Is it me or does that orchid have some unattractive leaves?

Sarah

If you're lucky enough to live in the states (which you are and I'm not :() why not buy directly from nurseries? There are many large orchid nurseries that have very fine plants and customer support, and beautiful websites as well. I would only venture onto Ebay to buy divisions of rare or awarded plants (ie the one from the link) that aren't available from nurseries...pretty much everyone selling on ebay is a 'backyard guy' although sometime you score pretty good deals for cheap plants.

That's my experience at least, although it's somewhat limited cause I'm in Canada...someone who shops regularly on Ebay may be able to give you more insight :)

There are several reasons that my husband and myself shop frequently on Ebay... we live in a very rural area, and there aren't many stores close by... quite a few of the things we need or want aren't available locally... having items shipped directly to our door is very convenient... and lastly, many times, the price on Ebay, even with shipping, is less expensive than anywhere else.

Living in rural America, the nearest orchid seller is about 3 and half hours by car! I've purchased a few orchids through Ebay so far, and I've been extremely pleased with the plants I've received! I've gotten a young Cymbidium, an Encyclia seedling, and most recently, a young Oncidium... all of them came to me quickly, packaged very well, and all are very healthy!

I doubt I'd spring over $30 for an orchid on Ebay, but I'm still quite the novice, and it wouldn't pay to spend a lot on something I might not be able to keep alive! In the future, when I've advanced from novice and consider myself a "real collector", I might just decide to go for something rare and expensive... but for now, I'm satisfied with the smaller, less expensive plants!

{{gwi:188530}}The auction is not closing until Sunday and is now up to almost $2000. Seller is Steven, so it is exactly what he says it is.

There are lots of reasonably priced orchids on eBay along with the high priced ones. Most of mine are like that, just a few worth a little more.

Buying on eBay is like finding a handyman or an auto mechanic, ask around, read the reviews.

Here is a link that might be useful: My plants

i'm stilkl just amazed at the price they do but , i guess this is just the way of the orchid world

Gaston

I rarely buy on eBay. Much of what is offered is not all that remarkable, IMO. Most of the time I can get the same or similar items cheaper through the commercial growers. Many sellers on eBay also overcharge for their shipping which I find quite objectionable.

Now having said that... there are also some unique/hard to find offerings or simply really good deals to be had on eBay also. But again, SHOP AROUND before you buy.

The "rare" hype that many venders use is incredibly annoying, not to mention often false. I've lost count of the number of "rare" Ludisia/Haemaria discolors I've seen on eBay -- and most always overpriced. At my old os, it was hard to get rid of Ludisias brought in for auction even at a $1 bid because they're so common.

Personally, I like to wait until a show is coming around. Some of the shows are a healthy drive, but I view it as fun outing to take pics as well as to checkout plants. When a number of venders get together you get to check out a nice variety of plants. Then too many of the venders will bring your order with them to a show. Saves you the cost of postage and if you don't like the condition of the plant & instead choose not to take it, most venders are okay with that.

I do have to agree with Calvin's sentiment. Unless you're after a division that the nursery is only listing on EBay, write, email or phone the nursery and request a catalogue. I'm not sure how cheap the EBay start prices are in the States but here in Australia most of the nurseries list the start price at or just below catalogue price. The final bids are typically over what you could have paid for mail order plants.

As for the listed plant, his listings have been discussed on this and several other forums. The orchids being sold buy this person are often of historical value. Collectors throw ridiculous amounts of money at these plants in the same way people do for antiques and vintage cars. Don't try to understand it. Just accept that you've got better things to do with your money and move on. FWIW, the list price for that orchid was $49. The blame for the rest of the price lies squarely with the competing buyers.

Being rather new to orchids, they're all remarkable to me! I know that some have value as truly rare, collectors plants, and many are worth the higher price tag.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... so, what one collector thinks is a beauty might not be something another collector wants.

An object is worth whatever a person is willing to expend for it.

I'm sure I'm one of only a small handful that is thrilled to have an Epi radicans in their collection! Several types of orchids don't do anything for me, such as Paphs and Phrags and most Phals... I just don't like their look.

I'm sure my taste in orchids, and my collection, will change as I learn more and collect more... but for now, I'm thrilled with the few common types of orchids I have!

