Bad Guy Beware of Jerry Kruse

[WebSlave]

On a side note (and not wanting to be anyone's messenger, so I agreed to do this only once with him), Matthew has advised me that his animals remain in perfect condition and thriving very well. He asked me to mention that his photography is really bad & assures those wondering that the animals are perfectly fine & not demonstrating anything like what Stu has experienced. He also states that he rarely goes into the computer & doesn't really want to get involved in this matter. That being said, any further correspondence from Matthew will be from him directly. If he chooses not to participate, then that has nothing to do with me.

Personally I sure would like to see more recent pics from Matthew. And Jerry, I think it would behoove you to convince him to comply, as he appears to be the only one coming to your defense with any photographic evidence, such that it is. Quite frankly, that one animal I copied the photo of in my previous posts just doesn't look to be the peak of health to me, and I would just like to be convinced that it was just a bad pic making it look that way.

Right now there seems to be a minor disagreement between yourself and Stu as to what constitutes a healthy looking zonata, and I believe Matthew could be instrumental in showing us solid evidence from another recipient of your animals concerning their health. After all, he IS already involved in this, and we don't really know for certain that HE knows the difference, so why leave us all hanging now? Isn't this particular thread pretty much revolving around CREDIBILITY anyway?

Speaking of which, I would like to know what Matthew's experience level is with these animals?

Heck, I know I had a handful of zonata many years ago, but for the life of me I just cannot recall what I did with them when I decided to move them out. But I don't remember having any problems with them neither and I just kept them in the same caging as my corn snakes.

So yeah, I have kind of a personal interest in this, because I always thought zonatas were pretty cool little animals.

 

[StuTennyson]

Jerry-I'm glad the snakes arrived in good condition and you are pleased with them. I'm looking forward to the rest of the refund. Any chance you can put a check in the mail now with a post date of next Friday so I can avoid the Paypal delay and fee? Thanks.

Dennis-I appreciate your suggestion but I wouldn't think of asking anyone to do something that may not be ethical or legal. Sending money through PayPal as a gift when I know it isn't just doesn't soung right to me but thanks for the idea.

hhmoore-I believe I said early in this thread the snakes didn't show any signs of trouble until I had them about a week. They looked okay when I first unpacked them. After a week one started looking dry and like it may be having a shedding problem. By the end of the second week 4 showed problembs and thats when I contacted Jerry.

 

[hhmoore]

Thanks for the clarification, Stu. I knew you'd had the snakes for about a week when before you contacted Jerry. Another party questioned your initial reaction to them, and I didn't recall a response; so I figured I'd revisit as long as I was already posting.

 

[bobassetto]

stu.... i lost your phone number.....bob

 

[Br8knitOFF]

I've done business with Jerry on a number of occasions and have had nothing short of a great experience on all accounts. Every animal I've received from him has been as advertised and healthy as can be.

I'd do business with Jerry anytime again in a heartbeat.

 

[Wilomn]

I've done business with Jerry on a number of occasions and have had nothing short of a great experience on all accounts. Every animal I've received from him has been as advertised and healthy as can be.

I'd do business with Jerry anytime again in a heartbeat.

I'd be willing to wager that Stu and a number of other people would have said the same thing until people saw the way ol jer treated Stu and everyone else who disagreed with him.

It's not so much the good deals that show character, though they do, it's the ones that go south that give a real look at the people involved. ol jer, he's got some issues. Based on those and his treatment of Stu he's on the do not buy from list here and, I strongly suspect, many other places as well.

It's one of the best things about the BOI. Seeing what people do and say here gives a much better image of what kind of person they really are.

Stu has proven he's an honest upright kind of guy. ol jer, he proved just the opposite about himself.

 

[thomas davis]

well

It's one of the best things about the BOI. Seeing what people do and say here gives a much better image of what kind of person they really are.

