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Rather than worry about "phantom postings" you should fix the disaster that is olivetree.net. Along with many others here, I placed my order and nothing happened except my credit card was billed. I have called long distance five times, left multiple messages and nothing. I have also sent numerous email messages as requested by olivetree.net and no one has the courtesy to respond. THIS IS THE WORST COMPANY I HAVE EVER DEALT WITH ON THE INTERNET. If they really cared about improving service to its customers, it would do something about it. The people who have posted positive messages here must be relatives because their service is horrible.
On April 29th, 2009, geoffgrig added the following:
I can, and will, dispute my VISA charge. Others should know the most credit card companies protect consumers from fraud but you only have 60 days to dispute the charge. Send an email to the crooks telling them to cancel your order so you can show the credit card company your issues were unresolved.
On Apr 28, 2009, naivegardener Long Beach, CA wrote:
How incredible stupid I feel for being robbed blind by this fraud. I really cannot add anything more than the others of dozens good folks stories. Same for me- placed a order for roses- 2 months ago, $151 paid through google check out, and have seen the names and websites change as I have tried to track my order. I cannot believe that this still is possible to happen with all the internet safety and that someone could be so devious, evil and criminal and be able to continue to exploit and abuse. I called the number noted here as a company rep from now olive tree.net once again today and the nursery name-GrowQuest is mentioned again by the woman who recorded the sarcastic outgoing message. I would like to thank the person who did all the great leg work to list the sites for reporting. It is worth it to do again and again- new company names and all. Chris is no better than a terrorist who needs to pay and go to jail. Do the right thing an give me a refund.
On Apr 28, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 28, 2009 9:00 AM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please provide your Order Number so we may assist you."
I have been looking for a particular olive tree variety for several years. This was the ONLY place that had them in SoCal. And they had quite a few varieties I had not seen available elsewhere, and in good sizes. I'm very pleased with the tree. They also had a lot of citrus varieties, and I may check back when I finally decide.
It has been a long search for an Arbequina tree but Olive-tree/Chris had one. This nursery has many varieties of FRUITING olive trees and a good selection of citrus too.
It was a good experience.
I ordered a rosebush in Feb for a gift and was told because of weather it would not be sent out until March 1. Okay I Can live with that .. Well, It is now mid April and almost the end of April and the rosebush has not been sent and always the same excuse of being overwhelmed and it will get out the following day or next night blah blah blah .....I have tried to call no answer and I get e-mails back that is true but they are never saying it has been shipped always it "will" be shipped.
I found this website today and wish I would of found it before I placed my order, I think it would of saved me alot of headache and perhaps with a tad bit more searching I can find another company in which to order this particular rosebush from and this time I think I will do some more homework so I am not writing another negative report about another company in the pursuit of this rose bush .
I have requested a cancellation of my order and I expect that ASAP.
On April 29th, 2009, mk1972 added the following:
My order is 01032228. I have called and e-mailed several times about the order being cancelled and the status or even ackowledgement that this order was canceled by the nursery and my card would be refunded and yet nothing has been e-mailed back to me nor have I gotten a call explaining what is going on. I am hoping that we can come to a quick conclusion in this matter. I am just asking for the money to be refunded and hope that this company understands that as a customer if they would would of been more on the ball instead of dropping the ball than it would of been a better situation for all. On May 5th, 2009, mk1972 added the following:
I have now left four e-mails requesting information on the status of my reimbursement to this company . along with provided my order # here as requested and have yet to hear a peep from this company. Google is no help in this matter and this whole experience has been super unpleasent. The most upsetting thing to me is that I had ordered this as a present! I do not think that I have asked for anything more than a bit of courtesy in this matter.. The present is already way late and so I have already had to expain that I had to cancel the present and find a new present and that in itself is upsetting enough and now I have to deal with the fact that no one seems to hae the courtesy to let me know what is going on with my refund ...Shame on you is all I can say .On May 22nd, 2009, mk1972 added the following:
ended up having to put in dispute for this company since no one returned an e-mail or called back. So disapointed that they ruined what could of been a great surprise. Because I gave them benefit of the doubt and waited as long as I did before canceling order, all other nurseries are out of the rose bush I wanted to send for a gift . I am still searching for it in hopes I will find it but because I waited on this company and them telling me it would be shipped out the following week etc etc it seems that I lost the chance for it really to be sent .....On Apr 23, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 25, 2009 2:59 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please provide your Order Number so we may assist you.
On Apr 28, 2009 9:02 AM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) added:
Please provide your Order Number so we may assist you."
