Trading Guide
A complete guide to purchasing and receiving plants on GrowerDirect
Transaction Flow
Transactions on GrowerDirect are completed in 5 steps. Grower and buyer transact directly.
Browse Listings
Use categories and search to find listings. Check photos, prices, and grower info. Note: Price negotiation is prohibited. All listed plants are grown by the grower themselves.
Contact
Use the 'Contact' button to message the grower and discuss handover, shipping, and in-person inspection.
Close Deal & Pay
Arrange payment method and timing directly with the grower (bank transfer, cash on pickup, etc.). We recommend paying after in-person inspection.
Handover
Receive the plant via the agreed method (pickup from the grower, in-person handover, or shipping). If you have any concerns, we recommend inspecting the plant in person before handover.
Complete
Deal is complete once received. GrowerDirect will issue a commission invoice after the grower reports the closed deal.
Payment Methods
Payment is arranged directly between grower and buyer. GrowerDirect holds no funds; after the sale the grower reports the deal (deal-report model).
- Bank Transfer: Transfer to the grower's designated bank account
- Cash on Pickup: Pay in person upon inspection (recommended)
- Payment Timing: By mutual agreement. We recommend paying after in-person inspection
- Receipt: Issued directly by the grower. Confirm in advance via messaging
Since payment is direct, GrowerDirect does not store payment details.
About Shipping
Shipping live plants requires care. Growers set appropriate shipping methods on GrowerDirect.
Shipping Options
- Delivery: Nationwide shipping via courier
- Pickup: Meet the grower in person
- Both: Either delivery or pickup available
Packaging & Temperature
Growers package according to species and season. Ice packs in summer, heat packs in winter, insulated boxes to minimize temperature changes. Shipping may be postponed in extreme weather.
Shipping Notes
- Specify a date/time when you can receive the delivery
- Redelivery due to absence causes stress to live plants
- Remote islands may not be serviceable
- Shipping costs are listed on each item (typically buyer pays)
Receiving Your Plant
When your package arrives, follow these steps:
- Check outer box for damage
- Unbox in a bright spot and check the leaves and roots
- For potted plants, check root-ball moisture and let it acclimate in bright shade before direct sun (for aquatic plants grown submerged, acclimate to your tank water gradually before introducing)
- If everything is fine, let the grower know it arrived (and pay by the agreed date if you agreed to pay after arrival)
The deadline for reporting a problem is set by the grower's guarantee terms (often a few hours to 24 hours after arrival). Report within that window with photos or video.
If Issues Arise
If there are issues upon arrival, follow these steps:
- Document with photos: Take photos before and after opening
- Contact the grower: Report promptly via messaging
- Report before paying: If you agreed to pay after arrival, tell the grower about the issue first
- Contact us: If unresolved, reach out to our team
Since payment is direct, pay-after-inspection is recommended. Take your time to resolve issues.
Return & Cancellation Policy
Buyer-Initiated Cancellation
Due to the nature of living plants, buyer-initiated cancellations are generally not accepted. Please verify all details before purchasing.
Eligible Returns/Refunds
- Plant arrived dead or severely damaged
- Plant significantly differs from listing
- Wrong species delivered
Message the grower with photos or video right after arrival. Refunds or replacements follow the grower's guarantee terms; contact us if it cannot be resolved.
Grower-Initiated Cancellation
If the grower cannot ship (plant decline, death, etc.), the grower refunds any payment received in full.
FAQ
Q. What payment methods are available?
Payment is arranged directly between grower and buyer (bank transfer, cash on pickup, etc.).
Q. What if there's a shipping problem?
Document the condition with photos and contact the grower via messaging.
Q. When should payment be made?
Timing is by mutual agreement. We recommend paying after in-person inspection to avoid disputes.
Q. Can I cancel or return?
Due to the nature of living plants, buyer-initiated cancellations are generally not accepted.