Stu has proven he's an honest upright kind of guy. ol jer, he proved just the opposite about himself.

well now jerry has/is refunding stu IMHO that prooves jerry is honest and upright. ive said all along its a shame this was brought here in the first place. and im pretty sure if jerry had it to do over he would have handled it before it got here. at anyrate it all appears to be handled now. personally i think its lame stu has to eat pp charges and shipping but that is what it is would it have been handled this way without the BOI? i dont think anyone can know that answer. it was brought here and it appears to have been resolved here albeit a bit of a roller coaster at times as can be seen by this thread the BOI works again!
,,,,,,,,,thomas davis

 

[Wilomn]

well now jerry has/is refunding stu IMHO that prooves jerry is honest and upright. ive said all along its a shame this was brought here in the first place. and im pretty sure if jerry had it to do over he would have handled it before it got here. at anyrate it all appears to be handled now. personally i think its lame stu has to eat pp charges and shipping but that is what it is would it have been handled this way without the BOI? i dont think anyone can know that answer. it was brought here and it appears to have been resolved here albeit a bit of a roller coaster at times as can be seen by this thread the BOI works again!
,,,,,,,,,thomas davis

Except for the parts about ol jer being honest and upright, I agree with you.

He did poach some snakes and then smuggle them out of state. He's lied and begged and made threats, all things that honest upright folks tend to shy away from.

Maybe this will be his turnaround point. I doubt it, but one never knows.

It's great he's doing the right thing, finally, but I for one, am certain that Stu would have never seen a dime if he hadn't come here. How many other people have said things about ol jer that are much the same as Stu? More than a couple which is more than a couple too many.

Another week will let us know if ol jer comes through this time. Maybe it will be a new start for him. But again, I doubt it.

 

[TONY D]

Stu for my part the question about your impression of the animals at first isn't answered. Them being "OK" kind of side steps the intent. Were you pleased with them or not? This goes towards saying if Jerry shipped animals that were outwardly healthy or not which I believe speaks to how this was initially handled.

 

[TONY D]

And I am glad for both parties that this is almost resolved.

 

[StuTennyson]

Tony-Normally when someone says "OK" it's a positive response similar to "pleased" so I'm not sure what you are driving at here. I'm not about to say anything that is not true but since you obviously want something more than "OK" I will offer this: They were a little smaller than I expected and thin. I was told they were "plump' well started hatchlings so my expectation was for larger more robust hatchlings. One wouldn't eat and was promised as a "good" feeder. The non-feeder never did eat voluntarily. It was the one hatchling that never showed signs of ZD coincidentally. I would think if stress was a precursor to ZD then this one would have exhibited symptoms. I never made an issue over this one not feeding because that is something I have dealt with before even though for what I paid it should have. The others had a good feeding response so I felt confident that I could care for them effectively and fatten them up. As far as looks, coloration and health they were about what I expected. Overall I was less than "eustatic" but found them to be acceptable. I hope this answers your question.

 

[StuTennyson]

Tony-Just an after thought as to why I've not wanted to go into great detail about what I thought of these snakes when I received them. I've been trying to avoid saying any more negative comments regarding these snakes. Truth is I was really not "thrilled" with them when I received them especially for what I paid for them. I did however find them acceptable and felt I could work with them. After a week went by and they started looking bad I began to start worrying. I didn't immediately think they had ZD as I was unfamiliar with ZD at that time. I think enough has been said and I just want this to be over for everyone especially Jerry and me. I hope this additional information satisfies you.

 

[TONY D]

Thanks Stu. The info does, in my mind, help establish mind set of both parties.

 

[StuTennyson]

Tony-Yes it does establish a mind set. My mind set at first was I was willing to work with them because I thought they were “OK”. But as their skin condition worsened and I realized the problem was beyond my level of expertise I wanted to return them and get my money back.

 

[JerryKruse]

Hi Stu,

yes I agree with you that we both want this to come to a close. And most certainly it will. What I'm a bit surprised about is your new revelation about how you found the animals to be upon arrival. It's not like you had not seen them prior to arrival, as I'd posted photos of them to show some progress as well as them voluntarily feeding. Every baby had eaten for me at least 8 or 9 times with the exception of the gratis het female who had eaten perhaps only 3 or 4 times as she was a slow starter (but eating voluntarily nontheless). Also remember, they did not hatch until mid-August. Giving them time to absorb their yolk takes about two weeks or so, then comes the fun of getting them to accept food -- I do not nor have I ever force-fed a baby snake unless it was absolutely the very last resort. I endeavor with a myriad of lizard options, all within every attempt at feeding, to see which lizard scent has the best response. I allow the snakes to decide, not force them to do something they are not ready to do, which in large part accounts for the exceptionally long period of time before I make my babies available (& not throw them onto a show table in the fall season as Mr. Osler would like to have seen). I feed my babies one pinky per week, and never try to offer more than that in the first year. An average-sized pinky is more than adequate for a baby zonata to take and digest on a weekly basis. Also, these are zonata Stu....not Florida kings or Andean milks. What were you expecting inside the near 5 months I had these babies? For them to be 14 inches long & spring-loaded once you opened the container?? That is not their typical behavior & Sierra zonata, on average, max out at around </=40 inches. So again, given that pre-existing mindset (which I think is not realistic) it is suffice to say that, in this respect, you were already set up for failure. Now please don't take that as a direct criticism or jab, because it is not. It's simply my rebuttal after your recent disclosure of what your assessment was upon receipt of the babies. They were all feeding well voluntarily, w/ the one female having eaten a bit less than the others, and were an average girth and size of most any baby that has left my hands & has gone over to others only to thrive very well over time. Suffice it to say, they were perfect in every way given what they are.

