I'm very sorry you had a bad expirence.. I have traded here for several yrs... not all have been things to sing and dance about..LOL but for the most part it is all good. I hope you will find the positive in the worthy trades you have made and the fellowship that is here.. and just let the rest go...
Have a Very Blessed Evening!!!
Chena

Thankyou I have scratched this up to a learning lesson and know that for all the friends I have made this one bad apple will not spoil all the goodness. You have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a Blessed Holiday.

Ann

Toplady,

Sorry to hear that....I am very new to brug cultivation and trading and it makes me sad hear that people out there are so selfish and irresponsible. Aside from letting you vent, is there anything that I could do to make you feel better?

Frank

I'm sorry that has happened. I've only made about 50 trades but have not had any really bad experiences. Certainly everyone has fulfilled their end of the trade and I've met some very nice people that I correspond with often. I hope this doesn't turn you off completely from exchanges on GW, I've had a lot of fun with it.
Karyn

Hello TopLady: So sorry to hear of your unhappy experience. As someone very new to the world of Brugs as well as to this forum, I am saddened at such ingratitude toward such a generous gesture. In the short time I've been here, fellow "Bruggers" have been very kind and patient with advice and encouragement, and that has meant a lot to me. In fact, my first Brug cuttings were sent to me from someone, like you, who was kind enough to help me get started. I hope one day soon, I'll be able to pass along the same generosity. So, please know that for every person who forgets to show their thanks, there are many of us who look to you all for help and truly appreciate your kindnesses. Please don't allow this one person to change the kind person you seem to be. Sending Blessed Thanksgiving wishes to you. Gloria

OH yes, indeed. For some reason, this year has been more difficult than most. I figure I am out by about $60 in postage alone between this forum and the dahlia forum. One lady specifically wrote, wanted to see photos, picked the ones she wanted, wrote to let me know that she received them in good shape, letting me know how happy she was, and then NO COMMUNICATION OF ANY SORT. ... very frustrating.

However, on a positive note ( and I tend to be a positive person ) the vast majority of trades and/or postage swaps have been positive, and sometimes even better. I have learned a lot from discussing here. I have "increased the herd of brugmansia and other perennials" from the many kind folks here.

I will continue to contribute where I can. If someone wants cuttings though, I will probably insist that they come to my home to get them. I'll be starting the Canadian pension in a few months, and can't affort to be taken advantage of any more.

I know that this may sound commercial but some
people request payment for shipping thru paypal.
I send mine that way. It is fast, easy and
guaranteed. Just ask them to send the shipping
that way. Have a great holliday.

Cynthia

I'm so sorry to hear about your bad experiences. I am a newbie, and I only got started with my brugs because of the generous people who are willing to share. I agree with Cynthia; perhaps PayPal would be a good way to recover your postage quickly. Please don't let the few people ruin the experience for everyone.

Victoria

If I'm sending someone that I don't know plants for postage I also request payment prior to shipping. I was sending out 3-5' brugs earlier and shipping was almost $9. Sorry, but if I don't know you from a hole in the wall them I'm asking for shipping first. I haven't run into anyone who had a problem with that and if they did, well, too bad. People that I've become friendly with I don't even ask for postage.
Karyn

I'm going to have cuttings to trade soon and I plan to ask for postage/shipping payment before sending. Sorry, I'm just not that trusting I guess.

toplady---There is new forum called "rate and review exchanges" Please post the ^#@&$^^*#(person over there so that we all know who it is.
Duane

toplady5490, so sorry to hear of this but this does happen and let me warn you it can get worse! Over 10 year of trading and being burnt many times, one needs to look at how one trades. One, request postage up front if now postage is received then don't send. Paypal is a great idea and if you do take checks make sure they clear before sending out the materials. Make it also clear in your emails your standards for sending out materials so there is no coming back at you. It is also a good idea to send a copy of this said email so no questions as to what has been stated. Also we keep a list of no trades when folks stiff us and don't feel posting a vent will help as some folks are just out there for what we call the "ME" world. I have found that most folks in the plant world are for 'Real' and would send extra to help out a newbie or someone that really care about 'Mother Nature' world. I am truly thankfull most folks here are for real and I do believe in karma but also understand the human side.

I've not gotten postage for two out of four packages I sent this Fall. I think in the future, I will weigh packages and ask for postage in advance! Especially when the package is heavy. It really slows things down, but if you really need to get reimbursed, that's the thing to do.

