It is coming close to a year now, please refund my money.

I urge you all to file a report and stop this madness:

https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

File a complaint online at this web address.

At minimum you should have:

Victim's name, address, telephone, and email
Financial transaction information (e.g., receipt from paypal, account information, transaction date and amount, who received the money)
Subject's name, address, telephone, email, website, and IP address (Address above)
Specific details on how you were victimized
Email header(s)
Any other relevant information you believe is necessary to support your complaint


It would also be helpful to have:
1. any logs or emails of communication attempts with James
2. Timelines in which events have occurred
3. The main website you used to make the purchase

When legitimate complaints get filed, I'm told they will be then reviewed to determine if the local Sheriff's office will investigate, or the FBI will directly investigate.

I urge you to file a complaint yourself directly.

https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

Ok Lebmark!

“ Please do not believe those new members that invested in James $7 trees without doing any research and all of the sudden they now about James  more than their own kids... and now they asking you for all the personal info so they can sue James...on your behalf...”

"I do not trust people that just showed up and they want our best interest in mind…if you believe that…then they do have a bridge to sell.

I do not trust the new members mentioned above…they might be one person…for all I know."

I registered so I could share my experience because I thought I was making a purchase on a legitimate website (which it may have started out that way). I, by the way, did NOT pay $7 a tree as everyone keeps mentioning as if that should make a difference.

I patiently waited for several months and when I heard nothing, I sent e-mails. When they were not answered, then I started the research and found this site with others like myself that want to believe the best in people but jeez, this is ridiculous!

Also, I am NOT suing James, nor did I (or anyone else that I read) ask for anyone personal info?

But as someone just said, facts are facts. James is taking money and not delivering. End of story. This isn’t a fabricated situation, or just some folks over reacting. Its customers that deserve to get what was offered for sale or a refund. Period! If people (like myself) were getting refunds there would be no reason to complain, right? Has anyone received a refund lately? I haven’t!! Has anyone received any of those orders he supposedly said would be shipped a few weeks ago?

It seems some are happy to wait (your choice) and others are now sharing information on how to report this unethical business operation and you are just pissed because then you think you won’t get your $7 trees!

This mess lies solely on the shoulders of James who is the one person who can fix it. Since nothing is happening those who are disgruntled have every right to complain to the appropriate authorities! If it sinks James you should blame him and nobody else. 

James Sperman is a thief. He will take your money and disappear. Ask anyone who has ordered from him. BUYER BEWARE!

A few thoughts from the outside looking in since I bought no trees:

The first line in the original post said, "Building a collection can get expensive, and rooting cuttings can be stressful and frustrating, so I'd like to make a special offer to members."  Forum members often make special offers to members.  I think that's a good thing.

The original offer also said:  "So what's the catch?  Well, if there's a 'catch', it's that you can't get the trees right away, because I'll have to grow them out for you."  I've read so many complaints about how slow some plants are to grow and how hard they are to root, and they're usually the most expensive ones.  For a member to add to their personal collection they would really only need a couple/few plants.  Anybody who ordered more than a few varieties of each tree is probably doing more than adding to their personal collection.  There's taking advantage of a generous offer from a forum member (buying a $100 tree for $7), and there's capitalizing on a deal for personal profit.  The original offer was for members to grow their collection.

I now know that the offer was made for more than just our members and was extended to people who probably didn't read the original post and jumped on a good deal.  On the other hand, if I happened to see a $7 Black Madeira tree that usually sells for over $100 I'd do some investigation before I plunked down a lot of money on it.  That's just me.

It was anticipated by the poster, though, that he could grow lots of trees because the first post said, "I have enough greenhouse space to grow thousands of fig trees over the next 6 months..."   And that he anticipated large orders:  "For example, if you want to order 40 trees, place one order for 25 trees and another order for 15 trees. "  Up to 40 trees with orders from members and you estimate you can grow thousands of trees seems like a reach but doable if you're an experienced grower and have the space.

