Ordering from eBay user: vanda-diffusion

[Wrebbitrocks]

Hello everyone,
Theres this seller on eBay, vanda-diffusion, in France that has *good looking* plants for sale. Hopefully they're as good as they seem. Having said that, has anyone ordered from him/her before? If so what was your experience?

I really want to get some low priced vandas and they seem to have some variety. I contacted them and asked if they had any special methods/costs to ship to the states from Europe and they replied no that they just ship in a regular envelope. On top of that, shipping is free.

The chances?: 50/50 chance of the plant not making it to the US through customs or whatever reason, and if it gets here, could possible die since its shipped from Europe about a month from order date. These are non-blooming size plants so theres the risk of not getting the blooms true to name. Also, the seller has SOME negative feedbacks but not enough to discourage me, mostly french speakers complaining about how the plants arent worth the price about size and whatnot (Tha's right, I know French )

Anyways, I plan to order just ONE plant from them to check it out. If it's too good to be true, then at least it's only 10 bucks compared to prices for the same plants elsewhere, and if it works out fine, then hey, they just got a new customer. Does anyone want to join me in ordering one and see how it goes?

vanda-diffusion | eBay

[Rex Anglorum]

Instead of betting 10+ dollars on what may be a losing proposition from France, I suggest that perhaps you try an orchid grower like Carmela's in Hawaii instead.

You can get vandaceous from them for $10-12.50 which will be beautifully grown and just about blooming size, if not already. At least that's been my experience with them so far.

The shipping is a little expensive, but is almost offset by taking advantage of their monthly 20% off sale.

If Carmela's doesn't do it for you, there are several other Hawaiian growers like Kawamoto that are similar.

Just my .

Cory

[Gin]

I agree with Cory I would much rather go with a grower in the states ..

[RosieC]

Just remember that it might not be just a case of it not making it through customs, but of customs arriving on your doorstep to find out why you are smuggling plants without the paper work.

I remember reading here about one of our USA members who unknowingly ordered from an ebay seller outside the USA who didn't provide the paperwork. Customs came to his door asking all sorts of questions because the seller was known to be smuggling plants and they wanted to know his involvement. He was able to convince them he did not know they were coming from outside the USA but said the experience was quite scary.

Personally... I wouldn't risk it.

[Wrebbitrocks]

gee thanks everyone, PHEW. almost took that bullet. i love this board

[alsorchids]

I have purchased from Carmela's several times and this has included a very reasonably priced, good, blooming size Vanda Tokyo Blue Sapphire. I agree with Cory as to their quality and pricing. Great service also with Two Day Fed Ex. Delivery, which is good for you and good for the orchid. AL

[Wrebbitrocks]

just looked into carmela's. NOPE they have such an amazing dendrobium selection as well but shipping would come out to 80 dollars for me since arizona requires dipping guess im just s.o.l. >:/ UGH

[alsorchids]

I am sorry to hear that the shipping to Arizona would be so high! I looked online once for orchid nurseries in the Phoenix or Tucson areas and as I remember I didn't have much luck finding any. I do know there is a local Tucson Orchid Society and Vanda's being "The Queen Of Orchids" your bound to find some Vanda growers in your area. I suggest going to one of their meetings and see what can be done. If I find out about a 'Vanda' Commercial Seller I will post that for you. Good Luck! AL

[Wrebbitrocks]

thank you. yep ive tried the same searches with no luck. i was thinking that one day when im older with more experience i become the first major orchid greenhouse here. but idk, thats such a far off dream. anyways i want to go to the society but its way too far from where i live and i work during the meeting hours so theres no way for me :/ oh well. maybe next year

[Wrebbitrocks]

so i talked to sheldon from carmelas about the shipping charges and turns out arizona doesnt require the dipping charge from them, lucky me! time to place an order >:]