AWE......Poor Chris posted....don't you just pity him? He must be so overwhelmed with all the lies he tells that he must be in a complete fog. How many times is this idiot going to change or "sell" his web domain? I guess one would have to in order to maintain his fraudulent ways. My story is no different from everyone else's. I ordered ladybugs back in January and of course, I haven't recieved them. On the few occasions that someone at this joke of a business answered the phone, I was given one stall tactic after another: item out of stock; lost in transit; can't issue a refund because the credit terminal is down. I was able to talk to the con himself last week and he of course assured me that he would issue me a refund and also send the ladybugs. He claimed he had so many ladybugs that they were coming out of his ears. Some people actually "work honestly" for a living (are you following me Chris....I know this concept must be hard for you to understand). Would you like someone stealing from our mama? You probably wouldn't even care. To all the people who have been burned by this sorry excuse for a human being, file as many compaints as you are able. Another commenter has posted some great sites that you can contact to file reports. This jerk needs to be in jail or spending his days at the Blue Oyster(Police Academy anyone?) Honestly, have you seen this guy's picture??!!!
On Apr 8, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:17 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
They have a planed event if you want to meet up with them
42nd Annual Citrus Festival
July 17, 18 & 19, 2009
Sweet Fruit—Sweet Life!
Friday, 5pm—11pm
Saturday, 12pm—11pm
Sunday, 12pm—11pm http://www.santapaulafestival.org/
list them as a sponsor.
See you their!
I ordered in Oct, emails phone and all that. long story short the guy (Chris Gilcrest.) is a thief.
On April 15th, 2009, t420tiger added the following:
Time for Chris to go to Jail!On April 18th, 2009, t420tiger added the following:
More Bull ca caaaaa
Same Number as before, Same Fraud As Before, Same Lame storys.
Time to go to Jail Chris.On Apr 7, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:18 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
I ordered in January, was charged immediately, and here it is April and still no delivery. No returned phone calls or emails. Thank you to whoever posted all the fraud reporting places. I have reported them to the FBI, the CA Attorney Gen, The District Attorney's Office, the local police department. I encourage everyone else to do so as well. If they're scammers, they should be in jail. If they're terrible business people, then they should refund my money and stop taking orders they can't fill.
Is anyone in the area and can drive to the address to see if there's even anyone there and/or give the guy a what-for? The next time I'm in California, you better believe he's going to get a visit.
On Apr 3, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:19 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
Appropriate that I'm posting on April Fools Day, I guess. I placed my order for 1500 ladybugs & the 'Ladybug Lunch' on Saturday 2/28/09 through Google Checkout. Credit card charged on Monday 3/2/09. Got the emails from Google & growquest stating that the order was received. However, after about a week and a half without hearing anything from growquest (like another person said, most reliable companies send a courtesy email when something has been shipped or if there is an issue), checked through the Google checkout to see about the status of the order. Google said 'Not Shipped Yet', so I wrote to growquest on 3/5/09 to see what was going on. No answer. Wrote again on 3/9/09...no answer (sense the pattern here?). Again on 3/12/09 to both the 'shipping' & the 'sales' emails. Again, nothing. On 3/20/09, sent a status request through the Google Checkout to see what was going on. On the same day, got a response (presumably prompted by the Google status request) to the 3/20/09 email with the mysterious response of 'got it...chris'. What on earth does that mean? Got the order? Got the status request? WHAT??!! Finally on 3/30/09, I sent a cancellation request through Google Checkout and requested a refund. Surprise! The money still isn't back yet as of this morning. He takes the money out quick like a bunny, but sure doesn't refund it in the same manner. I see everyone else is having the same issues. I agree, it's time for this company to be investigated. My main regret is that I found this website AFTER I made the mistake of ordering from these people. Hopefully, someone else who might be considering ordering from them will see these before they make the same mistake.
On April 20th, 2009, Vmpyrchik added the following:
Here's what I got from 'bughunter' (aka Chris... yet ANOTHER identity on this guy... how does he keep track??) in my email the other day...
Dear Vmpyrchik,
bughunter has sent you an email! To protect both of your
privacy, this email is only available to you when you login
to Dave's Garden.
(the following is what was in the link of the email)
Please send me an email at your earliest convenience regarding this matter. I will do my best to resolve this matter. Thanks
I sure hope this guy doesn't think I'm nuts enough to provide him AGAIN with my bank card/account.
Anyone one else get one of these? On April 22nd, 2009, Vmpyrchik added the following:
LOL!!! Have you gone to this olive-trees.net website, yet, folks? It's EXACTLY the same lay-out os the other page, he even recycled photos. Are we honestly supposed to be that stupid to think that this is a completely different company that bought him out? Chris, please, own up to your mistakes and stop assuming that people will be folled by another name. The only fool here is YOU by thinking that an alias will make us believe that you are trying to make amends.On Apr 1, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:19 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter.
On Apr 27, 2009 2:25 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) added:
We are serious in our effort to resolve your issue. An email was sent today. I regret any inconvience and assure you that we are aware of the problem.
