| Author | Content |
gordo
Gulfport, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 07, 2008
07:22 PM Post #4509025
| My eyeballs were crossing...
Sally forth... |
stumpenursery
Florence, AL
February 07, 2008
07:29 PM Post #4509056
| Mine too |
gardener2005
Baton Rouge area, LA
(Zone 8b)
February 07, 2008
09:14 PM Post #4509505
| I watched the movie about ebay wanting to stop the tit for tat ugly feedback...you know names and insults thrown out of anger and frustration?
What about allowing both seller and buyer to have a multiple choice of things like item not recieved, item not as listed etcetera so that facts about the auction can be mentioned without getting personal?
That might keep the feedback something that is informative and would answer the question "Is this a good seller?"but not be unpleasant or TMI for customers to read.
Karen
|
Equilibrium
February 07, 2008
10:16 PM Post #4509809
| How about buyers keeping feedback for their sellers factual? Doesn't seem to matter how lengthy the positives would be as most of the people I knew who used to buy from eBay were only interested in reading a few of the positives before we moved onto the nitty gritty of what was shared in the negatives and neutrals. |
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
February 07, 2008
10:19 PM Post #4509835
| Waaay too much to try to catch up with. My dad, who was a very wise person, always admonished we siblings to never mix money with our friends. Before long there would be unavoidable disagreements, and the friendship would be history. As I said, this may have been discussed already. The thread is just so long to try and read what the general consensus is at this time. It is Dave's decision but I have a feeling it may become a mess.
LouC |
gessiegail
Taft, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 07, 2008
10:25 PM Post #4509871
| Lou, if I didn't mix money and friends life wouldn't be so much fun as it is for me! The lady who bought the plants from me today is a friend and I threw in 2 streps just for her to take home and enjoy.
We were taught to never ever fight over money...after all, it is only money and not something bigger and more important. |
zostropz
San Diego, CA
February 07, 2008
10:54 PM Post #4509984
| OK, I read today where someone thought it should be ok to bid even if not a member. I'm not sure how I feel about that but I will say that I don't think anyone should be allowed to sell that isn't a member. This way, we can keep the flakes out. I've had some really bad luck dealing with sellers that mass sell stuff. They never answer questions or complaints or anything. They don't care about customers or the ratings, just the dollars. This way, if there are complaints that aren't dealt with, hopefully membership can be terminated or suspended or something.
Mark |
pphil1
Brookhaven, PA
(Zone 6b)
February 08, 2008
12:28 AM Post #4510315
| Will a member have to be a member of DG to be able to participate in the auctions?
There are many "ebayers" that would like to get away from Ebay that are not DG members, I am sure.
We also need to figure out how to "advertise" the new auction site somehow, collectively with other plant forums, groups, to increase activity.
I know there has been in the distant past bad blood with other forums, but that surely has dissapated, and would not be a problem now.
Announcing this new action site on all plant/brug/tropical/ etc forums would certainly be an asset to this new venture.
just my 1 cents worth. |
gordo
Gulfport, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
12:36 AM Post #4510351
| I also like the idea of sellers being members. As far as non-member buyers go, the search engines are going to pick up the ads and lead street traffic in.
We should have a "Join Dave's Garden" link on every ad's page.
|
gordo
Gulfport, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
01:09 AM Post #4510470
| CNN article about 5 eBay members who left and survived...
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fsb/0802/gallery.ex_ebay... |
ViolaValley
Viola, TN
(Zone 6b)
February 08, 2008
01:15 AM Post #4510495
| Sounds like a great idea but not sure it is a great idea to do to DG.
Certainly I as a seller on ebay have watched how rough it is getting to sell on ebay. Majority of my orders come from the website now. Many dont want to fool with the ebay site as they have made so many changes.
First I might add, they are reducing feb 20th the listing fees, free gallery from now on ect... for powersellers. But no one realized that ebay was actually raising our final fee % and ebay is getting more from us rather than saving us by leading us to believe we are savings and in all actuality costing us more. Such a shame as I have been a hard working seller providing to the smaller home owner/gardening as well as larger scale greenhouse/plant show/school benefits ect...
I hope DG keeps it small and more of a family orientated forum. I love it the way it is personally. I am a vendor through daves this past year and do fine but I might add my ebay customers leave me comments on ebay and at GW. I also pay every other week and invest in a well spent Classified ad. If more would do so it is a great idea itself. We need to remain knowing our friends, family and members. If it gets too big we will loose out on the closeness. I am a family owned/operated family and for the past 27 years I could go big but choose to keep it more personable
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
gordo
Gulfport, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
01:21 AM Post #4510517
| An ongoing thread at FORBES via CNN, regarding eBay changes and business practices (to be continuously updated)
http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/01/31/ebay-fee-hik... |
ViolaValley
Viola, TN
(Zone 6b)
February 08, 2008
01:36 AM Post #4510560
| I read up on the above link. What a disaster! This is exactly why I personally believe DG is just fine as it is . I have noticed my website doing just fine and to just worry about my customers one on one there more now. We are having a great time and love to see so many enjoying what we work so hard for. We came to daves as a vendor to keep it personable. Thanks DG for a great success story here. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Melissa_Ohio
Southwestern, OH
(Zone 6b)
February 08, 2008
01:54 AM Post #4510581
| I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I'm not sure that you can keep it separate from DG... my question is, if you start this, and someone wants to sell off excess plants, would they then be considered a "vendor" thereby disallowing them from hosting a co op?
