OT: Consumer Revolt!
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: OT: Consumer Revolt!
- From: M*@smtpgw.msc.navy.mil (MSO LARAMIE)
- Date: Thu, 12 Jun 1997 14:35:07 -0600 (MDT)
Hi All,
I really should probably wait before posting this, but
sometimes things are best said in anger to get the word out!
This post actually involves and ties in together two other
recent threads "AIS Catalogs" and "Consumer Beware".
Everyone has joined in to condemn recent bulb companies
who sell inferior products. However, we have two another
"Consumer Bewares" operating within AIS that Iris-l listers
should also note.
NUMBER ONE.- Two years ago I made a post concerning Mr Ray
Bearden of "All Season Iris Gardens" and the fact that he
cashed my check for $120.00 and NEVER sent my order after
numerous letters and telephone calls. Only later did I find
out that Mr Bearden had done the same thing to others. That
was in 1995 and I have yet to receive my order! Imagine my
surprise when I opened the Reblooming Iris Recorder to see
that Mr Bearden had won awards at a local AIS Show and was
President of the local society. Great person to represent
AIS, huh!
NUMBER TWO.- Like others on the list I also ordered my 1996
AIS Checklist and other items in February and have not
received them. Now we can't get a clear answer from the AIS
BOD as to what the outcome or solution is to this problem.
Answers are given by private e-mail to some and not shared
with the list. What about me - Don't I get an explanation.
Someone in AIS also hasn't sent my order and still has my
check... Aren't we all owed an explanation? Excuse me, but
what the hell is going on???
Folks, plain and simple, both actions above, although quite
different can be considered mail fraud! If you order
something then you are expected to receive your goods in a
prompt manner, or have your money promptly refunded... How
can AIS expect to gain members if it treats them
like... this? I'm already a lifetime member, but I'm sure
that others will think twice before stroking a check to AIS!
The more we as consumers allow this to happen - the more
occurances we will have of this nature. I have waited
patiently to give Mr Bearden ample enough time to make
amends and will do the same for AIS. Two years have passed
and I now intend to take some type of action against Mr
Bearden - be it legal or otherwise. I'm writing the United
States Post Office Fraud Division, the California Consumer
Affairs Office, etc. I request that anyone who was also
defrauded by Mr Bearden, or who knows anyone who had the
same problem contact me and we can join together in an
attempt to get our money back. Several others responded to
my initial e-mail about this, but I've lost names and
addresses. Perhaps we need to re-start the "Black List" for
those who cheat us out of our hard earned money. Not only
should we not buy from them, but dis-associate ourselves
from them completely.
I am sure that this e-mail will offend others who grow and
sell irises. But on their behalf I can only say that I have
ONLY experienced this problem with Mr Bearden & All Seasons
Iris Gardens. I have been greatly satisified with my
purchases from other growers & sellers and would not
hesitate to name them. Other than Mr Bearden they have all
proven to be very honest people. I hope that they will band
together and try and erase this blackmark which may now
cause iris lovers to have second doubts before placing
orders. As long as they and AIS remain silent then they are
not part of the solution - they are part of the problem!
BillSmoot - stepping off the soapbox!
