Bad Guy A Lesson to Learn From Buying From John Richardson (Bird's Reptile Shop)

[cmalchow]

Oh man...that shipping is HORRIBLE! I'm really glad I came across this thread. I was looking into purchasing the male Hypo Lavender Bloodred and female Lavender Bloodred Het for Hypo pair that he had for sale. I'm really glad I went with another breeder! That is completely unacceptable! I hope he gives you a full refund and you can keep the snakes. At least you can nurse them back to health and find them good homes later.

It is a good thing you did especially since these kids aren't homo blood. So not only is his shipping inexcusable but he is not labeling his snakes correctly.

 

[Varaki]

Here's his other FB page: https://www.facebook.com/OkeeteeCornsnakePage Some crazy photo editing going on there. Not even subtle about it.

It looks like nearly all of his photos are photo shopped. That is enough of a warning when someone tries to make his snakes into something they are not. I agree with everyone here though, the packaging was horrible and those poor snakes. I would be devastated if my baby boy (corn snake) had come like that. I had two corn snakes shipped to me, each one by different people and they were both packaged and shipped very well. I hope that those two make it and you should get a refund. To see that one they are not even the snakes you paid for, but also to send them horribly is just wrong.

It upsets me how someone can be so careless in the life of innocent animals. Especially shipping, it should have been shipped over night not two days and with such cold weather is even worse. It's obvious they have no idea what they are doing. One shouldn't ever ship again and two should probably not even sell them if they can't send the right snakes they advertise. I hope you get your refund but I also want to hear the Sellers side on why they shipped the way they did and why they sent the wrong snakes.

 

[snakehobbyist]

I usually buy from expos or buy local. I've only had one of my snakes shipped to me and I was thankful to have a good experience.

I really hope this shipper is just misinformed about shipping instead of being neglectful. While it's not acceptable either way, at least with a little education it can improve. If it's downright neglect and the seller knew that the way he was shipping was unacceptable, then he probably shouldn't be in this hobby.

 

[Pasodama]

No insulation, no heat (hand warmers are worthless and do not last long enough), too much empty space in the box, and 2 day shipping! Absolutely pathetic and inexcusable.
Very correct in that those two are not Hypo Plasmas. They look to be Hypo Lavenders (they are Lavenders at the very least end) but who knows if they are even het diffused. So, not only the horrible packing/shipping, but he also either shipped the wrong snakes or had them misidentified/labeled.
You are certainly due some sort of refund.
Those poor babies. Hope they pull through just fine and have not suffered irreparable damage (with immediate, or later, effect).

 

[Nanci]

I really hope this shipper is just misinformed about shipping instead of being neglectful. While it's not acceptable either way, at least with a little education it can improve. If it's downright neglect and the seller knew that the way he was shipping was unacceptable, then he probably shouldn't be in this hobby.

It's doubtful he is misinformed. To be certified to ship live reptiles with FedEx, you submit a test package. FedEx has an instruction sheet detailing the requirements for safely packaging live reptiles. IF he is FedEx certified, he had to have sent an acceptable package.

IF he is FedEx certified, he has signed a contract stating he will ship live reptiles PRIORITY OVERNIGHT. No two-day, no regular overnight- PRIORITY. IF he is FedEx certified, he has broken his contract.

If he used Reptile Express, he has violated the terms and conditions by shipping two-day. If he used Ship Your Reptiles, he violated their shipping standards- animals are required to be shipped FedEx Priority Overnight.

 

[allreptiles1966]

Video taping

Finally...someone took my advice on making videos of the unboxing. I do it with ALL of mine, and I ask my customers to do the same.

I would be quite upset as well. That was ridiculous.

I also do it with all my boa's coming in. Not sure where i read that,but i have been doing for a couple years now. Its the best proof of how they arrive and they condition they are in at arrival.

 

[Ken Foose]

Although it's obvious that this guy just shipped these snakes the cheapest way he could think of without using any common standards for shipping live herps, keep in mind that fed ex screws up all the time also. I'm not defending this guy, and his shipping is horrible. However, Kim was in Daytona and shipped two large boxes of tortoises back to the store from there in August. We had pre-printed overnight labels that she took with her. We paid for overnight service. One box arrived the next day with all the tortoises in perfect health. The second box had a 2 day label slapped on it, and all the tortoises were DOA because of this. We are currently suing fed ex for $35,000 to cover the cost of of these tortoises. Fed ex has already admitted it was their fault in writing and offered us $5,000 in compensation. We declined of course, since this amount doesn't even come close to covering our costs. So, just a heads up. But at the same time, I would never purchase anything from anyone that ships like this guy. You'll lose almost everytime.

