I've been holding off on this thread, in hopes someone else may express a similar point of view.
I've been taught that just because an idea is unpopular, doesn't make it wrong!
Before I express that point of view, I'd like to say that it is indeed sad to see a member driven to this point, and it does seem justified that she be upset, no one deserves to be hounded and, yes... Some folks just don't get it... Trying to place orders and failing to compute when you tell them this isn't a sales site... Is pretty silly... But we've all been to a plant based site and wondered " now where do I place my order!?!" And some of those site are sales sites!
There's also just no excuse for rude, self entitled behavior, " I want this when I want it" but it's the internet, and a free site at that! That inherently attracts riff-raff... It's a well known factor in the online gaming world.
THIS should be a place that we each enjoy coming to visit!
Personally I do enjoy it, very much, and haven't had one problem, I hope I haven't been a serious contributing factor to others problems here.
That said, I joined this board (and others but I only visit this one now) with one goal in mind... Get more plants!
I do in fact approach members about plants they list, possibly even plants they don't list as available, I'm not sure...
I try my best to be respectful and appreciative, regardless the outcome, thus far the outcomes been great!
I love trading plants!
I love it when others approach me about my plants, regardless of what status they're listed under!
I also know I'm a solid trader, not someone looking for "free plants", but I'm sure not paying cash money for them!
This years proving I an a solid trader!
I have almost nothing to send out!
Yet I'm waiting on 3 packages containing more plants than ever before! (I have less than ever before so I'm in need of a lot) and next weekend im driving a few hours and staying the night for an in person free-for-all where I'll be digging whatever I like!
It pays to be a generous trader!
There's some pretty big differences in pirl's page and my own, no doubt of that, I'm sure folks that list 700+ plants, of which many must be rare and desirable, receive more attention than folks like myself...
The plants I like are less popular, not many folks work with them, hyridizing new plants, selecting special clones or discovering new species! But the ones that are into aroids are usually nuts for them!
I'm usually quite excited to speak to someone with a common interest in these plants, a few such people attracted me here!
Plants have actually lead me to some of the most meaningful friendships I have today, that's no joke, every close friend I have, aside from my wife and 1 high school friend have come from plants (long stories there!).
So when I first saw this thread, it ruffled my feathers, but it had no responses... Now there's no shortage of responses now, but they all lean one way.
I feel I should speak up for the those good traders, some of them are new members! We were all new members once! Were you less trustworthy then?
I'm not saying any one posting above me is wrong, we're all entitled to feel the way we like, but I don't share the same views, sorry if that's upsetting to anyone.
It think it would be a shame for more members here to mark their lists private, or ignore legitimate exchange offers.
Treat rude people the way they the deserve to be treated, but I think a response is always in order... Kill em with kindness!
Everyone here wants to either grow plants, grow better plants, talk about plants and learn about plants and it hard to do that with getting more plants.
We are a great resource to one another!
I hate to see that spoiled for all of us, regardless of the reason!
Thank you for reading.