I don't know that I personally would ever sell anything, but if I decided to, I'd like to know if a decision to sell something will throw me into the vendor category. |
gordo
Gulfport, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
01:57 AM Post #4510587
| Comic relief...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3WuwimDHw&feature=related |
shellabella
West Central, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
02:35 AM Post #4510635
| LOL Gordo, that was so funny I watched it twice!
The Classified Ads are set up in a forum that is available to the general membership, not just subscribers right?
General membership is free. So can non subcribers advertise on that too?
If so, what is the difference between that and a sister site completely seperate from DG offering things for sale to folks who are non subscribers?
|
gordo
Gulfport, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
02:38 AM Post #4510639
| I think the bottom line is that sellers having or nor having membership is Dave's call.
|
shellabella
West Central, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
02:50 AM Post #4510649
| So true! |
daylilydaddy
morehead, KY
(Zone 6a)
February 08, 2008
03:04 AM Post #4510664
| I have read this on going thread and maybe have skimmed too much, but being a seller on ebay and an active trader here also. I know I would use the DG auction site. The down side would be that I would really cut back on basic trading if I knew I could make money and have someone pay shipping cost also. I have sent a SASBE and ended up paying more for the plant/seed than if I had just bought it on ebay. I feel the backbone of DG which has always been the trading of seed/plants would drop greatly. I do love the meeting and being able to trade with people, but money is money and I would hesitate to trade some of my more rare or named items if I knew I could just auction them off to someone that I know from trading would pay for them and shipping to boot. My 2 cents worth.
Geo |
RON_CONVOLVULACEAE
Netcong, NJ
(Zone 5b)
February 08, 2008
05:58 AM Post #4510731
| To Everyone Everywhere,
I most usually limit my postings and input categorically to the MG forum,PlantFiles,Vines and Plant Identification forums but am making an exception for the topic of this thread.
I have never sold any plant related materials anywhere and although I have many rarities that I could make a lot of money on, I have no plans on selling any ornamental or edible plant materials because I enjoy plants too much to allow money to interfere with my enjoyment...and I am of the population of people that perceive selling as a strong pitfall to the growing and trading that I value so much, that I do not and will not allow $ to interfere with my 'sacred' activity
There apparently are people who can sell and not have sales interfere with their appreciation of growing and trading but I am not a member of that population...
I do not directly purchase from ebay,but I do make purchases through my friends...and the fact that an auction site such as ebay already exists does not hamper my strict non pecuniary interests...
I am in support of ANY site that will provide competition to the relative monopoly that ebay has developed on auctions...and if the Owners of Daves can provide that competition to the ebay monopoly that will ultimately benefit everyone who enjoys any purchases that are made from ebay or elsewhere(!) whether directly and/or indirectly...
A petition is currently in process to boycott ebay for price gouging
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ebay-buyer-and-seller-strik...
It is the task of Dave and company to set up an alternative auction site in such a way so as to have the least negative impact on the Daves gardeners who simply want to grow and share...
I look forward to better alternatives to the ebay monopolistic system and I support Dave and company in creating and increasing competitive available alternative options in contrast to what limited options already exist...
Thank You
Ron
This message was edited Feb 18, 2008 4:27 AM |
Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
February 08, 2008
06:34 AM Post #4510751
| Ron - I had the same feeling of not wanting to sully my love for plants by turning the pleasure of growing them into a business. I resolved this by selling my plants for charity. I still get rid of my excess plants and a family in need is getting some help; I get the great satisfaction of growing beautiful plants AND helping others .
I still would much prefer to keep an auction site separate from DG. As you state: "It is the task of Dave and company to set up an alternative auction site in such a way so as to have the least negative impact on the Daves gardeners who simply want to grow and share..." |
maggidew
(Maggi) Big Sandy, TX
(Zone 8a)
February 08, 2008
08:48 AM Post #4510950
| Is it time for a poll yet? |
rylaff
Niceville, FL
(Zone 8b)
February 08, 2008
09:09 AM Post #4511022
| Ron said it so eloquently. Exactly what was in my mind. I have bought on Ebay and my husband has bought and sold on Ebay. It has become such a huge enterprise that they cant see the trees for the forest. If a problem pops up, either there is no resolution at all or resolution takes forever. It has become an empire and there is no longer any input from us little ants. (I belonged when it was in its infancy and remember how it used to be).
That being said, I welcome any type of competition. If Dave sets out to do this, it will be done in the spirit of Daves, with community spirit in mind.
I would be much more likely to buy from this auction site, then from Ebay.
I am sure that a lot of thought would be put into the feedback situation and how to keep that fair. Emulating Ebay would likely not be the best answer. We recently bought something on Ebay, paid immediatly. When the item arrived, it was not as was described. We contacted the seller, no response. We left negative feedback and they retaliated, leaving negative feedback in return even though we did nothing wrong.
When Dave added the Classified ads, it did not take away from the trading and spirit of Daves. And I dont think that having auctions would take away from that spirit either.
Bring it on!!!! I ready to buy!!!! |
kenboy
Big Sandy, TX
(Zone 8a)
February 08, 2008
09:18 AM Post #4511038
| I do not want to limit sellers to only members. If this is going to work, it will need to be free to expand. I do not see that being a member will guarantee keeping out any undesirables. If this is going to be a separate site, let it be a separate site. We are asking Dave's Garden to set this up, so we need to give them the freedom to insure that it is successful or we end up back at eBay.
kenboy
|
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
February 08, 2008
10:14 AM Post #4511247
| The thread is so long that I'm sure this has been explored somewhere and I just missed it. Is this to cover plants and garden supplies only or a world wide junk store such as ebay is now? |
inanda
Winnipeg, MB
(Zone 2b)
February 08, 2008
12:23 PM Post #4511879
| Know I probably won't use it unless it is limited to DGers only. Think the idea of DGers only is better, becaue then it will probably get more people to discover DG.
