View Full Version : What a smackdown ... ya gotta see this!
Pithy_Cherub
06-10-2007, 01:42 PM
Steve is doing what eBay won't - calling out a bad seller!
And doing it with style!
Read the listing (MiamiMax1) ALL the way through to the bottom -
MiamiMax1 (Steve)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Variegated-Banana-Musa-aeae-15-Fresh-Seeds_W0QQitemZ250128020744QQihZ015QQcategoryZ43550QQssPageNameZ WDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
mantisbee (The Shyster)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Variegated-Banana-Musa-aeae-15-Fresh-Seeds_W0QQitemZ190120308425QQihZ009QQcategoryZ42353QQssPageNameZ WDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Smashing!
.
the flying dutchman
06-10-2007, 02:23 PM
Brilliant:nanerwizard:
STEELVIPER
06-10-2007, 02:59 PM
:djnana2: HAHAHA!!! cool.
bigdog
06-10-2007, 04:21 PM
That's great, lol! Steve is a good guy, and sells quality plants, btw. He packs them very well also. I ordered an ornamental from him recently, and am very pleased with it.
What is it they say about suckers (er...not pups)? One born every minute!
Good job, Steve. Hope lots of eBayers read your auction.
MediaHound
06-10-2007, 10:32 PM
saved for posterity's sake
:2237:
Here is what some experts say are the rarest seeds in the world! (I wonder which experts?) They are so rare that chances of hybridizing AeAe with another seeded type musa to produce seed is next to impossible! AeAe is a non-seeded type of banana which is a Triploid AAB type. This means that the chromosomes of the AeAe are; 2 from Musa Acuminata (A) and one from Musa Balbisiana (B). Hybridizing seeded varieties with non-seeded varietes will usually not produce anything. If this was to occur, the fruit of the hybridized flowers MIGHT produce an occassional seed in the whole head of bananas produced. Chances are that these few seed would not be viable even if they were produced. It is next to impossible that the fruits would produce so much seed that they could be offered for sale. Let alone out of the minimal seed that might be produced that any would be variegated.They would most likely produce green seedlings.This is due to the fact that AeAe is a somatic variegate and not a genetic variegate, somatic variegates will not produce variegated seedlings as they are not stable, genetic variegates will produce variegated seed and are stable. IF seed was produced, it is not even remotely possible that they would be XXL marble sized seed, as there arent any of the Musa that produce seed this large. The only banana seed that is large enough to be described as marble sized is produced by the Ensetes which are related to bananas, but not true bananas, and unable to hybridize with a Musa. As a matter of fact, seed I received which I purchased from an auction selling these suspicious seed was not marble sized, but small 1/4" seed, remarkably similar to that of most regular sized seed of any easily obtained seeded banana. IF a grower COULD have produced viable seed from crossing an AeAe with a wild seeded type banana and germinated, oh, lets say, 67.5% variegated seedlings, thats a lot of variegated seedlings, isnt it?? WOW those bananas would have to be packed full of seed with virtually no pulp, especially if they are marble sized!!! Imagine that this hybridized head of bananas has even produced enough seed to afford the grower to be able to offer 15 "FRESH" seed in weekly auctions for well over a year!! Lets do a little math; 52 weeks X 15. Thats 780 seed!! And still going week after week! Amazing! And since the AeAe can be sold for well over $300 even IF they are available, why not offer at least some of these 67.5% variegated seedlings for sale??? I am not the only customer who emailed about purchasing any amt of these seedlings without any reply from the seller. One would imagine that these could bring in a hefty price vs. seed and still be well under the normal $300+ cost of the typically removed suckers from the AeAe parent plant. Strange that the AeAe has been such a highly sought after RARE banana for decades amongst collectors, and that since the AeAe seems to be able to be crossed to produce seed with a chance of germinating up to 67.5% variegated seedlings, that no other professional growers in all the world hasnt thought of this up to now, succeeded, and offered AeAe seedlings for sale??? Yet, no one else has, only one person that I know of has accomplished this! On the other hand, it might be more easy to advertise seed as possibly variegated, mention that they are not guaranteed to produce variegated plants, and then to send another easily obtained inexpensive seed from another type seeded musa. What a great idea that would be!!! Wake up people!! Do some research. If it seems too good to be true.....well, you know the rest. You may be interested in reading the information about these 'supposed' AeAe seed on the Garden Web. Go to gardenweb.com, click on 'Forums' , then scroll down and click on 'Bananas'. Scroll down to the bottom of page of messages, and click on Page "2" of 'Previous Messages'. Click on Message titled 'Variegated AeAe seed". After reading those posts, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Page "3" of 'Previous Messages'. Scroll down to the message titled
"The things that are sold on Ebay". Read especially the last few posts on this message. Make up your own mind after informing yourself with correct information and if you still have a propensity for throwing your money out the window in hopes of obtaining some 'magic beans' (Yes, they're variegated!), then place your bid as I have a whole bag full!!!
