Helenthereef
New member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2008
- Messages
- 3,340
- Reaction score
- 246
- Points
- 0
- Age
- 68
- Location
- Fiji Islands South Pacific
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Responding to email notices you receive.
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In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.
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IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed
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Posted 08/15/2025
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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."
Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....
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Addendum: 01/10/2026
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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....
The BOI will be coming to an end on 02-02-2020
- Thread starter WebSlave
- Start date
Magical Geckos
Should slow down
Horrible Idea.
this will just turn more people to facebook
this will just turn more people to facebook
Robert Walker
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Curious, in a polite way... it takes time, effort & money to keep things afloat here. Are either of you willing to become contributing members if it meant the BOI stayed open? If not, then you can better understand the pickle.
$ = services
less $ = reduced services <----2/2/19
no $ = no services
This is just math in many ways.
Seems to me it was happening anyway. Their choices have resulted in my choices. That seems fair, doesn't it?
I see that you used to be a Contributor member from 2015 to 2016. Mind telling me why you felt this site was no longer worth it to you to continue supporting financially? Not being accusational, just curious about your perspective, since obviously a lot of other people feel the same way and I would appreciate some insight as to what went wrong that led us to where we are today.
Go Team BOI !!
I, too, like the medallion. But I also believe in paying for something of value. This site, and the good people on it have potentially saved my butt many times. I’ve learned a great deal from reading about other people’s problems... to make an unboxing video, recognize red flags, what questions to ask a buyer or seller... and what constitutes good manners in this community. The yearly cost of supporting the BOI is certainly more valuable than two trips to Texas Road House before 6pm. And I can’t put a price on the patience I know it takes to be so helpful.
I, too, like the medallion. But I also believe in paying for something of value. This site, and the good people on it have potentially saved my butt many times. I’ve learned a great deal from reading about other people’s problems... to make an unboxing video, recognize red flags, what questions to ask a buyer or seller... and what constitutes good manners in this community. The yearly cost of supporting the BOI is certainly more valuable than two trips to Texas Road House before 6pm. And I can’t put a price on the patience I know it takes to be so helpful.
UpscaleAddictions
New member
No I totally get it and if I was on the site more I would, and as my breeding goes and I further get into some of the rarer species that is what I will do. But it all starts somewhere. However I do fully see your point, then it just becomes a matter of is there enough supporters of the site currently to make the switch worth it to the quote mentioned above *Not just BOI but lets say, the full site*.
I just don't have the money to contribute to something I don't quite use often enough. I know its a small amount but for me that money could be directed elsewhere. However even not being on here ever day, I consider this a very valuable research. When I am looking to make a purchase or if I am looking for something that is very specific sometimes I do go through periods where I'm on here multiple times a day, every day. But its just free foot traffic and you're right in saying that it doesn't really help those who work their butts off to make this site what it is.
There's always trial and error with everything though, I know I'm not a paid member yet so my opinion is of the smaller importance (understandably so), I just thought I would share.
Robert Walker
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Sure, we each decide what we value more.
P.S. Your opinion is more than welcome, please don't let my matter of fact comments sway you away from sharing.
Heck, I want to hear other peoples' opinions too. That includes the negatives of why people have left this site, and why they decided to discontinue paid memberships and sponsorships. Maybe I'll learn and know what to do right in my next life.
I will say one thing here that really gripes my butt. I have to manually set up the forum sponsorships, and also audit them periodically to see when they have expired. It's a pain in the butt, really. So anyway, when I see one that has expired, I will usually send the member a courtesy private message to ask if they have noticed that it has expired and their intentions concerning renewal. Of course, if I see that the member hasn't been here for a very long time, I just assume they are gone, and I take down the sponsorship link, and that is that.
Anyway, a good number of them will not even give me the courtesy of a response. Heck, are people pissed because I am charging $50 per year for those sponsorships? I thought the price is a bargain, compared to others I have seen. Then I've even had some that would respond, telling me they will renew "later today" or in a few days, or in a week, and then when I run the next audit, no, they haven't renewed. So I send them another reminder. Honestly a sponsorship might run months after it has expired, as I really don't do the audits all that often. But in cases like the later, I really feel like I am being taken advantage of when their sponsorship has run for MONTHS after having expired and they can't even extend me a simple courtesy reply.
