Well. well, well. It's your old pal Lennox again. Sorry it took so long to reply but I didn't have the time to stay on the computer to wait for the sheep to jump off the cliff.
First and foremost my post was not an attack, it was simply and rather politely a series of questions. Then an enterage of internet body guards came to his defense in a not so amiable manner. I only asked Neil a few questions.
I was even kind enough to offer some advice at the end of my post in order to help him out (buisness wise). I didn't want Neil to lose anymore customers for the same reason that he lost me. The only reason that I have frequented the store on more than one occasion was to buy rodents. This is because I had recently moved to the area, and he was the only source that I knew of at the time. Due to what I saw and experienced during my short visits, Neil lost me as a customer that was going to purchase anything besides a couple of rodents. Eventually, I decided that I would no longer even purchase rodents there. I now drive out of my way in order to avoid any contact with Neil or the store. This is to show how strongly I feel about what I have stated.
In response to those who have stated that the store is clean, maybe my information is outdated. Perhaps Neil has changed his ways, although I doubt it. Also, I'm assuming that since the people that posted can type, than they can also read. Therefor, my qualm with the feces situation is that the majority of the feces that I saw in the cages were not fresh (this was stated in my original post). I am by no means a reptile expert or a vet for that matter, but it is to my understanding that feces that is left standing in an animal's habitat can lead to certain infections and parasites. Even if this is not the case, it is simply not in good hygiene.
Another topic that I would like to address is everyone's fascination with my genatalia. Almost everyone that has responded to my original post had more to say about my glands than reptiles. For a minute I felt as though I was in the "homosexual reptile owners" forum. If you would really like to find out more information about my package please start another thread because that is not related to my original post. Those interested can contact me and we can discuss all the "ins" and "outs" of my members, but until then leave the 'boys' out of this one.
There are a couple of reasons why I didn't address this topic in person. First, because as a customer, I have the right to choose where to spend my money; yet this does not give me the right to tell someone how to run their business. That is exactly why I asked Neil "a few questions" instead of telling him how to run his store. Another reason, froma business standpoint, is since I only purchased rodents from Neil, I am not viewed as a valuable customer. This results in my opinion having less value than my patronage. Yet another reason that I didn't address this in person, is because I know how people like Neil react to criticism. Rather than discussing his reasons for his poor husbandry with me, I imagine he would get confrontational and grow hostile. Proof of this is how he reacted to my questions( which I repeat, were not attacks). He responded with what I would call less than polite adjectives. I didn't recall setting this sort of tone in my original post. So that is why I didn't address this in person. I doubt it would have changed anything. The cons simply outweighed the pros. Now on the other hand, posting this on the board will undoubtedly change the situation. Whether anyone believes me or not is irrelevant. Maybe some people will drop by the store unexpectedly to decide for themselves. Perhaps I will visit the store one last time to take a few pics of what I am speaking of. Out of fear of this, I am sure that Neil will probably step up the quality in his husbandry; he doesn't want anyone to know that I am speaking the truth. So the next time that Neil walks by a cage that is in need of some maintenance, I am sure he will think twice before ignoring it. Thus, the goal of my original post has already been accomplished. What goal you ask, is the better treatment of animals (reptiles in particular). My goal was not and never will be to hurt anyone's business; I don't want to jeopardize anyone's livelihood. The only time I have problem with this type of business is when someone is exploiting the animals that I find so dear; whether or not Neil is responsible for this I'm not equipped to say; I obviously have a biased opinion.
I would also like to urge many of the people on this board to think for themselves. You can only judge a small amount of a person's character by what he/she posts on this board. Like I already stated, whether you believe me or not, my goal has already been accomplished. Do not assume that because someone presents themselves in a certain way over the phone or the net that you received an accurate representation of their character. That person could be blowing smoke directly up your rectum, in Neil's case you just might get real smoke (complete with carcinogens)
That brings me to the next topic. Some of you on here took what I posted completely out of context. I do not care if anyone smokes. My father still smokes, my mother smoked for almost 15 years, I smoked for five, and my brother has smoked on and off for the past 5 years as well. It is a fact that smoking kills millions of humans every year; now one would be hardpressed to get me to believe that smoking isn't ten times more lethal to reptiles than it is to humans. Our lungs are much more resistant to the damage due to smoking. Correct me if I'm wrong, aren't many reptiles already prone to respiratory infections? Now what if you throw carcinogenic smoke into the equation? Some poeple even stated that we as Americans have the right to smoke in our businesses. Would any of you tell your brain surgeon that he can't have a cigarette before he performs an eight hour procedure in your head? Probably not. But I'm sure the same people would prefer the doctor refrain from smoking during the procedure. How would you feel if you saw someone smoking in a room full of newborms and premature babies? I'd hope you would be disgusted. That is exactly what some of our reptiles are; hatchlings= "newborns" wild-caught imports = "premature". Whether you value the life of a child more or less than that of a reptile is irrelevant. We are still discussing living beings that are very susceptible to their outside surroundings. Lets face it, the odds are stacked against a lot of reptiles especially in the earlier stages of their lives. Why then increase the odds even more by voluntarily suscepting them to carcinogens from your cigarette, when the door is a mere 10 feet away from where you are sitting. It is for this reason that I find Rob's statement: "AS far as smoking and watching TV HEY THIS IS AMERICA!!!! WE CAN SIT ON OUR ASSES AND DO WHAT WE WANT IN OUR OWN PLACE OF BUSINESS IF THATS WHAT WE WANT TO DO" to be particularly simian and ignorant. Not only that, but I disagree with your entire statement; just because you live in America does not give you the right to voluntarily subject reptiles to carcinogens. I'd hope you would not like it if your local exotic vet examined your five year old burm that has an R.I. with a cigarette in his hand and watching Crocodile Hunter at the same time. Put a bit more thought into what you say before you grab your "Caveman's Guide To Cliches".
I was disappointed to see your post Tom McCarthy. You have been so helpful to me in the past. I admire your business and your service (not to mention your cages). You came to mind when I was contemplating who is an example of a good breeder and reptile keeper. Having been in contact with you is one of the reasons that I found Neil's service sub-par.
Despite the great detective work, I am not the owner of a reptile business or any business for that matter. I'm simply a college student studyiong Chemistry and who has a small collection of snakes and turtles Thus this post was not an attempt to gain customers. I'm assuming that the detectives on this board think that I am somehow connected to Josie's Exotic Pets, the other reptile store in Neil's area. Wrong, she too smokes in her store with all windows and doors closed (except she does smoke quite a bit more than Neil). She is also painfully ignorant. Her place is a bit on the cleaner side of things though.
I believe I have addressed all the topics that I desired. I can't wait to hear your responses.
Sincerely,
Lennox Williamson
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'> LOL LOL!!! But this "lennox" is probably standing behind his mamma's skirt holding on to her leg, while she typed the post for him?<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>? But of course lennox might have been peaking while she did it!!!!!!