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Magazine Irritation!!!
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Message 1.Â
Posted by auricula (U3244275) on Sunday, 16th April 2006
Hi
Is anyone else irritated by "free offers" in gardening magazines?
I'm always seduced by the thought of 24 free plug plants or whatever - then find out that the postage and packing costs more than the plants would at a local garden centre!!!
In my book - these plants are not "free" at all!!
Grrrr...
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Message 2
Posted by phots-moll (U902248) on Sunday, 16th April 2006
I've sent of for a few, but you're right you have to be careful. If the plants (bulbs in my case) are ones you actually want it's OK. Often though what they're offering isn't really anything you would otherwise pay out for.
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Message 3
Posted by anneliesje (U3003883) on Sunday, 16th April 2006
Hi again auricula
I understand you completely!
I have a subscription to GW and buy from time to time English Gardens or Easy Gardening.
Last time I was in a "magazine store" I was really tempted by some magazines that offered free seeds! These were magazines I never ever buy. I have to confess I was in dubio!
But I was brave, and calculated how much more magazine + seeds costme (import ++++). I'm really better off buying the seeds somewhere!
But I also wondered -> why don't I get free seeds with GW??? +the plants for free that you can get in the UK, why can't I get them?
On the other hand it reassured me I'm having the right magazines, they don't have to promote themsleves with free seeds
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Message 4
Posted by Roof (U657647) on Sunday, 16th April 2006
Hi Auricula,
I know what you mean. I've also learned the hard way about the plant brochures inside those mags.
As I've got a lot of soil in my garden, I was seduced by the perennial border for #12.99 offer in one of them. But I reckon it was a false economy.
I was supposed to get 27 plug plants, but only 24 arrived and they didn't look too impressive.
I wish I'd spent twice the money and got them from a nursery.
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Message 5
Posted by Goldilocks (U2296284) on Sunday, 16th April 2006
I saw a "Daily Telegraph special offer" (I mean one sponsored by the newspaper a year ago - one of those green metal carts with four wheels and a long pulling arm that can be attached to a ride on mower. It was £149 + P&P. My local horticultural wholesaler was selling the identical cart for £50. Thanks for nothing Daily Telegraph! Naively I thought the newspaper would be providing extra value to its readers rather than ripping them off. I have since seen lots of similar gardening offers in the Telegraph, and usually they are twice to three times the price you can pay with abit of shopping around.
PS. this year the Telegraph is promoting it again, for around £70. -
Message 6
Posted by clondalkingardener (U2328443) on Sunday, 16th April 2006
Those free offers realy bug me too. They sell the magasines/papers in the ROI but the small print always says ROI and/or Channel Isles excluded. All the competitions on this site also exclude anybody who doesn't live in Great Britian.
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Message 7
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Monday, 17th April 2006
HI Annaliesje - I used to have GW mag on subscription but cancelled it when they stopped sending seeds and freebies with it even though, in posting terms, we're closer than many parts of the UK. I now make a monthly trek to a British supermarket in Everburg that reserves my copy each month with all the freebies and seeds.
I also find it irritating that you have to be UK resident to join the Readers' Club. Why? Half of Europe is closer than the Shetlands and Hebrides to the editorial offices in London. -
Message 8
Posted by anneliesje (U3003883) on Monday, 17th April 2006
Hi Obelixx!
I thought GW never gave free seeds!
I looked on the map where Everberg is, and I pass in the neighbourhood an awful lot of times! (when driving to Leuven)
Do you have an address? Next time when I'm there I might pop in.
(although I'm so angry at my daughter that she can take the train today to Leuven
)
Thanks for the info and take care! -
Message 9
Posted by Fat_Andy (U2418582) on Monday, 17th April 2006
Auricula
I couldn't agree more. My "free" magnolia stellata" from GW magazine cost £2.95 p&p and when it arrived it was a 6 inch stick in a pot. I'd rather have spent double and got a reasonable one from my local GC.
I find then when something looks "too good to be true", it usually is. I now steer clear of "free" offers because they very rarely are and they just don't seem worth it.
FA x -
Message 10
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Tuesday, 18th April 2006
Hi Annaliesje - try this
It's a weird place full of over priced British goods - many items are cheaper at nearest Delhaize - but caters for those Brits who can't cope with French or Flemish. They even by Cadbury's chocolates there - how daft is that?
I usually get there via the E40, Bertem exit but there is a "how to find us" on the site. Funny opening hours on Mondays and Tuesdays. -
Message 11
Posted by weedy (U2329409) on Tuesday, 18th April 2006
Hi Obelixx,
Looked at the link anyway even though I'll probably never go there! Maybe the odd hours Monday and Tuesday are for staff training or when the truck gets in from off the ferry to UK? -
Message 12
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Tuesday, 18th April 2006
Nope. They stock the shelves when it's closed and it's also something to do with the EU working hours directive because they open on Sundays.
