trip report to s.c. georgia ( not good!)

13 years ago

I want to sum up a very bad, and long last almost 2 weeks! I apoligize for not being on here much recentaly as i said a few months ago I am re-doing my mothers whole house with palms and she recentaly got a pool installed...anyway i went to south carolina and georgia and got tons of palms super deals and thousands of dollars in a 25' box truck. sad to say we ended up falling over in a ditch 45min. away at 4am. I cant even explain what we have gone through! I still have about $8,000 of huge pindos, washingtonias, euro fans and quad trachys! budget is trying to say i cant get my palms cuz the truck is unsafe... so they r just sitting there dying!everyday me my friends and my mother go trying to get them calling budget headquarters and police everything... budget guy is lying saying i fled the scene and keep jumping his fence to get the palms! all lies also said i cut my arm bad! Anyway!the sheriffs in the small town were all crooked and scam artists. 10,000$ towing bill alone and the cops got paid off... soo much of a long bad story trying to sum it up. but i am going back soon as i ge more $ to get more palms. when u come next year statenisl, ill have a 5-7' sabal palmetto for you. ( if u still would like) im starting a small palm tree farm in va beach! best quality palms around here also with best prices haha. we r doing everything we can though in this tough situation it really sucks i really want my palms off that truck its personal private property! -Justin in VB just wanted to share with you all thanks for reading...

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Comments (22)

knotz
13 years ago
Dang Justin...That just sucks!!...Here's hoping it all works out and you get ALL your palms...Keep us updated, ok!!
mastiffhoo
13 years ago
That is terrible Justin - we will keep you in our prayers!
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Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, October 1948 Duke was discharged, he was a happy fellow. The Army issued him a voucher for rail-transport from New Jersey to his home-state, California, but he had his discharge money and decided we should get a used car and drive West. He became the proud owner of a 1930�s Cadillac Touring Car, impressive, with running-board and back seating area as big as some living-rooms. I didn�t know anything about cars or actually what he spent on it, it was all new. I knew that Uncle Fritz, back in Frankfurt, always had big, impressive automobiles, so I took this for routine. So off we went, cruising around in that monster car, made it to Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where the car gave up the ghost. The bitter lesson: used car dealers setting up business adjacent to an Army base full of eager, na�ve brand-new civilians are predators. We had checked into a small hotel, trying to think what to do next. The people in the hotel were so nice, they fell in love with Joann, gave her balloons, and that evening the owner gave us two movie tickets and baby-sat Joann, so we could have at least a little relief from our worries. Next day, Duke went to the garage, the mechanic said the Caddy was definitely a basket case, but he had an old, 1934 Chevy, slated for the wrecking-yard, but operable, that he�d give us, it needed a quart of oil every hundred miles, but otherwise was running good. Duke took the deal, and we were off, going West. It was possible to get used oil by the gallons for maybe a quarter, sometimes it was free, so every hundred miles we pulled over and Duke put some oil in "Old Betsy". Motels and fast food joints were not available then, we stayed in "cabins", usually less than a dollar a night, they were not particularly nice, but gave us a chance to sleep, clean up, wash the diapers. Picked up bread and lunch-meat or cheese in grocery stores. Joann ate whatever we had, she was nine months old and a good eater. The memorable part of the trip got us to St. Louis and onto Route 66. One night, in the Ozarks, we had a cabin with a wood-stove. The proprietors invited us to have dinner with them, they made sure the stove was well stocked , wanted us to stay a couple more days, because they were going squirrel hunting and we should experience how good the stew would be, but we were in somewhat of a hurry to go and face Duke�s parents, so we declined. I remember a motel in New Mexico which had a roadside attraction: cages full of rattlesnakes, I didn�t sleep very well that night. That old Chevy kept chugging along, in retrospect I believe it was the ideal car for the trip, I didn�t know enough about Duke�s regular driving habits, this vehicle couldn�t be pushed too hard, we had to stop every hundred miles, had a chance to walk around, do diaper changes, look at the ever-changing scenery, I realized that this was a BIG country. People were friendly, we always had our evening meal in a diner, each was different, menus were more regional. Route 66 was a major highway, but it meandered, most of the time one lane each way, through little towns and villages. Scenery got more spectacular, the Desert of New Mexico and Arizona and then the winding mountain road to Flagstaff, awesome! Entered California late at night, at Needles and, money running short, decided to go on to Calimesa, where Duke�s parents lived. We hit a desert sand-storm, high wind pushing at the car, sand getting between one�s teeth, into one�s eyes, I put a clean cloth over Joann�s face to protect her a little. Duke kept apologizing, telling me California wasn�t always like this. I cherish the memory of that road-trip, it was a vacation before "real" life started, almost like eating dessert first, and it can�t ever be repeated the way it was then. Arrived at Duke�s parent�s place after midnight - and another story began.
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jimhardy
13 years ago
WTF!

