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Does anyone have any idea what the current status is with these folks? I have had the same experience...sent money, no trees, no responses other than the usual empty promises. I even sent a certified letter, but they never claimed it from the PO. Has anyone had success getting either money or plants from them this season? Is anyone going to Michigan anytime soon?
On June 21st, 2004, wheresmypears added the following:
UPDATE!!!
I sent a polite but firm letter (certified) clearly demanding my money back, and several weeks later, I actually got a check. It seems to have cleared their bank too! I highly recommend that anyone who has been lured to send money to this company write a letter.
I ordered 135 trees for shippment on May 7, 2004. My checks were cashed in winter 2003. I have been trying to confirm my order and shippment method. I have called about six times and could only leave voice mail twice because the machine was full. I also emailed once. After reading the other comments I am very concerned I may have spent a lot of time and money preparing the planting site (electric fence, tilling, mowing, installing irrigation) and the trees may not arrive. If any one has an email address or phone number for the company that is different from the one on the order form please post it here.
My mother was cheated as well - "luckily" it was only on a catalogue order. These are regular thieves. They cashed the check and 3 months and several phone calls later, have yet to deliver the order. Now they don't even answer phone calls. I'm surprised these people are still in business. Besides a BBB complaint, does anyone have ideas of action? Would be interested in doing something about this.
Similar experience. Placed order of trees and conservation bushes for delivery in spring of 2002. Check cashed but no delivery or response, despite numerous calls, emails and letters.
I am not going to let this matter pass, especially in light of all the other people that have been cheated. I am an attorney and another attorney friend of mine was also victimized during the same time period. Since neither of us are currently licensed to practice in MI, I am going to contact an attorney in nearby Saint Joseph, MI. If you are interested, please indicate your interest here.
On April 10th, 2004, 3Oaks added the following:
04/10/04. UPDATE. After contacts with a representative of the District Attorneys staff in Southmeadows County, Southmeadow agreed to make refunds at this to those who had made payments to them but had not recieved their order. I have recieved a check this week and am waiting for it to clear.
If you are owed money and have not recieved a check, I strongly suggest you write to Southmeadow again by means of US mail, return reciept requested.
I phoned Southmeadow Fruit Gardens about two years ago to potentially place an order for a hundred or so trees. I knew nothing of the current reputation of this nursery. I literally left a dozen or so messages on their answering machine initially to get in touch with these folks and eventually got a call back from a woman who acted shocked when I'd said I'd left over a dozen message: "Oh, we must be having a problem with our machine." I gave her the benefit of the doubt and went ahead and faxed an order to her so she could check her inventory for the following Spring. Something just felt a bit off about this woman. It was odd. All she seemed concerned about was getting a deposit check from me. On a hunch, I Googled the place and discovered Southmeadow's horrid list of complaints on Garden Watchdog. Thank God I checked. I never followed through with her, and not suprisingly, never heard back from her, either.
Southmeadow was reputedly once an amazing nursery before it landed in the hands of its current owners who've basically flushed the place down the toilet. It's a shame, because their website offers an amazing variety of trees that they apparently can no longer provide.
Maybe someone will buy them out and re-establish their once solid reputation.
Ordered 6 trees one year but only received 3. The next year gave them another chance and ordered 6 more trees but received none.
Southmeadow never answered emails or letters but did cash checks.
I am quite concerned that I have been "had" by Southmeadow, like many other people that have commented to this website. I mailed an order for approximately $75.00 on 11/12/03 for two "bearing age" trees and a catalog, after speaking breifly to an unidentified person on the telephone at that company. Trying to get Dr Matthews Apple Trees. After approximately two weeks my check was cashed. I have yet to receive trees, catalog, confirmation of order, or even notice as to when my trees might arrive. I have attempted repeatedly to contact anyone at Southmeadow via Telephone (left messages because no one answers during "business hours"), and E-mail. Have yet to speak to a person after the first initial contact on about 11/10/03. Even though I live several hundred miles away, I am considering paying a personal visit to their street address provided on their website (10603 Cleveland Av. Baroda, MI) to see what the heck is going on. I wanted to get the trees in the ground before winter, but it's too late now. I can only hope to get them before it gets too warm in the spring. I'll not be buying anything from Southmeadow again.
