• Responding to email notices you receive.
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    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

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    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

Bad Guy Christopher Pratt (prattnc or [email protected]) from Kansas

I agree with the above posts. If a refund is going to be given it should be a full refund.
I get the whole "well I could have sold it to someone else" thing, but in this situation it isn't the buyer wanting to back out. He still wants the gecko. I do not think this ordeal has gone sour to the point that the gecko should not be shipped. I think this was a minor flaw and miscommunication, therefor I would AGREE on ONE day to have the gecko shipped.

Make sure it is packed correctly, shipped on the day agreed upon, and call it over. Both parties should end up happy this way and all this will be a hard lesson learned.

As far as the BOI goes though, this is minor! So take care of it ASAP and everyone leave untarnished.

Just my 0.02!
Good luck to you both!
--Amanda
 
This may seem irrelevant (it isn't), but how did this transaction begin? Was the gecko advertised, did it come up in conversation (ie chat), did you approach him asking if he had something?
 
Nevermind - breezed right past it.

One simple question to the seller....
Why advertise during periods when you are unwilling/unable to ship?
 
One simple question to the seller....
Why advertise during periods when you are unwilling/unable to ship?
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That's what I've been thinking. It seems like it could have been shipped at any time as long as it was overnighted in a styro with a cold pack. That would have cost more but after a while I would think one of them would have suggested it.
 
It is something I've never understood - if one is unwilling to ship in hot or cold weather, what is the point in advertising during those periods? Holding off because of a pending storm, or atypical situations, is one thing; but for normal summer (or winter) temperatures in your own area?? It just doesn't make sense to me
 
Christopher, the number you blocked was my phone number (978-***-****). Her phone number is the 617 area code. The reason why I asked her to call you was because my calls were not getting through to you, as you blocked my calls. In addition, if you'd like me to subpoena both cell phone records for her phone and my own, neither of us called you or texted after 12:47am, meaning 11:47pm for you. I realize that was late, and I apologize, but that was also when I hadn't heard from you although you had proposed shipping on Wednesday (that text is included in the first post).
 
Christopher Pratt just dropped all e-mail communication on October 4th according to the buyers first post and didn't ship the next week like he said he would.You were even offered a second shipping option at the buyers expense to ship the reptile out the next week....You couldn't even respond to that?

Re: Shipping the Red Harlequin female
FROM: K. Waldron-Francis
TO: Christopher Pratt

Message flagged
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 11:52 PM

Regardless of what happened in the past, since we can't really come to terms, would you be able to get her out this week via FedEx if I were to send you the difference in shipping USPS vs. FedEx? 85 is shippable, and FedEx in my area is reliable.

Let me know.
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I can't believe the buyer would even offer to send you more money for more excuses.
You need to refund him 100% of his money back and learn how to ship reptiles.
 
Aaron Mattson said:
That's what I've been thinking. It seems like it could have been shipped at any time as long as it was overnighted in a styro with a cold pack. That would have cost more but after a while I would think one of them would have suggested it.
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I assumed that that is how he, or anyone for that matter, would ship that time of year?
 
Sushi Dragons said:
The full amount should be refunded in my opnion. Despite all the back and forth on the matter, the buyer never received anything. The only way to fairly keep a percentage of the $300 is if you had a predetermined and agreed upon TOS stating a non-refundable deposit.
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This. If you have no written deposit policy, you have no legal or moral grounds to keep any of the money.
 
I assumed that that is how he, or anyone for that matter, would ship that time of year?
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OK I can understand that. I think the problem then was that it was supposed to be shipped USPS, which even if you go next day often takes two days. That would be risky because cold packs might not last that long. That's probably why he didn't want to ship it when it's over 85 degrees. I think usually it would be the shippers responsibility to inform the buyer of that because not all buyers would be aware of best shipping practices but all sellers should be aware.

