Anyone order a pot from this guy

[rockm]

I'm looking for a very large replacement pot for my oak. The outside dimensions I'm looking for are 24" x 19" x 6" or thereabouts--a bit larger is good. smaller is a no-go.

Large pots in that range are not easy to come by. I've searched domestic suppliers and haven't really found one that's adequate.

I ran across this seller (potfriendsworld) on etsy. They have several that might fit the bill, but they're in China, so shipping (and possible damage) or rip off are possible. Anyone dealt with them before?

 

[Maiden69]

@rockm I've been following that shop for a long time now. I have not order from them yet, but they always had a 5 star rating. At almost 3400 sales at 5 star I don't think they would be a "rip off" risk, but I agree with shipping damage on a large pot. Wouldn't using Paypal cover for both this issues in case either one occur?

 

[rockm]

@rockm I've been following that shop for a long time now. I have not order from them yet, but they always had a 5 star rating. At almost 3400 sales at 5 star I don't think they would be a "rip off" risk, but I agree with shipping damage on a large pot. Wouldn't using Paypal cover for both this issues in case either one occur?

I'm very skeptical of online ratings. Too many ways to pump those numbers. As for scams, sellers out of China can be iffy sometimes. For instance, the first review that popped up on the site as I was looking at a pot was about the exact pot I was looking at... Of course it could be a coincidence BUT, I'm cautious.

I'm hoping to find someone who has worked with the seller to reassure me the substantial amount of money isn't going to be flushed down a drain.

 

[Nybonsai12]

I think there is a huge sara rayner that went up for sale on Bonsai for sale northeast, pick up only. not sure of exact dimensions right now but i think it was close to what you were looking for. it was over 1k though but i just remember it being the biggest rayner i've ever seen offered.

But i'm really posting to say lets see this oak!

 

[River's Edge]

I followed your link and tried to get information on policy for breakage or lost items in shipping. Was unable to find any written comments or guidelines except contact seller! Might be just my age but I would not put too much confidence in reviews posted on the same site. Just some thoughts, The prices seem high for the product, similar product is much more reasonably priced on other sites such as: http://www.pecenppot.com/
I find it is important to know the details in particular the minimum order amount to obtain the price quoted or free shipping advertised. You are sensible to be cautious.

 

[Plasticgoat™]

Jeesh. Pots are so expensive there. They'd definitely cost less than $100 here. Have you looked at AliExpress? Pretty sure they'd ship worldwide and might be cheaper. https://www.aliexpress.com/

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

I ran across this seller (potfriendsworld) on etsy. They have several that might fit the bill, but they're in China, so shipping (and possible damage) or rip off are possible. Anyone dealt with them before?

We received about 8 pots from this seller. Multiple purchases of 1-2. Maybe more as there is a similar seller we purchased from All arrived uber packaged and in good shape. Mostly smaller, 7” two were 10-12”

These pots are very solid. Not antique but a reproduction of antique pots in xing clay… know as I drilled almost all of these for side drainage / tie down…. One issue of being ‘faithful reproduction’.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[rockm]

I think there is a huge sara rayner that went up for sale on Bonsai for sale northeast, pick up only. not sure of exact dimensions right now but i think it was close to what you were looking for. it was over 1k though but i just remember it being the biggest rayner i've ever seen offered.

But i'm really posting to say lets see this oak!

Rayner pot there isn't big enough (too shallow and not wide enough) Nice pot though.

 

[BrightsideB]

I have more faith buying from etsy than private website a lot of the time. Etsy is regulated and to be star seller you have to be on top of your business. Like no lagging on shipping, responding to messages within 24 hours or nothing under 4.8 overall reviews. Which are hard to fake unless you pay friends to buy your products and leave a good review.

You can message them for info. I would do that for sure just to feel them out and inquire about shipping. I’m sure it’s common with them. I get asked about international shipping on occasion.

For damage make sure they get insurance to cover the cost.

I looked at the reviews and a lady who has purchased several of my pots bought one from them and left a review. I know she’s real as I have had a conversation with her and did a custom pot for her once.

The only thing that bothers me personally is that it seems like it’s a bonsai pot outlet so you aren’t buying from an individual ceramicist. A lot of the pots vary in their makeup and the way they are made.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Jeesh. Pots are so expensive there. They'd definitely cost less than $100 here. Have you looked at AliExpress? Pretty sure they'd ship worldwide and might be cheaper. https://www.aliexpress.com/

Had a bit of trouble translating on this site. Then checked this site out, mostly training pots plastic and terracotta here. Some other production bonsai pots.

….late entry, finally found purple sand works to locate similar pots!

