Hey I thought Italian 258 was a dark fig....please correct me if I'm wrong.

The pictures sure look green to me.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ITALIAN-258-fig-tree-rare-fig-1-cutting-/321618870683?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae1fa819b

The fig definitely doesn't look like an I-258.  If it is, it's not close to being ripe at all.  The leaf looks similar to other I-258s though.

Hey Don.

I haven't seen the fruit first hand on this one yet. But, according to all the post I've seen about it, it doesn't look like the one pictured there on ebay. Likely more folks just trying to make a buck based on a variety they've seen sell well on ebay.

Reading up on the attributes of figs are much easier than gaining actual results on one's own. I guess the picture doesn't really matter as long as they can make a sale.

Personally, I'd rather have the truth in writing with no pic than a complete fallacy as seen in that add.

Here are a couple threads on the real I-258:

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/italian-258-7040399?pid=1283950001#post1283950001

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/italian-258-pics-4906546?pid=1280010569#post1280010569

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/italian-258-ital258-late-fruits-ripe-pix-7169159?pid=1285077498#post1285077498

@ Frank.

I guess it's possible that it is an under-ripe I-258. But still, an experienced fig person wouldn't post a pic of an un-ripe fig on an add meant to help make a sale. I wouldn't anyway. At least not without clearly saying so. 

Ok, a question... if a person is knowingly passing on a tree that is not true to the variety  and making , potentially, big $ on it...does that constitute fraud?

James.

Granted, I have to be honest, I posted (#3) before looking in to the eBay person in question here. But it is so common a practice among nurseries and many eBay sellers to sell cuttings on a name alone. I tend to expect the worst right off the bat. This is why so many folks here encourage others to only buy off eBay if you know who the seller is.

For example. If you know they're a forum member with a good reputation, then they likely are selling what's described. I pretty much don't trust anyone else until I've, at least, searched them out a bit.

I know first hand that many nurseries won't try to sell a fig tree unless it's labeled "Brown Turkey" or Hardy Chicago". This is only because most northern buyers know little to nothing about fig trees. Most of what they know is based on a couple of pictures they once saw in a seed catalog. Most of these invariably feature BT or HC.

So it's not a stretch to see someone on eBay try to dupe those of us who might be a little more informed on different varieties.

Just my take on things............

Interestingly enough the seller prepped the cuttings peculiar way. She waxed the ends, meaning, she has been reading the forum threads... I wonder if she is a member.
Interesting!!

If they are a members I am sure they will be posting pictures of their gardens soon...

Yes, I agree that buyers should beware.  However, I often find that figs that I grow which are supposed to be dark (and come from reliable sources with the right leaf morphology etc) often give ripe figs that have a fair amount of green on them if the figs are low on the bush and mostly shaded.  It's just something to keep in mind.

Well said Gloria :)

I have a feeling this one is also a member. Excellent ratings, she has a history of selling Black Madeira in past (many of them)... Something says I can trust... just my take on this. 100% Positive rating is not easy to achieve. This person is doing something right.

But on the other hand... Italian 258, here's what you would get in research.

http://divinghelmets.net/i/331360465181/fig-tree-italian-258   
This above seller is in FL, under name chrl82 on eBay and IamKriya on F4F. If anybody knows... He states that it looks (resembles) and tastes like or better than Black Madeira, yet the pictures of the fruit are green because it's not ripe. So, is he saying the fig is Black as in Black Madeira? Surely sounds like it.

and there's also Dennis's thread on I 258, here's the read.
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=4906546

I didn't post about this auction in my other thread because I didn't have a good feeling one way or the other on it.  Leaf looked right but fruit didn't.  Personally, I'd avoid because I have acquired it from others and leaves just didn't look right so I'm picky.

Aaron, achieving 100% feedback is not difficult.  A person can provide nice quality cuttings and the buyer only has 60 days to leave feedback.  It could be over a year before they realize they were sold fakes/mistakes.

Harvey,
I guess you are right, anything is possible at this day and age.
I'd like to hope it all plays right.

I'm thinking ...what would be someone's reaction if they see me list something on eBay (God forbid! LOL) I have never sold anything on eBay in my life. My concern is, One has to start somewhere and if the support is not there (for some reason or other) then how can they start? <;/

Anyone that buys on ebay and doesn't get what they paid for has an obligation to everyone on this forum to let it be known that they were taken. Mix-ups do occur and the seller should make every effort to make things right with the buyer, I guess that doesn't always happen though. Most frauds would be exposed sooner or later.

Aaron, I think most people start selling on ebay with low end figs and build their feed back before selling any high end figs. At least that's how I started  doing it, I don't sell that many trees on ebay but what I do sell are the real thing that I've bought from very trusted members on this forum.

I hear you Scott, just learning here. I don't think you guys will see me selling on eBay for a long time to come...just the thought gives me the cramps down there...LOL

Seller posted qualifying statements on his/her fig not ripening. Would be helpful for bidders if they know whether
it is f4f member.

This seller with likely a fake I258 is the same as Korina77-2008. Please review Korinas feedback prior to bidding on this likely fake item.

I 258 is a black fig. Buyer beware.

They seem to be selling to someone who does not heed to the advice given on this forum.

Agreed. It frustrates me, because the more it happens, the more likely we are to get a trade or sale from someone who thinks they have it, only to find out a year later that it is really a celeste.

It would be irresponsible from any body to start selling cuttings from a plant they haven't seen fruit of yet.
If I were to list anything, I would list the source of my mother tree, the picture of my mother tree including the leaves, ripe fruit, and every extra information possible to help the buyer give confidence in investing in the cutting or the plant. I think it's only fair to expect these things from the seller.

$58.00 for 1 extremely suspicious cutting.
That is so not right