I've made one post in this epic 1,180-post thread and it was to basically say cut the man some slack and give him time.  He did say that he had to grow out the trees.  Yes, he grew out the trees and then replanted them instead of shipping them.  That is a fact. 

I don't know.  This is just really sad.  At the end of the day you guys will do what you feel comfortable doing.  You'll wait for your trees or take it to the next level.  I feel confident, as much as one can over the internet, that this was not started as a way to bilk folks out of their money.  It would be great if this worked out for folks. 

Hey Cheryl, that has got to be one of the best written post, I have read from any member here! I am with you!...I did buy Plants, so I am here for the "Long Haul" ! ..........It doesn't bother me to wait! : )

1. I found James website through a Google search, which looks like a regular store front with no mention of special offer to members.

2. It's been over 2 years, and the offer was for delivery within this growing cycle. He should have returned the money instead of telling me to F-off.

As much as you post here and just joined up, he probably got tired of listening to your mouth! I don't believe James said that to you!

@Nunuorig

I was just giving my opinion…I do not know if you read what I wrote or somebody read it to you…but clearly both did not comprehend my point…I was not defending James…you can read it again…I just said do not trust new people that we do not know who they are…we do not know your first name…male or female…Just a person with a message.

I do not know if you at the moment dating a gentleman…but not all men do…keep your experience to yourself.

@bobkelley1

Your story has lot of holes…hope you get your money if your story is true…

@Rob_Steven

Same as nunuorig…you did not comprehend what I stated…go read it again…I am not defending James.

@Gardnernw

Every person has his or her own tolerant level…do what you have to do…but I do not need to be told what to do…what good for you might not be for me…

@junglewild

Welcome to the forum.

Like I said James does owe everybody an explanation, the sooner the better…or everybody will think he left the building…

I am not a brand new poster. I didn't just join and jump in this thread. I also did not take advantage of the $7 offer. I ordered from his website. There was no up-front warning of delays other than that they'd be shipped in a few months around February 1, 2017. That is not out of the ordinary for many online nurseries. I did not receive my order. He has not replied to attempts at communication. The only positive James has going for him is that people on here spoke up for him. As for comparing this to other nurseries that do occasionally fail...I've never heard of one failing to ship ANYTHING AT ALL FOR A YEAR while continuing to take orders. The only reason I haven't filed charges or done anything else is that I respect those who vouched for his character. That alone is what's holding me back. It might help dull the drama if some who have actually dealt with James (in that long ago time before he started this venture) would tell their stories that led them to believe he is trustworthy.

@FrankAllen you don't believe what? That James has dropped off the radar and refuses to send the trees or refund orders? After a certain point this "backlog" becomes fraud and theft if he fails to fill the orders. I'm not saying that he won't, but for a lot of people life is too damn short to sit around waiting years for someone to ship out cuttings/trees. Next thing we will hear that the trees are too big to ship and we all have to pay extra to get our trees shipped. I get that some people don't want to admit when they have been burnt but I don't see how you continue to act like nothing is amiss when people have been waiting for almost two years and this guy hasn't been seen at all recently

It might be that he's again had to let cuttings grow to "trees" so that he can again get more cuttings. Thus putting off $7 tree deliveries to fulfill more recent orders with more profit margin, or simply to have enough material to eventually ship. People that say "no big deal just a $7 tree, I'll wait" may be encouraging this behavior.

This is my theory that I posted on the other board.  He grew trees out once to chop 'em up, he can do it again, I guess.

How is it people are saying they ordered 2 years ago? I jumped on his original offer immediately when he started this venture, that was almost exactly 1 year ago.

If y'all did buy 2 years ago, he had been replying to emails up until a month ago... so you're saying you hadn't contacted him until 2 years after you ordered?! The math isn't adding up.

And he already did. I'm gonna do everything in my power to get this guy in prison.
Lebmark , Just piss off man. Who the hell are you? " A LONG TERM FIG FORUM MEMBER" a forum that help scammers to deceive people?.
Frank , You are just a grumpy Pussy man, hoping to get your trees hence the support I guess LOL

And here comes the essay writer Mr Banana.