I've been buying on eBay for years, and have purchased/won quite a few AV plants and leaves recently. Every box has been wonderfully packed - so well, in fact, that I think I have only had one or two broken leaves on plants so far.
Until last week, that is. I bid on two separate auctions from the same seller for the AV Mint Condition, because I fell in love with the coloring of the blooms. (I especially love the ones with the green and frilly edges.)
Anyway, when I received the box on Friday, I found that although the plants themselves were packed well enough, there wasn't enough packing in the box itself, and what there was had settled, leaving over two inches of space at the top of the box.
Needless to say, the plants, all of them, were nearly destroyed. The two auctions were for six plants in total. After being jostled around in the box, there was soil and broken leaves everywhere. One of the Mint Conditions has one leaf left, the other has two. Out of the other four plants, one was damaged so much it has now died, and the other three I am babying to try and save them. The seller, who I felt it was safe to buy from since they has 100% positive feedback, has yet to reply to my e-mails.
I am so disappointed. Although the other plants were nice, too, I was really looking forward to getting both Mint Conditions.
Does anyone know of any vendors (non-eBay) that I can buy a Mint Condition from? I've tried looking, but am not having any luck so far.
Thanks,
Stephanie
Disappointing eBay purchase :(
Oh, what a shame!
I hope you get a satisfactory response from the seller.
It's amazing how plants can come back from the smallest little crown, so I'm hoping you have good luck bringing them around. Were you able to put down any of the leaves? That might be the best way to end up with a replacement plant if the seller can't send more. Even a broken leaf can root and produce babies. Some people root wedges of leaves too, I think... if I recall, each piece has to have part of the center leaf vein in order to work.
Hmmm, actually I just checked the culture FAQ at Rob's, http://www.robsviolet.com/faq_page_9.htm#maximizing%20plantlets about how to maximize plantlets from a single leaf, and he says to remove the center vein and then put the leaf wedge into the soil mix, center side down.
Good luck dealing with the seller and keeping these damaged plants alive!
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to save any leaves. All of the ones that were broken off were totally crushed.
I salvaged what I could of the damaged plants, and repotted them all. They are in a seed-starter 'greenhouse' now. One plant has already died, but I think it was too late for it anyway. I'm hoping the humidity helps the rest of them pull through.
In the meantime, I'll keep trying to contact the seller. Their auctions didn't say anything about a replacement policy, but maybe they'll at least give me a partial refund.
Stephanie
Stephanie I am so sorry for your situation. The only time I purchased from ebay was a glass terrarium. It was beautiful but arrived totally smashed. Very poorly packaged. Mine was a happy ending, though. I received all of my money back from the post office because the package was insured. The seller reimbursed me on the postage. So I go back 100% of my money. I hope the same happend to you
I am also sorry and I hope you get a satisfactory response from the seller.
And if not I would leave feedback of what happen. I myself recieved many dead plants from Ebay , cooked from Heat packs, too small to ship, not packaged properly. You can not have anything move in the box.
A few times I did get refunds for the plants BUT the HIGh $$$ shipping cost I am out of the money and no plants ?? These shipping charges can add up and then you have no plants.
When I had dead plants from Bluebirds at least the credit me plants and shipping ~
I wish I had Mint Condition I'd give it to you free. What other plants did you lose. Maybe I can replace them free for you.
i am extremly fussy about packaging and the plants I send out ~
PS You should get a 100 percent refund. This seller did not package properly.
Also you can not save something out of nothing ~
If there is something to save I am one to do it .
Believe me I know I have got boxes like this both from Ebay and sellers. ....In most cases the plant not only was packaged improperly for travel but was too small or poor condition to be sent out.
Hang in there...your seller maybe at the AV Convention which doesn't end until June the 4th...I think, so maybe they are just away for a bit.
I know I had a similar issue in the past week or so & that was the case , so maybe they will gladly make things right for you??
Hugs
MsC
I'm going to wait a few more days to see if I hear from him. In the meantime, I am going to baby the plants as much as possible. The one I lost for sure was Ma's Pink Flamingo.
Candlelit Delight and Silver Smoke are so-so. The one that seems to be pulling through is called Arctic Frost. I'm leaving work in a few minutes, so I'll see how they are when I get home. Hopefully they'll look a little better than they did this morning.
Thanks for the offer, Violet Treasure. I appreciate it. I can't wait to have some babies to share with others!
Hi Stephanie,
Oh I am so very sorry for you too....I know how disappointing that would be when you are so excited about getting new babies and they arrive like that. I wish I had them so I could send to you but I don't.
I hope he will make good on the violets and replace or refund your money.
Joanne
Oh I gave lots of Silver Smoke 's away to Dg's Peeps I have no more ? Any one grow a baby of it or have leaves to share ! I do have lots of other babies nice if you'd enjoy !
I'm so sorry about your plants arriving in such condition! Very disappointing, I know. I've received plants (not AVs) that were just mush and it's heartbreaking, especially if it's something you really wanted or paid hard-earned money for.
I *think* I have down leaves of Silver Smoke. I know you sent it to me, Allison. I'll check and see. I've put off putting down leaves of some of mine, but I'm trying to catch up. If you don't get one before mine are ready, Stephanie, I'll send you one.
I have a rooted leaf pot of silver smoke or leaves if you would like them.Just give me a d-mail.
Thank you Peeps ! Your so caring and sharing !
I took a look when I got home from work, and it looks like Silver Smoke is actually doing much better. The remaining leaves have perked up. Arctic Frost is doing well, too. Candlelit Delight still only has about a 50-50 chance.
One of the Mint Conditions, the one with only one droopy leaf, is no better or worse, but the other one has perked up a teensy little bit. I think the humidity is helping, so cross your fingers for me and wish me luck!
I really need to dig my camera out and take pictures of these poor little things. I may need them for proof, anyway, if the seller ever returns my e-mails.
Thanks for the offers to send me some babies or leaves. I appreciate it, as well as all of the help and advice offered. Everyone has been so nice and friendly, and I am so thankful that I stumbled across DG.
Stephanie
Were happy your here too Stephanie ! We love to share.
Were having a Bingo game you have until June 14th. at Midnight to sign up !
I already signed up, and am wishing everyone good luck!
Thanks!
Stephanie
Super ! I'll do as many ties as I can :))
I hope a lot of people play I'm so excited our first game !
The AV magazine for May/June had several comments about unsatisfactory purchases from ebay. I think they are trying to encourage folks to purchase from recognized vendors- on non AV purchases I know I have had my share of disappointments. Sorry it turned out so bad.
I finally got in touch with the seller, and was able to obtain a refund. Since a few of the plants did survive and are now looking better, I negotiated with the seller to an agreed upon refund.
He was very nice about it, and apologized for the poor packing. Although he is not new to eBay, he is evidently new to shipping plants.
Cross your fingers for me, and think good thoughts that the surviving plants continue to do well.
Thanks,
Stephanie
Thanks Stephanie for letting us know. I am crossing my fingers for you.
Many a time I have spent extremly large bucks for plants tried to save them no luck :(( And it has to do with the size of plant sent, it's the packing and quality/health of the plant so when I get it I know if it can be saved.
BUT after losing a lot of $$$
So now my belief is when you are paying money for something it should arrive it good condition from day 1 . You should not have to gamble on fixing it.
Same with anything do you buy ripped clothes, broken TV
Block of cheese part is bad cut the spoiled part off.
Good Luck and we are all here to help and most of us here love sharing leaves and plants !