So yeah, sometimes I do cop an attitude when people snub me. I tend to get over them quickly, but I guess an edge does build up cumulatively after a while. I'm just not sure what I did to them to deserve being treated like that, to be perfectly honest.
I will say one thing here that really gripes my butt. I have to manually set up the forum sponsorships, and also audit them periodically to see when they have expired. It's a pain in the butt, really. So anyway, when I see one that has expired, I will usually send the member a courtesy private message to ask if they have noticed that it has expired and their intentions concerning renewal. Of course, if I see that the member hasn't been here for a very long time, I just assume they are gone, and I take down the sponsorship link, and that is that.
Anyway, a good number of them will not even give me the courtesy of a response. Heck, are people pissed because I am charging $50 per year for those sponsorships? I thought the price is a bargain, compared to others I have seen. Then I've even had some that would respond, telling me they will renew "later today" or in a few days, or in a week, and then when I run the next audit, no, they haven't renewed. So I send them another reminder. Honestly a sponsorship might run months after it has expired, as I really don't do the audits all that often. But in cases like the later, I really feel like I am being taken advantage of when their sponsorship has run for MONTHS after having expired and they can't even extend me a simple courtesy reply.
So yeah, sometimes I do cop an attitude when people snub me. I tend to get over them quickly, but I guess an edge does build up cumulatively after a while. I'm just not sure what I did to them to deserve being treated like that, to be perfectly honest.
Dane_zoo
New member
So now if someone has a complaint that they were ripped off or sold a sick animal they have to pay to tell others?
The same if they had a great experience purchasing from someone and wants to tell others?
Did I read that right?
The same if they had a great experience purchasing from someone and wants to tell others?
Did I read that right?
After 02-02-2019, yes, that will be correct.
clintdowns
Member
Well, I have really enjoyed reading through all of this. I just like many would really hate for this BOI to leave. I think a lot of people will agree with me when I say, I have read some pretty stupid stuff on here along with some really great stuff, and I do not mean that bad in any way. the good out weighs the bad abundantly. I think that stupid stuff that I am referring to is the stuff that has already been addressed with the spammers. I don't even remember the last time I bought an animal off of Fauna but I will say, I love this site.
Even though I have not bought anything off of here in a couple of years, I have a shortcut on my phone to get to the site. I always have my head stuck in this site. I am the kind of person that loves all of these animals and would have a lot of them if I could. With that being said, I come to the BOI every time I log in and scan through it. I am guilty of not really typing to much on them but I do occasionally. I might be lost if I were to log in and not see the BOI to read.
With all of that, Rich (WebSlave), I will be a contributing member soon and I would also like to ask you, is their anything that I can do for you on this site. I understand that it is a huge burden and time for you to keep up with everything so I would like to help you if at any way possible. Please just IM me and let me know what I can do for you.
Love Fauna and the BOI
Clint
Even though I have not bought anything off of here in a couple of years, I have a shortcut on my phone to get to the site. I always have my head stuck in this site. I am the kind of person that loves all of these animals and would have a lot of them if I could. With that being said, I come to the BOI every time I log in and scan through it. I am guilty of not really typing to much on them but I do occasionally. I might be lost if I were to log in and not see the BOI to read.
With all of that, Rich (WebSlave), I will be a contributing member soon and I would also like to ask you, is their anything that I can do for you on this site. I understand that it is a huge burden and time for you to keep up with everything so I would like to help you if at any way possible. Please just IM me and let me know what I can do for you.
Love Fauna and the BOI
Clint
clintdowns
Member
tim brophy
Active member
Lots of folks here seem to dislike Facebook, but FB does make it easier to check out legitimate breeders and sellers. I do not mean the BOI FB pages, either. I mean the herp specialty pages, like Pituophis Enthusiasts, Thamnophis Enthusiasts, whatever. FB has made it much easier to figure out who is a legitimate breeder/seller, and who is not.
I believe a huge percentage of people who read the BOI read it purely for the drama.
I believe a huge percentage of people who read the BOI read it purely for the drama.
That is a relief to read. With any luck, most people won't even notice that the BOI is gone. I was concerned that people would get pissed at me over this.
