VALENCIA PINE & STRAW

yesterday, 5/2/2012, was my third time using valencia pine and straw. i also used them in fall 2009 and fall 2010. on 5/1/2012, i called them to place an order. i asked if they could deliver on 5/2/2012 anytime in the afternoon. the lady said yes. on 5/2/2012, they showed up a few minutes after noon. two guys unloaded the pine straw and stacked up the bales where i told them to stack. i gave them a check (and a small tip) and they left. valencia embeds the delivery charge within their $3.65+tax price per bale (minimum order of 20 bales). with my first two orders, valencia did not charge any additional delivery charge. this time, the lady said that i was beyond their 10 mile delivery circle. since i was about 15 miles away, they charged me an extra $15 fee. new policy. i placed an order anyway, since i didn't have time to quote around. next time, if their pricing is still competitive, i will order from them again. the pine straw quality is about the same as what i used to get at home depot. it's very good, but not excellent. nice smell, but the color is a little bit faded. overall, i am very glad that i don't have to go to home depot, wait on line to pay for the pine straw, and wait even more for the attendant to open the pine straw trailer. my wife is happy, because i don't have stray pine straw needles in the car.

PRICE WAS TERRIFIC - PAID JUST $4.50 PER BALE OF PINE STRAW WHICH INCLUDED DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION. HOWEVER, I WAITED ALL DAY FOR THEM TO COME SINCE I WANTED TO BE HOME TO SHOW THEM WHERE I WANTED IT SPREAD. I HAD THOUGHT I WAS FIRST ON THE LIST SINCE I'D STOPPED THE DAY BEFORE AT THEIR SITE TO CHECK ON MY ORDER. THE MAIN GUY WASN'T THERE AND THE GIRL WHO WAS DIDN'T SPEAK A LOT OF ENGLISH, SO PERHAPS THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I CALLED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE DAY TO INQUIRE BUT WAS NEVER ABLE TO GET A DEFINITE ANSWER AS TO WHEN SOMEONE WAS COMING. IN SPITE OF THIS PROBLEM, I'D DEFINITELY BUY MY PINE STRAW FROM THEM AGAIN - THE LOW PRICE MAKES UP FOR THE SLOW DELIVERY.