How would you like it if your only choice in mango trees was Tommy Atkins, Haden, or Glenn? Big box stores only carry the two or three options, best known, of anything.
I can go to Bender's Grove and he has a ridiculous number of mango varieties on site and has good access to any he does not have in inventory. Do you want the big store buyer choosing for you?
Agreed. Plus, IMO the customer service is better. Especially if you are a return customer. Big Box stores may have low prices (though Mike does as well), but I don't think they will pick up a tree from another nursery 60 miles away and have it ready for you with brown paper sleeves to ensure nothing spills out in the transit home. Plus, he has many of the varieties growing right there on the property so he is knowledgeable as to how they grow.
Plus, he often has info regarding new varieties that are coming soon. He even has the fruit for sale, which allows the customer to taste what they are buying...and to see what produces fruit at what times of year.
I love doing business there, but I am sure that there are other nurseries that care about the collector/hobbyist/fruitnut and cater to them accordingly. These are the people to support, if we want this
thing of ours to continue.