last year, i didn't know what i was doing.. well, i still don't know what i'm doing. i placed the order with uc davis, and didn't get any response or cuttings. i guess my order was lost.

i'm thinking i'll get the order in as soon as possible before the dec. 1st deadline. when is the earliest that i can put the order in? i sent an email to bernie someone that's on their link, but didn't get any response. is my google email account going into their spam box?

pete

You can submit your order now.  Sometimes you will get a reply back via email and sometimes you won't.  I have always received an order from them.  It is my experiences that they like it with you have a FEDEX shipping account.  good luck!  cheers

I doubt it is getting spamfiltered, Google has an amazing reputation as a non-spam provider. 

I put my form in around November so it doesn't get 'lost in the shuffle' over the course of several months waiting.  You need to submit in December-ish, and the cuttings go out in April/May.  I try and wait till a week before the deadline to submit.

Two things:  It is important you fill out the form properly and completely, and when you submit the order, as for a confirmation that they received it somewhere in the body of your email. 

Typically when I submit my order, this is all I put in the body of the message:  "Thanks for offering this resource and service to the public.  Please find my order attached.  Can you reply with a confirmation email so I know the order was received?  Thanks again."

If I don't hear anything back within a week, I would go into the Sent Items of my email and 'Reply all' to the original message and inquire whether the order was received.  I've always gotten a response to the original submission within 3 business days, though, so .... never had to go back and inquire.

there is a field that says "intended use". what goes on there? other than just growing it to see if it fruits, i really don't have much to write on that field.

pete

Research, study, evaluation, etc are good words. Choose one. That is technically why they make them available. They will send you a followup e-mail in 6-12 months asking for feedback on you cuttings.

I think I put "Hobby:  Testing f. carica cultivars in the southeast for rain tolerance" or something (which is technically true). 

I just put for Home Garden

I guess be true with your answer and your intent.
I will give it a shot this year. Is there a limit on how many I can order?

rafed,

reading their site, they didn't mention any limit. however, i placed order for 5 different figs. so far i haven't heard anything back.

maybe i'm getting ignored for second yr in a row...

pete

Pete,

I think you should wait till November and send it again but remind them that you had sent a request earlier and that you never got a response from anyone about it.

Maybe by then things will start to pick up pace and they will start reading the emails and responding to them.

I heard that if you include a FedEx or UPS account info it makes things much easier for them to process your request.

Maybe you can send a request by mail and include a pre-paid FedEx or UPS envelope.

I think there are many ways this can be achieved.

Good luck

Jason's suggestion about requesting a confirmation is a good idea--I think I sent mine to the wrong address the first time. My stated reason for ordering was that I wanted to find out which varieties performed best in Tucson, which is 100% true; I also offered to report back on the results. As Dennis suggests, providing a FedEx number is important. They're offering an extraordinary service for free, and in this economy, covering their shipping costs is sure to be a welcome gesture. Also, I know they appreciate a thank-you message once the shipment arrives. I hope you have much better luck on your next order!

since UPS account was an option, i opened an account and put that in. i'll send 'em an email again in oct. or so.

pete

I am doing something wrong the last 2 years I have filled out the order given my Fedex account number made sure it was in way before Dec, and no cuttings.
But because of the very nice and generous folks here I am not to worried about it.
Its a lot more fun to trade with real people and make new friends :)
I hope you have much better success than I have had
Jim