Reptile Ron's Online Reptile Superstore

Okay, here is the story. Back on August 9, 2005 my husband placed an order through Reptile Ron's Online Reptile Superstore for 2 t-shirts and 3 very large non-tipping bowls for our burms. Apparently we placed the order right before the big Dayton Reptile show and we were told the order will get filled once the supplier returned from the show. We were told this a week after the order was placed (8/18/05). Not a problem at all for us. Then we got another email stating one of the t-shirts had been discontinued and he needed to pick another one. This was two weeks later after the order was placed (8/24/05). The first shirt arrived sometime around the 30th of August and my husband sent him an email the same day inquiring about the bowls. We were told they would be arriving soon and to be patient. This was the first time we heard of his health issues.

September was a rough month for us. We bought a house, moved and then sold a house. Busy and it flew by. My husband emailed him again on October 3, 2005 inquiring yet again about the bowls. We were told he was in the hospital due to his diabetes and to be patient yet again. By 12 October we were told the bowls were on back order. By this time my husband had picked another t-shirt which happens to be out of print as well. Around the 19th of October, Ron stated he would refund our money and basically that is where we still sit.

Since then he has given nothing but excuses on why he can't refund our money quite yet. The purchase was made with Paypal using a credit card. I know Paypal has their limit but hopefully we can still file a claim with the credit card company. This is completely bad business sense on Ron's part.

Oh, one more thing. My husband did pick another shirt that we were told was shipped on December 7, 2005 but for some reason we still have not received it. I doubt we ever will either.

Give me a second and I will post all the emails. Thanks.

Jeannie M. Cumbo

First set of emails

----- Original Message -----
From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
To: "Cumbo" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 6:13 AM
Subject: Re: Recent Order


> Yes I did, thank you very much.
>
> Ron
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cumbo" <[email protected]>
> To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 5:35 AM
> Subject: Re: Recent Order
>
>
>> /Ron,
>>
>> that is correct the ship to address is the P.O. box that way the mail man
>> doesn't just leave it at our door. as we have had packages just up and
> walk
>> away.
>> Also on the order did ya get the size of XL for the rattler shirt.
>>
>>
>> thanks
>> kyle
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> To: <[email protected]>
>> Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 6:05 AM
>> Subject: Recent Order
>>
>>
>> > Hi this is Ron Prince from Reptile Ron.Com. Thank you very much for
> your
>> > recent order and I apologize for the slight delay, but I just gotr back
>> > into
>> > town.
>> >
>> > I just needed to clarify some shipping details. Your order shows that
> you
>> > wanted your items delivered to P.O. Box 525 in Fort Meade, however the
>> > billing address is 1843 Eagle Court. Did this possibly get mixed up?
>> > Normally it is the other way around.
>> >
>> > If you don't mind, please verify address you would like your items
> shipped
>> > to.
>> >
>> > Again, thank you very much for your order and I look forward to hearing
>> > back
>> > from you so we can get your items shipped to you immediately. They
>> > normally
>> > go out the very next day.
>> >
>> >
>> > Sincerley,
>> >
>> > Reptile Ron
>> >
>> > www.reptileron.com


Jeannie M. Cumbo

Second Set of Emails

----- Original Message -----
From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
To: "Cumbo" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2005 1:29 PM
Subject: Re: Recent Order


