FIRE at home, herps killed.

Hello, my name is Stephen Barger.  I have been doing wholesale buying and reselling for just a couple months now.  

First off.. I AM NOT asking for donations.  I do not want, nor will I accept $$ for this.  

I had a fire tuesday night, at my house, which is where I house all of my herps.  It started in the animal room, from a fish tank heater.  It spread and killed ALL the animals in that room, and completely gutted that room.  There is very little left, and NOTHING useable left in that room.  At first I thought I got off light, I thought I lost around $2-400 in herps, but at recalculation, and looking at the little records left, I actually lost somewhere around $1-2000.  

The housefire was contained in that one room, so I got lucky in that reguard but there is SEVERE damage throughout the house caused by smoke.  It is estimated at $75-100,000 damage.  

I should be back in the house within 1-3 months.  So, until then, I will be out of the wholesaling business.  I WILL BE BACK.  I should be more heavily stocked than ever when I come back.  I plan on using some of the insurance $$ I got for some destroyed collections, including baseball cards, old knives, etc. on herps.  

Within a month I will begin wholesale buying again, so when the time comes I can move back in, I will hopefully be ready to rock and roll.. and start moving inventory again!

So, I will still attempt to keep up to date with whats going on here, as the hotel I am staying at has a free puter / with internet acess.  

But for now, I will be out of selling for a couple/few months.

I would like to thank all my online friends, customers, and suppliers that have expressed such concern... but the MOST important thing is.. NO ONE WAS HURT!!!  All the inventory can be replaced, that is what insurance is for LOL.. but people can't, and luckily no one was even hurt in this situation.

I do not want to cause any problems (as have been before) and it is not, nor ever has been my intention to come here to get $$ from you.  I have insurance, and a job, and I will be fine.  I just simply want you all to know that I am still around, and WILL BE BACK.. I am not a fly by the night company that is skipping town.  I will be reachable from the following email addresses, shall you have questions regaurding herps in general, or just to check in.  


scbarger@earthlink.net
stephenssnakes@hotmail.com

Thanks, and have a good memorial day weekend!  Thanks for the concern.

Stephen Barger
Herp Kingdom

Stephen....that is so sad!! I know how you feel! You have got to teach those fish to "splash"!! Forget the other post....If there is anything I can do for you to get your stuff back together (and it doesn't have to be money), please let me know....I do own a store and I can get things a lot cheaper than most, and they can be shipped right to your door??? You can even pay for them! hahaha
OR...Maybe we can ask Rich Z. to start a Fund??? But...since James is nowhere to be found...we can put Dave in charge of the money....he's got lots of friends who will vouch for him??? hahahahaha

Serously, Steve...anything...name it! ....Neil

Stephen,

Glad to hear that no one was hurt. Property can always be replaced people can't.

The best thing is that you're family is safe and thank goodness for insurance. Frank

You do not know me Steven, but I am truly saddened to hear of your troubles. As a fellow herper, I will help in any way I can. Just ask. Sincerely, best of luck rebuilding. Look forward to seeing you back on your feet. And I am glad neither you or your family was hurt. Let me know if you need anything, friend.

Steve
I am truly, truly sorry to hear about this. I can only imagine what your dealing with. I'm Glad no one was hurt.
When your house is finished, come on down and we can dig through my basement and pick out some cages and rubbermaids so you can get rolling again.
I'll be more than happy to help ya out.
Give me a call
Shawn Gray

Sunbaked Serpents

I appreciate your offers, and I deeply appreciate it.

I will take you up on your offer Shawn, as always, your more than helpful. &nbsp;I look forward to getting back on my feet , and hopefully ordering many more animals from you &nbsp;<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

Talk to you all later. &nbsp;I will definately stay in contact.

Stephen Barger

Stephen ,
Very sorry to hear about the unfortunate things that have happend to you.I know you said you were not looking for "handouts / donations" and that i resoect you for ... BUT maybe if you could get in contact with me i would like to possibly help out in some way .I am hoping for some Boas &nbsp;this year in July but this female is playing the "game with me " so im not sure what her deal is .. &nbsp;but i might can help you out on some type of cage ? if you are interested or possibly a rack ? anyway just a thought ... let me know
Take care and good luck
ALan

Stephen, to had a house fire several years back and like you I lost my collection and at the time I was only working with rare morphs,So I do know how you feel.It seems that you have the right attitude and I look forward to your speedy recovery.I know that you said "NO DONATIONS" but want to offer and I some animals that I would send you .Hope you take me up on this.It won't be a hand out but a hand up.Think about it.

For the few of you who do, and the most of you who don't know, Steve Barge and myself have just started doind business as Herp Kingdom. Steve handles most of the live sales out of Virginia and I handle most of the supplies out of New Jersey.

Our company name is Herp Kingdom. This is a new venture and I haven't even had the time to re-design my website to handle sales or anything else for that matter. Now this tragedy at Steve's home.



Steve has limited access to a computer at this time, as that was destroyed in the fire. Any questions and comments can either be posted here or emailed to me to be forwarded to him.

As he stated, he is out of it for at least a month. Anyone who has deals in the works, like orders that he has placed or animals that he has sold, please contact me for further info.

I don't know how often he can get to a computer, so I don't know if he can get back to your inquiries as quickly as I can.I check my emails at least 20 times a day, so I will probably get back to any e-mails the same day.

Let me thank all of you on Steve's behalf for your concern and well wishes.

Jim Dixon
Herp kingdom

THese are my email addresses that I can be reached at.

And i missed the "r" in Steve's last name.

sales@herpkingdom.com
jim@herpkingdom.com