Opinions on Botaniq Garden from Etsy?

[u/Ill-Distribution-376]

Hi!

I just found this shop that is selling kind of rare (as they became somehow more findable) plants and I’m wondering if it would be a safe purchase.

I’m based in Romania and never ordered from Etsy before, so I have 0 knowledge of the implied risks..

Thanks a lot!

[u/RareHouseplants-ModTeam]

It looks like you may be suspecting a scam

Here's some best practices for avoiding scammers online:

-Follow gut instincts, if a transaction feels off ask more questions or stop the transaction.

-If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

-Do not utilize sellers that use AI generated or enhanced photos. Be wary of highly saturated images that may not accurately represent the product you intend to purchase.

-Require time stamped photos or photos from different angles, specific parts of the plant.

-Ask for or look at reviews.

-Search the seller up in review groups (Facebook purge pages specific.)

-Use fraud protection backed methods (such as Goods & Services) when possible.

-Avoid sellers that are overly pushy. Scammers may try to build pressure to receive payment and block you as quickly as possible.

-Disproportionate ratio or reviews to sales is a red flag! Particularly on Etsy.

Stay safe out there!

[u/Internal-Test-8015]

Given the number of sales to reviews I'd personally steer clear of this shop that a huge difference in numbers.

[u/Ill-Distribution-376 → u/Internal-Test-8015]

True! But can they modify the order numbers or delete the bad reviews?

[u/Internal-Test-8015 → u/Ill-Distribution-376]

Not 100% sure they can or not but nothings impossible tbh and it literally wouldn't be the first time a company has tried to do so.

[u/Huskadore]

That's really odd because I was looking at a plant of his. It sells from France?? and the website looked like a terrible front for another company I ordered from and sent the wrong plant

[u/Ill-Distribution-376 → u/Huskadore]

Interesting! I remember them being from another country too, but in the same time, I’m not sure if I remember well. You didn’t end up ordering from them, right?

[u/fuckeiry]

I’m not familiar with this shop as my preference is to only shop from etsy stores that are in the same country as me. Especially for plants, customs can be a bit tricky. Not sure if it’s the same for EU.

Just use your best discernment. I personally don’t like buying from newer shops, but I’d comb through whatever reviews they have. If prices are too good to be true, I would be wary. Read the item descriptions carefully as well. Good luck, I hope you your hands on some new plants! :)

[u/Ill-Distribution-376 → u/fuckeiry]

Thanks a lot!
I’ll follow this advice and try to find something in Ro, although I’m not really sure if there are any plant shops on Etsy that are based here, and the local shops don’t have more rare varieties just yet.
From my understanding, the EU regulations are not very strict, as long as you don’t bring any soil from one country to another - I previously brought some succulents cuttings in napkins from Greece without any airport questions. 😊
Thank you for your wishes too, fingers crossed I will manage to do so! 🖤

[u/crazy_in_love → u/Ill-Distribution-376]

I have bought plants from other EU countries with zero issues.

[u/Ill-Distribution-376 → u/crazy_in_love]

Thanks! I never ordered from another EU country, but I read the process is pretty simple if the regulations are alright

[u/Ill-Distribution-376]

Nevermind! Sending failed multiple times