Steve Vigo, Chameleons By Design, Caution

There is no pleasure in posting a negative thread about another vendor in the business.

I shipped Steve a group of chameleons on Feb 19th, 2008. The total cost to him was $1780, of which he paid $1000 prior to shipping, and had committed to pay the balance, $780, on or about Feb 22nd. Steve communicated that he was very pleased with the animals, and I can honestly say that he got a good deal. I had dealt with Steve several times prior, but always at lesser volumes.

He missed that scheduled payment date, and has also missed three since. On each occasion, he set the date to expect payment. On each occasion, no payment materialized, and neither did any pro-active contact from Steve. On each occasion, after letting several days to a week pass, I would email Steve, and most times no reply was received. When I was able to get his attention, he would commit to a new payment date, at his choosing. No payment resulted. No communication as to the missed expectation.

He is in Florida as am I. He knows that I will pursue legal action. No one wants that. He was also warned 10 days ago that I would pursue notice in forums such as this. I was mum to someone's inquiries here over a week ago about Steve. We all run into difficulties, some more than others. What I cannot give respect to is being fed BS, and then the silence. I have explained this to Steve. I expect a commitment from him that he can honor. More than that, I expect communication when something goes awry. He will get a link to this as soon as it is posted. I will post relevent communications only if there is a need to further substantiate my claims should a denial occur. In the meantime, buyers and sellers need to exercise a higher level of caution with Steve and Chameleons By Design. This thread will get its bumps, and should a resolution occur, not words, I will post such.

Jim that is a bummer. Since this has been up for over an hour have you received any word from Steve?

No Michael. I haven't received word from him, even with my inquiries, once he missed his last "I will take care of this" date, which were the beginning of this past week. You can email him about availability in one of his KS ads, and he will respond though .

I do not believe his original intent was to reneg on the deal. He was likely way too optimistic about his cash flow, unfortunately with me or others holding the bag. Its the continued failure to contact me when he misses his terms. No other way to look at it except that he has little respect for what he owes, or to whom. Otherwise, he would take it all more seriously, i.e. don't say "I'll have you paid the first of next week", when there is no reasonable expectation of meeting it, and then going mum on it all once the promise becomes idle. With most of us who are in the business, we expect payment shortfalls. We don't expect the disrespect of being ignored, and there just isn't patience for it. I do hope this is resolved, obviously, but also hope better for Steve. No way to run a business, or a life.

It sounds like you've been very patient with him Jim. Keeping an open line of communication is the least he should've done. Maybe now that you've posted this he'll get a move on and send you what's owed.

I sent him a message through KS letting him know about this thread.

Another thread...

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109755

That link is for this thread.

I wish people would just realise that if they can't make payment it's better to contact the person you owe, explain, and make a realistic payment schedule.
Refusal to communicate just makes it worse for everyone.

Not a word. Thanks for sending him a link Mike. I had done so the minute after the thread was posted also. The disappointment seems well-founded.

Steve,
With the thead here, I am now hearing from folks that I never knew, but who tell me stories that make you sound a bit less than mediocre. Until they post, I guess my powers of persuasion are not very good. In the meantime, with each passing day, you are looking like more of a bum. I don't think this thread would be here if you had said anything that had ended up being truthful regarding fixing this in our prior email exchanges. You also know that I don't screw around with idle legal threats. Mine are 100% grade A legitimate. Would be nice to chalk this up to a momentary abherration, and not the true character of the man. You will decide that issue.

That round thing on the ground in front of you is the ball on your side of the court Steve. Been laying there a while now. Do you step up ?

Just a retro note - I have found that if people don't respond to emails, a phone call will often work wonders....
Sometimes we get too dependant on the keyboard and forget the miracle of spoken communications. Of course you have probably tried this before posting, but just thought I'd give it a mention. Good luck

Helen,
You might be the only Fiji poster I have ever seen here ! Steve and I have a long history of varied communications. He has obvioulsy hit a "bump in the road", to be mild. How he has chosen to handle it is the "measure of the man", and my "axe to grind". Adages are pretty cool, btw. There's a couple of variations on an old such one, which I would just as soon pass on to all the youngsters who read here, although I am still a "teenager at heart". The more common version is that "adversity builds character". Unfortunately, this is the less accurate version. Experience will show that "adversity reveals character", as I would maintain that it is built elsewhere.

Give my best to Vijay !

I CAN spell when I don't type too fast ! Obviously !

