Could be a problem with how fresh the seed is. Can the vendors supply either use by or collection dates? Unless you're buying from a grower or a distributor who gets supplied directly from growers, it's difficult to guarantee viability. A lot of ebay vendors on sell seed that has been bought in bulk. I guess you've got to take into account how long the supplier has had it, how long the vendor has had it and whether the vendor has stored the seed properly.

I know with seed banks (esp those dealing in rare seed), seed gets traded like cash. Seed can be circulated between banks for years and often loses viabilty during that time. If the seed gets passed through international borders the regular fumigations and irradiations carried out by various customs bodies will probably have a cummulative detrimental affect.

If you're having problems with the seed coming from EBay, it might be worth sourcing what you want from those collecting the seed (or at least their direct distributors). It might cost more than EBay but saving money on unviable Ebay seed is false economy so you'll get more value for your dollar.

Yes, Jan, that's the risk you run, unless you know the source of the seed, and know it to be reliable. Even commercial packaged seed has variable viability at times, and I KNOW there are Ebay sellers who source some of their seed from the exchange here at Gardenweb, so whether it has been properly collected and stored prior to being sent to the seller, you wouldn't know.

Ask questions!

my only problem with seeds has been theobroma cacao - cocoa plant - the seeds came from reunion and were inspected by customs - and held up for ten days. The extra ten days is probably what killed the seed. I have had a dozen or so lots of seed from the same supplier and didn't have a problem (and didn't have an inspection)