How to buy Plants, Seeds and Bulbs on EBay.

This can be cheaper and more rewarding than buying form a local nursery in your area.  It can also open up a vast new range of plants being grown in many other areas.  Thus you can find the perfect plant for that perfect place you have been searching for.  Grow things that your friends and neighbors have never seen before.  Make your entire garden a showplace for conversations.

You can simply go to Home & Gardening on the EBay Home page and then select Plants, Seeds, Bulbs, from the list.  This will bring up all the items listed for you to look through.  You can simplify the search to say "roses" by going to the search bar at the top of the plant lists and type in "Rose" and then click on search.  This will bring up all titles that have Rose in the listing.  Once you have found a seller that has the type and color Rose you are looking for make sure to read the complete auction prior to bidding.  You should also look for things such as the amount of shipping compared to the cost of the Rose.  Another thing to look for is if this seller has other items you would also like to purchase do they give shipping discounts for multiple purchases.  If they do not list that they give discounts for multiple item shipping then you should email them and inquire prior to bidding.  If they do offer discounts make sure you have it in writing from them either the auction or in an email through EBay prior to bidding. 

Other things you should always look for when purchasing plants on EBay are as follows,

1. What size plant will you be recieving for the price?

2. Is this a small rooted cutting or a healthy adult plant?

3. Will the plant be shipped bare root or in a container?

4. Are their prices inline with others on EBay for the same or similar Item?

5. Do they give you complete details of what you are purchasing or do they seem evasive about what you will be getting.  Do they tell you if the plant is an annual or a perennial? Do they tell you what zone the plant will grow in?

6. Always check Feedback....Do remember there are some people out there that you can not make happy no matter what you do.  They will always leave people neutral or negitive feedback. Then there are those people that may get a plant that seems wilted and instead of emailing the seller to find out what may be wrong and what to do about the plant they just leave negitive feedback.  So read the feedback about the seller good and bad prior to bidding. 

7. One of the major things to look for when purchasing plants on EBay is 'Does the seller offer a refund or exchange and have a return policy if you are not happy with your purchase. This is very important.  If they do not mention a refund of exchange policy or have a Square Trade icon on their auctions you could get stuck with plants, seeds, or bulbs that are no good, half dead or mislabeled. 

8.  If the seller does not give a proper name of a plant or atleast the correct common name BEWARE!  This is probably someone that really has no idea what they are selling and you may think you are getting a White 'Old Fashion Rose' when in fact you are getting a White 'Cherokee Briar' This is known as sticker bush that runs everywhere and can take a garden and yard over in a few years.

9. If you have any questions about the Auction you plan to 'Buy it Now' or bid on always click on the 'Ask Seller a Question' link on the item page and ask your questions.  Review the answers.  If they do not email you back or send you evasive or incomplete answers you should move on to your second choice and follow all the above with that seller as well.

10.  To save money, If the seller you have chosen to do business with have other plant auctions for items you would like to try in your garden then bid on them and save further high shipping costs.  Always demand Priority Mail it works best.

11.  When you receive your plants always be very careful unpacking it.  Plants can be packed in boxes in a way that if you are not careful they will pull plants out of their pots are you could break the plants off.  If you receive a box of plants that appear to have been thrown in the box or that are not well packed then you may chose to do business somewhere else next time.  The plants should be wrapped individually and packed in a box tightly so they can not move around.  They need lots of packing to help prevent damage.  Most plants that are sent bare root should have the roots wrapped in moist paper and then have plastic wrap or bags placed over the damp paper to prevent the box they are being shiped in from becoming wet and weak during shipping.  In extremely hot weather or extremely cold weather some plants should be sent bare root with no moist paper to prevent fungus's and molds from forming and causing the roots or crowns to begin rotting in the heat or the roots and crowns from freezing as easily in the cold.

Seeds should always be packed in seperate envelopes and correctly labeled as to what is in each pack.  It is also good to ask if not stated in the auction if they are fresh (from that year or the year before and if they have been kept in a dry area or in the refrigerator or freezer.  Older seeds or seeds not properly kept may not germinate.

Bulbs if purchasing multiple types and kinds should be packaged seperatly with the names clearly marked on each type.  These should also be fresh, dry and hard with no sign of mold or fungus on any of them. If they have been freshly dug they should be washed and cleaned prior to shipping.

12.  Finally, Use common sense when purchasing plants online.  Look for those that have good feedback, offer refunds or exchanges, people that have not changed their ebay member name as if to get away from negitive feedback, Always look for those that seem to know what they are selling you and are knowledgable about the plants and other bulbs and seeds they are selling.

I hope this information has helped in choosing the seller that will help to provide plants for a wonderfully beautiful garden for you, your family and friends to enjoy for many many years.