selling orchids?

[skyheaven]

i am thinking about selling orchids by the road side. has any one tryed this? and if so how did you do? i just bought an orchid from a young man selling them out of hes van and i thought it was a good idea. hey i stoped and bought one.

[Izzie]

Come on guys, any replies for this one?

[Tropicgirl]

I'm pretty sure you would need a USDA license to sell plants. I know plenty of people don't get one but if you get caught there's a large fine and I believe they can confiscate your plants as well.

Now, speaking as if I were driving down the road and saw someone selling orchids roadside, I would stop to take a look. The only way I would buy any is if they were dirt cheap-$5-$10 is all I would pay to someone that:
1. I can not get a hold of for care info.
2. I can not take it back to if there is a problem or it dies.
3. has no overhead.

I am inclined to spend more money with a nursery that is reputable.

With that being said, I think you could make a few bucks selling roadside. Just be prepared for people like me to haggle with you over price.

[SOS]

Why not sell them on the internet?

[dounoharm]

i believe you only need a usda license if you are selling mass quantities and importing/exporting....if you sell out of your home or at a farmers market situation you dont need it....just like selling any excess produce from a farm....but selling orchids by the roadside would be risky....how will you keep your merchadise fresh? what do you do with orchids you dont sell right away? where are you going to buy them cheap enuf to sell and make a profit? low overhead means low prices, which means not much markup possibilities.....it doesnt seem like it would pay very well...i dont think there would be as much profit in orchids as there is in selling roses by the roadside.....

[flhiker]

There is a guy who sell Phals out of a van around my area. He changes locations regularly. They are mostly large hybrids Phals. in bloom for 15.00 each or 2 for 25.00. They are generally in good condition but very common hybrids. Just like the ones you would find at the Home Depot. I think the reason he changes locations is you need a vendors license to sell on the side of the road. And most local business's don't appreciate it when they need a building, Occupational license, and many other things to sell there ware's and often call code enforcement or Police when they see them. Maybe the best day to do this is on hoilday's like Mother's day. Now if you can get permission to sell on private property like a gas station may make a difference.

[phragguy]

when I was done in West Palm Beach a month ago a guy was selling phals 3 for $20.
I noticed the people who bought them through them in the garbage after they finished flowering

[Doc G]

I've bought orchids from HD that have been marked down from $15 to $4.98 once the flowers dropped. So I guess I could buy a lot of these and sell them for $7.50.....wait, you want me to sell my orchids?

[earlysummer84]

ya, that's good idea. If ur orchird price is low, can u contact me? i wanna buy.

[orchidsamore]

I am a commercial vendor and can tell you the requirements and problems.

There is no requirement for a USDA license as license requirements are state regulated not federal.

So it varies by state to state.

In Florida, if you grow orchids for sale you need a nursery license (pay a fee) and to get the license you must be zoned agricultural or you will be shut down. (expect unannounced inspections by state regulators which is required at least once a year and more at their desire)

To buy plants in Florida for resale you need an Agricultural Dealers license (pay fee again) and a surety bond (pay insurance company)

You then need a vendor's license in many counties (pay fee again)

Then you need to be registered to collect sales tax. Failure to pay is a criminal violation as you are stealing the state's money you collected on their behalf unlike failure to pay income tax which is a civil lawsuit.

Once you register for sales tax you must file a tax return every month and failure to file is a $25 late fee per month late. This fee is assessed even if there were no sales and no tax due. You need to file a zero tax return. Lots of work forever or until you tell them you are no longer selling retail.

Those sellers on the side of the roads are probably doing it illegal and eventually they will be caught. (pay very high lawyers fees). They clearly are trespassing and probably violating many zoning laws.

And if you think you can buy non-flowering Phals for $4.98 and sell them for $7.50 let me know where. I usually dump mine for $3 when I can and am happy to get it. Many wind up in the burn pile. Phal flowers on the side of the road will last about 1-2days in the wind and heat before flowers deteriorate.

You will wind up with a lot of undesirable plants you will not be able to sell and do a lot of work from less than minimum wage.