[Barryrich]

I noticed this stonei on ebay & watched the bidding. No clonal name listed, horrible picture - would you bid & pay that much?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=140269807869

[chinesemedicine]

The actual plant photo is fine. It doesn't mention the name or what award was won but maybe some bidders know the grower and what they're buying. I notice there was a specimen size plant at a very low price so maybe there are some good deals going on.

[Veveseinlep]

That faded pictures looks like a picture from Orchids Limited site.

Paphman910

[dolaBeetCeage]

I'd swear i've seen that flower pic before....

[sestomosi]

The auction was down by the time I looked, Another auction by the same seller: Paph Mildred Hunter 'Ilena' crossed with ? listed as a $100 minimum is way over priced. That clone of Mildred Hunter has been for sale at Oak Hill for $35 since forever.

[AffipgyncDync]

"I noticed this stonei on ebay & watched the bidding. No clonal name listed, horrible picture - would you bid & pay that much?"

No way. I'd not bid or pay that much! There's something fishy about this offering. First of all, the vendor doesn't even know how to spell the name....it's "stonei", not "stonii". Plus, why even bother to assure people that the plant was collected "before" CITES if there's nothing to be guilty about anyway. Also, if it's awarded, then, providing the clonal name and award information is a selling point. It seems that the vendor doesn't seem to realize that if a plant is awarded, then, a clonal name and award abreviation should follow the (correctly spelled), species name. So, it looks like he's just adding sales hype, without providing evidence. I also question that the flower shown is awarded, at least not in recent years. The petals curl severely. Good examples of this species these days don't have such curly petals. Have a look at the photo at the top of Antec's "Paphiopedilum Species Photo Files" for a good example of this species. Finally, that price is way too high for anything but a recently awarded HCC or AM. Wendy bought a multigrowth stonei last March at an orchid meeting. It was in bloom with very good colour and form. The price was something like $60. I can't remember the exact price; but, it was in that ball park.

[Barryrich]

Thanks John - you brought up every point that I thought of as well! I'm flabergasted that happyhenry paid over $300 for that plant! Why can't some of us get responses like that on decent plants?

Quote:

[AffipgyncDync]

"Why can't some of us get responses like that on decent plants?" I agree! I'd love to get over $300 for a $60 plant! Some people are just lucky.....and their victims,....er....I mean, customers, are uninformed.

[Barryrich]

Here goes another one! This person can't spell either, must have been watching the other listing! Do you think it will sell?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Paph-stonii...d=p3286.c0.m14
Darn! I should have bought that stonei in bloom with 2 flowers at Oak Hill for $30!

[geaveheadeNox]

I think I might actually welcome a policy that only allows eBay sellers to say something is "rare" if they agree to allow eBay to extort another fee for each instance of the word, much in the same fashion eBay extorts fees for other "features" one can use to place auctions ahead of everyone else's. The gratuitous use of the term in so many auctions makes one wonder why people still fall for it. It doesn't just happen with orchids - the abuse is ubiquitous throughout eBay.

[preachadaq]

^ ^
When I see the word "rare" used in an auction description, I always roll my eyes and wonder who is gonna fall for it?