TOPIC: New digger but not stupid

Im new this year at digging. Have always been interested in Ginseng and other herbal plants. Have about a half pound dry I picked opening day. Went on my first excursion to a dealer who is close to where I live in Iowa. He quoted me 600.00 a pound but when I got to his place he claimed the price had dropped to 75.00 a pound. I promptly left telling him I would throw the Ginseng away before letting him have it. This is Ginseng from 5 to 20 years old. While Im not an expert as yet, I wont waste my time with liars and cheats. I have a half pound of legally dug ginseng on private property that I know is totally wild. Anyone know who is a buyer?

Smart move Wapsi Willie. I don't blame you and how you responded to that situation. I have been digging for almost 10 years and have had the same dealer the whole time. But since the market went down these past few days and this crisis in Hong Kong is to blame everyone with any common knowledge of ginseng digging and selling. Knows that its a lot of hard work to harvest it and then find a descent buyer. Mine is even acting weird and being shady with prices. One day not buying the next is.... So I am oing to do what I always do, make life work till after thanksgiving then cash out big. I did that last year and made $1250.00 a dry lb. Im in NC. Sorry about your dealer issues, its nation wide my friend.

Alan Rutenbeck in Baldwin is the only buyer I am aware of in the area since Wiebke quit buying. I have sold to him for many years and never had aproblem. His number is 563 673 6931

Many time, it's the seller beware. Negotiating your best price is tricky. Stick to your gut feelings.

Welcome to this forum!

as you said you are a new digger, you do not PICK ginseng, you dig it.

Picking refers to selection of the plants I dug. Arent we getting a little picky about the pick of words I choose to pick. I use a pick to dig while chewing on a toothpick. Lighten up brother!

LOL