Stark Bro's Nurseries & Orchards Co

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Only 4 trees were shipped. The invoice stated that the two cherry trees were "not available to be shipped." I sent an email message to Stark Brothers inquiring why I only received 4 trees, and received a reply stating that the cherry trees had been sold out. I was told that they sold out before my trees were shipped. I asked why they sold trees that were reserved (per the confirmation number) for me. The company's response was that they do not "set aside" trees for customers! How can they place an order, give the consumer a confirmation number, and then not sell them the trees that were reserved for them? They apologized without further explanation. I will never buy from this nursery again. I would caution consumers who are thinking of ordering trees/plants from this nursery that they may be informed that their trees/plants are in stock, but may find out later, and without warning, that in fact their trees/plants have been sold. I got to spend my time digging six big holes instead of just four. A really disappointing experience overall with this company.

In 2009 I ordered 2 bareroot Honey Crisp Apple Trees. They were planted according to instructions that fall and began to grow the next year, 2010. For three successive years now, the trees have failed to produce any flowers; flowers will bud into apples. I bought the tree to grow apples not to grow leaves. These were sold as apple trees. For three years the grees are growing branches and leaves but no flowers and hence no fruit. Trees have not been sprayed or abused that would stop flowers from forming. Trees are well fertilized. Last year, 2011. I called the company customer service to complain. The service rep told me to cool it. She was unprepared to give any advice or help. I was told to wait until next year and see if the trees would bud. I just called the customer service, this year, 2012, and spoke with the head of the department, Tabitha. I told her that I wanted a refund. She refused telling me that my 1 year warranty had expired. Then the conversation got into an argument. Yet she / they tell me that I should be patient and eventually the trees (might) produce blooms. Each year gets a little farther from their one year "guarantee". This is a scam. How long do I have to wait on their trees to produce fruit? I spent over $50 for bareroot trees that produce nothing but leaves. This company should do the right thing and refund my money, which they refuse to do. Their customer 'no service' representative, Tabitha, was rude on the phone and did not even offer any solution. In her opinion, this incident is my own bad luck. I would not advise purchasing any products from this company. They are not customer service friendly, especially due to the nature of the product they offer. If they sold me a car, or a washing maching, I would be able to tell right away if I got good or bad merchandise. In this case, I have to wait years to find out - and that - they are unwilling to refund if their fruit trees do not produce fruit. If they sell me a non-fruit producing fruit tree, what is that to them??