Been gone a long time, but hard to come back after an orchid disaster...

[camille1585]

I've been gone a long long time, so it's about time I get back on OB. February and March were incredibly hectic since I was finishing my main Msc thesis project, and hardly had any time to myself! After that, I promised to be back on OB, I missed it!

Then end of march I sent a box to a friend containing 14 of my favorite and rarest orchids, since I'm spending 5 months in the USA and can't bring my plants along and didn't want to leave everything with my mother. But the impossible happened, and the box got lost and the post office has no clue where it is. The box never left the netherlands and got returned to sender, except that it never ever arrived. The post office refuses to give me the insurance money (I had the package insured to 500€) because according to them they did deliver back to the address, but it's not their fault if they delivered it to the wrong floor or left it by my door and someone stole it. The package is supposed to be delivered only on signature, but they said it doesn't count if it returns to sender. I'm completely devastated to have lost all the orchids that meant the most to me. Some will be impossible to replace because they were imported from other countries, or just extremely rare in Europe. I lost nearly my entire Phal equestris collection that I've been working hard to expand. And without the insurance money I can't even replace the ones that I can still get a hold of in Europe, because I'm just a broke student.

I haven't had the heart to come to OB since then, since the sight of an orchid just makes me want to cry. I don't know if I'll have the heart to continue with orchids once I'm home in September. I don't even know if I'll ever come back to OB on a regular basis, I've pretty much lost interest in orchids for now.

[WhiteRabbit]

(((CAMILLE)))
I'm so sorry! Thats awful! If you haven't already keep going up the chain of command at the post office - I realize you can't get your plants back - but it's awful they are jerking you around on the insurance *sigh*
I'm really sorry this happened

[stefpix]

Sucks now. burns but in a year or 2 you will not be upset as you are now. You are young and you can collect more. Just think about people that start making bonsais at retirement age and are not be able to live long enough to see the turn out.

Maybe people can send you divisions, maybe the package will turn out and some plants will be ok.

Anyway you will not be forever a broke student. Get more...

Anyway always better not to keep all the eggs in one basket or mail all the precious items in one box.

divide in 2 / 3/ 4 package. One may get lost but the odds that multiple package may get lost is lower.

keep calling. call some higher up. call some ombudsman or some customers' org etc etc.

[quiltingwacko]

That might be a good idea Camille. Calling some omsbudsman or consumer rights organization. I don't know how that works in Europe. I have been helped by the Better Business Bureau here. They are truly amazing! List the orchids you lost, Camille. If I have any of them, I'll mail you a division. Please don't lose heart girl. Carol

[nenella]

OH Dear Camille,
I'm really sorry!!!! that is really awful!
I have a couple keikies of the 'normal' pink equestris -I'd be more than happy to send to you (in europe)My alba lost it's roots but thankfully is on the way to recovery , so I'll be able to send you a keiki in less than a year ?..I reckon...as well as a couple dends...as I'd love to have you back here on the OB!

[Paul]

That really stinks, Camille. The suggestions here pertaining to continuing the pursuit of at least getting the post office to pay up seem like good ones. I hope your plants or the money owed you turns up.

[bellini girl]

That's just awful, can barely imagine how you feel. We have such great members, i can't help thinking that those closer to home will send you some divisions. By all means take time to grieve the loss, but I hope that in time you will be fussing over new orchids

Good luck

[camille1585]

Stefano- I DID divide my orchids into several boxes! I send orchids to 3 people, and the other 2 arrived fine. It's just my luck that it was the box with the favorites that disappeared. I couldn't divide into more boxes because shipping costs to other EU countries is quite a lot. I know I won't be broke forever, but they had sentimental value.

I filed a complaint with TNT Post Netherlands, but they told me that the investigation will take about 3 months. If they do find the box (which I doubt) within that time they'll all be long dead. At least they're paying back postage, but that's little consolation for now.

Thanks for all the offers of divisions and such, that's very kind of you! It's nice to know I have moral support, and that's enough to want to stay on OB until I get over losing my orchids.

[RosieC]

Camille, even though I've known about this since it happened I still feel great sadness as I read it, I know how terrible I would feel.

Once you get back to Europe we will find ways to get you back up and running with orchids. Currently I don't have any keikis or orchids big enough to divide, but as soon as I do you will be the first person I think of.

Don't give up Camille

[trdyl]

Camille,

Sorry for your loss and frustration. You have lots of support here. Plus you can still help others in your "spare" time. This site has helped me a lot being way from my plants these past 15 months.