LONG CREEK APIARIES UPDATE

For those of you who are looking for some current information on the status of LCA and David Winters, The Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, as of May 7, 2012, has now placed LONG CREEK APIARIES, of Parrotsville, Tennessee on the state’s BUYER BEWARE LIST:

LONG CREEK APIARIES BUYER BEWARE

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

From Tennessee’s website regarding the Buyer Beware list guidelines in part:

“What qualifies a business or individual to be listed on the Buyer Beware list? "

“1.  A response was received but resolution was not provided as promised in writing.  (The Division, not the consumer, will make the determination if the business or individual did not correct or address the complaint.)

2.  A company or individual that appears to be conducting business without the required license or registration to engage in such business or profession

3.  Businesses and individuals may also be listed if legal proceedings are in process that indicate suspicious activity.  “

LONG CREEK APIARIES CLOSED FOR BUSINESS and GMO CROPS?

Many of you have visited the Long Creek Apiaries Website to find David Winters is claiming he is out of business and is claiming GMO crops have contributed to “extensive losses” of Winter’s honey bees…….GET ME A VIOLIN…..David Winters stole your money and he can’t refund it or send you your bees, so a new excuse his borne to cover his nefarious activity(ponzi  like scheme):

From Long Creek Apiaries Website:

“Due to extensive colony losses due to several hundred acres of Gmo soybeans within flying distance of our colonies, we will not be shipping any packages or queens this year of for the foreseeable future.  We were able to deal with the mites and hive beetles but we haven’t figured out how to deal with genetically modified crops that are now almost everywhere.  This is the worst disaster we have seen in fifty-two years of beekeeping.  It is with much regret and sadness that we must close Long Creek.  It is very much like losing a child or family member.  Beekeeping information will be maintained on this site for a period of time.  Thank you everyone for your support.”

REALLY?! Nothing about the money he owes for the past 4 years.......

LONG CREEK APIARIES OTHER WEBSITE:

http://longcreekapiaries.ambz.com/

Check this out for yourselves. Nice pictures of farm tractors in wheat fields……

From the homepage of Long Creek Apiaries:

“Long Creek Apiaries has been in the farming business for over 5 years. We are proud to be a guaranteed resource for quality farming services at low prices. Our experienced farmers are skilled in raising healthy live stock, pasteurization, agriculture and more. We invite you to visit us today and see for yourself why our farm is so special.”

“Additional Info":

"When you choose Long Creek Apiaries you are not only choosing a farming company, you are choosing a team that is fully dedicated to providing quality livestock, dairy, and produce at great prices.”

“About us":

"Long Creek Apiaries is dedicated to providing Parrottsville , TN with the freshest and best quality farming services available.”

“Give us a call at xxx xxx xxxx for more information or stop by and take a tour of our beautiful farm! “

WHAT FARMING SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FROM LONG CREEK APIARIES?

From the “About us” page:

• Honey Bees
• Sales of Bees
• Packaged Bees
• Queen Bees
• Individual & Commercial Sales

You decide. Truth or farce about GMO crops and Long Creek Apiaries going out of business…..

LONG CREEK APIARIES/DAVID WINTERS OWES ME $740

June 29, 2011

12 months, 365 days), ONE YEAR, I have NO REFUND OF MY $740.00 from David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries.  David Winters refuses to refund my money I paid to him for honey bees he did not deliver as promised.  David Winters does not reply to my emails, my phone calls, my letters or my attorney's letters to him.  Now he is telling beekeepers he is selling hives to pay off those he owes, he said that last year, and i still have no refund.

I ordered 7, 3# packages of honey bees, with queens, from David Winters on February 23, 2010.  I mailed a cashiers check to David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries on March 5, 2010 and David Winters cashed my check within 4 days.

On June 29, 2010 I had not received the honey bees I paid for and David Winters promised me. I demanded a refund from David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries.  I have no refund of my money, and I have no honey bees.