On May 1st, 2004, browngoose added the following:
Shock and Awe - My two Doctor Matthews apple trees came today from Southmeadow. They were on the small size (no smaller than what you might get from any other mail order nursery though), and had REALLY healthy root stocks. They are about 4 ft high pruned hard, and about 3/4 -1" diameter, and already breaking bud.
I spoke to a representative at Southmeadow about two weeks ago, and was told that my trees were going to ship in three days. She also told me that the company changed hands last November, from the elder Grootendorst to one of his offspring, and that they had been facing a lot of difficulties in cleaning up messes left by the elder due to his deteriorating mental faculties. I must admit, I am quite dubious about this story, but I wanted to give credit where credit is due - the trees that I received are really healthy looking. That being said I also ordered and paid for a catalog that I was supposed to receive with the trees, which never showed up.
All in all, I'm not very happy with the fact that I never received any kind of confirmation of order, or expected delivery date. I am not very happy that I did not receive a $10 catalog that I ordered, and that it has been exceedingly difficult to contact anyone at Southmeadow during the past 5 months. I am however very happy with the trees that I received today - as long as they DO prove out to be Dr. Matthews when they begin to bear.
Placed my first order,spring 2002,got confirmation right away and they cashed my check. After MANY phone calls finally got 2 of 4 trees shipped in late May. Crabapple had 3 variaty names on one tag, which one did I get? They had 3 or 4 differant explainations for the late shipping and 2 trees missing. Claimed that mice ate most of their stock. I gave them benefit of doubt due to having heard good things written about them in past and being impressed with such a choice of varieties. Ordered 5 new trees and trees fm year before. This was sent early 2003. they cashed check right away, would not answer or return calls or E-mail. Here it is New Years eve, no trees, no money back this year no explaination. My Resolution: no more chances .
I placed an order for an apple tree last April. I have not received that apple tree and have not heard back from Southmeadow. I have phoned them, emailed them, and no response. I have a feelig that I am another victim of the Baroda Bandits! This is a shame, one of the better nurseries in the Midwest and now a home for crooks. UDFLIER
How sad,what has become of such a fine business. I have only recently ordered and am willing to wait and see if I receive my trees, but the policy of never responding to phone calls, faxes or emails is very frustrating. In the meanwhile, does anyone know where else heirloom apple trees can be ordered? If I receive my Southmeadow trees, I will immediately post a positive rating to this site. If not, a note to the Mich. Attorney General
On May 22nd, 2004, aggie1 added the following:
May 22, 2004. Planting time and I have no correspondence, no explanation, no confirmation, no trees, no refund. Has anyone visited the place to see WHAT GIVES?On June 4th, 2004, aggie1 added the following:
Well, it's SOMETHING. This morning I called the Mich Atty Gen. office for a complaint form. This afternoon I received a check reimbursing me in full for my 2003 order.No explanation, and never did make any phone or fax contact. The check was from Grootendorst, not Southmeadow. I feel better but will deal henceforth with Cummins in NY State.
Same story. Ordered two roses and two trees Fall 2001. I have received nothing but assurances over the phone from the same voice that's on the answering machine. I'm only out around $60 so it's kind of trivial. I had hoped to have some apples starting next year. I live close enough that I could go get my trees and roses, but they won't answer the phone so I can make an appointment and get directions.
I'm filing with the postal service.
I also sent e-mail to the member from Baroda Township.
Don't waste your money on these people. No matter how much you want that Cox's Orange Pippin.
I have dealt with this company for over ten years. Service has always been polite and timely. Prices are competitive. And where else can you find over 250 varieties including old world dwarf stocks? Miss this company and you miss a great opportunity.
