I was wondering if the little 4-5 inch fig trees being offered on ebay is really worth the effort and cost? Will they eventually produce figs? I'm beginning to collect various cuttings to root, but being new at not really confident in the results.

I think they are worth it if you get a good variety for a few dollars.  Often you can get figs the same year or the next year if the trees grow well.

  I bought two trees from Gurney Seed company late April 2014. When they came to me I laughed at their 4 inch square pots and a twig not even as big as a pencil with 3 leaves. The one grew to 5 foot tall and gave me 24 figs by the end of the year.  So In my case, little, was a giant sleeping. Unfortunately, the figs did not get ripe in 2014 because most of the year was growth of the tree.

It is worth it to me.  I did what Brian said, I bought a small Panache for what I considered to be a reasonable price.  I have 300 cuttings in cups right now and I have over 100 trees in my greenhouse now and I bought a small tree, I didn't say it was the smart thing to do, I only said that I did it.

You are really asking the wrong group about the wisdom of buying fig trees.

So far for me, its been worth it. All rooted, we'll see about some fruits this year. I doubt it but have my fingers crossed!

If it is a question of buying a rooted cutting or just a cutting, often you can get 3 cuttings for the price of one rooted (of the same variety). What you gain is the month or two of growth and the possibility of failure is greatly reduced.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input. I feel better about my purchases now.

Depends on whether it is a root cutting pretending to be a tree, and an actually well rooted plant of short stature.

I got a fig from a one month old cuttings. I did. It was very small and had to kill it.

Hi DaveL,
For 8$ for a 4/5'', I consider myself that they are worth it.
Collecting local trees cuttings can be troublesome (human relations can be) but the most "worth of it" path.
Because you could get some for free; you could see (ok, let say spy) with your own eyes how adapted the tree is to your locales and the gardener could remember what the "fig of a damn strain" he bought.
Well in real life, most don't remember ... You know the "it is a dark fig" or "it is a white fig " or ... "I still don't know, but supposedly... "

So buying cuttings, the worst you could end with, is an unproductive fig tree, or a mislabeled generic one .

Now, comes the most important point to me : How many bucks ? And you're the judge for knowing if the amount is worth your buyer's risk .

I would say, try some, but remember that it is a lottery except that there is no quick big $$$ lot to win :) .
On the other side, you could find a good unknown strain ... So really up to you.

Perhaps, buying here on the forum  - since you can, where I can not :( - is your best bet .

You could try local sales in the streets or local farmers market and see what you could find .
I did find a small tree for 8€, and to my big surprise she is my "unknown green longue d'aout" - a really good one.
see http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/unknown-greenlongue-daout-7062140?pid=1284140551#post1284140551

Only serious advise: Don't overrun your capacity for fig trees... But, I myself already did :), but try to be stronger than me, I'm sure you can (try)... :P
Only thing for sure: You'll be taught patience ... I was and you will be.