Im starting a BOI thread not because Nicole Norton is a bad breeder, but a bad business woman.
I received a Dragon from her today which I purchased as Pick of the Clutch. I paid 250 dollars shipped to be able to chose the best, most perfect dragon. She arrived here today in good condition, save for the toe nip on her left rear long toe. I contacted the breeder, Nicole Norton, immediately expressing my concerns and that, as pick of the clutch, I had expressed my desire for the best dragon. I reviewed pictures she previously sent to me, which I have added here, sent 1 week ago. I could see the affected toe had been nipped. I e-mailed her, saying that I would have liked to have been told of the nip because I would have selected a different dragon.
Her response was:
"I'm glad she arrived healthy and safe I am sorry I can tell you she left here 100% perfect as none of my babies in that clutch have any nips at all including toe/tail"
I responded:
"Thats fine about the other things except the toe nip. I looked at a previous picture you sent and when I zoomed in I can se the toe nip. Im very happy with the quality and temperament, but the toe nip is something that happened prior to her coming here. Im not concerned with anything really other than the toe nip. Ive sent back the picture you sent me with the affected toe circled. you can check it against the picture you sent me originally."
Her response was:
"Once again she had NO toe nip I don't like about my dragons and in the picture you sent that is very fresh I have seen dragons stress while shipping and chew on themselves"
to which I replied:
"That is the picture you sent me and you can see the nip on her toe. I dont know how you can say that it isnt there. Im not trying to be a jerk and I know you wont do anything to rectify the situation...but c'mon admit that it is clearly there. I even circled it on the picture for you to see. That is the exact picture you sent me 1 week ago. Nips happen, but they should not, as a good business rule, be sold as the pick of the clutch which is expected to be perfect in every way. The non-pick babies have the identical genetics and I would have been satisfied with one of them, however I wanted perfection. There is no reason to get defensive about it. If I had sent someone a dragon that was nipped and didnt realize it, my conscience would tell me to refund some of the money, even if its a few dollars. But not everyone has a good conscience.
I was just bringing it to your attention...not attacking you and I am sorry you felt I was. Re-inspect the picture because you will clearly see the damaged toe."
I have not received any further responses to my e-mails.
As I stated in the above e-mail, If i was just looking for a dragon with the genetics, I would have purchased a clutch mate for 100 dollars cheaper, but I wanted the best. A dragon that will be missing a toe, in my opinion, is not the best.
If you are running a business, then you should represent the product correctly and charge accordingly. All other breeders I have used and come across discount toe-nipped dragons, not sell them for more than any other dragon. Im happy with the temperament and the coloring of the dragon, however, the manner in which she was sold to me (as pick) makes the toe nip, and further denial even with her own photographic proof, inexcusable. Im very disappointed in Nicole and I regret having to post on here, however, I believe there should be some accountability for this problem, and I see no other option if she shuts down communication.
Aaron Scofield, CVT
Darwin Dragons