We've had a positive professional experience with Judy and Martha at Southmeadow the past three years. The only delay we've experienced is a delay in them getting the phytosanitary certificate from the Michigan agriculture department to ship to California (a very restrictive state). Some say a change of ownership has changed things at Southmeadow for the worst. I know nothing about that. I DO know that they have an active customer base of about 50,000--a problem most nurseries would love to have!!--so it's no surprise that they've got some service issues and a few unhappy folk at any one time (and usually only the dissatisfied take the time to write in!). THE BOTTOM LINE IS, AS ANY SERIOUS POMOLOGICAL AFFICIANADO KNOWS, SOUTHMEADOW TRUMPS EVERY NURSERY IN NORTH AMERICA WITH THEIR VARIETY. Doctor Cummins in Geneva, NY has an excellent selection and the best rootstocks. Raintree has some great berries and some fun unusuals like the Shipova Pear. Stark has a hallowed name, but a change of ownership has caused the quality of their stock to suffer, in our opinion (then again, where else would you dare buy your Hawkeye Red Delicious?) John Bunker in Maine is an American original with some wonderful heirlooms and a true tree-lovers catalog. Sonoma Antique (now Trees of Antiquity with Neil Collins) specializes in a great Walt Whitman collection of apples. Big Horse Creek Farm in NC has the best southern varieties this side of Lee Calhoun (and some great annotations on the web). BUT WHERE ELSE BUT SOUTHMEADOW ARE YOU GOING TO FIND THE REINE CLAUDE D'OULLINS AND THE GOLDEN TRANSPARENT GAGE PLUM AND THE CELESTIA, THE MELON, THE MOTHER, AND THE EDWARD VII APPLE AND THE NOTTINGHAM MEDLAR, AND 500 OTHER THINGS ALL IN THE SAME PLACE?! If there IS such a nursery, please let me know. California couldn't take Michigan-grown fruit in 2003, and maybe 2004 also, so we'd love to have a Southmeadow-like option until Southmeadow can ship to us again!
I sent Southmeadow $10 for a catalog, as specified on their website. They cashed the check efficiently enough but never sent the catalog, despite my phoning them repeatedly, sometimes getting a live person, who would either shift responsibility to an employee not present or earnestly assure me the catalog would be sent. More often I got a recorded message; messages left at the prompt were never answered. I also emailed them and never received an answer. I sent them the money last year. I have sent copies of all relevant documents and a letter to the Attorney General's office in NY and have received neither money nor catalog to date. I think Southmeadow is a scandal. Thank heavens I never sent an order.
From another stung customer. Starting my first orchard, after retiring from teaching a year ago, I was intrigued by the selection of antique and heirloom fruit trees from Southmeadow, and sent an order totaling nearly $400 on March 5; the check was cashed March 21. Like some of the other respondents, I never received confirmation, shipping date, or anything, and never received the order. However, it was late spring before I tried to contact them about the order. Emails and phone messages brought no response, in fact, now all I get on the phone is bells and whistles. No response to a letter either. Better Business Bureau said they received no responses either, but they sent me a form for the Attorney General to be completed and sent along with canceled check and copy of order. I have scant hope of getting the $400 back, but the real sorrow is all those empty spots in my orchard, labels designating the spots where those trees were to go. By the way, trees from Miller, Raintree, Edible Landscaping, and Stark are doing beautifully.
Boy, do I wish I'd read the other comments before ordering from this company! My experience was similar to those who have posted negative comments before me. However, unlike the other reviewers, I actually dropped in on them in Michigan to check out the operation in person before ordering. I was excited about the extraordinary selection of heirloom varieties, and also that the trees started their lives in a cold place - my location is Zone 4, and I'm hesitant to order from a nursery in a much warmer climate zone. I went out in the field and was generally convinced they were a bona fide operation. Ha!!! I sent my check dated Feb. 4, indicating delivery for late April planting. With no confirmation of order, or check cashed, I started trying to contact them in late April. When I finally got through, I was told their mail was held up by irradiation for anthrax, and my order had not been received. This seemed unlikely, though I had encountered this problem in mail deliveries in the nation's capitol. I was told I'd be called back later the same day, or in the morning, but heard nothing. Much to my surprise, a package (Invoice date in March) arrived May 20, in the midst of 80 degree weather. The packing slip showed 8 trees, but 2 were missing, with no indication of back-order or refund. The trees received had all sprouted leaves which had subsequently dried out. I planted them all immediately, and have pampered and coaxed them since - 4 of 6 have shown growth 2 months later. Also, I paid premium for "bearing age" trees, and received trunks about 1/4" caliper size. I have called 17 times, e-mailed twice, sent a fax and a certified letter. From reading the other messages, this looks like a PATTERN of bad action. Anyone who's had trouble with them should report to the Postal Inspection service; this will establish a pattern. This is a law enforcement agency with real teeth. All it takes is multiple complaints. Information about filing such complaints can be obtained at any U.S. Post Office.