>I just got off the phone from my suppliers. Looks like we placed an order
> at a bad time because everybody is at the huge Daytona Reptile show that
> is
> held annually. I was kinda thinking maybe they were out of town because
> they always send me an order confirmation and this time they didn't.
> Everyone will be back in town next Tuesday the 23rd and they promised to
> get
> your order out to you that very day. It will ship either via the US mail
> or
> UPS, so you will have your items sometime in the middle of next week.
>
> Man, I'm really sorry bout this. This normally is never a problem. The
> Daytona show is huge and it just so happens that everyone is there. I
> will
> be more than happy to give you a nice discount on any future orders from
> us.
>
> By the way, what kind of snakes do you have? I do reptile presentations
> all
> over - it's a lot of fun. Plus we have a TV show about reptiles and
> amphibians. We are going to Peru and Belize at the end of the year to do
> a
> lot of exploring and photography for the show - Should be a lot of fun
> checking out the Amazon.
>
> Again, I apologize for this. I totally forgot it was Daytona Show time.
>
> Ron
>
> www.reptileron.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cumbo" <[email protected]>
> To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 6:48 PM
> Subject: Re: Recent Order
>
>
>> kewl,
>>
>> thanks
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> To: "Cumbo" <[email protected]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 5:24 PM
>> Subject: Re: Recent Order
>>
>>
>> >I will check on the status of everything in the morning and have an
> answer
>> > for you - sorry for the inconvenience.
>> >
>> > Ron
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Cumbo" <[email protected]>
>> > To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> > Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 4:11 PM
>> > Subject: Re: Recent Order
>> >
>> >
>> >> huh? went and picked my mail up today, as we had it on hold as we
>> >> left
>> > town
>> >> on the 10th and just got back and there was nothing there. it might be
> on
>> >> it's way back to you?? (not sure how long the Post Office keeps it).
>> >>
>> >> how about the bowls? when will they ship?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> thanks
>> >> kyle
>> >> ----- Original Message -----
>> >> From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> >> To: "Cumbo" <[email protected]>
>> >> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 3:11 PM
>> >> Subject: Re: Recent Order
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > Yes
>> >> > ----- Original Message -----
>> >> > From: "Cumbo" <[email protected]>
>> >> > To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> >> > Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 1:52 PM
>> >> > Subject: Re: Recent Order
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >> Was it sent to the P.O. Box?
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> ----- Original Message -----
>> >> >> From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> >> >> To: "Cumbo" <[email protected]>
>> >> >> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 2:41 PM
>> >> >> Subject: Re: Recent Order
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> > Have you not received anything uet? You should have had the
>> >> >> > T-Shirts
>> > a
>> >> >> > long
>> >> >> > time ago.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Ron
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > www.reptileron.com
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > ----- Original Message -----
>> >> >> > From: "Cumbo" <[email protected]>
>> >> >> > To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> >> >> > Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 8:24 AM
>> >> >> > Subject: Re: Recent Order
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> Ron,
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> when will the items be shipped?
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> thanks
>> >> >> >> kyle

Jeannie M. Cumbo

Third Set of Emails

----- Original Message -----
From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
To: "Cumbo" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 4:18 PM
Subject: Re: Recent Order


> They should be arriving soon - Have you picked out a different shirt yet?
> How did you like the one you received?
>
> Thanks so much - please bear with me - I am having some very serious
> health
> problems right now. Life and death stuff....
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Ron
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cumbo" <[email protected]>
> To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
> Cc: "K&J Cumbo" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 3:35 PM
> Subject: Fw: Recent Order
>
>
>> Ron,
>>
>> can ya give me the status on the bowls i got the first t-shirt.
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> To: "Cumbo" <[email protected]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2005 12:18 PM
>> Subject: Re: Recent Order
>>
>>
>> > Hey there. I sure do apologize for all the problems here, but we have
>> > another one. The Rattlesnake Skin T-Shirt has been discontinued.
>> > Would
>> > you
>> > mind picking out another shirt or do you want a refund for that one?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Ron
>> >
>> > www.reptileron.com

Jeannie M. Cumbo

Fourth Set of Emails

----- Original Message -----
From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
To: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 2:30 AM
Subject: Re: Enquiry from store.reptileron.com


