Wow! What a year we’re having at Baker Creek!
Sales are at a record level, thanks to you, our long-time loyal customers, as well as all you new customers. We know that our satisfied clientele are spreading the word and we’re grateful for that.
Seed packets and updated shelving.
In each of the past two years, our sales have doubled—that’s what every business dreams about, but we’re mindful of the old sports analogy: “you don’t want to out-punt your coverage.” Frankly, it was hard to keep up with the demand.
So, to address the frustrations that we all felt at times, we used the proceeds from those super years to invest in infrastructure. Here’s a brief summary of what we’ve been doing to speed up order processing and improve our overall customer service.
By popular demand, we alphabetized all varieties so they would be easier to locate in the catalog and online. We also implemented a new online shopping cart that gives you a visible running total of what you’re ordering, as well as being better organized.
Our new Customer Care Center, with its fourteen offices and state-of-the-art computer and communications equipment, including a facility-wide fiber optics star array, have greatly improved our ability to take phone orders rapidly and efficiently.
Chris operating our new seed packing machine.
Until this season, all our seeds were hand-packed. In July, 2009, we purchased a $70,000 packing machine, built to our specifications. Now, we can pack over 30,000 packets in a two-shift day.
This output capacity created another problem, however: Where would we put all those seeds? The existing warehouse is too small to hold both bulk seeds and a year’s supply of packaged seeds. So, we built a 10,000 square-foot warehouse to stage the packaged products. This warehouse is also wired into the local area network for future use in bar-code inventory control and the like.
2009 had its share of creature comforts, too. We completed the Asian-themed Earth restaurant that is operated on a donations-only basis. This is a unique, non-profit dining experience that is for the benefit of our customers. And we don’t want to forget the addition of several species of exotic chickens and another breed of sheep in our animal exhibits.
The Spring Planting Festival is slated for May 2—3, 2010. Come on out and hear our world class speakers, listen to a smorgasbord of country, gospel, bluegrass, and Americana music, and choose from an enticing array of products from the vendors.
Thanks again for your business and good will. We appreciate each and every one of you, and we will continue to seek new ways to serve you.
-By: Jerry Orton
I just ordered for the first time from your company on the recommendation of a friend here in town. Your website is so well laid out, I really like it. I like being able to see on the right side my existing order and how all the seeds are alphabetical. I also like the ratings and review section. Very helpful. Thank you and looking forward to receiving my order! Bonnie
My my, how things change! I remember packing all those seeds by hand! How cool!
May I respectfully suggest that seed sets or subsets get listed ALSO under sets. I would like to be able to eventually get all your seeds. I know that you sell the master set, but that is beyond my income. I can only afford the jumbo set as my main purchase. Is there some way to get the remaining seeds in subsequent purchases?
Blessings,
Brett
I also like the ratings and review section. Very helpful. Thank you and looking forward to receiving my order! Bonnie
BEST germination rates… wonderful customer service and TONS of seeds for a great price. Baker Creek is one of our # 1 seed companies that we can depend on! Thank you!!