James is someone I've known for several years (prior to figs) and he's been a good customer of mine.  I have done extremely well myself this year so I certainly have not been hurt by James' offerings.  James has also wished me well as I have for him.  I also have not ordered anything from James, though I did consider it earlier this year but really don't need more than what I have already.  As I've said before, I hope this works out well for everyone involved.

I think you should just hold yourself to the same standard that you set for some that made critical comments.  Speculation does no good for anyone.  This stuff about talking like a man or a girl is nonsense, IMO.

Sorry about the lack of updates, here's a link to an update I just posted: http://www.figcuttings.com/2016/09/fig-propagation-project-update.html

I'll re-post it here later after I adjust the formatting so that it will look right.

Again I'm very sorry about the lack of good communication, I know it's important.  I'll get back to doing weekly updates from now on.

I promise that all of you will get your trees, and I will do whatever I can to make it up to you for them being late.

************************************

Fig Propagation Project update

James,

Pictures look great.  I know you are busy, but maybe you could take some time to post a bit more details about the status?

1. How many trees were ordered for 2016, and how many do you estimate will ship in September, November, etc.?
2. How many individual trees do you have growing in their own containers (for these orders)?
3. Same questions for i-258, galicia negra, black madeira.
4. Are early 2017 orders still on schedule, in your mind?

I know some of that may be more detail than you want to share, but it would go a long way to boosting the confidence of those that are waiting on trees.  Given the current schedule difficulties, I think it's fair to share at least some of those details, so people have some idea what to expect.

We can deal with bad news, and good news, but not no news!

This thread is evidence that many people are frustrated about the current delay in shipment and some are concerned about whether they will receive their plants.  However, it seems to me that this thread is not resolving either these frustrations or the problem and instead has morphed into something that is increasing, not relieving that frustration, and since James does not have a business contract with this forum, but instead with individual members, I do not see a way that there can be resolution of this conflict in this discussion and believe it can only occur with individual private conversations between James and individual members.  However my primary reason for writing this is that I see this discussion, in what it has become, creating an atmosphere that is fostering animosity and conflict that is harming and not helping our fig community.  I am just a member, and a new member at that, so I have a small platform to speak from.  That being said my request is that before posting on this thread, each of us considers our fig community and the effects of our post on it.  

James regarding your linked update. I think most people don't expect anything as an apology other than their plants. At $7 no one can expect cuttings or anything else in addition to the plants. Don't make it hard on yourself by complicating things. That's my feelings. And good luck, I'm pulling for you.

Adipose:  I missed out on the ordering for the $7 fig trees this go round, so technically this isn't really my business.  But (the proverbial but), to ask GreenFin to post all the information you're requesting seems a bit much.  I don't need to know it.  Anybody who hasn't placed a order for 2017 doesn't need to know it.  If it would make you feel more comfortable getting that information, maybe you should ask privately.  Crap happens.  Over-estimating what you think you can do happens.  As long as his heart was/is in the right place and he's willing to work it out with everybody, cut the guy a little slack.  I will say, though, two-way communication is important.

In the update James talks about a little bonus for those of us who ordered for 2016. Hard to decide how to do it? As again it will put a strain. Maybe a 10% discount for 2017 plants would work? I don't want to put him out of business as if this works well, James should have a tremendous amount of plants in future years.
I'm not buying any expensive figs I never have, never will. If this happens to fail, well i guess I'll just wait for prices to be reasonable. I myself find it strange as for me, so many other fruits are as good and often better than figs. I like figs, but most of my family does not. Now my white strawberries, blueberries, nectarines, pluots, I can't grow enough for my family. They eat them as soon as I pick them, and I harvested hundreds, even thousands this year. The cherries this year were so good!

James,

Thanks for the update.  You asked for input on that post. I can only speak for myself, but what I would like to see is just communications when the status of something changes and all this drama can be avoided.  I don’t need free cuttings or anything else. I think most of us understand what a task you undertook and reasonable delays in such a venture and assuming trees are received while I still need the cultivars I will be happy and think most others will be as well. In fact if of those you listed having difficulty with offer them a refund as I am sure pretty sure when you actually have the tree available you would have takers for all.

The talk of a scam angered me, and I don’t know if it happened but I don’t care for a member creating a new login to post something they would not post as themselves.  If you don’t want the statement associated with you don’t bother saying it and hold your tongue, even if what is being said has legitimate basis.

I did not participate in the feeding frenzy on the $7 trees, I do not participate in buying any type of futures.  What needs to be remembered here is that any thread or contribution to a thread is public to all forum members and implies consent for comment.  One does not have to be a member of the feeding frenzy to comment on what is offered to the public (our forum community), nor does longevity of membership restrict comment.  Anyone going into this adventure had to know there were risks and participation is an acknowledgement of those risks.

I am curious if the seller is a commercial entity with the appropriate licenses and permits to engage in selling agricultural products across state lines.  The sheer volume of this deal exceeds the scope of "Hobbyist".

With all that said, if this were an eBay transaction the seller would surely be crucified on this forum, and would probably lose privileges on eBay.

All parties involved have entered into a contract with a deliverable, the instant a deliverable is violated,  the contract is breached.  The lack of remedy is disturbing.  

Hope, promises, and understanding, is not a remedy.

This forum is a public discussion community.  Why do you think it's inappropriate for me to comment?

This is a fig community. Of course we are going to talk amongst ourselves about $7 fig trees! This post was where many of us first learned about it. It serves as a free ad for the product, a support forum, and a place for everyone to discuss the product. Asking people to not post concerns here is just not realistic. This is where we come to talk about such things.

James (Greenfin):  Thank you for your update!  This is a big undertaking! I agree with Fignutty "Don't make it hard[er] on yourself by complicating things. That's my feelings. And good luck, I'm pulling for you."  I do not expect nor want anything more than the trees I paid for." Again, thank you!

Blessings,
Meg 

Here is my 7-8 ft Hollier...this started out as a cutting I purchased from James -greenfin last fall.

James is guilty of one thing, dreaming big!

So basically, any of the harder to root varieties will now be shipped next year?

James, I have two questions:

1. I ordered 10 trees for 2016, 4 of them maybe fall in the category of troublesome and 6 of them maybe don't fall in the category of non troublesome (Those 6 are not the types that you mention). If the problem are the troublesome species, why not ship to people who want the non-troublesome fig trees first? I can wait for the black madeira and figo preto. In my case I have fig trees that I promised to a social community project and I don't want to fail to my promise, so I would be very happy to have at least part of my order as soon as possible. The troublesome I can wait for them.

2. If the 2016 project is very late in schedule, I would assume that the 2017 march project would also be late. I also have ordered fig trees for 2017 and I think that those of us who have ordered fig for 2017 should have several options regarding the 2017 order. The 2016 would be for some species 6 to 7 months late, so maybe things will get the same path for 2017 order. I want to know how this change could impact the 2017 march order (how many months could be delayed?) and what options could you give to us, the ones who ordered fig trees for 2016 and 2017? Don't get me wrong, but this is also uncomfortable for me as a buyer, we also have the right to know. Thanks in advance.

Speaking only for myself, James, I don't want/need any special deals or consideration.  The $7 is already too good of a deal, imo.  Others may feel they deserve something.

I also appreciate your candid answers to my questions.  That kind of information is what people who sit here, clicking refresh on a thread, need.

I was also serious about my other comment, where I said it's ok if you ship mine last, or even tell me it's not going to happen.  I'd rather someone else get the trees, who is desperately waiting for a coveted variety, than me, who is being told by his wife that he already has too many trees :)

James,
Is it possible for you to list all of the troublesome varieties?