Comments regarding ABP Nursery, A Surf & Sierra LLC Co. (formerly A Better Plant Grower)
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Comments:
Rating | Author | Content |
Negative | AmberUnit (2 reviews) | On Jul 20, 2010, AmberUnit Derwood, MD wrote: Long story, that starts over 5 years ago and is still ongoing, but I'll try to hit the highlights to keep it short... Ordered 2 olive trees after speaking directly with Chris about their immediate availability in 2006. |
Negative | randy1101 (1 review) | On May 17, 2010, randy1101 Austin, TX wrote: Total scam. Ordered several roses from them and never could get the product or my money back. Eventually I disputed this through my credit card company and was reimbursed. Warning- they keep changing thier name too! |
Negative | lossargazos (1 review) | On Jan 25, 2010, lossargazos Inglewood, CA wrote: I have contacted Chris for trees and Roses, I received the quote and also a detailed invoice with charges right o way. |
Negative | LorraineNJ1 (1 review) | On Nov 15, 2009, LorraineNJ1 Bradley Beach, NJ wrote: I ordered 100.00 worth of ladybugs and food from this fraudulent and non-operational business advertising as Growquest in June 2009 and paid by check after visiting the BBB of California and finding no negative reports. |
Negative | lelamarie (3 reviews) | On Aug 10, 2009, lelamarie Novato, CA wrote: I can't believe people are still buying from this company. I just found my order and payment receipt, from over a 1 year ago. I ordered over $50 of roses from him. I emailed and emailed.. finally there was no email address... then called and called but no answer. Finally I got another phone number due to this site. I called and finally reached a person. He apologized and guaranteed he would locate the roses and send them very soon. after that I could no longer get through to him again and of course there has been no shipment of roses. I finally have given up. I don't know why this company has been allowed to continue to advertise or remain open. And I really can't believe that he has a positive listing at this time. This must be from someone he knows or his GF.... why would he sale to one person and not to anyone else. Doesn't make any sense. |
Negative | coveteran (1 review) | On Jun 30, 2009, coveteran Byers, CO wrote: I too, wish that I had seen these posts. This company is definately a FRAUD. Do not order from them for any reason. I placed my order in DECEMBER 2008 and it is now JUNE 29, 2009! No product. They sure took my $140! They won't answer emails or their phones. I have tried multiple numbers most are disconnected. STAY AWAY at all cost! What a mess! |
Negative | goldenfarmer (1 review) | On Jun 9, 2009, goldenfarmer San Francisco, CA wrote: Complete Fraud. Never shipped item. After I complained to my credit card company he said he would ship right away plus a free tree. Still never shipped anything. Complained again and he said he would refund the money and never did. Look at his track record..... He's a crook. |
Negative | angry_gardener (1 review) | On Oct 31, 2008, angry_gardener Joshua, TX wrote: I have been in the service industry for many years, and cannot believe this company. Yelled at repeatedly by "Rose" for not having every iota of sales transaction to repeat time and again the her after months go by with no roses delivered. No offer of refend when we are clearly not getting our merchandise. When we finally get a callback from "Chris" I am told they are, with many apologies, shipping next week, and it was the warm weather preventing their shipment, I took a break from being hostile to this company. It is 3 weeks later, their phones don't work, and needless to say, we still have empty flower beds. It is November tomorrow. We ordered August 2nd. At this point, I just want our money back. |
Negative | paniolo (3 reviews) | On Sep 29, 2008, paniolo Cambria, CA wrote: BE AWARE Don't believe what this guy (Chris ) says, how he writes about how he has changed and will resolve his past screw ups. This guy is a total rip off & rude man. We got screwed for the amount of about $60.00. Not much for some people ,but I work hard for my money. He has been arrested before and he is a scam artist. If your even lucky enough to even get your order delivered, the plant material is pathic. You must stay away from this company, you will be sorry. Not to mention the most ruddest person I've ever encountered. Contact the BBB or better yet the DA if you've had trouble as he already has numerous complaints and he needs to be shut down before he steals more money from people. On Sep 29, 2008, ABP Nursery, A Surf & Sierra LLC Co. (formerly A Better Plant Grower) responded with: " On Sep 29, 2008 12:16 PM, ABP Nursery, A Surf & Sierra LLC Co. (formerly A Better Plant Grower) added: TO PANIOLO: |
