Hello, I am going to try to be as polite and diplomatic about this, and would love to hear from fellow forum members about this post.  I recently asked for advice from a well-known member about conditions for several young in-ground fig trees on my property.  The answer I got was that several particular figs would do better in my particular conditions, two of which especially appealed to me.  I tried to find them for purchase.  But alas, neither fig is commercially available.  In fact, the only two persons I could find selling those figs were two well-known members of this forum.  Those two persons do not normally sell them commercially but rather, auction them on ebay.  The perils and pitfalls of ebay have been well documented on this website, so I will not get into that, that is not my complaint.  Not really.  I understand that we live in a capitalist society and economic liberty allows a seller to sell his product for whatever price the market will bear.  Not my gripe.

Suffice it to say that while a buyer can buy a very high quality fig stick for potting for between $25-50, say from Encanto or Bay Flora or Joe Morle, the plants in question sell for around $250 on ebay.  My question then, is whether it is ethical for a member to recommend to a member such as myself a product of which a) he is one of only a handful of sellers; and b) that seller can make a killing on what can only rationally be described as highway robbery.  To make matters worse, I discreetly sent a private message, both through this forum and through the proprietary website of one, to each of the sellers of these figs inquiring whether there was any other way for me to purchase these figs.  Neither Seller had the courtesy to respond to my emails, and it has been over a week since I emailed both individuals.  I am aware that if I sufficiently ingratiate myself with certain members of this forum, and curry favor with "the right people" I might luck out and get one of these figs.  But that is a long road, and in the end, I am just trying to follow someone's advice, without getting fleeced.  I know that no one is forcing me to spend such an astronomical amount, so there is no gun to my head.  But then again, it does not seem very helpful to dispense such self-serving advice, when the only positive result is a sucker spending a ton of money to enrich the advice-giver or one other person similarly situated.  Is there anything wrong with this picture???

i don't see what the problem is. if you want bad enough, you pay for it. otherwise, you don't get the tree.

Jonny, this is your first post, be careful of stones that you throw.  We all have one thing in common on this forum.  We all like figs.  Read the forum topics and respond positively.  Get to know the forum members and be nice.  Sometimes tempers flare, but please let it pass, don't air dirty laundry on the forum.  Many times I have asked a forum member a question and get a reply days or weeks later.  We all have lives outside of growing figs.  The two varieties that were recommended to you, why not just ask on the forum what 2 varieties that are similar and will suffice for your situation and seek the alternative. then buy the sticks you mentioned from named sources and grow them to suit yourself from cuttings.  You will come closer to getting the results you desire with a more gentle approach.  Welcome to the forum, if you go to your profile section and give us some info as to what part of the world you live in and your agricultural zone.  PS Be good.

Ebay is an auction site.  If a fig sells for $250 there had to be at least 2 people willing to pay over $240 for it.  If it sells for that much repeatedly it has to be worth it to several people.  If it's worth it it only makes sense that it's one of the best figs out there.  If you ask for the best figs for your area don't be surprised if you get told the figs that are the best.  The only people who really know that this fig is the best are those who've tasted it.  And the only people who know how it grows are the ones that have been growing it for a while. 

Now if you've been growing a fig for a while and cuttings or starts sell for $250, wouldn't you get in on that? 

And think of it this way.  If you asked what the best figs were and no one told you about some really great ones wouldn't you wonder why they withheld the info?  Some of our new members have bought some very expensive figs and were pretty happy about it.

The only way this would be unethical was if they told you a fig they sold would do well for you and they knew it wouldn't do well for you.  That would be unethical.  But to give you information that's true is not unethical.  And as in all things, prices don't stay high forever.  If you want it now you'll pay a lot.  If you can wait 3 years as more people grow it it will be more available and the price will drop. 

I think this person has registered here more than once, in order to malign some of our most community-spirited and experienced forum members.

BTW, I'd like to second what Lamps had to say.  Why not post the question in the forum?

Don't ask what's similar to the most expensive figs out there but introduce yourself, tell us what zone and growing conditions you have and we'll give you our best shot at helping you.  Since most of us haven't tasted these $250 figs you're likely to get cheaper and more widely available answers.   :)

250 dollars for a fig tree is outrageous! 