On 3/8/2009 I ordered Ladybugs and 2 blueberry plants. I received an Invoice via email that stated these items were shipped on 3/10/09 via FedExGround. Well, today is March 31 and I still have not received them. The company has not responded to my email nor my phone message as of yet.
On Mar 31, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:20 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
I ordered a rose for my mom for Mother's day last May and it never arrived. This company has ignored my repeated requests for a refund and has refused to respond to by Better Business Bureau filings. Do not do business with them.
On Mar 30, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:20 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
I guess they got me as well. I ordered a Arbquina olive tree
on Nov. 25,2008. I live in New hampshire and was leary of when and how it was going to be shipped. I was assured that it would be ship all wrapped and would arrive safe. In January, I had not received or heard anything. When I called them I was informed due to the mud at the nursary it was difficult to get to the trees and because of the bad weather across the country it would proabably be another few weeks before they would ship. It now the end of March, no tree no communication. Called the number on my order sheet and the phone keeps ringing and ringing.
On Mar 30, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:21 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
On Mar 25, 2009, BigJohnsSalsa Pearland, TX wrote:
I too have been scammed. I placed an order for 2 fruit trees on 12/20/08. My cking account was immediately debited for the $100.73. I have yet to see the order, and nobody returns my emails or phone calls. I too have filed a complaint with the Attorney Generals office. This company should not be allowed to continue this fraudulent activity any longer.
On Mar 25, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:20 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
5/26/08 I purchased 3 roses, a 60" tree and two bare root.,
Recd the tree but no bare root. by the time they got around to resolving it they were no longer shipping bare root and upcharged me for potted. needless to say after many assurances that they were on en route... nothing. stilll trying to get my black bacarra and bing crosby. If no resoloution soon will file with the bbb as well as the entities mentioned by the other disgruntled customers. oi have been assured they would go right out asap twice in the last two weeks. Please send the roses? Bing looks out of stock at this point in its place i will accept a substitute.
On Mar 21, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:22 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
Same story. Placed online order. Never received tree. No response to multiple e-mails. Tried to call but contact phone # listed in order confirmation e-mail was out-of-service/disconnected. Left message on cell phone voice mail but no response. No shipment, no contact, no refund.
I urge everyone who reads this posting and who have had a similar experience with Mr. Gilcrest to please do the following:
Contact the Ventura County District Attorney's Office and tell them about your experience with this business. The e-mail address is: da.criminal@ventura.org
It appears this company's web site host is: names4ever and the domain is growquest.com (this info gleaned from a previous complaint) Contact these folks and let them know what your experiences have been.
If you paid through Google you should file a complaint with them for being a party to these activities.
Contact television stations serving the area and ask them to investigate this business. Santa Barbara stations are: KEYT-TV (ABC), KKFX Fox 11, KSBY TV (NBC) and K COY CBS 12. Not sure if Santa Paula is in all of their viewing areas but it is worth a try.
File a complaint with the website: ripoffreport.com
File a complaint with: sickofbeingscrewed.com
I'll add others as I continue my research and will update this list. What his guy is doing to innocent consumers is flat out wrong and should not be permitted to continue.
On March 15th, 2009, maggie65 added the following:
If your experiencing difficulty with the links to the FBI and FTC just do a search for "Internet Fraud" and you'll find these websites and others for reporting Internet Fraud.
Send e-mail to the Santa Paula Police Department outining your experiences. They're at: police@ci.santa-paula.ca.us
Send e-mail to the Ventura County Sheriff's department at: shf.web@mail.co.ventura.ca.us Tell them about this company and its owner.On April 8th, 2009, maggie65 added the following:
Be careful. Why would any reputable company buy this business? If you search for olive-trees.net it brings up a web page with the same pictures as growquest.com. It also links to Ingolsby Nursery and Floral Shop and If you click on this it brings up the old growquest logo, etc...If you do a separate search typing in Ingolsby Nursery and Floral Shop you get a florist who isn't located in Santa Paula. Is this just a new website and a new name but the same cast of characters? It seems to me that the new owners would seize the initiative to publish their own statements about acquiring this business and how they will deal with the multitude of negative issues and back orders rather than relying on Mr. Gilcrest to make the announcement.On Mar 13, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:23 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
I ordered 5 bareroot roses in Dec. 2008. My credit card was charged on Dec.16th 2008 for the roses plus 40.00 shipping. In Jan. 2009 I received 3 of the rose bushes and was told I would get the other 2 when available. Still no roses or contact. Why did they charge me $103.00 for 5 rose bushes including the shipping and only send 3? All I want is credit for the other 2.
On Mar 12, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:23 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
After looking for some time for roses of a specific type for a special occasion gift, I found both available at GrowQuest. I knew there would be a delay in shipping, since I ordered a tree and a bare root rose, but I placed the order anyway, and received an order confirmation in late August 2008, with word that my order wouldn't be charged until the shipment was made. When I found the charge, I thought the roses would be coming, but nothing did. I've sent several email messages, and some have been responded to, mostly telling me of some reason for the delay in mailing. My phone calls (and the messages left) have been ignored entirely.
