~Steve from Serpent's Den~

[MiLadyDragonn]

~OK, as I promised, here is my opinion of this transaction. The package arrived at 9:15 am via UPS. It was a new box, well marked and properly sealed. Inside, was a thick styrofoam box w/ cover, housing the baby hognose snakes. in two deli dishes surrounded by loosely crumpled newspaper. There were heat packs in place and they were still warm !!

~The snakes, themselves are the nicest looking regular hognose I have yet to see. Much more red in color than brown. Clean, with no mites and obviously well cared for. They even had a little hissy bit of attitude which tells me they were feeling fine. {I love that about them..all hiss and no bite!}

~Steve and I spoke on the phone, as well as by email. He called to tell me he had shipped, give me a tracking # and tell me what time to expect them. {They were almost 2 hours early}. Steve called again today to make sure they had arrived safely and that I was happy with them.

~Well, I am proud to tell the "anti-Steve" people that I am gladly joining the ranks of the "Pro-Steve: group. And the best part being, no one had to ask me to say nice things, I experienced them first hand and am happy to spread the word. Having spoken to a few of Steve's previous customers, I found that this treatment was not specialized for me. They all received it as well. Nice to know it was not a singular inciident.

~A friend and I are even planning a road trip, once the weather breaks, to see the Serpent's Den for ourselves. I am pretty sure it will be worth the drive.

~So, Steve, Cheers! and Thanks!

 

[kenster]

Yet more praises for Steve and Serpents Den. The snakes I got were very nice looking. They were also packed very well. The whole deal was great and went through without a problem. I am sure Steve will be hearing from me in the future!!!Thanks Steve!!

 

[Russ Lockenwitz]

I too agree that Steve is a great guy....He is as honest and upfront as anyone in the business...I would without a doubt purchase animals from him! Those that have posted negative things about him in the past should remember that there are 3 sides to every story....Theirs, his and the truth!!

 

[Candy]

Steve and the Serpents Den

I too recently purchased a pair of Peruvians Boas from Steve and was treated with the utmost understanding and patience. When I received the boas, they were as represented and I was very pleased. The packaging was great too!

I would recommend Serpent's Den to anyone!

 

[John Kielbasa]

I have done business in the past with Steve and was always satisfied. He keeps his store cleaner then most people would ever imagine, and his animals are top notch. I wouldnt hesitate doing business with him at anytime.

John Kielbasa

 

[sawdustsucker]

I bought a female neonate albino ball from Steve two weeks ago. Steve was very good in his communications, and the snake was exactly as shown in the pictures in color/size. He is very professional, and is quick in his responses back. I would buy from him again.

Bob Howard, Seattle

 

[royalkreationz]

Awesome seller

I bought a pair of het albinos from his male that throws "axanthic" appearing babies. I got the two axanthic looking siblings to breed them back together and see what is going on with the gene. Both animals eat very well and are checking in at around 500g for '07 babies. I am going to buy another pair or a lone female to add to the project next year. The animals were packed well and in great condition and his communication were great. I would reccommend doing business with Steve anytime you get the chance.

 

[riverboy]

Steve

I've stopped by Steve's store when I've have the opportunity while visiting family in the Poconos. Every time he and his family have been cleaning. The place was immaculate. He has given me tours of the entire facility, and even let me check out the hots. Even though he knew I wasn't buying at the time due to travel, he still enjoyed talking snakes for hours. He's a good guy with a wealth of knowledge.

Jason Stevens
Chondrolorado

 

[hhmoore]

I've purchased from Steve Markevich a few times in the past, but I'm not sure if I've ever commented in any of his threads. No time like the present, as they say.

I recently made another purchase from Steve - one that caught me by surprise, as I had been utterly disinterested in this particular morph for many years. I saw the snake in his ad, and knew I wanted it. The short version of the story is that I made Steve aware of my interest, and told him that I was waiting for some funds to show up so I could make the purchase (those funds still haven't arrived, btw ). Steve went out of his way to enable me to not only get this snake, but to have it here more quickly than would have been possible otherwise.
As with the other animals I have gotten from him, this snake is beautiful and problem free. Many thanks, Steve!!

