There is actually an area here for that.
Now, buying a tree site unseen is all on the one making the purchase. I may "date" myself. But as a child at the flea market they had a table of brown lunch sacks. With prizes in them...You could choose how much you wished to spend to get items. I never thought even as a child...it was something I wanted to do. I wanted to see what my money value purchased. I grew up very poor...so maybe that frivolous adventurous person didn't develop inside me. My money when I got it. Was pocket change...picking berries for my aunt who would sell them on a table out front of her home. Stuff like that... but many are happy with such a purchase. I prefer an image of what I am buying. But that's me...I like to find quirky character in my purchases. So when it sits along next to the other trees on my bench. They each stand apart and each has something unique that draws a person in. New guests...who find a favorite...then wait...another favorite down the line. Yeah...its fun watching.
As for buying sight unseen...that is a risk the buyer willingly takes. It is for some people. Not for me. With our hobby so focused on the ground up...nebari,taper, and such. It is a risk...but one they go in with eyes wide open.
Now, I've bought cuttings site unseen. But knew from the beginning of the sale it would go towards a cascade clump. I was aware I would be creating what I visually wanted.
