"Super-blowout-deals" has  a listing for Black Madeira cuttings from his tree in New York that is 38 years old and 12 feet tall.

I wrote to him and asked questions, hoping that this would at least show up in the listing, but my question and the seller's reply is not showing up.

Listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/251194328102

My question to seller:

[QUOTE]Dear super-blowout-deals,

Is this really Black Madeira? I don't think anybody had heard about this variety until maybe five years ago. If you've been growing it for 38 years, can you provide some better photos of the plant and the fruit? Thanks.

This guy used my photo of a pane e vino dark. Great

thank you for the heads up. i am looking for RdB and am now unsure if i want to go through ebay to get it.

Report him bass

It's getting better, I never replied to his response to me but he decided to get me worked up a bit:
[QUOTE]
Dear harveyc,

oh a couple of things forgot to tell you my tree is also the home of a colony of bees which pollinate and a small family of hornets which eat any insect so my tree is basically insect free and j use NO PESTICIDES lastly if you win my auction ill give you my word that next harvest i will next day air you some samples and if its not the sweetest tasting fig you ever had ill refund you your money back...i get 20-30 strangers a season knocking on my door for these figs

maybe someone should tell him bees dont pollinate figs. and bees and hornest dont get along. so they wouldnt live close to eachother

Hornets and  bees, living together? sounds a bit odd to me.
reminds me of that bit in Ghost Busters.

Dr. Peter Venkman: This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.
Mayor: What do you mean, "biblical"?
Dr Ray Stantz: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath of God type stuff.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Exactly.
Dr Ray Stantz: Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling!
Dr. Egon Spengler: Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes...
Winston Zeddemore: The dead rising from the grave!
Dr. Peter Venkman: Human sacrifice, Hornets and Bees living together... mass hysteria!

Awsome i forgot all about that sceen. that was part 2 right. im cracking up right now.

For RdB see driveway farmer on ebay, Rex

somebody is about to pay $50 for 4 .... very scary!

This explanation of it being verified by a local science department sounds familiar.  Wasn't someone selling Ronde de Bordeau also claiming they had it verified by a local horticultural department, even though theirs was a bronze colored fig?  Unless you specialize in growing figs I can't imagine any college in the Northeast for example being able to give a definitive identification on a fig tree variety.  I've been contemplating taking some cuttings from my Madeiras to put on ebay but it pains me to even think about cutting the tree because it is such a good fig when the conditions are right.

Ok everyone this is what I sent to the seller lets see there response 


Isnt it amazing what photoshop will do to a picture why would you steal trees of joys (BASS) picture did you think we wouldnt find out about it we are  like the government (for figs) either remove the auction completely or you will be reported to ebay I have about 2000 people backing me up on this one so please do the right thing thanks for your time

tmc2009: Yes, the one for RdB is what I mentioned in the OP.  That seller had said they verified it with Cornell.  I don't see any feedback in the current seller's history for selling any figs so I don't know if it's the same seller or not.

Good job, Anthony, hope that's enough to get the job done.  I was thinking of sending another message but will hold off now.

If it doesnt work we should all one at a time one after another send the same one I sent so he knows we mean business just copy and paste mine over and over and over.

I told Bass earlier that I once bid $20,000,000 on an item on eBay and was the high bidder.  I didn't pay but used the opportunity to have some dialogue with the person.  Probably wouldn't have to go that high on this auction. :D

If I list cuttings of Black Madeira these are the pictures that will be worth a thousand words.

TMC,
That's cruel, I want a good fig right now so bad.

