Galanthus - Ebay digression 2012

[David Nicholson]

My local paper want an interview with me. I havent told them yes or no.

If they're paying do it, if not recommend someone else

[Anthony Darby]

I was once contacted by a butterfly breeder in England to help Gordon Beningfield take photographs of the chequered skipper butterfly (Carterocephalus palaemon), which is the only Scottish butterfly not found in England. The nearest are on the north shore of Loch Etive. I mentioned it to a butterfly friend and only found out GB had been up after he been, stayed with said friend, photographed the butterfllies and gone home again.

[Alan_b]

I don't believe Harvey's are generally noted for their bargain prices or their generosity when it comes to the size of the bulbs they supply.  On the other hand they don't hide behind an "alias" when selling on eBay and I am sure they are reputable.   

I have to completely eat the negative words I wrote on 24th January.  I just collected my Spindlestone Surprise from Roger Harvey's nursery and it was a most excellent specimen with five leaves and a flower.  Thanks to Harveys and to Daveyp1970 for bringing this eBay bargain to my attention. 

[art600]

I wonder if they were concerned that more people might reject them as I did - sight unseen in my case and before a penny was paid.

[Alan_b]

This was a "buy it now" offer via eBay with quite a few on sale.  Obviously I cannot vouch for any of the other examples sold, but mine was very good indeed.  Arthur, you could not have failed to be satisfied if you had received the specimen I got. 

[art600]

Alan

I was told they were not flowering size and would not be sent for weeks - on EBay delivery time was 3 days.  "What did I expect for bulbs that were much less than their normal price?"

[Alan_b]

Yes, Arthur, we seem to have had very different experiences with the same purchase from the same vendor.  You asked for details of what you would get and when you would get it and you were put off by the negative response.  I didn't ask questions and was happy to collect my purchase in person some weeks after the auction and the result was very positive.     

[art600]

Alan

It is a little too far to go to collect 

I was worried that my existing pot of Spindlestone Surprise was in trouble and investigated - it was.  Whilst there was a healthy set of roots, the bulb looked like it had been pickled - good with cheese?  What could have caused this?

[mark smyth]

Quote from Ebay

i am no expert on galanthus, but
studying various sites and pictures
on the internet i believe this to be a
hoverfly

looks like an elwesii to me

[Anthony Darby]

Quote from Ebay

i am no expert on galanthus, but
studying various sites and pictures
on the internet i believe this to be a
hoverfly

looks like an elwesii to me

[mark smyth]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Galanthus-snowdrop-hoverfly-green-/280830545268?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item4162ce0d74

[RichardW]

"What did I expect for bulbs that were much less than their normal price?"

I would expect them to state exactly what they were, certainly wouldn't buy from anyone who sent that sort of reply to a query.

[Alan_b]

The full quote from eBay is:

i am no expert on galanthus, but
studying various sites and pictures
on the internet i believe this to be a
hoverfly
please correct me if i am wrong.

So did you, Mark?

[Anthony Darby]

Well, reading what's not there, I guess 'Hoverfly' is not elwesii, but can't find that info on any website. I think the point must be emphasised that you can't look at a snowdrop and then look at pictures and say it must be "X", because it ain't unless you got it as such, and even then it may not be.

[Alan_b]

You can't look at a snowdrop and then looks at pictures and say it must be "X", because it ain't unless you got it as such, and even then it may not be.

That comment exactly reflects my own feelings, Anthony.  So much so, in fact, that I think it would be nice to have it as a banner heading for the Galanthus section of the forum.