A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
Opinion
It seems to me that everyone these days has a grievance — perhaps it’s the weather, or perhaps it’s the cost of living.
Unfortunately I too have come to you with a grievance. It’s an outrageous incidence of ageism and sexism that occurs in our retail industry and affects elderlyladies of every race, creed and colour.
The vast majority of non-commercial pot plants are made by elderly women. It is something they do. These ladies have been good customers of garden centres for many years. As a thank you for their loyalty, you would think they could expect the greatest degree of kind assistance in their desire to put plants in pots. This is far from the case.
Most garden centres put up large 40 litre bags of potting mix at around $10. These bags are made of slippery plastic and are difficult to handle. How many 80-year-old women can lift and carry these bags to their car, lift them in and then lift them out again at home? These ladies are forced to buy smaller bags of potting mix (the largest I can handle is 30 litres and I am quite strong for my age). A 30 litre bag costs $13 to $14. As the bags get smaller, the price goes up — penalising the elderly and the frail. It’s the same with all similar gardening products — eg, compost or fertiliser.
Would we put up with this preying on old ladies anywhere else? We would not!
Why can’t garden centres have a range of potting items at reasonable prices? What about a line called “Gold Card Products”? It could include boxes of six pots already filled with potting mix, a range of plants, bulbs or seeds to be included. Many potential products come to mind.
Or perhaps garden centres could have the courtesy to reintroduce the idea of free delivery — does anyone remember that? This could be part of the Gold Card service if it’s too costly for a general rule.
Sorry to be a whining Kiwi but some things need to be brought to the public notice.
