Orchid Vendor's Tricks and Lies

[Bulbopedilum]

Kinda hoping this to get stickied.

Orchid vendors are a great thing, you can get orchids from them! But BEWARE, some of these orchid vendors use sneaky tricks to sell you orchids and for a very high price, way too much than what it's worth! Some even mislead you! So beware. I have compiled a list of tricks used by orchid vendors.
Note
Do some research your self and learn about orchids and you will already know about all of these tricks!
Harmless Tricks
The following vendor tricks don't harm the orchid, just increase the price. You are simply overpaying, not harming the orchid.
1. Arched flowers. Many orchid buyers desire not the enjoyment of growing orchids, but solely for the flowers! Vendors can exploit this flower desire to get more money. This first one is a simple one, they just curve the orchid's flower stalk with some floral wire or sometimes a curved stake. You can do this by yourself. Some phalaenopsis spikes even arch by themselves.
2. Blue orchid flowers. Another flower trick used by vendors is to make blue orchid flowers. This appeals to buyers, but they may not know that the blue color is just plain old dye that they injected into the flower stalk! This is similar to that kindergarden/1st grade experiment where you put white flowers in food coloring. You can also DIY this. If you want actual blue-ish orchids then get Vanda Coeruela or a blue Cattleya strain. But if you want super actual blue orchids then get a cleiosocentron, thelymitra, or dendrobium dedicatulum.
3. Minor Misinformation Sometimes orchids are sold as having redeeming qualities when they really don't have the mentioned qualities. Some are sold as "fragrant" or "miniature" when they are really not! Some are even mislabeled-on purpose. BUT, Some orchids are strange, they sometimes are fragrant, sometimes not. Some have fragrance at certain times of days. Just make sure to research when buying things. IMPORTANT NOTE: The labels saying fragrant, miniature, etc. (Excluding mislabeling) are possibly cultural differences.

Harmful Lies
These tricks are actually harmful to the orchids, the environment, or YOU!. Never do these!
1. Add ice A very common one. "Water your orchids with ice." They say, but in truth, most orchids HATE cold water! Always water with water that is around room temperature. Only some cold-growing orchids, like cypripediums or ophrys are ok or even like cold water.
2. Give lots of light This is not so common but is still done by some. This "give lots of light" applies to normal plants, but not to orchids! Orchids need less light than most plants, and some even desire FULL shade! Only vandas, brassavola, cymbidium, and some other orchids like light, not your typical phalaenopsis though.
3. Bad Divisions Some orchid vendors sell divisions of orchids that are only barely surviving! You will think you have bought a small plant, but you find that you actually bought a damaged, unhealthy plant that is barely surviving!
4. Garden Soil Some orchid vendors are so dumb that they use normal garden soil for orchids! Never use garden soil for orchids! The roots will choke and DIE! They die because orchids grow in very aerated media in nature, even the terrestrial ones wn't take soil.
5. Plain old SCAMS Yes, some people can scam you with orchids! This is not harmful to orchids, but is harmful to YOU! Yes, YOU! Some Chinese sellers supposedly sell Orchis Italiana, Caleana Major, and Black Phalaenopsis seeds. They are FAKE. Orchid seeds are dust-like and white. Sellers usually give you baby's breath, dragonfruit, or in some cases, marvel of peru seeds. This can make you a criminal if you don't have permits.
6. Poached Orchids This is uncommon nowadays but is still existent! Some people go out and pluck orchids straight out of their natural habitat! Victims include orchis, ophrys, calypso, cypripedium, and some other rare orchids. Don't buy from unreliable sellers! These genuses can be bought from specialist Native Orchid Nurseries.

(Contributors: Subrosa, jkofferdahl, pipsxlch, Leafmite, Orchid Whisperer, King_of_orchid_growing, Ray. Thanks!)
If you know any more tricks and lies, please tell me and I will add them!