Yes Arlyn it is aggravating. I'm not a two fingered typist but I am far from fast!

Your message was right Marilyn, and they will be the worst complainers about their bad luck when they get their comeuppance.

It's a beautiful Iris, Marilyn -- and a wonderful avatar!

Been there, done that with the Ebay scammers. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice -- shame on me!! I don't buy Irises on Ebay.

I do have to say, that out of about 6 vendors on eBay I only had trouble with the one, and that's how I met Robin Shadlow and Jim Williamson who are both delightful people to work with. Country Delight sells on eBay too. But in the long run it's better for the sellers and the buyers to not have eBay as a middleman in between taking a piece of the pie!

Robin Shadlow of Iris Sisters is one of my favorite Irisarians! I've had good luck with the Williamsons too.

I've had good luck, for the most part , with sellers on ebay. I always check their feedback, and read what others say about them. It's one way for people who don't have much experience with irises to see a wide variety of choices. But as always, it's wise to be cautious. Legitimate growers will give you plenty of information about what you're buying.
Further, if you find a seller that you like, you can often contact them directly and ask them what they have..

The problem with feedback -- is that buyers give positive feedback at the time of the transaction. Based on fast shipment, etc. By the time the ditch Irises bloom -- two years later -- it's too late to take back the feedback, and Ebay won't intervene because they don't keep records of transactions that long.

I've had wonderful luck with sellers on Ebay. Except for Irises. It's risky -- and people should be very cautious.

M.H.O.

Speaking from extensive experience as a former employee of a volume eBay seller, and having about 600 of my own personal sales, the reliability and integrity of sellers there is leagues better than it was even five years ago, and it still pays to be at least a little cautious and due some research before hitting that bid or buy button.

Smaller irises have smaller rhizomes unless the come from west coast type conditions. I checked the dwarf irises on C & t, they have some plants I have not seen anywhere else. Will keep in mind for next year.

Jan, I'm glad you know Robin and Jim. They are great people.

I have also gotten to know Richard and Roger at Superstition. They are great to work with too, but sadly they are closed for the season ...otherwise I would be placing another order with them! They have a nice selection, good prices, and very healthy rhizomes!

Ok...here I go again! I did not know there were so many iris sellers! Here is a link to Brighton's 'Links' if you are brave...or seriously crazy there are a lot of iris sellers listed! page....http://brightonparkiris.com/links.html.

OH...here's a fun one!!!!
It's called Nuclear Nancy in the listing but in the database and the AIS registration it's officially Nucleur Nancy:



I am soooo tempted. Only 2 left on the eBay listing...anybody gonna bite?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TALL-B...

p.s. this is Jim Williamson - rhizomes may be a little small but very healthy and fresh! You can trust Jim!

You're evil Marilyn... just evil

I know!!!

Ok Sherry...I may be evil, but at least I'm not a hypocrite...suggesting without buying (when I can)...so yes, I just bought one of the two Nucleur Nancy rhizomes...which means in about 2 years I'll have some available for trade for anyone who wants to wait that long! I also bought Game Plan...and am watching a couple more...but the PNW sale is coming up so I have to be good!

Muddymitts, you're right to point out the time lapse from buying rhizomes on ebay to seeing the results
a year or more later. It makes the feedback less reliable, doesn't it. . To some degree, buying from iris dealers is similar -
we're counting on their reputation. I try to take notes about where I get my iris. Spring will tell!

Buying irises on eBay, for me, is like buying 'a pig in a poke'. UNLESS that seller has been on there for years and has a reputation to guard or is affiliated with an iris vendor. Otherwise you may not get what you ordered. However, it is not a lot of money and like buying from the big box stores..... it is an iris! You may get what we used to call a 'Guess What' but it did not cost much and it was fun and it is an iris. The important thing to know going in is that unless you know the vendor you may be taking a chance..... in that case do not make out name tags until you see the bloom. LOL

Note you are right to list the AIS name. 'Translation' is the way mistakes are made. Very often it means iris circulating under the wrong name.

Just got an email from Jung Seed Co. They are having a sale on select TB's @ 3.75 each and select dwarfs - three of same variety for 6.50. Red Masterpiece looks lovely.

http://www.jungseed.com