Possible bad trader; Need advice?

15 years ago

I think I've been 'taken' by someone from this forum and I could use a little advice (her trade thread is in the brug exchange forum).

I was looking to swap flat rate boxes but per her request we increased to large boxes. The box I sent was about $17 to ship and contined...

Cleopatra Canna

Red Stripe Canna

Dahlia

Plumeria (1 rainbow & 1 yellow/white)

Ivory Tower Yucca

I was supposed to receive...

Unnamed Brugs

Alocasias

Bananas

Surprise tropicals

I first started to get a bad feeling right after I sending my package because she didn't respond to my shipping notification email. The next response I received said "I apologize that I didn't recognize it as being a go ahead kind of thing - I'll get yours out tomorrow" which was a bit odd because we fully discussed the trade and had exchanged addresses on April 15th.

Her box was to be mailed at this time so the next response should have been her shipping notification. Instead the next response I received was claiming most of the plants were rotten and advising me to always send second day mail. I had a feeling something like this was coming. I explained that the plants are likely not rotten, that they are still dormant from winter storage, and that shipping time should make no difference with dormant plants. The plants will be fine after they get a little water and sunshine.

The rhizomes and tubers would have to be left outside overnight with below freezing temps to be damaged, which we didn't have during this time, and even if they were to get damaged by cold they won't become rotten overnight. The plumeria are a little more temperamental and can be damaged a little more easily.

I'm in SE MI and have been growing tropicals for a long time, pulling them up every fall and replanting the next spring. I definitely know the difference between dormant and rotten rhizomes. Sometimes the stuff looks a bit ruff after winter storage but they always come back strong.

Now it seems she is refusing to respond to any of my emails. I've asked for pics so I can assess and if the plants really are "rotten" we can work something out. I've even asked just to get my own plants back, which sucks because then I'm out the $17 shipping charges for nothing in return but it would be nice to get my Cleopatra and Plumeria back.

Anyway, sorry for dragging you all into this drama but I've done a lot a trades and this is the first time I've ever come across something like this so I'm not quite sure how to handle it. I haven't named this trader yet because I'm still hoping she comes through and I'm not real sure how long I should give her before I consider the trade a bust.

Thanks!

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Comments (7)

chena
15 years ago
I am so Sorry this has happened to you! It really sucks to get screwed over and has a way of making you think twice about trading... Most people around here are great traders , very generous and honest...I hope whoever it was will get back in touch with you soon so ya'll can work this out...BTW you have a couple of things I would be interested in..LOL
Kylie
fool4flowers
15 years ago
Lol at Kylie. I hope they make things right with you. I don't know what happened between you and the swap person since I can't figure it out from the trade list thread but I do agree with shipping all plants priority since even when you do this sometimes it takes a week to get there. I would hate to see how long it took regular mail, lol. Best wishes to you and I can vouch for Kylie if she wants to trade with you.
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karmahappytoes
15 years ago
slfairless, What we do here is put them on the do not buy or trade list. It's a shame when this happens and most folks here are great plus willing to go the extra mile.
We also do this for anything from Ebay or when buying online. If you get the run around that is a good sign that the list comes out. Once on the list it's extremely hard to get off. Also I need to state sometimes shipping dormant plants doesn't work. We purchased several items from a person on Ebay, let's just state the way they were shipped became a huge problem and several of the dormant plants didn't make it due to the size and cold due to the period of shipping with a company I'll never use. This person stated that they would replace them items, well let's just say I'll not buy from them again! Wishing you the best of luck!! We do not buy or ship during several winter months due to the problems we see in several zones.
slfairless
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks all!

The sad thing is I'd be more than willing to make it right if the stuff really was damaged. This is why I've asked for her to email pics so I can either replace anything that might be damaged, or we can subtract it from the trade (i.e. remove something she should be sending me).
karyn1
15 years ago
You should post on the Rate & Review Member page. Good feedback is not a guarantee of a good trader because I've had bad trades with people that have had good feedback but it gives others something to go by. I'm sorry to hear that you got the short end. I'll still trade with new (to me) people but I try and stick to trades (especially big ones)with people I exchange with often. There's probably nothing wrong with what you sent. I had a trader that emailed me that the plants he received were in good shape upon arrival. His end would be sent in a couple weeks when temps improved. I waited a month and still no plants. I thought they might have forgotten so I sent an email. All of a sudden he says that most of the plants I sent were dead. Well if that was the case it was his fault and I reminded him that he said they looked great. I finally sent him an email saying that I realize that he never had any intention of mailing his end of the trade and that I hope he was proud of himself for ripping me off. You might just have to do what I did and write it off as a lesson learned. It sucks but at least most of the people here are honest and trustworthy.
Karyn
vaskirt
15 years ago
Is it one of our regulars ?? If it is, hopefully they will see your post, and make it right. The least they could do is send you your postage !! Shame on them.
carmie2
15 years ago
Sorry to hear that!..Hope it's not one of our regulars..

Possible bad trader; Need advice?

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chena

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Possible bad trader; Need advice?

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chena

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