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KelpMax is now Kelpak - and is in stock!

Discussion in 'For Trade/Sale' started by Ray, May 18, 2022.

  1. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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  2. J E

    J E Jaime Escobedo

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    Exact same product?
     
  3. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Yes.

    I "discovered" Kelpak about 11-12 years ago (it's been in use on foods, fruits, nuts, grains, turf and landscaping for over 40 years). I was so impressed by how the plants responded to it that I knew other orchid growers would love it, so I inquired about retailing it. The manufacturer in South Africa said "no". After about a year of negotiating through the US wholesaler, they agreed to let me do so, IF I repackaged and relabeled it under my own trade name. An online contest later, and "KelpMax" was born.

    For the last decade, I have purchased pallets of Kelpak in 2.5-gallon jugs, plus bottles, caps, and labels, and repacked it as KelpMax. When I retired and relocated about 5 years ago, I inquired about getting another vendor to do that, but the folks in South Africa said that if I stopped retailing it, they would not authorize anyone else to do so. (They appreciate the fact that I teach people about it, rather than just selling it with no further support.) It's too good to let go by the wayside, so that's why First Rays is still in business.

    About the middle of last year, they offered to package it in 1-liter bottles for me, and asked if I would be OK with selling it under the original "Kelpak" trade name, and I agreed, and they customized the label for me. Even better: even though they raised the product price to me by about 15% this year and the cost to get it to me from their US distribution warehouse increased by 90%, because I do not have to buy bottles, caps, or labels - I'm ignoring my labor cost - my net cost went down and I was able to reduce the price.