I am also very sorry about what happend to you.Being on your place,I would send e-mail and ask the person,if my parcel came,if came in prime order/condition.There is always possibility that the person got ill,or something bad happend, which makes any response impossible.
I wish you all the best and nice words of appreciation.
Hala.

I posted here earlier. Got a "friendly reminder" and my posting was deleted. I had the audacity to print a last name! of someone that stiffed me. We aren't supposed to put that on the forums. I guess it might make them look bad with all the current deadbeats.
I've just decided to quit trading after this year. Too many people don't even bother to respond back after they get the plants.
I'm out close to $100 for postage just this year. Hey, I don't mind sharing but I live on the salary of a nurse, which ain't so hot! And I could put that money to much better use than providing free plants to deadbeats.
Tally Ho!

Well I am not happy to hear of other people losing out but hey I will still share my good fortune. I feel this is their problem not mine. I would not have had Brugmansias if it was not for some ones generosity of sharing and then trusting me to send them the money due for postage. I marvel at the friendships and kindness of people on this web site. If this is the only problem we have in life then I for one will be thankful that it is the only sore spot in my day. Tomorrow will be brighter and better for knowing all of you lovely folks. Thanks for responding.

It's too bad when that happens. I've been very lucky with most of my trades, and some people have been very generous in sharing.

Jroot, I am one of the people you sent cuttings to and they are doing very well now. Potted them up a few weeks ago and I can't wait for spring. I did send you the postage, so I really hope you got it. (You would have let me know if you didn't get it, I hope!) I was so happy that you were generous and trusting to send them, and I'm sorry that you have been stiffed by people.

If you do a lot of trading or sharing, maybe the best thing is to ask for the postage in advance just to ensure you don't wind up being out the money. It's seems like a small amount to one person, but it does start to add up.

Sammyqc, I am glad to hear that your cuttings are doing well. My cuttings took a long time to get going this year, for some strange reason, but I just checked them and they all look good now. I potted up the last one today.

Always insist they send the postage first.
Yes, pay pal works great for this.
No I don't SASE plants anymore, I offer for them to get picked up and even freecycle.org them or compost them!
No, you can't post anything negative on the ratings and reviews forums. Not only will it be deleted but your GW membership can get deleted as well.

I am more of a practical trader and less of a trusting trader after years of GW.
And yes there are wonderful people here as well :)

It's lovely to find them..:)

karen

Sorry to hear so many of you have had bad experiences. I am very new to brugs and I think it is wonderful that you are willing to share your beautiful plants with us newbbies. Please don't stop sharing with the rest of us newbbies because of a few rotten eggs in the basket. I had one person in VA send me some cuttings for postage and I will be ever so grateful. Unfortunatelly for me the cuttings did not root but just the fact that he shared his beautiful plant cuttings with me was great. And if any of you want to share with me at any time just let me know. I promise I will not stiff you. One of these days I will succeed with the brugs!!! So until then, a big thank you for all of you willing to share. - Jardinera

Hi Jardi ...can get you some brug cuttings...any chance you're in Brevard? I know I can get you frosty pink pretty soon, and another NOID that looks very similar to frosty pink. just send me an email..... be happy to share.

Thanks Beth
I'm in Sarasota. I'll email you my address.

got it ... after the Christmas mailing season! :)

Thanks again Beth, I will try to do them with a bucket and air stone like Jim has. I look forward to it. Thanks for sharing. - Jardinera

Hey you could try Getting a paypal deposit and refunding the unused portion. Sometimes I do that with people for various things. Sorry you got stiffed. Some things just are flake magnets and I think the prospect of getting free plants might bring that out in people. In my work, I give voice lessons and I've tried offering free lessons for those with no money (like a schlarship kinda deal) and it usualy just means they don't show up for the appt and I end up losing tim I coulda given to someone else. If they have a deposti down - even if it's small - they tend to take it more seriously.

Thanks for being so generous to the newbys. You don't deserve to be stiffed in return.

okay, jardinera .. the postman cometh ... :)

Ya know they have the "Rate and Review " forum here on GW...If you chose you could address it there...
Chena

Beth,
My package arrived!!!!! OH HAPPY DAY!!!!! Thank you so much. Everything arrived perfectly. My first brug cuttings! I am loving it. I am soooooooooooo excited. A big Thank You!!!!
Jardinera