On September 2nd, 2003, ewinter added the following:
I just got Mr. Grootendorst's letter and partial refund today, as mentioned above. As I had sent him copies of comments from this site, I was curious what he might have posted in defense. The actual correspondence is copied below. People can judge it for themselves:
Dear Mr. Grootendorst;
You may remember me, as I stopped in to see your operation almost exactly a year ago. FYI, I am including copies of reviews of your operation posted to two websites for consumer reviews of mail-order nurseries. Your operation is one of the worst of the hundreds of suppliers listed. Had I known about this, I would not have ordered from you. It would appear that you are well on the way to having your business fail. It is a sad thing that your nursery, once highly respected, has fallen to such a poor state. And I saw you working, and so know that you have a lifetime of experience. Bu no matter how well you know your trees, it?s very difficult for a business to succeed when the customers are treated poorly.
I ordered 7 trees from you last spring. You cashed the check and sent 5 of the 7 (no indication of back-order or refund, nor response to my numerous follow-up inquiries on the matter), plus a "Bonus Tree" which was not ordered.
The trees were sent a month late, and arrived in 80-degree May heat wave. Several had sprouted leaves which had already shriveled up by the time I received them. Also, I ordered (and paid for) "bearing age trees", but received smaller ones. I planted them all within 48 hours, with mixed results. Here is an overall summary:
Passe Crassane Pear - not sent.
Early Morrettini Pear - not sent.
Doyenne de Comice Pear (2) - no sign of life.
Esopus Spitzenberg Apple - sprouted a very few leaves which have not flourished. Little green left in the leaves. No new twig growth.
Cox's Orange Pippin Apple - sprouted a few leaves, and minimal sign of new twig growth has appeared in the last 2 weeks.
Calville Blanc d'Hiver Apple - sprouted a few leaves, and minimal sign of new twig growth has appeared in the last 2 weeks.
Washed Russet ("bonus tree", not ordered) - sprouted some leaves, and some sign of new twig growth in the last 2 weeks.
Note: In addition to what I ordered from you, I got 12 other bare root trees this year from other nurseries. They were sent on time. Every one has sprouted and all but one are showing extensive new twig growth. That one still looks better than anything from Southmeadow Fruit Gardens. In other words, my basic methods of tree nurturance seem to be adequate. This has been a pretty good year for snowmelt, so all the trees have been well-irrigated. I have only had problems with your trees, apparently because they were sent so very late.
I would like you to replace the two lifeless Comice Pears, and to receive the Passe Crassane & Early Morettini Pears which were not sent. In addition, the Esopus Spitzenberg Apple is doing very poorly and should be replaced. As I paid for bearing age trees but received smaller trees, I would like these to be sent without additional cost to me, to be shipped on or before April 1. Please respond as to availability, so we can discuss substitution or refund. Please inform me immediately what you intend to do about this matter, as I am currently planning for next spring's planting, with orders being prepared now and placed soon.
In particular, I would be willing to substitute Rouselet de Rheims Pear (not listed by any other nursery in the country), and have a short list of other substitute varieties if any of the others in the original order are not available. As mentioned above, I'd like to hear from you right away, so I can order anything not available from you elsewhere.
Doing business with your company has not gone very well so far. From what I?ve found on the Internet, I am hardly alone in this. If you expect to stay in business (which I assume you want to), you must improve your customer relations. Why not start now? I look forward to an improvement, and hope to hear from you soon about this.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Winter
End of my letter, postmarked July 29, 2003. An e-mail saying the same thing (small editorial differences) was sent the same day and I left a phone message as well. I also sent a copy to Theo Grootendorst, the retired former head of this family business, with a post-it note saying I didn't expect he could/would do anything, but might want to know what was becoming of his busines.
I just picked up the reply today, which says:
Thank you so much for letting us know about the Garden Watchdog web site. We had no idea that this site has been on line for 3 years. We appreciate the chance to better serve our customers.
