I went to the Hosta Library site the other day to check the Auction section for Hostas and seeds, and found it completely empty! In the past I've sold my extras and divisions of expensive varieties there to help fund my addiction, and also had bought there.
I emailed Bob Axmear to ask what had happened. His response suggested that eBay was to blame; where people were selling Hostas as low as 99 cents.
Would any of you buy Hostas so cheaply that they had to be barely out of t.c.? Aren't larger plants worth the extra? I've always thought so, unless I wanted a quantity of them.
What are your thoughts?
George
I'm puzzled!
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thehostagourmet
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- USDA Zone: 5b
- Location: Western NY, Zone 5
Hi George!
Did you look at the eBay site? Bob mentioned this on Pix a while back, and linked to eBay where there were about 50 pages of cheap, common hostas for .99 to about 3.99 and about 15 somewhat interesting varieties scattered throughout. I didn't see any hostas from Jim or the Boyz, at that time and I don't know if anyone we 'know' was there. Chris certainly wasn't! There was nothing I wanted to buy - young tc or otherwise. And I've always been teased by the Library auction, but like you say - it's empty now.
To answer your question; I would only buy a baby tc in person, not at auction. And with HVX in the picture, I plan to be very careful with any young-ish tc's (2 or 3yr olds) unless I know the vendor is as meticulous as Chris.
Regarding 'one-of-a-kind' plants, I'd want to be sure it was a 'guaranteed' division, meaning I've known (and trusted) the vendor for a while.
I'd hate to be a hosta newbie these days, but I think they are the ones buying the 99 cent-ers on eBay. The newer gardeners who don't know YET, that you get what you pay for, in the hosta market.
Apologizing for the verbosity!
Did you look at the eBay site? Bob mentioned this on Pix a while back, and linked to eBay where there were about 50 pages of cheap, common hostas for .99 to about 3.99 and about 15 somewhat interesting varieties scattered throughout. I didn't see any hostas from Jim or the Boyz, at that time and I don't know if anyone we 'know' was there. Chris certainly wasn't! There was nothing I wanted to buy - young tc or otherwise. And I've always been teased by the Library auction, but like you say - it's empty now.
To answer your question; I would only buy a baby tc in person, not at auction. And with HVX in the picture, I plan to be very careful with any young-ish tc's (2 or 3yr olds) unless I know the vendor is as meticulous as Chris.
Regarding 'one-of-a-kind' plants, I'd want to be sure it was a 'guaranteed' division, meaning I've known (and trusted) the vendor for a while.
I'd hate to be a hosta newbie these days, but I think they are the ones buying the 99 cent-ers on eBay. The newer gardeners who don't know YET, that you get what you pay for, in the hosta market.
Apologizing for the verbosity!
Dale
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Jaspersail
- Posts: 252
- Joined: Mar 18, 2002 8:00 pm
- Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
I stopped going to the Hosta Library Auction, but certainly not because of eBay. I stopped going after Bob launched the new auction program with all the animated glitz and confusing views. The old site was so clean and simple and easy to use. The new site just seems needlessly complex and to me, anyway, is an assault on the eyes.
--John
--John
John, I think you hit the nail on the head. I've said the same thing several times in similar discussions. The user has to click through too many pages to get to the actual auction items and listing an item to sell is not a simple task. It also loads slowly for me.
I think this is supported by the fact that there were items listed most of the spring and summer, but hardly any bids.
I think this is supported by the fact that there were items listed most of the spring and summer, but hardly any bids.
Yepper! I'd have to agree with that, too! I only went to the Library auction once this year, when Bob mentioned all the cheap eBay traffic.
I was very dismayed to see so little activity there, but you guys are right on! It IS very difficult to follow and look at. Haven't bid on a thing since the OLD Library auction. And that, I guess is why I hadn't spent a single cent on hostas this year, 'til the Hallson's Get Together and local August sales.
Thanks for reminding me!
I was very dismayed to see so little activity there, but you guys are right on! It IS very difficult to follow and look at. Haven't bid on a thing since the OLD Library auction. And that, I guess is why I hadn't spent a single cent on hostas this year, 'til the Hallson's Get Together and local August sales.
Thanks for reminding me!
Dale
It makes no nevermind to me (sorry, Bob) what they do there or at eBay. I wouldn't buy at auction anyway (except the Hosta Library and AHS benefit auctions, where I consider whatever I buy/pay a donation to a good cause). I prefer to see what I am buying and judge whether or not it is worth the asking price to me.
Many a great tune has been played on an older fiddle.
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thehostagourmet
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- USDA Zone: 5b
- Location: Western NY, Zone 5
Library Auction
Viktoria, it's not that different from mail ordering Hostas (which you sell), if you know the person on the other end, or at least that their reputation is good.
I have emailed Bob Axmear to advise him to monitor this thread.
George
I have emailed Bob Axmear to advise him to monitor this thread.
George
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thehostagourmet
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Mar 10, 2003 10:38 am
- USDA Zone: 5b
- Location: Western NY, Zone 5
Library Auction
This is Bob Axmear's reply to my last email:
"Ask them to write me if they want to return to the old. Naylor Creek wasn't too happy at first either. I don't think that is why it quit though, it was more people on ebay sold so cheap. It makes no difference to me which they want, if I know I will do it. I put the new one because it had more functions on it."
I would just as soon return to the old format. What about the rest of you? This is Bob's email address:
bobaxe@sbtek.net
George
"Ask them to write me if they want to return to the old. Naylor Creek wasn't too happy at first either. I don't think that is why it quit though, it was more people on ebay sold so cheap. It makes no difference to me which they want, if I know I will do it. I put the new one because it had more functions on it."
