Bad Guy Reptile City - ReptileCity.com

Think twice before purchasing from ReptileCity.com, as they are not reliable and lie about shipping. I purchased a Red Ear Slider and it was suppose to be sent overnight, Instead they mail it USPS Priority Mail. After not recieving the slider for the 3rd day in a row from the day it was shipped, I disputed the charge with Paypal and was awarded a refund for nondelivery, I am not sure if it was paypal that refunded the order but in the customer notes on the slip I was emailed it stated "GOAW"... I am guessing this was telling me to Go Away... I dont know.

After much more investigation with The USPS, myself and the USPS postal worker determined it is ILLEGAL and Not allowed to send TURTLES thru the USPS. They gave me the following information:

"According to the Basic Standards set fourth by the United States Postal
Service in DMM 601 Mailability, it states in section 8.5 subsection B
that;

8.5 Harmful Matter—General

Except as provided in this document, any article, composition, or material
is nonmailable if it can kill or injure another or injure the mail or
other property. Harmful matter includes, but is not limited to:

a. All types and classes of poisons, including controlled substances.

b. All poisonous animals except scorpions mailed for medical research
purposes or for the manufacture of antivenom; all poisonous insects; all
poisonous reptiles; and all types of snakes, turtles, and spiders.

c. All disease germs or scabs.

d. All explosives, flammable material, infernal machines, and mechanical,
chemical, or other devices or compositions that may ignite or explode.

The full link is here: http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htm#wp1103548
"

I emailed Felton Willis and the Sales Department and made them aware of this, as I am sure they already know, but I assume they do not care from what I have read on previous post and other forums. I would highly recommend that if you are considering purchasing anything from this company or any of its affiliates you think twice. My experience with this company does not compare to some of the others on this forum but I would like to make everyone aware of it.

I have stated the truth in this entire post and nothing is falsified. I just want to make everyone aware of the problems I encountered with this company. Thank you and have a great day....

Mickey Trivett

Mickey, you should inform them of this thread. they might not care but at least they will know about it.

Just for the future www.shipyourreptile.com is the way to ship your reps and they go through UPS. Fast easy and you print everything out online.

Just to clarify on my behalf,

I did not know they were shipping it thru the USPS as the website stated UPS and overnight shipping. I was shocked when they told me USPS Priority Mail...

Mickey Trivett

Mickey, do you have any email confirmation that they were shipping USPS Priority vs. UPS/FedEx overnight?
If not, how/when did you learn they were shipping USPS Priority?

Also just for clarification, the quote below is from their website (embolden text by me):
http://www.reptilecity.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=reptiles&Category_Code=FAQ

Q. How do you ship live animals?
A. Most reptiles in your local pet store were probably shipped from a distributor. These companies pack snakes and lizards in pillow case type bags, and spiders and other small herps in butter cups w/holes. Heat or ice packs are use to control the temperature and ensure live arrival. The orders are then put in a styrofoam box and shipped to the nearest airport via Delta Dash or the quickest way possible. We package your pet using the same method and ship via UPS, FedEx, Airborne, or the most cost effective and safe way.

Click to expand...

I have never ordered from them (or any other large corporate-type seller/distributor ... I prefer private breeders), but if I were ordering and read the FAQ's beforehand, I too would presume that they would ship FedEx or UPS to my door.

Hi Laura,

I personally called them and got the Tracking Number and that is when they told me it was shipped USPS Priority Mail. I was very agitated as there site stated what you posted above, and also states that all animals are shipped overnight and arrive within 24 hours at this link " http://www.reptilecity.com/gallery/slideshow.php?set_albumName=album85 " Look at slide # 2...

I read all the FAQS and felt comfortable when I ordered, if only I would have researched the company before hand, I would have found out the way this company goes about doing things. I just want to make aware anyone who is considering using them for any future purchases as they deserve to know.

Update:

Felton Willis who runs ReptileCity.com had the nerve to call the post office this morning, and cancel the shipment of the Red Ear Slider that was been sent through them illegally.

Yes someone did issue me a refund and so on, so I cannot complain about losing money. However I hate to see the Red Ear Slider who has been in the USPS Mail System for almost 120 hours be shipped back to the irresponsible care of who caused this entire issue.

If they would have only shipped it out as stated on their site, the little fellow would've had a chance. I went to the local post office this morning as soon as I was notified by email that the Package had been refused. I asked why and they stated that the sender had requested the package be returned as a refund had been issued.

I informed them of the contents and told them it was a Turtle and they were shocked along with everyone else in line behind me when I informed them of how long it had been in the system. They could not release the turtle to me, since FELTON had requested the package be returned to him. However they were going to make calls and see how to handle this situation as it had never happened with them before. I was not able to see if the little guy was still alive or not and they did not open the package as well as I did see it and it was just a Small Priority Box with tape. I didn't see anything on it that stated LIVE ANIMAL OR FRAGILE... The local postmaster said he would be sure into check into the proper procedures for this manner. I requested they turn it over to the local humane society if nothing else. I just DO NOT want the turtle to be shipped back to Reptile City, because if he is alive by the time he gets back he will be DEAD.

When I left the local post office, I called and spoke with a USPS Representive at their 1 800 Number, I created a case over the phone about the entire situation and asked them to put Reptile City and Felton Willis under investigation for the illegal sending of the turtle and the neglect that has been caused to the turtle because of Reptile City's improper shipping methods. The USPS Rep. stated he would fill out the proper paperwork to do so and gave me a case #. He also stated I would be contacted within 2 days by an Investigator to investigate the issue.

Also he gave me the number of the USPS Administration Offices in Nashville - Consumer Affairs Dept. So I called them and Informed them of the situation, They were super nice and helpful and are investigating the issue as I am typing this post. They are going to turn the package over to the Postmaster General Locally and he will open it and see if the Turtle is alive and if so he will be released to the local humane society instead of being shipped back to ReptileCity. If he is dead, the decision will be based upon the Postmaster General. Needless to say Reptile City AKA ReptileCity.com AKA Felton Willis will be under investigation for his practices .

I hope and pray that the right thing will be done in the Legal System to prevent this from happening again. I will keep you updated.

Oh... Forgot to tell you that Felton Willis with Reptile City called me and asked why I went to the postoffice to see why the package was not going to be delivered since I had been refunded my money. I could care less about the money, and there is a life at stake due to his ignorance. I just informed him that it would not be sent back to him as I was speaking with the USPS to resolve the situation.

Forgot to sign above post with my name... Sorry!

My name is Mickey Trivett and I wrote the above post which is #7....

Good Job Mickey. Sounds like he didnt care for the turtle whatsoever and will now have the USPS on his back.

Thanks Dean. I intend to do everything I can to inform people of the bad practices of ReptileCity. Have a great day!!

Mickey Trivett

Mickey, sorry to distract from your post, but your name is already to the left. You don't need to sign every post.

I hope the little guy is ok!