The scoop on 'Southmeadow Fruit Gardens (Grootendorst Nurseries)'

Company Profile   Southmeadow Fruit Gardens (Grootendorst Nurseries) Mailing Address: P.O. Box 211 Baroda, Michigan 49101 (United States) Phone: (616) 422-2411 Fax: (616) 422-1464 » E-Mail them » Visit their website Recent reviews: Past month Past 6 Months Past 12 Months Positive 0 2 7 Neutral 0 0 1 Negative 0 0 1 This company offers a variety of plants. This company specializes in: Plants: Hardy Fruit Trees

Feedback History and Summary   19 positives 3 neutrals 60 negatives

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Rating Author Content Positive gmartin64 Goshen, IN (1 review) September 16, 2009 Southmeadow Fruit Gardens appears to be on the rise again. I first read of the company more than a year ago here on Dave's Garden. At that time I was deeply intrigued by all of the rare varieties, but was not sure if this was a reputable business. Besides, I was not ready to plant at that time... So last June (2009) my wife and I made a trip through MI, stopping at five nurseries to personally meet people, see the businesses, and select some of the plants directly for our edible landscaping/permaculture project. Reaching Peter by phone, it was clear that he was busy, but I was able to make arrangements to visit his nursery at the end of the weekend, as we were returning home to Northern Indiana. We bought three trees: two apple trees, and one peach. We appreciated seeing his operation, and since I have an aunt and uncle in the nursery business in Illinois, I know how much work that line of business can be. The main thing that I found different from all of the bad reviews I read was that Peter now seems to be handling his own business, and the previous manager of the business now seems to be out of the picture. One last comment. The two apple trees were healthy from the start, but the peach was stressed. Honestly I thought it would not make it, and I wrote to Peter to let him know of the condition of the tree and my concern that it was a "dud." He wrote back, suggesting copious amounts of water, since it had been a bare root transplant and was clearly in shock. I followed this simple advice, and the tree is now in good health, three months after it was planted. I think this is a business that is worth interacting with, but it helps if you also do your homework, ask questions, and do everything you can to ensure that the plant not only survives, but thrives. I plan to buy a meter to measure the pH, as well as the N-K-P of my soil in various locations. Purchasing rare trees, in my opinion, is important, because they are already rare enough, and we should be propagating them more, even as amateur gardeners across the country. Greg Positive chivian Boston, MA (2 reviews) July 16, 2009 I run a small heirloom fruit orchard in central Mass., growing apples, peaches, pears, Asian pears, plums, apricots, cherries, and grapes. Most of my trees came from Southmeadow, and they were always healthy on arrival, were well packed, and were what they were said to be (always a problems with fruit trrees). They have thrived. When Judy ran the office in recent years, my orders were not filled, and as numerous people have written here, checks were cashed, and communication was next to impossible. I must have spoken to Judy thirty times and could never get a straight answer. Like many others, I first felt I was losing my mind, and then realized I was being ripped off. But now understanding what happened, I believe it is important that this historic heirloom fruit tree supplier be given the chance to recover its once hallowed reputation. They still have one of the best assortment of heirloom fruit trees in the country, and Peter, who runs the place, is a hard-working, honest guy who loves his trees and will be able to once again make Southmeadow the nursery of record without Judy. Positive lesbro Ash Grove, MO (1 review) June 08, 2009 This is the first time I have ever posted anything, anywhere, but I felt the experience deserved it. I called Southmeadow Fruit Gardens with a question regarding my order and Peter, the owner, answered. Not only did he answer my questions, he was generous with his time and knowledge. We talked about growing fruit trees for almost an hour. In 35 years of ordering plants and trees this was the best experience I have had. Having made many phone calls to mail order nurseries over the years I have always been left feeling less than satisfied until now. In addition, the 7 antique apple trees I received were much nicer than trees I have ordered elsewhere. While I had not ordered from this company before it is now number one on my list. Positive tobydean Ithaca, NY (1 review) May 27, 2009 I ordered a medlar and some gooseberries from Southmeadow. It was the only nursery I could find this spring with these unusual varieties. I liked the webisite, and its praise of the medlar. An unexpected trip out of town had me anxious about the order arriving while I was gone. I sent an email asking if they could hold it till past the weekend, and left a phone message for the busy nursery. Sure enough the order arrived the day after I returned and the bare root plants looked great. They are doing well in the ground now, in spite of the dry weather we are getting in the northeast. I would like to try some of their really nice apple selection next year. I was very happy with their service. Positive michtreefarm Scottville, MI (1 review) May 26, 2009 I purchased 9 heirloom variety apple trees last spring from Southmedow Fruit Gardens. They are all thriving. I purchased additional apple trees for spring planting. They arrived in very good shape. Southmeadow Fruit Gardens provides exceptionally fine apple trees and is the only source of fruit trees that I use. Negative BStickney Woodville, AL (1 review) May 19, 2009 Where to begin: with their obfuscation, disorganization, fraud, or manipulation? Let's just say that they take your money, admit they have the money and say they'll send your plant, and then they deny that the order exists. It seems that they cannot keep track of their stories. ("Uh-oh, did we just tell the customer that we don't have the money when we already admitted we had it and promised to send the plant? Oops.") I have filed complaints