Lack of customer service from sellers

[Jynxx25]

You folks are so disillusion... and/or on drugs. Typing in all caps, comments and then calling me a jerk when I respond.

 

[Jynxx25]

Trolling: make a deliberately offensive or provocative online post with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them.

Membership: the fact of being a member of a group; the number or body of members in a group.


Original post (seems a direct but respectful observation)
The common issue I realize on this site is the lack of customer service to almost being downright rude behavior.

I understand things are posted and the common response seems to be "read the description" or "it's in the description"; but this is a major turn off when shopping and/or purchasing a pet. For the most part it feels like communicating with a teenager or an adult that lacks good social mannerisms.

I had purchased a snake earlier which I found many of my questions from the seller "it's in the description" or "I already told you that"; when in fact information like "When was the snake last fed" was not answered.

Response by snowgyre
I think you're making a mountain over a molehill...
Still an opinion I get that

You're new to the site, so you probably are not aware that most people do not check threads frequently for updates, but instead rely upon notifications from the private messaging system or direct contact through emails.
Okay, but does back to my comment of being accessible as a seller..

Also, it is rather bold of you to make a sweeping, mostly inaccurate statement concerning customer service by sellers on this site when you joined last month and made a total of four posts, two of which occurred in one advertisement for sand boas. You were gently reprimanded by one of the moderators for lack of reading comprehension in the advertisement itself, and then the seller noticed his thread had been bumped and responded.
Kind of getting personal

Buying and selling... Right now you are coming off as a high maintenance buyer, which most sellers steer way clear of because of silly threads like this.
High Maintenance Buyer? Just for asking questions that were half-assed answered, which ended in the snake dying from related or unrelated issues. I will never know since I ask too many questions in the first place?

 

[Fangthane]

You folks are so disillusion...

Whatever that means... Considering your own glaring grammatical shortcomings and inability to operate on the same plane of reality that the rest of us are occupying, you may want to avoid questioning anyone else's education level. Can't really say you're doing Armijo High, University of Phoenix, or Solano CC very proud.

Anyhoo. The top comment is mine - you're welcome. I stand behind it.

 

[Jynxx25]

From Lucille
asking a lot of basic questions could signal to the seller that you do not have the critter's well being in mind because you won't take the little time it would take to do an internet search and find info.

Here are the basic questions I ask the seller:
What is the temperament of the snake?
What are the parameters you keep the snake (temperature, humidity...)?
How often do you feed the snake, what size (frozen/live), and when was it's last feeding?

Reasons why:
Temperament, some aggressive snakes are chill, while other chill snakes are aggressive.

Parameters, X Reptiles keeps their snakes 80-82 ambient with a 90-92 hot spot, X Reptiles keeps theirs at 80-82 constant without hot spots, some breeders keep their Panther Geckos with a heat lamp and humidity device, while others use room temperatures and mist once a day.

Feeding, some breeders feed every 5 days, others every 10 days. Was the snake just fed yesterday or a week ago?

 

[Jynxx25]

Fangthane:
Thanks for taking interest and looking up my profile on this site and probably Facebook. Since you noticed my grammatical shortcomings perhaps you are an English major? Very good!

As you stated I am in IT so my grammar on a forum site on a post, that is growing is, not a priority; getting my response and point across is. However, my point is obviously lost as members absorbed it as I am a jerk, newbie, high maintenance buyer... oh well.

Levels of education does not mean much, only opens a few doors for job opportunities. I work with PhD's that retained their focus of study and forgotten the general education they had to endure.

BTW - thanks for the spelling correction, delusional, in case you need the definition:
based on or having faulty judgment; mistaken.

It is obvious some that posted cannot have a logical argument or rational discussion, including responses. However, there are a few that posted that can, such as Herpin Man, Jet76, and AbsoluteApril. Thank you really appreciate that.

The rest can go to hell, except for Fangthane as he is an Atheist. Joke? Get it? No? Okay start the attacking again. I am having fun being the Heel.

Just in case...
In professional wrestling, a heel (also known as a rudo in lucha libre) is a wrestler who is villainous or a "bad guy", who is booked (scripted) by the promotion to be in the position of being an antagonist.

 

[Fangthane]

perhaps you are an English major?

Nope. Just a garden-variety high school dropout.

As you stated I am in IT...

I never stated you were in IT. Yet again, you're responding to statements that don't exist. If I were in IT, I'd probably be a bit embarrassed about not being able to figure out how to quote posts. Maybe that's just me.

Considering the more conventional definition:

characterized by or holding idiosyncratic beliefs or impressions that are contradicted by reality or rational argument, typically as a symptom of mental disorder.

Your insistence on seeing things that simply aren't there sure seems to make it clear just who here may be "delusional." Your decision to put us in that category is what psychologists call "projection."
Before you look for a definition that's not contextually applicable, here's the one I'm referring to:

Psychological projection is a theory in psychology in which humans defend themselves against their own unconscious impulses or qualities (both positive and negative) by denying their existence in themselves while attributing them to others.

I am having fun being the Heel.

