Jamie Oliver in Homebase

[jojo2910]

Not personally but in spirit.

I went to Homebase today and Jamie Oliver's GYO range is in. Seeds, potatoes, plants, soil the full works.

I was surprised by 2 things. Firstly, the price. £5.29 for a grow bag, nearly 4 times the price of the Tomatorite one. Secondly, the amount of people buying his stuff. Loads. Especially, the ready to plant herb collection.

What does anyone else think?

[zazen999]

Madness. Total madness.

I suppose they are lapping it up though. So, in essence, a good marketing ploy.

[pjh75]

I saw the range last weekend... didn't check the prices though. I guess it is just another money making opportunity for him and Homebase. I'm unlikely to buy his grow your own range. On the other hand my kitchen is full of his, James' and Nigella's equipment!

[pauco]

Rip off springs too mind!!

paul.

[Two_Sheds]

Good luck to him - if people are daft enough to pay over the odds, it's their look out

[Pies]

Fools and their money......... I'll be there tomorrow

[miker2d2]

good marketing, likely to make sales to first time/give it a bash growers who are in the store browsing.

they said on gardeners world the grow your own veg market was increasing rapidly which in my opinion is a good thing

[Two_Sheds]

the grow your own veg market was increasing rapidly which in my opinion is a good thing

Yes, it certainly is

[Chef_uk]

Not even i would be dumb enough to pay over the odds for a Chef's range of soil ROFL

[valmarg]

C'mon, I can't be the only person out here who sees a supposed chef (aka reasonable cook) label on anything and would want to dash out and buy it.

The thing that puts me off buying any products is the endorsement of a cookery writer, chef, or supposedly good cook like Nigella or Jamie.

Whether it be cooking equipment or ready sauces, etc no way am I going to buy.

valmarg

[blue411]

I believe they are trying to compete with B&Q who has Alan Titchmarsh on their books

[jojo2910]

It is most definitely the power of marketing and trusted name. Homebase sold their own brand equivalents, such as blueberries, but because its Jamie's presumably it must be better. If it gets more people into gardening then that is all the better, but I hope they learn you can buy elsewhere.

[Two_Sheds]

It is most definitely the power of marketing and trusted name.

I haven't trusted Jamie's gardening advice since he described potatoes as "really very hardy"

[jojo2910]

I haven't trusted Jamie's gardening advice since he described potatoes as "really very hardy"

LMAO, can't agree with you more.

[northepaul]

Bl**dy Homebase!
I had a voucher to be used this weekend, wanted some tomato grow bags...got there and not only were they on offer, (hooray you would think at this point) but they had completely sold out, so cos I had to use the voucher, had to get the stupid Jamie Oliver ones at 3 x the price!!