But yeah, there is quite a bit of drama when a bad guy trips over his own tongue in public, isn't it?
Too bad Facebook can't keep them from deleting their own words when that happens. Or so I have heard, anyway.
Mike Schultz
A Friendly Beast at Heart
I commend you Rich for creating a solid unbiased system (even though the members themselves can and will always be biased, it's just how life works)
The facebook feedback groups are not fair in the slightest. The moderators of one of the larger ones deleted the majority of my customers positive feedback posts about me and banned me from the group for no real legitimate reason. Oh well, not a huge loss for either side of that conflict
The facebook feedback groups are not fair in the slightest. The moderators of one of the larger ones deleted the majority of my customers positive feedback posts about me and banned me from the group for no real legitimate reason. Oh well, not a huge loss for either side of that conflict
yeloowtang
New member
I haven't read all of the posts yet..
there's is no way any other BOI anywhere especially on facebook can compare to this one. All others get the post buried to a point you can't find anything, and the worst part is peoples messages get deleted or entire post get deleted if someone is not happy with the way things are going.. people get blocked and can't reply. Keyboard warriors are 100 times worst there. 10 times more scammers too.
I don't think having the BOI reserved for contributing members a good idea ( and I don't say this because I'm not one that is contributing) It just never crossed my mind for whatever reason ?? can't even say why.. I visit on a regular basis even if I'm not as much into reptiles anymore . I just enjoy keeping up to date on things and read interesting posts. even help when I can.. blocking it will just bring in less traffic here as a whole.
BUT I do get that things can't be free, with the time invested the stress involved.
It might just be the time you call it quits too, after doing it for so long, it's normal to just be tired and lose interest, no shame in that, THAT would be a huge loss to the community.
many people go to facebook because it's easy and free.. I personally hate it as you can't find anything unless it's been posted recently..
as for solutions ??
having a huge header here and push on the importance the BOI on fauna has on the hobby.. from what I have read over the years, only the bad apples hate fauna !!! we all know why.
maybe try a new year sale on membership, instead of 25$ try 10 or 15$ ?? I'm not saying that because I'm cheap :-D this site is worth it for sure, it's just all the others are free.. people need a reason in wanting to send $$ .
I don't know if you have one or not, maybe get a sister facebook page.. nothing as in a forum type to cause you more stress, just a page with a little info about this forum and link people back here. just show partial headlines with a click here for the rest. Bring them here but only have members capable of posting, even contributing members could be the only ones to post.. then have that other idea I read earlier with a 5$ a month fee to post if that person wants to. maybe even a free one time post for an accused person to defend themselves.
way back, before facebook, forums like this one is where people went, every other forum that I am a member is having the same issues.. less and less posts, some are basically dead now with 1 or 2 visitors a week.. not only reptiles, all other types of forums like (Halloween, salt water reefs, RC, kiting) are suffering the same fate over facebook...
why I think using facebook to bring people back here might be a good idea.
I often link this BOI on many facebook pages when I get a chance too.
I would hate to see the BOI go, I think it's the most important part of Fauna; it's what makes the bad ones run scared, it helped so many people over the years, probably even got rid and shut down a few scammers as well.
I hope a solution can be found and that you are not ready just yet to move on to other things.. maybe having many even hundreds of 10$ memberships versus no 25$ ones ??
again, not to be cheap at all, I spend on crazy things all the time but the reality of today is, if the amount is past a certain point, people just don't bother.
maybe go 10$ year - 25$ 3 years - 50$ 10 years
you could have fund raising events where each membership gets a chance to win a Tshirt ?? :-D make it fun at the same time.
just shooting ideas, maybe this as all been done before.
wishing you the best possible outcome in this..
and yes, I need to be a contributing member as well.. should get that done soon
Steph
there's is no way any other BOI anywhere especially on facebook can compare to this one. All others get the post buried to a point you can't find anything, and the worst part is peoples messages get deleted or entire post get deleted if someone is not happy with the way things are going.. people get blocked and can't reply. Keyboard warriors are 100 times worst there. 10 times more scammers too.
