Laura,
Since you asked, I will cut and copy several of Chris Hunter’s emails and try to paint the picture as things happened. Normally, I would never share a customer’s conversations like this and prefer to stay out of everyone’s business but it just makes me furious to read the boldfaced lies Chris Hunter posted. I can only assume he is telling people much the same story. The simple truth of the mater is I went above and beyond what, I think, anyone else would have done to insure Chris got what he wanted.
On the evening of January 23rd, 2005, I noticed a Nature Coast Exotics add on Kingsnake.com. I wrote and asked in they would be interested in importing animals. Chris Hunter immediately wrote back, asking for a list of what was available.
After a few emails and several pictures, all on the same day,
Mr. Hunter writes:
“Your exactly the type of exporter I am looking for!!!! Those are some good looking animals for sure !!! Where those big tortoises from the basin? Those are the kind of animals I am looking for nice and big. Where do we go from here? Do I tell you what I want or do you tell me what you have? Can we do something before the quotas are up? Let me know.”
We continue to have fine communication and I send several pictures.
On 4/1/05 I told Mr. Hunter these terms and gave this guarantee:
“I think fare terms are 50% up front and 50% within 48 hours of animals landing. I guarantee EVERYTHING and in most cases you will have digital pictures of animals before I ship. I'll also get you EXACTLY what you want as I will custom make each order for you.”
62 minutes later, Mr. Hunter wrote back:
“This would be cash 50% up front 50% with in 48 hours no waiting BS.. How much is freight up to per kilo? Do you know?
Let me know what you think
Thanks Chris”
We continue to communicate and decided on prices that work for both of us. On 4/20/05, I wrote and told him the 2005 was opened and I immediately began to hunt and collect.
Anyone who knows me can testify, I am real big on communication. I dare say, I may even overwhelm importers with the amount of communication I expect. I always want to make sure we all have a crystal clear understanding of exactly what is wanted, shipped, the terms and price. On 4/22/05 I sent Mr. Hunter eight (8) emails with pictures and details on every animal I was holding for his order. He wrote me nine (9) times, that day. I told him I was about to make the long and costly trip into the capital city of Georgetown to apply with the government for permission to ship and submit requests for the CITES and NON-CITES papers. Since the Georgetown trip is a long and miserable day, I wanted to make sure we got everything right the first time.
[b]On the afternoon of 4/22/05, I wrote:[/B]
“I don't like surprises so please look over EVERYTHING and make sure we are on the same page. These are your shipping papers but they are worthless until we get the CITES and stamps from the ministry. This is what I'll turn in Monday. Also, I have sketched out a crate inventory to let us know roughly what to expect this shipment to look like and there is an initial cost estimate. Again, please double check EVERYTHING and let me know if we have good communication on everything.”
Mr. Hunter wrote soon wrote back:
"Everything looks good to me. Just change the yellowfoots to all girls and make sure all of the adult caiman are over 40" with a few JUMBOS for my self. Can you do more than 5 baby caiman or not?
Let me know
Thanks”
On 4/26/05, I notified Mr. Hunter we were looking at a ship date of 5/10/05. We continued to communicate daily and I continued sending pictures. If Mr. Hunter questioned an animal, I replaced it. He also kept asking for more and more items.
On 5/5/05, I sent more pictures.
Mr. Hunter writes:
“AWESOME!!! LOOKS GREAT!!!
I was down in Miami Yesterday and these guys were talking about you!!! They were saying this guy Pete from incredible pets has this guy in SA that sends him some of the coolest color and patterned snakes he has ever seen come from down there!! He says Pete gets top dolor for them but they are worth every penny as the guy is the best!! He also said Pete went down there and set you up. Built your cages and holding pens ect.. Whether him going down there and setting you up is true or not I don't know but I did get real excited as they were talking highly about you.. OF COURSE I DIDN"T SAY A WORD ABOUT ANYTHING!! I was just listening.. I guess what I am saying is ANYTHING ANY SIZE that you think will bring good money send it to me!! From what those guys said yesterday you are THE MAN when it comes to sending cool stuff to the US. Don't let your head swell up and cut me out I just wanted to pass on the good word people have been saying about you.. ALSO like that big female red tail if I get more for the cool stuff I will kick more $$ your way... So yes I will take her!! Color or pattern or being odd definitely out ways the sizes I want. So when you are getting my stuff think of the size I want last.
