eBay
- Subject: eBay
- From: E*@aol.com
- Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 23:19:46 EDT
In a message dated 5/14/02 11:15:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
justme@prairieinet.net writes:
<< Well group anyone ever bought any plants thru ebay? Seems to be some
nice deals there, as well as people getting carried away with how much
something is worth :) >>
I know you can get some garden magazines there for around ten dollars/ three
years - Garden Design. Others, also, from time to time. This really works,
the magazine do come and the price is right. Sometimes there are five year
deals.
I have purchased a few bulbs and only one plant. I think you should ask many
questions of the seller, ask for sizes; have them measured. Ask for the age
of the plant and packaging methods. Plastic bags used by amateurs deliver
dead plants. Ask all the questions you can think of and check the shipping
cost. Ask for the shipping trace number if a large package. If a seller is
annoyed with questions, don't buy. Ask for Monday shipping.
The plant I bought was an orchid for the winter garden. I can't think why I
bought that orchid but it was sent so carefully packed and with such a kind
note and directions I was impressed. The seller was a University instructor
and wrote several months later and asked me if it bloomed. Not everybody has
that experience judging from the feedback entries. That was good advice
about the feedback pages, you can always ask a complaining buyer to describe
the problem. Seeds are easy but if you plant a seed that grows a plant that
you did not order, you will not know for quite a while. Same with bulbs. I
also bought ten Clivia seeds for a ridiculously small sum and was annoyed
with myself when they came. I was sure someone would overbid me. Ten
Clivia babies now growing around here.
If the cost is not too great the experience is fun and I would try it. I
have only four orchids and that is all I will ever have but eBay is the
orchid center of the universe, it seems. I have learned more there than I
have in any of the many books I own. Also there are pix on the auction pages
of things not pictured in catalogs.
The lawn mower person in this house has discovered golf clubs on eBay and it
occupies hours of his time on rainy days. eBay is a fun thing to do so I
guess you should accept the caveat emptor on every auction page and not get
too upset it things don't go exactly right every time.
The media arm of eBay is www.half.com. Books are very cheap there and a wish
list is maintained. You name the price you will pay and when it comes up
listed they send you an email. We have purchased dozens of children's videos
there for around 2.00 each. Garden books are always listed and you can
maintain your own wish list of books - I have been successful there several
times.
I never thought I would be interested in eBay but it is a very interesting
way to spend a spare hour. Big antique dealings there also.
Claire Peplowski
NYS z4
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