Bad Guy Beware of Zach ashwood ( bad news )

[Sue Henson]

Guys there is nothing I can do or say at this point

There is absolutely something you can both say and do.

You can make it right. Why are you so adamant about not taking this snake back? If the buyer was so terrible at the husbandry of the animal, wouldn't it be better that it was back in your possession? Think of it, the nightmare would be over. Snake back with you, buyer happier than now.
In addition to not further smudging your name. Save face, man.

 

[MikeRusso]

Guys there is nothing I can do or say at this point. I've explained what actually went on and nowone believes me. They choose to believe the buyer and in majority of cases you guys believe the buyer. But I'm not going to post here anymore. I have nothing to gain by doing so. I'd be willing to say that most of you didn't really read all the posts by myself and Mike. It's ignorant to say I should refund his money after a week. If you guys were in my situation you'd do the same thing. So he says he's taking it to the vet tomorrow so that's all there is to it. I'm done arguing with you people.

Just like the other scammers / poor business people we have seen here on the BOI.. They disagree with 116 posts that all agree that a full refund is in order to rectify this issue and then stop posting because THEY "have nothing to gain by doing so"

I say YOU have everything to gain by doing the right thing in this situation. This thread is here forever for any future potential buyers to come and read before doing business with you and many of us will remember your name. I assure you that this will come back to bite you in the ass!

All the best of luck to you and your future in the herp industry!!

~ Mike Russo

 

[Doomtrooper]

how can my husbandry be at question ?? nothing I could have done would make the snake look like it does in 4 or 5 days thats how I received the snake .. you can see my first email I said it looks like a prune !! that pretty much says it all .. I may not be a boa expert but I have had many kingsnakes I have been keeping snakes since befor Mr ashwood was born !!!

 

[Doomtrooper]

and once again thanks to all the good people who have supported me what I want most from this is #1 the snake to survive its a shame such a pretty animal would be let to get into this condition ans #2 That zach ashwood never puts someone who has an honest love for the hobby the heartache and troubles he has stuck me with ......................

 

[boanation]

I just hope the best comes out of the whole situation. And if you are reading this I seriously was on the phone the other night and someone was trying to get me to buy one of your snakes. They had a lot of good things to say about you. Don't let one transaction ruin your reputation. I am not taking anyones side here and I do not feel like reading the whole thing.

 

[MikeCurtin]

Well, I guess that's that! For the record, I offer a 30 day health guarantee, and would consider extending it under "special" circumstances. Don't come here and say that we'd all act in the same manner. Really, if you had any faith in what you're selling, you'd at least be willing to negotiate something. If the animal is in the health you claim it is, you'd come out smelling like roses!

I've had animals get stressed during shipping, have a hard time feeding in their new homes, wind up in homes with less than perfect husbandry, etc. It's not a common occurence, but it's part of dealing with live animals. Customer support after the sale is paramount, and the possibility of a refund should never be taken off the table. Granted, we all get difficult buyers that require a little more support than others. This does not seem to be the case here.

 

[TrulyRare]

Wow..I'm gone all day and wow. Mike I'm glad I got you to post this, after you voiced your concerns to me. I was hoping it would help since the guy did not want to work with you, but as I can see..he's pretty much..an cheat, a liar, and most of all..and idiot.

I don't know about anyone else..but most of us who's been doing this a while, have took in rescues. That snake looks like (now that I got to see what it looks like) something I'd take in rescue, not something I'd pay 500 dollars online for. Plus whatever shipping.

I was right when I said it looked dehydrated, and these few posting that...their snakes looked like this to..maybe you kept your TROPICAL snake..to dry as well? I see in your pic you have it on aspen...aspen really should be used for snakes in a more drier since. Maybe a sign you don't have the humidity right. Or maybe that was the pic whoever YOU bought it off actually sent YOU..and you USED IT to sell your sick snake. You are my friend....A BAD GUY... If I read this about you, saw how crappy you care about your customers YOU'D be the LAST person I'd ever want to buy a snake or anything alive from period. I don't think I'd buy socks from you..because ..you might send me worn out holey socks and tell me...that I'm just imagining them there...So..yea.

