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I ordered 6 plants from this company last August 2008. I live in zone 7. I had contacted them about hardiness and other conditions, prior to ordering, and all seemed fine. 3 plants look like they survived the winter. When asking about their warranty policy, they informed me that they replace plants if dead plants are sent back to them within 6 months. All of my plants were alive going into December. Then they all went dormant. The 6 month period would have ended in January. For me to get replacement plants, I would have had to dig up the dormant plants that may have been dead or alive, and sent them back to them for replacement. Obviously these folks don't guarantee hardiness. So, unless you live in an area that they don't go dormant, you won't have warranted plants. Not very good customer service. This company also goes by the name of "The Crape Myrtle Co."
In 2005, I purchased 5 varieties of miniature crape myrtle from you company.
3 of the varieties are not miniature and by no means can be passed off as miniature. The reason that these items were purchased was because they were miniatures and did not need any pruning. I would have never purchased them at all.
The 2 varieties Baton Rouge and Pixie White are in front of my picture windows. These received a massive pruning to get them to at least 2' tall. I did not put a tape measure to these, but they were at least 4' tall and wide, based on standing next to them.
The 1 variety Bayou Marie, I have not had a chance to prune yet, but I did put a tape measure on it. It was 6' tall and 8' wide. Nothing minature about this plant either. This was a front border plant, and it has overtaken shrubs behind it.
If I am in NC, and you are in FL these varieties should have surpassed minature size a long time ago.
Since I have to do all this pruning, basically pruning all the flowers off.
The other 2 varieties that I purchased are actually miniature. The Delta Blush and Mardi Gras.
Trees are usually 4 feet tall and well branched when shipped. That's what they advertised but that's not what I received. Save your money and buy your plants at Home Depot, Lowes or Wal-Mart. I have planted 12 crepe myrtles on my property from these stores and the 6 plants I just received just don't compare to what you can buy locally. Twigs measuring 18 inches tall and they advertise that they are going to grow "6-8 feet a year easily". Anyone have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale?
On Feb 10, 2008, Mooseman Hillsborough, NJ (Zone 7a) wrote:
This company spent all thier time making a fancy web site and no time on caring for their plants.
Twiggy,leggy small plants,the worst I have purchased on the internet.
Misleading pictures...
NO WARRANTY
I wish I would have checked these ratings b-4 I purchased....
I ordered six plants and they are pathetic twiggy half dead....They advertise : "All of the plants we sell are very full and well-branched"...well their definition of "well branched" is not the same as mine. !!
Very rude, would not answer questions I had concerning purchasing, such as plant size and shipping arrangements. Told me to go to Wal-mart and hung up. I don't think they want to be bothered about the details concerning their plants....I cannot nor would not recommend this company, period.
My husband and I were impressed with some "mini crepe myrtles" in a bed at our bank. I got on the internet; came up with their "crape myrtle ad", requested catalog and prices which I immediately received. Unfortunately, I did not check with BBB or anyone else as to their reputation. We ordered 40 minis at $250.00 + $25.90 for shipping. We received very short, small plants with few leaves and most of them looking dead. We had expected well branched plants in 4" pots. I bought the planting material they recommended and planted them. I waited a few weeks and decided maybe all were living except five - it turned out to be six - that were dead. I was told to return the dead plants and they would be replaced. Many e-mails and phone calls later, I'm still waiting.
The receptionist and Dave Chopin both said when first notified that they would replace them - but that was just talk. ..........The catalog is gorgeous; the prices are very inflated and the plants are nothing like the catalog description. ...... Hopefully I"ll prevent someone else from making the same mistake I did.
On July 6th, 2006, fcrowe added the following:
Today, July 6, FedEx arrived with the replacement plants we have been so concerned about and wrote about earlier. These plants were nice plants, good branching, and healthy looking - actually what we were looking for in the original order. Of course, we were proud to receive them.
Our feelings regarding the treatment shown to us regarding our E-mails, phone calls, etc. remain the same. This is a poor way to do business.
I ordered six miniature crape myrtles. When they came, two were dead and two more died shortly thereafter. I contacted the company several times to ask about their replacement policy. That was a year ago; I still haven't heard a word from them.