If the software can do it, it would be a good idea if non-DGes could look at the offering but not bid till thy have purchased a year sub at DG. No 2 or 3 month subscriptions.
A buy it now button would be good too, as well as an auction.
inanda |
gordo
Gulfport, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
12:41 PM Post #4511971
| Ron hits the nail on the head. Ebay execs have strayed beyond the ethical line. After extensive reading about the matter, my overall sense is that the company has become completely alienated from it's client base. And that client base has had enough.
These are difficult times and whatever your political, social, ethnic situation...you're seeing less equity for your outlay of sweat. To be ceremoniously and publicly whipped while in that state is a gross insult that smacks of utter moral indifference. eBay has a bottom line, but so do all of it's members, and those members are cutting out the lard. Like many companies who have ridden the economic freight train to success, their momentum now leaves them either unable or unwilling to stop at the stations. They're barreling through and are unwilling to take on the everyday, hands on management and individual care good businesses know are their meat and potatoes.
This is good news for Dave. Opportunity and willing, educated customers have arrived at his doorstep; heart, soul, trust and mind in hand - ready to make it work for the good of all. I've studied every response here, and my conclusion is that there's a bond of trust between the greater number...and it exists beneath the umbrella of the administration's deft ability to nurture and protect humane, civil relations within both a commercial and social environment. Make no mistake - there IS business going on here already. The perception that it is not alludes to the skill in which the administrators have subtly established their economic foundation while preserving and protecting the membership's collective heart. No small task.
As a separate entity a commercial area, a mall, where members may shop in a secure environment and have their concerns handled in an intelligent and respectful way, is no more threatening than any member here making a Home Depot run in their home town. The cyber world exists as a city of the mind, but it, even as a vision, is subject to and shaped by the will of it's citizens. In a world gone in many ways awry, individuals who have the will and drive may shape a world that should be and maintain it as they see fit. Certainly, it can be a world of fellowship, charity, consolation and learning, but it can also be a world of responsible commerce and social intercourse with parameters great enough to invite change, correction and judicial parity.
It will be what YOU make of it! If you you think the real-world model is sorely lacking - make it better here. Where there is dishonesty - get rid of it. Where there is a need for charity - create it's place and contribute to it. Where there are problems - set up a place of negotiation and negotiate within it. You already have a concourse, a landscape of space for good fellowship and an exchange of knowledge where these matters are both enjoyed and negotiated moment to moment. Commerce along it's outskirts is unlikely to become a cancer that siezes it from you. If that were so, you would be weaving your own thread and slaughtering your own meat in order to exist where you now do.
Have faith in those who see a vision. Listen to the complainers. Console the fearful. Continue the discourse and goodwill. Above all remain flexible - with an eye always toward expansion and experiences numerous as the stars. |
Strever
Hiouchi, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 08, 2008
12:57 PM Post #4512016
| here is a site with a lot of inside dirt on Ebay & Paypal
http://www.auctionguild.com/
Dick
|
gordo
Gulfport, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
04:27 PM Post #4512763
| The numbers tell the story...
http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/charts/chartdl.aspx?CP=...
...bad decisions at the top and the mad scramble to make up the shortfall from the hides of their customers. |
GreenThumbsTN
Chattanooga, TN
(Zone 7b)
February 08, 2008
04:29 PM Post #4512769
| I have read these threads with much interest.
I sell on our own website, on ebay and on several other sites. I would like to see a separate DG auction/store site.
As much fun as i think trading is, we hold a nursery license and I must report to our state all sources of plants 'imported' into our garden/greenhouse. For that reason, I have not participated in trading but if I have seen someone looking for a specific plant in one of the forums, I have given/sent them as a gift. I don't see that changing at all if we added another venue.
I noticed someone mentioning that the buyer must be the one aware of their states rules. According to our state AG Dept, the seller is the one responsible for shipping in accordance with regulations. This includes having AG tags and phytos (if needed).
It bothers me when i see a misinformed seller selling something on ebay that isn't correct. I feel for the gardener who is not aware that the seeds they are buying will not come true to the cultivar (daylily XXX seeds for example) and will certainly be disappointed. Or a recent bad situation where people bought brugmansia cuttings that weren't the cultivars advertised.
In reference to the comments about PayPal, google checkout (GCO) is a viable alternative with reasonable fees. of course, this payment method is banned on ebay. It may be a simple alternative to consider for those sellers who do not have their own merchant accounts. we actually prefer it as the GCO rates are better than those from our bank.
It's not difficult at all to get a license to sell plants, most states offer 'hobby licenses' at reduced cost and hobby sellers are held to the same standards as professional sellers. IMHO, any seller that has a license is more likely to offer healthy plants that are true to the cultivar.
I would like to see an alternate venue with reputable sellers only. It may be a lot to ask, but possibly DG auctions could consider vetting plant sellers? Would it be possible for a potential seller to be required to fax/mail in a copy of their nursery/greenhouse certificate prior to being approved for a plant selling account? that would make the site stand out above the rest for sure.
as for buyers, one of the problems I see at ebay is that anyone can create as many accounts as they have free email accounts. there is no user verification as there is on the lily auction for example.
