Spent $75 on a 'rare' orchid that turned out to be a common grocery store type

I saw an ad online for a 'rare blue phalaenopsis' and got really excited. The seller said it was a special hybrid and charged me $75 plus shipping. It arrived looking okay, but after a few weeks, I realized it was just a dyed white moth orchid you can get for $20 at any supermarket. I feel pretty silly for not asking more questions first. Has anyone else gotten tricked by a plant listing that seemed too good to be true?

3 comments

3 Comments

anderson.gavin14d ago

Honestly, is it that big of a deal? It's a bummer, sure, but you got a living plant that will probably still flower. In my experience, half the fun is just keeping the thing alive. Maybe just enjoy it for what it is and be a little more careful next time. We've all overpaid for something once or twice.

fiona_clark14d ago

That's rough, asking for pictures of the mother plant saved me once.

elizabeth_bailey263d ago

Totally agree with asking for pictures, but you have to be super specific! I always ask for a photo of the exact plant I'm buying, not just a stock image of what it might look like. A picture of the mother plant is good, but a sneaky seller could still use an old photo. Getting a current shot with today's date written on paper next to it is the only way I trust anyone online now.