with the Attorneys General of their state and mine and recommended prosecution. Stay away from Southmeadow Fruit Gardens (Grootendorst Nurseries). They are as bad as the Nursery at TyTy. BEWARE and steer clear of this slimy, nasty company! On May 20th, 2009, BStickney added the following: P. S.: When I called the Attorney General of Southmeadow's state of Michigan and asked if they had had similar complaints about Southmeadow Gardens (Gootendorst Nurseries), the worker responded, "Ooooh, yes," as if she were weary of numerous complaints and knew what was coming with my call. I said, "...A lot of complaints about them?", and she said, "Yeah." And I read the sympathy for Peter, but he's the only contact I have had there. That he blames a former worker no longer around to defend herself does nothing to make me have confidence in him or his disreputable business. Neutral doctrtim Salisbury, VT (15 reviews) May 10, 2009 I ordered two one year goosberries (Hinnomaki Yellow and Poorman). They arrived in reasonable shape with fair packing. They have somewhat small roots and stems. I will see how they grow and update as appropriate. On June 13th, 2009, doctrtim changed the rating from neutral to negative and added the following: On 5/29/09 I notified Peter via email that one of the two gooseberries is "not viable." Peter requested I call but I responded that I prefer to correspond via email. I added, " I have drawn the conclusion that both the Poorman and Hinnomaki Yellow Gooseberrys I received were from rooted cuttings harvested within the past year." They were both tiny with rudimentary roots. No response to date. On June 16th, 2009, doctrtim changed the rating from negative to neutral and added the following: Peter DID respond to my email with offer to refund my money on the dead gooseberry. Apologies to Peter for not seeing the email. Positive 7boskoop Long Lake, MN (1 review) April 21, 2009 I just returned from Southmeadow Fruit Gardens with two beautiful Belle de Boskoop heritage apple trees and several Forsythias. Being a first time customer and having stumbled over Dave’s website with all the horrid letters about Southmeadow, I was pretty uncertain if I should at all try to order. But Mr. Grootendorst‘s website lists such an outstanding collection of hard to find Heritage Apple trees that I had to order. Between fall and spring I had gotten to know Peter pretty well from our phone calls. Last week, my husband and I drove to Michigan (from MN) to pick up our trees. We arrived early morning and as Peter had told me on the phone, two nice 2”ers were waiting in front of his barn. He opened up early for us, since we had a long way home. It was a warm welcome and after loading the trees we also got to see his huge, beautiful nursery. Probably over a thousand of apple trees, gorgeous Arborvitae in all shapes and sizes and of course his conservation fruits. The Cornelian Cherries were already in bloom. Peter loves his trees and shrubs, and is proud to be able to continue what his father and his mother had started. He is going through a lot of hardship and tries to recover from the damage that his former office manager (Judy) had done. We saw her former office where opened and unopened letters are piled up high in all directions. Peter was working all winter to sort through the mess. We very much hope he can pull through! He is a very knowledgeable, honest and hardworking man and his trees are beauties. Positive aficionado1 South Bend, IN (1 review) February 18, 2009 I've made some smaller purchases from Grootendorst Nurseries over the years. What I really appreciated was the fact that it didn't matter that my purchases were small. I was treated like I was their best customer. Our relationship has grown from a business one to friendship. I understand Peter, the owner, is going through some tough times right now, after discovering his longtime companion has been mismanaging the front office operations. I'm not sure of the legal aspects, but I know Peter is devastated over the deception and the hurt this has brought to his good name. I wish you all the best, Peter, and hope people buy lots of your wonderful trees. Positive Danmushroom Chicago, IL (1 review) November 27, 2008 We had seen SMFruit's website this spring and were impressed with its variety and erudition. Fortunetly, the nursery was near to where we lived so we had the opportunity to visit and pick out the fruit trees that we wanted. Early in the Summer of 2008, my wife, my dog,our landscape designer and I all visited. We spent several hours with Peter G ( the owner and son of the nursery's founder)and his dog walking through the fields, learning about the different cultivars and making our choices. We put no money down but were assurred the trees would be there for us to pick up for planting come Fall; and they were. We picked them up two weeks ago and Peter was again there giving advise and helping with the loading. A few days ago Peter called to ask how things had gone with our planting and mentioned the problem he had with his nursery's mail orders not being filled because of embezzlement by his previous companion. He was obviously disraught about the impact this has had on his reputation. Although I have not dealt with him by mail, I can testify that in our face to face dealings he has been completely forthright. Positive SmallTime Oak Park, IL (1 review) November 18, 2008 I wanted to place an order for a couple Holstein large caliper apple trees, but after reading the negative comments, thought otherwise. I found myself reconsidering afer reading some recent positive responses on here. So, I decided to call to speak to Peter Grootendorst, the owner, to see if I felt comfortable enough to place an order. During a pleasant conversation with Peter, he explained how he had placed his trust in Judy, his longitme girlfriend, to run the office while he tended to the nursery. Judy had apparently been deceiving him for quite some time and was shocked to find unpaid personal bills, business bills and unfilled orders, with deposit checks, simply stashed away. He has been going through the bills and orders and making good. He says he is pretty well caught up, but when he thinks he has it all, he stumbles upon something else. He seems upset that his name has been