Nurseries - Merrifield Garden Center is the BEST, pass on Betty's Azalea Ranch (Reston: sales, coupon)

[Clem0369]

Originally Posted by Lawn Guru

Was at Merrified Garden Center early this morning and they have a huge selection of Pansies. Unlike Betty's Azalea Ranch, the staff was very friendly and helpful.

Of course you were at Merriefied Garden, you work there.

[Clem0369]

Hey Lawn Guru go back to work (at Merrifield) and get off the computer, you have customers to help. It's one thing to try to help people but another to spread B.S. about the competition (Betty's). And if you are the "Lawn Guru" why would you need help in picking out a plant?

[ICS67]

I have been to Betty's Azeala Ranch but not the Merrifield Garden Center, so I can't make a direct comparision of the two. However, I have always found the service and the quality of plants at Betty's to be very good. One of the women on the gardening staff was very helpful to me on two separate occasions when I was buying some yews and later some potted small shrubs for my patio; I likewise have been pleased with a holly I bought there. When I needed to buy a flat of periwinkle to fill in some gaps in my ground cover, I checked out both Meadow Farms and Betty's; what was available at Betty's was noticeably better.

Again, this is only my experience, but I've never had reason to complain about Betty's on all my trips there. In fact, when my wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told her to get me a gift certificate for Betty's, as she did last year.

[normie]

Originally Posted by Clem0369

The one that attempted to help me became visibly upset because I did not speak Spanish and tromped off. Did not realize that Spanish was a first language at Merrifields.

I'm surprised to hear that, considering Merrifield is a family business and many of the employees are family members or family friends.

[Caladium]

I just went to Bluemont nursery, and liked the plants there.

[ngadude]

I don't know about the other Merrifield Garden Centers, but the new one in Gainesville the staff is always very helpful. I don't believe I've ever encountered any "Spanish speaking" staff. The place is very dog friendly too and you can take your dog inside the store.

[Lawn Guru]

With all this snow, it has me thinking about Spring...it has to be around the corner.

Just heard Merrifield Garden Center has snow shovels in stock...too bad they don't deliver LOL

[normie]

Originally Posted by Lawn Guru

With all this snow, it has me thinking about Spring...it has to be around the corner.

Just heard Merrifield Garden Center has snow shovels in stock...too bad they don't deliver LOL

LOL, I was just going to post the same thing! You know, by this weekend MGC is going to be hopping. Not only is it the only place around with snow shovels (at least, that's what I hear) but they have a fabulous indoor garden area. Boy am I in the mood to walk around in there, looking at flowers and smelling the orchids.

[Lawn Guru]

So true, just spend about 15 mins there and you will be begging for Spring

I was trying to get information on growing tomatoes in containers and they were very helpful; just ordered my plants from Burpee

Originally Posted by normie

LOL, I was just going to post the same thing! You know, by this weekend MGC is going to be hopping. Not only is it the only place around with snow shovels (at least, that's what I hear) but they have a fabulous indoor garden area. Boy am I in the mood to walk around in there, looking at flowers and smelling the orchids.

[Caladium]

Just a heads up if you're planning to use Merrifield's coupons this year. In the past they had coupons in the store, but this year you must bring the coupon that was mailed to you. I was just at the Fair Oaks store and had to drive all the way back to Loudoun County just to get a frickin' coupon. And the clerk who told me I had to do this was not even sympathetic about it.

I'm not sure if she was rude or if maybe she was just dense--either way I expect better customer service than that. My time is valuable, gas is not cheap, and they couldn't even be bothered to say "I'm sorry."

I've been a good customer for decades and until now happy to recommend them, but this new attitude has rubbed me the wrong way. I was willing to put up with the higher prices because I thought they had good service, but I don't think I'll be using them anymore.