When you came to visit us last year you requested to observe the budding and we let you do so, taking up several hours of our time. We were happy to accomodate you. You told us you were trying to establish an heirloom orchard. You placed an order asking for late April shipment. We shipped the order April 28th. You had 2 trees that were not available last season and requested a backorder for this season as our records reflect. At no time was it ever brought to our attention that you were dissatisfied. We are sorry and surprised to hear of how upset you seem on the internet and we are shocked to read you demeaning comments addressed to our 79 year old father.
Our replacement policy states that all claims must be made by August 1st. In addition these claims must be mailed to the nursery in Baroda, MI. We will not replace trees that are not dead as you are requesting. And we find it strange that you would want them replaced with different varieties than you originally were so intent on planting. In turn you backorder is being cancelled and a refund is being sent to you via certified mail. We are saddened that we will no longer be able to supply you with any of our heirloom variety trees in the future.
Respectfully, Peter Grootendorst
There are several items of fact to review here:
They say I called 3/12 and faxed my order thereafter. My phone bills show the only call to their fax machine on 5/21 (regarding the incomplete order), about which I also sent e-mail and left phone messages. I confirmed availability on 2/4 by phone, dated my check and mailed my order that day. I did not request backorder as I had confirmed availability. My phone bills show no calls between 2/4 and 4/30. They say I asked for late April shipment. In fact, the order stated "for late April planting". They say the order was shipped April 28. In fact, the postmark was May 13, and invoice date was 3/26.
Here's their replacement policy, quoted from their website:
REPLACEMENT POLICY:
If tree fails to show proper regrowth, we should be notified by August 1st. No replacement after this date. We will replace tree for $5.00 or bush for $3.00 plus packaging, shipping and handling charge of $6.00. No shipping charges for replacements when included with an additional order.
I mailed my letter July 29th, and phoned and e-mailed the same day. Now, somehow, this isn't according to their policy. Do you see it?
I could go on, but this is already too long. You can judge for yourself whether you want to do business with these people. That's the purpose of the Garden Watchdog website.On Jul 11, 2003, Southmeadow Fruit Gardens (Grootendorst Nurseries) responded with:
"
Ewinters came to our nursery last budding season, she requested to see how budding was done, we were happy to entertain her. In our field we were told of her plans to make an heirloom orchard. She called us March 12,2003 saying that she had placed her order. At that time we had not received the order. We allowed her to fax us a list of what she wanted. Her order was filled with out payment to help insure that her trees would be available when the check came.
Mail has never been held up by “anthrax irradiation” too our knowledge.
We received her order and check on 4-28-03 she requested shipment for late April, the package was sent the same day including a forum letter that lists any particular varieties that are out of stock for that season and to let us know if a backorder or refund would be preferred. On May 23, 2003 ewinters called and requested a back order for 2 pear trees for shipment in our 2004 season. AT NO TIME did she ever mention any problem too us. Not by phone, fax, e-mail or certified letter.
If a package is not received, or spends too much time in transit after it has been mailed, we need to be notified.
As this web site has been recently brought to our attention and we reviewed her lengthy negative comments on it we were surprised. We recently received a letter from ewinter stating 2 trees died, and all the others are growing but that she believes they should be replaced. She then supplied us with a list of DIFFERENT VARETIES that she wants as replacements for the trees that she was originally so intent on having in her orchard!
We have chosen to send a certified letter to ewinters cancelling her back order, included a check for the amount of her 2 backordered, pear trees and have taken her out of our mailing list .
If any one has a problem with an order and feels they can not reach us by normal means, please send a certified letter to
Peter Grootendorst P.O. Box 211 Baroda, MI 49101, Who has been owner,operator of Southmeadow Fruit Gardens with his father for the last 13 years.
Our interest is the preservation of the heirloom varieties of the past that will please the populations of our future.
"
These people are crooks. (Now. They didn't use to be.) Stay away from them. Trees they did send didn't live--and the rest of the order, due since last spring, has not been shipped despite repeated phone calls.