Well, not a peep. His phone doesn't work. He still has some ads on KS, but those have been cycling on auto re-list for some time. At this point, I would have to recommend that he be avoided like the plague. Should you purchase from him, and there's a problem, he doesn't seem to have either the means or desire to respect other people's money.

I have worked with Steven Vigo. I had made a deal with him about 3 months ago that I would send one male ambilobe to him, for 2 ambilobes in return. We had a set date for shippment, and upon that date, my animal was shipped to him. I called him that afternoon to confirm, and he told me he didnt send the ambilobes. He said the weather was to bad. I couldnt get ahold of Steve for about 2 weeks after that, and then he told me that he got "sick". He sais the animals would ship soon...It didnt happen. About 1.5 months later, after many e-mail, and phone call... I think he realized I wasnt kidding. He finally shipped the animals 2.5 months AFTER the original shipping date! The male came in good condition, however the female he sent, had scars all over, and a messed up lip. I decided not to contact, because there was NO point, I took care of it myself.

I really do not like discrediting someone. However, I dont want to see others getting "played" by Steven. Although I got the animals in the end, some poeple i know and talk to, did not get thier animals they PAID for!

Jake Bernstein

Why disappear???

My dealings with Steve have not been quite as bad as others, but I feel that telling my story will keep others from running into similar problems. My only regret is that I wish I had told the story earlier as many people had urged me to, but I was so hoping that Steve would turn things around. I was patient but now it seems beyond hope.
I contacted Steve about some Nosy's in early August of 2007. He had some babies he was raising up and he sent me pictures regularly and stayed in great contact. I picked up a pair at the end of September at the Tampa show. At that show 2 very reputable breeders looked at the male Nosy and thought it did not look quite right. It had a shortened tail and a large hemipene bulge. Both breeders were concerned about prolapse but I so loved this chameleon I took him home. The next day a little "tissue" started poking out, so I called Steve and exchanged him for a clutch mate. Over the next month this little one started growing into the same shortened tail and huge hemipene bulge. He eventually prolapsed and after a month of working with a Vet to try to save him, we put him down. Steve stayed in contact with me and "promised" to replace him. Apparently more than a few from this clutch turned out this way and/or died for no reasone. We agreed I would pick up a replacement in either Orlando or Tampa at a show. I regret not going to Orlando as this is reportedly the last show he did.
I believe a great number of people have been "screwed" by Steve. There are reports of sick chams, reports of chams infected with parasites, chams that were obviously WC that he claimed were CB, as well as the stories above in this forum. We have all been silent hoping that Steve would "come through", but apparently this is not going to be the case. I urge others to come forward to tell their stories in order to help others avoid a most disreputable breeder and seller.
Emails:
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 19:58:55 -0700
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: I forgot your baby.
To: [email protected]


Hey Juli,
No I didnt fall off the face of the earth. I been working alot I had to start getting back into my other business that started to fall apart. So thats where I been. So whats up with you hows everything? I still am raising the Nosy's and I know I owe you. Call me anytime .
Thanks

Steven Vigo
Chameleons By Design
www.Chameleonsbydesign.com
(954) 931 - 6731



Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 18:42:03 -0700
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Motorcyle accident???
To: [email protected]


Hey Juli,
Yeah just some bumps and bruises. Helmets save lives and I never ever wear one but this time i did. Yes you can picsomething up from me at that show not a problem.
Thanks

Steven Vigo
Chameleons By Design
www.Chameleonsbydesign.com
(954) 931 - 6731

Here is the last contact I had with Steve...
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:04:05 -0700
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Motorcyle accident???
To: [email protected]


No Juli I been working and I took this new position not knowing it was going to eat up all my time and its making my customer service skills suck. Let me get some pics tomorrow I actually have a real nice nosy male I raised up and its about 6 months of age now and bobbing his head. I got him from Lance im sure you see his ads on Kingsnake. Talk to you soon. Sorry again its not you.
Thanks

Steven Vigo
Chameleons By Design
www.Chameleonsbydesign.com
(954) 931 - 6731

From what I know, Steve no longer works where he did work and has disconnected his cell phone. Even though ads are still popping up on KS, his website is down. Steve-a little honesty and contact with the people you "screwed" might have saved you. I did not enjoy doing this as I actually spend a lot of time defending you. Thanks for making me look like an idiot in that regard.
Juli

What a nightmare...

