please will someone who knows advise? thanks all

Jean, I don't know where you live, but the figs won't leaf-out until it's really warm. I'd wait awhile before cutting off the main stem.

Why would you want to cut off what you just paid for? If the top is indeed dead, I'd take them back to the nursery for a refund or exchange. .

just a saying. but I have to cut to the ground every spring and it regrows.... my BT fig thats in the ground. The shown branches and truck are still limber.. but these were prob kept in the nursery greenhouse during this mild winter this year...or at least between two greenhouses... Hummmmm.. GW used to show our zone or state I thought...