Attention-whore status confirmed. Nothing more to see here, folks.

 

[Lucille]

antagonist.

Troll: to antagonize (others) online by deliberately posting inflammatory, irrelevant, or offensive comments or other disruptive content

 

[snowgyre]

Buying and selling goes both ways, and sellers can choose not to sell to you just as quickly as you can choose not to purchase from a buyer. Right now you are coming off as a high maintenance buyer, which most sellers steer way clear of because of silly threads like this.

I called it correctly. You are high maintenance and that is being forgiving, I would say more except for the moderator kindly reminding the folks frustrated with you in this thread to avoid name calling. You have been added to my personal do-not-buy-from-or-sell-to list, and probably the lists of others here.

And just to clarify, my original post was not meant to be inflammatory, it was an interpretation of how you were coming off to people who didn't know you. You ended up proving all of my points in it though. Way to live up to the reputation. e_e

 

[Jynxx25]

Fangthane:
"I never stated you were in IT. Yet again, you're responding to statements that don't exist."
You are right, that is something I went back and forth with someone else. Great of you to point that out... what do you want a cookie or a GED?

" If I were in IT, I'd probably be a bit embarrassed about not being able to figure out how to quote posts."
Meh I could do that, but my points are more direct this way rather than just clicking quotes all over the place. Don't worry about me, YOU should be more embarrassed being a High School dropout. Hope you can become an entrepreneur.

"Your insistence on seeing things that simply aren't there sure seems to make it clear just who here may be "delusional." Your decision to put us in that category is what psychologists call "projection."
Before you look for a definition that's not contextually applicable, here's the one I'm referring to:"
Kind of odd that a person that could not finish High School is qouting me stuff. Ah America!

"Attention-whore status confirmed. Nothing more to see here, folks."
You are just now confirming that? Well if there is nothing more to see here move on. I did start the post. Perhaps focus on that GED through the Net.

Yes I am trolling.

 

[Jynxx25]

Troll: to antagonize (others) online by deliberately posting inflammatory, irrelevant, or offensive comments or other disruptive content

Well, mess with the bull, you'll get the horns

See Fangthane I can use the quotes after all. Perhaps I can help you with a college degree? It will open a few more doors.

 

[Jynxx25]

I called it correctly. You are high maintenance and that is being forgiving, I would say more except for the moderator kindly reminding the folks frustrated with you in this thread to avoid name calling. You have been added to my personal do-not-buy-from-or-sell-to list, and probably the lists of others here.

And just to clarify, my original post was not meant to be inflammatory, it was an interpretation of how you were coming off to people who didn't know you. You ended up proving all of my points in it though. Way to live up to the reputation. e_e

You get the award then! You said it, people had to be reminded of the name calling which the members started, in fact I just made a statement about the lack of customer service and it has now turned into a tit-for-tat because I frustrated so many with my observation.

I do not really care about do not buy or sell lists as much as I do not care about Karma points. If you had been paying attention, I took my money elsewheres. I spent over $1000 in the past month. Money that could had went to sellers on this forum, but because of the rudeness, I took my money to other breeders that catered to my "High Maintenance" needs.

Glad I proved your point. Hope you feel good and it made your day. Perhaps if I misinterpret what you said, you should reflect on how you wrote it. But you may be an elitist that I stated earlier and cannot be bothered by this. I get it.

 

[WebSlave]

 

[Fangthane]

You're just not packing enough where it counts.

 

[Jynxx25]

I have noticed the same thing.
What you need to realize is that the herp "business" is not like most other businesses. Herp sellers do not necessarily have any background in business, sales, or customer service. Rather, they are hobbyists that decided, to whatever degree, to make a business out of it. Many herp sellers don't necessarily have the same service or communications skills one would expect when purchasing other products. This is especially apparent in the BOI; the way some "business" people talk to their customers when there is a dispute can be truly horrific.
On the other hand, I think that herp sellers can become jaded after a period of time. The daily grind of answering questions for dreamers, tire kickers and others with no intention of buying, scammers, low-ballers, shoplifters etc. probably gets old after a while. I think this is particularly true in the case of retail herp store owners. That is one reason that I have never wanted to own a pet store.
For the buyer, the solution is relatively simple- only buy from sellers that offer good service and treat their customers with respect. There are quite a few of them here.

HM:
I agree. I spent a good hour talking to the manager of the pet store I purchase my feeders from. He has over 200 breeds of corn snakes. Some of the rarer types that he is charging a few thousand dollars for.

It was nice to see someone enthused and willing to help me by offering information on his background on breeding.

He stated that while someone is purchasing a snake from someone else to save $50-$100; what are they really saving? The breeder's reputation is worth an extra $50-100 if you know you are getting a quality breed with documentation to show such quality.

He told me he has pics of the snakes breeding, clutching eggs, and hatching. Included is all the timestamps of feeding, shedding, and other information. He stated this may be overkill, but you know you are getting a quality snake from him and has the documentation to prove it.

 

[Jynxx25]

You're just not packing enough where it counts.