I followed your link and tried to get information on policy for breakage or lost items in shipping. Was unable to find any written comments or guidelines except contact seller! Might be just my age but I would not put too much confidence in reviews posted on the same site. Just some thoughts, The prices seem high for the product, similar product is much more reasonably priced on other sites such as: http://www.pecenppot.com/

Seems mandatory on the login that one needs to be a company… but I filled in as myself and will see if I get credentials.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[Maiden69]

Also, when I started following them they did not sell those larger pots they have now. Their price is slightly higher on those than their usual pricing, but I think it is because they are offering "free shipping" on them which is surely tied up to the price. I have bought large items on AliExpress, and I always look at the reviews. Especially if there is any low rating review to see what the issue was. A lot of times it is petty people with petty gripes. I do can say that good sellers that have done a lot of international business will package items extremely well.

Jeesh. Pots are so expensive there. They'd definitely cost less than $100 here. Have you looked at AliExpress? Pretty sure they'd ship worldwide and might be cheaper. https://www.aliexpress.com/

Well of course, you are in an area that locally produce them. You can't compare the prices you can get locally to the prices of the same item delivered internationally. In the case of the large pots, you not only need to pay for the shipping or freight charge, but also need to figure out a way to crate the item well so it will survive the trip overseas.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Had a bit of trouble translating on this site. Then checked this site out, mostly training pots plastic and terracotta here. Some other production bonsai pots.

….late entry, finally found purple sand works to locate similar pots!

Really hard to search this site… couldn’t find larger pots…

The prices seem high for the product, similar product is much more reasonably priced on other sites such as: http://www.pecenppot.com/ @River's Edge
Seems mandatory on the login that one needs to be a company… but I filled in as myself and will see if I get credentials.
DSD sends

Wasn’t able to get a login. Blocked. Tried with and without vpn/ad blocker. Says ship to US…

 

[River's Edge]

Wasn’t able to get a login. Blocked. Tried with and without vpn/ad blocker. Says ship to US…

Did you wait for a confirming email to your inquiry?

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Most shipping companies and mail carriers over here don't insure pottery and ceramics. Over here it's not even allowed to ship them (unless you acknowledge it's at your own risk) so please do check their terms and conditions before buying anything.

 

[czaczaja]

I'm very skeptical of online ratings. Too many ways to pump those numbers. As for scams, sellers out of China can be iffy sometimes. For instance, the first review that popped up on the site as I was looking at a pot was about the exact pot I was looking at... Of course it could be a coincidence BUT, I'm cautious.

I'm hoping to find someone who has worked with the seller to reassure me the substantial amount of money isn't going to be flushed down a drain.

With reviews, I always look for people leaving reviews with photos. This shop has one review with a photo as far as I can see. I wouldn't personally order from them considering the very steep price especially for a Chinese store.

 

[Dabbler]

I actual have a shop on etsy and those rating are no joke - it's pretty hard to stay a star seller with that many sales and - etsy or paypal will refund you if you have an issue. I've had to do it many time and the customer is also in the right, so I'd trust etsy. I might give them a shot for a big pot too for my bald cypress

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Did you wait for a confirming email to your inquiry?

No I did not. Their server blocked my requests for a sign in
best
DSD sends

 

[Plasticgoat™]

Also, when I started following them they did not sell those larger pots they have now. Their price is slightly higher on those than their usual pricing, but I think it is because they are offering "free shipping" on them which is surely tied up to the price. I have bought large items on AliExpress, and I always look at the reviews. Especially if there is any low rating review to see what the issue was. A lot of times it is petty people with petty gripes. I do can say that good sellers that have done a lot of international business will package items extremely well.


Well of course, you are in an area that locally produce them. You can't compare the prices you can get locally to the prices of the same item delivered internationally. In the case of the large pots, you not only need to pay for the shipping or freight charge, but also need to figure out a way to crate the item well so it will survive the trip overseas.

We get our pots from china as well. This is a pot which I had purchased recently. The pots are shipped (by sea which takes 3-4 weeks) in styrofoam boxes.

 

[Maiden69]

With reviews, I always look for people leaving reviews with photos. This shop has one review with a photo as far as I can see. I wouldn't personally order from them considering the very steep price especially for a Chinese store.

There are 4 reviews with buyers pictures in the first 10 pages of reviews... if you set the preferences as "most recent" there is one in the very first page as of 25 NOV 2023, so I don't know what buyer you were checking on. You could go over the entire 115 pages of reviews and see if you at least can find one more review with a photo.

 

[River's Edge]

No I did not. Their server blocked my requests for a sign in
best
DSD sends

Sorry to hear that. I completed an inquiry and waited for their response. They sent a confirming email within a day or two along with a link to sign in. My initial inquiry included a request for catalog and I also completed all the information requested. I received this referral from another individual in Canada that has purchased from them directly. Fortunately this thread has revealed a number of other options that may be less difficult to work with.