I am just wondering, which varieties were they recommending?  

What general area do you live, if you go to the sticky at the top of the forums that says getting started, there is a link to a thread about best figs for different areas, maybe you can find ones you like there.

I myself have spent 100's of dollars on very special fig trees and some have been gifts from a few very gracious members that will hopefully with a lot of work someday payoff when I begin selling their cuttings and air layers. Like most of the people on here that have responded as well as what you yourself have said " no one is holding a gun to your head". You asked a forum member a question as to what figs will do well in your area, I have no idea who it was you asked but I'm sure whoever they were wasn't lying to you about what fig does best or tastes the best. would you rather they lie to you and tell you that brown turkey is the best of the best because you can get them for next to nothing?
You get what you pay for.
ps. Jolly Tiger, Ice Crystal and Maltese Falcon are all worth the money to me because  I wanted them and got them.

Hi Jonny,  I have to agree with lamps and chilly.  You have made these contacts, gathered information, have trees in ground on your property and have registered 7 hours ago?  Are you not happy with the trees you have?  You stated several were recommended yet the 2 that appealed to you are the most expensive out there! Do they appeal to you because of the price tag and what you hear?   Taste is personal, just because something is expensive, it doesn't mean you are going to like it.

If you are really trying to follow someones advice, try some of the others that are either more widely available commercially, or through trade or purchase of cuttings.

here is a thread that will give you best varieties in your climate by many members...surly there are many figs that will do great for you and will be sold all over the place

if you will need some cuttings of the common varieties most of us have...i am sure you will be able to get your hands on many next winter...even for free


http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Best-figs-at-your-location-4800578

I see this as general problem with forums whenever the subject of "The Best" comes up.  "The Best" is subjective since we all have different needs/wants.  Consequently, what is best for one is not necessarily the same for everyone else.

As an example, my ex father-in-law used to swear that Porsche's were "the best".  While I tend to agree with him for someone who is single, likes to go to the tracks every once in a while, but also needs a daily driver... I do not think someone who has a spouse and 3 kids to tote around would find it to be "the best".

There are many very good + trees for a given location.  Some will taste much better, others will produce more fruit, some will fair better given the local climate, and others are more or less available.  I think sharing this information in a meaningful manner is a responsibility the members of the forums should shoulder.  This is true regardless of whether a person has posted 1,000 times, 1 time or is a unregistered guest.  I do not know the specifics of what happened to Jonny (I'm pretty sure I don't want to know).  There are, however, some very good information already within the walls of this forum and great members who are willing to share their experiences.  On the flip side... If you are seeking advice from others, it is important to communicate which factors are most important to you... otherwise, chances are you will be disappointed.

Hello Jonny,
Welcome to the forum community.

I don't see anything wrong with the picture as you've painted it!
1. You asked for advise and it was given freely...
2. You like the advise, but don't want to pay the current prices...and would like to get it at a discount...

There are several years of posts of fig varieties that will perform in every region of North America. With a little searching and reading of past posts you will find many varieties that are more readily available and probably within your budget, that's what I did. I would recommend you start by reading the "Start Here Topic" that is pinned on the opening page. I believe that it is up to you as a consumer to educate yourself.

You could also post a new Topic on the forum requesting advise from everyone for suitable varieties for your region and zone.

Good Luck...

Please keep in mind that many of the sellers who get the big bucks on ebay have families and expenses involved with providing these fairly rare premium figs. They are not commonly available hence the high prices another thing to think about. In time the price will drop, so either choose others, or wait if you don't like the high price 

Heck I'm still looking for Nero 600m. LOL

it's all supply and demand. If that particular vari. of fig is common, it would not get that high in price. If you want it bad enough, you will pay top dollar for it..or wait till someone floods the market with it, then it would be cheaper. that MHO.

I want a Lincoln, I drive a Mercury Grand Marquis, I am not willing to pay the extra money because of the "Status" of the Lincoln.  My best friend is the car dealer sales manager, tells me I need a Lincoln, I don't think he is out of line in trying to make more money off of me, he is playing to my wants, not my needs.  I do not blame him for my not spending the money on the Lincoln.  I cannot afford a Bentley, I do not begrudge the Bentley dealer, I am happy with the fact that I can afford a car!