I would like to share my experience to everyone so that you will not become another victim of Steve Vigo. I purchased an ambilobe panther chameleon from him in mid Nov. to be delivered in the beginning of Dec. When the chameleon arrived I noticed immediately some odd symptoms in the chameleon. I described on a forum my observations, which can be found at http://www.chameleonforums.com/my-observations-indicative-disease-7705/ , and after taking the chameleon to the vet he confirmed, along with everyone else who I spoke to about the symptoms, that it was definitely URI (upper respiratory infection), something that would need weeks before manifesting itself in these symptoms. I contacted Steve the next day and he said he would ‘take care of me.’ Well I decided to help him out by treating the cham until he was stable enough to be shipped back. The cham got worse and had no improvement. I finally decided to tell Steve, about 1 week after treating the cham, that I want a replacement cham to be shipped immediately and I would ship this cham back. We set it up for the replacement cham to ship Wednesday Dec. 26th to arrive Thursday Dec. 27th morning. Well, the 27th came with no response from Steve for 3-4 days. I finally receive the following e-mail from his “Brother”

From: [email protected] [[email protected]] Sent: Wed 12/26/2007 6:42 PM
To: Damian Dejesus
Cc:
Subject: RE: Ambilobe to Veiled
Attachments:

To Whom This May Concern,
This message is to all of our customers Steve was in a very bad motorcycle accident Christmas Eve. W hope to see him recover but we will resume shipping as of January 1.
Thanks from all of us here


Steven Vigo
Chameleons By Design
www.Chameleonsbydesign.com
(954) 931 - 6731

I was a little doubtful about this story so I sent two ‘offers’ using two different e-mails to ads they had posted on kingsnake. Well, within the SAME DAY, I received responses on both offers with a signature of ‘Steven Vigo’. I then sent him (his “brother”), after he states he is not involved in Steve’s business, this email:

Subject: RE: STILL AWAITING YOUR RESPONSE....
From: "Damian Dejesus" <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, December 30, 2007 3:55 pm
To: <[email protected]>

Well it is very interesting that you are not getting into his business because if you are not then someone must be. I just don't understand how you, his brother, are not getting into his business when he keeps posting business on kingsnake.com. Another interesting fact is that I sent two e-mails making offers about veiled chameleons and I was sent a response THE SAME DAY. The two emails are [email protected] and [email protected] . Interesting how these responses are written in the same manner as Steve's previous posts, and who else would make such decisions like the ones he wrote in the emails? Listen, I too am going through a very difficult time with my family and all I want is for this nightmare to be over. If I do not receive an answer from Steve or anyone else with a payment I have no other choice but to take further action. My next step will be to place a paypal dispute/claim and a chargeback with my credit card company. I am sure if Steve will be released tomorrow or Tuesday he is in stable enough condition to make a decision about this matter. Either way, I will pursue this to the next step if I don't receive a definite answer by tomorrow. Steve has my phone number and ca n contact me anytime, I'm available when he gets a chance to talk.

Damian


He sent the following e-mail:


From: [email protected] [[email protected]]
Sent: Sun 12/30/2007 4:35 PM
To: Damian Dejesus

Cc:
Subject: RE: STILL AWAITING YOUR RESPONSE....
Attachments:
View As Web Page

Hello Damian,
I spoke with Steve he said once he comes home tomorrow or the next day you will hear from him with an answer and or a return.

Steven Vigo
Chameleons By Design
www.Chameleonsbydesign.com
(954) 931 - 6731


Well, no response. So I decided to take the initiative and send the sick chameleon out to him using the return address on the original packaging the chameleon was shipped in. I e-mail him on the 1st to let him know I am shipping the chameleon back. I also leave messages on his phone on the 2nd and 3rd . I then sent him an email on the 3rd with tracking information (tracking #: 1Z950X310151648354). Still no response. I filed a paypal dispute on the 4th of January and FINALLY he responds and says he never received the sick chameleon. I shipped it to the return address on the package he sent the chameleon in the first place since he would not answer my e-mails/phone calls. Well I did some web searches on the address I mailed the package to and apparently it is to a shipping company that is called “US Pak N Ship” and is in conjunction with Fed Ex and UPS. He used this address for his return mail on his original packaging, therefore I believe he either has a personal mailbox there or knows someone who works there. The next day he sent this e-mail:

From: [email protected] [[email protected]]
Sent: Sat 1/5/2008 6:13 AM
To: Damian Dejesus