Just as Dave's Garden is a notch above many other garden info sites, I would think that any sales venue offered should continue with the notch above others concept.
knowing that sellers are reputable inspires trust in buyers and knowing buyers are not your competitor buying for the sole purpose of leaving untrue feedback comments will go a long way toward building confidence in a good trading environment.
|
gessiegail
Taft, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 08, 2008
06:49 PM Post #4513167
| If I wanted to be in the plant business, I would easily and know how to get a license. I don't want one and there is no reason to have to have a nursery license for this. I have had one in the past and they are a pain. You have send in quarterly and those of us who have beautiful plants only sell our excess plants.
People with a nursery license shouldn't be given any advantages over our own DGers.
One of the most appealing parts of this idea to me is that we do know a lot of good growers on here and have had pleasant experiences trading or giving or selling plant material. Don't try to make this another ebay with power sellers, please.
There are so many times I hear a fellow DGer say that wish they could find a pink Jatropha so I send her one and she sends me back brugs. Often I just wish I could order a couple of streps or gesneriads for a friend on DG to be nice. The prices from big vendors prohibit only shipping two plants and ebay is outrageous for shipping.
Those of us on DG who grow for a hobby are just as trustworthy as a 30 year old company well known...maybe even a tad better plants???? (sometimes) |
rylaff
Niceville, FL
(Zone 8b)
February 08, 2008
07:38 PM Post #4513312
| Gordo, you say everything that I wanted to say and you say it well.Bravo. |
shellabella
West Central, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
08:02 PM Post #4513407
| I am not a grower of plants for sale, but a customer who had gotten most of her plants from the internet.
I can see both viewpoints. It is true, a hard to locate plant is much more likely to be found from a hobby/backyard grower than from a more professional concern. I prefer to get seeds I know someone hand picked from their own yard too. Those always germinate and do very well for me.
The professional Nuserymen who are licensed deserve respect tho due to the fact that they look at this business as a profession and have alot on the line and therefore most have to be concerned about quality .
That said I have seen and gotten more not so great plants that ended up dying from local Nurseries and big box stores than any vendor on E-Bay or small internet vendor. In fact I have had no trouble with any plant I have ever gotten on e-bay except once. I was promptly refunded my money. Some deaths are due to my own lack of experience, but I have had very few funerals around here for dead plants...lol!
Why not just be able to post on your auction pages that you have a license? Those folks that prefer to deal with you becuse of that can. Maybe an L after your name would indicate that you are licensed or something?
As an E-bay customer I have never paid attention to whether or not a seller is a Power seller or not. I just look at the feedback % score and if it isn't 100% I check into it a little further and read the comments. I do not buy only from licensed sellers either.
|
maggidew
(Maggi) Big Sandy, TX
(Zone 8a)
February 08, 2008
08:11 PM Post #4513442
| http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/
Forums here that are not directly related to gardening and plants are listed below. I have no idea how many people use them, so I am not sure how much of the Dave's Garden community some are talking of excluding, but I for one would not want to be perceived as one who WOULD exclude them. :~)
Country Living:
Beekeeping!
Equine Forum (*)
Farm Life (*)
Homesteading
Poultry and Livestock
Cooking and Entertaining:
Canning and Freezing (*)
Cooking
Entertaining
Holidays and Special Events
Outdoor Grilling and Cooking
Recipes (*)
Crafts:
Artisans
Computer Crafts
Crafts and Decorating (*)
Mosaics and Stained Glass
Needle Arts
Scrapbooking and Paper Crafts
Sewing and Quilting
Soap and Candle-making
Trash to Treasure
Woodworking
From House to Home:
Apartment Living
Appliances
Baths and Laundry Rooms
Buying or Selling a Home (*)
Clean and Clutter-free
Construction Zone: building, remodeling, additions
Electrical and Lighting
Electronics (*)
Fireplaces and Wood Stoves
Floors and Coverings
Furnishings
Garden Shed (*)
Handyman (*)
Heating and Cooling Systems
Home Decorating (*)
Home Repairs and Maintenance
Kitchens
Outdoor Living: porches, decks, patios, pools, etc
Leisurely Pursuits:
Antiques and Collectibles (*)
Bird Watching
Books, Movies, and TV (*)
Cameras and Photography (*)
Camping, Hiking and Boating
Cars and Trucks
Computer Talk
Genealogy
Hunting and Fishing
Hypertufa and Concrete (*)
Pets (*)
Photos (*)
Rocks, Minerals and Gems (*)
Vacations and Travel
Weather (*)
Wildlife (*)
Family Matters:
Caregivers (*)
Frugal Living (*)
Home Budgets and Finances
Homeschooling (*)
Parenting (*)
Retirees (*)
Health and Beauty:
Beauty and Fashion Tips
Healthy Living (*)
This message was edited Feb 8, 2008 7:09 PM |
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
February 08, 2008
08:41 PM Post #4513530
| maggidew, I don't understand.
LouC |
gordo
Gulfport, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
08:48 PM Post #4513548
| Looks like a nice tidy community of folks whose interests should be well represented. Could be fertile ground for new entrepreneurs!!!
:-) |
mistygardener
Saint James, MO
(Zone 6b)
February 08, 2008
08:51 PM Post #4513571
| I think all maggidew was trying to point out is that there is a wide array of things offered up for discussion here at DG other than just plants, or items to do with gardening. |
gordo
Gulfport, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
08:56 PM Post #4513591
| This is the true meaning of the right to make a living unmolested...
