Ooo! Ooo! Panachee seeds too! The sellers name -hiddenlurker- says a lot. New front for Tyty?

I don't mind the honest ebay sellers at all. It's of course more desirable to swap figs for some of us, but that has its downside too. Some people are simply more assertive than others about asking. Also, being in the right place at the right time helps. And sometimes the desired varieties just arent available unless you are willing to spend some $$. If you want something bad enough, and if the money goes to a private party on ebay, good for them. No one has to bid. :)

In addition, for people just starting and new to the boards, buying is often the only option. People are discouraged from immediately asking for cuttings when they join since that is considered rude. And if you are careful about the sellers, ebay is as good as any place to buy. In fact, it's the only place some of the less common cultivars can be found. And then the price goes up if several people want the same thing. Supply and demand.

In the end, I don't think it matters all that much. There are enough figs and cuttings and buyers and sellers and swappers and commerical nurseries that everyone should be able to find venues they are happy with.

Thus far I've purchased rooted figs from a nursery, bought cuttings from internet sources including ebay, acquired local cuttings, and been the recipient of cuttings from generous board members. It's all good. :)

That's right Gina it's all good. Ebay allows people an opportunity to have that rarity right now. Trading will get you most of the rare ones in time if you are persistent and are offering something desireable as well.   

A Black Madeira sold on ebay today for $227.50.

OK!  I'm convinced!  Color me a seller on Ebay!
Rolls eyes.............

Are you kidding?  $227?  Wow! 

Suzi

I saw that too, what I am wondering is who are the buyers that keep showing up? All with deep pockets. I think there has been about 5 or 6 figs in the past couple weeks selling in the neighborhood of $200

I think it was a Jolly Tiger that sold for much much more than this about a year ago.

I think if you want something bad enough and have the means of getting it then more power to you. It is a win win to the buyer and seller.
Especially if it is a known member that's selling it.

But if it is someone that is not known then look out.

With Ebay, it's either a buyer's market (cheap) or a seller's market (rare).  Put rare in your listing, you will get tons more than the thing is worth!  Bidding war.

It's good to get "more" rather than "less" if you sell, because nobody knows the love, the time, the expense, and the effort you put into growing the plant.  I prefer to trade with our little community here.  Not opposed to selling to the ignorant public on Ebay!  I'll give it a whirl!

Suzi

DesertDance types
Not opposed to selling to the ignorant public on Ebay!  I'll give it a whirl!



Then im part of that ignorant public.   ; )
But  but
 i bought fig plants from known members here on ebay years ago
guess im ignorant - lol
i will still be part of the ignorant public i suppose cause there are a few i still seek if they ever pop up.

Least those that sold for 200 plus had leaves,  i took chance with this 6 inch stick for almost 150.00 in a 3.5 inch pot that was shipped dormant to me here in these pictures .
Today its the prettiest fig plant in my yard .

Click to Enlarge

LOL, me too. While I choose to place $ limits on what I buy on ebay, I'm not as serious a collector as some. At least not yet. If there was a rare variety I really wanted however, and I wasn't using 'the rent money', I'd probably go for it too.

One person's folly is another's 'paradiso'. ;)

Easy with your choice of words Suzi.

I feel like the boss holding the high bid on that CdD Noir, even if it only for a few hours.

I admit it. Over the past 4yrs or so, eBay has been my source for trees and cuttings. But, I only buy from those I know, like forum members here. I don't mind paying over $150 for a fig tree. When you add up the cost of a tree and the amount of money it will take to drive across country, buy gas, days in the car and food.....to me it's worth it.

Its like a fig IPO

I got started buying trees for Gorgi before I was active on the forum, unfortunately I got a few from that imfamous seller we all should avoid as well. That was in my more ignorant days

A VdB (EL) just sold for $71. It was a nice looking plant in a 1 gallon container. Yet you can buy a VdB directly from EL in a 3/4 gallon container right now for $25. There might be some difference in S/H, but probably not that much.

That is a reflection of the addictive nature of bidding

BLB who is the infamous seller we should all avoid. I know to avoid tyty in all it's disguises but I learned this the hard way. Can you tell me or give me some blatantly obvious hints?

Mgg
the information you seek is here
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Hes-back-at-it-again-4913667

I'll tell you right here, all of our older members know and I actually thought the newer ones as well. Myfigsforfun. I spent good money for 4 trees that were not what they were supposed to be. They all took a very long time to fruit and when they fruited not one met the description of the variety they were sold as. There are many similar such stories, do a search on ebay sellers on this forum. My "Black Madeira" has very white figs. 

Usually good sellers on ebay have a turquoise star next to their name.  I have one, but I don't sell figs...YET!  It's a game.  If you don't know how to play the game, you will surely lose.  Would be nice to know who the bad sellers are, but their ratings should reflect it.

Ebay tries hard to protect you from bad sellers, thus the rating system.  When I sell something, I do my best to deliver the goods quickly.  When I buy, I do my best to pay immediately!  But, there is a trick to Ebay and it truly is a game!  In all games, there are winners and losers.  If you choose to play, you run the risk!

Suzi

Gina that is exactly the case with that seller

Suzi,

My most recent ebay purchase was Sprint Sierra over drive ( wifi card ) through a seller that listed as new and never used.

I got the product very quick and activated it but the product didn't work.
After an hour with Sprint trying to figure out what the problem was I found out the same Over drive was purchased a few months earlier and returned for reasons unknown.

I contacted the seller and he denied having sold me a used product. I again told him the time of my call to Sprint and the Name of the first buyer and date.

Long story short he had no choice but to refund my money in full. 

I found another one through another seller and I asked before I make my purchase can he/she swear that the product is new and never used as noted.

I got a response stating it was new and never used. I got the product and wouldn't you know it? It was previously activated and returned.

My theory is not a game we are playing. It is deceit by the seller.

When I make my purchase I expect my product to be as noted! I don't have time to play the game.

I have purchased many liquor bottles through ebay and spent some serious money, I only had one issue with a seller and I let him know exactly how I felt. I offered the seller a choice to refund my money or deal with consequences. I got my money back. Now if this was a game then nobody won.