So called professionals

I'm sort of sitting on the fence here!

If you want a better chance of germination (usually!) new in-date seed is  the way to go. Problems I can see with old seed is you just don't know 100% it will germinate. If its the type of seed that can be sown over a long period of time and they don't germinate, or you have minimal germination, at least you can order a fresh batch so the only thing wasted is your time and possibly a bit of potting compost.Lets say 10 days to germinate,another week to be safe, a week to recieve new supplies of fresh seed, this all adds up!

The problem I can envisage is  if there was only a small window to sow seed, and through poor germination you missed that window?

Overall this would be more problematical for the big producers who have a set timetable for sowing Kilo's of seeds which because of age, don't germinate.

I have had poor results from FRESH seed so its really up to the individual whether they want a (Mostly?) guaranteed germination with fresh seed or whether you are happy to take a chance with older seed as I often do.