The ebay season begins....... ( includes ikariae/ woronowii comparisons)

[art600]

So how many of us have bought snowdrops on ebay ??

Were there only the three of us putting up our hands?

I have bought snowdrops successfully on EBay - this means good drops at reasonable prices.     I have also sold drops on EBay - not made my fortune yet.

[Diane Clement]

I have bought snowdrops successfully on EBay - this means good drops at reasonable prices.     I have also sold drops on EBay - not made my fortune yet. 

So have I (both good and reasonable price) 
I think I got quite a good deal 

[Maggi Young]

Must declare my interest here, I suppose, spirit of openness and all that.... yes, I have bought snowdrops from ebay.  ... I showed them before, can't remember when but I'll do so again now, I've found the photo.....
 
I  must say I'm very pleased with them and while they are showing no signs of vegetative increase, they are sturdy and I like them a lot.
 

[loes]

I did too.3 times and only 'cheap' ones.and I am looking at ebay now....

[art600]

I have no hesitation in recommending 'farmhouse500' on EBay for excellent value.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

I've been buying and bidding for some Pleione on e-bay - there's some very relyable sellers out there and some others...
Some chap in the Netherlands has probably bought 1 Kg of P. Forrestii from Chen Yi and is now selling them by 3's... 

[Anthony Darby]

I have no hesitation in recommending 'farmhouse500' on EBay for excellent value.

I've bought from him.

[Diane Clement]

has anyone been watching Clovis   over 100 pounds now.  half hour to go, i didn't have a chance   rob

grumpysteve did it again £133.50   is that the highest this year so far?

[Brian Ellis]

Yes, and Clovis isn't known to show its characterstics every year!  You are right Diane, the most expensive ...so far, followed by Brittens Kite at £78 and David Baker at 75.99  (I bought mine for about a quarter of that price last year)

[Maggi Young]

I can't help feeling that if the people buying these high-priced 'drops are members of this Forum, then all the negative comments are hardly conducive to them "coming out"   

I am so grateful that none of you folks are privy to my shoe bills in the bygone days  when I had a social life....

[mark smyth]

The money spent on snowdrops is nothing if you can afford it!

[steve owen]

grumpysteve did it again £133.50   is that the highest this year so far?
[/quote]

Couldn't be Steve Owen (Biggles) could it???
[/quote]

(My first try at posting this comment has disappeared into space).

This is getting silly. Whilst trying not to sound too abrasive, can I make four points?

1. Ebay bidders are entitled to anonymity if they wish, for perfectly good reasons that five minutes thought over a cup of coffee will provide. Whilst I am no lawyer, I suspect they also have the support of the Data Protection Act.

2. Ebay prices are a demonstration of the simple law of market supply and demand. No crimes are being committed. There is no evidence that those who bid on Ebay are somehow not such good snowdrop lovers as the SRGC galacticos - indeed, many recent posters acknowledge that they have used Ebay. So why are some contributors trying to start a witch-hunt?

3. Several weeks ago I posted a comment (which no-one replied to) concerning the concern expressed on these threads about Ebay prices. I said (and repeat) that there are two antidotes;

a) for snowdrop enthusiasts who have good stocks of various varieties making them available to those wishing to grow them, instead of leavijng it to the very limited numbers of commercial suppliers on Ebay. For example, the poster who three days ago mentioned his clumps of Wendy's Gold could, together with others, knock the bottom out of the Ebay price for Wendy's Gold overnight by making increased numbers of plants available.  Some of those protesting most loudly have the solution in their own hands (and forks).

Indeed, the SRGC could even take an initiative here! I have already agreed privately to provide other SRGC members with drops they want. Why not an SRGC snowdrop exchange register?

b) be patient. Prices will come down. For example, prices for 11 varieties of snowdrop auctioned twice on Ebay since 1 January 2009 show a reduction averaging almost 40% on the second-time price.

4. If you have read this far, this may sound defensive and self-interested. So let me assure David that no, I am NOT "grumpysteve" , and yes, I have bid for ONE snowdrop on Ebay this year; and no, I am not going to divulge my Ebay bissing identity. Call me old-fashioned, but I was taught to mind my own business. So , I hope you will drop this sterile pointing of fingers (and I'm not the only one its happened to this week).

Now I'm going out in the sunshine to look at small white plants that don't give me hassle.

[steve owen]

Sorry folks, indignation doesn't make for accurate word-processing. "Bissing" in my last post is of course "bidding".

[Maggi Young]

First I will address the  question : "Why not an SRGC snowdrop exchange register? "

No need for such a thing....because this is  EXACTLY what Forumists are already organising amongst themselves on an informal basis ....as is the case for a thousand other plant types which are being freely swapped amongst members.

I do know that the "whodunnit" comments are made in good faith and with humour by Forumists but it is clear that offence can be, and is, being taken.
 
Please consider the effect of any personal comment made: I know that many of us know each other pretty well, through years of Forum chat, and it would be a shame if banter between us were restrited.... just give extra thought about your posts, please.

[Anthony Darby]

Sorry folks, indignation doesn't make for accurate word-processing. "Bissing" in my last post is of course "bidding"..

 
I think you have entered a new word into the English language Steve: 'bisser' - an anonymous bidder on EBay

I get disheartened by the high prices and am drawn more to the exchange system.