Pithy_Cherub
06-11-2007, 01:37 AM
Bwahahahahaha!
I think I peed myself a little bit when I saw it!
I don't ever want to tick off this guy ... it wasn't even aimed at me & I felt the sting!
You don't often get to see a bit o'justice served up in a pithy package like that. I'm saving the web page in my eBay auction Hall of Infamy - along w/the infamous:
Raging Hormones Menopausal Prozac Barbie
http://h1.ripway.com/nunya/PROZACBARBIE.htm
I will kick your ass.
Item # 1641798199
http://h1.ripway.com/nunya/Kickass.htm
SIZE 12 WEDDING DRESS/GOWN NO RESERVE
SURE IS A BEAUTY! CHEAP! USED ONLY ONCE!
http://h1.ripway.com/nunya/WEDDINGDRESS.htm
Diana
AnnaJW
06-11-2007, 11:36 AM
Excellent, Steve!!!
OMG, Diana - thanks for the laughs! Barbie had me laughing so hard I was literally crying!
microfarmer
06-12-2007, 01:02 PM
Read the listing (MiamiMax1) ALL the way through to the bottom -
MiamiMax1 (Steve)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Variegated-Banana-Musa-aeae-15-Fresh-Seeds_W0QQitemZ250128020744QQihZ015QQcategoryZ43550QQssPageNameZ WDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Rare Variegated Banana Musa aeae 15 Fresh Seeds Item number: 250128020744
I just looked at it and he has 2 bidders on his 'AEAE' seeds. Price is up to $1.26
Obviously the 2 bidders have not read to the bottom...:bed:
Pithy_Cherub
06-13-2007, 03:59 AM
I just looked at it and he has 2 bidders on his 'AEAE' seeds. Price is up to $1.26
Obviously the 2 bidders have not read to the bottom...:bed:
Peticular & the other bidder are outstanding eBay plant sellers - I think it's more of a 'hear ... hear !' statement. When regular plant buyers see their names on the bid list, it lends a lot of credence & authority to his statement.
I'd guarantee that they read it all the way through, LOL!
Diana
Pithy_Cherub
06-13-2007, 04:08 AM
Excellent, Steve!!!
OMG, Diana - thanks for the laughs! Barbie had me laughing so hard I was literally crying!
I've never looked at Barbie the same since that auction.
Or Ken!
Diana
varig8
06-18-2007, 01:54 PM
Pithy Cherub;
Thanks for posting your original message here concerning my 'auction' on these AeAe "seed". :0490: After watching those auctions week after week for well over a year, I could'nt contain my :bigotes: any longer. There is no reason in the world why anyone would have to resort to deceiving well intentioned people by blatantly stealing their hard earned money for a dream that you know is not going to come true. Thank you also to whoever sent me the message about this thread. Thanks to all who have posted comments here, now even more people will be wise to this oh-so-very-clever (NOT!) seller. I've listed my auction again, (EbaY item #250130177876), as did the other seller, and slightly revised it by adding all the comments from Ebay sellers/buyers who added their comments to the first auction I ran. If there is any justice, I would hope that anyone who bought these seed would relentlessly bombard his email asking for an apology and a total refund, and to stop posting the auctions. By the way, he has also been selling "fresh" "variegated" cycad seed for months! I guess if you got a good thing going, you may as well run with it! Whats next? Maybe seed for bioluminescent glow-in-the-dark AeAe? (Probably won't be guaranteed to glow though...........)