I would just as soon return to the old format. What about the rest of you? This is Bob's email address:
bobaxe@sbtek.net
George
I personally don't find it any harder to use then any other auction program our there, including the previous auction software at the HL.. If you go to ebay, you have to do a search for what your looking for and wait for HUGE pages to load.. IF you go to the HL you have to click on a link from the new user page, and then select a category from the 4 he has listed. Then is just a simple click away from seeing Plants, Streaked Plants and Breeders, or Seeds. Bob could link directly to the auction home page instead of the new user page and that'll make it a little easier for all if you.
I can't comment on the selling part, cause I've never sold on the HL auction.
IMHO, I believe people believe there's more money to be made by listing stuff on ebay, cause the traffic is 100.000 times more then the HL.. It doesn't really matter what software Bob uses, cause others believe that the money is at ebay so that's where they'll go.. When I started using the HL auction site about 4 years ago, there's been maybe 8 sellers at the most selling hostas.
I can't comment on the selling part, cause I've never sold on the HL auction.
IMHO, I believe people believe there's more money to be made by listing stuff on ebay, cause the traffic is 100.000 times more then the HL.. It doesn't really matter what software Bob uses, cause others believe that the money is at ebay so that's where they'll go.. When I started using the HL auction site about 4 years ago, there's been maybe 8 sellers at the most selling hostas.
People were selling hostas on Ebay long before the HL auction was around. I'm guessing the HLA draws mostly serious collectors who aren't interested in the dirt cheap plants on Ebay, anyway (they probably already have them). What gets posted on the HLA are newer intros, yet there was little bidding going on. No matter how many features a website has, if it isn't easy to use it won't get used.
And just for the record, I don't like using ebay, either. REALLY slow and listing an item is like brain surgery.
You have a valid point about the huge audience, Jamie. Still, the HLA was very well used before the software change.
And just for the record, I don't like using ebay, either. REALLY slow and listing an item is like brain surgery.
You have a valid point about the huge audience, Jamie. Still, the HLA was very well used before the software change.
Good morning
It is 2:30 and I wasn't sleeping so was reading some of these. The library auction was dying long before I installed the new one. I added the new one with all the functions trying to get interest reinvigorated with the auction, it had all the automatic bidding functions the little one didn't. Then I put both auctions on to give a choice and that didn't help either. Finally there was no reason to keep either auction there, seldom did anyone list.
As more people listed on ebay less did on the library. At first there were only 50 or so listings on ebay and over time that increased to 400 or more, probably lots more. Right now it is 338 in Ferbruary.
If there is ever interest again I can install the old, smaller program. It took too long to install the larger one.
It is 2:30 and I wasn't sleeping so was reading some of these. The library auction was dying long before I installed the new one. I added the new one with all the functions trying to get interest reinvigorated with the auction, it had all the automatic bidding functions the little one didn't. Then I put both auctions on to give a choice and that didn't help either. Finally there was no reason to keep either auction there, seldom did anyone list.
As more people listed on ebay less did on the library. At first there were only 50 or so listings on ebay and over time that increased to 400 or more, probably lots more. Right now it is 338 in Ferbruary.
If there is ever interest again I can install the old, smaller program. It took too long to install the larger one.
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thehostagourmet
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Mar 10, 2003 10:38 am
- USDA Zone: 5b
- Location: Western NY, Zone 5
I really miss the old auction site! It is where I learned what new exciting hosta were now available, and how desirable each was by the bidding levels. When I started with hosta in 2000-2001, I couldn't justify spending so much for one really good plant, in case I killed it due to lack of knowledge at the time.
By the time I got the basics down (and had practiced on the cheaper common hosta), the overall economy was in a nosedive and my formerly really good job had pretty much evaporated...leaving barely any money for hosta. I know a lot of folks are in the same boat...just look at the rate of mortgage foreclosures. The little bit of hosta money I did have just had to go to Chris & Brian for providing me with countless hours of learning and entertainment here on the forums. And I really do prefer to "pick out" my own hosta in person...am hopelessly addicted to sport-fishing.
And during this same time period, we were all learning about the dangers of HVX and nematodes. No matter how enticing the offerings, I know I am very worried about buying from folks I don't personally know...no matter how stellar their reputation. When one hosta can ruin every hosta you have, you really think twice before bringing in anything new!!!
So I think it was a combination of factors...but I am betting if the economy improves so would the traffic in high-end hosta, especially at the wonderful, amazing Hosta Library!
By the time I got the basics down (and had practiced on the cheaper common hosta), the overall economy was in a nosedive and my formerly really good job had pretty much evaporated...leaving barely any money for hosta. I know a lot of folks are in the same boat...just look at the rate of mortgage foreclosures. The little bit of hosta money I did have just had to go to Chris & Brian for providing me with countless hours of learning and entertainment here on the forums. And I really do prefer to "pick out" my own hosta in person...am hopelessly addicted to sport-fishing.
And during this same time period, we were all learning about the dangers of HVX and nematodes. No matter how enticing the offerings, I know I am very worried about buying from folks I don't personally know...no matter how stellar their reputation. When one hosta can ruin every hosta you have, you really think twice before bringing in anything new!!!
So I think it was a combination of factors...but I am betting if the economy improves so would the traffic in high-end hosta, especially at the wonderful, amazing Hosta Library!
HL Auction site
Hi Bob. I used it and bought plants on it. If you do decide to reactivate it, I would advise potential sellers that you are going to do so, in advance.
I'd check it out from time to time if I knew it was active again!
I'd check it out from time to time if I knew it was active again!