The scoop on 'Central Florida Farms'

I ordered a plant from this company in Feb 08 and after not receiving it in the time period stated of 2 weeks I contacted them. They sent an email saying that they had marked it as sent and would correct the error and send it. I waited and have not received anything after the prescribed time which unfortunately puts me over the 45 day limit with Pay Pal.
I now get no response from there email address.
DO NOT ORDER ANYTHING FROM THIS COMPANY and IF YOU USE PAY PAL YOU ARE ONLY PROTECTED for 45 days.

On about 6/20/07, I ordered online $104 of elephant ears and paid with pay pal. After 2months I tried to get a refund but Pay Pal had a 45 day limit. Since I had missed this, I tried to get in contact with Central Florida Farms. I happened to see angels reply on Dave's Garden website in January, 2008. So I tried the email. I got an answer that said they were going to send my order--nine months late. They said I would get my order by that Friday. Three weeks later, nothing. She even called and told me I would get the order. Still nothing---save your money. Mike Bookwalter

July 12, 2007 I paid for two ginger plants via PayPal; the plants have never arrived. I have had no response from my emails and have now begun the process of filing a report with PayPal in hopes of recovering my cost. This is a company that is scamming buyers.

Buyers Beware!!
Bought two Black Magic plants for my personal collection. Plants were NEVER received though. Thankfully I paid via PayPal and got my money back after a short wait. They didn't respond to any emails in regards to order. I wouldn't buy from this company again, that's for sure!!!

Placed an order 4 weeks ago, and they don't reply to their emails . There is definitely some trouble with this nursery. From all the other negative comments. I gave them my credit card info, they haven't charged my account but I did call my credit card company and had them block any charges from this company.

I should have read here first before I ordered.

kathy_ann

David Mattocks is a rip-off artist. I sent him money for plants, and PayPal took the money immediately. I paid for the plants in April 2007. It is now August 2007, and I have not received any plants. He has no phone number or address on his website, so you cannot contact him. I've sent a dozen emails requesting my plants with no response except an automatic reply. Don't buy from Central Florida Farms! I filed a complaint with the Florida Consumer Affairs. You can do that online at:http://myfloridalegal.com/ In his bio he mentions that he lived in Daytona Beach near his grandmother.

I ordered $85.00 of plants from Central Florida Farms in January and have not received them as of August. I also e-mailed them to request a refund (four times) and they will not even acknowledge my mail. I recommend that you DO NOT order from these people.

Does anyone know how to reach this company?

Thank you.

ordered from dave a few years ago, and my banana plant arrived fine. a friend ordered recently, and his never showed up. i guess the company's having some problems. i'd wait to order from them until they either fix their issues or refund peoples money.

I ordered two banana trees from CFF and the paypal account cleared May 17, 2007. CFF's site says to allow 7-10 business days for the order to arrive.

As I had not received anything by June 6, I e-mailed "info@centralfloridafarms.com" asking for an update on my order status and got an automated reply which essentially promised a personal response, which had not materialized by June 16th. So, today, the 17th, I sent a second request, along with a message to "paypal@centralfloridafarms.com" outlining the above as well as giving my paypal receipt number. However, that e-mail bounced, which prompted me to Google the company, and that is how I found this site, which, upon reading the reviews, made me a little more concerned to say the least.

I rated CFF "Neutral" here because in my mind there may well be a reasonable explanation for the delay and I am not yet ready to denounce the owner(s) or the company. I represent many small businesses in my practice and can understand the many problems that can come up that can cause delays. I am willing to give CFF more time to either deliver the banana trees, or otherwise refund my money.

However, if after allowing a reasonable time to pass I still hear nothing, I will have to assume that CFF is a fraudulent operation and will proceed accordingly, and I will make every effort to recover my paypal payment as well as my fees and costs.

Ted A. Avellone, Esq.
Tallahassee, Fla.
(850) 519-0785
Florida Bar No.: 0093106

I have joined the group of people who have ordered from this company and haven’t heard anything from them since. I’ve had no response to any attempted inquiry except an automated response saying they would get right back to me (or an error message saying their mailbox was full). I have filed a dispute with PayPal. An interesting point about their policy (click on “terms & agreements” at the bottom of their homepage, then see the section “PayPal claims & buyer disputes”) is that they state that if a dispute is filed with PayPal, they will not ship unless the claim is canceled. However, once a dispute is canceled, it cannot be re-filed.

More contact info can be found by Googling "Florida Nursery and Growers Association” "central florida farms" .

The owner of the company, David, says in his website that medical problems with his wife and child have interfered with his business. That is certainly understandable. But, according to him, this has been going on for at least a year and a half and he does not appear to have done anything of consequence to let buyers know what will happen (or not happen) after they order.

On May 11, 2007 I ordered an aroid from CFF and as of June 16 I haven't received anything. I went through paypal and I have esculated my account to a claim. I do not think that CFF is in business any more. Hopefully I can get some of my money back.

I placed an order on April 30th, my card was promptly charged, however it is now June 13th and they have not sent any plant material or responded to any of my E-mails. According to 411, they do not exist in the State of Florida's phone book. This appears to be more of a scam than a reputable buisness. Steer clear of this operation.

I ordered banana trees about a month ago, my credit card was charged and no banana plants or explainations! I did not receive any confirmation from the web-site which made me nervous, just a confirmtion from pay-pal that they are taking my money. I have tried to send e-mails to the ONLY contact informtion provided on the website, which is an e-mail address and my e-mails keep being returned "the receipant's mail box is full, try to contact this person by phone." There is no phone number or address anywhere on the website to contact anyone. This is a huge disappointment but I guess we all learn the hard way sometimes.

On April 23,2007, I ordered two imperialis vriesea plants. AI paid by credit card using PAYPAL. I have never received the plants, nor any word from the company, this, in spite, of several e-mails to Mr. Mattocks and a recent complaint filed with PayPal and one filed today with the Florida Dept. of Consumer Affairs.

I bought something off of their web site with paypal. I got basically no message from them other than a thank you for paying, and never received any goods. I have emailed them several times and never heard back. I cannot locate a phone number for this company. I am going to have to get paypal to refund my payment.

Seems like I had the same experience as the others...

I made a order back in april and have not got any plants yet. Try to email but have not got a responce back. I have been charge on credit card. The comany has no phone number or address to get on website. This is a rip-off website.

Extremely bad experience. Bought 2 Black Velvet Alocasia's ($35 each for 4-12 inch plants) and never got an acknowledgment of the order, notice of shipping or a reply to what was going on. Many weeks later some tiny 2 to 4 inch plants arived--not anywhere near what was advertised.

If you don't believe me just check the forum on Dave's website, it is filled with dissatisfied customers--this guy should be out of business.

David provides a great product. I've brought plants from him three times and they always come well packed and of high quality. I'll buy again I'm sure.