So here we go guys 

Dear crazy80z28, (TO ME TONYSAC)

I'm confused as to your concerns in after having my tree inspected and identified I see nothing wrong with showing a picture of a specific species for identification purposes if you could show me anyway in my listing that says that that's my tree I'll remove the listing however I feel I did no wrong by presenting a picture off at a specific species of tree especially already being winter and my tree is already dormant and leafless it's Neely showing people what a black Madera tree looks like thank you


Dear super-blowout-deals,

If you werent hiding anything you wouldnt of had to use photoshop to FIX the picture and by the way bees and hornets dont get along with each other you need to remove the listings you have of this fig or you will be reported to ebay its not right that your lying to other members trying to get a certain type of fig i will have ALL 2000 members report you over and over again you will get suspended i PROMISE you this isnt my first rodeo my friend delete the listings have a nice day

Dear crazy80z28,

wow didnt know there was "fig police" out there and if you read my bio you would clearly see that im an "ebay certified education specialist"!!! and know ALL the rules beeing i teach them (oops) guess you didnt know that either lol...i really dont k ow what your problem is im clearly not doing ANYTHING wrong and as far as the pictures go its simply called "brush up" to make the pictures look nice and stand out i never k ew about selling my branches till now when everyone wanted my branches and i wanted to find out what type they were and new nothing about figs and THATS why i brought it to be checked out


Dear super-blowout-deals,

Yes theres fig police and it doesnt matter what you teach and i dont care what rules you think you know you need to either remove the listings or there will be 2000 reports against you majority rules my friend i have a problem when someone else steals my friends property whether its a picture or his car its not right and if you had proof of what you think you have you would have paperwork for it to show your fellow ebayers trust me we all know how the id process works and your not the first one here on ebay and other places to sell that has stated that ( i took my cuttings to a college etc ) your scamming people out of money and steeling your pics at the same time your choice my friend at this point your losing 10 bucks end the auctions thanks for your time

Dear crazy80z28,

not sure why your crazy about my listing clearly you have something against my tree as to everyone else's??? if its the black mediara thing thats bugging you...thats what i was told!!! who am i to argue a professional especially thats the reason on why i brought it to a botanist for that reason would a second opinion make you feel more at ease?

oh by the way if im lying what do you think i intend to mail you...a tomato plant??? explain that or better yet call me and we will talk  718-541-1674 my name is robert

Dear super-blowout-deals,

There alot of different fig varieties my friend no not a tomato just not what your selling and you wont be sending or selling me anything

Dear crazy80z28,

lol i have over 35000 repeat buyers across 3 stores which clearly trumps your "2000" fig friends which is neither her nor there second i didnt steel ANYTHING nothing is copyrighted and there is nothing wrong with me selling what is mine if its "paperwork" were do i go to get it??? ill be more than happy to do that if its the picture show me where its copyrighted and ill change it


Dear super-blowout-deals,

Repeat buyers dont mean much when your stealing and modifying anothers pics theres a watermark on that pic that you no longer have on yours you (brushed) it off that and the fence and garage behind the tree in the background and i can send that with my 2000 little friends as well

Dear crazy80z28,

lastly if its that important to you!!! (figs that is) call me im still here waiting my phone hasn't rang yet  718-541-1674 and again my name is robert


Dear super-blowout-deals,

Great Robert its nice to meet you I have no reason to talk to you on the phone just do the right thing.

Dear crazy80z28,

wow than you must be totally mistaken because there was absolutely NO water mark whats so ever or a garage and it had nothing to do with joy or bass


Dear super-blowout-deals,

I can prove it and I will if I have to trust me I have the pic

Dear crazy80z28,

so then am i to think you just want to try to cut down the competition for your friends because if you dont have the balls to call you obviously dont practice what you preach and if you TRULY care about your friends you would call me and we can talk like gentlemen

Dear super-blowout-deals,

Nope no competition your the only one trying to sell that tree cutting and lying about it and as far as balls mine are just fine i will just send in the pic 2000 times when you are reported to ebay

Dear crazy80z28,

ok no problem you may be able to strongarm other sellers but not me my friend ive been doing this way to long


Dear super-blowout-deals,

Not strong arming anyone i have the proof and im just trying to keep it honest and your not doing the same so i will do what i can and have to and try and make it right

Dear crazy80z28,

omg you really scare me are you serious!!! you make me laugh wow you think you actually scare me you and your 2000 little fig friends and rose club!!! dude i really still dont know what is your main issue the generic picture or the name of the tree?


