in selecting the products they sell, and how often do they seek out refresher courses to keep their knowledge most current?