I don't think having the BOI reserved for contributing members a good idea ( and I don't say this because I'm not one that is contributing) It just never crossed my mind for whatever reason ?? can't even say why.. I visit on a regular basis even if I'm not as much into reptiles anymore . I just enjoy keeping up to date on things and read interesting posts. even help when I can.. blocking it will just bring in less traffic here as a whole.
BUT I do get that things can't be free, with the time invested the stress involved.
It might just be the time you call it quits too, after doing it for so long, it's normal to just be tired and lose interest, no shame in that, THAT would be a huge loss to the community.
many people go to facebook because it's easy and free.. I personally hate it as you can't find anything unless it's been posted recently..
as for solutions ??
having a huge header here and push on the importance the BOI on fauna has on the hobby.. from what I have read over the years, only the bad apples hate fauna !!! we all know why.
maybe try a new year sale on membership, instead of 25$ try 10 or 15$ ?? I'm not saying that because I'm cheap :-D this site is worth it for sure, it's just all the others are free.. people need a reason in wanting to send $$ .
I don't know if you have one or not, maybe get a sister facebook page.. nothing as in a forum type to cause you more stress, just a page with a little info about this forum and link people back here. just show partial headlines with a click here for the rest. Bring them here but only have members capable of posting, even contributing members could be the only ones to post.. then have that other idea I read earlier with a 5$ a month fee to post if that person wants to. maybe even a free one time post for an accused person to defend themselves.
way back, before facebook, forums like this one is where people went, every other forum that I am a member is having the same issues.. less and less posts, some are basically dead now with 1 or 2 visitors a week.. not only reptiles, all other types of forums like (Halloween, salt water reefs, RC, kiting) are suffering the same fate over facebook...
why I think using facebook to bring people back here might be a good idea.
I often link this BOI on many facebook pages when I get a chance too.
I would hate to see the BOI go, I think it's the most important part of Fauna; it's what makes the bad ones run scared, it helped so many people over the years, probably even got rid and shut down a few scammers as well.
I hope a solution can be found and that you are not ready just yet to move on to other things.. maybe having many even hundreds of 10$ memberships versus no 25$ ones ??
again, not to be cheap at all, I spend on crazy things all the time
but the reality of today is, if the amount is past a certain point, people just don't bother.maybe go 10$ year - 25$ 3 years - 50$ 10 years
you could have fund raising events where each membership gets a chance to win a Tshirt ?? :-D make it fun at the same time.
just shooting ideas, maybe this as all been done before.
wishing you the best possible outcome in this..
and yes, I need to be a contributing member as well.. should get that done soon
Steph
The cost of a Contributor membership today is just $25. When I started this function (which people asked me to do, btw), let's say the year 2002, the cost was $25 for a Contributor level membership. Which means that $25 being spent today is really only worth around $17.90 in 2002 spending power today. And that isn't taking into consideration PayPal's fees. So the cost of such memberships has dropped accordingly every year, without any increases to compensate.
So no, I think the price is way reasonable enough for people who actually want to support this site and the survival of the Board of Inquiry. If that isn't good enough of a reason, well, then we know how this is going to go.
It is not that I have lost interest, I have lost any logically defensible REASON to put up with it all any longer. If the membership is not overwhelmingly behind the BOI, then why bother? The dog I had in this fight has died.
So no, I think the price is way reasonable enough for people who actually want to support this site and the survival of the Board of Inquiry. If that isn't good enough of a reason, well, then we know how this is going to go.
It is not that I have lost interest, I have lost any logically defensible REASON to put up with it all any longer. If the membership is not overwhelmingly behind the BOI, then why bother? The dog I had in this fight has died.
On the other hand, with expensive online legal research companies, rising education costs, huge possible awards in litigation, and a complex legal system, costs to defend cases have risen dramatically. Excellent attorneys (not experts or superstars who can command millions) can easily cost $600/hour.
So the same sorts of legal threats that Rich may have to deal with now can be very much more costly than they were more than a decade ago.
Akiranar
New member
I actually found this site because of the BOI. I was looking up a controversial breeder and this site was actually one of the first on the page. So, that is one of the reasons I really like this site. I like the fact that the BOI posts are never deleted or edited so people can't cover their tracks.
Also, to whoever gifted me this year's contribution, thank you!
Also, to whoever gifted me this year's contribution, thank you!