I see another email from you I will answer it next
Thanks”
The truth is I built my station according to CITES regulations (one of the few in the country) I sent several more pictures and:
I wrote back, 21 minutes later:
He (Pete) did teach me a lot and he’s a cool guy who I hunt and fish with, when I'm in the States, but he has never set foot down here or invested a cent in my station. I have welcomed him down but he has never come.
Mr. Hunter replies in less than an hour:
“MIKE YOU ARE THER MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those are some awesome caiman!!!!!!!! I didn't figure Pete set you up. Pete was just stretching the truth some but I thought you should know. Hey at least it was all good stuff right? Pete might have just said that so other people would think that if he help set it up it must be done right. Actually I can see were people would feel better knowing someone that knows what is what is holding and shipping these animals.. Do you follow??
Well thanks for the pics and keep me up to date..”
After many e-mails and countless pictures, Mr. Hunter’s order was at long last together. My wife and I started to pack on the night of 5/8/05. Each caiman had the size and sex written on the crate it was in. Mr. Hunter knew EXACTLY what we shipped and personally Oked everything!! It was a sizable order that also included:
Anacondas
Redtail Boas
Wedgehead Caiman
Smoothfront Caiman
Wood Turtles
Scorpion Mud Turtles
Gibbus Side-Necked Turtles
Amevia Lizards
Golden Tegu
Emerald Tree Boas
Rainbow Boas
Amazon Tree Boas
Here is where the first red flag popped up! Hunter says he needs net 30 terms on the second half as he has some big deals in the works and spread himself too thin. Since there was nothing of concern with his payment on the first part of the order, I said it would be no problem. We had so much time invested, I considered him a friend and wanted to work with him any way I could. Besides, what other choice did I have when my station was maxed out with his stuff?
I headed out for the airport at 2AM. The afternoon of 5/9/05, I got to the international airport with the shipment of animals and we weighed off. Total weight = 499lbs. I was issued airway bill # 810-56074432, for the amount of $870.16. I called my wife and she e-mailed Mr. Hunter the airway bill number within minutes of me receiving it (5/9/05).
I cleared Guyana Customs in the wee hours of the 10th and headed for home. Upon my arrival, I immediately e-mailed Mr. Hunter an update on everything and let him know it all left without a hitch.
The shipment arrived in Miami on the evening of the 10th and Mr. Hunter had his broker clear it first thing on the 11th. At 4:15AM, on the 12th,
Mr. Hunter Wrote:
“Mike I just went threw everything and it is AWESOME!!!! There was just the one dead caiman. I will send you pics in the morning. I didn't put the snakes up yet but I did look at them all and they look great as far as I could see. There is a couple of the caiman that are a little skinny but they should be fine. The big caiman are out of this world!!!!! They are the best!!! I didn't even see any dead amevias or tegus they all look fat and good so far. The yellow foots are huge!!! and perfect. I am really pleased with all the animals and can't wait for the next shipment.
I need some sleep but I will get back to you in the morning but everything is awesome you did a great job!!! Thanks a million I hope to continue this for a long time!!! Thanks again and talk to you tomorrow. Your the man Mike THANKS!!!!
Chris
PS When you get time I need a new bill with everything on there so I can get you paid and get the next one coming!!!!”
On 5/12/05, Mr. Hunter informed me the largest caiman had a damaged eye. I offered him a discount, since I honestly didn’t notice.
Early on the morning of May 13th ,(
pay close attention to this one!!)
Mr. Hunter Writes:
“I am not sweating the eye thing at all he is awesome!!! The girls I got were huge so the ratio was fine with me. I will write later I am swamped right now..
Thanks Chris!!
PS No regurges at all!!!!!! awesome stuff!!!!”
Now, I ask ALL readers: Does this sound like a happy importer? He placed another order and I applied for more paperwork. I started collecting and quarantining animals. The second order was to be heavy on breeder sized female caiman to make up for the heavy male ratio of the first order. Everyone was happy!
On May 15th, I inquired as to the animals health.
