What would you do?

[Eric Muehlbauer]

I just got a nice little leucochilum today that I won on Ebay. Good condition, arrived quickly, etc., etc. But when I unpacked it, on top of all the packing material was a balled up napkin...containing a chewed peach pit. Pretty disgusting. I emailed the seller, telling him that, while I was happy with the plant, I was very disturbed by what was in the packing. I also added that since the plant was good, I would not let this affect my feedback rating, since, after all, I got what I had wanted in good shape. I haven't heard back yet. Should I have handled it differently? What should I expect as a response from the seller?

 

[Marco]

Thats pretty disgusting. I don't know, depending on what the seller says I would just be truthful on the feedback and rating. "Plant was great. But I received a chewed peach pit which I didn't bid on. It was disgusting."

 

[Wendelin]

I'm sure that this happend accidently and since we are all only humans I wouldn't mind to much.
True, it's not nice at all, but I'm sure the seller is going to be quite embarresed reading your message...

 

[biothanasis]

I'm with Wendelin, but depending on the seller's response, Marco's suggestion is quite good...

 

[cnycharles]

well, you did get the plant you wanted (good rating), but the excess fruit seeds were very poor packing material (subtraction from rating)! though likely not normal packing material and likely to not happen again. probably just mention but just let it slide as far as rating. maybe ask for shipping discount? (why not)

 

[Sirius]

Plant the pit in your garden with an eastern exposure. Water and fertilize it until it sprouts. Nurture the tree for the next twenty years. When the tree reaches a fair height, cut it down. Trim, shape and sand the trunk into a club. Drive to the guys house and break the headlights out in his car. When he comes out to confront you, tell him that's what he deserves for mailing you the peach pit.

Or, just let it go.

 

[Mathias]

I would just let it go, as it is not worth the effort. I mean, it is easy to give a negative but all potential hassle and correspondence afterwards..

 

[Lanmark]

Plant the pit in your garden with an eastern exposure. Water and fertilize it until it sprouts. Nurture the tree for the next twenty years. When the tree reaches a fair height, cut it down. Trim, shape and sand the trunk into a club. Drive to the guys house and break the headlights out in his car. When he comes out to confront you, tell him that's what he deserves for mailing you the peach pit.

Or, just let it go.

^ Awesome! :rollhappy:

I'd say it depends on who the seller is. I had some C-R-A-Z-Y weird and totally unexpected similar incidents happen with an otherwise seemingly good and normal eBay seller in the past who gave me the silent treatment once I had commented privately to them about it -- so if your peach pit came from the same seller with whom I've had some weirdness, I'd say give positive feedback but mention the peach pit in the feedback.

 

[Shiva]

Just laugh it off. Life goes on and you got what you wanted anyway.

 

[goldenrose]

BONUS!
I'm with Wendelin & biothanasis. My first response would be EEWE but then I'd probably laugh - too much multi-tasking!
I like Marco's idea but I'd reword the feed back - "Plant was great. Ah ... thanks for the bonus chewed up peach pit!" The reader will come up with the disgusting part.

 

[Eric Muehlbauer]

Too late for the feedback- I already posted it, favorable, no mention of the packing material. I'm sure it was an accident, so I don't want to screw the guy's Ebay reputation. I'm just curious about how he'll respond. I'm not expecting anything, but if he ignores me or is dismissive, I won't bid on his plants again.

 

[likespaphs]

wonder if he tried to sabotage the plant. was it in bud/bloom?
the ethylene gas from ripening fruit can cause flowers to blast/fade super prematurely

 

[Lanmark]

Too late for the feedback- I already posted it, favorable, no mention of the packing material. I'm sure it was an accident, so I don't want to screw the guy's Ebay reputation. I'm just curious about how he'll respond. I'm not expecting anything, but if he ignores me or is dismissive, I won't bid on his plants again.

That's the part that irked me when I had a strangely disturbing and somewhat similar incident. I mentioned it privately to the seller in a pleasant manner. I felt comfortable enough doing so because I had purchased a couple of times from this seller previously. The silent treatment I received afterward was so awkward that I never went back to purchase more. I simple acknowledgement of the goof would have been enough to keep me coming back for more. :wink:

 

[SlipperKing]

It was probably his/her kid putting in the box as gift. My kids always wanted to do what daddy does. Blow it off. My 7 year old is always running a round in the GH putting all kinds crap in my pots because that's what dad does! Crushed oyster shells in plant that don't like calcium, sand from the floor, old lava rocks from under the benches, dead flowers and of course she has to water all in! Hell, who knows the damn plants are probably better for it and to think it was ALL me making them pretty! "Sure Dad" (as she winks at me)

 

[SlipperFan]

Or, maybe it was an offering to the orchid gods....

 

[Candace]

Plant the pit in your garden with an eastern exposure. Water and fertilize it until it sprouts. Nurture the tree for the next twenty years. When the tree reaches a fair height, cut it down. Trim, shape and sand the trunk into a club. Drive to the guys house and break the headlights out in his car. When he comes out to confront you, tell him that's what he deserves for mailing you the peach pit.

Or, just let it go.

LOL.

 

[swamprad]

When I was in medical school and residency, I supported my family of five with an eBay business. Everybody chipped in, including the kids. We tried to be very professional, but I'm sure there were times when some very unprofessional things happened, not unlike your peach pit! I'm betting a toddler dropped the peach pit in the box unnoticed by anyone. You know, home business, small time, family oriented. Sounds kinda cool to me.

 

[Bolero]

Must be accidental, surely someone wouldn't do that on purpose.

 

[Clark]

Return to Vendor. RTV

 

[koshki]

Slippery little devils! I'll bet the shipping guy (who was just finishing up his lunch) was wondering where it went!