 

[bobassetto]

I liked the way you tossed the "packing material and heating elements" in a WTF manner....... That says it all .....well played young warrior.......it's people like this individual that we are obligated to either educate or boycott ...... We deal with living things not inanimate objects....... Reiki for those youngsters......

 

[RoseRed]

I do have an update on the situation.

First Off he has offered full refund in full (although it will take him two days to do it) I will confirm when I get it via paypal. And I keep the snakes.

Second, he says quote "They are hypo lavender het for bloodred. They came from a hypo lavender male blood red het bred to a lavender blood het for hypo. The reason for the confusion is the male we used was sold as a hypo blood red and I never seen a hypo lavender blood red babies so was mistaken as to what babies looked like." End quote (I quoted this directly so that there would no mistake on the genetics issue)

Third, according to him that 2 helpers shipped them, and after this, one them lost their job. He admits that the shipping was horrible and their should have been insulation.

He does know about this thread since in the text he requested I tell everyone that we came to an agreement (which I would have provided all of this information anyways, even if he did not request it).

Update on the snakes: Both are alive. The male has become more active. The female has not moved from her spot. When I check on her she is responsive. She is under the paper towel, even with hides. I will try find smaller hides for both, to see if that helps.

As a member has said, do video every unboxing. I always do. There is no room for disagreement when there is an unboxing video. I would add to make the unboxings as live as possible with little to no editing (and mention any editing done, if you post them on the BOI)

 

[bobassetto]

Exposure to low temperatures is usually not as destructive to high temperatures .....as I personally have been lethally taught recently.....always know how long the snakes will be on the truck and temps at the target site..... Often it's best to pick your kids at the FedEx hub..... Rather than have door to door delivery...... No matter how inconvient.....just what I've learned ..... Only has to happen once....I think they'll be ok.....

 

[Mutumbo]

GGlad it worked out for you, RoseRed, but personally i'll never buy from him. Ever.

 

[PlatinumRosePythons]

He does know about this thread since in the text he requested I tell everyone that we came to an agreement (which I would have provided all of this information anyways, even if he did not request it).

I dunno if its just me being paranoid (which is more than likely possible) but him saying 'make sure you tell everyone this was solved' makes it seem like he wouldnt have done anything had he not been called out on it.

Considering he's been caught lying about the shipping and photoshopping pics of his animals I wouldnt believe the genetics of your animals until you prove it by breeding. This guy seems seriously shady.

Glad the snakes are ok!

 

[RoseRed]

Considering he's been caught lying about the shipping and photoshopping pics of his animals I wouldnt believe the genetics of your animals until you prove it by breeding. This guy seems seriously shady.

I am planning on re-homing them if/when they get better. Although no time soon. They need to re-coup and I don't want to ship them during winter (unless someone in my area wants them, but even that would take awhile). I will try to find someone who will care for them. Although I will let them know that I am uncertain on their genetics and I have not sexed them. Needless to say, since they are not Hypo Plasma's they do not fit my breeding plans. That may sound harsh, but I do not want to put economic strain on me long term for two snakes I did not plan to have (although I have plenty of food to feed them over the winter, and maybe even into the spring, if I have to buy a little bit of more feeders I will). Like noted before, I will try to find them good homes, maybe there is someone out there who is just looking for a pet and doesn't mind the issues with the genetics with these two.

 

[PlatinumRosePythons]

I am planning on re-homing them if/when they get better. Although no time soon. They need to re-coup and I don't want to ship them during winter (unless someone in my area wants them, but even that would take awhile). I will try to find someone who will care for them. Although I will let them know that I am uncertain on their genetics and I have not sexed them. Needless to say, since they are not Hypo Plasma's they do not fit my breeding plans. That may sound harsh, but I do not want to put economic strain on me long term for two snakes I did not plan to have (although I have plenty of food to feed them over the winter, and maybe even into the spring, if I have to buy a little bit of more feeders I will). Like noted before, I will try to find them good homes, maybe there is someone out there who is just looking for a pet and doesn't mind the issues with the genetics with these two.

