Index

• How does Mallee Phallies work? On our request, our suppliers forward their current and upcoming lists for their next shipment. Those lists are then worked into the format that we prefer and those lists published on our website, usually in Excel AND pdf format for convenience. Our regular customers, ie. our Mail Out Subscribers, are then notified by email of the new list. Per-orders are invited to secure what would be required/desired within a given space of time. All pre-orders are then integrated, and our order submitted. There is usually some limited extra stock to allow for add-on sales, but no particular variety is guaranteed. Pre-orders are essential to avoid disappointment but even so, no guarantees can be given due to matters out of our control.

• How long has Mallee Phallies been in business? Our first direct import shipment was in January 2009.

• Where does your Trading Name come from? We hail from Sea Lake in the middle of the Victorian Mallee region. My special love is for Phalaenopsis orchids … Phallies … so “Mallee Phallies” – just a rhyming play on words!

• Do you attend Orchid Shows? We are often invited to attend shows interstate but due to the difficulties associated with transporting flasks, interstate shows are not possible due to distances involved. We DO attend the Melbourne Orchid Spectacular however as it is little more than a 3-hour trip for us!

• Do you carry flowering size plants? Unfortunately, no, space does not allow for that luxury!

• Do you only carry flasks? No, from time to time, I DO unpack the odd flask and raise the seedlings to a size when they could “stand on their own two feet”! A list of seedlings available appears on our main page and that list is updated as required.

• Can I place an order direct from the website? No, the “Order Form” is there for your convenience only to give you some idea of what the value of your order is. The order forms are usually far too big to attach to an email. You may cut and paste of course.

• How do I place an order? I prefer orders via email quoting the name of the Supplier, the Code/Number of the flask, the name of the Variety and the quantity desired. Phone orders or SMS orders are fraught with problems as they can get lost in the “system”. Email orders leave a “paper-trail”!

• How do you dispatch orders? I usually use Australia Post Express Post for speed and convenience. A new innovation by Australia Post in the near future will see our parcels placed in a “FRAGILE” bag for transport at no extra cost.

• How much does postage and handling cost? 1 flask generally travels for $20, 2 flasks - $25, 3 – 6 flasks - $32. Usually, I am unable to fit more than 6 flasks into the largest Express Post bag. Small orders of the smaller flasks, eg. from South Africa or Peru can sometimes fit into the Small Express Post bag at $17 …. Prices subject to change by Australia Post of course!

• Can I collect my order in person? Yes, for sure …. by arrangement …. and cash payments mean extra savings!

• Can I nominate my own carrier/courier? Yes, you may. I have in the past used TNT Road Express for larger orders but following COVID, the costs associated with road transport have increased dramatically!

• What are your Open hours? Unlike Ronnie Barker, we are not “Open All Hours” but by arrangement, any civilised time of day is fine … and we love to meet our customers face to face!

• Can you order from other suppliers? Other countries? We are always open to new suppliers from any country. Because of the demand for Disas, we were able to track down our supplier in South Africa through South African friends. We have had to help with logistics but that is fine. As it happens QANTAS have an office in Johannesburg!

• Do you offer any discounts? Yes, we do. Discounts for quantity purchases over 5 flasks, is always shown on our Order Forms. Discounts may apply to all suppliers over any specific shipment. Due to the added ground costs of a shipment, discounts are not available over multiple shipments.

• How do I know when a new list is open for pre-orders? We maintain a mailing list that allows us to contact all customers with news of new lists, Specials, etc. That mailing list remains our personal property and will NEVER be made public. Everyone on that list receives personalised emails. You may subscribe to the mailing list via the link on our website.

• Do I need to pay up front with my order? No, we prefer to send out invoices once the flasks have arrived. We enjoy a Credit Rating with many of our suppliers that allows us to continue that practice.

• What happens if I cancel my order? Orders may be cancelled under special circumstances but defaulting on an order will see your name removed from the Mailing List and any future orders may require payment in advance.

• What varieties are on your wishlist? For a short time we enjoyed a supply of Chinese paphs and cypripediums. That supply fell through and we have not been able to source any since. They would be on our wishlist!

• Can I submit my wishlist? Yes, you certainly may!