I have been seriously tempted by the great plant deals on eBay, but haven't bought yet. In a majority of the cases, I received silence when I asked whether these plants were wild collected. The couple of people who responded to say that these were 'saved' plants couldn't provide further information that would allow me to verify their claims.

I have opted instead to buy from well reputed sources.

I have both bought and sold native plants on ebay. My experience has been pretty good. One I bought from sells volunters from her yard, but others including the "construction site" I have been leary of.That "construction site" has been going on a few years now. One states that they are a licensed nursery but says the plants are "dug from the mountains of Tenn", which doesnt give me a good feeling, Additonally they are dirt cheap, no pun intended, another red flag. Further they have exotics listed as native like orange daylily and vinca vine claiming they are native ..anyone licensed should know better. Also beware plants for sale listed as "rare."

My advice, and I am not here to advertise, but in my own listings I clearly state that I grow my own on the premises and I tell people to be aware and ask questions about where they get their plants from. If you are not comfortable with the response or dont receive one, move on.

Thank you both for your responses. You've confirmed what I suspected- if it seems too good to be true it probably is. I'd like to imagine that all of these plants are harvested responsibly, but I know better.

Thanks,
-Josh-

I considered buying plants on ebay, so I inquired to the source. When I got no reply, I decided not to buy.

Hi I just read a recent blog on this subject Its Named How to Buy Plants on eBay. Here is the link for more information
http://www.nipahutgardens.com/blog.asp?view=plink&id=134 Not everyone on eBay can be trusted for plants, with this guide you can at least determine who you can safely buy from. P.S. I have put the link in the useful Link below

Here is a link that might be useful: How to Buy Plants on Ebay

I buy from nurseries that are inspected by the state of TN and their diggers pull permits in order to dig on lumber company lands prior to timbering. Thus saving our prescous plants from destruction. It is extremely good conservation to save plants prior to deforestation. With development they have almost no chance of survival. We urge persons interested in this type of conservation to support giving habitat to our bare root plants and stop buying annuals that need to be replaced every year.

There are native plant sales in every major city in the states now. I would rather drive to one of these and deal with credible sources than trust some unknown entity on the Internet, especially on eBay.

Purchasing wild dug natives may be doing more good than harm, I don't want to give anyone an incentive to run out and start snipping, digging, and picking in Parks and the few remants of private land that still provide some habitat.