GW does occasionally give away seeds so if Leuven is a regular trip it may be worth the detour. -
Message 13
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Tuesday, 18th April 2006
Sorry - first bit replying to Weedy and the second a postscript for Annaliesje.
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Message 14
Posted by lambcat (U3354546) on Tuesday, 18th April 2006
Hello everyone,Just to say that this year for the first time ever (very small garden before) I have planted some bulbs. I sent off for two "free" offers - one from the Radio Times and one from a House magazine. They were both £4.99 for approx 140 bulbs, in fact both from the same place (Thompsons I think). So I paid £10.00 for 280 bulbs and also recived 8 free packets of seeds.
So far I am very pleased with the daffodils, narcissus, hyacinths and I'm awaiting the arums and some small ones I can't remember the name of!
I thought this was all good value but am I mistaken?
Love Lambcat
Lambcat -
Message 15
Posted by catherine-emma (U2366451) on Tuesday, 18th April 2006
Oh - I thought that my stellata was quite good value. Yes it was a stick - but mine is now a stick with leaves on it! I am not sure I could have found one at even twice the price that would have been much more than two twigs. The ones I see are quite large and hence quite expensive. I have always been a sucker for these "freebies" even though you have to pay for post and packing. I got some "fee" acers which always seem very expensive in the garden centre I go to. Both of them are now covered in lovely coloured leaves with more buds coming through. Auricula
I couldn't agree more. My "free" magnolia stellata" from GW magazine cost £2.95 p&p and when it arrived it was a 6 inch stick in a pot. I'd rather have spent double and got a reasonable one from my local GC.
I find then when something looks "too good to be true", it usually is. I now steer clear of "free" offers because they very rarely are and they just don't seem worth it.
FA x -
Message 16
Posted by anneliesje (U3003883) on Tuesday, 18th April 2006
GW does occasionally give away seeds so if Leuven is a regular trip it may be worth the detour. Â
Leuven is an almost weekly trip, so next time I will have a detour, I want the see the partyware!
thanks and take care! -
Message 17
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Tuesday, 18th April 2006
Hi Annaliesje. I thought Leuven had a posh newly refurbished railway station. Wouldn't that be easier? Let the train take the strain etc.
Enjoy your visit and don't faint at the prices or produce. I once knew a Brit who would do monthly day trips to Dover because she couldn't find her usual toilet cleaner and loo rolls in Belgium! Funny lot they are. -
Message 18
Posted by anneliesje (U3003883) on Tuesday, 18th April 2006
Hi Annaliesje. I thought Leuven had a posh newly refurbished railway station. Wouldn't that be easier? Let the train take the strain etc.
Enjoy your visit and don't faint at the prices or produce. I once knew a Brit who would do monthly day trips to Dover because she couldn't find her usual toilet cleaner and loo rolls in Belgium! Funny lot they are.Â
YES, Leuven has a very very nice trainstation, not completely finished yet. When I have to go to Leuven on weekdays for work, I always take the train. Frm my town's station to Leuven is exactly 1 hour. But on a sunday I take the car, it just over half an hour, and if I want to pay a visit to this Supermarket this is probably easier!
Can you picture me sitting on the bus and train with my fancy british Tioletpaper rolls
.
I will go out of curioustity!
Oh I wish I could go more often to the UK, but it is so expensive! 2007 will probably be the year! I would like to visit Scotland! (2 week tour), and also Salisbury is on my wishing list, for another trip. I would love to see the Cathedral and the place around it, and Old Sarum and some nice gardens and and and....
Don't worry, sometimes I drive to the cliffs near Calais and enjoy the view on the 7 sisters. Often when you're sitting on the beach there, you have an english provider on your mobile.
It's not only the Brits that are a bit crazy, I know at least 1 crazy Belgian as well! -
Message 19
Posted by plantaholic (U3147925) on Tuesday, 18th April 2006
anneliesje
What are you talking about my friend?????????????
plantaholic x -
Message 20
Posted by anneliesje (U3003883) on Tuesday, 18th April 2006
Oh Dear Plantaholic!
I'm still a bit in a state of shock after you disappeared so gracefully with the Punter AND the Taxi driver!
So I have to go on talking or that image of you disappearing in a taxi with a punt on the roof is hunting my thoughts.
Take care my gentle friend! -
Message 21
Posted by Juliet (U2196646) on Tuesday, 18th April 2006
When you get to Salisbury, Annelisje, add this garden to your list of places to visit:
- it is one of my favourite gardens in the UK.
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