Thanks James.

I specified ground, too, and may cancel my order.  Free CdDB cuttings isn't really a good deal if $35 shipping gets added in.

Our tax dollars are always spent beyond our control, I am retired and still paid over $19,000, last year, in income taxes alone, so I think I have paid a little more than what the cuttings are worth, including labor. I do not mind paying a little extra for shipping, I believe their method of shipping does not vary because doing the same for everyone saves time, and their service is deserving of saving time. I agree that $35 is too much for 2-3 cuttings and I would look elsewhere, but if you requested a dozen or so varieties, 3 cuttings each variety, then $35 is a good deal. As far as being truthful on purpose of request, all I said is that I want to see how each variety grows in Florida by using different methods and share my results with other fig growers, NO FRAUD because that is exactly what I have done and so have other members on this forum. I believe that ARS/USDA at UCD got most of their trees from gifts or confiscation, so this is sort of pay forward like members of this forum are practicing. So members, don't let anyone make you feel guilty of getting "free cuttings" from ARS/USDA, as a taxpayer I say....have at it.

I hate to see another blow up in the forum,and I hate even more to get in the middle of it.  I do think you two are looking at it from different perspectives. 

The distribution of cuttings (at least to the level of sending to the general public) is beyond the budget of the germplasm repositories.  I do not know all the details concerning their scope of work, but the staff that cuts, bundles, packages and sends out cuttings is the same staff that does research, publishes findings, maintains the plant material, disseminate information, etc.  There is no dedicated staff for the process of distribution.  I'm sure now that the word is out in the forums (not just figs, but all forums related to plant materials), the repositories budgets have been strained.  This is especially true since so many post indicate the plant materials are "free"  They are not free, rather they are heavily subsidized by other taxpayers.  If it were a commercial nursery making the offer, there would be a charge to cover land, water, fertilizers, labor, risk, owners profit, etc.  To be sure, there are some repositories that will not send plant material to individuals... only to institutions where research is being done and/or for commercial purposes.

To me it is worth including an account number to be billed for shipping. Many of the pomegranate cuttings I ordered this year aren't available elsewhere.  To others it might not be worth it.  It is like the myriad of decisions we make every day.  If it is of value, pay the price.  If it is not what you intended, opt out.  

I didn't place an order this year, and may never order again (don't need much anymore), but I find what they send, for all the work they do, an incredible deal!  I mostly order grapevine cuttings.  Our vineyard is pretty much ALL from UC Davis.  I order figs, and I have two pomegranates from them.  I appreciate what they do, and I'm pretty happy with the amount of figs and wine grapes we have growing on site, so unless it's a "must" have, I probably won't order again.

You do pay costs for shipping and handling.  I forgot the olive cuttings I ordered.  OMG!  I opened my first order and it smelled like heaven!  I have never been disappointed from my UC Davis orders.

With Ebay, you WILL pay huge prices for bidding wars PLUS outrageous shipping.  You decide.

If a seller does not have a "Buy it now" price.  I'm out.  Refuse to get into those bidding wars.

I, for one, appreciate all UC Davis has done for me and my web friends, and the wonderful condition in which the cuttings arrive.

Suzi

I think everything you just said is already known by the relevant parties in this thread, James.

The only problem in this thread is Richard jumping in and rudely insinuating that I'm defrauding the system (which is laughably and demonstrably untrue, as I could not possibly have been any more transparent in my order submission request) and that I'm of questionable credibility just because of my second thoughts upon learning how expensive shipping might be.

I figured shipping was going to be somewhere in the $6-$15 range (since $6.10 is most I've ever paid for shipping on cuttings), but if to my surprise they're only going to offer the $35 shipping option, then that's too rich for my budget at the moment, so it would be reasonable for me to politely bow out, cancel my order, and keep looking for less expensive CdDB cuttings via other routes.  I don't think I should be attacked for that.

I think almost all of us appreciate UC Davis/USDA, Suzi.

Just to be clear, the fact that I'm having a budgetary pinch right now and can't reasonably afford to pay $35 for shipping does not imply (not even in the slightest) that I don't appreciate those workers.  I do appreciate them, and I'm fine with paying for standard shipping, it's just that 2nd day shipping is too much for my budget right now.

I don't think it's Blanket $35.  They have charged me $15, $29, $45 over the years.  Depends what you order and what it weighs.  Order less, pay less.  Editing this to say, if you are really having a budgetary pinch, maybe you should cancel your order.  Members here might be able to gift you for free the cuttings you wish.

Suzi

I was a bit surprised last year by the 78$ charge for shipping , but they did send it next day. 
I did place another request this year as I am working on starting an orchard for the local school system and teaching the children about rooting and growing all manner of plants.
I think that this is a wonderful thing, otherwise these cutting would just go to waste as the trees need pruning no matter what and when talking with Dr Johnson at LSU I know that he at least uses it as credits for some of his grad students. 

cut the drama


  no i think it started at post 13.

I've posted this before but will post it again for sake of clearing things up here (hopefully).

John Preece, the research director at Davis, told a rather large group (100-150) of the general public at a fig and grape tasting last August that they are happy to provide the material to all researchers, including those who do so in their back yard.  wink, wink.  Or something to that effect.  He made it very clear that everyone was welcome to order material from them.

Some repositories have different standards.  The Davis repository is very accommodating.  They even send staff to help assist in grafting demonstrations at our local CRFG chapter.  They are swell folks.