Value of the BOI

I totally agree with you Dave! Although it really is just a pipe dream to think that anything is going to change for the better in those regards. In fact, I think this board would lose some of it's appeal if it was toned down to the point where nobody posted their opinions, and only posted first hand facts. spam_Being on the wrong end of a BAD GUY post on this forum is probably one of the worst places to be on the internet. Those folks who have found themselves in this position should probably focus more on WHY they are in this position, and not spend so much time complaining about it. spam_This board has made it almost impossible for people to make a living screwing unwary herpers out of their hard earned money. I say that's a good thing! Sure there's gonna be moments when we all get side tracked, like the recent Neil Gubitz string. But hey, one man's trash is another man's treasure. If Neil was smoking around reptiles at a moment in time when 1 individual was present and happened to be offended, who am I to say that this person is an idiot? Perhaps it wouldn't have bothered you, or perhaps it wouldn't have bothered 99% of the human population. But at that one moment in time it DID bother someone. Who am I to say that this persons opinion is wrong? Who am I to say that your opinion is wrong? Especially since both opinions are based on facts. In other words, even if you weed out all the folks that don't have "first hand knowledge" in that string, you've still got a flame war on your hands. See what I mean? It's the nature of the beast! Personally, I'm just gonna kick back and enjoy the entertainment, and continue to do things that DON'T result in me being on the wrong end of one of these BAD GUY posts!

Tom Burns
<a href="http://www.treeboas.com">Upper End Exotics</a>

Tom...I liked your answer, but, you're mistaken about 2 things....

1. I AM an idiot!!, and...
2. Lennox IS wrong!!

Other than THAT....you were RIGHT ON!!


<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> ....Neil

Tom,I agree with to a point and then you lost me.I do think that people should speak their opinions it is when they step out of the scope of a opinion and try to say that it is fact ,when the truth is that they have no personal bases other then they think a person is O-kay.See this board is a double edged sword for example:John Doe is mad at Frank Smith because he thinks he was over charged for a snake (when in fact he was not) so John comes to the BOI and post that Frank is a crook and sold a sick snake.Now all of John's internet buddies start to bash Frank for selling a sick snake to their friend John claiming that they were there and saw the snake ,their friend John would never lie.....ect.when in fact they have never saw the snake or have never met John and the snake was in perfect health meanwhile Frank who is a newbe to the herp world has a "BAD GUY" name due to the fact that he has no friends on the board.So a totally innocent person is black balled because of a lie.I know that people are sitting there thinking that it never happens well I have been in the reptile buisness for many,many years and I have seen it happen time and time again and even more so now with the internet.My point is this,no matter how much a person likes someone unless they have personally witnessed it or have proof of a matter stay out of it,fine post your opinion but state it as just that your "OPINION". <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

Dave....I wouldn't go defending Frank so quickly!! I SAW THAT SNAKE!! It was half dead, riding the back of an Iguana carcass, covered in OLD FECES!! He oughta be castrated!! Then have the "piece" arrested for cruelty to Animal Husbandry!! <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> ....Neil

Well said Neil. I might also add that in my personal opinion there are fewer complaints about people being ripped off than a few months ago. I feel like the BOI has made a difference in this respect.

Best Regards,

I agree with Craig, &nbsp;I have ruled out dealing with many people just because of their posts to this board. &nbsp;Many of them have no complaints against them, but the way they conduct themselves makes me think twice. &nbsp;I know I may be missing out on some good deals, but there is nothing out there that I need so badly that I would deal with certain people to get it.

Steve Schindler