If the roses are available, I'd like them to be sent. If they're not, and never will be, I want a refund of my money. How hard can this be?
On Mar 10, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:24 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
On January 28,2009 I placed an order with growquest aka Surf and Sierra. After not getting a confirmation of shipping date from them as most professional businesses do, I contacted them asking for a ship date. They never resonded. Had I known that this was a past practice of this business and that Chris Gilcrist has an arrest record for fraud in his previous location I never would have purchased anything from him. It is obvious that he changed his place of business after his arrest but not his business practices. I give this business ten thumbs down. Last time the BBB and the FBI were in on the arrest. They need to be contacted again.
On Mar 7, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:27 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
As an urban homesteader I wanted to grow my own Arbequina Olives and searched the web, eventually finding GrowQuest and being impressed with the pictures of very nice trees, I emailed them for information. The woman who wrote back and forth with me was very helpful in choosing the right size and very prompt in getting a Google Checkout request to me. I paid my $126.95 equally promptly and was assured the trees would be going right out. That was Jan 16, 2009.
After 3 weeks of not seeing the Google status change, I emailed a few times and finally got an answer that indicated I'd simply got overlooked and it would go right out.
We all know this story...3 weeks later and I can't get an answer on the phone, just that really insulting phone message as if all callers are mentally challenged, and no answers to emails. In fact, this is seriously stressful because I just can't believe I got ripped off. I've spent the last 2 weeks trying to get them on the phone, sending emails and worrying.
It isn't like I could order them from someone else early enough to try to get trees in time either because I could never nail down if the ones I bought from them would ever get here. This set me back a year in home olive production.
Like so many, I didn't see these reviews until much later and that is a bummer. I reviewed them on google checkout as a rip off and I'll be pointing to the many reviews here when I send my letter to the AG for consumer fraud, but seriously, this is happening all over the country and actually falls under interstate fraud.
The excuse of just getting behind in filling orders doesn't hold water because they have to actually send a google request for payment and if they can't fill them but send a request for payment they are intentionally committing fraud. Stealing. Thievery.
What is far worse is that he is most likely getting a lot of new business from people who are trying to fill holes in their food production to reduce cost for the future. Now, when so many are having to be so careful. It is a shame and this guy should be more ashamed.
Personally, I'm going to go for the arrest side of this. I want him in a holding cell with Bubba. He won't be mooning over some lady love then...
On March 6th, 2009, VegGardenChris added the following:
It is a very simple form to use and the more of us that request and assist the more likely it is to get attention and get this fraud arrested.On March 13th, 2009, VegGardenChris added the following:
I received a reply from Chris in email...finally..actually he replied to all three. They were all just dripping with an air of the long suffering, and did not even address the issue of his not filling orders. He offered a free rose bush with my order...if you can believe that! Since I've never received my order or my refund, it seems rather a moot offer. He stated that my order was going out, also as he has stated before and never done. I've not received them and do not show a change on my google purchase tracker.
I'll continue to update however, I must echo another recent negative reviewer. The AG for California isn't going to address a single, or even a few, reports of his fraud. They will expend the resources when there are many reports, indicating a sustained and purposeful attempt to defaud the general public. All here who have posted their negative review, please click the link above and report so we can all get some resolution.On April 6th, 2009, VegGardenChris added the following:
So he's changed his name again in an attempt to not fulfill orders and get a clean record and not get arrested...AGAIN. Everyone, please refile with the Attorney General and Better Business Bureau. The only way we are going to get our stuff or our money back is when they liquidate his assets and nursery in order to try to work a plea bargain at sentencing.
Please take a moment, hit the site and re-file. We've all been ripped off and it needs to stop.
Oh yeah, I got an "invoice" from them saying paid and ASSURING me of my trees being sent on March 23rd. Of course it never was. Just a fake invoice to use as evidence against them when we finally get this criminal to court!On May 8th, 2009, VegGardenChris added the following:
Believe it or not, I got my trees. I know, I can hear some of your gasping in shock that it happened.
Here is what I did:
-I reported him to the attorney general with emails, reports, orders and receipts. I also included the link to see that this was actually interstate fraud.
-I contacted the Feds for interstate fraud, wire fraud.
-I called over and over and left message after message saying I would NEVER give up until I saw him in jail with Bubba. And I didn't give up. I just kept leaving messages and sending emails. Not stalking, mind you, but continuously inquiring of a business which stole my money when I would get satisfaction.
-And the final straw is when I informed him that I, along with others, would be there at his big money-making booth this summer with big signs and handouts the whole time to inform all potential customers what he was doing.
Suddenly, I got a phone call. Suddenly, I got an email. Suddenly, I got a fed-ex tracking number. Then I got my four little trees in a well constructed box.