Understandable, I just got started with breeding ball pythons and I'm sure eventually i'll have to let some go in order to make room for new morphs.

 

[snakehobbyist]

I'm sure you can find someone who can take on these two. I have a bloodred het hypo and lavender and I just bought a hypo lavender male. I'm also looking into breeding hypo lavender bloodreds. Obviously with my male not being het blood, I'll need an F1 generation from their breeding. But that's what breeding projects are for!

Basically, I get what what you're going for with genetics. I really hope you get you a hypo plasma and can continue on with your breeding plans. I also agreed that those two are definitely hypo lavenders (they look identical to my male).

I'm also glad to know that the babies are doing well and I'll be even more happy when you get your refund. Good luck!

 

[tsthompson]

I do have an update on the situation.

First Off he has offered full refund in full (although it will take him two days to do it) I will confirm when I get it via paypal.

I'm happy to hear you are getting a refund. I'm not sure why it takes two days, since it is a business?

My only dealing with John was as a seller over a year ago. He received a properly packed package , so he is aware on how it should be done. I've noticed his blatantly obvious photo shopped ads as well.

Please update us once you receive reimbursement.

 

[cmalchow]

I'm happy to hear you are getting a refund. I'm not sure why it takes two days, since it is a business?

I have a problem with this as well. You should not spend the money you get from selling an animal until you know that animal arrives safe and everything is fine. That way if for some reason there is an issue you are able to refund the money right away. It is just good customer service.

 

[temptation]

Sorry about those poor little ones.
I hope they make it and you get a full refund.
I have a pair of hypo plasmas and they costed alot more them what you paid.... Red Flag?
Debbie Preucil

 

[tsthompson]

I thought I'd share this lovely email that I received from John Richardson.

[email protected]

11:44 PM (10 hours ago)

to me
*************
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*************

Tom ,
Hey how ya doing...John Richardson AND Birds Reptile Shop here..... I saw your response to a fauna classifieds ad on us....DID YOU SAY WE HAVE BLATANTLY OBVIOUS PHOTO SHOPED ADS?? WHICH ADS ARE YOU REFERING TO?? ALSO I HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH REGGIE AND MINDY THE SNAKES YOU SOLD US....they were sold as hypo pied sides het for anerythristic but out of 22 babies ......13 first clutch and 9 second clutch we didnt produce a single anerythristic...kinda sucks we paid I think $1200 for that pair. Were these false advertised?? I was gonna go online and ask a few people on the forums what they think but just wanted your opinion first??? By the way my ads havent ever been photo shopped!!! WHICH ADS ARE YOU SAYING ARE SO BLATANTLY PHOTO ENHANCED??? We spent over $1600 with you buying animals in 2012 and im just wondering which ads your refering to??? All my ads are on kingsnake.com now and I ran the same ads continous all year so pick out the ones your talking about and let me kno!
w please?? Did I send that box 2nd day air (NO) Did I pack it with just papertowels (NO) Does it look to be tampered with (YES) Are you interested in purchasing Reggie and Mindy back since they dont seem to be het for anerythristic by the way?? If so I will give them to you for $1000...let me know????????????????? Also we bought 3 female adult lavender bloodreds het hypo and a male hypo lavender bloodred on kingsnake.com from Kurt Decker all adults in 2012....The offspring sold was from them adults and they were the first babies we sold from those animals recently! I know for sure that our lavender bloodreds are in fact lavender bloodreds but I think that the male we bought as a hypo lav bloodred was actually a hypo lavender blood....Unfortunately I sold the pair to that girl as hypo lavender bloods because I thought they were...THATS WHERE THE CONFUSION CAME FROM.........I dont think Reggie and Mindy carry the anerythristic gene and sense your a bussiness maybe you c!
ould take care of us somehow since they just arent proven out !
AT ALL!! LET ME KNOW???

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Sent 10:44 PM, Dec 15th, 2012 from I.P. Address 70.160.59.173/ip70-160-59-173.hr.hr.cox.net
Tom Thompson <[email protected]>

10:12 AM (0 minutes ago)

to Birdsreptilesh.

John,

I'm doing fine. Thanks for your concern. I will gladly copy & paste this email to the faunna thread & respond to it there. First off you spent a total of $1360 on three transactions with me. I have offspring from Reggie & Mindy that prove otherwise.

Thanks,

Tom Thompson

 

[tsthompson]

Has anybody else received anything similar?