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Vegetable Gardening

Seed Woes

16 years ago

Last year only one packet of seed ordered from Reimers germinated. Thinking I did something wrong, I ordered more for this year. Not a one has germinated (tomatoes & peppers). I grow from seed from at least 50 different sources, including my own saved seed--no problem. Also this year I got super scammed to the tune of $109 on eBay, ordering seed from overseas. Seed never arrived, and seller apparently no longer exists. No help from the intermediaries. Beware. Other than that, I'm already eating from the garden--turnip greens, lettuce, chicory, scallions, radishes, kale--and this is the high, cold desert. Something is definitely happening to the weather.

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Comments (9)

sinfonian
16 years ago
$109 for seeds? Packets cost $2 or so. That's a ton of seed, or is it $9 with $100 for shipping? I can't see how that would make sense to me if I was shopping on Ebay, even late at night. Sorry you got scammed, I went with the closest reputable company for my mail orders and have been quite pleased.

Glad to see you're garden is growing regardless! My seedlings are just starting their journey toward harvest.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sinfonian's garden adventure
billinpa
16 years ago
Word of advise of Ebay. Always Always (did I say Always) use Paypal. Paypal is secured. If you dont recv. your goods file a claim with Paypal and they will debit the sellers account and refund you funds. Its worth the 2 or 3% they charge.

If you decide to use Ebay again for seeds. I can personally recommend seedmart. I have used them 2 years now with great results. I do not work for thewm. Just a happy customer that gladly spreads the word on good customer service.
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rdback
16 years ago
Hi chagrin,

Sorry about your Reimer experience. I don't think it's you though, I think it's Reimer's seed quality. They have many unhappy customers dating waaay back.

Anyway, glad to hear you're harvesting already, I can't wait!

Here is a link that might be useful: Another thread of Unhappy Customers
murkwell
16 years ago
Bill,

Even using Paypal is no gaurantee. I've bought over 100 things on Ebay and have generally been well pleased, but in one case the vendor never sent the item and Paypal ruled in my favor but said they were unable to recover the funds.

I would say use Paypal and buy from vendors who've been in operation for a long time with approval ratings in the high 90s.
billinpa
16 years ago
Thats odd I have had 2 bad exp on Ebay. One was i got nailed with no product. Paypal refunded my money. and the other was someone said I never sent goods. I did and they even emailed pleased with the product but they put in a claim with paypal and paypal withdrew the funds from my account to reimburse them. several nesty emails later and forward the email sent to me about being pleased woth product. I got my money back but it took awhile.
murkwell
16 years ago
Bill,

I think I didn't get my money because the guy emptied and closed his account before the case was done.
They would have given me my money if that guy still had an account. That's why I say steer towards well established vendors if you aren't feeling lucky because they have a reputation to maintain and a track record. It would be a big hassle for them to fold up and start over just to stiff you $20.
chagrin
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for all the replies. The eBay thing was a tremendous order of seed, most so rare they are never obtainable from regular seed purveyors. And I did use PayPal. Never had trouble with either eBay or Paypal before. But now I have learned that PayPal unfortunately is not infallible. Nor is EBay.
rdback
16 years ago
Consider using a Credit Card when paying through PayPal. If a problem arises, file your claim with PayPal. If that doesn't work out for you, dispute the charge with your CC Company and the CC Company will most likely re-emburse you AND go after the person that ripped you off. JMHO
MLcom
16 years ago
chargin what type of seeds did you order? veggies, tomato, peppers what?

ML

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