Again, I'm sorry for your experience after having received them Stu. I don't know what else to say. The snakes arrived this past Wednesday in a much-improved condition compared to the pics you'd originally posted as evidenced by smoother, shinier scales. No neuro nor any motor functioning issues are being observed at all. They all voluntarily fed several hours after being removed from their shipping box while still in their deli cups, all thawed/unscented pinkies, as well. I've taken detailed photos of each baby which I'd sent to you via phone several days ago. Unfortunately I have not had time to upload them and transfer them over here just yet, but I will as soon as I have time to do so. Talk with you soon.

Jerry

 

[thomas davis]

i would venture to say had communication from the start with your customer been like this before/after and during the sale jerry perhaps ALL of this would have never been here.
glad its all been resolved.

,,,,,,,,,,thomas davis

 

[Bobby O]

Stopping making BS up Jerry

First, refund ALL of Stu's money before you open up your big lying trap again. I NEVER said for you to display non feeding babies at your table. I said you had NO ANIMALS at your table and just some cheesy little computer display. Thanks to the BOI, I now realize (with your admission) that you had displayed pictures of animals that were not yours before and had tried to purchase other people's zonatas to resell. Go take care of your sick mother, refund the second half of Stu's money, and stop BSing on the BOI.

 

[StuTennyson]

Jerry-My opinion of your snakes when I received them is not a "new revelation". It was what I thought about them when I first received them. I just didn't mention it because I didn't think it was necessary since I found them acceptable initially. As I stated in my earlier post I really didn't want to bring this up or mention any more negativity but your buddy Tony kept probing for an answer. If I hit a "nerve" then maybe you should ask your buddy Tony to quit stirring the pot.

Also, these are zonata Stu....not Florida kings or Andean milks. What were you expecting inside the near 5 months I had these babies? For them to be 14 inches long & spring-loaded once you opened the container?? That is not their typical behavior & Sierra zonata, on average, max out at around

 

[StuTennyson]

Sorry but something happened to the rest of my response. It got cut off some how.

Jerry-My opinion of your snakes when I received them is not a "new revelation". It was what I thought about them when I first received them. I just didn't mention it because I didn't think it was necessary since I found them acceptable initially. As I stated in my earlier post I really didn't want to bring this up or mention any more negativity but your buddy Tony kept probing for an answer. If I hit a "nerve" then maybe you should ask your buddy Tony to quit stirring the pot.

Also, these are zonata Stu....not Florida kings or Andean milks. What were you expecting inside the near 5 months I had these babies? For them to be 14 inches long & spring-loaded once you opened the container?? That is not their typical behavior & Sierra zonata, on average, max out at around

If this was not meant as criticism or a jab then how was it meant? Usually when someone says "don't take this personal" or "I don't mean to be insulting" they usually mean it. That's like me saying "don't be such a jerk but I don't mean to hurt your feelings or anything".

You didn't respond to one of my earlier posts so I will ask again: Could you send the remainder of my refund in a check? Then I don't have to absorb the PayPal fee. If you could send it early enough this coming week (you can post mark it for Friday if you want) for me to receive it by Friday I would appreciate it.

Thanks

Stu

 

[StuTennyson]

These are pictures taken the morning I shipped them back.

I would like to reiterate my point. Even if these snakes were to "clear up" I would not want to keep them for many reasons. Mainly the uncertainty this condition could resurface in these or their progeny.

Jerry-I'm glad they are doing so well for you and I wish you good luck with them. Send the remainder of my refund this week and I will be happy too.

Thanks

Stu