Keep in mind that "on-line" is just another method of communicating with the company. The main difference is that on-line orders should be secure (your computer will show a closed padlock) in those areas requiring your personal information; for addiitonal security, use your credit card company's method of variable numbers for on-line credit. The most important part is to find companies that you like to deal with; and do check with garden watchdog for opinions before you commit time and money to an order.

I do almost all of my ordering online; I use paper catalogs to select the basic items; and I like the way my favorite companies have web specials. Bluestone Perennials is my hands-down favorite with good quality, reasonable prices, and wonderful service; for bulbs I prefer Van Engelen; after them is a multi-way tie: 'Brent and Becky's', Select Seeds, Burpee, and Parks (mainly seeds, but good plants too), and sometimes, with caution: Dutch Gardens, VanBourgenan, White Flower Gardens.

Companies can change owners/managers and one year's good ratings is a good sign but not a guarantee of the next year -- just like growing a garden: we can only hope for the best.

Here is a link that might be useful: watchdog