Vendor Frustration Rant

[Ray]

I really like OrganiShield insecticide/miticide, but the company manufacturing it got a new CEO who is flexing his wasted MBA.

I sold out, so ordered more to restock. He emailed me to tell me that if I didn't change the displayed price on my website to their specified price, they would not ship to me. I suggested that sounded close to "price fixing", but it is apparently an "advertised" price spec, not a selling price requirement.

He stated it was common in the industry to have such MAP - Manufacturers Advertised Price - specifications, but I'll be damned if I've run across any in the 30 years I've operated this business.

I am now displaying that price so they'll ship, but fortunately, my shop software lets me adjust it to the lower price when it's in the shopping cart.

What a waste of effort.

[Louis_W]

Booooo

[Grawski]

Ray: I visited their site, as well as your site. It seems as if the product is very safe. I am considering using it to assist in Mealybug control on my Hoya collection. My one question is how safe is it used as a spray. Should a mask be considered during the spraying activity.
Thanks Ray

[WaterWitchin]

I used to sell a group of products that had MAP pricing. In a brick and mortar store, no online sales. In Kansas, where a MAP price would have never sold because it was east or west coast MAP type pricing. A ridiculously high profit margin. That company really enforced its MAP. There are workarounds, but you sure gotta be careful depending on how your pricing agreement with the company is worded. It was one of the more senseless journeys down a rabbit hole of running the business. I feel your pain, Ray.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Grawski

Ray: I visited their site, as well as your site. It seems as if the product is very safe. I am considering using it to assist in Mealybug control on my Hoya collection. My one question is how safe is it used as a spray. Should a mask be considered during the spraying activity.
Thanks Ray

It is very safe. You should think of it as soap, and you wouldn't want to breathe droplets of that or get them in your eyes.

I inherited a mealy bug infestation with some phals I acquired late last summer from a retiring AOS judge. I kept a spray bottle of OrganiShield handy spritzed the bastards whenever I saw them - and that included a paph bud. No issues. In the spring when I moved everything outdoors, I was able to do three drench treatments to eliminate them altogether.