tarnished and appears eager and willing to bring back his reputation and hopes people will not be afraid to place orders and assured me, as the owner, that my order would be filled. I decided that I not only wanted the tree, but I also felt compelled to help Peter. I placed the order, just under $800, and sent a deposit check for half. The trees arrived 3 weeks later, via UPS, just as promised. The trees are good specimens and I am quite delighted. If I want to order more trees, I will not have any hesitation. Thank you, Peter, and good luck to you. Steve G Positive countdoowop Bourbon, MO (1 review) November 05, 2008 I have done business with Southmeadow since the late 70's and have always been impressed with their fine products and dedication in supplying the rarest of collectors items in rare fine fruits. I expect to keep doing business with them and create the best garden in town. They have an unmatched choice of rare varieties in plums and sweet cherries and old vintage apples among other things. Positive appledave Grosse Pointe, MI (1 review) October 20, 2008 I have dealt with Southmeadow Fruit Gardens for over 10 years and up until 4 years ago was always pleased with their service and heirloom trees. I placed orders in 2004, 2005, and 2008 and did not receive them. Like many others, my checks were cashed and I called Judy for assistance but there was never any follow-up or resolution. Out of the blue, on Thursday, October 16, 2008 I received a call from Peter Grootendorst, the owner, asking whether I still wanted my 2008 order. I relayed my dissatisfaction about not receiving my orders from past years. He then told me that Judy was fired on September 16, 2008 for, amonth other things, stealing from the company and cashing checks without filling orders. He said that he is uncovering boxes of unopened mail (bills, orders, etc.) that Judy did not process. He is making an attempt to call everyone who's order had not been processed verifying that they still want to place an order before he cashes the check. While it may take months, he will be contacting everyone. In talking with him for a half hour, I came away with the impression that he is mad at Judy's deception and that he is intent on re-establishing his good name. Based on this conversation, I have no concerns in dealing with Southmeadow Fruit Gardens in the future and believe that Peter will straighten things up over the next year. Negative kvrijmoet Pawling, NY (1 review) May 16, 2008 I ordered three trees and a catalog. the order never arrived. I left messages and sent emails. Once I got Judy on the phone at 4:55. She told me that they close at 5 and to call back on Monday. When I pressed her since I had her on the phone, she made a hostile remark and slammed the phone in my ear. The following Monday we spoke, she pretended not to remember my order after we had gone over it twice before and then said she found it and that it had shipped. After another week, I tried back again and there was no answer and no machine. I thought maybe I was a little nuts because I couldn't grasp that I was being ripped off. Now that I found this website and the posts, I understand that they're unscrupulous very sad people. Negative SoWestGardener Colorado City, CO (1 review) April 03, 2007 We ordered fruit trees from Southmeadow Fruit Gardens in January of 2005. At that time, they did not accept credit cards so we sent them a check, which they cashed in March 2005. Our fruit trees were supposed to be shipped in the spring. By mid May, when our trees hadn't arrived and we hadn't heard from them, we started trying to get in touch with them. They never returned our many phone messages or e-mails. We finally contaced the Berrien County Prosecutor's office. They took our information and said that a deal was being worked out between the State Atty General's office and Southmeadow on behalf of all the people who were "taken" by these people. Southmeadow would have to refund the money or deliver product, advertise an accurate phone number on the web site, as well as accept credit cards. A woman from Southmeadow called my husband today to get our mailing address to send a refund check. (Uh, it's on the check you cashed and the order form that accompanied it!) When she had the information, she said, "Okay, you'll get a check." He asked if an apology was forthcoming. She said, "That will be with the check." What rotten people. They STOLE our money and couldn't even be bothered to apologize. I'm so glad the prosecutor's office and attorney general's office went after them. The Berrien County Prosecutor's Office was very helpful. Negative riopanplus Ogden, UT (1 review) November 29, 2006 In March of 2006 we order a few fruit trees and to this day have not received them!! Like the others, we called and called, left emails, tried over and over to contact the company and they finally answered after all these tries. They said the trees had been shipped on such and such a date. Well we told them we never got them and they said they would refund us. THEY NEVER DID!! THEY ARE BIG FAT LIARS!! DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY!! FRAUDULANT!!! I am pursuing the Better Business Bureau to see if I can still get a refund. Negative prairiestar De Soto, KS (1 review) October 11, 2006 My husband was familiar with the company as being a reputable source for heirloom apples -- twenty years ago, under the current owner's father. Those days are lonnngg gone. My feedback may be delayed -- but is still valid, and confirms every other negative posting against this company. DO NOT DO BUSINESS with them! We placed a reasonable order for a few heirloom apple trees last Nov. 2005. We never received an order confirmation, and after several unanswered phone calls assumed the owners were away for an extended winter holiday. By the end of February 2006, when we still had not received our trees (ordered for the third week of Feb), we began to grow suspect. We made a couple of phone calls and finally got through! First we were told the trees would be shipped "that week". After another two weeks went by with no trees, we called again and were spoken too *quite rudely* and disrespectfully by the owner -- after simply asking for a refund. (We own a retail greenhouse business and if we treated