Mr. Hunter writes:
“Hey they are going great!!! I just got most of the stuff on the website today and already I have like 10 orders. A couple of things I am playing with like those jumbo yellow foots and a couple of those caiman. If I get big money for any of it I will for sure pass it on. It should be a busy week and I should sell a bunch. Are you going to be that Emerald tomorrow? Do you think you will find anymore yellow foots 14"+ if not I don't want to let these go to cheap. Well I feel like crap I must have the flu or something. I will give you a better up date tomorrow
Thanks Chris”
That’s when communication slowed down on the side of Nature Coast Exotics. I didn’t mind, I was hunting and collecting like a madman. I was sending pictures on everything cool I came across. I was just assuming he was fine with everything and busy making sales.
On March 27th, 2005, I get an email stating he was sending a check. The amount was not correct so I immediately wrote back. Three days later, (!!!) I get this:
Mr. Hunter Writes:
“You are right on the total Mary wrote the check out based on the wrong estimate. I am sorry. I will have you the rest in the mail on Tuesday as the PO is closed today I will have it mailed priority so you dad has it on Wednesday. Sorry
Chris”
Not a word was heard, not an email answered and not a check received! On 6/24/05,
Mr. Hunter Writes:
“Sorry that I haven't contacted you sooner. I have had some personal and business problems that hindered my operation for a few weeks. I am going to pay you what you are owed as soon as I can. I have lowered the price on the stuff I got from you to move it out and get you paid. I will just pay you via paypal every time I get some money until I get you paid off. I still have all the big caiman and you can see the site I still have a lot of what you sent me. I know that's not your problem but with the problems I have had lately I will do the best I can do to get you paid off..
Thanks Chris”
I felt sorry for the guy. I said I understand and it’s no problem. I tried to call but to no avail. At least he said he would pay, right?
On June 5th, 2005, I received $237 through PayPal. On June 22nd, I received another $250 on PayPal. I still have no idea how Chris arrived at those amounts and he was not communicating in any way. Nothing came in July. Not even another excuse!
In August, I reported the matter to the Guyana Wildlife Authorities and requested no papers be made in the name of Nature Coast Exotics or Chris Hunter, until this matter was settled. Alona Sankar, the head of the wildlife trade, sent Mr. Hunter a letter of inquiry. Of course, it also went unanswered. What could he really say, anyway?
On 8/16/05, Mr. Hunter emails and asked if I will clear things up with the Guyana Wildlife Authority and BBB (I eventually filed a report) if he paid. I assured him I would. Later the same day,
Mr. Hunter Writes:
“Like I told you before, I have a couple of big sales working and as soon as that happens, you will be paid off. I am not going to screw you on this. I am just asking you to work with me on it
Thanks, Chris”
Just like that, Mr. Hunter vanished off the face of the earth. Emails could not get a response. Letters went unanswered. I tried to call several times but he would not pick up the phone. Interestingly enough, he picked up after a ring or two when we called from different locations, in FL, as he must not have recognized the number. Funny, when we put the order together and for a shot time after he received the animals, he always returned phone calls within the hour, if he didn’t pick up on the first ring or two. He sent me 89 e-mails, while we built this thing. He only got scarce when the money was due.
On February 14th, 2006, I hired Russell Law Offices, in Miami, FL, to file a lawsuit against Chris Hunter, of Nature Coast Exotics. Although Hunter has had to sign for letters from the Guyana Wildlife Authority and Russell Law Offices, he still refuses to communicate.
I went through the trouble of writing this lengthy, detailed, report so many might see the kind of man Chris Hunter is. It is people like this that tarnish the trade. I did my dead level best to ship the best animals out there and Mr. Hunter loved everything until he was expected to pay. What a rip off!
We all realize, the Amazon Basin is not a pet store where one can browse the isles picking only what one wants but I still did my very best to provide that kind of service. The truth of the mater is this is an unimaginable, dense and unforgiving jungle that can only be worked in with blood, sweat, tears and endless red tape. I went far above and beyond the norm for Mr. Hunter and it sure upsets me that he didn’t feel the need to pay and it infuriates me
he would only pop up to slander me with his wild tales and crazy memory of things. One sure has to admire (or make a case study of) such an imagination, however.
The public should use extreme caution when dealing with this man. If one still wants to buy or sell anything to Nature Coast Exotics, keep your fingers crossed he holds to his end of the deal. If he doesn’t, be prepared for him to respond without any morals, ethics or honesty.
Chris, is it all worth it? I have a family I’m trying my best to support! What nerve you have to say I tried to rip you off!
If anyone wants any more information on this matter or anything else, please feel free to contact me.
Mike Roberts
COBRA Wildlife Exporters
Guyana, South America
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