I am not the only beekeeper David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries has stolen money from, or did not deliver honey bees as promised.  Check out:

Better Business Bureau Tennessee Long Creek Apiaries 

Dealings with Long Creek Apiaries

FIGHTING FOR YOUR HONEY....BEES FROM DAVID WINTERS???

FIGHTING FOR MY REFUND.  My hat and veil are off to reporter Matt Gephardt, for Utah's KUTV 2News & Connect2Utah.com, in Salt Lake City, for this story, reported Monday August 22, 2011.  Also THANK YOU JACOB JENKINS!

What does it take to catch a thief???  read on......

Get Gephardt: Fighting for Your Honey...Bees.

Reported by: Matt Gephardt

Monday, August 22 2011

Jacob Jenkins has an unusual hobby. He makes his own honey. And, to do so, Jacob needs hundreds of honey bees.

Currently, Jacob has two hives and the supplies to build two more. Now all he needs is more bees.

Last March, Jacob turned to the internet and found "Long Creek Apiaries" out of Tennessee. Owner David Winters said he could ship him the bees.

So, Jacob sent a check for $266.

"[Winters] said he was supposed to deliver them the end of May," Jacob says. "Here we sit now, it is almost September and we haven't seem them."

And, when Jacob tries to reach Winters, he says he doesn't hear back.

2News called the Tennessee company and left a message with the owner. Where are Jacob's bees? Well apparently this is not the first time he's heard from a tv station.

Long Creek Apiaries did respond to me, sort of.

Via email, David Winters writes, "I have a rule that I never respond to third party requests for information.

"The only way I would even consider responding is if I had complete editorial control" over the story.

"And since no reporter will agree to those terms...i respectfully decline your request for information."

And, it seems Jacob is not alone. On one online bulletin board there is page after page written by people who say they too paid Long Creek Apiaries and never saw their bees.

'I think i'm getting the screw job," Jacob says.

So, what now, jacob? Well you do have a few options.

There is always small claims court. Jacob would surly win, but collecting is another story.

I am told the the Tennessee Division of Consumer Protection is currently investigating. And, 2News also contacted the Utah Division of Consumer Protection. They say they want to try and help.

If you pay for a product that never arrives, that is a clear violation of Utah law. And the Utah Division of Consumer Protection is there to help us get restitution.

If you want to file a complaint, it's easy to do and costs nothing. Go to: http://www.consumerprotection.utah.gov/

If you would like to read the story and read some entertaining comments by David Winters of Long Creek Apairies, here is the link:  

Get Gephardt: Fighting for Your Honey...Bees...

Update.... Monday May 16, 2011

I’m not a blogger. i like to write but i don't have the time to write or to 'blog'.  My blog was originally started until I could get a website up and running and I am still working on my website. thank you all for your visits! 

Some of the subjects I will be updating here in the near future:

*I will have bees this year!  (no thanks to David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries who still refuses to refund my money from last year and didn’t send bees as promised, and many, many others he swindled.  I would like to hear from you, send me an email.

*Top 10 reasons and excuses David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries told you beeks why you didn’t receive your bees or your refund in 2010, and how many beeks he owes packages to for 2011. (150 +).  If you ordered from him and expect them for 2011, the same excuses or variations of them will probably apply.  You won't see your bees and you can kiss your money goodbye.   I would like to thank everyone who emailed me with the same problem.

*The Beesource Beekeeping Forum thread, Long Creek Apiaries has been reopened and SUSIEQUEEN HAS RETURNED!  David Winters, alias Beemaster01 is SUSIEQUEEN, gee.  This is your opportunity to report your experience with Long Creek Apiaries!  How can a member have 2 identities? mmmm,  Dunno, less a member has something to hide…. 

Aside from all of David Winters nefarious activity, I will continue to post my experience here until I am repaid in full. $740.00.  I have received many emails from beeks who are in the same bee boots. 

STAY TUNED! (you too David).