 

[critical bill]

I've purchased from Steve Markevich a few times in the past, but I'm not sure if I've ever commented in any of his threads. No time like the present, as they say.

I recently made another purchase from Steve - one that caught me by surprise, as I had been utterly disinterested in this particular morph for many years. I saw the snake in his ad, and knew I wanted it. The short version of the story is that I made Steve aware of my interest, and told him that I was waiting for some funds to show up so I could make the purchase (those funds still haven't arrived, btw ). Steve went out of his way to enable me to not only get this snake, but to have it here more quickly than would have been possible otherwise.
As with the other animals I have gotten from him, this snake is beautiful and problem free. Many thanks, Steve!!

Seriously?

You had no problem whatsoever dealing with a guy who reportedly went bankrupt and left his animals unattended to die in his store, defaulted on loans, didn't pay taxes or child support payments, and hid from authorities until he could find an attorney rather than face the consequences?

I mean this is the same Steve Markevich were talking about, right?

That Steve?

Was it a morph that crapped Gold Krugerrand's or something that tempted you?

 

[critical bill]

BTW - Is he still wanted by the authorities or did he clear that up? I haven't seen anything new posted about it.

If he's still wanted and warrant dodging...I think its pretty despicable for anyone with knowledge of such to be doing business with him.

 

[hhmoore]

I expected at least one such response - and it is certainly anyone's right not to do business with anybody else for whatever reasons they choose. I was aware that Steve had had some problems, though I certainly didn't know the intimate details - meaning I don't know the full story, only the accounts I have read here. (btw, in response to your later question, it was posted at one point that he'd been caught/jailed).

Yes, I could have used that issue as an excuse, and have no real problem with people thinking I should have. I made my decision to purchase from Steve based upon my personal experiences with him over many years; and, once again, was not disappointed. (though, I do have to admit that I don't know if I was dealing directly with Steve, or with a person dealing with his animals/sales - Becky? - I didn't ask).

Let me ask you this...if a person is behind on child support and/or taxes, how is he supposed to make the ordered payments if people refuse to do business with him?

As far as it crapping gold - that's sort of the plan, lol...whether it ever comes about is out of Steve's hands now. Whether I make it happen, or not, is on my shoulders.

 

[critical bill]

Let me ask you this...if a person is behind on child support and/or taxes, how is he supposed to make the ordered payments if people refuse to do business with him?

Harold, I suggested this same scenario on a thread about Ed Clark, so I know where you are going with this.

Here is the bottom line. Animals died in his store when he either left, got kicked out, or whatever. Animals died and other animals were left unattended and neglected (no food no heat no water). Its a fact. Steve doesnt deny it and neither does Becky. Steve had friggin kerosene heaters and generators running until other store owners complained. You cant do business that way.

Becky did the best she could while Steve was hiding out, no denying that, but animals died and animals were left neglected, end of story.

A reputable reptile rescue had to be called in to clean up that mess and remove whatever was left living and saving. That person attested to the condition of the animals and what he saw around him.

So lets not jump past the part that led up to this, and which has caused me to question why someone like you would have anything to do with a guy like that. It doesn't matter to me if he got caught and paid served his time or paid his fines. It matters that prior to this that animals were abandoned and died and were neglected.

But you answered it, he did right by you in the past, so even in light of the fact that animals died and an animal rescue had to be called in, you ignored that and did business with him and got what you wanted.

 

[hhmoore]

Chuck,
You know I respect you...and I suspect you also know that I'm not going to continue with this discussion for long.
As I said, I don't know the intimate details of what went on and why. I could have asked Steve (or Becky) to discuss it all with me first...gotten that side of it, compared it to what was posted, and wondered about the differences. I didn't ask, though. The personal aspects of it are none of my business, and, frankly, I didn't want to sit and reread it all. Maybe you know more about what happened, and are more familiar with what was posted than I am....in fact, I don't doubt that one bit.

