Let the buyers beware. P. pinnatifidum

From: "Tropicals" <Tropicals at SolutionsAnalysis.net> on 2004.07.29 at 21:10:38(11874) If ever you see we have a plant auctioned or in our eNursery that is improperly labeled, PLEASE let us know. We especially expect support from the aroid-l group. We strive to learn daily and this 32 year passion for aroids was primarily to enjoy them by providing the best growing environment possible. That was the best return I cared about, their not finding themselves in a state of permanent dormancy. Seriously, we are just as prone to make a mistake as the next person at our level of familiarity. It happens out of ignorance, the original label was wrong, I lost the label and my memory is mushy these days or it has been labeled differently since the reference books we use were printed (A.B.Graf). I had the pleasure of meeting another individual in this forum today; when they departed I realized how very much more there is to learn about aroids and am certainly motivated to do so. The point is simple, please correct us if we make an error; we respect knowledge, especially if it is accurate! We were not blessed with the credentials most of you hold in this forum but we did earn a right to learn from you. +More Thanks, now on to another subject. We have a couple of young P. pinnatifidum that have each lost a few leaves in the last couple of weeks. They turn to mush, just as if they had been through a frost. Their environment has not changed, watering schedule / sun, etc. no chemicals applied; it just happened out of the blue. Constructive advice would be appreciated. Christian Your AlterNative Solutions Team www.SolutionsAnalysis.net Direct to Tropical / Desert Nursery http://www.solutionsanalysis.net/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi -----Original Message----- Behalf Of Tropicals Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 8:52 AM To: aroid-l@lists.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: [aroid-l] Let the buyers beware. Here Here on enough is enough. Many of us join this forum to learn, we gain trust in their statements and knowledge and the pictures they take. We look up to those with many years experience and rely upon their word. Oh, you mean they were wrong? I trusted their word and labeled my plant they way they said to. Oh my, what now? It is up to us to maintain integrity and be helpful and not criticize. I am one that has made an error (label came with plant); I received a note from a kind soul that corrected me. Yes I felt like a complete butt about it and quite embarrassed; but that individual helped me learn. There are several of us selling on eBay from this global group, maybe even relying upon those sales as a sole source of income due to a disability or simply a desire. I DO NOT know how to gauge RARE or UNUSUAL or EXTREMELY RARE as I have seen primarily from experience. I'll receive an inquiry about a plant featured on the eNursery and that individual will say how absolutely rare it is (to them) and common to me. I believe those were "absolutely rare" to most of us at one time or another, unless we memorized all of A.B. Graf's books or all of the excellent documents written by well respected aroiders at a very early age! My point is I appreciate guidance and learning something new every day, as long as it is accurate. I have been really burnt by a number of eBay purchases and can completely agree with the statement BUYER BEWARE. All that did was make me more sensitive to the detailed descriptions and pictures I provide. New pictures are taken right before an auction so they can see CURRENT status of the plant. I send more pictures if requested, so they can make a knowledgeable and comfortable decision. I readily answer questions and if one of my items on eBay goes up to $1,000 for an item, I will thank the Lord and accept it. Of course, none have but it all comes down to what the market can bear and how much I am willing to spend of eBay/PayPal fees. I used to start at the 9.99 to keep fees low and had to release the $80 specimen for 9.99 because there was only one bid. We do hope that in the end, it will all even out. So how about we all learn from our experiences and worry about our own backyard more than becoming critical of others. I appreciate warnings also, but this topic is just "singing to the choir"! Christian Your AlterNative Solutions Team www.SolutionsAnalysis.net Direct to Tropical / Desert Nursery http://www.solutionsanalysis.net/cgi-bin/store/agora.cgi -----Original Message----- Behalf Of Jeff Rosenstiel Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 6:57 PM To: aroid-l@lists.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: [aroid-l] Let the buyers beware. Ok People, lets stop the Ebay bad talk here, what the difference, At the aroid shows auctions I have been at people paid over $1000.00 for a plant, not like anyone was holding a gun to there head, Sure we all thought they were a little crazy but hey.... Even at the Aroid show/sales, the vender booths, Some are not what I would call selling for cheap, Yet some are offering real Deals, Same on ebay, no one's making them pay that, Yes you do have to keep a eye out for items that are not named correctly, Thats true, But If you know its not correct, Just don't bid. Or if you dont know what your bidding on, You should check it out/look it up before you bid. Hey I sell on ebay, I start items out at $9.99, If someone wants to pay some huge amount that there choice, You have to remember too , Not everyone lives in Florida and can find a item down the road, For cheap, Most of the "buyers" on ebay are not from florida, So to them it is "rare" Or wants to wait 3 + months for a order to be filled from a nursery. Had to say somthing, I know there are "lots" of people on this list that sell on ebay, Yet no one else has said anything Jeff ----- Original Message ----- To: Sent: Monday, July 26, 2004 5:47 PM Subject: Re: [aroid-l] Let the buyers beware. > Elizabeth, does ebay let you send a direct message to the bidders? I hate > seeing these poor people bidding up on plants that can be had for, like Julius > said, 1/4 of the going price at most nurseries. Not to mention they think > they are getting something only a few collectors in the world have due to > misleading SOB sellars. I guess this happens all the time in every category on ebay > and other auction sites but it just irks me to see people getting ripped off > by the same few every time. > Michael

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