Check out my post on my method of hand cut comb honey!

DEALINGS WITH LONG CREEK APIARIES/Forum Closing; 'SUSIEQUEEN'

November 3, 2010
'Dealings with Long Creek Apiaries' in the 'Consumer Report Forum' on a popular beek website was closed on Oct 31, 2010. I was disappointed in the closing of that discussion.  Twenty-six direct and very entertaining posts sparked the closing; the posts were most likely deleted for the valid, truthful, opinionated content that might not have fallen within the posting guidelines of the forum.

The discussion began on Saturday evening October 29, 2010 with a post by 'SUSIE QUEEN' of San Francisco, CA., and continued through Sunday afternoon.  'SUSIEQUEEN' posted the following selected intelligent and informed remarks to beekeepers who have had money and bees stolen from them:  (with misspelling and grammatical errors included).

EEEKKK! It's a troll!!!

'SUSIEQUEEN' QUOTE 1:

"Maybe all of you need to get a life! This is beginning to sound like an obsession! At the very least repetitive"

'SUSIEQUEEN' QUOTE 2:

"Here in California you would probably just disappear forever (police would help out!) Besides, what if you are wrong? In that case, all 20 pages would prevent anyone from getting paid. The business would simply disappear along with the debt. With African bees established in Georgia, where are you going to get them?"

'SUSIEQUEEN' QUOTE 3:

"Many of today's sucessful companies once were bankrupt. What would have happened if everyone stopped buying car's from US automakers because they were bankrupt? Were they guilty of fraud because of market conditions and/or bad judgement? Of course not! The point is that because the posters here believe there is fraud, then there must be fraud. If they are wrong, then they are misleading the public. Crusades are not always a good thing. Remember the Christian crusades that killed thousands of people because the crusaders though they we right. Will your hindsight prove you correct?"

'SUSIEQUEEN 'QUOTE 4:

"I think he should be given a chance to remain in business so he can make this right. This forum is not giving giving him a chance by attempting to put him out of business. You will probably reach your goals but is everybody willing to give up what they are due to them? I thought the idea is to get paid back in time. With the Georgia African bee situation, we need every source of bee in other parts of the country that we can find. I have suppliers here on the west coast but those on the east coast are not so fortunate. We will all pay a much higher price in the future."

I do not know 'SUSIEQUEEN'. I personally believe David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries put her up to her posts, and other fourm members expressed beliefs that she was associated with David Winters.  'SUSIEQUEEN' denied any association with David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries.  I have to wonder, WHO TOLD "SUSIE QUEEN' WE WOULD BE PAID BACK IN TIME?  I know a beek who has been waiting 2 years; 2 YEARS for a refund of $950.00.  Police in California would make us disappear for asking for our money???

David Winters has been on a crusade himself, sending forum members messages and pleading with them to post on his behalf; apologize for their posts or get me to apologize for my posts .  Some of the content that was posted by 'SUSIEQUEEN' was in part some of David Winters pleadings.

David Winters posted this deleted comment on July 28, 2010, 'SUSIEQUEEN' does this sound familiar?
"Bad advice"

"Title says it all. Which is better? That a company stay in business and pay all money owed in time, OR, file formal bankruptcy , liquidate assets, and everyone receive only 10% of the money owed? Be careful what you ask for, you may get it!"

I do know this about 'SUSIEQUEEN'.  'SUSIEQUEEN ' posted these remarks in a different thread in the Consumer Report Forum  and I am curious about these posts:

Posted by 'SUSIEQUEEN' on 10-7-2010: (Post #3):

"After searching all over for Russian queens and bees this spring (avoided some with bad reports on this forum),.....(partial quote).

I would like to ask 'SUSIEQUEEN'  who she avoided with bad reports in the 'Consumer Report Forum', the very forum discussing David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries.

Posted by 'SUSIEQUEEN on 10-28-2009:  (Post # 1):

"Does anyone know anything about ( Xxxxxx's Xxxxx) in Louisiana? I was thinking about ordering some queens from him in the spring."  

