I can't believe that there isn't someone on this forum close enough to actually visit his location and get a first hand account of what's going on there. I'm one of the lucky ones that smelled a scam the very first time he had "a setback" and got my refund immediately. Hopefully this all works out soon enough for those out money. I find it funny tho all those members that backed this guy like he was Jim Jones suddenly quieted. Lol, you attacked anyone that questioned Greenfin and now it appears they were all right....stay away from the kool aid folks!

Surfat,

It is difficult to accept one has been scamed, and embarrassing for some to admit in public. I am happy you were smart enough to get your refund, for people less "lucky" like myself, it seems like sticking together with one vice may be the only way ANY of us see compensation.

Incredible! We had a poster awhile back try to take credit for the shipping video James made...that he did that due to the "pressure" of all the negative forum posts.

Now we have one who claims that those who "backed" James have gone quiet and they should not have attacked those who "questioned" Greenfin. Revisionist history that is rampant in our culture now. It is some of the negative nellies who launch personal attacks on those who say; wait a minute, something is wrong here and it may not be fraud. None, I repeat none of us here know what is wrong. But we all have opinions or suspicions. Some are more human and some are more like a pack of hyenas who can't wait to tear apart someone who is down.

Could it maybe be that it is pointless to argue or counter statements made out of frustration and anger from those who only want to hear from people who are in lock step with the way they think? Hummmmm, that would probably take stepping back and thinking about it. See previous little of that from a number of the posters.

Those who are pursuing legal or civil recourses to getting their money back are at least doing something constructive. They should get their money back if they so desire. Those who do nothing but piss and moan and badger are delusional if they think their posts are going to amount to any more than the ripple caused by a pebble thrown into the ocean affects the waves of the ocean.

And yet some still fill the kool aid cups. You guys are real sensitive. Lighten up....you got taken.

And if you fickle potato chip types read my post I said I hope it works out for those out money. But your wound so Damn tight that you attack right away. Lol....and I am supposed to be the hyena? Maybe when I sit back and laugh at you select clowns that continue to support the fraud I MAY sound like one ...i guess. Ok back to reality guys. This is a fig forum take it light. Time to start my vacation.

I find it amazing people are still trying to defend this guy.....he takes money and refuses to communicate with those he has taken the money from. He will not even respond to authorities......but still being defended. Again......amazing! I have owned multiple businesses before retiring, never, repeat never have I seen a more criminally incompetent business owner. 

I have seen people on this Forum wrongly come down on a seller trying to sell cuttings from their yard with a ton of crap, I have seen a good seller being accused TWICE of being a scammer. But the kicker to me on this Forum is the blind support for this criminal by members.

Perhaps my 10 years of dealing with incarcerated criminals has me take things like this more seriously than others. 86% of criminals become repeat offenders, I firmly believe there should be consequences for illegal actions. He needs to be brought before a Judge, not a "jury" of his on-line supporters. I also have little tolerance for those that defend criminals. The facts are simple, he took money and failed to deliver what he sold. I don't know the laws in his state for sure but in the nine I have lived in that is THEFT and I believe it would be there also. Furthermore if he accepted payments across state lines (as I understand he did) there are Federal charges also involved. How does anyone even attempt to defend that?  I read claims that we don't "know what is wrong", really? I have heard lots of inmates that did not think theft was wrong either. Or rape, murder or anything else for that matter. Most non criminals I would think know theft is wrong. The law does not recognize "I needed the money" as a defense for theft that I know of.

This thread needs to be kept alive to insure his new victims at least have a chance of not becoming one if they search the net. His supporters that want it to go away will be disappointed I think. 

No one is defending anyone, but this forum is not about James, it's about figs.
I read on another forum, in so many words that if you want to post some shit, you come over here. I find that to be very unprofessional to say the least and don't see it contributing to the positive experience of the community. No one is going to get his money back by posting crap and most of the same negative stuff is being posted and reposted by trolls.
On a positive note it looks like Bobkelley the traveler or whatever his name is is launching a lawsuit. I'm sure that he will keep everyone updated including his case number.
The other thread was locked by John for a reason and I doubt that there's a single person out there not aware of the situation at this point. Everyone is right until they're wrong and since no one knows what's going on, please give it a rest.

