buying from ebay stores

[Debbie Hayden]

Do any of you have advise for a newbie about buying orchids on ebay? They have such beautiful ones that I could never find around here.

[tom499]

buying orchids off ebay is like buying anything really

Check the sellers profile, read the comments. You want to make sure there reliable.

Make sure the seller shows some understanding of orchids. Ask how they grows them, where they got them from.

Is the photo what your really getting? is there a ruler to prove its size?

You dont want to buy from anyone too far away, as it means the plant could be boxed up for some time. Ask how they package them up to.

Dont order plants when the weather is cold, as the plant may have little protection in the van/ depot.


Thats what i can think of so far

[zero742]

I had really good experience with Heavenly Orchids on eBay. I ordered a Dendrobium alexanderae and a Neofinetia falcata. The Neo came with a bit of leaf rot on it, and I emailed the owner, Keith, about it and he sent a replacement. The replacement ended up being lost in the mail, so he sent another to replace the replacement. I'd highly recommend them.

[rodbender]

I agree with Tom. Buying from Ebay is ok as long as you check the seller, and ask questions about the plants you are interested in. Unless you are willing to wait for blooms make sure it is in spike-bud but be aware it might abort the spike during shipping. I have bought several and have not had any problems so far.

[PhalPal]

Members have had good and terrible experiences with e-bay. You can also just order online direct from growers all over the country. I have ordered A LOT this way and have never been disappointed. The absolutely best way to get new orchids is at a show. Prices are great! The next four months is the biggest time of year for orchid shows. Do a search online and you may be surprised to find one in your area.

[Debbie Hayden]

Thanks. I might go out on a limb and try one, after all. The closest big city to me is Memphis TN. There might be a show there in the near future.

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by Debbie Hayden

Thanks. I might go out on a limb and try one, after all. The closest big city to me is Memphis TN. There might be a show there in the near future.

Also have you looked into an Orchid Society that is in your area that you might be able to join? There you can be able to see the members orchids and get pointers and tips on growing for your area (Not to mention the monthly raffles and drawings on the possibility of winning a free orchid or two!!! )

Also another big tip on the ebaying for orchids. Check the ebay stores as well. Most don't have auctions listed, yet still have orchids for sale. Some of these stores also have main webpages like Carter and Holmes and Baldan.

[Tobi]

Debbie,
Buying through e-bay is a somewhat risky venture. I know many people that have had
great luck purchasing them this way and others who have had very bad results with
their purchase. I'm one who like to see and examine what I'm going to buy before I
purchase an orchid. I agree entirely with Connie (PhalPal) that one of the best ways
to get an orchid is through an orchid show. I know that sometimes that is not possible
based on how far you are from an orchid show. You did mention that you are somewhat
close to Memphis. Memphis has an orchid society that has an annual show and sale
that you might want to check out. Also you can contact them via e-mail and
get information on other shows or vendors in your area.

Welcome to Memphis Orchid Society

[digitalgate]

how about what we all do. We take the car and drive hours to find that one nursery that sell plenty of orchids. Then we take the same trip back to go another county and find
another nursery. Even better drive 8 hours to another country to buy orchids. he he he, I did that!

[Debbie Hayden]

Awesome Tobi! I just clicked on the link you provided and they have a show in May. Lucky me! Unlucky Hubby!

[Debbie Hayden]

Digitalgate, the closest "other country" to me is on the opposite end of the Gulf of Mexico. Actually, I took a cruise to Playo Del Carmen last February and visited an orchid nursery there. Couldn't buy any, though.

[patticake]

I just bought 3 orchids thru e-bay from Jerry's orchids. They said they would use a hot-pack- also my order is going to a p.o. box- so it's warm when it gets here. The people at Jerrys, said that the airlines use pressurized cargo holds, so that the plants don't freeze.. I'll let you know... They were very nice to talk to! I'm waiting for my new chids! BTW-Tobi- I'm still looking forward to being at your show in April! I'm saving my shackles!!

[exasperatus2002]

Good timing with this topic as Im about to make a new post about it. I had won a mericlone of Lc. Caudebec 'Marty's Orchids' from eorchids. We had a mix up at first and it was resolved with out issue. When I have more room, Id reorder from him again. This was my first time ordering anything from ebay.

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by Debbie Hayden

Digitalgate, the closest "other country" to me is on the opposite end of the Gulf of Mexico. Actually, I took a cruise to Playo Del Carmen last February and visited an orchid nursery there. Couldn't buy any, though.

you have to buy flask or get export permit from that country. it is troublesome

But that the point, you drive all the way there realized that you can't buy
any and you smuggle a few in. he he ehe he. Bad influence .

[Debbie Hayden]

lol Hey! I'm law abiding citizen! Probably couldn't get away with it anyway.

[MSPProductions]

What I find funny is that for some reason I buy seedlings from ebay and online stores.
I would never buy a seedling in a store. I might just be tempted by the cost but seedlings are sometimes tough to grow. Or I should say, I have a low success rate with seedlings.

[Leathal]

I just bought a Phrag Hanne Popow Hybrid from Ebay, it is beautiful. It was in spike/bloom, lost a couple older blooms, but have one good one and another is emerging. It was a very nice plant

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Tobi

Buying through e-bay is a somewhat risky venture.

I have to disagree with Tobi on this one. I've purchased probably nearly 100 orchids on eBay and have only received poor plants twice.

Take Tom's advice and:
1) really research the seller well - look at how many weekly/monthly sales they have made, look at their overall rating and look at how many negative comments, especially recent negative comments have been made.
2) before bidding, research orchid nursery websites for similar plants so that you don't over bid.
3) select a modestly prices plant form a very reputable seller for your first purchase
4) ask lots of questions and trust your intuition if somethign doesn't sound quite right.

Finally avoid sellers outside your country. Movign orchids over international borders (even Canadian/American) requires CITES forms and other import permits.

cheers.

[Debbie Hayden]

So far, my one and only e-bay purchase is doing very well. The two arial roots (the ones that wouldn't stay in the pot!) are a little shriveled, so I mist them daily. I'm wondering if I should try again to get them down into the growing medium. The spike has grown and I can start to see the buds forming. That's exciting! Anyway, so far so good.

[exasperatus2002]

Originally Posted by MSPProductions

What I find funny is that for some reason I buy seedlings from ebay and online stores.
I would never buy a seedling in a store. I might just be tempted by the cost but seedlings are sometimes tough to grow. Or I should say, I have a low success rate with seedlings.

I know the feeling. Actually my first seedling (Psychopsis) was bought at a show because I didnt have any money set aside to go shopping at the show. My 2nd seedling (Lc. Caudebec 'Marty's Orchids') was done on ebay. I did one of those best offer bids and did it at 50 % of the asking price and got it. Its doing well. Im not keen on its potting mix (perlite & ?). Im going to set it up for s/h as I want to switch most of my orchids to s/h. Maintenence is so much easier.

[sandra]

Hi Debbie. While I haven't always gotten what I thought I was getting on ebay, I've never had a disappointing purchase of orchids, other merchandise but never orchids. A lot of the vendors are professionals and use ebay as another venue in moving their merchandise. It helps to look over their feedback when deciding. I've bought many, many orchids on ebay and have always been pleased.