'SUSIEQUEEN' said in her post that David Winters was too far from her in San Francisco, California to order bee packages from in Tennessee, yet 'SUSIEQUEEN' ordered or considered ordering queens from a supplier in Louisiana???  'SUSIEQUEEN' MIGHT ORDER FROM LOUISIANA BUT NOT TENNESSEE  BECAUSE TENNESSEE IS TO FAR???

'SUSIEQUEEN' of San Francisco, wherever and whoever you are, here are the facts of my 'crusade',  plain and simple for you:

Sent a check to David Winters=$740 bucks

No honey bees delivered=zero, zip, nada.

No refund=zero, zip, nada.

No honey bees=no honey=no wax=zero customers=no income….

Zero income.

No bees building up in spring.  This will put me 2 years behind.

No emails, no letters, no phone calls from David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries. Zero , zip, nada. David Winters doesn’t write and doesn’t call.

My experience with David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries is not priceless.

I appreciate those who did speak out, and appreciate those who speak out for those of us who have had our money stolen from us from David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries.  

This is my philosophy in life(and business):

Life is very good, work hard, have fun!

Play fair, don’t cheat, and there will be rewards.

Share; sharing is a good thing (I never went to kindergarten).

Never write checks with your mouth that your backside.... (or attorney :-) !!!) can’t cover!

Tell the truth and admit when your wrong and say your sorry.

Take naps or chill; spend time with the bees, go fishing, call a friend, have a cocktail. Do something so you don’t get all snarly and cranky.

And most of all never ever take money to the bank you didn’t rightfully earn.

I value my membership on this popular forum.  I hope if the administrators stumble across this post, they would contact me prior to deleting my posts with one click, and banning me.  My posts have been helpful to many and I have made some great friendships with beekeepers across the United States.

BTW DAVID WINTERS OF LONG CREEK APIARIES, WHERE IS MY $740.00???

 

David Winters Long Creek Apiaries: IF YOU HAVE HAD MONEY STOLEN FROM YOU AND NON DELIVERY OF BEES FROM DAVID WINTERS OF LONG CREEK APIARIES:

October 14, 2010
There are many beekeepers across the U.S.A. who have placed orders and sent their money to David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries, to have their money stolen and no honey bees delivered to them, from $100 to $1,000.  David Winters gives FALSE excuses and stops answering his phone and emails.  There are many of us who are trying to get the attention of the Tennessee Attorney General's Office for investigation and prosecution of David Winters fraudulent business practices.  Here is what you can do to help:

MOST IMPORTANT, place a phone call to E. Ross White, Asst. Director of the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, phone number #615-741-4737.  He is a great guy and will listen to you.  Mr. White is asking for phone calls from anyone David Winters has stolen money from, or has not delivered bees to.

FILE ONLINE COMPLAINTS WITH THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES:
*Office of the Attorney General Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs
*U. S. Postal Inspection Service Mail Fraud Division
*Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection
*Internet Crime Complaint Center (this is an FBI partnered organization).
*Better Business Bureau of Tennessee

SEND AN EMAIL TO THE FOLLOWING:
*Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Mike Studer, Tennessee State Apiarist 
*Russian Honey Bee Breeders Association
*American Bee Journal
*Bee Culture Magazine
 These journals will not run David Winters ads until he has paid refunds in full.

OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO:
*File a Full Faith And Credit Judgment in your state against David Winters.  This requires hiring an attorney, however the judgment is enforceable in the state of Tennessee.

*Place a phone call to Cocke County Sheriff Armando Fontes, to report a theft of your money; phone # (423) 623-6004.
 
*Place a phone call or write a letter to David Winters' private attorney Clyde Dunn, phone # (423) 623-5756.
  
*Place a phone call or write a letter to Brenda Winters' attorney Aisha Rahman, Southeast Tennessee Legal Aid, phone # (865) 637-0484.  These attorneys are good folks who need to be aware of what David Winters has stolen from you.

