How to Spot a Plant Scam and What to Do
At this age and time, buying and selling plants online and from social media platforms is normal. I have purchased plants from Facebook Marketplace and Etsy, to name a few. I have bought more plants from Facebook than I can count and was scammed only once.
In this article, let’s talk about buying plants overseas and how to avoid getting scammed.
First, if you want to import plants, you must prepare your import permit (if needed).
Finding your supplier can take time and effort. You can use social media such as Facebook and Instagram to find good ones. If you have friends willing to share their resources, that would be helpful!
I have found my favorite Indonesian supplier via Instagram. I typed the hashtag #scindapsus, and his account appeared first. This was back in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, and to this day, 2024, I still purchase from him.
Once you have found your supplier, check their references and mode of payment.
Some red flags to consider:
- Insists heavily on Paypal Friends and Family even if you are willing to pay the 5% added fee for Paypal Goods and Services
- They would reason that Paypal Goods and Services do not exist in their area.
- If the prices are too good to be true, then it’s probably not true.
Here’s a quick video about our experience getting scammed with $1500 worth of plants!
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