Dear super-blowout-deals,

Picture and proof of your tree we are done here thanks for your time have a nice day remember i have the proof of the pic

Dear crazy80z28,

well ill tell you right now!!! it cant be removed for a few reasons such as im in all ebay guidelines....im a powerseller....a well respected member of the ebay community and a education specialist which trains people like yourself the rules of a listing ebay will not remove because your jealous or simply trying to cut the competition the only way is for me to remove it


Dear super-blowout-deals,

jealous or simply trying to cut the competition ....Are you kidding me im doing no such thing my friend like i said were done the reports will be going in as soon as i say the word i tried to let you remove it i dont want to but at this point your not even trying to rectify the issue sorry got to do it remember not a strong arm just doing the right thing

Dear crazy80z28,

if it makes you feel any better ill look through my photos for another picture of it and change it just for you

Dear super-blowout-deals,

Thats a start in the right direction thank you yes I feel better just try and get your proof and post it


Dear crazy80z28,

like i said im new at this fig stuff and all i know is everyone wants a piece of my fig tree maybe if you know as much as you say you do maybe you can teach me something

Dear super-blowout-deals,

thats just it a tree is not just at tree theres people looking for specific trees and this will get id the wrong way passed on to people grown for years to find out its not what they were told

He/She just listed a buy it now auction. I shows that he has 10 (4 cuttings) to sell for $49.99 each.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Madeira-Fig-Tree-cuttings-roots-clippings-branches-fresh-cut-free-shipping-/251194461092?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7c5b4ba4

[QUOTE=strudeldog]TMC,
That's cruel, I want a good fig right now so bad.[/QUOTE]

I depressed myself too by reviewing these pictures and realizing I'll have to wait 10 months before I can enjoy this fig again.  If I'm lucky.

OK OK OK please tell me you ALL have my back on this one I now officially have a migraine 

If someone is serious about figs they would most likely check out the seller's feedback history and see he has done nothing with plants before.  Many folks refer to eBay as SleezeBay because they have lots of folks like "Robert" who are just out to rob folks and make a fast buck.  Since eBay still earns fees on this fraudulent transactions, they tend to not get involved from what I've heard.  I just didn't want anybody here getting ripped off.

Here is his youtube channel which includes a video on how to get your utility gas meter to run backwards.  Don't think talking him into doing the "right thing" will work! ; http://www.youtube.com/user/powersellerteam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S3KvnmVOa8&feature=plcp  :)

Harvey one down one to go check the original listing its GONE now I gotta see if he removes the other one 

 The first listing was just cancelled.  "The seller ended the listing early and cancelled all bids."

The second listing in the Buy It Now format is still running.

FYI - I had bid $1.50 on the auction.  The cancellation shows all of the actual bids and the current high bidder had bid $40.01.  Saved some blown money on that one.

Im working on the second one ... howd it show 40 it only showed 10 and change it actually showed you what the highest bid wouldve been without it being you 

I was surprised that it showed the actual bids of everyone to me, not just the proxy bid that got put in place for them.  I'll email you a screen shot.

Now he is also selling O'Rourke fig cuttings. Also from a 38 years old tree he has. The descriptions are very similar.

Ok thanks ive never experienced that and im ALWAYS on ebay 

Tony, your migraine might get worse.  He's now selling O'Rourke!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Orourke-Fig-Tree-cuttings-roots-clippings-branches-fresh-cut-free-shipping-/271115903559?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1fc46247

OMG ARE YOU KIDDING ME IM GONNA LOSE THE BATTLE ON THIS ONE BUT YOU CANT WIN THEM ALL NOW CAN YA

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Orourke-Fig-Tree-cuttings-roots-clippings-branches-fresh-cut-free-shipping-/271115903559?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1fc46247

The second Madeira is now down. O'Rourke is still up.  I reported it as a fraudulent listing.

Dear super-blowout-deals,

Common guy really dont you care that your gonna sell someone a so called pipe dream i mean hey good for you for trying but dont you have anything else you can sell dude it takes years for people to get fruit off these cuttings and it really does suck when there not what you thought they where ive been there and so many others you fight the birds and squirrels etc and sometimes people its pretty funny what you will do to get that first fig and then to find out its not what you thought after years man that so disappointing just sell it as an unknown either dark or white and the color inside the fruit you will still sell it but they will know what there getting at least they have a little shot just put the color in the title like dark unknown from brooklyn etc people love a mystery small large etc 2 crops or 1 crop etc im not a bad guy man trust me im trying to help you and the buyer

PS the other buy it now is now off

I'm the high bidder on the O'Rourke at $.01 with free shipping.  Don't anybody go against me now!!! :P

Oh rats, he just ended it after my bid.