*Send David Winters emails on a frequent basis about what he owes you, he may not answer you, but he does read his emails.  David Winters email addresses:   beeman01@wildblue.net, sales@longcreekapiaries.com,   sales@caucasianbreeder.com, beeman01@longcreekapiaries.com.

*In addition, I send David Winters a bill (invoice) for the money he owes me and stole from me, with the  interest I am paying to the bank for the money I loaned and paid to him and he cashed.  I also send a copy of the invoice to the attorneys.

*Contact your local bee association or bee supplier, or any favorite websites you visit and encourage them not to link to David Winters websites or promote him as  a bee supplier.

Whether you were swindled out of $100 or a $1000 dollars doesn't matter.  Do something to help yourself and other beekeepers who may order from David Winters in the future.

Please send me an email, or leave me a comment to let me know if any of this information was helpful to you,  or if you have any questions.  My email: riverbee:

David Winters Long Creek Apiaries; MY FIRST YEAR WITHOUT HONEY BEES......!?

October 13, 2010
To my family, friends, and honey customers, this is my first year without honey bees, thanks to DAVID WINTERS, owner and proprietor of LONG CREEK APIARIES, Parrotsville, Tennessee. David Winters swindled me out of $740.00 for money i paid to him and sent him a cashiers check for in March of 2010, to deliver honey bees to me in May of 2010.  My honey bees were never delivered and my money was kept.  David Winters cashed my check; didn't send me the honey bees i ordered and refuses and ignores my requests for a refund of my money.

I have learned that i am one of many beekeepers across the United States David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries has stolen money from.  I am pursuing every legal avenue possible to recover my money, although i don't expect to ever see it; or to see that he is prosecuted for his fraudulent business practices.

Many of you have asked about my honey bees this summer, and were very surprised to learn I did not have honey bees to keep.  All have heard and read about the honey bee losses. Many of you have sent me articles and ask questions about the nature of honey bees!   For small beekeepers like me, it is getting very difficult to get honey bees, let alone overwinter them because of the diseases and pests, and the limited supply of honey bees available. The losses of honey bees for all beekeepers are greater every year.  The costs are greater every year because of the losses and increased demand for pollination and natural honey products.  For a small beekeeper as myself the costs outweigh any financial gain. Every year I incur the financial losses simply because I enjoy keeping wild things in a box.....™ I enjoy the wonder and curious nature of honey bees.... So it really STINGS when another beekeeper has swindled me out of my money and robbed me of a year without honey bees.  This is money i am paying interest on, and in addition,  will have to pay an additional amount of money equal to or more than the $740.00 to have honey bees delivered to me in spring 2011 from another supplier.

If you are interested, these are my posts describing in detail my experience with David Winters of Long Creek Apiaries, and why i don't have honey bees this year, go here:

post # 162:  Dealings with Long Creek Apiaries BeeSource.Com
post # 177:  Dealings with Long Creek Apiaries BeeSource.com
post # 179:  Dealings with Long Creek Apiaries BeeSource.com
post # 183:  Dealings with Long Creek Apiaries BeeSource.com
post # 187:  Dealings with Long Creek Apiaries BeeSource.com
post # 188:  Dealings with Long Creek Apiaries BeeSource.com

Also, FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION about David Winters and Long Creek Apiaries, PLEASE SEE MY LINKS IN MY SIDEBAR:

     *COMPANIES/DOMAIN NAMES OWNED BY DAVID WINTERS   

     *LINKS ABOUT LONG CREEK APIARIES/DAVID WINTERS

I have a limited amount of Rush River Gold™ wildflower comb honey and Rush River Gold™ wildflower liquid honey still available from my honey harvest in the fall of 2009!  Thank you for your questions and curiosity!  Thank you for your continued support of Rush River Honey Company™! Thank you for buying my honey!

Best regards to all!