terryjean - about the hardiness being listed as zone 7; Most of the HT's listed on HMFR are listed that way and I have found very few that I had trouble getting through a southern Michigan winter. There might not be much left of the prior years' canes, but they always seem to come back fine. Really, the only ones I have had troubles with are roses that are on Dr. Huey, and were body bags the prior year. The only HT not a body bag (off the top of my head) that I had trouble was Jocelyn. I finally gave that rose up just this year after trying for 4 years. This includes a lot of florist roses I have propagated and then left it to fend for itself for the winter.

ednam, folks used to pick up plant material when they traveled, found plant material at local nurseries and today it's all about the world wide web. I do believe both BGI and ABADS have a list of those members that have nurseries also so if folks are looking for these they can find them. Again I just don't feel like paying someone else for the hard work that I do??

I see alot of under-coloured neos on our Australian Ebay, or in my opinion anyway, but I think this only affects the seller really, because it doesn't attract the buyers that a good coloured gallery pic would. Then again, I see some terribly vibrant, photo shopped gallery pics, with inflated prices to match, and unfortunately people are sucked in and buy them. (I was one, way back when) and lo and behold, how disappointing when your plant doesn't perform. At least if you buy them thinking they are green, you aren't being fed rubbish, and might get a surprise if you forget to fertilise and grow them in a bit more light! I sell on Ebay on occasion, and always have a pic of the sale plant, but the sale plant isn't always in top colour,as I usually do start them off in shadier conditions and with a little fert. How many buyers get good coloured neos/Bills and put them in the shade anyway? Why has my plant turned green? Luckily they can always come to this forum for expert advice on how to get the best from their bromeliads. Anyway, thats just my opinion, but I agree, it was sad to see the plants not at their best colour, but maybe the seller isn't educated about the conditions needed? I regularly buy from Ebay australia, as its often the only way i can stave off my cravings (lack of local bromeliad sellers. I usually check feedback, and have made good friends with a few sellers, so am getting a network of good sellers and info on those that aren't. Its getting harder to find broms I'm interested in now though. By the way, not affiliated with the seller in the link. BA

I just bought (with great apprehension) a Bosch range on Ebay. The seller did have a very good rating. I actually saved $900.00. I was worried, but $900.00 is alot of money when you are building a home and have many extras that you weren't planning on. The range was really packed well. It was on a pallet and it had foam around it, plastic wrap and more plastic wrap. The seller had that it was only curb side dely. I was really afraid of that becoz being single, I really didnt' have anyone to help me bring it inside. Well, the driver actually automatically brought it into my garage. I then gave him $20.00 which he didnt' even want. before I signed for the range, I unwrapped it and it was totally dent free and seems fine. Maybe I just lucked out - I haven't had it installed yet, but so far it was a smooth transaction. Good luck in whatever you decide. As for the mfg. not honoring warranty if not bought from an authorized dealer, that's crap on their part ! It's thier product, they should honor the warranty no matter where you buy it. Why should it matter?????