our customers in the same manner -- there is no way we'd still be in business!). It seems these 'wymyn' have an axe to grind with the world -- and unfortunately are stealing people's money as a way to "get even". After that last call (sometime in mid March 2006), we found this website, and gained confidence this was more than poor mishandling of one order. I contacted the Better Business Bureau and the Berrien County Prosecutor's Office: 269-983-7111, ext 8311; and the http://www.usps.com website to file complaints for mail fraud. Fortunately we received a full refund (by early -mid April), shortly after contacting the Better Business Bureau, who were the ones that contacted SouthMeadow. I will say the new County Prosecuter was aware of the trouble, and seemed to indicate that the more evidence they can accumulate the better...so definitely contact them if you have been ripped off. Anyone know of a good source for Roxbury Russets? Positive Satisfied Forest Park, IL (1 review) August 06, 2006 I ordered some "F.J. Grootendorst" roses from Grootendorst nurseries through the mail. The roses were bought for some friends and were shipped directly to them from Grootendorst nurseries. These roses arrived at my friends house and my firends were delighted with them! They are avid gardeners and never saw these roses. The roses are alive and doing well. My experience has been great with this company. I am very satisfied as are my friends! Positive AceofClubsdivgr Ionia, MI (1 review) June 12, 2006 Clearly a lot has changed, and for the worse, since my earliest experiences with this company. The pioneering hard work of Theo C.J. Grootendorst, from the famous Grootendorst nurserymen family in the Netherlands, and Attorney Rob't Nitschke of Birmingham, has obviously fallen on hard times. There is no excuse whatsoever, for this recent terrible business record. I do not know know if either of the men is still alive...but they did indeed kindle in me a respect for, and deep knowledge of the old varieties of fruit. Almost single handedly, they instilled an appreciation for genetic diversity, and it's preservation, against an overwhelmingly powerful contemporary agricultural orcharding system. Mr. Nitschke took me on a personal tour of his home and grounds..and treated me to tastes of the apples and other fruit available through Southmeadow. This is what the earliest customers were accustomed to, from the business, and which held the flagstaff for their next related business interests to follow. Their personal touch and business integrity was correct..and it's a terrible shame to see this company reduced to commercial rubble. I am so sorry to see this..and encourge customers to find other companies to supply them...and fulfill their dreams. Ace Negative morganna Bloomsbury, NJ (1 review) June 07, 2006 Two months ago I sent a check for 302.58 to Southmeadow Gardens for 12 fruit trees. To date, no trees, and no refund. They owners never answer their email or phone messages. I am going to take the advice of others and contact the proper authorities. I really regret trusting this company, and sure wish I had seen this website before ordering. Negative kaiapit Hollister, CA (Zone 8b) (3 reviews) May 20, 2006 A big rip-off. When I checked about my mail order, I was advised that they could not ship to California (other suppliers do), and that they would return my cheque. Needless to say, the check was not returned, nor was there a refund. My subsequent letter (which included a SASE) was ignored. My advice: DO NOT DEAL WITH THIS COMPANY. Negative gregoryzaretsky Pittsburgh, PA (2 reviews) May 20, 2006 In the spring of 2002 I ordered several berry bushes for almost $300. Eventually a card arrived in the mail saying that I had ordered too late. However, I have never received anything at all. In the spring of 2005 I stumbled on the record of this order and called the company. The lady told me that she has my order and is going to send it to me tomorrow. I called again a week or two later and spoke with the same lady. She recognized me and asked me if she could put me on hold. I waited a long time and then hung up. I tried to call several times after that, but there were no responses. As I read this site I see that I am not the only one whos money was stolen by Southmeadow Fruit Gardens. Perhaps we can unite and file a class action suite against them? Gregory Zaretsky Positive EyedocMich Muskegon, MI (1 review) April 13, 2006 Due to several negative posts, I elected to take a two hour drive to visit Grootendorst Nurseries in person to pick up the Ashmead's Kernel antique apple that I first contacted them about by phone to make sure it was in stock. (I couldn't find any place else in the country that had any stock left this season for that apple.)This is not a mega garden center with operators on duty 24/7 but when you reach the owners, they are helpful and sincere. Judy met me there and handed me my tree that looks in great shape and was pre-soaked with spagnum moss root wrap. She was about to leave for the post office with a VW Beetle jammed full of boxes of trees for waiting customers. She told me that the local Post Office forgot to weigh and put postage on a huge batch of trees earlier this week before forwarding on to Kalamazoo for central sorting and shipping. Now the post office can't find out where the batch went. Some dim-bulb temp didn't notice that the post office hadn't finished putting postage on them from Grootendorst's standing account before loading them up. So you make get a postage due or delayed shipment through no fault of this supplier. There are only a few shipping weeks left this season. I feel it is safe for anyone to place an order if they call first to check on availablity. Lots of items are sold out for the season. NO stone fruits since a devastating winter two years ago. They are hoping for next year. I found that the best time to call Judy is just before noon E.S.T. or after the lunch break around 1PM. I'm happy. My tree is planted and ready to grow. Negative adksam East Berne, NY (4 reviews) March 31, 2006 I ordered in spring 2002, and received a card in the mail months later saying I had ordered too late, but the items would be back ordered. Called spring 2003, and was told they would be shipped soon. Never