Negative | egbear (1 review) | On Sep 23, 2008, egbear Sacramento, CA wrote: In March 2008 I paid for a SirPrize avocado tree, a Lil cado, and some passion fruit plants..It took months to finally get the Lil Cado and a few weeks to get the passion fruit plants. I then ordered some banana plants which came in a few weeks but instead of my SirPrize avocado I received two more passion fruits! I called and emailed constantly about my SirPrize and in August I was told that it would still be a few months before receiving the tree--that would be 8 months after they took my money! I called and said that I would just take a Mexicola instead and they said they could do that and would send me a new invoice but it has been three weeks and I have called and left messages every day and still have not been sent the new invoice or the tree..They now have had my money for 7 months without sending me what I paid for! As a business wouldn't you think that you would want to take care of a customer within a SEVEN MONTH period? I am truly stunned... |
Negative | sjennings (2 reviews) | On Aug 28, 2008, sjennings Estacada, OR wrote: Well they scammed me too ordered ladybugs and paid for the priority mail well nothing yet cant get ahold of anyone no one answers the phone |
Negative | hjboury (1 review) | On Aug 26, 2008, hjboury Philadelphia, PA wrote: I only wish I had read your 26 negative responses sooner. Surf & Siera is clearly using 'bait & switch' tactics, down to their shipping! We paid for overnight, express to our office, and it was received a week later, delivered to the post office a mile away, Priority. When trying to find out what happened to our order, we were told that the owner would have to respond (no response). When we emailed, the owner, Chris, did respond, saying that, 'he new shipping better' and that there was no difference between 'Express' and 'Priority' USPS shipping (the guys at the US Post office got a good laugh out of that one!). What should have been an overnight delivery turned into a week with nothing but rudeness and hang-ups from the company. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND NEVER USING THIS COMPANY. We shall see if they ever credit our account for the Express shipping that we paid for. |
Negative | hazey999 (1 review) | On Jul 21, 2008, hazey999 Methuen, MA wrote: Like many others here, I wish I had seen these comments before ordering. Many experiences are worse than mine, but the sad truth is, my experience was still pretty bad...no reply to numerous phone messages asking about the status of my order, a couple of "I'll let the owner know about this problem" email responses, but I waited for over a month until finally lodging a dispute through PayPal. My message to the grower was "please refund my payment if you do not intend to ship my Avocado tree by July 22" (5 days away). The response was "Your order is scheduled to ship July 22"?!! |
Negative | enursad2 (1 review) | On May 15, 2008, enursad2 Oklahoma City, OK wrote: I sent a money order with the invoice for a rose on 4-16-08. I have left a phone message and have emailed the company but have had no response and no rose delivered thus far. A month is a long time to wait when they can cash a money order immediately. It is still cool enough to plant in Oklahoma but after reading the other postings on this site I guess I am the most recent victim posting with you. |
Negative | BILLDURHAM995 (2 reviews) | On Apr 29, 2008, BILLDURHAM995 Lebanon, KY wrote: I ORDERED A PLAYBOY TREE ROSE FROM ABP NURSERY LAST FALL (2007). AFTER CALLING THEM AND EMAILING THEM, I FINALLY RECEIVED THE TREE ROSE IN NOVEMBER 2007. THE TREE ROSE DIED AND I SENT PHOTOS TO THEM AND EMAILED THEM AND PHONED AND FINALLY TALKED TO CHRIS. HE SAID HE WOULD REPLACE THE TREE ROSE BUT HAS NOT DONE SO AND IT IS USELESS TO EMAIL THEM. THE CLERICAL PEOPLE ONLY SAY TALK TO CHRIS BUT HE CHANGES PHONE NUMBERS AND WHEN I REACH A GOOD NUMBER HE DOESN'T ANSWER AND HIS MAILBOX IS FULL AND HE DOES NOT ANSWER HIS PAGES. |
Negative | mark_dunkle (1 review) | On Mar 2, 2008, mark_dunkle Campbell, CA wrote: I am another victim of this vendor. I ordered a 5x1 peach tree and 2 blueberry bushes on 2/2/08. They were very fast to take my money through Paypal. I got an email from Summer saying that my order would ship soon and that she would send me a tracking number when my order shipped. |
Negative | icandy (1 review) | On Nov 26, 2007, icandy Jefferson City, MO wrote: I ordered a Lisbon Lemon dwarf tree on March 29, 2005, and am still waiting for its arrival. I've called and emailed many, many times, and was always told by Chris that "it will be sent next week". In case he reads this my online order number is 01008217. I'm out $39.98. Hey, Chris, I'd love to get my tree. |
Negative | alex_investor (1 review) | On Oct 4, 2007, alex_investor Lake Worth, FL wrote: This company is a disgrace. That summarizes it well. On October 4th, 2007, alex_investor added the following: I almost forgot! Besides checks and Paypal, Growquest takes Amex payments. Guess which credit card company is going to get a fraud complaint regarding Growquest? Take away these guys' ability to collect money. That ought to be good for business. |