)-:
gatraffic
13 years ago
Let's see, you lose control of the vehicle, pretermitting a mechanical issue, with $8,000.00 worth of goods,at 0400, everyone is corrupt and you have not retained a local attorney to resolve your issues. ok...................,
NoVaPlantGuy_Z7b_8a
13 years ago
WOW! Sorry to hear about your misfortune! I'm really not sure what to say. I know the truck rental co. can not keep your personal private property tho. But one must ask, exactly how did the truck end up turning over in a ditch? I mean, they don't just drive themselves into those situations. I'm not implying that you did it either, but those are the types of questions that are going to be asked by everyone, including any attorney. What exactly where the driving conditions? your speed? Anything in the road you swerved to miss hitting?

Hard to say what happend based on the vague description you gave really. I do hope you are able to at least get your cargo out and that it survives! Sounds to me tho like you definitely are going to need an attorney to help you and make sure that your rights are not violated in any way. Just because you had an accident in their truck does NOT give them, nor anyone else the right to confiscate / keep your property. The only way I could see them being able to do that is if the police consider it evidence of some kind if the truck was loaded over its listed capacity, but I find that scenario extremely hard to believe. Those trucks can handle ALOT of weight. People like myself rent them to move entire households, and those are NOT light loads either.

Best of luck and keep us informed!
brooklyngreg
13 years ago
Justin my friend. I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. I would first relax and gather my thoughts and ask the authorities where your mom lives how you legally obtain you private property back if possible. If they die just keep your reciepts and you have plenty of time to file a law suit with budget for you injuries and other losses. I would normally never say that but you need to set a boundary here. Does your family or mom know anyone in the legal profession to run this situation by. See what they say buddy. But there will be plenty of time for palm my friend. God loves you and I hope the best for you. Please indicate what small town did this to you so we may AvOID it.
tropicpalms
Original Author
13 years ago
we def already contacted an attorney and have a lawyer who wrote a note... budget just called saying they released them cuz they found out how much they were worth so ill let u allknow how it goes im going to get them in a few hours! im praying i get them back... trust me im praying to get these back! truck lost control and swerved into a deep ditch near emporia... trust me its a big thing goin on right now... ill be back on tonight hopefully with some pics! thanks everyone!!! -Justin in VB
brooklyngreg
13 years ago
Dear Justin,

Yes I am praying for you and it was very wise to consult with an attonery my friend. How is your arm doing Justin?

Please do not go there alone and bring someone with you - even mom. If you do not have to pay the $10,000 or you may tell the towing company you need time to pay - just let them try to collect it. I am sure they will loose once its properly challenged -if you did pay, file a motion with Mom's attorney to get it back. Its excessive and I believe you shall prevail. I bet a show like dateline would love to hear your story of being taken advantage of and play it on TV nationally.

Pray to Jesus and ask Him for help. I can tell what you went thru. Also, check weight capacity of vechiles when relocating palms.

Here's a great verse for Christians to use "No weapon for against me shall prosper". Believe it, pray it and stand on it.
brooklyngreg
13 years ago
PS. Looking forward to seeing your photos.

I will come visit your palmm tree nursery next time I am in VB.

PS. not sure if your arm was hurt - hope not.
Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
13 years ago
Hey Justin,

I can honestly say that I can't believe what you and your Mom have gone through....What a NIGHTMARE!!!!

Everyday, I drive past your house and my jaw drops with all of the work that you have done!!! Unbelievable work my friend!!! I can't wait until you post pics of the transformation that the yard has gone through....
I have never seen anyone work as hard as what you and your brothers have done....BRAVO!!!!