As well I know Kingsnake doesn't take to lightly to people screwing other people over...and will ban your ablitiy to post ad's there. From a recent talk with some ppl, I've seen more ppl say they sell more animals on Kingsnake than any where's else. Loosing your ablility to post animals on that site..would be a shame..espically on your part..indeed.

I think you should make this right..and as I've stated from the very front..he wrote you concerned..he took your word...you bsed him all week..and now when he realizes that...Your an idiot and have no idea what your talking about...he wants his money back..and you know what....don't think for 5 seconds....people who spend good money on good animals, DON'T come search out names..on here. If you want to keep a good name, and rep I'd def DO The RIGHT THING....if not...your just one of these losers who care about MONEY...and not ..what's most important in this hobby. Yea..we all love money..but in the end...why do the animals suffer for your green in your pocket.

He prob won't refund because he's already spent Mikes money. Such a shame...

Mike soak that snake in some pedilight...and warm water...every nite.

And..I'd be careful, it could possibly maybe have that Boid disease..make sure to keep him seperate and wash your hands very well, before handling your other snakes.

And Mike do us a favor, send us a pic of your Albino..so...you can show him, and anyone else how nice your snakes look, cause there's no way in hedis..that snake got to looking like that in 5 days. There's NO way.

 

[pokeilope]

Some boas will eat while in shed...but it's not reccomended to try and feed them during shed. They stress when they're shedding and sticking food in front of their face is not always the brightest idea.

Shipping a snake while its in shed will also stress it out even worse. You should have waited before shipping it out to reduce the stress to the snake. And it doesn't matter if you think the person is a "sub par" owner. You should try and educate them on what to do.... politely.


Megan Madden

 

[Dinosaur]

First off, Why are you trying to feed a new snake? You should put a new snake in its enclosure and leave it alone for a week before handling or feeding. As for the wrinkling, try soaking the snake for a while. Make sure your humidity is up at 70%. This is basic snake knowlege and leads me to believe that you didnt do any research on the animal before purchasing it. I have several boas and 2 are in shed or as you call it "wrinkly" now. It goes away after they shed. But a nice soak should help it out. Calling and cursing only does this . If you called me like that I would just hang up on you. If you call and talk like an adult, you get help. If that help does not work out, you ship me the snake and you get a refund minus shipping.

 

[aleria]

Neil, if you look at the emails that were posted, he did email first inquiring about the condition of the snake and was told exactly what to do about it as far as soaking, etc. He also didn't ask all kinds of questions about how to do it either, just gave details about what he was doing and was told it sounded good, as far as everything to help the snake shed. From what I can see he did not immediately get on the phone and start b!tching this guy out.
It just kind of sounds like you didn't quite read all of the posts and details here.

 

[SnakeEyesExotics]

Wow...

I have never seen a boa or any snake for that matter deteriorate that fast. Even if the buyer was completely clueless about husbandry, the snake would not lose that much body weight in a matter of 5 days. There is no way. We have had boas get wrinkly in shed and be just fine after they shed, but they never lost 2/3 of their body weight in the process! That snake looks completely emaciated in the follow up pics. I would also like to know when the first picture was taken.

Zach, I have never done business with you and don't know from personal experience, but several people on here are vouching for your reputation. Like someone else said, this is not worth completely destroying your reputation over. I would be doing everything I could at this point to satisfy the customer and not anger him any further.

Mike, I do understand that it is a very frustrating scenario, but calling and cursing/yelling at him was not a good thing to do. That is one of the quickest ways to completely shut somebody off and keep them from even wanting to help you. If someone called me yelling and cursing, I would not put up with it and would probably refuse to talk to them until they calm down.

To protect both sides, I think that Mike should wait until the boa sheds and see how things look then. If the boa is still in unsatisfactory condition, then he should ship the boa back to Zach and get a refund upon return of the boa. That would be the fairest option for both parties in my opinion.

Just my .02

Anya Hogan

 

[Dinosaur]

Neil, if you look at the emails that were posted, he did email first inquiring about the condition of the snake and was told exactly what to do about it as far as soaking, etc. He also didn't ask all kinds of questions about how to do it either, just gave details about what he was doing and was told it sounded good, as far as everything to help the snake shed. From what I can see he did not immediately get on the phone and start b!tching this guy out.
It just kind of sounds like you didn't quite read all of the posts and details here.

