| Author | Subject: Zooological Imports 2000 inc. (long) |
| Jason Thurber | Posted At 12:21:36 08/22/2001
Four months ago, I did a trade with Mario. I sent him two perfectly healthy '99 het for granite burmese pythons that I had acquired from Bob Clark in exchange for what was supposed to be a YOUNG, if not baby, female kinkajou. He received them, said they looked good, and he shipped the kinkajou. Before she arrived, he informed that she had been breeding and could quite possibly be pregnant. I expressed some enthusiasm and told him that I would make it a point to not handle her until four months(kinkajous gestation) had passed. I received the kinkajou and with the exception of what appeared to be a small catarax on one of her eyes, she looked healthy. Not nessecarily young, like agreed upon, but healthy. Mario had been given a few good reviews when I inquired about him here, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt,assumed she was young, and brushed the catarax off as an effect of the kinks nocturnal eye in the daylight. Well, four months passed on Monday night, allowing me to do an examination of the animal. She has a catarax, or some kind of growth on her eye, one starting on the other, and while she was chewing on one of my gloves, I noticed that she had NO TEETH. The canines on top and bottom are absolutely gone and the rest are rotten little knubs. She has to be, at least, fifteen years old. I have no idea how she's been eating the zoo-biscuits I've been giving her. I immediately called Mario, told him about what I had found, and asked him what we were going to do about it. He told me that I would have to wait for his shipment to come in September and that we would "work something out". I asked him what he meant by "working something out" and he told me that he just got back from Daytona, had animals that needed caring, and to call him back the next day and we would, once again, work it out. I called several times Tuesday and got nothing but the answering machine. I left my name and number and asked him to call. I heard nothing. This morning I call, maybe five times, and get the answering mashine. My girlfriend then called and also got the answering mashine. She calls a second time and the woman who's voice is on the answering mashine picks up and tells my girlfriend that she has the wrong number. She hangs up and dials again. The same woman answers the phone and and my girlfriend hands it to me. I give her my name and tell her that I'd like to speak with Mario. After a long pause she tells me that he is on another line and that he will call me back. A couple hours passed and I hadn't heard from him, so I called again. The same woman answers and I ask if Marios is available. She says yes and asks me who I am. I tell her my name and she says "oh, well, he's stepped out for a moment". I reminded her that she had just told me that he was there. She said "well,....yeah,..... uh,.... he had to leave". I said "alright, just tell him that I need to hear from him in the next 48hrs to find out what we're going to do about this." She said that he would be back soon and would call. I haven't heard anything from Mario. With the impression I got from his dishonest employee or wife or whoever, I don't think I'm going to hear from him and if I don't, I will deal with it. If he does surprise me, I will let you know. I would steer clear of Zoological Imports though. |
| Jason Thurber |
Re: Zooological Imports 2000 inc. (long)
7987.html Posted At 12:34:10 08/22/2001 I also wanted to let everyone know that I have pictures of the kinkajou. It was hard, as they put up a strong fight, but you can see that she has no canines and what's left of the smaller teeth are knubs. |
| Jason Thurber |
Re: Zooological Imports 2000 inc. (long)
8071.html Posted At 13:03:14 08/23/2001 I just wanted to follow up and let everyone know that I heard from Mario this morning. He has assured me that I got the wrong impression by the woman I spoke to yesterday and that he is going to replace the kinkajou. Mario seams like an honest guy and I will beleive that it was just a problem with our communications for now. I will keep you posted. |
| Chuck Barker |
Re: Zooological Imports 2000 inc. (long)
8106.html Posted At 21:51:34 08/23/2001 Sorry about your situation Jason, but I have delt with Mario on several occasions with reptiles, and can say nothing but good things about the man. I even drove down to Miami from Orlano to see his facility. The place was exceptionly clean, well organized, and all the reptiles were flawless. I opened every container and over looked almost all of the reptiles that he had. Everything that he has told me and shown me has been nothing but the truth. I have been to many importers and high volume dealers and almost always walked away empty handed and discusted, but leaving his facility left me just the opposite I was so impressed that whenever someone asks me about who I get imports from, I tell them that from now on I am going to do lots of buissnes with Mario. I recomend him to everyone that I talk to. His facility is a brand new laberatory style setup that is anything but dirty. Mario is a nice guy who works out any problems and I believe that Jason has figured that out now too, even if he posted his message prematurely. We have never been disapointed with his service or of the quality of his animals. I saw extremely large croc and water monitors that had all their toes, all of their tails, and no raw spots on their nose from running around and injuring themselves. I will keep checking this forum to see if any one else has any problems with this organization but so far we have never had a problem and if Mario keeps running his operation the same way I don't think we will have a problem. I can't wait to get back down there and see what is new. Chuck Barker - Central Florida Reptile Breeders |
| Jason Thurber |
Re: Zooological Imports 2000 inc. (long)
8113.html Posted At 23:05:13 08/23/2001 Chuck, I am glad that in the time you've known Mario, you have shared good experiences. This is promising. However, the truth is that I can't "figure" anything out about Mario or conclude that I "posted prematurely" until the animal is replaced. I don't think anyone with a sense of empathy would disagree. |
| Tom Townsend (Blackwater Reptiles) |
Zoological Imports 2000
8135.html Posted At 06:52:23 08/24/2001 My experience with Mario, and the rest of the staff at Zoological Imports 2000, has been one of complete satisfaction. I can't go into all of the specifics of my dealings (it would take too long), but let me just say that if everyone conducted business in the same way as the Staff at Zoological Imports 2000, there wouldn't be any need for this Board of Inquiry. I believe that TIMING may have played a significant part in your frustration, Jason. The Daytona show would be a drain on anyone, and the logistics of moving as many animals *to* and *from* Daytona, must have been nightmarish to a company as well endowed with animals as Zoological Imports 2000. I am betting that Mario will satisfy you very soon. Mario is a true businessman, and he is as honest as anyone with whom I've conducted business in my 43 years. I'd recommend being a bit more patient. Not everyone is out to get us, despite how things may look from your end of the transaction. |
| Romalis Ozuna |
Re: Zooological Imports 2000 inc. (long)
8229.html Posted At 22:02:08 08/25/2001 Jason, I recently had a falling out with Mario after doing A LOT of buisness with him....I was his largest customer last month. Let me tell you I know about miscommunications!!! He has never been nothing but fair and I see no reason why that wouldn't continue well into the future. Our falling out lasted about 24 hrs. and after discussing it we worked it out...Mario is an easy man to work with. I for see no problems for you in the future with Mr. Tabraue. Good Luck...Don't worry.......Rome |