received, no return to several calls & E-Mail. Since it was only about $50, I gave up - especially after reading comments here. For heirloom apples - try St Lawrence Nurseries - very reliable. For currants & gooseberries - Whitman Farms offers many, though I've never ordered from them. For other wierd stuff - One Green World, Raintree Nursery, and Forest Farm are all very reliable. Good luck to all trying to get money back from Southmeadow. Negative DianaR Caldwell, ID (Zone 6a) (4 reviews) March 28, 2006 This is so sad. I have ordered from Southmeadow for over 25 years with great results. However 2 years ago we placed 2 orders. I am so glad that we received our apple trees. I love my Ashmeads Colonel and Cox's orange Pippen. But we never received our gooseberries and grapes. I'm glad it was only $100 worth. We have made many phone calls and had many promises. But nothing ever came through except more excuses. What is so sad is I can't find the gooseberries anywhere else. This is like losing a good friend. Negative james67 Millersburg, OH (1 review) March 12, 2006 I had done business with this company for a number of years prior to 2003, and never had any problems. However, in the spring of 2004, I placed an order of $175.00 for apple, pear, and plum trees, and also an illustrated catalog. They cashed my check with great promptitude, and that is the last I have heard from them. I have made numerous efforts to contact them by phone and e-mail to no avail. This bunch of shysters bears no resemblance whatsoever to the operation it used to be. Stay Away! Negative kurtju North Bend, WA (1 review) March 10, 2006 On 2/23/2005 I ordered 4 pear trees at $28.50 each plus 15% shipping for a total of $134.52. I was referred to SMFG by and article on fruit trees in Organic Gardening which listed SMFG as a source. At the end of March I called the company to find out an estimated delivery date and after multiple phone calls and messages finally spoke to Judy who said the shipment had been delayed because of being shut down by the Ag. dept. for an infection in their stock but were scheduled to reopen the 1st of april and my trees would be shipped then. By april 20 I still hadn't received my trees and again after multiple calls over several days I again spoke with Judy who stated they were shipped but that they were having trouble with their new shipping labels falling off so that must be what happened to my shipment. She promised to resend the order and to call me when it shipped. The trees never arrived and the phonecall never came. By the end of May I decided all I wanted was a refund and multiple phone calls and messages left later I finally again spoke with Judy who said she would send the refund as soon as the person who did that returned from vacation. Weeks passed with no refund check. By mid summer I was calling almost daily trying to get hold of someone there and finally some other person who said they shared a business line with SMFG answered and stated thet SM was closed for the season. In mid December I restarted what had now become more than just a business matter. I spoke again with Judy and again she stated that she would have the check sent. By the time I finally got through again to them it was February and when I spoke with Judy again she stated a check was mailed on Dec 16. I told her that I never received it and she without question said she would send another one. Still no check. It is now mid March and I am again trying to contact SMFG but this time, thanks to the info recieved from this forum, I will be telling them also that I (depending on the length of time required to get hold of them) am/will be contacting the County Prosecuter and the MI Dept of Agriculture. I have already contacted OG to recommend that they should reconsider SMFG as a reliable source and plan to contact them again and suggest they read this forum to see what thievery has been perpetrated by this company. In all my many contact and promises of return calls I have never received an "I'm sorry for the trouble" or a returned call. I wish I had researched a little more thouroughly prior to starting business with this company but there is comfort in knowing that others that have been similarly taken have had their issues resolved. I understand that SMFG will receive a copy of this posting so just in case they actually decide to read it I only have one thing to say to them.....God have mercy on you for your transgressions. On March 24th, 2006, kurtju added the following: 3/15/2006- 2 days after I submitted complaint forms to the MI Attorney General Consumer Protection, BBB, USPS fraud investigations and Berrien County prosecutors office it seems SMFG finally learned how to use the telephone. I received a call (the first call from them in over a year) with further excuses as to why I had not received a check and assurances that a check would be in the mail that day.The person stated that she was going to the post office within the hour and that she would send it priority mail. Needless to say I was skeptical. SURPRISE! Fully one week later on 3/23 I received the check---in a plain envelope, unsealed(apperared as if it had never been sealed) with no return address. So much for priority mail. I guess they have their own priorities which include ripping off the consumer until they get caught and then trying to lie their way out of it. It's a shame that the only way to get them to respond is through threats. My complaints stand with the various agencies and I will cooperate fully with them if they wish to persue these ongoing issues. I'm happy to have my money back(we'll see if the check actually clears) but I would be even happier if this business were put out of business. Negative foxb Esperance, NY (1 review) December 29, 2005 Ordered catalog Did not recieve Phone not answered Check cashed Phone answered- I was told long sad story, catalog would be sent Never recieved catalog, phone never answered again Found this website went to: http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplain... Print out or complete online Also- I think Federal law says items must be shipped in 30 days or full refund. If you have been defrauded, COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THIS FORM. Good website! Negative foxtrailfarm