Work on your GED junior. Because in certain job markets, you are not even a statistic.

 

[Jynxx25]

I agree there are guys that are difficult to buy from and I've even received poorly packaged animals from "big names". I have also received some great stuff from some people that's never been heard of. Long story short, check the BOI, it is a great tool. If you spend enough time on here, you can quickly figure out, the good and the bad.

Thanks. Yeah I did see a do's and don't on purchasing from private breeders selling on online forums. One issue was to be cautious on those who want you to pay as friends and family using PayPal. Grant it PayPal does not protect you as a buyer for live animals, so I am told. But funding with a credit card you can pursue a refund through the credit card company. Which I only did this with airline tickets (airline when out of business before my trip).

 

[Jynxx25]

On a personal note - I see nothing wrong with wanting questions answered and more specific details provided. If the seller doesn't provide the info I want, I move on (assuming it wasn't already in the description or other replies and I missed it).

Sometimes I think my ads are too wordy but I'd rather provide as much information as possible.

I guess my question is your comment about the issues being specific to 'this site'. I have dealt with plenty of good and bad buyers/sellers on this site and other sites as well. I haven't noticed anything specifically bad about sellers only on this site as compared to others?

AA:
Yeah I do move on. There are some breeders that have rarities that I would like to purchase, but... well... just read my posts and you'll know my frustration.

My auctions on eBay are too wordy as well. But it is seller's protection as eBay really caters to the buyer.

I had began with this site in the buying/selling portion. I originally join this site as research as I wanted to get back into breeding Ball Pythons as I have not done so since the 90's. Seeing how now people are using sonograms and digital scales that were either unheard of back then or just not available for this hobby.

I did my initial research online and the information varies. So another research method is to ask those who had been successful.

I researched several areas including craigslist, Ball-Pythons.net, and several other brick-and-mortar specialty online stores. All sellers/breeders took time to answer questions, even this site. But this site I received more rudeness from sellers/breeders.

I will admit I am jaded as my first online purchase of a reptile was through this site. The snake died 8 days later.

Yes I should had gone through BOI, but the seller stated and re-stated he only guarantees a live arrival and only if someone signs for it. My wife took delivery, I came home for lunch to get the snake in the new terrarium, and everything was fine.

The snake did not eat for a few days, which I asked the seller when was the last time he fed it, in which he stated I already told you every 7-10 days. He stated he did not understand as the snake is a great eater.

The White Diamond and Purple Passion that I recently got ate on the second day.

Well, live and learn. I am out a few hundred there is nothing I can legally do as it states only guarantee a live arrival. This is one of the reason I ask and even call breeders now to share my story. Some say if that happens, let them know and they will take care of me. Hey they got a $450 sale from me and I will be buying from him again.

 

[juliasara]

Work on your GED junior. Because in certain job markets, you are not even a statistic.

Seriously? Cut the crap, it's not even remotely cute. Your criticizing someone for not having graduated high school yet you are acting like a bratty little kid who throws a tantrum every time someones opinion isn't the same as yours.

 

[Jynxx25]

Seriously? Cut the crap, it's not even remotely cute. Your criticizing someone for not having graduated high school yet you are acting like a bratty little kid who throws a tantrum every time someones opinion isn't the same as yours.

Thank you for joining the conversation and welcome to this discussion.

Cut the crap... no, not when people are responding to the point of verbal attacks and name calling. Fangthane (if you read through the discussion, which seems to be a pet peeve with most members) came in verbally chastising me. If someone is going to sarcastically comment on my accomplishments, I am definitely going to point out the lack of their's.

it's not even remotely cute... not trying to be cute, just sarcastic. Not in a roll your eyes sort of way . But more of omg this guy is a jerk, lol!

you are acting like a bratty little kid who throws a tantrum every time someones opinion isn't the same as yours... again read through the forums (pet peeve of users on this site...). I posted a comment and my experience, I cannot help if it was taken as a generalization and members (sellers/buyers alike) became offended. It's criticism from my experience of making a purchase and inquiring about other sales.

There are other member (very few) that actually had meaningful and contributing responses and I responded to those in a professional, logical, and curious manner.

But those who are offering their opinion are not contributing to this discussion. If they want to help, post some examples, give some guidance. Similar to what I stated earlier when I saw a list of buyer beware that should raise a red flag about a seller.

For those who antagonize, provoke, and/or "troll" me with names and questions about my experience (inexperience), mannerism, and being a new member; then I respond accordingly and in the same way.

 

[Robert Walker]

If they want to help, post some examples, give some guidance.

Sure. This is directly from the Classified Ad that seems to have triggered your thread here.

Classified Ad states (in the very first line):

This thread is kept up to date, the snakes listed are available and will be actively removed as they are reserved/sold.

Your response to his ad:

Are these still available?

The seller took the time to list out a very specific detail, in advance, and put it right at the beginning of his ad versus bury it further down. If you are looking for guidance moving forward, simple, avoid asking a question that is "already" clearly stated. Your response was not a question of deeper discovery regarding the animal.

Super simple guidance.