From my experience, Fred is the fairest shipper on the LA, I was going to toot his horn if he didnt. When I buy a plant and pay for shipping, I know it says shipping, but in my mind Im paying for them to dig it up, clean it, make the labels and such. If it seems to much, or Im just getting one plant, I move on. I sold some plants one year, and no amount of money was worth it. It is a big hassle, or I felt it was, and I felt alot of pressure to make sure it was what people wanted. I will say, I do not like it when I see shipping was far less than I paid, especially if it is mixed with small plants.

I don't look to see how much the actual shipping was when I receive a package. I think of it as shipping and handling. That includes digging or dumping, cleaning, trimming, acquiring a box and packing material, sealing and labeling and a trip to the post office and standing in line etc. I sort of go with the 'time is money' saying. The process can be a hassle. I can only hope folks that manage it commercially have found methods to streamline it. It's been a pain when I've done it. So if I've accepted the stated charges and place an order, I'm not comparing what charges show up on the package. I just want to receive WHAT I ordered in good condition - I figure I've already agreed to the HOW and HOW MUCH part .

Oh yeah, if they are from fire ant territory it can even be worse (as I wonder where and when the fire ants got my hand yesterday).

SCDaylily said:I paid 58 dollars for shipping of 17 plants.
When I received them I noticed the shipping was only 17.60.
I emailed the seller to ask why there was such a large difference.

This is the reply that I got.

Well shipping is $10 for first plant and $3 for each one after. This covers shipping and handling/processing and I wish it said that on the auction. You have to take in account the orders have to be pulled, unpottedand dumped or dugand then washed and then boxed up so the shipping covers this not the actual shipping.   I have no way of knowing what the shipping will be before I ship as there are rate increase depending on where it goes and it would be impossible to try and figure that up for each person and then charge that. Some orders I actually lose money on with shipping.  Looking at quite a few of the other sellers on the auction they charge the same (and some even more) and you have had orders come from this same area with the same shipping so it should have been no surprise as to the amount charged.     

Does it really cost over 40 for this?

Michael

I think I know the seller that you are talking about. I ordered 13 plants from them last year, and the shipping that they charged was over 40 dollars. When the package arrived I saw the the shipping was only $14. I asked them why they charges so much, and this is the reply I got:

The shipping on the auction is not actual cost and I have no way of knowing what the cost will be beforehand. It would be very time consuming to try and figure out everyone's shipping and give them all around the exact cost of shipping to them. It is standard (most sellers on here) to charge $10 (or close to that) for first plant and then an additional $3 (or whatever) for anything over that. It really isn't just shipping, it is more like shipping and processing (wish it said that on the auction).

Ive ony noticed the actual shipping cost when I get a small box that I thought was going to be big. I dont usually notice, just rip into the box.

I agree with Donald. I'm perfectly willing to pay $10+3 and do. I never check what it actually costs to ship because that is just one of the things that "shipping" covers. I routinely give plants away and it's the same thing--dig, clean, tag, ship and do all that's associated with these things . What a pain!

I guess I am spoiled. I have paid reasonable shipping and handling, got exactly what I was expecting, and the auction win came in good condition.

Only once on the auction did a I get dud deal. I contacted the seller who apparently changed their username and did not reply to my inquiry. Mike got involved. I explained that not a single seed out of 5 that I planted germinated and all the other seeds I received from other sellers germinated just fine. I believe Mike contacted the seller, who immediately contacted me. He told me that some of the seeds he had sold had an issue with germination so I requested a refund (which I got). I know some folks and also new folks on the LA do not know about the guarantee. If ever you have a complaint, take it up with the seller first. If you are not satisfied with the seller's reply then contact Mike.

If the seller was stating that the shipping was a certain amount yet charged you more, then that is a valid issue of complaint. If the shipping was listed and you agreed to pay that price, then the seller made it clear. As some of you stated, you KNEW the price and were okay with it. Always make sure you read the entire auction ad. I always check the shipping price and if I think it is high, I pass on that auction. $3 a plant after the first one seems high to me, especially if they are only single fans.

There are too many other places to purchase plants if shipping costs are outrageous by a particular seller. And honestly, if you are spending over $100, I would think you would not be taken advantage of by a good seller. Most sellers that I have dealt with have been very generous and charged me a believable shipping charge and I usually don't spend that much (being on a limited budget), but you would never know it as I have received excellent service and plants all at a reasonable price. And those are the very sellers I will do business with again!

Also, some of the larger daylily nurseries have to move out their stock to make room for next year's plants. I think that is why they are often so generous with extra fans or numerous bonus plants. They are smart! They keep their clients happy. All at a reasonable price. No wonder everyone raves about them!

Becky, I'm with you....if the shipping is too high, I just pass on the auction

Sounds like everyone is on the same page now. It is a rare thing for me to ship a single fan, I don't line out single fans anymore, I don't like to receive single fans, I had rather pay a little more to get a double fan. Now on to something a little more pleasant. I am going to start another thread to name a daylily for me.

FANTASTIC!!!

Anybody know Locustalsa on the LA.

Pam, No, but I would love to see their seedling beds.

He/she is certainly bidding all over the Lily Auction!

I know Locustalsa as a seed-buying customer.

He has bought seeds from me and is a great customer.

The odd thing is, with all that bidding on seeds, he has no feedback about seeds this year. Its all about cultivars. I dont know what he does with all the stuff, or whats going on, but over 7500 in less than 3 years, thats clearly unheard of. I hadnt been bidding aginst him, and I noticed others seemed to be doing the same. I decided the heck with it, he wasnt getting James great seeds for 3 bucks, so if I want them, I now bid. At least if I loose them, he is going to pay a fair price. I hope he has a greenhouse and a bevy of workers.

I bet Mike Longo loves him. He has certainly been good for the LA. Even if he only averaged 10 bucks a transaction, and most are much more, thats $75,000 thru the LA in a bit less than 3 years. Thats a good thing for many.

" The odd thing is, with all that bidding on seeds, he has no feedback about seeds this year."

I don't understand your statement. He has plenty of feedback about seeds this year.

I should not have said year, I just went down thru his first page, I was thinking more season.. I was hardly being accuseatory, just thought with all his bids he would have more seed feedback. Pardon