Worth your time. I assure you.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reconstruction/program/index.ht... |
maggidew
(Maggi) Big Sandy, TX
(Zone 8a)
February 08, 2008
08:59 PM Post #4513603
| To answer LouC's question about my previous post:
This discussion seems to presume that the only items offered on an auction site associated with Dave's Garden would be items related to gardening and plants.
I think it would be a mistake to think that the people who use the scrapbooking and soap and candle making forums (as an example) would not need a venue to sell their supplies and finished products also.
There is a section on health and beauty that includes fashion tips so I am thinking that people would want a place to sell their beauty aids and fashions as well.
Beekeepers? Chicken and poultry fanciers? I know the 'Pets' forum is active.
We need more input here :~) |
LouC
Desoto, TX
(Zone 8a)
February 08, 2008
09:19 PM Post #4513676
| Thank you for the clarification. I really hope that this doesn't turn into a free-for-all. Dave's Garden is just that...a garden. If this is to be a competitor for e-bay or replacement, IMO, it should be an entirely separate entity from DG. I love the various interests and often participate myself. But to bring every item imaginable into a DG auction just doesn't cut the mustard. Name Media has the means to have a competitor for e-bay and perhaps the time has come. Just don't mess with gardening aspect we love so dearly. This is not Sanford & Son.
It is Dave's Garden. Garden. Garden. All for the plant aspect, nothing more.
LouC |
gordo
Gulfport, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
09:26 PM Post #4513698
| I for one am looking for a good wooden bird feeder and would buy one in a heartbeat if it was handmade... |
gessiegail
Taft, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 08, 2008
10:04 PM Post #4513865
| I love unusual pots to put african violets and all the other gesneriads in when I give them to people or sell them to someone. There are so many plant related items to be offered on such a site. (Anyone with a kiln could sell them) |
TeresaInCAL
Valley Springs, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 08, 2008
10:23 PM Post #4513982
| I wouldn't be opposed to having MANY items being sold. BUT first, it might be better to START the auction as only plants, work out all the kinks, then expand from there. We don't want the DG crew's heads to explode! |
gessiegail
Taft, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 08, 2008
11:01 PM Post #4514175
| "me thinks that is a very good idea, Teresa" |
gordo
Gulfport, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 08, 2008
11:06 PM Post #4514199
| Excellent!!! |
ZZsBabiez
Lodi, CA
(Zone 9b)
February 09, 2008
12:35 AM Post #4514556
| I see it was mentioned about not being able to do SABE's Well.. couldn't that be a category or type of listing? Postage only for things/seeds we just want to share/move.. or just continue as we are doing now and offer cuttings/seeds as usual..
I have to say I was a bit negative at first only because of the massive exposure eBay has and that it couldn't be matched here... but thats exactly what made them loose sight of the "little guyz" who really need it (and helped build the empire in the first place)! So if it starts small.. and even if it stays small.. more power to us.
I haven't sold anything plant related yet, but it sure would help to keep my brug and newfound coleus addiction alive and flourishing! Since I'm not gonna stop buying in the near future.. maby I should sell. LOL
|
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 09, 2008
12:38 AM Post #4514570
| I think the idea is that trading would stay just like it is now, the auctions are something separate. |
Marylyn_TX
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 09, 2008
01:53 AM Post #4514720
|
| Quoted: | Just don't mess with gardening aspect we love so dearly. This is not Sanford & Son.
It is Dave's Garden. Garden. Garden. All for the plant aspect, nothing more. |
I hear and appreciate your heart in this, LouC, but I don't think you are looking at the full picture. This site is not "Garden Garden Garden"... It is "for gardeners". There is a subtle difference there. Gardeners do more than just garden. There is a lady who gardens in Illinois who also makes lovely quilts to sell. There is a gardener in Alaska who makes beautiful things from glass. If Trois here in Texas would take a series of his photographs and attach them to blank greeting cards, I would buy a set in a heartbeat. I would try to outbid you for them, too. LOL
I can see a few different models coming out of all of this. Any would be fine, and it is totally up to Dave and admins to decide which way (or some other way that I am not seeing) will work best for them.
#1: They can screen the vendors, find out what kinds of things they are going to sell, and give them set categories that they are allowed to sell in (ie, limit the categories to "just" gardening items, or "just"... whatever). The vendors wouldn't necessarily need to be commercial vendors: Gessiegail could sell her African violets and Bill could sell his caladiums. But the vendors themselves would be under admin control. The buyers would almost certainly be DG people, because that is where the market is. That would keep things small, consistent, and fairly easy to manage. It would also limit the profit of the site, I think.
#2: They can open the selling up to whoever, selling whatever - with obvious ethical, legal and moral limitations. DGbay, if you like. (I suspect neither Dave nor eBay would like. LOL) This would make everything bigger, so I think screening the vendors wouldn't be able to happen to the same degree. I have seen a couple of different models of this kind of thing. In some cases, the vendors are required to be paying subscribers at the site, but the buyers aren't. (It sounds like the Lily Auction is like this? I haven't bought anything there, so I'm not sure.) In other sites, the buyers are required to be paying subscribers, but the vendors aren't. (http://market.hslda.org/auction/xcAuction.asp, for example.) On eBay, of course, neither of them are "subscribers", but all of the fees are paid by the seller (and then, the seller hopes, passed along to the buyer in the final price of the item.) |
2pugdogs
(Linda) Winfield, KS
(Zone 6a)
 February 09, 2008
10:57 AM Post #4515440
| I would surely buy and I have sold a few items and I would sell more if the fees didn't eat me up.
