Dear PBS Friends, I think Mary Sue has put this very calmly into perspective. PBS is an educational, not a commercial list for exchange of ideas, experiences and inspiring personal information regarding bulbous plants of all types. We operate a 'bare bones' Seed and Bulb Exchange' and do not usually list specific prices, size, quantities, but rely on private emails for detailed transactions. We encourage commercial grower/ friends to announce new lists, catalogs and trades in the same general terms. A few days ago I posted a note about PBS etiquette (3/31/11) as suggestions. Let me add some specific 'do's and 'don't' s. Do give us your location when you tell us about your growing conditions or if it is specifically pertinent. Warren said he couldn't get to Annie's Annuals to make a purchase, but gave his only location as 'California' . That doesn't help because Calfornia has a lot of climate/environmental variation and Annie's is in Califonia and a lot closer than to him than most PBS members. Not useful enough details. Do be fair. We discourage 'He said/She said' sort of disparaging remarks and general bad mouthing about sales and trades. I personally think PBS is the perfect place to relate your experience with a seller, good or bad, but be fair. Make an effort to contact the other 'guy' with your unhappiness and try to work out details. PBS is not the first place to take out grievances. Do maintain a civil tone. Many PBS members go back more than a few months on the list, new posters need to test the waters and be aware of our limits. Warren just joined the discussions a few weeks ago and started off on the wrong foot on a number of topics. We hope he can continue to provide us with a good interchange as described above. And finally it bears repeating what Ellen posted earlier "Favors are something you ask of friends". whether it is your first post or your first trade or purchase, you are not necessarily a 'friend' until you have shared some friendly exchanges. Let's all keep civil, friendly and fun. Keep business private and try to 'give a little' if in doubt. Thanks to Mary Sue for giving this perspective. Best Jim W. From Mary Sue: > "We have an unmoderated list which means people can post without >approval. Instructions ask people to post privately when they are >trading bulbs and not to offer things for sale on the list. The last >is because our list is sponsored as an educational list, not a >commercial one........ > >I decided to moderate Warren's posts since he continued to post >messages about the Haemanthus he wanted to sell after I asked him >more than once privately not to. ...... > >This exchange illustrates I believe why it is best to do your trading >privately and not on the list. One of the nice things about this list >has been that over the years people have with only a few exceptions >been extraordinarily polite, generous, and helpful to the other >members of the list. ....." > -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +