The evolution of the Garden Roses situation fills me with a mix of anger and sadness. I refuse to extend any sympathy towards them; they simply don't deserve it. Looking back, it's painfully obvious that they set out to swindle hardworking people out of their money. Some people commend them for their willingness to offer refunds, but it's astounding to me how low the moral bar has sunk for these frauds while remaining super high for the honest sellers/nurseries, and how trusting people can be. Who's to say they're offering refunds out of the goodness of their hearts? It could very well be a ploy to prolong their scam without raising suspicion and continue defrauding more individuals, and escaping criminal investigation.
The crucial question here is, despite likely not having shipped a single rose and probably not having any stock beyond what's showcased on their social media, did they cease accepting orders and pocketing more money, furthering their deceitful agenda? I recall Carla raising a pertinent question in an earlier comment: why expand their product line to include Star roses when they can't even fulfill existing orders? The answer is now clear: greed drove them, not a genuine concern for fulfilling orders. While some may express forgiveness and even offer apologies to them if their orders were eventually fulfilled, I'm not among them. Even if they were to deliver some plants, the ordeal remains a harrowing experience.
People like myself scraped money from a tight budget to preorder and make a full payment amounting to hundreds of dollars. Many endured many months of wait, passing up on rose sales from other reputable nurseries because they had already ordered from Garden Roses. Instead of tending to our gardens and watching them grow in this springtime, we found ourselves scouring websites and forums, grappling with uncertainty about whether the orders will ever materialize, all while uncovering their extensive history of fraud. If only I had never come across them or placed the order. I won't forgive them for the distress they've caused me and countless other rose enthusiasts like myself.
And now they came out with this claim about mildew killing their (imaginary) roses hence they cannot ship. Call me unforgivable if you must, but I don't believe a word and refuse to pamper frauds like them who have inflicted such harm through their deceit and dishonesty.
Q