This message was edited Feb 9, 2008 8:59 AM
This message was edited Feb 9, 2008 9:00 AM |
IndaShade
Kylertown, PA
(Zone 5b)
February 09, 2008
04:15 PM Post #4516620
|
| Quoted: | Daylily2396 said this:
Yes, I would sell. I have over 900 different varieties of daylilies and 200 different hostas. My garden is state inspected and certified for shipping. I would ask that all sellers provide proof of state inspection to guard against transfer of rust and pests. |
I am against this. There are alot of folks who sell off their extra divisions of plants in order to buy more. Not everyone is big enough or can afford to be state inspected, and having a rule like this in place effectively shuts out the small hobby daylily gardener. It isn't done on the Lily Auction and I'm not aware that it causes any problems over there.
Daylily sellers, whether state certified or not, will hopefully know it is in their best interest to be honest about the status of rust in their gardens. And buying from "State Certified" gardens has not stopped me from finding insect pests on daylilies sent to me from those gardens.
Just my .02.
This message was edited Feb 9, 2008 3:26 PM |
2pugdogs
(Linda) Winfield, KS
(Zone 6a)
February 09, 2008
04:29 PM Post #4516652
| I agree with IndaShade, there are a lot of sellers on ebay that are small time sellers, and you know they aren't State Certified. By adding something like this would leave me and other individual small time sellers out of the loop. But if you are a nursery and you are required to be State Certified then you can list it in the area telling about the item you are selling. |
Seed_Sprout
Fountain, FL
February 09, 2008
05:22 PM Post #4516840
| I didn't know there was already an auction on line for plants and garden items. Someone just sent me this link. If they had advertised their site I would bet they would have had more users.
http://www.eplantauction.com/index.php? |
Aguane
Phoenix, AZ
February 09, 2008
05:28 PM Post #4516861
| Interesting I noticed this discussion on the Home Page Side Bar this afternoon. While unpacking some boxes this morning I ran across some Syd Edwards botanical prints I had forgotten I have. I've been purusing the Net thinking of selling them. Now I find this discussion going on. I think it would be a fine idea to have a DG Auction Forum. I'd appreciate the opportunity and convenience and trust I'd have in Dave to offer a state of the art class auction. |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 09, 2008
05:43 PM Post #4516900
| Regarding licenses, etc...it's every seller's responsibility to understand their state's laws around whether or not they're required to have a nursery license, and what inspections/certificates they're required to have to ship plant material. The rules are different from state to state so I don't see it as being the auction site's responsbility to enforce that. |
Seed_Sprout
Fountain, FL
February 09, 2008
06:05 PM Post #4516962
| In Florida you are supposed to be inspected by the Department of Agriculture before you sell plants. The fee is not much and it is worth it to be legal. In order for us to ship to some states we have to abide by regulations, such as the plants we ship to California must be grown on benches 18 inches from the ground. Any cuttings taken for propagation must be taken 2 foot above the soil line and you have to have a program for nematodes. For other states it is a fire ant inspection and some kind of apple worm (we escape this inspection because we are not near a lake). There are others that I can't remember. It is really up to you as a seller to find out the laws. Of course this hasn't stopped countless people on eBay from selling and I don't think the plant police have been knocking at anyones door. |
TeresaInCAL
Valley Springs, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 09, 2008
08:48 PM Post #4517529
| Yeah, I can't imagine, requireing every seller to be certified. If you're a big-time nursery, that's different, but the average backyard gardener is not going to do that. |
gessiegail
Taft, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 09, 2008
10:37 PM Post #4518111
| Marilyn, I am a bit confused about limiting people to what they can sell.
I grow a lot of african violets but they pale in comparison to the number of other plants I grow from either seed, leaves, cuttings, etc. Thanks for mentioning my name but i would need permission to sell whatever I have extras of. I have over 75 4" pots of differnet kinds of hoyas alone right now and way over 150 kinds of streptocarpus. |
TeresaInCAL
Valley Springs, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 10, 2008
01:48 AM Post #4518701
| Yeah, I don't think anyone should be limited to what plants they can sell, no matter if they're a vendor, or member.
We all need to keep in mind all the work that already is going to go into this, and if Dave and crew have to screen everyone, then police them on if they're selling violets, when they're only supposed to be selling hoyas, I think it would just be too much hassle, and this *may* never get off the ground.
gessiegail, I believe Marilyn was merely using you as a example. ;) |
mauiplumeria
Haiku, HI
February 10, 2008
01:03 PM Post #4519734
| I saw someone mentioned [HYPERLINK@www.eplantauction.com] It actually just launched which is why no one has heard of them.
This message was edited Feb 11, 2008 6:57 AM |
JeaneTH
Lexington, MI
(Zone 6a)
February 10, 2008
02:15 PM Post #4519995
| ePlantauction looks interesting, wonder who owns them? Couldn't find out in just a quick look through the site. Sounds good though.
Haven't caught up with everything that's been going on here. But my initial thoughts are a DG auction would be a good thing. Seller's would need to be responsible for complying with USDA transportation of plant material across state lines, etc. rules. And, the licensing regulations in their state. They hold the liability & responsibility for fines if they don't. (MI only charges $40 for a hobby license.) Some kind of easy payment method is necessary, be it pay-pal or google's service, or something else. Whatever it is it needs to be user friendly for buyers. How shipping costs will be handled should be part of each auction listing.
