I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I believe online retail sources are selling small plants to save on shipping. It doesn't take a very large plant to weigh in pretty heavy and shipping is getting so expensive. If people see huge shipping and handling fees they tend not to buy. I know I don't.
Its too bad that they charge full size plant price.
I know that when I trade or sell lilies I try to be as straight up and specific as possible. They are the named variety to the best of my knowledge. Mistakes happen and I'm always happy to correct it with either an exchange or credit. I know that some sellers do try to get big bucks from small starts of plants. I try to tell people exactly what they are getting. I state whether the plant is a small start with one growing tip or its a full size lily with pads and several tips.
I am only aware of one transaction that a person was upset with me because they received a small start rather than a full sized mature lily. This person simply did not read the information that I posted. I don't sell them as a business, I'm only selling off my extras from repotting rather than throw them out but still, I try to do my best and not deceive people.
I'm not making big bucks and what I do make from them usually goes for another lily or two that I want to add to my collection.
