I'm not all that familiar with sterile seeds so have never mentioned that before.

Recently I did question seeds to a gigantic sweet pepper, asking if they were commercial or saved, since saved likely wouldn't produce a 'gigantic' pepper though it might be a nice sized one.

Occasionally I will also mention either in the thread or via email if someone is trading cuttings of patented plants....like Sedum Xenox.

I've seen members 'warn' about trading 'protected plants' too, but what is 'protected in one state' might not be protected in another state.

I've also noted occasionally if something doesn't come true from seed...like Blue Bird Rose of Sharon seeds will produce about every color 'but' blue.

Often I will try and back up whatever I post that way, by linking to a reliable info source.

Though there are a lot of plants I'm not at all familiar with, I'm wondering what you might have noticed. Were they maybe requesting a plant 'or' cutting?

chemocurl....aka Sue

I'm afraid to trade native plants most of the time (even though those are main interest) because I don't want people sending me what they've illegally taken from the wild. I guess a couple of seeds here and there and then growing them into plants is okay because most seeds don't survive to come full term anyways but not full grown plants.

I think the people who DO have this knowledge should let other members know they can not grow from the seeds/cuttings offered. BUT I also think the person who will be posting these facts should send a message privately to the person who is offering either offers in these situations and gently tell them the facts about the offered items BEFORE posting publicly about them. This gives the original poster a chance to close the post themselves.
IF they choose not to close the offer, THEN something should be said. WITHOUT slamming the poster. It can be done with tact and grace.
I for one would want someone to tell me the facts about an offer IF I did reply to either kind of offer mentioned above simply because it is not fair for those responding to the offer not to get what they think they are getting. It would upset me to know I got something that would be impossible to make grow especially if I gave something really good for it! When there was someone who could have told me not to make the trade.
Plantwise postage is too high to lose on plants which can not be propagated via cuttings. It just isn't fair.
It is our responsibility as good GWbers to help out our fellow members I would definitely say something if I knew the offer is not going to come out good for the ones receiving.
Just my 2 cents on the subject,
:)Aqua