> You're welcome, again I apologize for all this mess. I flew to Tucson for
> a
> new type surgery that is supposed to radically change the amount of pain
> due
> to neuropathy. Well, now I have a lot of very nasty scars on my leg and
> ankle, but the operation did not work. I'm seriously considering a
> radical
> treatment for neuropathy that deals with venom from the cone snail. I
> have
> read about other successful treatments using toxins from anything from
> gila
> monsters to coral snakes. Weird huh since I am into reptiles so
> heavily...
>
>
> Thanks again guy,
>
> Ron
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
> To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 9:35 PM
> Subject: Re: Enquiry from store.reptileron.com
>
>
>> Thank ya sir,
>>
>> hope all is going good with you..
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> To: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
>> Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 8:50 PM
>> Subject: Re: Enquiry from store.reptileron.com
>>
>>
>> > Good to hear from you. I will get it ordered immediately for ya, plus
>> > have
>> > your money back on the bowls soon.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Ron
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
>> > To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> > Sent: Friday, November 25, 2005 10:57 PM
>> > Subject: Re: Enquiry from store.reptileron.com
>> >
>> >
>> >> how about this one? sorry for taking so long to get back been busy..
>> > moving
>> >> and stuff
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Venomous Snakes t-shirt
>> >> [142]
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Venomous Snakes t-shirt
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> ----- Original Message -----
>> >> From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> >> To: "kyle cumbo" <[email protected]>
>> >> Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 5:35 PM
>> >> Subject: Re: Enquiry from store.reptileron.com
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > Kyle, I think the second shirt you requested is out of print as
>> >> > well.
>> > We
>> >> > are in the process of changing shirt manufacturers, but take a look
> at
>> >> > what
>> >> > we have and give me an idea of what you would like and I will let
>> >> > you
>> > know
>> >> > if it is available. I updated them recently.
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > Thnaks,
>> >> >
>> >> > Ron
>> >> > ----- Original Message -----
>> >> > From: "kyle cumbo" <[email protected]>
>> >> > To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> >> > Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 7:08 PM
>> >> > Subject: Enquiry from store.reptileron.com
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >>
>> >> >> would like to know where my order is and what the status is with
>> >> >> it.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> the number is order 92. it was ordered back in august. i got one of
>> >> >> the
>> >> > t-shirts then i got an email reference the other t=shirt being no
>> >> > longer
>> >> > made. i picked another one.. and still have not recieved the bowls i
>> >> > ordered. IF i don't hear from you within 24 hours i am putting in a
>> >> > complaint with pay pal. as my emails to you have not been
>> >> > answered...
>> >> >>
>> >> >> thanks
>> >> >> kyle
>> >> >> 443-889-3908
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >
>>
>>
>

Jeannie M. Cumbo

Fifth Set of Emails

----- Original Message -----
From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
To: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 2:25 AM
Subject: Re: Enquiry from store.reptileron.com


> Soon Kyle I am trying to get back on my feet after being devestated.
>
> Ron
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
> To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2005 7:24 AM
> Subject: Re: Enquiry from store.reptileron.com
>
>
>> reference to money back from bowls? How long is that going to take to
>> resolve?
>>
>> thanks
>> kyle
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> To: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
>> Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 2:30 AM
>> Subject: Re: Enquiry from store.reptileron.com
>>
>>
>> > You're welcome, again I apologize for all this mess. I flew to Tucson
> for
>> > a
>> > new type surgery that is supposed to radically change the amount of
>> > pain
>> > due
>> > to neuropathy. Well, now I have a lot of very nasty scars on my leg and
>> > ankle, but the operation did not work. I'm seriously considering a
>> > radical
>> > treatment for neuropathy that deals with venom from the cone snail. I
>> > have
>> > read about other successful treatments using toxins from anything from
>> > gila
>> > monsters to coral snakes. Weird huh since I am into reptiles so
>> > heavily...
>> >
>> >
>> > Thanks again guy,
>> >
>> > Ron
>>
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
>> > To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> > Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 9:35 PM
>> > Subject: Re: Enquiry from store.reptileron.com
>> >
>> >> Thank ya sir,
>> >>
>> >> hope all is going good with you..
>> >> ----- Original Message -----
>> >> From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> >> To: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
>> >> Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 8:50 PM
>> >> Subject: Re: Enquiry from store.reptileron.com
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > Good to hear from you. I will get it ordered immediately for ya,
> plus
>> >> > have
>> >> > your money back on the bowls soon.
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks,
>> >> >
>> >> > Ron
>>
>>
>

Jeannie M. Cumbo

Sixth Set of Emails

----- Original Message -----
From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
To: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2005 11:20 AM
Subject: Re: SHirt


