Clear Plastic pots with cheap shipping?

[stefpix]

You can make your own clear pot by cutting soda bottles (some chinese green tea have even square section bottles), or using deli containers you can buy at the dollar store. can poke holes with a heated screwdriver.

I got clear pots at orchidshows. In the meantime you can improvise

[Gin]

If you know anyone that buys bird seed in the square plastic containers like wal -mart sells they make good pots. I use them for Phrags.and others holes are added with a soldering iron ..

[Ray]

I carry the same pots Chula Orchids has (that's where I get them), and am a Rand's Air-Cone pot distributor, as well.

Like you, I do not like companies making money on shipping, and as was stated earlier, I only pass on my discounted FedEx rate, but it DOES cost something to ship, after all.

Some shipping tips:

• It is less expensive to ship to a business address than to a home. If you have a job and they don't mind it, have your stuff shipped there. (Home-based business don't count.)
• Try to make few, larger orders, rather than several small orders. One box will always cost less than multiples.
• Carriers use "dimensional weights" on large (3 cubic feet or more), lightweight items. That 36" x 12" x 12" box of perlite may only weigh 4 pounds, but the shipping cost will be based upon (36 x 12 x 12 /166) 32 pounds.

[cbennett4041]

Good to know! I saw your site, and it definitely seems like the best deal in regards to shipping. i really appreciate the at-cost shipping. I don't mind paying for something to be shipped, but extorted shipping cost bother me.

Thanks for the info! When I figure out what I'll need I'll be hitting you up...

[Becca]

I have to say I haven't found repotme.com to be much different in shipping costs then other companies. I ship via fed-ex all the time through my work and you really don't get any cheaper then $10.00 through them. I've even compared costs through USPS (mail) and it isn't much cheaper!

[Ray]

Becca, with very rare exception, my FedEx rates are consistently lower than the USPS.

Unfortunately for small companies like mine, the depth of the discount is directly related to the revenue the carrier gets. When I was still in the chemical industry, I could ship a 25# box of PrimeAgra by Priority Overnight service on my employer's account for less than I could ship it by Ground on First Rays'. Of course, the chemical company DID spend between $10,000-$15,000 weekly with FedEx....

[ToddsterVonCattMan]

Originally Posted by silken

I just ordered a large shipment of clear pots from Quarter Acre Orchids and was very pleased with the shipping rate and the service I got from Stef. And these were being shipped from U.S.A. to Canada. It doesn't cost anything to look and e-mail her. She can give you an idea of shipping cost. Lots of variety too.

Me thinks not!! I just placed an order with Quarter Acre Orchids for pots (they had every size and style I have used and adore), and the shipping costs were OUTRAGEOUS!

Almost 50% of the total order cost! A $55 order was $25 shipping! YIKES! I stuck with the order as they are the only supplier I have found that has ALL the styles and sizes I like. I use to get these all at a great supplier in Southern California (Danigers Orchids), but here in the San Francisco area, NO ONE carries clear plastic pots...

But with these shipping rates, I consider Quarter Acre Orchids far, far from reasonable with their shipping costs! There selection is great, however...

[Baz in Oz]

I tried some clear pots to grow Phals in. The Phals did OK and so did the algae on the insode if the pots.

Baz

[Ray]

You also have to consider "dimensional weights", which both FedEx and UPS utilize.

I don't know the UPS policy, but for FedEx Ground/Home Delivery, for any package over 3 cubic feet volume, they divide the volume by 166 (139, if going to Canada), and they use that result or the actual weight, whichever is greater.

I don't know if it applies to plastic pots, but let's say you order a large, 10# bag of perlite in a 20" cube. 20 x 20 x 20 = 8000 / 166 = 48.19, so you get charged the shipping rate for 49#.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Baz in Oz

I tried some clear pots to grow Phals in. The Phals did OK and so did the algae on the insode if the pots.

Baz

Yeah...So?