Best regards,
Steven
P.S. Barbie was a hoot!!
momoese
06-18-2007, 03:09 PM
Thanks for taking a stand with your auctions Steve!
A lot of people are going to have to contact ebay to set them straight before they will take action. I have personally contacted them 3 times now about this sellers bogus AE AE seeds.
Maybe we need to pool money and buy his crap just so we can leave negative feedback. The problem with the ebay feedback system is that by the time someone learns that the seeds are bogus it's too late to leave negative feedback.
Lets go Banana people of the world!! Contact ebay and voice your concern on this matter. :2738:
Ethan
06-18-2007, 06:59 PM
thanks for posting this, it is nice to see "justice" doled out to people, even if it is a buyer beware world.
Diana,
love the links, come to think of it I could use an Ass kicking, where do I bid? :banananinja:
Also the experience of the guy w/the dress is great.:pinkskirtnaner:
thanks again,
-Ethan:nanarobot:
MediaHound
06-18-2007, 07:55 PM
Hi Steven,
I had sent you the link, I figured you of all people should know about the discussion and be able to have an open forum to discuss the situation. Maybe some of the people that were ripped off can make a list here and each add their name to it. If enough complaints rack up, I'm sure eBay would be more willing to step in. We just need to get on their radar.
Can you post the steps and maybe provide a template letter so that everyone here that wishes to email them could use?
momoese
06-19-2007, 05:19 PM
Here is the reply I just received from ebay.
Hello Mitchel,
Thank you for writing to eBay. My name is Kaelyn and I am happy to
assist you with your concern regarding item number 190120308425.
Given the nature of the information that you have provided, I will need
to further investigate this issue before appropriate action can be taken
on your report. While I cannot necessarily keep you fully advised of the
actions being taken, I promise to thoroughly investigate the information
you have provided.
Again, thank you for your email and please don't hesitate to let us know
if you have any further questions or concerns.
Regards,
Kaelyn L.
eBay Community Support
Pithy_Cherub
06-19-2007, 10:16 PM
Pithy Cherub;
Thanks for posting your original message here concerning my 'auction' on these AeAe "seed". :0490: After watching those auctions week after week for well over a year, I could'nt contain my :bigotes: any longer. There is no reason in the world why anyone would have to resort to deceiving well intentioned people by blatantly stealing their hard earned money for a dream that you know is not going to come true. Thank you also to whoever sent me the message about this thread. Thanks to all who have posted comments here, now even more people will be wise to this oh-so-very-clever (NOT!) seller. I've listed my auction again, (EbaY item #250130177876), as did the other seller, and slightly revised it by adding all the comments from Ebay sellers/buyers who added their comments to the first auction I ran. If there is any justice, I would hope that anyone who bought these seed would relentlessly bombard his email asking for an apology and a total refund, and to stop posting the auctions. By the way, he has also been selling "fresh" "variegated" cycad seed for months! I guess if you got a good thing going, you may as well run with it! Whats next? Maybe seed for bioluminescent glow-in-the-dark AeAe? (Probably won't be guaranteed to glow though...........)
Best regards,
Steven
P.S. Barbie was a hoot!!
Ohhhh noooo - Thank You! I love seeing someone stand up to scammers like this shyster, & you did it in such a straightforward & thoughtful way! I wasn't kidding - I got soooo excited when I saw it that my kids thought I had finally took that last step off of the deep end! Whooping, hollering, ya gotta see this!