Goshen, IN (1 review) June 14, 2005 On March 17, 2005 I placed an order with Southmeadow for 6 heirloom bearing age apple trees for which I paid $201.78 by check. As of today, June 14, I still have not received my trees. The few times I was actually able to contact anyone there by phone, all I received was a litany of excuses and reassurance that the order had been shipped ( three different shipments were attempted according to Judy at Southmeadow) all by US Postal Service. When I suggested Judy use my UPS account to send the trees she stated that UPS would not pick up at her business because it was too remote (simply not true according to my conversation with my UPS account rep). I even offered to drive up to their location to pick up my order but Judy was evasive about a time and date to do this. Finally in mid May, in utter dissapointment, I requested a refund. Judy assured me she would send what trees were available and a refund check. Weeks later neither had shown up. Efforts to communicate with Judy at Southmeadow have been unsuccessful as most times there is no way to leave a message on their answering service and on the rare occassions when you can leave a message it is never returned. Frustrated and disgusted, I found help in Tom Maiz at the Berrien County prosecutors office. (Thanks to the information in this forum). Tom was extremely knowledgeable about this company and their history of taking people's money. Tom was able to get Judy's attention and we eventually got on a conference call with Tom Judy and myself. Judy has promised to express mail me a refund check today. I'm not holding my breath based on a string of past broken commitments. Given the recent history of this company and the many , many sincere gardners they have ripped off I am outraged that no one seems to do anything about it. My experience in talking with the Michigan Attorney's General Office about this issue was less than positive. They say there is "nothing they can do" because they cannot prove "intent" to defraud. So a disreputable, poorly managed company continues in business and continues to defraud their customers. Many I'm sure, just give up trying to ever recover their money. For me, it was about more than just the money. It was about fulfilling my dream of having an organic apple orchard filled with heirloom varieties. It was about the injustice of allowing a company to continue to defraud people and blame the US Postal service while the government agencies funded by OUR taxes and responsible for preventing this sort of behavior casually say there is "nothing we can do about it". The sad part is, I think there is a high demand for the type product Southmeadow purports to offer, it's just too bad it is mismanaged so badly. It is not possible for them to continue in business indefinitely given their recent history of fraud and deceit. Many thanks to Tom Maiz of the Berrien County Prosecutors office who went to bat for me to at least recover my money. As for my dream of an heirloom orchard, if anyone knows of a legitimate business where I can purchase my heirloom apple trees, please let me know. As a side note, I was able to find some of the varieties I wanted at Miller Orchards and Henry Fields. The product quality and customer setrvice I received from both of these orchards was excellent. Negative kzozkum Washington, DC (6 reviews) May 10, 2005 I placed an order with Southmeadow Gardens for over $900. worth of trees in October 2004 after surveying mutliple websites that recommended them as a good source for vintage fruit trees. Unfortunately, I did not find the Garden Watchdog website until January and my heart sunk after reading the horrible experiences that people have had with them. They had already cashed my check (why did I pay by check??!!), so all I could do was wait. Of course, the fact that no one ever answers their phone is not very reassuring, and I have yet to receive a catalogue from them after paying my $10., and making two follow-up requests. (Not that I would want it anyways at this point). When I had not received my trees by the end of April, I called and actually spoke to Judy who said my order had gone out the day before (April 24th). By May 6th, no trees had arrived and I started to make some calls. Left messages but received no return call. Spoke to people in the Michigan Dep't of Agriculture who were forced to re-license the company this year despite their track record. Essentially, if they pay the fee, they get their license...period. The State Attorney General's Office has a consumer complaint office which currently has 73 outstanding complaints against the company since 1998. They are primarily a mediation service and seemed to have no interest in shutting down a bad company. As they put it, Southmeadow has a lot less complaints than Walmart - a company that is probably ten thousand times there size statewide. Finally, found someone in the Berrien County Prosecutors Office who has been investigating the company. After leaving a message with him, I received a conference call today (5/10/2005) with Judy on the line. She said that the order had been returned (????), that it was only a partial order, and that I was to receive a refund. She could not provide any specifics about the dollar amount of the refund, how much of my order was complete, or where she had sent my order. I'm having a hard time believing any of it, to be honest, and will update you when my order and refund check arrives. In the meantime, here are valuable numbers to have when dealing with this company: Michigan Dep't of Agriculture Regional Office, St. Joseph, MI 269-428-2546 Speak with Steve Lozmack His supervisor in lansing: Ken Rauscher, Division Director Lansing 517-373-1087 Berrien County Prosecutor's Office 269-983-7111, ext 8311 Tom Maiz has conducted an investigation into the company and seemed to know how to reach the owners State Attorney General's Office They have a web site with an online complaint process or you can print out a complaint form and mail it in. Their number is 517-373-1140. I was not impressed.... (PS A letter to Mike Cox, the Attorney General will be following this experience) I will update this posting after receiving my trees and refund. Positive ameliaswan Chicago, IL (1 review) May 02, 2005 I've