LOL. no I didnt. I read a few and got the jist of what was goin on. IT just sounds like 2 kids fighting to me. The snake should be shipped back and a refund minus shipping costs should be given to the buyer. If the snake is healthy, he can sell it to someone else. That is how its normally done.

 

[aleria]

LOL. no I didnt. I read a few and got the jist of what was goin on. IT just sounds like 2 kids fighting to me. The snake should be shipped back and a refund minus shipping costs should be given to the buyer. If the snake is healthy, he can sell it to someone else. That is how its normally done.

That part I can agree with.

 

[Doomtrooper]

Thanks Trulyrare amd aleria.. for your support to the people who doubt my ability to care for a snake.. Im not an idiiot I did what ever Zach told me to do and after 5 days I did try to feed it, Hoping the ematiated snake would eat a tiny meal and have some energy to shed I wish i hadn't done so many phone calls with Zach. so I would have more proof of his b/s ... he told me I was doing everything rite and the snake would be fine .. and yes I did curse at him anybody would have after being ripped off for $500 bucks by a punk kid who then says "hey man how should I know you where unhappy?? you should have sent the snake back the first day " after he told me just give him a few days to settle in and he will shed fine .... there have been some pretty experienced people post and email me about the poor healtth of the animal and one of them with the most concern is a VET so I wish people would read the whole story before they chime in with there comments .. Im out $500 bucks couse I trusted Zach Ashwood !!!!!! how would anybody else feel ???? ask yourselfs that ??

 

[Shadera]

...yet this is the only guy who's ever been unhappy with a snake I sent.

That is not true. I was extremely unhappy with the ball python I received from you, but posted nothing on the BOI because I was happy to have her back and there is no way she's leaving here again.

I sold a CH albino ball python to him and shipped her out in tip top shape, as well as nice and chunky. I instantly regretted selling her, and when I saw her being offered for sale a few months later I jumped on it. I was charged $100 more than I sold her for, but I paid it because I wanted her back. What I received from Mr. Ashwood was a filthy reused box padded with toilet paper on the inside. (Yes, toilet paper for cushioning a snake, and not even a lot of it.) She was over 100 grams lighter than she was when she left here, and had at least a dozen glaring bite marks on her neck. I complained about the bite marks, saying that is something that should have been told up front. I was accused of being a liar, as our OP is. When you pay premium price for an animal, it should be shipped out perfect, if not you tell your buyer. That's good customer service. The snake went right into quarantine, and the bites thankfully eventually healed with ointment and regular cleaning. And yes, those were bites. They had a regular pattern to them. I did not bring it to the BOI because I didn't think it thread-worthy. She had, after all, arrived alive and I was happy to see her. To be honest, I am not surprised this thread popped up, and I suspect it will not be the last.

I'm sorry, I refuse to believe this guy knows as much as he thinks he does about snake care. And before I'm accused of being a liar and blah blah blah.. There's a lot of things I am, but one thing I am not is a liar. Those who know me know that. Blunt yes, liar no.

 

[ForkedTung]

A picture is worth a thousand words!
You don't need to know anything about Boas to see that that snake is dehydrated and emaciated. You should be ashamed to have shipped a snake in that condition and to then put it on the buyer for having it for five days.

Last chance, repeat after me:
" In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have shipped that snake out and in order to do the right thing I am more than willing to refund the buyer and let him keep the snake, that probably wouldn't survive shipping anyways, for his troubles. Hopefully this will redeem me in the eyes of the reptile community and restore some of my reputation"

or you can continue on the route you have chosen as a sick snake flipper and all around hack.

Choose wisely, this thread will always be here.