Negative | jillpenne (2 reviews) | On Sep 18, 2007, jillpenne Hobart, WA wrote: I too wish I had read all the feedback about this company before ordering from them. The middle of July 2007 I ordered and paid for ladybugs and shipping charges, and now I have to report, no ladybugs and no payment for a refund. The one thing I cannot understand is HOW CAN THIS PERSON STILL BE IN BUSINESS????? This is a scam and I assumed an unlawful "business" operation, so why hasn't California legal system put a stop to this person that takes money for nothing. I am disabled and every penny counts, but I guess both the busness owner and the State really do not seem interest in that. Jill |
Negative | Debbins (1 review) | On Sep 5, 2007, Debbins wrote: I ordered and paid for (through PayPal) a lemon tree on May 22. It is now Sept. 4 and I still have no tree. I have sent numerous emails to Chris and have not had satisfactory responses. According to the emails he has gone through 3 phone companies, various employees, health problems and a move. I have requested a refund, but have received no response. I tried to go through PayPal to resolve this issue, but my claim was too late--I was trying to be understanding and patient. |
Negative | lindavf150 (1 review) | On Jul 30, 2007, lindavf150 Burbank, CA wrote: I wish I had seen these posts before I ordered on-line! On August 1st, 2007, lindavf150 added the following: got an e-mail today from "staff" at APB saying they are in the middle of moving so things are hectic. They gave me Chris' cell phone and the phone number of their new location to call. I e-mailed back and said I have made enough phone calls - send me a tracking number or refund my AMEX They e-mailed back and said Chris would be contacting me but I responded and said there is nothing to discuss either they ship my order today or refund my money today........... On August 6th, 2007, lindavf150 added the following: Well of course I have not heard back from ABP.... no refund and no tracking number...... I cancelled my order off their website and have asked American Express to investigate and credit back my card. I'm really annoyed that they have my $40.00 and will for at least 30 days (or more) as it seems that is how they keep afloat. (charging peoples cards so they have the funds and then not shipping) I don't understand how they can keep an American Express merchant account it they have a lot of fraud claims I would think American Express would close their account. |
Negative | Bo_man (1 review) | On Jun 18, 2007, Bo_man Phoenix, AZ wrote: Well if he is in that big of a hole, he could not move product if he wanted to because more than likely he cannot find a shipping company he does not owe money too. This happens all to often. |
Negative | elizar (1 review) | On Jun 5, 2007, elizar New York, NY wrote: At the end of a long rope - and don't know exactly what to do |
Negative | snowflake2781 (1 review) | On Apr 24, 2007, snowflake2781 San Jose, CA wrote: I confronted with exactly the same situation as a member names FruitTreeGrower had with Growquest.com. |
Negative | FruitTreeGrower (1 review) | On Apr 15, 2007, FruitTreeGrower Fremont, CA wrote: I tried twice with this man, Chris Gilcrest, of Growquest.com at ordering avocado trees. First attempt was 12/28/05 with the company called "A Better Plant" and the website I ordered from looked legitamite and real. Come Jan, Feb and March 2006 after numerous phone calls and questions and promises of delivery, I finally gave up by April 2006, to receiving any trees. I figured there were problems with the owner and business, and because I wasn't charged, I let it go. |
Negative | oak_nj (1 review) | On Jul 17, 2006, oak_nj Newton, NJ wrote: I purchased a Meyers lemon plant as a Christmas gift on 12/24/05. I knew that it would not be shipped/delivered until Feb/March, due to the cold weather. So I gave my family member the card with information of her gift that was coming. Well, March came around and no plant was sent. I contacted the company and I was assured it was on its way. I spoke to Chris himself. April came around and no plant. At that time, I insisted on a refund. Chris told me to contact my credit card company. When I did, I was told that I needed to contact them within 30 days of the transaction and that I had to get the refund from the company. I continued to call and Email him. I was told to send a letter requesting a refund with appropriate information. I sent the letter at the end of April and have not received a response. I continue calling, etc. and there is no response. I spoke w/ Chris personally again in June and he said that the checks were being put together but no refund. After reading all of these letters about the criminal dealings that Chris and his company has been doing, I cannot believe that he is out and about and not in jail. I cannot believe that his website seems to be still up and running with whatever new name he has attached to it. I don't know if I will ever get the money that he stole from me back, but prospective buyers beware that this guy must be a crook and a loser, too. I could care less what personal problems that he professes to have. He has stolen from me and I hope he gets what is coming to him. I don't think he wil, though, because I have read this forum and discovered that there was an investigation back in January, but he is still on the loose as I just recently spoke to him and I don't think he was in jail answering the phone. I'm disgusted. Normally people that work with plants have some ethics and are generally good people. |