Now, we'll see how the trees perform. They were a little stressed. Sending during flowering is generally not advised.
I'm leaving it negative because it was clearly a negative experience. When you have to call the law on someone and all of this, there is nothing positive in it.
Keep on at it folks. You might get your trees yet.On Mar 6, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:22 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
Placed an order for a lemon tree in April 2008. For nearly a year now I have been leaving messages, on an occasion speaking with a live person and have sent over 50 e-mails requesting a refund. They either never respond or claim I will be refunded shortly. To date I have never received the tree or a refund. I have contacted the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and Growquest chose to ignore them. I considered filing a fraud claim with my credit card company however after reading the unbelievable amount of negative feed back from others with the same experience I have chosen to start a small claims case so I can be compensated for the unreal amount of time I have spent trying to get $70 returned. I would recommend never purchasing from them!!!!!!
On Mar 4, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:26 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
I placed an online order on 11/29 for a Christmas gift. After having received no communication, I inquired about the status of my order on 12/4 and was told in was in process. I inquired again on 12/8 and was promised tracking info by 12/12. On 12/15 I was told that my order had been pulled and was ready to be packed and shipped. On 12/18 I sent another email inquiry which was returned because "IS NOT ACCEPTING EMAILS FROM THIS SENDER". I inquired again from another email address on 12/19 and was told that the order would be shipped in 7 - 10 days. Since I was buying a Christmas gift and they obviously weren't going to deliver it before Christmas "if ever", I told them to cancel the order and issue a refund asap because I need the money to buy a replacement. On 12/22 I was told they would "process an order for a refund on 12/24. When I still hadn't received a refund I contacted them again on 12/31/08 and was told they would issue a refund on 1/2/09. I gave up and contacted my bank to see if they could help me get a refund. They and VISA are investigating my claim. I have copies of all email communication to support my claim. Today, 1/5, I still don't have my money and I couldn't buy another gift for my son.
On Jan 5, 2009, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:26 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
After months and months of no plants and no refund, of unanswered correspondence, of empty promises just like everybody has documented, I promised this grower that I would contact the California State Attorney Generals office, Consumer Fraud Protection Department. 24 hours later I received a full refund.
I am passing this along in case it is helpful to someone else.
On Dec 22, 2008, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:25 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
I placed my order back in June for a potted rose bush. After phoning a few times during the summer and finally e-mailing Chris in Sept. (then following up with an e-mail) I was assured it would be sent. Again, it wasn't. On Nov. 11, I e-mailed sales@growquest.com to ask for a refund. To date, I have not yet received a refund.
It is now almost six months since I placed my order. Please refund the amount I paid you. It was $43.59 ($24.99 + $18.60 s/h).
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Louise Nelson
Invoice #01028976
On Dec 5, 2008, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:25 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
May 13, 2008 I ordered 5 roses through their Growquest website. At that time it was accepting orders for bareroot roses but I got an email shortly afterwards that they were no longer available and I could order the potted roses. I did that and waited and waited for some sort of delivery instructions to come from the Company. I ended up calling June 9th in regards to my order wondering what the holdup was. Around June 29th I finally got 3 roses delivered, though one was not one that I had ordered at all. When I followed up with yet another phone call and email, it turns out that two of the roses that I had in my original order were no longer available, so I selected 2 substitutes. I waited patiently and then followed up again August 10th and was told that those were not in stock now. Since I had made my payment for my full order already through Paypal, I selected yet another 2 substitutes that "were in stock". I was then told by Chris August 18th that they would be shipped that week. So I waited and still nothing. I followed up with several calls and emails and Chris called me back and promised that he would drop the roses by personally since he had deliveries near where I lived. So yet again I waited and still nothing. So for the past several months I have been following up with him, only to be promised that they are going to be shipped or dropped off "that week".
The latest fiasco is that he had one of his employees email me my invoice with all the correspondance noted on there between me and them with his notation that "11/6/08 CHRIS SAID IT WAS BOXED AND FOR ME TO EMAIL CUST AND LET THEM KNOW ITS ON ITS WAY".
Guess what?!!?? I am still waiting. He even promised me way back in August that he would redo my whole order since I had been so patient, etc. At this point all I want are my 2 roses that I have been waiting forever for. The sad thing is that the roses that he carries are lovely, but they are so not worth all this follow up. I feel like I am dealing with a child. The worst of it is, is being consistently lied to. I understand if a company is understaffed and stretched too thin, but stop with the lying and the misleading.
On Dec 4, 2008, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
"On Apr 15, 2009 9:25 PM, Olive-Trees.net (formerly Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
Please call us at (805) 921- 3900, we will do our best to resolve this matter."