Cc:
Subject: RE: Ambilobe shipped
Attachments:
View As Web Page

Ok Damian I know where the package is sitting. You sent it to the pack and ship that I use to print out my labels. I will find out hoo get a hold of the package today. Once i receive the package I will initiate refund .
Thanks

Steven Vigo
Chameleons By Design
www.Chameleonsbydesign.com
(954) 931 - 6731

Everyday I would call this US Pak N Ship center and they told me the package was still awaiting pickup from Steve. A week and a half later he picked up the package with the sick cham in there all this time. It is unbelievable how a person, let alone a breeder, could allow a poor, sick cham that long in a package to inevitably die. Without any response from Steve, I sent this e-mail on Jan. 8th :

Subject: Please take action now....
From: "Damian Dejesus" <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, January 08, 2008 6:42 pm
To: <[email protected]>

Steve,

I urge you to take action TONIGHT. I do not want to have to resolve this issue in this manner. If you let this night pass without taking action by initiating a refund, I will not hesitate tomorrow to take further action. If you value your good reputation as a breeder then send the refund and keep your good name. Otherwise, I will be forced to place a paypal claim, a chargeback with my credit card company, and will go to the Board of Inquiry with proof of my experience in addition to exposing this horrible experience on forums. I am sure the BOI will be very interested to read on my experience with Chameleons By Design, especially the delay in picking up the LIVE chameleon. Steve, this is the last time I will ask for a refund. Thus far I have felt cheated out of $326 and I will not tolerate this anymore. I have rights and I will express them if need be. I hope you can understand why I am taking this action.

Damian

I received a partial refund of $225 the next morning which is what I originally paid for the chameleon. He still owes me $101 so I sent him an e-mail about this and this is what he responded:

From: [email protected] [[email protected]]
Sent: Wed 1/9/2008 6:55 AM
To: Damian Dejesus

Cc:
Subject: RE: Refund, incomplete
Attachments:
View As Web Page

Hello Damian,
I refunded you that through paypal cause thats what was paid. The vet bill and shipping i'm gonna need your address and I will mail out the $101 today no questions asked. So if you could email me your address and it will go out. Thanks

Steven Vigo
Chameleons By Design
www.Chameleonsbydesign.com
(954) 931 - 6731


After giving him my address to send a check, he said he had mailed it out and after waiting more than one week, I tried contacting him and no response, either through phone or e-mail. I have not heard from him since then. He still owes me $101 from the vet bill and the shipping charges when sending the cham back. This was my first experience in purchasing chameleons and I must say it was a living nightmare. I don’t want anyone else experiencing the same and this is why I am sharing my experience with others. I feel very bad for the others who have also been taken advantage of by Steve. I hope by my experience along with others’ his conniving methods of business are exposed to warn possible future victims.

Damian DeJesus

Damian and Juli,
Thanks for taking the time to post. Sorry for all that you, and the unfortunate chameleons, went through. I do not expect to see Steve back in the chameleon business. He has ads on auto-relist on KS. and may still try to move a few remaining animals if he has them. He got in way over his head, ethically speaking.

I wish this had been up when I got a 1.1 of Satanic leaf tails from him. I am in a duspuite with him through our banks because of it. He send me animals that died with in a day. He did not return my phone calls or emails tell I sent an email saying I was going to my credit card with it. Once that did happen he got back to me fairly quickly. And said he would send me a new set. Once the box shipped he sent me an email...


----- Original Message ----
From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
To: Jacob & Sarah Dickenson <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 7:42:39 AM
Subject: RE: Satancis (Male and Female)

Sarah here is the tracking number for your replacement pair. The number is 1Z 54V F12 01 9018 9839. Thanks and please cancel the paypal chargeback as our animals have left. Thanks


Steven Vigo
Chameleons By Design
www.Chameleonsbydesign.com
(954) 931 - 6731

I thought it was strange that he was wanting me to cancel the charge back so quickly. Before I even got the box... It turns out it was because he sent me an empty box. No geckos ,there was packing and a heat pack. This blew me away, I double checked the box to see if it had been opened before me and from what I can tell no it had not.

I am having a hard time getting my $ back. Its hard to prove that a box was empty on arrival. I still have the animals in the freezer and emails and all. I woke up this morning to find his phone number and his web page down.

Frustrated. This was my first time getting any animals shipped.

Sounds like the boy has stepped up to being a full fledged Scammer.. Randy