> Hi Kyle. I am tracking down the order for your T-Shirt - It was sent to:
> Kyle Cumbos
> 8304 Pawnee Drive
> Mount Airy, MD 21771
>
>
> on December 7th, 2005.
>
> You should have received the shirt no later than the 9th or the 10th. Is
> the address correct?
>
> I will be refunding your money for the non-tip water bowls very shortly.
> Also I will be more than happy to refund any [Pay-Pal processing fees you
> incurred as well.
>
>
> I will get back with you on the shirt later this afternoon or evening.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ron
>
> www.reptileron.com
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
> To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 8:27 PM
> Subject: Re: SHirt
>
>
>> when was it shipped?
>>
>> to which address?
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> To: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
>> Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 5:27 PM
>> Subject: Re: SHirt
>>
>>
>> > Please let me know when it arrives - I am trying very hard to get back
> on
>> > my
>> > feet again after all this illness and literal near death experiences.
>> > I want to take good care of all of my customers.
>> > Thanks man,
>> >
>> > Ron
>> >
>> > www.reptileron.com
>> >
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
>> > To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> > Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 7:41 AM
>> > Subject: Re: SHirt
>> >
>> >
>> >> not yet.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> ----- Original Message -----
>> >> From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
>> >> To: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
>> >> Sent: Friday, December 16, 2005 9:03 PM
>> >> Subject: SHirt
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > Hiya Kyle,
>> >> >
>> >> > Did you get your shirt?
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks,
>> >> >
>> >> > Ron
>> >> >
>> >> > www.reptileron.com
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >
>>
>>
>

Jeannie M. Cumbo

Final Emails

Ron,

This is Kyle's wife and I must say I'm appalled at how you are handling
this. Yes, I know a sickness makes things harder BUT we placed that order
nearly 5 months ago. The money from that order should not have been spent
until the merchandise was in our hands and not a moment before then. Since
then we have gotten nothing but excuses out of you on why you can't refund
the money now. That is not acceptable at all. Since you have such lack of
consideration for your customers, I've had to find other means to adequately
provide a water bowl for my burmese python. They don't get smaller as they
grow, they get bigger and those bowls would have been a great help. As for
the t-shirt you said was shipped recently, I highly doubt that as well. At
this point, I can't believe a thing you say. So much for customer service
these days. Since you've backed us in this corner and I'm tired of all your
excuses, we will be filing a fraud report with the credit card company.
Also, I will be posting your name and your business name on the BOI board of
the Fauna Website and I will be sending you the link. If you care to defend
yourself then please do so. I will no longer be dealing with your company
in the future nor will I recommend your company to anyone else. Your total
lack of care for your customers is deplorable. Thank you.

Jeannie Cumbo

----- Original Message -----
From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
To: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 11:07 PM
Subject: Re: SHirt


>I will refund your other money for the bowls just as soon as I can - sorry,
> I have been fighting other demons.
>
> Ron
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
> To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 9:15 PM
> Subject: Re: SHirt
>
>
>> Ron,
>>
>> I talked with my credit card company today, as that is what I used to pay
>> the paypal with and they told me to get all my correspondence with your
>> business/you and to forward it to them. I told them I would not be home
> till
>> tomorrow and it would be a day or so before I could get it to them.
>>
>> I Just would like to give you a chance to get this issue settled with out
>> having to get a mediator involved.
>>
>>
>> thanks
>> Kyle

Jeannie M. Cumbo

I will be sending Ron a link to this forum so that he knows it is here and can defend himself if he wishes. Thanks for your time and comments.

Jeannie M. Cumbo

Link to Store

Just in case you wish to see what bowls I was ordering, here is a link to his store:

http://store.reptileron.com/product_info.php?products_id=1126

Thanks.
Jeannie M. Cumbo

Fun situation Jeannie. Thanks for the heads up with Ron. It is a tough spot you are in, not knowing if he really is sick and what difficulties he is going through. You are doing the right thing after 4 1/2 months of waiting, let the CC company hash all this out with Ron, he is just giving you the run around. You do not need this to take any longer. We have already seen a thread here with one guy not giving a refund and running his customer around for months.

This is another example of customer service gone awry.