Sais:

Yes this forum is about figs, but James links to this forum on his website??? Amazing

Sufrat2:  You find humor in James the Thief. There is a special place for people like you and James.

My wife is Thai, speaks 4 languages, but English certainly is not her best. She bought trusting that most people are honest. She shared the info with friends in Thailand and Malaysia, who also ordered from James. I will be in Singapore in mid August and fly up to apologize for her. She has an 40 acre organic farm in the mountains outside of Bangkok, and about 20 acres of rice land over my Laos. She worked hard for the money to buy the fig cuttings to plant and see what would work in Thailand, and sell some cutting locally.
While our life is not typical of most, just like the President and his family, both wife and children have their own companies, make their own money, and spend it as they wish. It keeps relationships simple and no drama.

I am sort of sorry I re-opened this thread, but will post my results for all to know.
Bob K
(aka The Old Wnnderer)

This situation is a time to thank our lucky stars that we have honest people with established, well thought out, and successful business models...like Jon, like Harvey, etc...That have made it their business to share knowledge and materials (be it cuttings or plants) that most of the rest of us are lacking or do not have immediate access to.  

I hope everyone finds a solution to their problem (referring to the subject matter of this thread).  Again, even more reason to keep up the trading and whatnot within the forums and to be decent to one another.  

I hope this isn't going to affect my ability to trade cuttings with you guys.

on 4/30 you wrote,

What does complaining about one's business practice and receiving a refund on your money from a 3rd party have to do with each other?  James didn't refund my money.  In fact, he ignored my requests for a refund and acted like a jerk when I spoke with him on the phone.  I was protected under PayPal's policy -- NOT James' business practice.

Sas, I'm not defending or accounting for anyone here but myself, however, if a person is robbed of their car, but LoJack manages to recover it, does that nullify the crime and the robber is allowed to walk free?  Heck no.  This is how I see it even for those who managed to get their money back from Paypal or their credit card companies.  This does not nullify James's fraudulent activity and even those who got their money back indirectly should file a complaint with the Attorney General and the FBI.  

Jennifer, I have a pending order too and how people go about recovering their money is their business, but causing someone's business to fail by launching a sustained negative advertising campaign from day one , is a different subject. The pros know better than to get involved with something like this.
There are many ways to file a complaint, through the official channels.

Update from my CC company. They never heard back from James, so my dispute was resolved in my favor for the order I placed last Oct.

If Pay Pal can't help you with a refund due to timing, your credit card company can, because James promised to ship trees/cuttings in the spring, which never happened.

Its ironic to me that people still defend and even feel sorry for James when he hasn't shipped anything for what, 2 years? I hope everyone who was cheated complains to the appropriate authorities. This guy will not stop until enough people have complained.

My heart goes out to those who spent a lot of money. I hope you get some back. Best of luck to everyone.

Anyone who has lost money needs to file a complaint with their local law enforcement agency. This will be an informational report to establish your identity and complaint legally. Ask your local agency to forward your report to the agency where Greenfin's business is. I guessing there are hundreds of complaints and after they receive your report you should follow up with a phone call to the investigating agency. Try to personally speak with either the supervisor or the officer who will be conducting the investigation. If they get enough reports they will do something. Filling with the other agencies mentioned in this thread is reccomended however most federal agencies will not investigate without a $100,000.00 loss which can be singular or cumulative or multiple interstate victims. All agencies have to prioritize as available resources are limited. That is also why if every victim files with Greenfins local agency the sheer volume of the complaints against a single suspect should guarantee an investigation.

Remember filing with your local agency first establishes your identity for Greenfins jurisdiction. Most agencies will not take a complaint by phone as they have no way of positively identifying the complainant.

Also they have to prove criminal intent which could be from the beginning or something that occurred after he became overwhelmed. Although in this case it seems inconceivable, bad business decisions or management and not answering e-mails is not criminal. Keep in contact with the agency. If you don't they will assume you not that interested in justice. Dont be impatient! Just compiling all of the complaints is a big task and takes time. A small agency will be overwhelmed with a case like this but hopefully they can get assistance from the county or state agencies.

This thread has become the same quagmire as the thread that was locked.

Pretty sad that this topic has brought out the nastier side of human nature.

There will be a number (not all) of posters here who will resemble that remark.