seed exchange

Submitted by HeLP on Sat, 12/15/2018 - 12:47

Yet another year of frustration trying to place seed exchange order.  After tens of thousands of dollars spent with seemingly no resolution to the yearly problems of ordering online I would propose that we go back to a simpler and tremenously less expensive format and just order seeds through a mail-in paper order form.

Comments


Submitted by Zander on Sun, 12/16/2018 - 15:30

Dear NARGS Friends, now our server has been upgraded so you may try to log on or complete your NARGS Seed Exchange order. If you have already started an order, check the cart.

So many people home yesterday tried to order simultaneously that we slowed and crashed. But now we have a premium server that should accommodate everyone at once. We do appreciate your patience. And we try to keep our costs at a minimun. But we have upgraded to a faster server that can handle many at once. Thank you. –-NARGS Seed Exchange group


Submitted by Shepard on Sun, 12/16/2018 - 16:55

I totally agree about the mail in order, but, I suspect that it is more work for the fantastic volunteers who work on the Seed Exchange.  I spent hours yesterday morning trying to put my order in, I would make one choice, wait 20 minutes, and, then it would show up.  I gave up after the third choice wouldn't go through.  Fortunately, the problems got resolved, my first two choices were still there, and, I breezed through that same evening, 12/15/18.  Cecile


Glad to say that I didn't have any problems with the system this year.

It did take a little while to complete but because the list was available to peruse a few days before I had already made most of my selections. 

Thanks to all the Seed Team for working to get things rolling.

Now the wait to see what I get and hope we don't have problems with the Australian Customs!

cheers

fermi


No doubt about it, the opening day was very frustrating for most people. We do appreciate your patience as this is a volunteer effort. And yes, it would be the tipping point for Seedex volunteers to go back to paper entries. So we upgraded our service. The new service is very fast and spiffy but does cost. Now we should be ready for the second round opening day onslought. Your participation is very much appreciated.


Glad to say that my NARGS Seed allocation has arrived safely!

Some friends have had their AGS seeds intercepted by the Postal Inspectors and sent back because one or two packets were not allowed! This is a misinterpretation of the regulations and we have been informed that it's due to new staff who didn't know the regs.If any NARGS seeds are returned they will probably be not allowed in because they won't have the US import permit! However if they get trough - please send them backcheeky

We can only hope that things improve.

cheers

fermi


[quote=Fermi]

Glad to say that my NARGS Seed allocation has arrived safely!

Some friends have had their AGS seeds intercepted by the Postal Inspectors and sent back because one or two packets were not allowed! This is a misinterpretation of the regulations and we have been informed that it's due to new staff who didn't know the regs.If any NARGS seeds are returned they will probably be not allowed in because they won't have the US import permit! However if they get trough - please send them back

[/quote]

Update: apparently it’s not a mistake! The department has initiated a new rule that if even one packet is “not allowed “ the entire package will be returned! However they never publicised that change! We’re advising all our members to check BICON to be sure what they order is allowed in.

In a bizarre turn of events, one NARGS member had his seeds inspected and had the un-allowed seeds destroyed but was charged a couple of hundred bucks for the inspection! Not sure why this happened but he’s following it up,

cheers

fermi


Submitted by CScott on Mon, 02/22/2021 - 15:40

Thank you to all those who helped with the seed exchange. The seeds arrived today on February 22 nd I am delighted with what was sent! Thank you to the Oregon chapter who did the mail out.

Submitted by rodlutes on Sat, 03/13/2021 - 05:08

Received my seed order yesterday and will start seeding in today. Thanks to everyone who made this possible.

Submitted by Diane Whitehead on Thu, 04/15/2021 - 11:07

I just received my surplus order which includes four moist-packed lots of Helleborus donated by J. Gregg in Baltimore. In previous years I have had moist-packed seeds in my regular order but never had them germinate. I don't know what you did with these packets of seeds, but it was perfect! They have arrived with wee green-leaved plants inside their little plastic ziplocks. Wow!