Ever have this problem?

Last spring I bought a small (12") plant from an online seller. The plant was advertised as a double tangerine colored brug. The plant was pricey, but I rationalized that it was something unique and also ordered three 'cuttings' of a white brug for an additional $10. Having ordered brugs from other sellers, the small size of the plant didn't bother me - I figured I could have it 6' tall by late summer. The 'cuttings' were pencil-sized sticks with no roots, but again, I figured I could deal with that and figured I'd paid a premium for the cuttings, but I was happy to have the double.

The 'double' didn't make it to 6', but by September it was 4' tall and had one bloom - a very pale yellow SINGLE. I contacted the seller who, after a couple weeks, said they would send a new plant. Nothing ever arrived and the seller has not responded to additional contacts from me.

I overwintered the plant and here's how it looks today, bearing single, pale yellow blooms. Two of the pencil-size cuttings rooted and are now 18" plants (no blooms yet - I hope they really are white - LOL).

I've chalked this up to experience - I just wonder if there are others who have had a similar experience with on-line plant purchases?

Here are the cuttings - 14 months after receiving them.

For the edification and enlightenment of the Brug community - who was the seller?

I've a few double blooming brugs that are quite tempermental -- to say the least. Two pink and one 'peach'. All things consider your brugs look quite healthy under your care. LWG.

Your story is a sad one but most definitely not a unique one. People here and on other brug sites constantly tell people "Know Who You Are Buying From!!!. Ask around.There are plenty of people here and on other gardening sites that will be more than willing to share their experiences with online sellers. Just like in any business there are good sellers and those who take advantage of the fact that it takes several months (sometimes up to a year) for cuttings to "prove" themselves. Don't get seduced by a photo and make an impulse buy.
I'm speaking from a place of experience because this happened to me when I first started out.

Gary...the unseduce-able. :-)

go to the 2nd thread and read " beware of fake bad angel on e-bay " i think we all know who you bought from.

Liz, I can be seduced........try me :}

LOL Gary!!! How ya doing? Missed seeing you at the last 2 swaps in Florala.

Thanks, All! I know it happens and I'm not alone, but it makes me mad to have people take advantage of me by misrepresenting what they are selling.

Since I'm a relative "newbie" to brugs, could you recommend reliable sources? I'm just interested in something 'unique' (which a double tangerine sounded like to me). I have several of the bright yellow, a couple white (supposedly) and this pale yellow. I'd like to have something 'different'.

ROFLMAO!!!!
You made my day, Gary.

You actually had two very reputable sellers respond to you post Gorda, Xeriscape8321 are very reputable sellers. There are more right here in this site. I can highly recommend all of them since I have gotten plants from all of them.

I don't have thier ebay ID's or sites to memory and have to run, but will check back, if someone has not posted them then I will.

Gary uses the same ID as he does here at Dave's - xeriscape8321.
Gordo, Liz, is selling as arghyagardens
Another great seller is JT, gone2seed here at Dave's and as countrygdn on e-Bay

There is also Alice Harris who is a member here as well. She sells under the name of - beloved1****

Thanks, all! I'll check 'em out!

Also purpleorchid and eddiedewayne have great reputations for providing nice plants. There are plenty more reputable sellers out there as well. Just ask around, It's worth the effort.

I agree... beware of ebay sellers if you don't know them, I had the same thing happen to me last year...