Alive or Dead? Paypal Refund?

8 years ago

Brought "blue heart lilies" from a guy in Vietnam, couldn't find a dealer in the US so used Paypal to protect myself.

When the bulbs came in 2 weeks after ordering, they seemed fine, they were firm, showed them to several gardeners and they all thought they were healthy.

Problem is only 2 out of 36 bulbs have sprouted. The rest are still underground in pots. Mind you I split the 36 bulbs between 2 other people, 12 bulbs each and none but 2 of mine has produced shoots.

This is what I'm finding when I dug up the bulbs after about 4 weeks in the ground. No new roots, bulbs are turning brown and rotting off.

Some are producing roots, short ones about 2 inches long after nearly 2 months. I don't know if this is normal or not, the friends that I split the bulbs with are telling me that they're goners.

I tried to contact the seller and he just said to wait another 2 weeks. No new growth, contacted him about 4 times in the week after I waited. No response. Then I contacted paypal and asked for a refund. They declined and now I have to escalate the claim to get a chance of seeing my hard earned cash back (the 36 bulbs costed $120).

Not really sure what to do. The Paypal guys rejected my claim because they said that the item was given to me as prescribed, which is strange considering that 2 bulbs out of 36, a 5% success rate, wasn't mentioned in the brouchure and I sure wouldn't have brought them if that was the case.

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Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Let me put this as gently as possible.....you have been scammed!! There is no such thing as a blue flowered lily and the online images you see of any 'blue heart' lily are photoshopped. You couldn't find a US dealer for that reason....the plant does not exist!! Ditto with the blue roses, blue marigolds, blue tomatoes and other, off-colored plants these scammers promote.

FWIW, the US is filled with any number of reputable lily dealers that grow or offer for sale all manner of lily bulbs.....REAL lily bulbs. There is NO way you need to order anything from Vietnam that can't legitimately be found here in the US and the Internet is ripe with reports of all manner of exotic and nonexistent plants or seeds being ordered from China, Singapore, Vietnam and other Asian locations that are just scams. Period.

The lack of success in growing these lilies, whatever they might be, is most probably due to them being imported in bulk from the US or other lily bub producing country (lilies are not native to nor accustomed to grow in SE Asia) at an inferior size and then stored and shipped out to unsuspecting consumers across the globe. The small size, improper storage and international shipping are all factors why these bulbs are not thriving.

Afa getting a refund or your money back, I'd say that was pretty unlikely. You should probably just chalk this up to experience and learn from this unfortunate situation. An expensive lesson to be sure but a valuable one.
Nathan Jeon thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Nathan Jeon
Original Author
8 years ago
That seems like a very stupid thing to lie about, it would be instantly falsifyible the second the flowers bloomed and they looked nothing like the picture. How did this guy get 4 1/2 star rating out of 200 customers? There are a few 1 star among a lot of 5 stars. I'm so confused....
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
No need to be confused :-) These scammers prey on gullible or unknowing gardeners who think they are getting something unique or really special. And because they are located in a distant country, they are relatively safe from any follow up or prosecution. Any positive ratings are likely provided by the vendor themselves.

If you see these things advertised for sale on eBay or Etsy or Amazon or other online sales-only vendor and NOT through any verifiable plant nursery, then chances are very good it is a scam and you will not be getting what you paid for.

And whatever you do, avoid any vendors that are located in the Far East! First, they are not going through any of the required phytosanitary restrictions governing importing plants or seeds in to the US and they are virtually untouchable when it comes to disputes or refunds.

Caveat emptor!!
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
Sadly, Nathan, there is a constant stream of this kind of question here on Gardenweb. Usually it's about seeds. What comes up is nothing like it's supposed to be and weeks of effort and hope are wasted, not to mention the money. If you are an inexperienced gardener do your research before you buy. Blue lilies simply don't exist and a google check would have explained that. Never believe sellers' sites alone. Check and double check via alternative sources. Ask here if necessary.
Paul MI
8 years ago
How about those "rainbow" colored roses? Always amazed folks fall for that but, then again, for the novice gardener ...