had a few great experiences with Southmeadow, and love how open they are to my questions, as I am a novice when it comes to fruit trees. I first visited Southmeadow Fruit Gardens in Spring, 2004, having been recomended to it by a close landscaper friend. I just drove in the driveway on a trip from Chicago, looking for fruit trees for the urban community garden sites where I work as a professional urban farmer and teacher. It was Easter weekend and quite rightly, the place was closed, but I was attended to quite cheerfully by a very lively and knowledgable woman, one of the owners. She took time from her day-off to walk me through the site and help me out with planting instructions, etc. This year, she has donated some extra treelings to our gardens, all located in inner city neighborhoods. I am pretty impressed by this gesture. Negative takenbadly Oberlin, OH (1 review) January 24, 2005 I've been trying for over a year to get my money back from Southmeadow Fruit Gardens, dba, Grootendorst Nurseries, Inc. They took over $250 from me. If only I had looked at this web site first. However, I was a longtime customer with the former owners and I had good results when Theo. Grootendorst and Robert Nitschke were involved. How sad to see this company destroyed after all that had been accomplished by these two great fruit pioneers. My story starts on April 20,2003. I sent them an order with a check for $253.00. When I didn't hear from them by mid May 2003, I called and Judy said she never got my order, it must have been sent to the wrong address. Imagine my surprise when out of the blue the check is cashed by them on February 2nd 2004. I called her and said, "you cashed my check, would you send me a copy of my original order I've forgotten after this length of time what I ordered." She did, and I have a copy of it showing that they received the order and cashed the check. I asked when I would be able to receive my order and she said sometime this spring. After numerous attempts to reach her in April I started keeping track of all the times I called. Finally, on April 28th 2004 my husband spoke with Judy who said she would call us back in 30 -60 minutes after she checked on our order. She said it was in the shipping room and should take three days once it's shipped, but it had to be packaged first. She did not call us back as she said, so we called her back 21/2 hours later. She said it was ready to ship priorty mail and it would be in the mail that day. No order was ever received. We called on May 3, 2004 and spoke with Judy. We said we never received our order. Then she said they hadn't been sent out yet but she'd have to find them in the shipping room. We said, " you told us they had already been shipped last week, that you had personally seen to it that they went out in the mail". She said it was sent Priorty mail. My husband asked for a delivery confirmation number and she said they "don't track anything". I spoke with a postal representative in our town and they said nothing was ever received. After numerous attempts to reach Southmeadow unsuccessfully, (phone just rings busy) the last time we called in May 2004 there was an answering machine. I left a message asking to speak with the owner, Peter Grootendorst personally to resolve the order. We have never received any communication from them since we made that call. Negative elwoodzeus Saint Mary, MO (6 reviews) August 31, 2004 placed order for fall delivery of a moonglow pear called to check on progress of order. They said they had just begun digging stock and it would be sent when digging is over. Winter came and went... no tree...spring..no tree...called....sent written request for refund....nothing.... finally in the fall(though a year late) I finally recieved my moonglow pear tree. never again despite their listing of many interesting varieties. Negative StocktonGarden (1 review) July 26, 2004 I placed an order in October 2003 for over $200 worth of fruit trees, plus the catalog. After numerous attempts by email, telephone and letter to resolve this with Southmeadow, by May 2004 I realized Southmeadow was not going to ship the trees nor refund my money. I finally filed a comlaint with the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, PO Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909 and am awaiting resolution as of late July. Something is terribly amiss with this company..... Negative vmarvick (1 review) July 19, 2004 I found Southmeadow Fruit Gardens via the Internet while doing a search for heirloom apple suppliers. In mid-March 2004, I sent a check for $243 along with an order form downloaded over the Internet. I did not receive any confirmation of my order, and have never received any trees. At the end of April, after several attempts at reaching them (and leaving messages which were not returned) I finally reached a woman who said that their mail had been delivered to the wrong address and that perhaps my check was in that batch of mail. This woman's manner over the phone was very bizarre for someone in a customer service business. She did not seem to care one way or another whether I received my order or was satisfied with their operation. In fact, I wondered whether they were really in business, based on her manner on the phone. She said that she would check the mail on the following day to see if my check showed up, and call me. I did not receive a call, and further attempts to call her were met by the answering machine. A few weeks later, while finally balancing my checkbook (not very organized, I know) I discovered that my check had been cashed in early April. After a couple more unsuccessful attempts at reaching a person, I spoke to the same woman who again showed absolutely no concern for my experience as a customer--no apology, or even recognition that I might be frustrated. My demeanor throughout all phone calls was very polite and cordial. I asked what had happened to my order and she replied "I have absolutely no idea." She asked for my address and the amount of refund to be sent and said it would be mailed out that day. I have received nothing. After reading these posts, I am wondering whether I can resolve this situation. I guess I will try a certified letter. I certainly wish I had discovered this website prior to