Here it is in a nutshell.
I have had casual interactions with Serpent's Den over a span of many years. I've visited their store in two of it's locations, and seen them at many shows. I've made a few purchases - probably averaging one every 4-5 yrs, or so. The store was always clean, and the animals I've seen them selling have always been healthy (both at the shop and at shows). I was not aware of any cases where people got ripped off by Steve/Serpent's Den, or received a subpar animal. For all of those reasons, I was comfortable making this purchase. I was not disappointed.
You are welcome to think I did the wrong thing, and to change your opinion of me.
In my mind, this purchase made a lot more sense than another one I made recently (and some I have made in the past), despite the references that were given & checked.

On that note, I think I'm done here.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!

 

[lanceheads]

Chuck,
You know I respect you...and I suspect you also know that I'm not going to continue with this discussion for long.
As I said, I don't know the intimate details of what went on and why. I could have asked Steve (or Becky) to discuss it all with me first...gotten that side of it, compared it to what was posted, and wondered about the differences. I didn't ask, though. The personal aspects of it are none of my business, and, frankly, I didn't want to sit and reread it all. Maybe you know more about what happened, and are more familiar with what was posted than I am....in fact, I don't doubt that one bit.

Here it is in a nutshell.
I have had casual interactions with Serpent's Den over a span of many years. I've visited their store in two of it's locations, and seen them at many shows. I've made a few purchases - probably averaging one every 4-5 yrs, or so. The store was always clean, and the animals I've seen them selling have always been healthy (both at the shop and at shows). I was not aware of any cases where people got ripped off by Steve/Serpent's Den, or received a subpar animal. For all of those reasons, I was comfortable making this purchase. I was not disappointed.
You are welcome to think I did the wrong thing, and to change your opinion of me.
In my mind, this purchase made a lot more sense than another one I made recently (and some I have made in the past), despite the references that were given & checked.

On that note, I think I'm done here.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!

You have got to be kidding me Moore!
Chuck sticks this post about you defending Steve up your ass and you defend that?

You are one sick puppy!

Randal Berry

 

[SERPENTS DEN]

Harold,

Thank you so much for posting your experiences dealing with me, it was my pleasure doing business with you again.

Chuck is basing his opinions based on Newspaper articles that published 6 months after I caught the unlicensed rescuer offering my animals and property for sale on KS and that’s when the police started looking for me, isn’t that weird?. Chuck has never been to my store or had any business dealings with me to the best of my knowledge. Some people just have too much time on their hands and like to poke their noses around to stir things up even when they have very limited knowledge of a situation.

Chuck there was no reason to troll this thread and if people care to read the other thread they may do so and if they are intelligent enough they will sift through the garbage that trolls have posted to come up with there own understanding.

It's funny I've dealt with thousands of animals and many customers over many years with very few complaints, bottom line is when people are dealt a bad deal they complain, I have 1 mislabeled BAD GUY thread on the subject you just brought up and the original poster of that thread apologized to me for jumping the gun but only speculated on a BS newspaper article that was full of lies and inconsistencies.

My animals have and always will be top notch and pictures say a thousand words so go to my Myspace profile and take a look.

 

[critical bill]

Chuck is basing his opinions...

Chuck is basing his opinions on your very own posts. You stated clearly that you were hiding from law enforcement for charges that you did not want to face up to. You were advertising animals while you were hiding out. You were trying to collect enough money so as to hire a competent attorney to surrender you and defend you.

Would you like me to pull that post for you to see your own words?

How about just this one for starters before we get to that one......

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showpost.php?p=661073&postcount=260

Gee, maybe I'm reading it wrong. I guess everyone is just lying, the cops, the newspaper, the animal rescue, the landlord.....

 

[critical bill]

My animals have and always will be top notch and pictures say a thousand words so go to my Myspace profile and take a look.

Myspace...bwah..bwahaha.....bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

Seriously? Your best defense is to refer me to your Myspace page?

Whats next after that, matchmakers.com?

Why don't you give me the phone number to your local pizzeria you order from so I can ask Giuseppe if he thinks you're a nice guy?

 

[critical bill]

You have got to be kidding me Moore!
Chuck sticks this post about you defending Steve up your ass and you defend that?

You are one sick puppy!

Randal Berry

With all due respect, Harold said he was done. And he wished you a happy thanksgiving which you didn't acknowledge nor reciprocate. Thats just rude.

 

[Ed Clark]

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Right back at cha, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.