 

[Keith N]

I just do not get why he would come on here and start bashing him before the issue has been truly resolved. No one is to say that he would have been refunded money if A. he had not called and cursed him out. I have had the same thing happen on a business matter that wasn't even my fault. Hard to say how you would handle it until your on the end of it. and B. he came on here and starting bashing the guy before it was resolved. If it was that big of a concern he should have taken it too a vet the day after he recieved it. You do that usually when you buy or get a new dog why wouldn't you do it with a reptile especially that he was going to start breeding to have it checked for disease. I understand he said the snake was this or that but had he taken it to a vet and had their conclusion as hard evidence I think I would have a different opinion. Not saying who is wrong or right again there are certain thing you can do to protect yourself from this happening and being resolved in a better way thats all I am saying. Keith Neff

 

[aleria]

I just do not get why he would come on here and start bashing him before the issue has been truly resolved. No one is to say that he would have been refunded money if A. he had not called and cursed him out. I have had the same thing happen on a business matter that wasn't even my fault. Hard to say how you would handle it until your on the end of it. and B. he came on here and starting bashing the guy before it was resolved. If it was that big of a concern he should have taken it too a vet the day after he recieved it. You do that usually when you buy or get a new dog why wouldn't you do it with a reptile especially that he was going to start breeding to have it checked for disease. I understand he said the snake was this or that but had he taken it to a vet and had their conclusion as hard evidence I think I would have a different opinion. Not saying who is wrong or right again there are certain thing you can do to protect yourself from this happening and being resolved in a better way thats all I am saying. Keith Neff

1. I've seen a lot of people that have stated that if they do take all new aquisitions to the vet then they usually don't do it the day they get the snake as that is that much more stress on an already stressed snake from shipping. Waiting a week sounds more like the norm. Taking a snake that you think is dying to the vet right away only seems to be the case when the seller doesn't request to have the snake back immediately. Either way that doesn't seem to apply to this situation. Taking it to a vet now that it's been a week and nothing has been solved would probably be a good idea if there is no chance the seller will take it back and get it checked out out of his own pocket. Because no, I personally would not want to take a snake to the vet and pay out of my pocket for it knowing I wouldn't be reimbursed if at that point I was looking to return the snake for a refund. At that point it's not my job to pay to figure out what's wrong with it because I want to return it to the seller. The fact that the seller refused to take the snake back leaves things where they are now.
2. The word bashing is used far too often. From what I've seen he didn't come on here just spouting off random insults about some guy. He came on here, presented his case, provided more proof when asked for it, etc. So how is that even bashing in the first place?
3. It still sounds like it's being assumed that he cursed the guy out prior to attempting to work with him. In my opinion that doesn't seem to be the case after reading all of the emails, etc. It seemed like he was attempting to figure things out and after a few days of it getting no where and him still not being happy, things got a little heated on the phone and he swore at the guy. That's the way of the world.

 

[ForkedTung]

I just do not get why he would come on here and start bashing him before the issue has been truly resolved. No one is to say that he would have been refunded money if A. he had not called and cursed him out. I have had the same thing happen on a business matter that wasn't even my fault. Hard to say how you would handle it until your on the end of it. and B. he came on here and starting bashing the guy before it was resolved. If it was that big of a concern he should have taken it too a vet the day after he recieved it. You do that usually when you buy or get a new dog why wouldn't you do it with a reptile especially that he was going to start breeding to have it checked for disease. I understand he said the snake was this or that but had he taken it to a vet and had their conclusion as hard evidence I think I would have a different opinion. Not saying who is wrong or right again there are certain thing you can do to protect yourself from this happening and being resolved in a better way thats all I am saying. Keith Neff

You should read the whole thread carefully, every one of your 'questions' has already been answered.
Are you really stating that you would be happy to have gotten the snake the buyer did after seeing the picture of what is used to look like?

 

[Doomtrooper]

for the 10th time I only used a "bad" words after 45 mineuts on the phone with the punk who refused to give me a refund .. it was fully resolved .. he told me no way in hell was he going to refund my money and that he nexer implied I should trust him .. then yes I lost my cool !!!!!!!!!!!!! as would anybody in my position after a week of frustraton and dealing with a unhealthy animal I finaly said enough is enough and told Zach this was not what I bargained for I want my money back and he flat out siad no way it would be bad buisness for me to take him back after 6 days and I said I trusted you and thats why i didnt demand a refund day one !!!! then he says I never told you to trust me !! thats whan I lost my composure >>> I didnt start the conversation with hey zach you fing piece os sh&& i was as cool as i could be i had had many conversations with Zach and concidered him to be a semi good guy till I said hey man this snake is sick .............. so yes I cursed but it was justified put yourself in my place !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!