From: aroid-l-bounces at gizmoworks.com [mailto:aroid-l-bounces at gizmoworks.com]
On Behalf Of ted.held at us.henkel.com
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 1:43 PM
To: Discussion of aroids
Subject: [Aroid-l] So, What's a Really Rare Plant Worth?
There are two issues about e-Bay. The first is fraudulent offerings. We have
heard a few varieties of this. The other is very high prices for real
plants.
As most people who raise rare plants (or animals) know, sometimes there are
really rare plants that are just not generally available. In a practical
sense, this means almost any plant that is not in commercial mass
cultivation and distributed through the usual mass outlets.
I was at an auction two weekends ago that contained three very rare
Cryptocoryne (aroids). The bidding audience was not made up of plant people
by and large. These plants were difficult to sell at $1 apiece. How much
would it take to find them for a non-specialist? Probably at least $100
each.
What if you put one on e-Bay, labeled correctly and in good condition and
health? How much should they go for, $1?, $100?, $1000? It all depends on
the unfathomable complexity of the marketplace. What if you had one and
wanted to unload it. How much would you let it go for? $1, $100? What if you
had five dozen and wanted to let them go? How much would you accept? $1
each? $100 each? What if you had only one and loved it dearly? How much
would it take to get you to change your mind? $100? $1000?, more?
How would those numbers change were you a billionaire?
My view is that an honest market should permit transactions among willing
players at whatever price is agreeable to both parties. If a rare
Sansevieria goes for $3000 when you paid $100, so be it. If your eyebrows
are raised, sell a couple and pocket the money. If $3000 is way too high,
the next transactions will prove that out. There are no absolutes in these
matters.
Of course, fraud is another thing. Just keep the difference straight in your
mind.
Ted.
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