I've complained to eBay @ rotten sellers before, to no avail. But THIS! OMG! It was such an elegant end-run around the usual obstacles, & puts it right up front where it serves the naive & unwary potential buyers. I wouldn't have thought of it in a million years. I only saw it so quickly cuz' yourself, Peticular & a very select group of the best plant sellers on eBay are on my 'notify when new listings appear list' (one of these days my bankbook & the fav sellers notices are gonna coincide!!!). Him ... I had watched for the same reasons you noted, including the variegated cycad seed, LOL. Support the good sellers - keep track of the scammers.
And the bonus? It had to sting, & pi** him off to no end!
You, sir ... you done good! Bravo!
Diana
re Barbie:
Barbie is an example of the creativity & pure fun that can be found on eBay. I absolutely love finding these tidbits - without the occasional 'gem' & the excellent (albeit sometimes rare) sellers, I would have probably given up on eBay long ago. Your smackdown is in that league, elegant & rapier sharp!
And she's so fun to share!
.
Pithy_Cherub
06-19-2007, 10:27 PM
Here is the reply I just received from ebay.
Hello Mitchel,
Thank you for writing to eBay. My name is Kaelyn and I am happy to
assist you with your concern regarding item number 190120308425.
Given the nature of the information that you have provided, I will need
to further investigate this issue before appropriate action can be taken
on your report. While I cannot necessarily keep you fully advised of the
actions being taken, I promise to thoroughly investigate the information
you have provided.
Again, thank you for your email and please don't hesitate to let us know
if you have any further questions or concerns.
Regards,
Kaelyn L.
eBay Community Support
I'll try 'em again too, Mitchel. But eBay is notorious for letting guys like this slide by, so there's no telling how many complaints it'll take to get them off the stick.
They've blown me off so many times that I'm surprised they haven't tried to charge me for it!
Diana
.
momoese
06-19-2007, 11:16 PM
I'll try 'em again too, Mitchel. But eBay is notorious for letting guys like this slide by, so there's no telling how many complaints it'll take to get them off the stick.
They've blown me off so many times that I'm surprised they haven't tried to charge me for it!
Diana
.
Please PM me or Steve, we are working on some ideas.
Good job Steve! Glad to see something is being done about that ebay scammer!
AnnaJW
06-20-2007, 12:37 AM
I'll try 'em again too, Mitchel. But eBay is notorious for letting guys like this slide by, so there's no telling how many complaints it'll take to get them off the stick.
They've blown me off so many times that I'm surprised they haven't tried to charge me for it!
Diana
.
I have a problem with sellers who won't post feedback until they get a +++ from the buyer. I notice there are many now who state that they post feedback only after the buyer has posted feedback. Just venting here...
I hope this guy gets busted BIG TIME!!! Great job guys!
varig8
06-20-2007, 12:58 AM
Well guys, Ebay pulled my 2nd "AeAe Seeds" auction this evening, stating that it was against their rules and regulations, (I really wasn't selling anything). So you know that 'guess who?' saw it and reported it! Guess I hit a nerve! I was actually expecting this anyway. Its good to know that now he at least is fully aware that so many more people are aware of his character and his downward spiraling reputation as an honest seller. BOO HOO. I'm up for any ideas or suggestions on how to further spread the word on Ebay without breaking any of their rules or regulations, to inform potential buyers that the seeds are a scam. Lots of emails have been, and are currently being sent to Ebay concerning these fraudulent auctions, so the more the merrier.
Sucks to hear Ebay pulled your auction off. Really wasn't selling anything?!? What the... Maybe we could all start listing Ae Ae seeds. I can see the listings now at outrageous prices.
Ae Ae seeds at $100 for 15 seeds.
Description:
Ae Ae seeds for sale. Unfortunately Ae Ae seeds don't exist so I will go ahead and sell you these micellaneous seeds and call it Ae Ae anyways. Included in the batch of seeds will be some basjoo, possibly some Ensetes, and if your lucky I'll throw in a few pebbles/rocks for you. Goodluck, bidding will start at $100.