My dealings with Chris have been very pleasant. I wanted to order 10 olive trees, and I found Chris' website with his phone. I called, and he answered. I ordered, he sent Google checkout info, and I paid via credit card. I would have expected my plants to be shipped right away, but there was a delay. I called, and Chris again answered the phone, and told me of the problem, (the plants were in a different nursery and he had to go and pick them up). I could understand that. After a week or so, the first two arrived. I was told they would be labeled as to the type and I would be given a tracking number for the order (not done), so I called Chris, and again he cleared up the matter on the phone. Also one of the two plants was bushy, and I mentioned to Chris. He told me he would go to shipping, and be sure the other 8 plants had trunks.After a week I had not received the other plants, so I called, and again, Chris picked up the phone and told me the plants had been shipped, and I would be given the tracking number, which I was. So they are here, AND THEY ARE GORGEOUS. I paid $45.00/plant, for a total order with shipping of $590.00, and I think I got a great deal. Oh, and by the way, while planting the second batch, we had had a cold snap and one of the first two looked a little shocked, so I called Chris, and he again picked up the phone, and gave me good advice. I could tell he really understands olive trees. So my feeling is that while Chris may have had problems, and I do feel for those that were not happy before, I think Chris is hard working, well intentioned and a good person. I agree with one of the comments in regards to Chris trying to do it all - it would seem to me that he would do better to seek to organize, and delegate more. But I was left with a very positive feeling about him. I am making this posting, as I told him, to try to help him. He knows his business. He loves plants. I believe he understands there has been problems, and he is doing his level best to turn things around. Go for it, Chris. I know you can. Let me know if I can help. John Hugill
In June 2008 I ordered 20 Olive trees and sent check. It was cashed 6/24/08 E-mails and phone calls were usually ignored but when successful Chris promised to deliver to my son in Santa Barbara. Didn't happen More calls and I recd 6 trees late July. Chris promises to ship order balance but it never happens. Once he said you recd 6! enough! He keeps his phone msg full or refers me to use other nos & E-mail addresses which are usually not answered. Five months and order is not complete. I recommend not doing business with Chris or any of his companies or purchasing on open account (he ships then you pay) or have him ship COD NEVER pay him in advance!
I ordered 2 avocado trees on Sep 22, 2008 after talking to Chris on the phone, who assured me that he had the trees available for immediate shipping. Then the following week when I didn't see the trees coming, I called again. This time Chris said it was too hot to ship. Weeks go by and I had to go on a business trip; I emailed to ask about the shipping schedule to make sure the trees didn't arrive while I was away. Since then, I had called many times just to get an answering machine. When I was fortunate enough to get someone, they promised that the tree would be shipped the next day. I also emailed them, each time attaching the invoice they sent me to make sure they didn't get confused, but no reply was received. Well it's been almost 2 months, and my region is going to get snowy weather next week. I have no choice but to initiate a chargeback with my CC company.
I ordered a small Meyer's Lemon tree and in about 3 weeks (CA to IN shipping) received a short, kind of bushy critter that is healthy and blooming. It was well packaged and arrived undamaged. I had hoped for one with a nice habit but the one I got was totally one sided. The trunk is literally against one side of the pot and all of branches and leaves are on the other side. Still, it will fit against an interior wall nicely during cold weather and I have no doubt that it will produce well provided I pollinate the flowers diligently. It was the least expensive (by a few $$) I found after much searching. I am reasonably happy considering all of the negative feedback that has been posted. Mr. Gilcrest may be cleaning up his act or perhaps I just got lucky.
On Nov 1, 2008, bootsysmom San Bernardino, CA wrote:
Unfortunately, like you others, I did not find this rating site until after I had placed an order with this company. I paid $44.52 via Google checkout for ladybugs on 10/1/08. Rec'd email on 10/6 confirming shipment via express mail. No ladybugs arrive. Mind you, I am about 200 mi away from the mailing address of this nursery. Emailed back to ask about it. Rec'd an email on 10/24 saying it would ship on 10/26. No bugs. Called on 10/31 am, talked to Chris who assured me that he had personally taken the box to FEDEX the night before and shipped it. No bugs as of 11/1. Called and spoke to a woman who said she'd research it. I told her if it shipped I expected her to give me a tracking number to verify. If it didn't ship, I wanted an immediate refund. She left a message back saying it didn't ship and I would get a refund on my card.
Now I read these postings that say they never got their refunds. And my credit card company says they only help with charges over $50, so I am out of luck. I did do a negative rating with google but that won't help me get my money back.
On Oct 23, 2008, divvajacko Hinckley, OH (Zone 6a) wrote:
Well, my experience with this company wasn't stellar.
I will say that I FINALLY got my rose and it is very nice so I can say that the quality is fine.
Customer Service is another matter. What I think the problem is here is that this gentleman is trying to do too many things himself. He needs to hire someone to handle orders, shipping etc. I"m sure that He is a fine nurseryman but I just think that he is overwhelmed with the business end.
