Buying seedlings off EBay, toms and chillies?

Is this a good idea? Ive seen them advertised and have thought about buying some.

 

I would either go to a local nursery or car boot, at least then you can see the plants and the condition they are in. From EBay they will have to be packaged and could become damaged, dry out etc.

But this is just my opinion as I get my toms, chiles and last year cucumbers from local car boot each year for about 50p each.

Rusty

 

Hi Rob,

I personally have never bought owt off EBay, you just don't know who you're buying off , as Rusty said above how they're packaged or even with regards to diseases, pests etc. Let alone your own security as to payments, giving out your address etc.

If you can't get them locally why not use Mail Order from a reputable firm. At least that way you are guaranteed well grown disease/pest free plants, or at least you have a guarantee with them.

 

I do buy lots of seeds from Ebay, and in the past some plug plants with no problems. As Armandii said most sellers are small nurseries. As usual it is buyer beware , as there will be good uns and bad uns . You can review the feedback of the seller on Ebay before you buy.

 

If you do buy from Ebay if you pay using PayPal you have a lot of protection. Definitely prefer Ebay to amazon marketplace. Ebay is easier to find contact details for sellers etc. Suppose it all depends on the value of the transaction if you're not entirely sure.

 

I bought scadoxus bulbs from eBay 2 weeks ago (first time buying bulbs from there) and was quite happy I did. They wanted £10 but I gave them a best offer for £7.50 and they accepted. Always pay through PayPal if you can. It's the Asian based sellers you have to be wary about, sometimes take up to a month (or more) for delivery and then you get something different from what you ordered.

 

I have bought bulbs from small nurseries on ebay; always been good. But I would not buy from beyond the EU; think it's illegal to import plant material from outside the EU.

 

I have bought several items directly from China without problems . The delivery is long but don't forget China is a long way away
Mrs H just bought some lovely cushion covers on t'internet . We were unsure where they were shipping from but it was China - tracked all the way...
Shizou to Shanghai to Montreal to London Heathrow to Northampton to Birmingham to Warrington to Our house ! All for £6.30

 

Like many people I too use ebay but always check their feedback before I buy anything, this will highlight if there are any issues with the seller before you part with your money.

I look for high sales by them then a 99% positive feedback, then read comments buyers have made, if that is all good it is safe to buy...as safe as it is anywhere else anyway.

If anything in their ad or comments is suspect then move to the next seller, there are always plenty more sellers as ebay is very competitive, so expect the best and don't settle for less.

Among other things this year I have ordered 10 raspberry canes, 12 where shipped to me, 20 strawberry plants, 22 where shipped. Just replacing my older tired stock with varieties that I wanted.

Steve...

 

Pay Pal IMHO is the worst way to pay as they only protect the seller, I paid that way and did not receive the goods, pay pal were not interested, they said they were only acting for their member, lucky for me after several months of complaining chasing and getting nowhere I contacted the credit card company and they refunded me and it was £800 so I never use Pay Pal
Alex

 

I'm surprised at that any time I've used PayPal it has been good but the protection only lasts 45 days. While must bad sellers know and very few buyers realise.

 

Paypal protection is 180 days

 

I've never bought plants via e bay, only seeds and as others have said you just need to be a bit careful who the seller is and their track record.

As to plants, unless you want something pretty special I tend to just buy them locally or grow from seed myself.