Unfortunately, I ordered from this company BEFORE I was aware of this Web Site; I had not read the ratings. I was completely won over by the company's Web site and the catalog that they RUSHED to me. I ordered the 'landscaper's special'...20 plants for $125.00. I knew they were miniature crape myrtles; but, the catalog stated that the plants would be of 'good size, with multiple branches.' I sent the order, and a check. The check cleared quickly...my plants did not arrive until 3 weeks later, and after I spoke with the company. It was extremely disappointing to receive the 'sticks'...most below 8" tall, with 2-3 leaves. That is it. I had looked forward to planting the little shrubs...and having a wonderful long border of these plants. Well, I decided to plant the 'sticks'...it is my fault that I did not check out the company more before I ordered. I planted them in an out of the way spot...we shall see if they grow or not.
WARNING!!!! This company will intentionally sell you less than what you ordered. They sold me 42 crape myrtles smaller than what was advertised and not in the correct sizes requested. They said they would replace any trees that died with in a year. Well, half did die and I only requested 9 replaced. They have ignored all my attempts for replacement never returning any calls. When I did reach someone, they were so stupid not knowing anything about anything. So I left a message one day pretending that I wanted to place a order and low and behold, I received a call back within 5 minutes. When I asked whom I was speaking with (he said Dave) and told them the real reason for my call was to get a replacement for the dead trees he simply hung up! I then called back and of course no one answered the phone. I left another message and indicated I was not happy with being hung up on....but they never returned my call. NOW UNDERSTAND THIS. THE OWNER IS DAVE. AND WHEN HE HANGS UP ON A REPLACEMENT ORDER YOU KNOW WHAT THE COMPANY IS ALL ABOUT....THEY SUCK.
Warning! This is probably the worst company to order plants from. It certainly was our experience. During the Spring of 2002 we made a large order of Crape Myrtles, we were "verbally" given a total of three consecutive delivery dates, each after the first delivery date was not met...and they were never delivered. When I complained to my Visa Company and they charged back my money...the order appeared on my front door step...over 7 weeks past the first promise date of delivery. I sent the entire order back. Spoke to David Chopin (Owner) and he stated that he had to wait and ship them during the proper time of the season, but agreed to a refund. To my suprise Chopin turned on me and contested my actions with Visa...he lost! This woke me up to internet shopping in general. Thank you Garden Watchdog!!
My experience with the Crape Myrtle Co. at http://www.crapemyrtles.com is exactly like the others I have read only I am 2 years or so later than the first ones listed on your website. I ordered 28 plants at a cost of $175 on May 6, 2002. I received the same twigs in 2 inch pots every body else has received. Oh how I wish I had called the BBB before placing my order. It is now June 4th and the best they have offered to do is replace the plants. I told them I wanted the "1-gallon sized, 2 - 4 foot, full-branched plants" they offered on their website and in their Notebook they mailed to me. What I really want is a full refund.
I hate to see trusting, honest people "conned" and that's exactly what happened to me. I purchased 12 plants from http://www.crapemyrtles.com - David Chopin, President. The plants arrived this week, 3 weeks after I sent my check in themail. Their websites and catalogues state - full-branched "1 to 2 gallon size" plants (2 to 5' tall). WRONG!! Not one of the 12 plants measured close to 2 feet. Most were 2-3 inches and came in a 3 inch cup. Some looked bare-rooted and the leaves were dried up and dying. As for being full-branched, there are few 1/2 inch branches hanging off a twig that's smaller around than a pencil!!! The web-site says "these genetically bred crepe myrtle trees have been called "instant bonsai" because there is no pruning necessary. These plants would literally get lost in your yard. However, if a neighborhood dog happened to find it, one watering from the dog and the bonsai would be dead. Depending on the number of plants you order, you could spend $60-$130 with http://www.crapemyrtles.com for something that you could buy at the local department store for $12 a flat. Most probably with better results. Please don't be taken by these con-artists. I probably won't see my $120, but if I can stop them from getting orders from other people, it's worth it to me.
Warning & to notify all, The Crape Myrtle Co does not honor their guarantee: ** "Guarantee: We guarantee all plants if we are notified within 30 days in writing." ** I ordered & received 20 trees - their landscaping package early 8/2000. By 9/6/2000received trees in crumpled box with withered & more than half dead plants. By 9/14/2000, 10/27/2000 & 11/28/2000 notified of # of dead trees requesting guarantee to be honored for replacement. As well I informed Better Business Bureau of broken guarantee. All BBB could do is write them to investigate. To date The Crape Myrtle Co. has yet to respond or acknowledge. Since BBB has notified me of their status of non-acknowledgement. As well BBB has put them on their reports as a company not complying with their guarantee & poor quality &/or dead plants. So I am trying to notify all gardening sites and companies on the web to warn all the innocent gardening novices. Gardening is so wonderful. It's sad to run up against trash companies as this.