I had a great deal of difficulty getting information on when he was shipping. First he was shipping, and then he wasn't. I got many different stories. I finally tried calling and both phone numbers weren't working. This made me very nervous so I called my credit card company and put the charge in dispute. (He shouldn't charge any credit card until the item(s) are in the mail. He charges and then we all have trouble getting things shipped. This is bad business). Believe it or not, I received the item the next day so I removed the dispute.
I do think his heart is in the right place but he has to do something about the business practices.
I'm leaving a neutral review because the quality of the rose bush was satisfactory.
On Oct 17, 2008, BlissfulGarden Baton Rouge, LA (Zone 8b) wrote:
I attempted to place an order from this company for a rose that we lost during Gustav and could not find through any other vendor. It was my favorite rose and I wanted to replace it, no matter who had the plant. Once I placed the order, the Growquest website asked for my charge information... which I reluctantly provided. I had read the reviews here and must admit that filling in my numbers made me very, very nervous at that point. The next day, I received an email from Chris explaining that the order function had not gone through on his website and that he would have to send me a Google check request for payment. He instructed me to go a different site, place my order again and then provide my payment information again. Well, this made me too nervous to complete the order that way. So, I wrote back to him... now four times... asking about what happened with my original ordering information that had been provided on his site. He has not responded. Isn't it odd that when he wants to collect money, he writes the very next day... but when you ask questions, you don't receive a response for weeks?!? I will not continue with this transaction. There are just too many red flags, even if I am sad without my rose. Perhaps a reputable vendor will offer the cultivar in the future. Ev
On October 23rd, 2008, BlissfulGarden changed the rating from negative to neutral and added the following:
I'm not quite sure what to think of this company at this point. I never received email back from them regarding my order, so I went ahead and ordered the rose from another nursery. Today, I received a rose bush in the mail from this company... at least, I think it's from this company. It's the cultivar I had attempted to order from them, but there's no return address or invoice. I only need one of this cultivar, not two, and now I've got two thanks to this very confusing situation. However, to be perfectly fair in my review, this rose bush is quite nice. So, if it's from them (and they would be the only ones sending me a random rose bush, I think), they do have nice plants.
On Oct 15, 2008, anorexotica Philadelphia, PA wrote:
I ordered a Lemon Meyer Tree and 2 Dwarf Bearss Lime Trees on June 17, 2008. I hadn't received anything by July 15th, so I called and left a message. No reply. I emailed. No reply. I continued to do this on a DAILY basis. Maybe once a week someone would answer one of the phones and tell me that they would take care of it and ship it the next week. Finally in mid-august I received one lime tree. I then continued the whole daily phone call process for another month and got the lemon tree in mid-September. I'm still trying to get my other lime tree... I have been lied to but these people numerous times. Every time I get through they promise it will ship next week. This is the worst customer service I have ever seen.
I JUST WANT A REFUND! I have yet to recieve a refund for the tree that I ordered from Growquest in Jan 08. I paid $250 for an olive tree with Paypal in Feb 08. I actually got Chris on the line in March and he said that he would have the tree after Easter. That was the last I heard, despite my many emails, calls and faxes. I requested a refund Aug 08 and "staff" returned the email promising to process the refund. It is now Oct 08 and I have no refund. I have appealed to
Paypal,
BBB where Growquest has a F rating http://www.santabarbara.bbb.org/BusinessReport.aspx?CompanyI... ,
Ventura County District Attorney's office http://da.countyofventura.org/ ,
Attorney General of CA (thanks to this web site for the address) and to
Google checkout, where they are continuing their fraudulent business practices.
On January 15th, 2009, mm_garden added the following:
I GOT A FULL REFUND ON 01/13/09!!
Thanks to kirstens for the suggestion. After periodic emails reminding them of my refund request and one response which claimed that a refund had been made (???), I OFFERED TO NOTIFY THE VENTURA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY ONCE A REFUND HAD BEEN MADE. I got a call the same day, 01/09/09, assuring me that a refund would be sent. So 11 months after I paid and 5 months after I requested a refund, my transaction has been settled and my money refunded.
first you pay for product and shipping through their web site and using PayPal, and they do nothing except to say that they have not charged you card and therefore you have to send/resend monies.........which is very confusing and possible double dipping.
secondly, I ordered ladybugs in May, paid for them through PayPal (and per the above confusion) and sent a cheque separately for postage, and even after numerous emails.........this company ignores and continues to refuse to make a refund.......for product never shipped and postage.
Only one reply was very wise ass, and just another delaying tactic. Have also complained through PayPal and they ruled of course in my favor...hopefully the next time ABP makes a transaction they will seize the funds and/or have already cancelled their account.........TOTALLY CROOKED...........NEVER BUT NEVER BUY FROM THIS COMPANY...........
On September 26th, 2008, rikiya added the following:
APB Growquest is still refusing to refund the purchase price and shipping cost for products ordered in May and never shipped.