placing an order. Needless to say, I won't be ordering from them again. If I succeed in getting a refund, I will post again. Negative michaelpc (1 review) June 27, 2004 Broken Heart My father spent many years in Narbonne (South West of France) after having fled communist terror and persecution in the Soviet Union. He immigrated a second time to the US after world war II and settled in to have a family and rebuild his life. Now 91, he has always spoken very highly of the kind treatment he received by the people of Narbonne and has kept a special rememberance of them each year during the summer when he would bake a prune tart which we would share in the garden with a wonderful strong coffee he also learned to make from his French neighbors. Last Fall, a friend told me of the Southmeadows fruit nursery and I visited the website only to find that they offered Prune D'agen, the very famous plums from SW France which are known to have wonderful aroma, texture and unbeleivable flavor. Having discussed with my father, he enthusiastically insisted that I place an order for not only the "Pruneaux D'agen, but also for 4 "Cassis" or black currant bushes. He wanted to plant the tree in my garden, for my family so that we may always have when he is gone, and to carry on the tradition of "La Fete du Pruneaux" and to ensure that we as Americans remembered that good-hearted people are around the world, not just in US. After several months and the same story as others, i.e. telephone calls during which I was told that orders don't go out on Fridays, but mine was going out that next Monday, no trees arrived. Finally, I even offered to drive to Baroda personally to pick up the tree but received no response. Long story short, I did recently receive a check back from the company refunding all my money, but my father is heartbroken. I understand the ups and downs of business as I am a business man myself. Nevertheless, I am writing today to question why a website still exists where others, who in Fall and Winter will dream their garden dreams, and who may naively still send money orders or checks only to have their excitement killed. To fool me is one thing, to disappoint a 91 year old man is another. My father is a gentle, quiet type who loves his flowers, his quite fruit garden and family and friends. Please, I wish Southmeadows all the best in getting back on their feet and starting up the business again, but until such time as they are ready to take and fill orders, please shut down the website. False advertising is the equivalent of Fraud. Fraud is punishable by law. Negative jlevans (1 review) June 19, 2004 I sent these folks an order and check for $349.00 in January 2004. The check was cashed but the order was not confirmed. I expected arrival in late March/early April. I called the first time in mid March and was told that shipping was just starting for the East Coast. I called in April and after several busy signals I talked to a woman (same voice who has answered the phone each time). I was told everyone was out to lunch and to call back. When I called back no one was there. Left message and received no return call. I've have called 6 or seven times since then and either left a message or talked to the woman who told me that that the computer was down, that the electricity was out in the whole town, that my trees would arrive in a week, in three days. That my trees had been shipped and returned damaged and that they could send them again or that they could refund my money. Each time she is very sincere and creative. I will not let this matter drop even if I never get my money back. Negative gizzardj Franklin, TN (2 reviews) June 04, 2004 My experience with this company has been much like the others expressed here. I only ordered one tree back in Febuary and my check was cashed within a week of my sending it. By mid-April I had not received the tree and still haven't nor have I been able to get a refund. I have called this company at least a dozen times and have actually gotten through to a live person four times. Each time there is an excuse - the lady that handles that is out sick, the power is off and the computer won't work, the phone system has been down, yada yada. And each time I am told that someone will call me back tomorrow. Stupid me actually believed that the first three times. I have reported this company to their local and regional BBB but am beginning to wonder if those organizations actually exist since I have yet to get any response other than an email confirmation from them. And speaking of emails, the lady at SouthMeadow says they don't read their emails and that's why they never responded to mine. I guess I will have to write off my $32 to continuing education. Negative LarryD Jasper, IN (2 reviews) May 19, 2004 Note my comments to the postal inspector. I talked to "Judy" and was told to send them $37.00 for the tree I wanted. I bought a Postal M.O. the same day and mailed it the next day, 21 april 04. I have called and talked to "Judy" twice since then and was told the reason that they didn't answer my 4 emails was that the phone sys. had been "down for over 2 wks." and that they have the plants in "cold storage" and their shipping season was ending day after tomorrow ...that was 12 may so I assume she was talking about 14 MAY 04. anyway , I called back the next day 13 may asking if I could get another type added to the order and was told she thought it had already been shipped. It is now 19 may and ...nothing. I find out on Garden Watchdog website that 90% of coments are Negative. Negative cebula (1 review) May 11, 2004 I order over $150 worth of tress to be delivered in early April. Of course no trees came but the checks were cashed. TodayI called southmweadow and someone actually answered the phone. After 58 attempts !! ( No one answers my email or faxes or ususally answers the phone . So I reported them to the Attorney generaals in my state and in Michagan.) I asked about my order and was told that it shipped this morning. But I was told that it also shipped "this morning" about 3 other times. I was told I should refuse the trees if I no longer want them and then i will get a refund. Now do you think I will really get the trees or the refund?

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