shared RPS seed order?

[NorCalWill]

Not sure where else to post this, but I want to order some seeds from rarepalmseeds.com, and was thinking there might be someone else in California who wanted to combine their order to save some money on shipping and phyto, which can cost more than the actual seeds. I'm not in a hurry, but lmk.

[Darold Petty]

Will, buyer beware,  I placed an order seven weeks ago, and no seeds.  It is possible that RPS is not to blame and the problem is USDA in south SF. 

 Anyway, you pay, and maybe you will get the seeds.       

[NorCalWill]

That's unfortunate Darold, Even with a permit?

I may reconsider until yours arrive...

[Darold Petty]

Don't hold your breath,  I once imported seed from New Zealand with my APHIS 587 permit,  The USDA confiscated and destroyed the seeds for trivial violations of the permit conditions, errors that had nothing to do with disease or pests. 

The first error was the addition of my name adjacent to the green and yellow mailing label on the exterior of the package, the second error was lack of a bill of sale, even though the seeds were a free gift from the source.

  My current order was place by a friend, who told me a month ago that RPS had shipped, so I fear the worst with the USDA. 

Also, in the previous confiscation the USDA sent me a letter explaining their action 10 weeks after the confiscation.

[Josue Diaz]

I haven't ordered lately because of all that. I have family in Barcelona and am considering ordering a small amount of seed to their address and risking a standard mailing from Barcelona to me - sans permits/phytos/etc. 

[NorCalWill]

I contacted RPS, and they assured me that with proper documentation, there shouldn't be any issue with confiscation by the USDA. There may be some long delays because of inspections, but the seeds should arrive.

They also said to order directly from their website and NOT order seeds from any social media site. They don't use social media such as Instagram or Facebook, and if you order from one of these social media sites, you are ordering from a scammer claiming to be them and you won't get any seeds. Another indication of scam is being asked to pay with PayPal or Western Union.

RPS only accepts credit card payment directly from their website.

[Darold Petty]

This story is still unfolding,  apparently the seeds are now at USDA in South San Francisco,  but there is a paperwork problem,  stay tuned.  I will post full details after the resolution.