Any European Traders available?

[OnicheK]

Hello,

Got here a while ago and spent most of my logged in time reading old (or not so old) topics.

I also noticed that most users come from the US and that there's a great relationship formed among you. But I'm still waiting for Europe to wake up

I'm not perfectly acquainted with CITES rules, but everybody seems to consider it impossible to send plants IN or OUT of the States. I could use some extra info on this, if available...

Therefore, I'd like to find people from Europe (and not only) in the mood for trades. By the way, I live in Italy at this time.

Waiting for your feedback,

Oana.

[patticake]

Welcome Oana!
There are many geeks from Europe and other parts of the world!! Yes, the U.S. has a large following, but we have geeks- everywhere!! I know that CITES are required to send plants from country to country, but there are growers in your country, too! We, in the U.S., would have to pay CITES to obtain plants from your country also! CITES are pricey, but, if it's a plant that you really want- and it's not available where you are, and it's worth it to you, you'll pay it! People pay thousands of dollars for paintings, etc.- The value of a piece of art, a rare plant, or a "Beanie Baby" is what someone is willing to pay for it.
CITES is in force to protect the abuse that has been happening to our wild species.
I've seen a few orchids on web sites from other countries that are gorgeous!!
Am I willing to pay the price plus CITES?? It's all about how much you want it!!!!

[Uechi]

Good question. Unfortunately CITES is a joke and does not do what its' supposed charter dictates it should do. Its is more interested in chasing legitimate growers and scientists while allowing wild orchids to be destroyed by highways, cities, farms etc. There are many documented cases of collectors and scientists that have tried to save orchids in South America and been told you can't take the orchids but it was ok to bulldoze them to death. The other problem is that many of the " so called " plant inspectors couldn't tell a rare orchid from a pansy. As unbelieavable as this is,I suggest you read " Orchid Fever " by Eric Hansen. The book was written in 2000 and it will open your eyes. What makes it sad is that it hasn't gotten any better in eight. years. CITES is a great example of a good idea run by morons.

[solay]

Gosh, I didn't even know what CITES is and now I'm learning it's a bad thing.That's horrible. Killing all those orchids and plants that may now become extinct.

Unfortunately there are a lot of morons in the world making up rules and laws.

[evagentry]

hello Oana ,I live in Romania ,from my understanding there should be no problem shipping plants back and forth between countries if they are both EU,I recieved a shipment from the Netherlands last month with out paper work at all.There is another member from Italy,but I don't remember their name, if you check the posts maybe you can find them.

[legiaanhung]

Yes, in EU you do not want to have the CITES. I had sent some plant to Spain and Italy without CITES.

[tom499]

Dont know how I missed this thread any opportunity to trade plants

I'm in the UK and buy many orchids from Germany, very little fuss

[OnicheK]

Hello, all! And thank you for your kind answers.

I bought stuff from EU as well (mostly Germany) and didn't have any trouble with shipments. I got flasks from Thailand (an extremely costly shipment, though) and no one said a thing and I have tones of American dends that never heard the word "CITES" Oh, they needn't either, they're starting to bloom as we speak.

I started this thread after having at least a dozen of "no, thank you"s emailed to me by American orchid nurseries with interesting orchids flowering all over the place. They all said shipment to Europe was impossible (some said even illegal...) and canceled my orders.

By that moment, I hadn't have any trouble with international shipping, so I didn't even look into their reasons for turning down good business like this.

Anyways, in the meantime, one large order I placed on ebay was coming from Canada and last week I got the official letters that I needed to make a statement to get them through the customs. I did, I emailed all the necessary documents (including mails exchanged through ebay with the seller to prove the value of the "importation") and I underlined that the 2 parcels were filled with live plants and then I begged them to hurry whatever person or process in order for the plants to stay alive.

This was last week. This week, we're calling the Postal Authority every day, insisting on having news and pleading for the live of those poor guys. I know orchids are tough, but the bureaucrats are even tougher -- they estimated 40 days of infernal waiting for the parcels to pass from Customs authority under Postal authority, who's supposed to deliver them to me afterwards. Needless to mention the parcels left Canada 2 weeks ago, more or less...

So, I'm strongly thinking about that CITES speech, the authority meant to protect. And then I ask: to protect what or who? Their useless jobs, maybe!

I'm sorry, I'm extremely bitter, but I think this falls under ill treatment towards the plants.

All I have right now is calling everyday and imploring for an answer.

Oh, apparently the plants are in Milan (120 km away from me). Of course I offered to drive there and get them myself...

If you have an idea on how to deal with this or a good word to whisper in the ear of the great god of orchids, please do not hesitate to do so.

Thank you in advance,

Oana.

[evagentry]

Sorry to hear about your troubles Oana,dealing with goverment agencies is never easy or simple,they always move slowly, I have never ordered from abroad, but I have read of other experiences like yours, one said if you order and it has to pass through customs, order more than one of each plant because it takes so long some of them die, I hope yours do alright and get to you soon, maybe ordering from only EU would be better.

[OnicheK]

Thank you, Eva. But I do not give up that easily

[WTFD00D]

Welcome, Im a noob also...

[wahaj]

I got a Mokara and and a Vanda from Thailand. Got the Mokara in the post this morning, and the Vanda should be here monday hopefully. Had no trouble, took less than a week to get here from when they posted it. Doesn't look like anyone even opened it.

I've also got my eye on a few german orchid sites, and there another few in canada that have their cites licenses all set up. Ebay's your friend. Don't just look under the orchids section, go into the shops....there you'll find the real deals.

[OnicheK]

Thank you, WTF! A warm welcome for you as well, then

Wahaj, I'm glad you didn't have any trouble with the shipping. But... where are you from?

Oh, my Canadian orchids (the ones which are still in the Customs in Milan) were bought on Ebay. And I don't agree with it being a friend, sometimes sellers there are not serious about their products and about their business. I'm running an experiment on sellers in order to know who I can trust.

Anyways, let's hope this situation ends well!

[wahaj]

I'm in UK mate. But I believe the same rules apply for Italy as they do here.