Pithy_Cherub
06-21-2007, 12:29 PM
Hmmmmm.
Well, it IS perfectly within eBay's rules to sell &/or auction information.
Perhaps a set price dutch auction for pennies - for grower information on how Ae'Ae can NOT be propagated by seed? And contained within the auction a concise description for the information would include a warning @ unscrupulous sellers that intimate that they are selling said seed? Every plant person on the net (Dave's Garden, US!, I've seen a lot of sites talking @ this guy on the web!) buys & leaves their opinion of the shysters auctions & the truth of the info they've 'won' on the feedback pages. Shyster & eBay CAN'T change or remove anything left on the feedback page (that's 1 reason I've not bothered to ever sell there - it's a flaky system, at best). This time it could work to the truth's advantage!
I would also suggest it be listed under an eBay ID that couldn't do damage to an established seller. Shyster (& perhaps sockpuppets) would undoubtedly try to bid to try to disparage the feedback page. No point in a hard-worked-for seller's reputation/feedback getting muddied up trying to help unwary or uninformed eBayers. Multiple eBay IDs are also permitted by eBay, as long as they are not used for unlawful or nefarious business (& the information used to obtain them are factual ie: name, phone, address, etc). The eBay forums have sellers & bidders alike that use multiple IDs & openly discuss the pros & cons. I have had a more than a few IDs for years, all with my real name & info - so they're kosher w/eBay - but only 2 are connected to my financial records for actual bidding/selling. The others I use to play in the Ebay forums.
I'd be very happy to chip in a few bucks to help cover the costs of such an information listing, so no one person would have to bear the full expense (have never sold on eBay, I'm strictly a 'consumer' thus far!). I do see info auctions on there all the time, though. That would get around their 'not selling anything' obstacle!
Diana
.
momoese
06-21-2007, 02:20 PM
Hmmmmm.
Well, it IS perfectly within eBay's rules to sell &/or auction information.
Perhaps a set price dutch auction for pennies - for grower information on how Ae'Ae can NOT be propagated by seed? And contained within the auction a concise description for the information would include a warning @ unscrupulous sellers that intimate that they are selling said seed? Every plant person on the net (Dave's Garden, US!, I've seen a lot of sites talking @ this guy on the web!) buys & leaves their opinion of the shysters auctions & the truth of the info they've 'won' on the feedback pages. Shyster & eBay CAN'T change or remove anything left on the feedback page (that's 1 reason I've not bothered to ever sell there - it's a flaky system, at best). This time it could work to the truth's advantage!
I would also suggest it be listed under an eBay ID that couldn't do damage to an established seller. Shyster (& perhaps sockpuppets) would undoubtedly try to bid to try to disparage the feedback page. No point in a hard-worked-for seller's reputation/feedback getting muddied up trying to help unwary or uninformed eBayers. Multiple eBay IDs are also permitted by eBay, as long as they are not used for unlawful or nefarious business (& the information used to obtain them are factual ie: name, phone, address, etc). The eBay forums have sellers & bidders alike that use multiple IDs & openly discuss the pros & cons. I have had a more than a few IDs for years, all with my real name & info - so they're kosher w/eBay - but only 2 are connected to my financial records for actual bidding/selling. The others I use to play in the Ebay forums.
I'd be very happy to chip in a few bucks to help cover the costs of such an information listing, so no one person would have to bear the full expense (have never sold on eBay, I'm strictly a 'consumer' thus far!). I do see info auctions on there all the time, though. That would get around their 'not selling anything' obstacle!
Diana
.
This is basically the same thing I said to Steve in an email. Information is tangible and can be sold. The one your missing is that auctions can be ended at any time with no repercussions from ebay. Once the auction has ended and all bids cancelled no one can leave negative feedback for you. :08:
Pithy_Cherub
06-21-2007, 07:40 PM
Mitchel - Great minds,etc! (but I get too wordy, sometimes LOL!)
