• Responding to email notices you receive.
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  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

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    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 Matt Baronak of SaSobek Reptiles

I'm sorry you're dealing with this, Crystal. It took me several months to receive my animals from him, and I consider myself lucky to have actually gotten them. Several people I've spoken to have had similar issues with him simply disappearing. I hope this is all resolved.
 
It seems like he may be more on top of his inbox than his crazy schedule and all the unanswered messages would imply, since he's already been here and gone again without comment. It's generally interesting when certain types of messages always seem to find their way through to the hard-to-reach people - often purchase inquiries and BOI thread notifications.
 

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I posted this offer on facebook but will post it here as well since it seems like Matt has been checking this thread. I live about a half hour from Matt and would be happy to go pick up the geckos he owes crystal and whoever else and get them packed up and shipped. I'd be happy to meet him at his job or wherever else is convenient for him. I have no idea what the hold up is but if it's a lack of time I'd be happy to help however I can.
 
juliasara said:
I posted this offer on facebook but will post it here as well since it seems like Matt has been checking this thread. I live about a half hour from Matt and would be happy to go pick up the geckos he owes crystal and whoever else and get them packed up and shipped. I'd be happy to meet him at his job or wherever else is convenient for him. I have no idea what the hold up is but if it's a lack of time I'd be happy to help however I can.
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That is a very kind and decent offer Julia but I get the feeling it is not really just a lack of time issue going on here.
There are quite a number of people it seems in the same position.
TBH there are a lot of people out there with a lot more patience and understanding than I can muster as I could not go months on end being owed so my hat off to all who can, although sometimes I do think that may be part of the problem. Just some people its the old case of give them an inch and they will take a mile and if they feel they can get away with with it well....possibly they will.
His total lack of response although he is well aware of this thread and the comments is not a good sign at all.
 
I'm pretty sure there is more going on then any of us know. It has been mentioned a few times on facebook that he is suffering from some kind of mental health issues. It's not an excuse for taking people's money and not delivering the goods but it can happen even to the best of us. I know a lot of people that won't ever ask for help, even when they really need it. I don't know what is really going on here but we are a family/community and should be there for each other when we can. I truly hope he is ok and that those waiting to be made whole have resolution soon.
 
Guy Castro said:
Patience is overrated,and will kill your PPal claim.;) When you start getting excuses,file a claim ASAP!:thumbsup:
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:iagree:

I totally agree with this. Paypal has deadlines for action, and those who give excuses aren't going to get very far with Paypal.
NEVER close a case before you have gotten ALL of your money, sometimes sellers will try to make private deals with you in return for closing the case, which cannot be subsequently reopened, ignore them, step out of the way, and let Paypal do its thing.
 
Matt, since you're reading, I'll add this here. I hope you know that many of us just want to help out with things. I don't see you as a bad guy (yet), but the lack of communication isn't helping things. I'm always willing to help you out in any way that I can. You just need to either send geckos (I know it's probably too cold in most places now) or refund money to anyone who has been waiting for 3+ months. Especially anyone waiting for over 6 months. Contact everyone and do your best to keep in touch until everything is settled. That way your reputation isn't completely ruined.
 
I feel a combination of sympathy and empathy towards your plight, Paul. Both in terms of unfortunate change of life events and any associated or unassociated depressive fallout.

That said, your obligations persist. If you have breeders, you have animals you can liquidate to obtain funds to pay those you owe. You sell things, you retain the money so that you can actually ship to paying customers in a timely manner, and then you pass the rest onto those you owe debts to. It also gives you some options for sending alternative animals to people who may have been waiting for project-compatible individuals. Refunds are always on the table, but maybe some customers would accept substitutions if you find any preferable to sales to fuel refunds.

Either way, communication is vital. It is good that you are saying you will return communications from customers now.

As for the Facebook post, repost it here, as all evidence is supposed to be provided via attachment as an image (or copied and pasted text might work for this situation). You could delete your Facebook post, its admissions, and its proposed path forward to honoring long overdue commitments at any time. If it is placed here, it endures.
 
SaSobek said:
I just made a post on my Facebook page. If you would like to comment please do so there or send me a private message. I don't believe in how messy the BOI gets.
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Messy, sometimes. But people haven't received the geckos they paid for and have every right to comment here, where others that may be in the same situation can see what is going on.
From what you have said on your FB page, you had some hard times and you are going to try to make reparations, and that is commendable if you follow through. People can post here as you do follow through (or not) and that way, your own actions or lack thereof will help write your own roadmap for the future.
Good luck and I hope it all works out, that you repay or make reparations to all who are owed, and that your business revives.
 
Mr. Baronak

After reading this, I really don't see how this is going to get messy. Honestly. You have fallen down. You really messed up. We get it.

But we you also need to face the music. No one is calling you a bad person here. Just one that need help. You need help. Don't start it by turning your back on a community that can help you.

Remember, I will be the first one to defend your actions on this forum if you start to do the right thing. But you have to be willing to let us help you.

I am glad you are making the first steps. But you will need our support. All you have to do is ask for it.
 
Matt has been in touch with me and we are working on a solution. I will keep you all updated as the matter is resolved. Thanks ��
 
SaSobek said:
If you would like to comment please do so there or send me a private message. I don't believe in how messy the BOI gets.
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From the lack of new posts either dealing with the OP or any others who have not had reparations made, and from the above post, I am guessing that private messages have gone out that require silence as part of the cost of reparation.
And as a further guess, I think that those wronged have received promises, not money or geckos.
Ordinarily, when someone has decided to change their ways, they WANT those they have wronged to publicize the fact that reparations have been made.
 
want to know what I don't get, why don't people simply stop taking new orders for animals before they start getting overwhelmed? I'm so sick and tired of this
 
Clyde Hill said:
want to know what I don't get, why don't people simply stop taking new orders for animals before they start getting overwhelmed? I'm so sick and tired of this
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It has its roots in the escalation of commitment and a sunk cost fallacy of sorts.

This leads to doubling down and the robbing of Peter to pay Paul (as they say). Regret, shame, and hope for escape with the next act all build into a confluence of desperate aspects.

It becomes an irrational act and it is a difficult thing for the person acting to realize on his/her own. It is much easier for an outside observer with zero stake in the outcome.

That said, the responsibility still (of course) remains with the actor himself/herself.

These make for good empathy exercises for an introspective person.
 
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