THIS COMPANY IS CROOKED, AND ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT I DONT LIVE IN THE SAME TOWN OR MUCH MORE IMMEDIATE ACTION WOULD BE APPLIED.
COMPANY IS CROOKED, CROOKED, CROOKED................NEVER BUT NEVER BUY FROM THIS COMPANYOn September 28th, 2008, rikiya added the following:
THE FRAUD COMPANY GROWQUEST AND CHRIS OR WHATEVER HIS NAME IS BELONGS IN JAIL....NO RESPONSE, NO PRODUCT AND NO REFUND.......NEVER BY FROM THIS FRAUD COMPANY......NEXT I SHOULD CONTACT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND CONSUMER CENTERS AND BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TO COMPLAIN....IN FACT I WILL.......On September 28th, 2008, rikiya added the following:
In response to Gilcrests one-more-time request for payment information, I sent this on 09/28/08-----as I have done several times before without any results. All previous attempts only resulted in more delaying ploys with no action results, i.e., no shipment of product and no refund.
We will see, but in the meantime I have made contact with california's AG and will follow with my reports to the BBB and Consumer Center's next week if no immediate action is not acknowledged and received.On October 1st, 2008, rikiya added the following:
once again, I provided all of the payment data and that was two days ago--------with no response.
just another delay tactic.
opinion unchanged, this company is crooked---wont ship product and keeps your money.On October 6th, 2008, rikiya added the following:
still no word or action from growquest to either ship product or preferrably to refund product and shipping monies remitted as far back as May 2008.
only five months, and now the ladybug season has ended......so great timing...or rather useless.
it appears that I have at least been successful in terminating their ability to use PayPal in the future because of their crooked operations.On October 8th, 2008, rikiya added the following:
one more day since May 8, 2008 and this crooked company still refuses to ship product or refund payments........maybe they cant now that someone has cancelled their membership in PayPal.........just to bad..On Sep 24, 2008, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
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On Sep 26, 2008 10:21 PM, Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC Company (also dba CA Plant & Floral Wholesale) added:
SEPTEMBER 26, 2008: TO "RIKIYA": email inquiry made to person posting comment. Thank you, Chris Gilcrest
"
I just wonder how AresDraco in 8/08 managed to order citrus trees to be delivered into TX, when it's not possible to ship citrus to TX from California. Odd that this was a positive rating when the order isn't legal.
On 8/14/2008 I order orange and lemon trees for $665.74. 30 day later I was calling threatening to cancel me order, thank goodness for American Express, and they shipped one of the trees. 1 ONE yes ONE tree arrived via collect freight abt $200.00. When we removed out ot the crate it looked wonderful. Within 2-3 days it lost 1/2 its leaves. Now a couple of weeks later it has leaf buds all over the tree so it is a healthy tree and it will survive. I wish I could get the other trees but after reading this I have called American Express and got the charges reversed.
On September 20th, 2008, TriciaSapp changed the rating from negative to neutral and added the following:
Spoke with Chris today at 805 453 1538 (personal cell phone number) and he said my trees will ship monday. The trouble is HIS TREES ARE GREAT. I really want to get my other trees. The one he shipped is so beautiful and so healthy.
Oh and the idea that because someone is going though a hard time they can use that as an excuse...Sweeties visit my myspace page http://www.myspace.com/triciasapp. I am a spinal cord injury who after my injury lost my husband, my home was forclosed on, and I even lost my car. I raised 3 children. Even though I am in a wheelchair I raised my kids, went back to work, competed in wheelchair events, made new friends and see the positive things in life so No I don't accept the excuse. Business is business and keeping customers informed in just good ethics.On September 25th, 2008, TriciaSapp changed the rating from neutral to positive and added the following:
Woohoo I got my tree! They are healthy and as stated. Big question, will I deal with Chris again...I would have to say yes. He did get the order straightened out and they are the best trees I have ever seen.
We ordered a Judy Garland rose back in early July and sent the funds; we have not received the rose or a refund.They have never contacted us and do not respond to our emails and requests. I have had two responses which do nothing but blame Chris and say he is handling it but he never contacts us. I gave them a deadline of yesterday to reply as to the status of our refund and have heard nothing. They do not communicate and do not follow up on orders. Would not recommend for anyone to purchase from this company
On Sep 19, 2008, Growquest Growers (also dba Olive-Trees.net and Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC) responded with:
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On Sep 26, 2008 10:28 PM, Growquest, A Surf & Sierra Wholesale Nurseries, LLC Company (also dba CA Plant & Floral Wholesale) added:
SEPTEMBER 26, 2008, TO "TRUSTMOTHER" : email inquiry made to person posting comment". Thank you, Chris Gilcrest
I wish that I would have found this site FIRST before ordering from them. My story is the same... the same... the same... All I want is my money back. It has been over four months. Nothing.
