Don't pay too much for Orchids on eBay!

[K-Sci]

People often pay crazy high prices for orchids they perceive as 'special' on eBay. This post illustrates just how insane this can be.

I recently bought a virus-free mericlone of Cattleya warscewiczii 'Firmin Lambeau' from Peter Lin at Diamond Orchids. He's a superlative grower, by the way, and I highly recommend visiting his web site.

Okay, I paid the retail price of $99.99. Peter lists the same orchid for auction on eBay every week with a starting price of $99. The people who 'won' the last 8 auctions paid these amounts:
$129.50
$156.00
$405.00
$137.00
$153.00
$140.00
$225.00
$550.00

I'm happy to see this revenue going to a really great grower who contributes a lot to orchid breeding and collecting. Nonetheless, I'm sure none of us want to be one of the eight over-eager buyers who paid up to $450 above retail for a $100 orchid.

-Keith

[jcec1]

Here's the thing though, it is the buyer who decides the value and therefore the price that is ultimately paid.