Where to Buy?

[butterfly_muse]

Evening, everyone!

I am pretty new to the hobby, and I was just wondering where people buy their orchids online? I have only acquired my guys from big box stores, as it were, and I'd like to see what else is out there.

So, naturally, I've spent this evening putting off a very important paper to surf Google and other forums and search through this board for lots of orchids to try and buy at some point.

I have seen a lot from Hausermann's and have read that they are reputable, but I was wondering who else is out there that is reputable and fair with cost? How can you tell? How do you value what an orchid should even cost or is worth (if you can do that, I guess)? How do you know who is any good? Do you test the plants as soon as you receive them?

And how do you recognize what places/dealers to stay away from, other than the obvious crap looking plants? What do you do if you receive one?

I am going to try to contact the MD Orchid club here at some point when my life slows down, and I plan on searching out some local nurseries after my move...but since not everyone in Maryland is going to have everything I'll ever eventually want, I wanted to ask for some advice.

Advice? Stories?

Thanks in advance!!