As a regular buyer on Ebay, I know who I'm buying from. Though I've been burned a few times, and for those vendors, I will not buy from. But I only buy what I know to be truly rare plant. So beware of any vendor who says "rare" all the time. You have to know your plant. While $2000 may sound ridiculous for one plant, remember that historically some plants sold for $5,000 to $10,000. Perhaps more. A king's ransom in the early days when the most very rare orchids were collected by rich industrialists that had caretakers to keep their massive conservatories going. (Like the DuPont Family). As with anything, a plant, antique car, furniture etc. is only worth what people are willing to pay for it. As for who on Ebay is an honest vendor of quality plants, read carefully their feedback. Many of the plants on Ebay are run of the mill mericlones that you can buy online from most commecial growers. Go to the Orchid Mall and find these growers. However, companies like Carter & Holmes, Waldor Orchids, Krull-Smith, Odoms, Owens, and Hausermann's etc sell quality plants that may not be found elsewhere. Many mericlones (particularly cattleyas) are coming from Taiwan. Again, these are not rare plants at all. Many plants are also bought wholesale from commercial vendors like Carmela (in Hawaii) or Carter & Holmes and then re-sold. These are the small 2" pot plants you commonly see. Again, go directly to the source for the plant. Unless you find you can find a deal on Ebay. Look to see that the plant offered shows the actual bloom (and not a borrowed or in some cases stolen photo) and a photo of the plant for sale. As for species, many of what are offered are not rare either. If you are into somewhat esoteric species, go to Andy's Orchids or Santa Barbara Orchid Estates (again, go to the Orchid Mall). But even at well-known commercial vendor, a rare original division stud (breeding) plant or historical plant will still cost you a pretty penny. A look back into the old orchid catalogs of 20, 30, or even 40 years ago, you will find some cattleyas that were priced at $250 to $500. A plant in Stewarts old Criterion List sold for a $1,000. Some plants sold for as much as $75 to $150 per bulb. Add that up and you have an expensive plant. And again, this was during the time when gasoline was still pennies a gallon. Also, remember if a plant on Ebay is only a few bucks, it might be a very young plant (right out of a compot) so you will have many many years of waiting till it blooms. But again, be knowledgeable of what you want to buy. I collect early Gustav Stickley furniture and have bought off of Ebay too. And because of my experience and knowledge of this particular type of antique furniture, I can tell just by pictures when the piece was made and how rare it actually is, and if it is indeed genuine. Like these orchids for sale, many vendors will say "rare!!!" but in fact be a rather common piece and demand way too much money. Some pieces are sometimes wrongly attributed. And I call them on it. Even when it comes to a rare cattleya, I know what the flower is suppose to look like. So buyer beware.

"Rare" is an over-used keyword on Ebay to get auctions seen as part of searches... sellers know that quite a few buyers will type in "rare" plants, or "rare" orchids, and to have the word in the auction's title or description brings that auction to the forefront.

I never pay attention to the word, and search by other criteria.

I once did a search on Ebay for Rare and exotic plants. Most of the stuff it found was cannabis-related! I guessed "rare" is a code word for marijuana.

Yeah, well, "exotic" is apparently a code word for porn!
Don't ever, ever search for "exotic plants" - take my word for it!
Perversely - Nancy

I buy orchids on ebay, I buy from good vendors and refuse to bid on one unless I can see the actual plant I will get. I have gotten great deals on my orchids...but I always do my homework first...run google searches, scearch orchid venders everywhere, and compare size & price...rite now is a good time to buy on ebay...school just started and ebay is slow....just do your homework and shop around.~Charm

my normal buy for orchids is from a grower in PR I've gotten some really awesome Catt alliance hybrids some this last time i was very impressed it even came in spike and has since been in bloom,

Gaston

I've gotten a couple of very nice orchids from Ebay sellers... they've been packed very well, and arrived healthy and beautiful. The prices have been very fair... more than fair, actually!

I've been hesitant to purchase from PR, though... it's a long trip for a plant to make!

Let's get real here. We aren't dealing with the Pony Express any longer. PR? 1600 miles. No intl inspections. Child's play.

I just received a plant from Kawamoto in Honolulu--4800 miles in two days to my door.

Sao Paulo, Brazil--4300 miles in three days, only because of the mandatory routing through JFK Intl Airport and USDA, Customs, and DHS inspections.

San Diego, Calif.--2300 miles in two days.

.. what was the point of that post? hawaii and san diego are irrelevant, and shipping times in general now a days are what ever you feel like paying extra for, and lets not forget the orders from the land down under which interestingly enough is still in process but i think we should be hearing about it very soon.

sorry if i'm acting a little dense and slow, but i just woke up XD

Gaston
damn sleep inertia

Yes Gaston, you are "acting a little dense and slow". Take your time and save the apology.

--Stitz--

Priority Mail from PR would take about 3 to 5 days, 7 maximum... that's a week in a box, should something happen and shipping was slow. I just can't afford Next Day Air, so if I can buy from a seller that's closer to my location, I feel better about transit time for the plant.

Do you think a week would be too long? Or is it no big deal for transit time to be a little long? I wouldn't want to harm the plant, or stress it any more than necessary...

I only have shipped one plant to PR. I sent it Monday and it arrived Friday. My experience with priority mail has been very good.

I have 6 listed this week and the server with the plant pictures crashed and won't be back up until after the auction closes. Bummer. Nobody will buy a plant they can't at least see a picture of, and who could blame them.

jodik,

A week is not too long in transit for most orchids but certainly not all. Whether or not it is "too long" is dependent on the plant.

A knowledgeable and conscientious vendor will give you confidence. If you aren't assured of those qualities in your vendor, be prepared to lose plants now and then from shipping and handling.

BTW, my S&H cost for 2nd Day, FedEx service from Hawaii was "only" $12 for a full size, mature Cattleya hybrid of many pseudobulbs. I consider that price to be quite reasonable. Next Day service isn't necessary.

--Stitz--

My husband told me that a week would be the longest shipping time from PR, with 3 days being the average... I could live with that, and I'm sure a plant could, too.

I've received a lot of packages through the mail, mostly Priority Mail, and most were delivered quickly and without mishap. It's just my luck, though, that the orchid I really want the most would be stuck somewhere on a truck in the middle of nowhere forever! Or arrive smashed with a big footprint on the box! I just have that kind of luck! LOL!