This could work, yes?
Diana
.
varig8
06-28-2007, 06:04 PM
Here is the latest Ebay Auction, I hope this one is within the rules and regulations and won't be pulled. People are reading it at least!
Item number: 250137137081
Description
Educate yourself and be better informed! This auction is for information regarding 'supposed' AeAe seed. Musa Paradisiaca x AeAe is a non-seeded type banana and does NOT produce seed even if crossed with a seeded type! Find out why! Included in your information package are links to information from hobbyists, growers, scientists, and people who bought these supposed seed and their outcomes! I will also provide correct information on the likelihood of why these seed are probably fraudulent so you dont waste your hard earned cash on these "Magic Beans". Common sense should tell you that if it were possible to produce AeAe seed that AeAe seedlings would be readily available at a greatly reduced price! For .99 I will email you this information so you can become better informed so you can make up your own mind! Don't be duped by unscrupulous sellers.
D'Andra
06-28-2007, 06:50 PM
WTG! I hope they keep this listing on!
AnnaJW
06-28-2007, 07:13 PM
Very good! I don't see how they can pull it now.
Pithy_Cherub
07-01-2007, 05:32 PM
Outstanding write-up, Steve!
I don't see how eBay could possibly object to it. They may not acknowledge it, but you're doing them a favor - standing up for honest sellers! Can we do 'buy it now' - I think it would be another opportunity to reinforce the info you're putting out there on the feedback pages, as well?
Diana
.
(haven't been 'in the house' much this week, so I'm late seeing this!)
varig8
07-01-2007, 06:31 PM
Yes, the auction is listed as a 'set price' auction (.99-the lowest starting bid price they allow for any auction), and this type auction automatically is a 'buy it now', and the amount available-well, I put 100!
Lilith
07-02-2007, 05:39 AM
This Ae Ae seed thing is not the first time this seller has offered something for sale that is, to say the least, questionable. I have a friend in the San Diego area who is a professional landscaper and a big time hobby bromeliad collector, especially tillandsias. His collection is huge. The same seller with the Ae Ae seeds was (probably still IS) hawking a "rare" variety of Spanish Moss on eBay and making claims about its supposed rarity. My friend knew that there was no such plant as this person was supposedly advertizing and complained to eBay that the auctions constituted fraud. eBay "investigated" and the auctions would be pulled, but would always reappear later. My friend kept after them though because, like varieg8 and others here, doesn't like to see unsuspecting people taken advantage of. It wouldn't surprise me if there are other questionable auctions for other genera of plants by same seller as well.
xyzzy
07-02-2007, 02:54 PM
Yes, but some buyers get as good as they deserve. I advertised euphrobia plants expecting to get £3.50 for them. I had bought 5 of them two years before from LIDLs for £2.50 each. The bidding didn't stop at a sensible price though and to my embarrassment went up to over £75.00 each! The result of two determined buyers fighting over them! Dont buyers like that deserve "Ae Ae seeds"?
varig8
07-02-2007, 04:34 PM
Im afraid you're missing the point. There is a big difference in paying whatever you are willing to pay for an item that is real, but to pay even a small price for something that does not exist-thats called deceit!
momoese
07-02-2007, 05:32 PM
Im afraid you're missing the point. There is a big difference in paying whatever you are willing to pay for an item that is real, but to pay even a small price for something that does not exist-thats called deceit!
Exactly. This knuckle head seller is taking advantage of peoples lack of knowledge about Bananas. At one point we all knew next to nothing about them and could have been duped by this scammer. I'm sure a lot of his victims are collectors of variegated plants and have very little knowledge of Bananas.
Lilith
07-02-2007, 06:01 PM
If you go to the "bay" now and do a search in Plants Seeds and Bulbs for tillandsia spanish moss you will find one of the auctions my friend has been fighting by this same seller. It has about 10 hours yet to run
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