I ordered in February 2003, paid by check. The order didn't arrive (surprise!), so I started calling and emailing them about once a week, starting in April. They promised to call me back a couple of times, but didn't, of course. I had assumed they had gone out of business, but then I saw they finally cashed my check in May. After everything I have seen here, I certainly have my worst suspicions of mail fraud supported. If there is anyone among the other victims that knows how to figure out what ISP is hosting Southmeadow's website, it would be great if you could mail them, point them to the Garden Watchdog site, and ask them to discontinue service to Southmeaddow. I would do this, but I don't know how to figure out who their ISP is.
I just filed a complaint there and directed the USPS to read our complaints here. I would strongly encourage others of you to file a complaint. It only took me about 10 minutes. The USPS needs, as they put it, to see a "pattern of activity" to act, so lots of complaints should help. Besides, I got a glowing feeling imagining a federal law enforcement officer showing up at their door to have a word with them. I presume a few visits like that might have a dampening effect on their "business" practices, not to mention have an adverse effect on their peace of mind.
On May 27, 2003, VA_Gardener Glen Allen, VA wrote:
One Wickson apple tree was ordered in January, 2003. They promply cashed my check and have never shipped my tree. I had four telephone calls with them and got excuses.
I ORDERED 6 APPLE TREES FROM THIS COMPANY IN MARCH OF 2003
FOR DELIVERY IN THE SPRING OF THE SAME YEAR, THEY NEVER RESPONDED TO EMAILS ALL THE PHONE CALLS GAVE THE SAME RESPONSE,WE WILL BE SHIPPING TO THE WASHINGTON STATE AREA
NEXT WEEK, THEIR SHIPPING SEASON IS NOW OVER AND STILL NO TREES I THOUGHT MAIL FRAUD WAS ILLEGAL AND A FEDERAL OFFENCE IN THE U.S.A.THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO RIP OF THE CONSUMER FOR FAR TO LONG
On September 2nd, 2003, ETHICALGROWER added the following:
At the end of June i recived an unsigned e-mail from southmeadows asking me what my problem was and ofered to fix it, i advised them i had ordered six branched fruit trees gave the variety and thanked them for their much delayed response, thinking that maybe they had finally decided to try and resolve their problems, still no trees still no response the only thing that appears to have changed is the number of negative comments that are on this web page six then 29?? now maybe one of the company boosters would volunteer to get my trees for me i would be eternaly gratefull
Raymond Barker
Silverhill Apple Orchard
As Supervisor of Baroda Township I have received many calls about SouthMeadows Fruit Gardens. NONE of them are positive. Only yesterday(5-20-2003) I sent a Police officer out to talk with the new owners. They are totally unresponsive. We are ashamed to have them in our township! I would not order anything from them. We are trying our best to correct their many problems.The previous owners (Grootendorst's) were fine people and ran a very reliable business. Feel free to contact me with your problems as we are starting a file and are turning everthing over to our Police Department.
I ordered from this nursery on October 27, 2000. My trees were not delivered in 2001 nor in 2002. At that point I asked for my money back....I am still waiting. I have contacted the Better Business Bureau...they are aware of the problem but can't seem to do anything. I have contacted the attorney general of Michigan who didn't do anything either. I call them usually on a monthly basis and they have the gall to say the check is in the mail. One time they said it was sent 'a week ago' and they were 'surprised' that I didn't get it so they said they would send another one out. Right! I also contacted the city of Baroda and the person there said they wish they would get out of town. He said he goes by there everyday on his way to work and there is just a trailer sitting on the property. Looks like no work is being done there. These people are down-right THIEVES. All I can say is SCAM,
THIEVES, and I will try to get this word out as best I can.
STAY AWAY FROM SOUTHMEADOW FRUIT GARDENS!!!!!!!
On August 27th, 2003, rosesrosesroses added the following:
I just read the recent positive comments about Southmeadow Fruit Gardens. How distasteful and direspectful to compare the thieves at Southmeadow to honest reputable nurseries and also all of us who have had our hard-earned money stolen by them.
