Frequently Asked Questions

Use the contacts below when you need to submit your universal credit application and anytime you have an order issue to resolve (damaged shipment, missing items, delivery problems, etc.). When emailing, please use this subject line format so your message is routed correctly: Melrose Intl: Hannah Riney — hannahr@melroseintl.com Willoway Nurseries: Kelly Kall — kkall@wwninc.com Central Florida Ferns & Foliage: Matt Roberts — matt@cfferns.com TDI Brands: Holly Mundy — hmundy@tdibrands.com Natorp's Nursery - Alex Goewey - agoewey@natorp.com We are currently onboarding and adding more suppliers into our program, their contacts will be provided when their drop ship catalog goes live!

E-Commerce Connect™ works exclusively with vetted suppliers—many of whom you already purchase from for your brick-and-mortar business. These are established, trusted brands in the garden industry with proven fulfillment, packaging, and quality standards, not anonymous online sellers.  Our suppliers use professional shipping carriers and bring years of drop-shipping experience, with clear processes in place to ensure products are packaged properly, handled with care, and delivered in good condition. While occasional shipping issues can occur in any fulfillment model, repeated or systemic problems are uncommon. We encourage you to reach out to suppliers directly to learn more about their offerings. For efficiency, please refer to the correct point of contact for each supplier. Sending inquiries to a general inbox can slow response times; designated contacts are assigned specifically to support E-Commerce Connect™ members and are best equipped to answer your questions quickly and accurately.

E-Commerce Connect was launched in May 2025 with a long-term vision to build a balanced, high-quality supplier network across all major categories. Our near-term goal is to establish 2–5 trusted suppliers per category, giving garden centers real choice in what they sell online, how they price, and which partners best align with their brand. As the program grows, we will continue expanding categories thoughtfully—prioritizing quality, reliability, and suppliers who are committed to delivering a great customer experience on behalf of independent garden centers. Every supplier is vetted with the same standard in mind: protecting your reputation, strengthening customer trust, and ensuring your online store feels like a natural extension of your in-store experience.

Shipping costs depend on the supplier. Some, like Willoway Nurseries and Melrose, include shipping in their landed cost, making pricing straightforward. Others, like TDI, charge a flat $10 shipping fee, which you can add to the product price. We’re always working with suppliers to simplify shipping and create a smoother experience for you and your customers.

The customer completes their purchase directly on your e-commerce website (Shopify or WooCommerce), and payment is collected by you at checkout. The sale is yours—you control the pricing, the customer relationship, and the transaction. After the order is fulfilled, the supplier invoices you for the landed cost based on the terms you’ve established with them (Net 15, Net 30, or credit card on file). You keep the difference between what the customer paid and the supplier’s landed cost. Example 1: Supplier with shipping included (Willoway Nurseries)  The customer purchases a plant on your e-commerce website for $35. Willoway’s landed cost is $25, which already includes shipping. Willoway invoices you $25, and you keep the $10 difference as your gross profit. Example 2: Supplier with shipping charged separately (TDI Brands)  The supplier’s product cost is $25, with an additional $10 shipping fee. To maintain a $10 profit, you may choose to price the product at $45 on your website. The customer pays $45 at checkout. The supplier then invoices you $35 total ($25 product + $10 shipping), and you retain $10 as your gross profit.

We’re genuinely glad you want to help grow the supplier network. E-Commerce Connect™ is built on trusted, established relationships, and referrals from our garden centers are one of the best ways to identify strong supplier partners. We do carefully vet every supplier to ensure quality, reliability, and a good fit for the program. If you have a vendor you’d like to recommend, send an intro email to your supplier contact expressing your interest in dropshipping their plants or hardgoods through your online store, and cc us so we can start the conversation and guide next steps.  Contact: John Kennedy @ john@boomerwrangle.com

Each garden center using E-Commerce Connect™ customizes its online store to fit its unique brand and customers. This means product selections, suppliers, and assortments vary. For instance, one center might feature Melrose products, while another focuses on TDI. It’s all about giving retailers the freedom to create a store that reflects their vision and meets their customers’ needs.

"Hot Buys" are special, limited-time deals from suppliers offering discounts on select plants and products. These promotions are perfect for driving sales and creating urgency for your customers. You can easily promote them using our ready-to-use marketing templates or your own campaigns. Check the "HOT BUYS" section in the dropship catalog to see the latest offers!

Please stay connected with program updates by visiting our website and/or requesting to be added to our retailer and supplier announcement e-list. When new drop-ship suppliers become available, you will receive email instructions outlining the steps required to establish credit and connectivity. This communication will include the supplier’s point of contact and where to submit your universal credit application for consideration. You can also log into your OrderEase account and check “Recommended Suppliers.” As new drop-ship catalogs go live, you will have the opportunity to request connections.When submitting a connection request, please email your universal credit application to the supplier in advance to help expedite approval. Once the supplier approves your application, they will accept the connection request and their drop-ship catalog will become available within your OrderEase account.

Yes. Even if you already purchase from a supplier through a buying group such as Master Nurseries, a separate dropshipping account must be established for participation in the E-Commerce Connect program. All suppliers require a Universal Credit Application to create this account. The reason is that dropshipping transactions use a different pricing structure than traditional wholesale purchasing. Your existing account is set up for wholesale inventory that you bring into your store. The dropshipping catalog, however, is structured around retail pricing for the end customer, since the supplier is shipping directly to your customer and you retain the net profit from the sale. Once the supplier receives and approves your Universal Credit Application, they will create your dropshipping account and typically establish payment terms (such as Net 15, Net 30 or credit card on file). After the account is set up, Andrew can connect your OrderEase account to the supplier’s dropshipping catalog.