Who is allowed to sell what is the big question it seems. Perhaps only allowing garden (plants, seeds, cuttings, etc.), garden related and derived from items. That's still pretty broad - could mean photos of gardens, soap made with herbs grown in gardens, art made for the garden, etc. You could just do plants, seeds, & cuttings. If you choose to allow other items You could limit them, besides being garden related, to just those produced/made by the seller him/her self.
Perhaps a separate membership to the DG auction site that's free to encourage more buyers.Or, just keep the whole thing totally limited to the DG membership. That would limit sellers and buyers to within the community.
This sounds like something that could get really big and complicated. Who ever is going to run/manage it needs to decide what they really want to have to handle. But it could be really great for those of us who sell plants on other sites already. As well as those who just want to dabble. |
budgielover
Pinellas Park, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 10, 2008
04:33 PM Post #4520422
| Registrant:
Brunner, Jennifer
ATTN: EPLANTAUCTION.COM
c/o Network Solutions
P.O. Box 447
Herndon, VA. 20172-0447
Domain Name: EPLANTAUCTION.COM
|
mudpiegirl
Los Lunas, NM
February 10, 2008
07:35 PM Post #4521135
| I am new to Dave's Garden. The reason I decided to join was because of the great advice and also the friendly atmosphere. I don't generally spend time in newsgroups, but I have really enjoyed this website and feel it is definitely worth the price I paid to join. An auction site like E-bay (which I have used, but with reluctance) seems miles away from the spirit of this enterprise. It seems like most posters are all for it, but I'm with the member who said that once you add money into the equation, it changes everything. It's like having your cousin be your contractor. Sure, you think, it'll save you money, you think you have known him forever and can trust him, but what if it turns out that you are wrong? It rips up the whole family. I'm not sure even having a separate website and different IDs to conceal the "real" identities of the buyer/seller would help--it's like putting paper bags on all of your cousin's heads and then picking one to be your contractor--you still know its your cousin, you just don't know which.
If you had a bad experience on the auction site, can you really say that wouldn't affect how you would feel about this site? And not knowing exactly "who" you had that bad experience with, can you really say you wouldn't view all of the people you have contact here with some doubt and suspicion? Is the few buck you might make or save worth the loss of the camaraderie you have now?
Anyway, like I said, I'm new, so maybe my ideas are not worth much, but there they are. |
gessiegail
Taft, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 10, 2008
10:09 PM Post #4521808
| This auction site will never hurt DG. I have more friends on DG than any other web site and it will remain that way. We all trade or find plants for each other and mail. i can't imagine losing any of my friends over buy and selling plants. I sold in the classified ads and made even more DG friends. |
Equilibrium
February 14, 2008
01:26 PM Post #4537599
|
| Quoted: | | Marilyn, I am a bit confused about limiting people to what they can sell. |
One example of what I believe she may be referring to would be Eichhornia crassipes (Water Hyacinth). It's a federally regulated noxious weed. Highly invasive and one of the worst weeds of the world yet people love it and can't seem to get enough of it. The plant is prohibited in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina & Texas. Did I miss any states where it is prohibited? In other words, want to sell that plant... not a real good idea to try to sell it to anyone who has a mailing address in one of those states. Another example would be someone trying to offer a Sarracenia oreophilla for sale. S. oreophilla is a CITES appendix I listed species and you can't even an offer of seed for that species is regulated. Big no no if one doesn't have the appropriate permits on both ends of a transaction in which any plant or plant part protected by CITES is involved. Sellers should be careful to not offer anything for sale that is prohibited/banned. And buyers should really try to help sellers by not bidding on anything that is prohibited or banned in their state or country.
Might be a good time to consider adding an entry to the PlantFiles for species specifically protected by CITES. Many of the entries for CITES species don't even indicate the plant is endangered or threatened. It's easy enough to determine which species are protected by CITES and which aren't. This would be a great tool for sellers. |
joegee
Bucyrus, OH
(Zone 6a)
February 15, 2008
01:14 AM Post #4540642
| My concern is that this will somehow interfere with the generally nice atmosphere of this place. Dave stands to make a killing, more power to you, sir, but I hope DG remains a friendly island in the middle of the storm of rudeness that is the internet.
-Joe G. |
ZZsBabiez
Lodi, CA
(Zone 9b)
February 16, 2008
02:36 AM Post #4545123
| Has there been a mention of a "relist" feature? |
bellieg
Virginia Beach, VA
February 16, 2008
07:23 AM Post #4545272
| I have close to 450 hosta cultivars because it is a hobby and consider this as one of my investment. I do not have a greenhouse nor a nursery because 99% of my hostas are potted due to limited space and DH like to hit golf balls on his well manicured zoysia lawn..I sold hostas on ebay last year but very few varieties since i do not want to part with the much newer cultivars. I do not like the idea of having my plants inspected since i buy from reputable growrers. I do not even trade because of bad experiences I am excited about this and hoping that you have to be a paid member of DG to sell but it will be management decision . I too list on ebay and sell just good brand names boots and shoes. I can not wait for this to get started and hoping it will also have paypal. Very excited!!! Bellieg |
CindyInAZ
Tempe, AZ
(Zone 9a)
February 16, 2008
08:01 AM Post #4545297
| I just got an email from an angry buyer or seller (I don't know who they are yet) who is boycotting Ebay and sending out mass mailings to join the boycott. I am fairly certain that Ebay has struck a chord with a lot of sellers this time. I have the wind knocked out of me every month when I get my invoice and I don't even use the Gallery. |
bellieg
Virginia Beach, VA
February 16, 2008
08:49 AM Post #4545355
| The boycott was started weeks ago by the big time ebayers. It is about sellers not being able to leave negative feedback for buyers. I had one guy 2 weeks ago who bought a pair of columbia boots and told me that he was going to pay by paypal right away but after almost a week with followup emailsI had not heard from him. I found out later that he is not an ebay member. I was very surprised because i thought one must be a member to bid. Item was BIN. That is why it is best to have paying membersto only join the DG auctions. My 2 cents worth. Bellieg |
GreenThumbsTN
Chattanooga, TN
(Zone 7b)
February 16, 2008
11:02 AM Post #4545720
| eBay sellers are exploring new venues.