I just don't get this....I happened upon reptileron's site a few days ago and looked through it a bit. Standard ecommerce site. But what caught my eye is the tremendous amount of items for sale on the site. over 300 live animals, tshirts, jewlery etc...
Makes you wonder if he is just trying to broker stuff or not. I mean I have a retail store and don't ever even get the chance to update the site as much as I should anyways....
It says a bit about the guy that you waited over four months for something that is still on his site though. Anyways, would be interesting to see if anyone else has had any dealings good or bad with this guy.
TOM

Even though its long past the time required to file a claim with PayPal for non-receipt of goods, I would call PayPal directly before calling the credit card company to dispute the transaction. I say this only because PayPal will terminate or limit your PayPal account for involving your credit card company in a dispute. Call a manager over at PayPal and see what they can do first.

Good Luck.....

Well, here I go again ....

Let me first off state that I long ago accepted that I would be buried face-down when I die so as to better see my way. But I need to raise one of those skeptic's flags, as what caught me early on in this thread was a little too much excuse on the part of the vendor. Let me preface by saying that I have no knowledge of the vendor (Ron's ?) medical condition outside of what I read here. But I couldn't help but notice as a fairly regular reader here that quite a few of the posts (or emails) made by the "defendents" in recent BOI threads contain reference to a delay or hardship due to a medical situation. My experience is that true medical delays by completely credible business people are mentioned in a minimal way, and usually only create a minimal delay, or minimal lack of communication. They do not include an explanation of scars, treatments, etc, which seem inappropriate to any buyer looking for what they paid for. To go long-winded about it is usually to evoke sympathy as a means of deflecting justified criticism for just not running a business well. I applaud all who work through their hardships and do not use them as excuses .. we don't know who you are because you don't make the excuses, and manage to keep the customer properly informed and satisfied by minimizing the impact of your hardship on others. My prayers are with all who endure, but milk it as a crutch for sympathy when you have failed miserably in a business obligation? As I said at the outset, I will be face down in my grave ......

Update

Here is an update to the whole situation. We finally received the t-shirt that my husband ordered (Dec 29). The size was completely wrong. He stated in previous emails he mailed it on the 7th of December yet the postage stated it was mailed on 27 December. That s a 3 week difference. Also, on the same day I recieved the shirt in the mail Ron gave my husband a refund for the bowls we never received. And today, I received a lovely little email from him. I've posted it below.

This will be the last time I deal with his company and I sure won't be recommending him to anyone. Thanks.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
To: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 3:53 PM
Subject: Re: To Jeannie Cumbo


> Ron,
>
> Personally, no I don't believe in Karma. Your personal situation has
> nothing to do with me as a customer. We
> ordered merchandise from you and you gave us the run around for nearly 5
> months. The BOI is there for the
> purpose of letting others in our field who to deal with and who not to
> deal with. You did this to yourself, not me.
> I only put it out there to others that your business practices are far
> less then satsifactory. I have no intentions of
> taking down the post either. It is there for future individuals who wish
> to know about your website before buying
> from you. You have done nothing but give us the run around and lied to
> us. As far as I'm considered, we will
> never be doing business with you again. Thank you.
>
> Jeannie Cumbo
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Reptile Ron" <[email protected]>
> To: "Cumbos" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 2:33 PM
> Subject: To Jeannie Cumbo
>
>
>> Jeannie, thank you so much for writing and posting such nice things about
>> me - especially when I am facing a life and death situation here.
>>
>>
>> Do you believe in Karma?
>>
>>
>> I do.

He recieved his karma:

bad business=bad comments

I am a believer.

Exactly. What goes around, comes around. I'm sure he wouldn't have waited on a vendor for 5 months for an order.

Bad feedback for bad customer service! He got exactly what he deserved. If his situation is live or death, strange how a post to the BOI seemed to speed up his reaction time.......

BTW - Jeannie, you were more than calm and professional in your communications. You in no way attacked him, berated him, or got inexcusably profane..... his comment about "thanks for writing such nice things about me" was a horribly lame attempt at sarcasm. It should have been "thanks for telling the truth about my bad transaction" sans sarcasm.