Ordered Mahaleb cherry rootstock Feb. 4, 2003 after assurance that it can be shipped end of March or even middle of March--I needed it for bench grafting. Called April 2, said will call back--they did not. Called April 3, said will ship April 4, called April 8, said shipped this day Priority mail, refused to give tracking number. Called again April 11, said should receive in a few days. Extremely rude, said "why should I talk to you", hung up. Tried to call April 14, April 15, April 17, April 18. ORDER NOT RECEIVED. A milder version of the same happened in 2002, but I assumed it to be an chance abberatio. DO NOT ORDER ANYTHING FROM SOUTHMEADOW AS THE SAME WILL HAPPEN TO YOU WITHOUT FAIL.
On April 19th, 2003, oswald added the following:
Added April 19, 2002. Just learned that "NAFEX's board of directors reluctantly decided last winter that Southmeadow should be removed from the Source List due to the number of problems memebers had experience with them".
Rip-Off artists,Scam, Cheats, Crooks, Jerks, pathetic and Scum are the words that come to mind when I think of this "place".
Money sent but I have never received anything from them.
Warning....DO NOT send this company any money.
In the Winter of 2001 I ordered five apple tree whips to be used for espalier. In the Spring of 2002 when I didn't hear anything from them, I called and talked with Judy and she said that she pulled my order as the trees were too large for espalier. My order would go on backorder and I would receive them in a year. Meanwhile, my check for over $100 was cashed immediately. Now, more than a year later, I have called numerous times, emailed, requested a refund, and threaten to have my lawyer contact them. STILL nothing. I am most upset that a company could get away with so many false "orders".
They should be made to pay us what we are owed.
I ordered 3 fruit trees in late October 2002 - the check was cashed in early December. No acknowledgement nor shipping date was sent. By mid March the snows were melting in northern NJ; in the space of 3 weeks I left (probably) 10 voice mails, 5 emails and 2 faxes. No response to any of them. It seems that customers are an annoyance and irritant to this company. The trees finally arrived today without any planting instructions - now I'll see how they grow.
Much the same as previous complaints-- Ordered a tree, they cashed my check, said it was in the mail every week for a month, then did not respond at all to emails, faxes, phone calls. They are thieves.
On November 3rd, 2003, OldGrove added the following:
Got the email offering to refund my money. Dutifully sent the requested information. Months pass. Nothing. OldGrove
On April 2002, I ordered 6 comice pear trees. I was told by the company that they would be shipped in the Fall. I NEVER received my trees. My check was cashed immediately - $98.55 - I telephoned and emailed this company at least 20 times and never received an answer. BEWARE OF COMPANIES THAT REQUEST CHECKS ONLY!!!!! I will contact the BBB.
I ordered 6 gooseberry bushes from them in the winter of 2001 & was told they would be shipped in the spring. I didn't receive them & called. I kept getting the run around that they would be shipped the next planting season. They quickly had my check cashed but I have never received my gooseberries. I have written & called numeras times. Please don't order from them.
I sent for 3 apple trees in the winter of 2000. They cashed my check immediately, and sent me confirmation of my order. By March of 2001, I had not received my trees. I called, and faxed every 3 months or so, and never did receive my trees. I believe this was the period of time when the nursery changed hands.
I sent this company a check in February of 2002 to purchase two apple trees, as they don't take credit cards. The check was cashed immediately. I emailed them in April & May to check the status of my order. My queries were ignored. Their website states they always ship by mid-May. In Mid-May I was able to reach them by phone & was told shipment would be in a few more weeks. I cancelled, asked for refund & followed up with registered letter. I received a package two weeks later when the temperature was 95, too hot to mail living plants. I refused it & sent another registered letter asking for refund. This was ignored. Their business motto seems to be "take the money and run". Never again.
Positively the worst mail order experience EVER! I ordered 8 peach trees and now 2 years and numerous phone calls later I have received NOTHING. Much like the other comments on this page, I too got the major run around from these clowns and of course no plants. I later called the BBB serving that part of Michigan and was told that good ol Southmeadow has a pile of complaints against them - many of which are similar in nature to mine. I did file a complaint with the Michigan AG and was essentially told that their hands were tied but that I could pursue private litgation should I so choose. Gee thanks. Check with the BBB before you place any future mail order. It can all be done on line. I lost $179.40.