I don't think either of you guys is truely a bad guy at this point but the seller should either ship or refund asap. If it takes upgrading the shipping method to FedEx next day then that should be done and the buyer should pay for the upgrade.
 
I offered to upgrade to FedEx, but he continued to ignore me. If he can step up and either get my gecko to me or refund me - seeing as I have still not gotten the animal I paid for, I'd happily clear his name. However, he hasn't done that yet.
 
Aaron Mattson said:
I don't think either of you guys is truely a bad guy at this point but the seller should either ship or refund asap. If it takes upgrading the shipping method to FedEx next day then that should be done and the buyer should pay for the upgrade.
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Don't think shipping is an option at this point. the seller obviously has no experience shipping, does not have the proper shipping supplies such as heat or cold packs and insulated boxes.

Why should the buyer pay additional shipping after waiting so long to receive his crestie.the seller should automatically up grade with no additional charges just to please his customer.it's called customer service.

Not sure I would want to risk having anything shipped by this seller.at this point the only solution is a complete refund to the buyer today right now.
 
Kaiden, I am sorry. I did read the entire thread, including all the emails but I must have missed the part where you offered to upgrade, or I read it and it just didn't register. Again I am sorry and I acknowledge that that does change things considerably. I will have to reread the emails to say for sure but since you are saying you offered to upgrade to FedEx and he ignored you then I would have to say he is at or very, very near to being a bad guy.

Ed, the reason why I said the seller is not a bad guy yet is for three reasons, 1) the buyer is responsible for some the delays, 2)the buyer sometimes gave the impression that he didn't mind waiting and lastly 3)because it's possible the seller is just incompetent due to lack of experience and never intended/doesn't intend to rip the guy off. I am not the only person who has said the seller might not be a bad guy so I don't know why you chose to be critical of only me. There is no need to be rude to me and say "buy a clue". I gave my honest opinion but I am certainly open to being swayed and it wouldn't require insults, just reasoning discussion.

As far as the shipping, yes it would be good customer service for the seller to upgrade for free. In fact I think it would be the right thing to do morally and I admit I was not clear about that. But from a purely bussiness and legal standpoint I don't know of anything that would legally release the buyer from having to pay for an upgrade. That said, I wish I would have worded it something like this: "If it takes upgrading the shipping method to FedEx next day then that should be done. Although I don't think the shipper would be legally required to provide a free upgrade I think that it would be the right thing to do in this case because much of the delay was his fault."

For the record I don't know either party.
 
Aaron, my intention was not to insult you. I apologize if it sounded like that.

I do think you are being way to lenient on this seller.I see him as a bad guy for various reasons.the most glaring would be the length of time from the day he accepted payment until today.

The fastest resolution would be a full refund.
 
Ed I accept your apology and ad that maybe I was a little too sensitive. I'm sorry too.

I think you may be right about me being to lenient. It's past my bedtime, I don't feel like re-examining this right now. I'm going to get some sleep. I hope the seller does the right thing.
 
Did some people miss the part where the seller was pretty much like, haha go to paypal, try to get your money back, you WON'T. Once that paypal dispute closed in the sellers favor, in conjunction with him ignoring the buyers emails, do you honestly think the buyer would have ever seen the gecko or cash? The seller tried to get him to go to paypal a couple times, why? FOR CLOSURE so he can move on and call paypals decision the "final call."

Why hasn't the money been refunded? The seller was on last night and read the opinions he asked for. Because the money is spent (before delivery) or the gecko has been sold elsewhere. The only two reasons I see someone trying to hold onto someones money so strongly, is a thief or someone that doesn't have it to refund.
 
If you want a refund you can try through paypal but i have offered to ship her Monday. The payment you made to me is also considered a deposit and if for some reason you cant receive her in a reasonable amount of time you deposit will be forfeited
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Also paypal cant do anything about it since its over 45 days
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At this point you should just contact paypal, it doesnt sound like you want to work with me.
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So either you can wait til next week or contact paypal.
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There's your sign.
 
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