Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Is this for real?


Okay, I just received this in the mail and I'm curious how many of you received it. It's an invitation to join the National Home Gardening Club in Minnetonka, MN. Has anyone heard of this?

Along with the invitation they sent me a package of slow release fertilizer and some cosmos seeds. It looks like it costs $12.00 a year and for that I get to try gardening products, answer a brief questionnaire and then supposedly keep the tried product.

Also the invitation states they have giveaways, members only magazine, seed swaps and free use of their website. As I typed that out that sounds almost like what we gardening blogs have.

So I'm just curious if anyone has heard of this, belongs to this club, or what.


30 comments:

Dorothy said...

Hi Susie,
Nice new blog design!! No, I haven't heard of this. Hope all is well with you!

Anonymous said...

Some blog that I read regularly mentioned belonging to this recently. I'll try to figure out who it is.

Leedra said...

Haven't heard about it, but I wouldn't send money. You are right, we kind of that going on right here without their getting our money.

Leedra’s Photos For FunLeedra’s Greeting CardsPhotography By Leedra

Anonymous said...

Susie, when I google this NHGC, I see a LOT of complaints and the word "scam."

deedee said...

I think Becca at A Southern Gardener has joined this. Check with her about this.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I just got this too. I think Darla at Family and Flowers said the pruners fell apart.

Unknown said...

Actually I joined last year and got some cool things to try and send in a survey on them, got seed packets a Gardening How-To Magazine every two months and offers to buy really cool books, which I purchased three of. Don't know that I'll join again, but for a year and 12 bucks it was fun!

Terri said...

I got it last year but never joined. Like you, I was skeptical - it looked a bit like a scam to me.

Susie said...

Thanks everyone for your input. I kind of figured some of y'all had heard of this. Hope everyone has a great day!

Jen said...

Never heard of it and didn't get an invite.
I get free gardening info right here. :D

Unknown said...

My husband tried something similar, from a woodworking magazine and it turned out to be a real hassel to get out of, once he decided he didn't like it.

Deb said...

they always make it sound so good up front....till they get you in...hope it's not a scam

Ginger said...

I have gotten a couple of invitations to join. I think it's legit, but I never joined. I read elsewhere that most people who join don't get all those cool things they show, but just a pair of so-so pruners. I'd rather save the $12 to put towards a pair of nice pruners. Maybe for every year you're a member, you get nicer stuff...

Roses and Lilacs said...

Sorry, never heard of it. It doesn't sound quite right, I'd be skeptical.
Marnie

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Haven't heard about this one, Susie--but if it were me, I'd just throw the invitation away... JMHO.

Hope you had a great week/weekend.

We are glad to be home.. It was a wonderful trip --just getting to see my son and family. BUT--the weather was horrible. Oh Well!!!!

I'm going to check through some of your older blog posts.
Hugs,
Betsy

Lanny said...

I received the same mailer a few days ago. Many years ago, when this outfit started, I was a charter member. But since I am horrific at deadlines and mail and stuff (ask Dirt about when I was going to take over bill paying because I had such pretty penmanship) so I never got in on any of the trial stuff etc. Not sure want the incentive would have to be for me to do something on time consistently, I usually last a week and a half!

Anonymous said...

I joined this recently, and wouldn't call it a scam, but I also wouldn't do it again. For $12 though, you do get their garden magazine, so that alone isn't bad. I've gotten some seeds, a trowel and the magazines, so I don't feel ripped off. But they continually try to sell you more and more things, so it's a little annoying.

Sandy said...

Susie,
I have not heard of this but I am not much of a gardener so good luck finding the info you are seeking.

I have a question to ask you, would you mind sending me a private email? My email address is as follows: srpbabb@hotmail.com

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I get this every year since I joined once a long time ago. It's more of a waste of time then anything. But hey the seeds were cool, huh? :)

Nancy Rosalina said...

Never heard of...have you done a google search? Try that and see what happens.

Love all your gorgeous flowers and it all goes so good with you blog design!
Nancy

George said...

This is one that I haven't heard of. If you join I would be interested in your reaction.

Susie said...

Thanks everyone for all your remarks and comments. I won't be joining but it did sound like a fun thing to do. I appreciate y'alls honesty.

TC said...

I was a member years ago. But don't remember anything about it. I reckon that tells ya it ain't all that special.

beckie said...

isn't it great that you can ask and then recieve so much good advice from other bloggers!? Hope you are doing okay. :)

Meadowview Thymes said...

I've gotten those too Susie. I am such a doubting Thomas, I never buy into those. Now garden magazine subscriptions....that's another story! :)

Forty Two East said...

I have never gotten anything like that before.....

Rose said...

Susie, I see you've already gotten lots of good feedback. I did join a couple of years ago and at first I did get some good gifts, like a pair of pruners. But what they really want, I think, is for you to become a Life Member, which is very pricey. You do get a magazine for a year for $12. It's pretty good, but the rest isn't really worth it.

Dirt Princess said...

Susie I got it as well! I didn't send it in though. Becca did subscribe to it, they do send her things in the mail to keep and try. But I just don't want to feel "obligated" to have to purchase some just because I joined

Connie said...

I have seen this invitation before but never joined it so I don't know if it is legit or not. You already seem to know what you're doing just fine to me without it though! :D

Lynn said...

I got it to this week, but don't think I'm joining. Prob more trouble than it is worth...