Just saying!

Just checked eBay and didn't find a $250 cutting. Perhaps the price was a typo and has been removed. Why not send the eBay link? What cultivar? Maybe a member has what you want for less expense.

I paid roughly $ 60.00 for five cuttings of Raspberry Latte. (Six came in the mail) With any luck I will have six little RL trees producing fruit and some cuttings to trade or sell next year. Do I think it’s a lot of money for cuttings? Yes I do. In fact I think it's a lot of money even for a tree. No one made me do it so I have only myself to blame. But next Fall/Spring when I am selling cuttings the small investment will pay for itself.

I also purchased a Janice Seedless Kadota for about the same price delivered. I'm hoping both are as good as their hype. Though the Raspberry Latte has one advantage over the JSK. I can sell, trade and gift cuttings and trees of the Raspberry Latte. The JSK on the other hand is under patent so it better be good.

As far as this discussion goes. Any time someone is hyping any product they are selling I become instantly suspicious. I also try to keep in mind that it's human nature to want to believe what we have is better than what someone else has. It’s also natural that people take better care of things they pay more money for. The more expensive things get the best spot in the yard and our best care. Add to that the placebo effect and almost any fig can become the best tasting bestest best fig ever. Even really good people can get caught up in it. Knowing this I take any claims with a grain of salt. Even from people I like and of whose opinions I respect. Not because I think they are trying to rip me off. But because it’s only human nature to think that what we have done or found or built is better is than the rest. Because we don’t put all of our time money and effort into things we think are going to be average. Our own minds do the rest.  

Not that no one from a fig site has never ripped anyone off. But I do believe it’s very possible to believe something is the best when it is in fact not. The fact that it is not does not necessarily make the person who hyped it and sold it a bad person when they in fact believe that it is.

However I believe that anyone who does not question the advice of a person trying to sell them something either has more money than brains or still has some growing up to do.  

Back to my story….

I really like figs so I really hope RL is as good as it’s hype. But if it’s not. I suspect the investment will pay for itself and perhaps for some of my other purchases. So in a way I look at such purchases as an investment.

THISISME in his best Forrest Gump voice. "And thats all I have to say about that."

So, Jonny, you've had a lot of answers.  What do you think?

Hey Johnny, and welcome! Enjoy yourself here and make plenty of friends. You asked is there something wrong with this picture? I think not. Don't worry about those expensive high price figs. Trust me! I think those that sold for that price got caught up in a bidding frenzy and didn't think others like them place an outragous high bid. It happened to me years ago bidding on a computer. And today, I don't even use the darn thing! If you ever got one of those trees that you paid over 200 for, I can assure you, you won't be impressed by what you taste! In other words, once you taste it, you probably won't be happy when you taste it and ask yourself if the fig was worth what you paid!

Man, just live and love those figs that you have. Ronde de Bordeaux, Black Maderia, Atreano, Strawberry, Improved Celeste, Tacoma Violet, De La Senyora, Emerald Strawberry, Panachee, Toni's Brown Italian, LSU Champagne, Marseiles White & Black, Hardy Chicago, Kathleen Black, and many many others are worth 200 bucks in my opinion. I did not pay that much for one tree but I did pay 150 for a Black Maderia about 5yrs ago, and one day the darn tree just die on me! But, in my mind Black Maderia is one of the best tasting black figs, IMHO. It just taste like none other.

So, having said that, just enjoy those figs that you have. Don't worry about the high dollar ones. Eat more figs, make lots of friiends and share the knowledge you've learned about the figs growing in your area. Good day!

cheers,

 i am trying to get panachee for sometime and people are willing to send them to me for just being here....
maybe you can try this route first and spend some time here with some generous memebrs... in the meantime till you get to know these generous members try to grow or root  the general figs like brown turkey and kadota etc.. and not the rare ones... also i dont undertsand all the this thing with 200$ cutting, i think for 200$ i could buy figs for 5 years...

You guys are cute as a bunch of kittens ; ) Johnny is not looking for insight into life or a good lesson, he wants the cuttings and this is what amounts to a last ditch effort to get them. If the seller feels guilty they will treat this person special.

I like the advice given, just think it is wasted on someone who is attempting to manipulate people.

So...
Where's Jonny?