Acquiring Neofinetias Via EBay

[MattWoelfsen]

Red Orchid, I think Neos have always been popular but if I am any example--in the past two months I have collected so many Neos, that I think I've driven up the price of these eBay auctions. I haven't won any because I just cannot pay $60 for a small plant. So I get out bidded. If I hadn't been bidding, I think many of these plants would be priced for around the initial asking price. I 'analyzed' the successful bids in the last auction from 07/01 and saw that the plants that had higher bids were driven higher by the number of people bidding, but there were four or five plants that had only one bidder and they got their bid close to the starting price.

There is a new round of auctions from Seed Engei starting on July 4th. They have many plants starting at around $25.00. That is an affordable price to me. But then there is a plant called "Manjushage" with a starting price of $99.99. I do not know why Seed Engei would ask for this price, particularly being described as "single growth with one baby, confirmed Manjushage, already producing triple spurs!" So far, there is not a bid for this plant. Why?

Close to the top of the list of plants, there is a plant called "Higashidemiyako" two people are bidding on it and between the two of them, they have placed 16 bids but they have only managed to go from the starting bid of $8.00 to $22.29.

Jayfar advised to put these plants on a watch list, so I'm going to do that. I want to see how this round of auctions goes. I don't see a plant I just have to have, so I'm interested in seeing where they end up.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

There is a new round of auctions from Seed Engei starting on July 4th. They have many plants starting at around $25.00. That is an affordable price to me. But then there is a plant called "Manjushage" with a starting price of $99.99. I do not know why Seed Engei would ask for this price, particularly being described as "single growth with one baby, confirmed Manjushage, already producing triple spurs!" So far, there is not a bid for this plant. Why?

Then again there's a 4 growth Manjushage on the regular Seed Engei site listed for 400. Ugh, and a single growth Kinbotan for 1000. I think I'm going to stick with the more common varieties for a while.

[Red Orchid]

You are so very correct Matt we are the people who run up the price. As I said before if I see a good plant that I like on ebay I make one bid & it is the highest amt. I will pay. Then folks start bidding at the last minute desperate to win the plant as well. It just gets out of hand. I am not buying on eBay anymore unless I see something I know I cannot get anywhere else.

Last night I was looking at Seed's new plants and purchased a 1 growth Manjushage for $100. Thank goodness or I may have been running up the price of the one he has posted. Smh

[jeremiah.chua]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Red Orchid, I think Neos have always been popular but if I am any example--in the past two months I have collected so many Neos, that I think I've driven up the price of these eBay auctions. I haven't won any because I just cannot pay $60 for a small plant. So I get out bidded. If I hadn't been bidding, I think many of these plants would be priced for around the initial asking price. I 'analyzed' the successful bids in the last auction from 07/01 and saw that the plants that had higher bids were driven higher by the number of people bidding, but there were four or five plants that had only one bidder and they got their bid close to the starting price.

There is a new round of auctions from Seed Engei starting on July 4th. They have many plants starting at around $25.00. That is an affordable price to me. But then there is a plant called "Manjushage" with a starting price of $99.99. I do not know why Seed Engei would ask for this price, particularly being described as "single growth with one baby, confirmed Manjushage, already producing triple spurs!" So far, there is not a bid for this plant. Why?

It is true, the new surge of neo fans that we've received in the last two months or so has driven prices up. I'm both sad and happy about this aspect. Happy because more people are getting into neos. But sad because prices are going up from people trying to snag plants, left and right because of the initial hype. I'm going to wait till the hype dies down and people start getting bored or whatnot, with neos. Then I'll probably have a fighting chance again in bid wars on eBay.

Manjushage is one type that will retain its value for a long time. Mainly because seedlings of this variant, at this point, is not 100% guaranteed to bloom triple spurred plants. Some will, others won't. And even those who take a chance and purchase an unconfirmed seedling STILL pay a high price that could ultimately just end up being regular Amami Furan. I believe market rate for a Manjushage seedling is about 40-60% of confirmed Manjushage. I bit the bullet and paid $120 for my three growth plant back in February from Seed-Engei and the POE. I'm a bit surprised the price went up so much recently! Perhaps it's due to the fact that it's blooming season right now(?).
All, if not most, triple spurred plants will retain their value. Beni and Hanakanzashi are also available in seedling form but not all will bloom true with three spurs. Some will turn into a regular Shutennou, yet you will still pay big $$$ for that chance.

I'm kinda hoping the Neo craze we have going on right now dies down. I want to pay reasonable and affordable prices for Neos that I want already :P

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by jeremiah.chua

It is true, the new surge of neo fans that we've received in the last two months or so has driven prices up. I'm both sad and happy about this aspect. Happy because more people are getting into neos. But sad because prices are going up from people trying to snag plants, left and right because of the initial hype. I'm going to wait till the hype dies down and people start getting bored or whatnot, with neos. Then I'll probably have a fighting chance again in bid wars on eBay.

Interesting. Is there really a significant surge of Neo collectors though and to what would you attribute it?

On this board, I know of just 3 people who have only begun collecting them in recent months: me, Matt and Paph-Neo Nut. Any others?

I wonder how many Neo people there are in the US. Really probably the only people who can easily estimate a figure are the dealers who sell to us.

[Red Orchid]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

Interesting. Is there really a significant surge of Neo collectors though and to what would you attribute it?

On this board, I know of just 3 people who have only begun collecting them in recent months: me, Matt and Paph-Neo Nut. Any others?

I wonder how many Neo people there are in the US. Really probably the only people who can easily estimate a figure are the dealers who sell to us.

Perhaps there is more discussion about the at local societies. I purchased my first Neo about 3 years ago. I read up on the history, met Jason at a symposium and found that they do well at my essential window sill growth area. The orchid boards also helps
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You don’t have to beg or wish or steal or strive for what you seek. With your thoughts, your words, your actions and your priorities, let it be, and it will be yours.the orchid boards also help to develop the interest. Nothing at all is wrong with it except I am not going to pay too much for them on eBay.