Negative | lindenhof (1 review) | On May 19, 2006, lindenhof Augusta, MO wrote: On April 22th, 2006 I placed an online order for 3 citrus trees. ON April 28th, I received an invoice for $178.68 and I promptly sent a check for the amount of $178.68 made out to ABP Wholesale Growers. My check was cashed on 05-08-2006 with a signature "ABP" on the back. I have not heard anything since. I have sent three emails and attempted to make phone calls to see where my shipment might be. The phone message says they will return emails within 24 hours. I have yet to hear, so I did a little internet investigation of ABP Growers, and surprise! I found all this very interesting stuff about this place. |
Negative | cbiscuit38 (1 review) | On Apr 27, 2006, cbiscuit38 Weirton, WV wrote: I ordered a rose, Black Baccara, earlier this month and received a tracking number from Fed-Ex. When I contact Fed-Ex, they stated they never received this shipment and that it was still with the seller. I tried contacting the seller and have never received a response and the voice mail is a garbled inaudible joke! I want my rose or my money back so I can purchase from a reputable nursery. (His girlfriends bleeding heart response to the situation was at most pitiful and laughable). Blaming family for your ineptitude is horrendous! I hope prison life finds you well. Bend over and grab your ankles!!!! THIEF!!!!!! |
Negative | pgoeltz (2 reviews) | On Mar 1, 2006, pgoeltz San Jose, CA wrote: Made order, sent e-mails, called, read the site, got a refund from CC company very plain to see this is a thief.......................... His new girlfriend might be also. |
Negative | Talinan (2 reviews) | On Feb 28, 2006, Talinan Flagstaff, AZ wrote: I placed an order for 1500 live lady bugs to help control the aphids in my garden. The order was placed back on 1/28/06. Three days later I find that the business site I ordered from (www.abetterplant.com) had been taken down. The site only displayed an expired domain notice stating that the company is no longer in business. I immediately used the displayed company contact info to inquire about my order. I was contacted by abetterplant.com on 2/4/06 and was told that my order was out for shipping already and that the business was closing down over personal issues/ divorce. |
Negative | grumpy1952 (2 reviews) | On Feb 9, 2006, grumpy1952 sugar land, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: I admit that I have not had any dealings with A Better Plant, but with Growquest. Still, I feel a need to comment here anyway. I have just spoken to the Tulare County D.A. about my problems with Mr. Gilcrest. I was told that A Better Plant and Growquest are owned and operated by the same person, contrary to the notice posted on the abetterplant.com website. Tulare County, the BBB and the FBI are all involved in the investigation of these companies. Their computers have been confiscated. The D.A. has just interviewed Mrs. Gilcrest just before I spoke with him. I did not ask him about any health problems that she may have had, but it seems she divorced him BECAUSE of his fraudulent dealings in the operation of these companies. It was NOT the divorce taking a toll on the business, but his business dealings that caused the divorce. |
Negative | carolynprior (1 review) | On Feb 9, 2006, carolynprior Costa Mesa, CA (Zone 10a) wrote: I ordered 2 avocado plants in Dec. 2005......(mid-Dec)..... my credit card was charged immediately, but every time I checked the website, it said that my order was "in progress" or something along those lines. Around Christmas time, I received a card from them saying that they were not shipping at present due to concerns about cold weather and possibly freezing the plants ( I live in Southern California, so I thought that was a little weird)....at the end of December, I started trying to contact them.... no reply via e-mail...... voice mail was a garbled, barely understandable message, so I asked someone to please call......lo and behold, someone did. They sounded nice and assured me that they would ship soon. Weeks later, I received an e-mail from Chris stating that he would ship "pronto" next week. Still nothing. So, recently , I found this website and read all the postings, and the whole thing is becoming clear !! I recently received an e-mail from them saying to send a message regarding whether you still wanted the plant or wanted a refund...... I have sent several messages asking for a refund, but no response whatsoever, and no refund. He sounded like a nice guy, but I have to think he is just a crook at this point !! I have made many, many purches via the web, and have had excellent results, but I guess there are always a few who take advantage of the trust of others. He will send flowery messages about how he is having a hard time with this or that, but he just cannot seem to get the job done !! So I say either do what you say you are going to do, or just shut up !! Your flowery messages of woe become nauseating after awhile !! Spend your time and energy