In the simplest of terms, brokers are re-wholesalers. Smaller growers, like Henry's, may do business through brokers as it limits their work and effort. The brokers do the purchasing and shipping and also offer a degree of security as to credit-worthiness when dealing with small customers in other parts of the country. Obviously, the broker extracts a fee for this service, which effectively bumps up the cost of the plants.

Henry's is one of my local vendors and I can assure you it is a VERY small operation and not equipped to do business with a large number of customers scattered across the country. Heck, the GM even drives the delivery truck during the busy season!

I deal with a plug producer who only sells through brokers as well. Until my broker forgot to place a lot of orders last fall. LOL. He deals directly to me now.

I use several brokers, and find that no it doesn't always drive up the prices. Brokers who do lots and lots of business with growers have a little clout. I know by choosing a few brokers carefully I got plants I doubt I'd have gotten when they were in short supply and also can beat the prices I got when dealing directly with a grower. A really good and trustworthy broker who knows his/her plants is worth their weight.