Wonder if he will give up?

this is very lame! I cannot believe people are trapped into this bidding nonsense.

Grasa, I'm not sure I understand your position.

The fraud posted a second auction for O'Rourke and I bid $.05 on that auction.  I hope I win as he has to ship it to me for free which will lose him money and, hopefully, he'll discontinue trying to sell mislabeled items.  Someone else might still bid, but probably not someone from here.

The picture of the pane e vino dark he stole from NPR news website, http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/08/22/159750471/meet-a-man-on-a-mission-to-save-rare-and-unusual-figs I reported it with the link to the item number of a listing I had on eBay earlier of pane e vino.

Looking at the ebay let me sell your stuff and teach you YouTube and other sleasy things, but most importantly I think all of us have enough evidence to show that he is stealing pictures and mis-representing at least figs. I have had three people attempt to XXXX me on Ebay the past 10 years, two of which were antique cars. Each time, I had my money back and was called by investigators who filed charges.  Simply reporting to ebay and paypal does protect the buyer, but if this guy does something that warrent a visit from law enforcement, and given he deals across state lines line, report him:  http://www.fraud.org/info/contactnfic.htm

I suspect now that he has access to a tree or two in his area, does not know what they are and is selling cuttings naming them as rare ones after he googles our passionate hobby....given as we all know, it will take years to figure out what the plant is.

The Youtube videos are a picture of his character

Jake, while it's been "around a while", it had not been widely distributed until much more recent times.

The 'O'Rourke' that he is purportedly selling has the same description of being 38 years old.  The variety was developed by LSU in 1957 but not released or given this name until 2007.

It's unfortunate that there are antics such as this. Nice homemade informercial tho, I was waiting for Mom to ask if he wanted a grilled cheese.

The first thing (on this post) that caught my attention was that it was Black Madeira, mother tree allegedly in ground in NY state.
However, (F4F varieties credit) BLACK MADEIRA
DESCRIPTION
Perhaps the best tasting fig that exists. Needs more heat and a longer season than most. Ripens, but lacks flavor and sweetness after first cold weather.

Does not sound like a description of NJ or NY weather. Yet another reason this forum is so valuable.

Guys did you read this whole topic I got him to get rid of all of them and he updated his current auction
Its the best I can do considering im at a pc desk 

 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Orourke-Fig-Tree-cuttings-roots-clippings-branches-fresh-cut-free-shipping-/251194556029?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D3921657764610 294996%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26sd%3 D251194556029%26

Dear crazy80z28,

omg...does anything make you happy!!! jesus i revised AGAIN!!!! just for you dont ask me for anything else i think i have been more than kind and accommodating i was as honest as i can be and thats that ok anything more than whats in the listing now just proves that your competition

Now he has a set of nice typical back patio pictures taken with an Iphone....we have members that have bought from this guy?  maybe we should get the seedlings into greenhouses and see what this tree is or offer to pick up in person?   lol

Me and him if you read allready had a little argument ask him if you can come pick them up and get an address from him just tell him you want to pay him outright like 20 bucks or something your going on a trip blah blah blah no time to wait for the end of auction you need them asap and post the address here lets see if we can help him out :) ill try and get the sample 

His prices are way too high for what he is offering.

As I posted before once trust is lost, its hard to gain it back - kinda like marriage

I wish eBay would allow for a longer period of time to give feedback to someone selling plants (growing, cuttings, seeds), though that could be abused.  Whoever buys mislabeled cuttings probably won't know for a few years so the seller can still retain a great feedback rating.

Did anybody here bid against me on his O'Rourke?  I was high bidder at $.01 until someone else bid $1.00.  I'm now at $1.25.  I want to "win" so don't bid, please.