on following through on your promises, and quit with the giant BS !! On February 9th, 2006, carolynprior added the following: PS - In regard to Karyn's message about everyone just sitting back and bitching..... I have tried and tried to call you guys..... every phone number that I can find that is associated with either business goes to voicemail, and the voicemail boxes are so full that you cannot leave a message. I have sent numerous emails..... they are never answered in a satisfactory manner (in other words, there have been a few promises, but nothing ever happens)...... and it takes days or weeks for someone to even respond to said messages. So I think your stand about how he is working his butt off to fix things is a little lame. It is nearly impossible to contact a real human being. It seems it is impossible to really get anything done. Any comments ???? On February 22nd, 2006, carolynprior added the following: Freak'in unbelievable that he would start to do business again after what he has done to so many !!! He never, ever responded to my messages to refund my $$$$.... luckily, I was able to file a dispute for goods never received with my credit card company (thankyou, Citibank !!), so I received a refund from them, and they will go after him...... I also contacted the Tulare Co. DA's office, and filed a complaint about his business practices (who charges you as soon as you order, when they do not even have the items available to ship ???!!!)....that should be warning #1. |
Negative | MrsRoadhawg (1 review) | On Jan 27, 2006, MrsRoadhawg Grand Rapids, MI (Zone 5a) wrote: About darn time Chris was arrested...maybe there is justice after all for all the theft he accomplished with Growquest/A Better Plant Grower. |
Negative | brianfuchs (3 reviews) | On Jan 27, 2006, brianfuchs Newbury Park, CA wrote: Looks like I am the first to report this press release today from the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office: |
Negative | dmcgavin (1 review) | On Jan 23, 2006, dmcgavin New Market, MD wrote: I ordered two rose bushes in June of 2005 and have received nothing. I have tried to contact this company at least 10 times since then via phone, fax and email, asking for the status of the order, and have received no reply. I tried to dispute the payment with my bank, but was told I waited too long. I've now filed a complaint against the company with the Maryland Attorney General. Never have I seen such disregard for customers...as far as I'm concerned, this company has stolen. $46.57 from me. On February 10th, 2006, dmcgavin added the following: After posting this and sending my complaint to the MD Attorney General, I also sent an email to Chris telling him he'd been reported, and that is the first time he replied. He denied having received any other emails or calls from me and was very angry that this posting was negative. He told me I had no proof that I had contacted him before, and I replied that I didn't need proof...just that fact that he hadn't sent me what I had ordered was enough. He then proceeded to threaten me and "put me on notice" that I had 30 days to remove my negative posting, and that I would have my order in 10 days (even though he denied he was affiliated with the company I placed my order with). I never received the order, but this was just a few days before he was arrested. Couldn't happen to a "nicer" guy. |
Negative | Windchyme (7 reviews) | On Jan 5, 2006, Windchyme Stockton, CA wrote: This is a derivative of Growquest and I have had dealings with Chris Gilcrest of this company- very bad dealings. I was even threatened at one point to intimidate me to back down (like THAT worked- NOT) Growquest broke federal law regarding the regulation of pesticides in their dealings with me. This man at one time claimed his wife was ill in the hospital as the reason he could not conduct business appropriately, now he claims that his wife and he are divorcing as the reason he could not complete business. The fact is he is a scam artist and a crook and is under investigation of law enforcement and was long before he ever knew about it. He lies incessantly, he takes peoples money and gives them nothing in return but broken promises. He has just shifted faces again to continue with his fraud. On January 31st, 2006, Windchyme added the following: Since you addressed me directly I am addressing you back directly. What was that Karyn about slanderous lies (hand cupped to ear)? I suppose the District Attorney there is lying as well? If enough ppl had the same thing to say that the DA got involved and RAIDED and ARRESTED Chris Gilcrest then perhaps you should consider that it is not all of us that is the problem, it is your new boyfriend. Perhaps you should reconsider your choices regarding the men that you allow into your life. The best advice I can give you is RUN!!! as far and as fast as you can from Chris Gilcrest if he hasn't already dragged you into his criminal and legal problems. |
Negative | djccastles (2 reviews) | On Jan 1, 2006, djccastles Somers, CT wrote: My concern centers on the OWNER of BOTH these companies and my experience WITH HIM IN HIS BUSINESS CAPACITY. |