not just plant sellers but those selling collectibles, home/garden decor/etc.
this is possibly the best time to create an alternative that has a simple interface with easy navigation.
i continue to think it would be a good idea if it could be connected to google checkout (works similar to paypal, fees are less and is NOT associated with ebay).
i would also like to say that having your plants inspected and getting a hobby license is a very simple process in most locations. the goal of the inspectors is not to 'ding' your garden but to educate those selling so that none of us turn into the typhoid mary of the garden world. I find that my inspector is one of my best resources with helpful info and advise...only a quick phone call away. |
bellieg
Virginia Beach, VA
February 16, 2008
04:31 PM Post #4547119
| greenthumb,
How much is the fee for plant inspection? Good info by the way. Bellieg |
budgielover
Pinellas Park, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 16, 2008
05:27 PM Post #4547407
| http://youtube.com/watch?v=iGH2rvodt3E&feature=related
This message was edited Feb 16, 2008 4:30 PM |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 16, 2008
05:32 PM Post #4547432
| The fees for plant inspections, hobby licenses, etc probably vary from state to state. |
gone2seed
Milton, FL
(Zone 8a)
February 16, 2008
05:51 PM Post #4547510
| In Florida the basic nursery license is 25 dollars.This covers up to 1000 plants.Each additional thousand plants is 10.00 additional.You would also need a county occupational license here.I think that costs about the same.
My inspector comes around 2 or three times a year and is very helpful.There is no fee for these inspections.In addition to these you will need a sales tax certificate.These are free.
You do have to file and pay sales tax on anything sold within the state.
Shipments to California must be grown 18 inches off the ground and must be certified nematode free.That's one of the biggies.The other is fire ants.No one wants those.
None of this is complicated and it gets you completely legal to ship anywhere in the US except Arizona and Hawaii.These two states are almost impossible to ship to legally.
One requires quarantine until the plants are dead.The other requires more paperwork and phyto certificates than shipping to a foreign country. |
bellieg
Virginia Beach, VA
February 16, 2008
10:20 PM Post #4548573
| I am a hobbyist and must have sold maybe 20 plants last year. thank you for thr info. Bellieg |
msrobin
Caneyville, KY
(Zone 6b)
February 17, 2008
12:48 AM Post #4549124
| If the auction is seperate from DG, I don't see that there would be problem keeping DG the same friendly atmosphere that it is. I liked the suggestion of an "auction" tab, so DG members could go right to the auction site from here. For those who aren't interested in the auction site, they wouldn't see anything about it, except for the one tab.
The swaps & trades forum could be for subscibers only, if it isn't already.
What about setting up the auction site with different categories, based on DG forums, with the tab system at the top of the page. Something really simple, such as a tab for garden auctions, a tab for alternative energy auctions, a tab for arts & crafts auctions, etc. |
joegee
Bucyrus, OH
(Zone 6a)
February 17, 2008
02:22 PM Post #4550796
| I would like the site to be as separate from DG as possible. Yes, we can get to it from DG, but could we please avoid having the auctions dip into the trade and swap forums? The temptation to go commercial will be strong enough for many who currently participate in trades, without having those areas somehow merged with an auction site.
Joe |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 17, 2008
02:36 PM Post #4550855
| That's the idea--the same rules about no self promotion are still going to be in place. Just like nobody's allowed to mention their classifieds in other parts of the site, nobody's going to be allowed to talk about their auctions either. |
joegee
Bucyrus, OH
(Zone 6a)
February 17, 2008
05:05 PM Post #4551364
| Tanx ecrane. I see you've been following (and contributing to) this pretty closely. I'm hopeful this is a rational, careful thing, and not a "let's jump in because it seems like a thing to do" thing. I note on the other threads associated with this topic that there seems to be some common sense arising regarding things like fees, feedback, etc.
Let's hear resounding hurrahs for caution and common sense. :)
Peace,
Joe G. |
Marylyn_TX
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 17, 2008
05:08 PM Post #4551377
|
| Quoted: | | Let's hear resounding hurrahs for caution and common sense. :) |
Hurrah from me, too! :-) |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 17, 2008
06:30 PM Post #4551693
| I don't think I've ever seen Dave do anything without giving it careful thought and making sure it's a good thing to do, so I think the auction is in good hands! For people who like to do auction stuff, having one run in the spirit of DG will be a welcome change from some of the other auction sites, and for people who don't like to do auctions, the rest of DG should continue to be the same fun friendly place it is now and my guess is you won't even notice anything changed. |