Hopefully this terrible situation will be resolved and those people will be revealed for who they really are...

Congratulation on being able to retrive the rest of your property...I can't wait to get home and see the new progress that you and your family have done!!!

Great job Justin!!!! I know how much you have put your heart into this project....now it finally shows!!!

Take care everyone!!!

Laura in VB
NoVaPlantGuy_Z7b_8a
13 years ago
Glad to hear budget is releasing your palms! They are YOUR property, no matter what and they have no right to hold them, period. Good that you talked to an attorney as well. Definitely fight this with everything you can. I've never EVER heard of a $10,000 towing fee! That is ridiculous! Where did they tow it to, Alaska???? Sending good thoughts your way, and glad you are physically ok! Look forward to the pics of all of the new palms you got. Keep us posted on everything!
tropicpalms
Original Author
13 years ago
thank u soo much mrs. Laura! that means sooo much to me im trying i will post pics of my budget incident and palms that were stuck then ill make a new post for the changes in the yard but im not close to being done! please come brooklyn- whenever u do come to va beach i got u ;) i will def try tomorrow to post some pics thanks aain everyone! -Justin in VB
tropicpalms
Original Author
13 years ago
here is a few pic sorry it took so long im just super busy w a lot . really wanted to share them w u all tho!thanks again.

{{gwi:1151875}}
my bro standing by a dactylifera or a sylvestris.

curved and a doubble sabal

{{gwi:1151878}}
12' washingtonia

little washies 4-7'

washy and dates

agave

diff kinds of date palms ( canary, sylvestris, dacty.)

quad. trachy

thanks again ill show more pics soon of my back yard changes ...
NoVaPlantGuy_Z7b_8a
13 years ago
Thanks for the photos! Great stuff! So is that the infamous truck? What exactly are we looking at there? Is that a nursery where you got them or is that your nursery you are setting up? Just curious. Thanks again for all the great pics!
statenislandpalm7a
13 years ago
tropicpalms i hope this situation turns out in your favor. I would love a palmetto but it can't be more than 5 or 6 ft to fit in my car.

don't forget to post pictures of your new landscape.
tropicpalms
Original Author
13 years ago
sorry there all mixed up half the palm farms down south and some of my house in va beach... i will post many many pics soon of the changes and new landscape... took over 30 huge trees down in march, new pool, pool house/ bar, many new palms and not half way done so ill post pics soon def! thanks everyone for lookin'. I will get u a little sabal 4-6' u will c i will have all sizes and shapes ;) when i get time this week ill post many pics! -Justin in VB
ncpalmzone7
13 years ago
thats look like MY YARD CENTER? thats where i bought my sabal thats is awesome,those pix are great.i forgot the dudes name but i think he is german,real nice guy
tropicpalms
Original Author
13 years ago
yes he is german his name is Ralph at My yard center hes a really nice guy how is your sabal coming along? any pics? i bought 15 sabals all sizes and many other palms. -Justin in Vb
ncpalmzone7
13 years ago
the sabal is looking the same when i first bought it,im guessing the roots has to get establish then it will start pushing out new growth next summer,how much was the price on the curve sabal i am very interested?
jacklord
13 years ago
Sorry to hear about the accident.

Having said that, Damn! Those are some big palms. You don't mess around.
tropicpalms
Original Author
13 years ago
ncpalmnoze7: yes the roots definitely need to get well established and that may take a long time or short time depending on a lot of situations... Mine are actually growing very fast for Sabals and are all pushing out it's newest fronds already, i take care of them daily also. That curves Sabal is just a little curved im getting some very tall twisty curvy trunked sabals in spring also. Ralpf charges a lot for curved sabals because they are much more rare and eye catching and are "not your normal straight palm tree" he says... Jacklord- Thanks haha yea im getting many big palms and going to get much bigger, I appreciate all the comments and concerns! -Justin in VB
brooklyngreg
13 years ago
Hi Justin,

What a feast of palm trees. I am happy to share in your victory in getting them planted. How much was a large Sabal Palmetto (without the curve)? Just curious.

PS. Did you have to pay $10,000 for the truck incident/towing or did they lower the price?

trip report to s.c. georgia ( not good!)

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