Texas Bound! Lone Star African Violet Show

I'll be on my way to Dallas on Tuesday to visit my old friends Ray & Hortense Pittman.  On Thursday we'll be jumping in the rented minivan and we'll be heading south to Kerrville for the Lone Star African Violet Council Show (LSAVC).

It's always fun to visit old friends and doing it in the setting of an African Violet show is just the icing on the cake!

If you're in the greater San Antonio, Texas area November 4-6, take an hour drive west to Kerrville and come pay us a visit.  We'll give you a big Texas welcome!

AVSA Convention - Denver 2007

Here's me with my good friends Diane (top left), Sue (top right) and Dorothy (bottom left) eating at a nice Chinese restaurant at the 2007 AVSA Convention...and not a violet to be seen.  Shame on us! 

Winter Break - Thank Goodness!

I thought I had another week in me for listing violets on eBay but after pulling, packing and shipping nearly 200 I'm done for the season!  I am physically and mentally exhausted at this point.

Now comes the fun part - cleaning the stands, tossing those varieties that aren't going to be offered next year, tossing any plant that doesn't look perfect and pulling leaves to put down so I have enough plants for everyone next year.

The other benefit to the shipping season ending is I can once again focus on my blog!  Don't forget that I'll be posting pictures of the Texas State Convention when I return on November 7th.

What's the definition of Mail Fraud?

MAIL FRAUD

18 U.S.C. 1341, makes it a Federal crime or offense for anyone to use the United States mails in carrying out a scheme to defraud.

A person can be found guilty of that offense only if all of the following facts are proved: First: That the person knowingly and willfully devised a scheme to defraud, or for obtaining money or property by means of false pretenses, representations or promises; and Second: That the person used the United States Postal Service by mailing, or by causing to be mailed, some matter or thing for the purpose of executing the scheme to defraud.

Hmmm?  Does the selling of mislabeled or incorrectly identified plants by a reasonable person with access to reasonable resources meet this burden?  I wonder!

Buyer Beware - it gets worse!

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to eBay and buy plants I find another "mis-labeled" listing.  Hmmm?  Same grower as before.  Does this constitute a trend?

Here's Rob's Boolaroo as pictured on the hybridizer's website:

And here is Rob's Boolaroo (at least one eBay sellers' version of it).  Seriously, does this even look like a trailer?  You be the judge!  Personally, I'd be asking for a refund.

Buyer Beware! You're not getting what you're paying for...seriously!

I recently saw two listings on eBay, from two different sellers, for Rob's Fiddle Faddle that literally made me do a double take.  I couldn't believe that these two sellers who have feedback ratings of 4,764 and 2,684, respectively, would sell something that was so NOT Rob's Fiddle Faddle.  I realize mistakes in listings happen but when you list the same plant with the same picture multiple times is it still just a mere oversight? 

Here's a picture of Rob's Fiddle Faddle from the hybridizer's website.  The description, as seen in First Class is:  

Rob's Fiddle Faddle (7431) 10/06/1990 (R. Robinson) Semidouble rose-pink. Dark green, pointed, hairy, serrated/red back. Semiminiature

 

Now lets look at the first "version" of Rob's Fiddle Faddle that caught my eye.  Hmmm?  What's different?  Wow, nice variegation...except...Rob's Fiddle Faddle isn't variegated!

Lets look at the second "version" of Rob's Fiddle Faddle that caught my eye.  Wow!  It has the same variegation as the first "version".

If you bought this plant from these sellers as Rob's Fiddle Faddle, someone owes you a refund as you did not receive what you paid for!

New Stuff Coming Soon...I Promise!

Yes, I've been missing in action from the blog for quite some time.  Quite honestly, I just haven't had the time between my "real" job, the two gift stores and of course, listing, selling and shipping violets on eBay.

Fortunately (sort of) shipping season is coming to an end here very soon so I'll be able to focus more time on the blog.  My first new and grand article will be of the Texas State African Violet Convention that I'll be attending November 4-6.

Thanks for your patience...interesting stuff coming soon!