I hate to do this to anyone from Canada who wanted to be a part of this, but I think, given the heightened "security" alert, it is most likely not a good time to take a chance on having expensive cuttings confiscated at the border. If you live in Canada, and still wish to participate, please recognize that you are doing so to the risk of losing your money - you will still have to pay for the cuttings even if they are confiscated at the border.
So, now that everyone has had the chance to mull over their inclusion in the order, as well as what they want to order, I have, here, a set of instructions from the Man himself (Liddle, that is...):
1. Orders to David Liddle for the "Ann Strahm Ordering Group" can be done anytime between now and Saturday, March 3, 2007.
Instructions for the group order:
2. Ordering cuttings from David Liddle
a. Each person will need to place his or her order directly with David Liddle. Here is how:
3. Email your order to davidjliddle@bigpond.com
a. In the email make sure to specify that your order is part of the group order being sent to ANN STRAHM
b. Make sure to include your email address in the order so he can contact you with the total you will be charged
c. Indicate, in your email, the type of payment you will be making to him (i.e. credit card, paypal, or direct deposit)
c1. If you are ordering with a credit card make sure to provide the credit card information (name on card, card number, expiration date).
NOTE: If you are not comfortable sending this info via email, note this in your order email and then fax him the credit card information. His fax number is located on the first page of his catalogue.
c2. If you prefer to paypal the payment to him, note you will do this in your email. You can paypal him by accessing your own paypal account and making the payment to davidjliddle@bigpond.com
c3. Direct deposit can be made at Swift Code, CTBAAU2S; BSB, 064812; Account number, 00360202
4. As soon has the necessary certificates are in his hands, he will process the orders and arrange the Phytosanitary inspection.
5. David will send the package with everyone's orders to me. Each order is packed separately in a gauze bag and each cutting is labeled with the name of the person who ordered it. (Please remember, the costs for shipping and phytosanitary cert. are divided by the number of cuttings ordered)
6. David will then send an invoice to each individual who ordered (via email), letting them know the exact amount owed him from that person.
7. When the order arrives to me (Ann) he will process the credit cards for that invoiced amount.
a. If you are paypal-ing him the money, you will need to paypal the money to him at that time.
8. I will immediately unpack the big box from Liddle and send each person's cuttings to them via USPS Priority Mail.
a. Please note that I will only be charging you for the shipping cost, and with very few exceptions, that will be the base rate for priority mail. I would ask that each of you send that to me prior to me mailing out the cuttings, and you can do so by sending me the money via paypal or a check - whatever you prefer. I would also ask that if your mailing cost ends up being more than the base rate, that you are honorable and forward me the additional money if requested.
9. Please read this additional information provided by David: "It takes three days to get to the USA from us but USDA can take a number of days to inspect them and send them on their way, so allow seven days for passage. Because exchange rates and banking charges influence the final cost, the price often does not agree exactly with the amount paid."
Finally, please remember to consider what kind of cuttings you order and remember that no matter what, when ordering from such a long distance, not every cutting is going to make it. I will be sending everything out immediately, but as David points out, there is almost a week's difference between when he sends the cuttings and when they arrive to me, then, an additional 2-3 days from the time I send them until they get to you. In other words, we are ordering big cuttings, but they will be taking a stressful trip with no water or light for up to 10 days.
Hopefully others who have ordered from Liddle in the past will be kind enough to offer some advice on what not to order. I suspect that cuttings with smaller vines and leaves will not do as good as hoyas with fleshy leaves and vines. I am no expert and my assumptions may be unfounded (mere gut instincts).
One last note (I'm sorry if this seems whiny, I just want to be upfront) - If something you order does not survive, try not to get upset with me. I am saying this because I do not want to become the mean lady who cost someone money. And, even the best intentioned person, who might really like me, will naturally be very upset if an expensive cutting doesn't make it. So, please consider what you are ordering, and realize that I am going send everything out immediately, but because of the nature of this kind of ordering, some things may not make it.
OK, kids. Lets try not to control ourselves. For once, greed is good!!
Feel free to dmail me with any questions & the address where I will send your package. Also, David Liddle welcomes any questions you have regarding hoya information, ordering information, etc. You can email him at davidjliddle@bigpond.com.
Ann
This message was edited Feb 2, 2007 1:03 AM