I've also had difficulties with this nursery, primarily trees ordered, then dying and not being replaced, as promised. As I recall, I had to badger the company constantly regarding replacement trees, only to be given the run-around. After more than a year of this, and the trees still not having arrived, I simply went out to a local nursery and bought the trees I needed. Not the trees I wanted, mind you, but something, anything, to fill the holes in the orchard. I plan to order from Southmeadow again (hope springs eternal), but pray that my experience will have just been a strange glitch in a fascinating operation.
Beware! They seem to have gone a long way downhill since eight years ago. In my experience, this is definitely a nursery to avoid if you value your time, money and peace of mind. Their customer service is the worst I have ever known from any nursery or indeed any mail-order outlet. To cut a long story short, I placed an $80 order with them in October 2001, paid by check (which was prompty cashed), received an acknowledgment stating "ship fall 2001" but have not yet received any plants (April 2002). Today I called them for the SIXTH time since November, and received the same kind of delaying tactics and empty promises that I had received on all five previous calls. When I mentioned that I had fully documented our interactions and would file a complaint with the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division or the Better Business Bureau, they said this: "you can do what you like, but you're gonna feel pretty stupid when those plants arrive today or tomorrow" and words to the effect that they were very busy and did not have time to talk to me any longer. I asked the name of the woman to whom I was talking and she hung up the phone. (I called back and she told me she was "Judy" and hung up again.) I will follow up on this message if the plants indeed arrive.
On April 8th, 2002, nturland added the following:
On April 5 I received half my order: a quince tree and a grape vine. There was no explanation of why only two plants were shipped. They seemed nice plants with good roots, dormant and alive. I called Southmeadow today and asked about the other two plants (a medlar tree and another grape). They said they would ship this week, but they might have to substitute the grape.On April 30th, 2002, nturland added the following:
I called three more times since April 8 and received empty promises each time. Shipping was promised "tomorrow" or "next week" but nothing ever arrived. I have reported the company to the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.On December 9th, 2002, nturland added the following:
In November 2002 I finally heard from the Michigan Attorney General: they contacted Southmeadow twice but received no response. They will maintain their non-cooperation on file. The Better Business Bureau's web site also notes that Southmeadow shows a repeating pattern of non-delivery of orders and non-reply to inquiries from both customers and the BBB. Southmeadow does not deserve anyone's custom.
Absolute first rate. Six trees ordered some 8yrs ago were all delivered promptly. All survived and are doing well. Some of these are Swedish varieties I never imagined I could get in the US but were right there in the catalog, and are now beginning to bear true to their descriptions. (Turns out, Mr. Grootendorst once worked in the Frescati Gardens in Stockholm.) A very professional operation.
I checked the ilex vertillicata and the bayberries I bought from them 2 years ago, and they are still going. They came as tiny little things, but they have survived a hard winter and a fairly easy one in northern Illinois-allegedly Z5, but it gets colder than that. I ordered some other conservation plants at the same time, and they never showed up. I called and emailed but no response-I figure they nicked me for $10.00, and it is too bad they went to the bad, because their catalog was interesting, and the stock I got was hardy.
Let me add my twenty-five dollars worth of opinion to this. Southmeadow took my order, cashed the money order, and promised March delivery. To make along story short, all I ever received in return was a lot of empty promises. No tree. No refund. After about the third phone call, they quit returning my calls or answering my email. I have reported their shabby service to the Better Business Bureau. Avoid these people if you value your time and money!
I would like to add my own experiences with them. My first order of 6 trees was filled without a problem in 1998 - one variety was unavailable that year so they substituted, which was OK by me. In 1999 I re ordered the tree that was unavailable the previous year, along with some gooseberry bushes. They cashed my check, but never sent the order. Repeated emails, phone calls, and letters produced either the ol' run-around, or stony silence. Requests, and later demands, for repayment were not answered, nor did they claim the certified letter I sent them. I went to the Postal Service without avail: they need a PATTERN of incidents of this nature to act. All told, I still don't have my plants, or my money, or even an explanation - which is the worst part of the whole fiasco. They did, however, have the audacity to send me a 2001 catalog anyway.
I, too, ordered from Southmeadow last year-NEVER AGAIN! They said they shipped my tree but I never saw it. Repeated attempts to contact them were ignored. They did manage to find and cash my check. I filed a complaint with the Michigan Better Business Bureau.
