About Rare Plant Scout

Rare Plant Scout is a marketplace connecting rare plant enthusiasts with trusted sellers worldwide. Our platform makes it easy to discover, purchase, and sell unique and hard-to-find plants.

For Buyers: 1. Browse our marketplace or search for specific plants 2. View detailed seller profiles including ratings, reviews, and store size 3. Message sellers directly to ask questions about plants 4. Place orders and track them through our Order Centre 5. Leave reviews to help the community

For Sellers: 1. Apply for a seller account (all applications are reviewed) 2. Set up your storefront with business details and available plants 3. Manage your store size (Seed, Sapling, Tree, or Forest) based on your operation scale 4. Communicate with buyers through our messaging system 5. Fulfill orders and build your reputation

1. Find Your Plant: Use our search and filtering tools to find the rare plant you're looking for. Check seller profiles to ensure they're reputable.

1. Contact the Seller: Use our messaging system to discuss plant details, availability, shipping options, and payment methods with the seller.

1. Arrange Payment: Sellers and buyers arrange payment directly. We recommend using secure payment methods that offer buyer protection.

1. Confirm Order: Once payment is confirmed, the seller will prepare your plant for shipping and create an order in the system.

1. Track Your Order: Monitor your order status through your Order Centre. You'll receive tracking information when your plant ships.

1. Leave a Review: After receiving your plant, leave a review to help other buyers and support quality sellers.

How do I become a seller? Navigate to your profile page and click "Become a Seller". Complete the application form with your business information, and our admin team will review your request within 1-3 business days.

What are the different store sizes? We have four store size categories: • 🌱 Seed: Hobbyist sellers, small-scale operations. Limited address visibility for privacy. • 🌿 Sapling: Small businesses with registered company names. • 🌳 Tree: Established nurseries with significant inventory. • 🌲 Forest: Large commercial operations and wholesale suppliers.

Is Rare Plant Scout responsible for transactions? Rare Plant Scout is a marketplace platform that connects buyers and sellers. We do not process payments or handle shipping directly. Transactions are arranged between buyers and sellers. We recommend using secure payment methods and thoroughly vetting sellers before purchasing.

How are sellers vetted? All seller applications are manually reviewed by our admin team. We verify business information and check that sellers meet our community standards. Additionally, our rating and review system helps maintain seller accountability.

Can I sell internationally? Yes, but sellers and buyers are responsible for understanding and complying with all international shipping regulations, phytosanitary certificates, CITES requirements, and import/export laws for their respective countries.

How do I contact support? For support inquiries, please use our messaging system to contact the admin team, or reach out via email at support@rareplantscout.com.

Important: As a marketplace platform, Rare Plant Scout does not directly handle refunds, returns, or replacements. These policies are established by individual sellers. Always confirm the seller's specific policies before purchasing.

Recommended Best Practices for Sellers:

Dead on Arrival (DoA): • Buyers should document any DoA plants with clear photos within 24 hours of delivery • Sellers should offer refunds or replacements for plants that arrive dead or severely damaged • Contact the seller immediately through our messaging system with photographic evidence

Returns: • Return policies vary by seller - check each seller's profile for their specific policy • Living plants generally cannot be returned due to their perishable nature • Returns due to seller error (wrong plant, incorrect description) should be honored by the seller

Replacements: • Replacements for DoA or damaged plants should be arranged directly with the seller • Sellers may offer replacements at their discretion for plants that fail to thrive within a reasonable timeframe • Document all plant conditions with photos for replacement requests

Dispute Resolution: • Try to resolve issues directly with the seller first through our messaging system • If unable to reach resolution, contact our admin team for mediation • Use your payment provider's dispute resolution if payment protection was used

Shipping is handled directly by sellers. Each seller sets their own shipping methods, rates, and policies.

For Buyers: • Discuss shipping options and costs with the seller before purchasing • Confirm expected shipping timeframes and methods • Provide accurate delivery address information • Track your order through the Order Centre once it ships • Be available to receive your plant - living plants should not sit in transit centers • Inspect plants immediately upon arrival and document any issues

For Sellers: • Clearly communicate shipping costs and timeframes to buyers • Pack plants securely to prevent damage during transit • Consider seasonal weather conditions when shipping live plants • Provide tracking information to buyers promptly • Use appropriate shipping speeds for living plants (express shipping recommended) • Include care instructions with shipped plants • Update order status in the system when plants ship

International Shipping: • Sellers and buyers are responsible for understanding import/export regulations • Phytosanitary certificates may be required for international plant shipments • CITES permits are required for protected species • Customs delays and inspections may occur - plan accordingly • International buyers are responsible for any customs duties or import fees

Last Updated: January 3, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms By accessing and using Rare Plant Scout, you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our platform.

2. Platform Role Rare Plant Scout operates as a marketplace platform connecting buyers and sellers. We do not: • Process payments or handle financial transactions • Ship plants or handle fulfillment • Guarantee the quality, legality, or delivery of plants • Act as a party to transactions between buyers and sellers

3. User Responsibilities All Users Must: • Provide accurate and truthful information • Maintain the security of their account credentials • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations • Respect intellectual property rights • Not engage in fraudulent, harmful, or illegal activities

Sellers Must Also: • Accurately describe plants and their conditions • Comply with all plant trade regulations including CITES • Ship plants securely and within agreed timeframes • Respond to buyer inquiries in a timely manner • Honor their stated refund and replacement policies • Provide accurate business information and contact details

4. Prohibited Activities • Selling or trading prohibited or illegal plant species • Misrepresenting plant species, origin, or condition • Harassment, abuse, or threatening behavior • Spam or unsolicited commercial messages • Attempting to circumvent platform features or policies • Scraping or automated data collection

5. Intellectual Property Users retain rights to their own content (photos, descriptions, etc.) but grant Rare Plant Scout a license to display this content on our platform. Users must not post content that infringes on others' intellectual property rights.

6. Privacy Your use of Rare Plant Scout is also governed by our Privacy Policy. We collect and use data as described in that policy. Different privacy levels apply based on seller store size.

7. Dispute Resolution Disputes between buyers and sellers should be resolved directly between the parties. Rare Plant Scout may offer mediation assistance but is not obligated to resolve disputes. Users agree to make good faith efforts to resolve issues before pursuing legal action.

8. Limitation of Liability Rare Plant Scout is provided "as is" without warranties. We are not liable for: • Plant quality, condition, or delivery • Disputes between buyers and sellers • Financial losses from transactions • Violations of laws or regulations by users • Unauthorized access to user accounts

9. Account Termination We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or harm the platform community. Terminated users may not create new accounts without permission.

10. Modifications We may modify these Terms of Service at any time. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms. Major changes will be communicated to users.

11. Contact For questions about these Terms of Service, contact us through the platform messaging system or at legal@rareplantscout.com.