Info JERRY TRESSER

[reptirus]

I just wanted to take a moment to let everyone see how Jerry Tresser talks to potential customers. I am amazed that someone would react this way to someone trying to purchase something from them...

I saw a post that Jerry had posting selling a pair of Nephurus Amyae that I inquired about. Here is my Private Message followed by his rude and ignorant responses...

I am interested in finding a nice pair of Amyae, I wanted to ask if you still have these available, and if so, if you are able to do any better on the price? I am very interested if you can work with me on the price

Why would you want me to do better on the price when I received 15 requests to purchase at $ 1,400 for the pair: which is pretty reasonable...

In either case, I would see no justification for reducing the price as I am under the impression that you are undercapitalized for this market....

Sorry, the Amyae were sold 15 minutes after they were posted....

I had no clue they were sold considering they were never marked as sold. As far as me asking you to better the price, is because just maybe 2 months ago the going price for Amyae online was 1000-1200. Since you never marked them as sold I assumed that you had been sitting on them for a little while now. Me asking for a better price in no means says that I am undercapitalized in the market, it just means that I am a smart shopper. Thank you for your time...

On the contrary, it does not mean your a smart shopper what it does mean is that had you had any business sense , rather then tell me that you wanted me to lower my price to accommodate you, had I indicated that the pair was still available, you could have attempted to negotiate a price, but you did not do that you immediately assumed that had it not been sold, you would have been able to get it cheaper... Thats not smart shopping, its immature buying... Do not respond...

 

[KNOBTAIL]

No, thats not how I speak

to potential customers. But had you approached me in a more business like atmosphere and not attempted to have me reduce the price which you assumed should be lower in your first email. "if you are able to do any better on the price?"

this is the problem with people like yourself who go on fishing expeditions... Regardless of what I would have offered the Amyaes for , your question would still have been the same..

I hardly think this post is worthy of any additional response... My suggeston however, is the next time you decide to reply to an ad whether its current or not be prepared to pay the full amount of the price.. If you can negotiate a better price, thats fine. No problem there.. Its done all the time.

But to ask for a better price based on some flimsy whirlwind of a market excuse, and attempting a reduction in price, just seems to intimate that you do not have the capital to purchase the geckos even if I gave you a break.

 

[Iraqvet]

Well,I dont think this meritts a bad guy thread..I also dont think the dude should have been somewhate "scolded" about his question..A simple no would have been fine...I see people in adds all the time shoot offers for under the asking price..Most people say "sorry I cant sell it for that amount"..Not a big deal...I wanted to breed some albino boas..I seen them goin for like $500...Now I see them on here for $250....Its not the buyers who bring down the prices,its the sellers..People are getting more desperate...I dont blame the dude for asking..And I think you lost a customer as an end result...

 

[reptirus]

Thank you James. I realize the 2-3 years I've been working with reptiles is nothing compared to most of you, but I have chatted with hundreds of breeders in the past and have never been talked to like that. I also agree that it doesn't deserve a bad guy thread, that is why I only listed it as an info thread. You are correct in saying that he has lost a potential customer. He may have also lost other potential customers who are reading this post now, and decide not to contact him on animals he has posted in fear of getting their head chewed off and spit back out....

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

The response was rude, end of story. You should never talk to a customer in that manner. We've all had our annoying, low ball offers...But that doesn't mean you treat the person poorly. You politely tell them the price is firm and, if you like, explain why.

James, if you look at the thread icon, it's not a Bad Guy thread...It's an Info thread. I think that was a good choice considering the circumstances.

 

[Iraqvet]

Thanks for pointing that out triple moon.......I am turning 26 this summer,so my eyes are getting older..Their not what they used to be lol...

 

[Southern Wolf]

The response was rude, end of story. You should never talk to a customer in that manner. We've all had our annoying, low ball offers...But that doesn't mean you treat the person poorly.

Sometimes it amazes me on the lack of customer service now days. I do my best to treat every POTENTIAL customer as a long time customer. You never know when the one potential customer will spread their dealings to others that could cost you multiple sales.

We have all had our share of low ball offers... but the OP didnt even shoot you a low ball offer. They asked if you would be willing to work with them a little on price. My guess is because they were looking at more than one animal purchased.

JT... its your business and you will do with it as you see fit... but in this case not only did your rude PM turn away a potential customer... now word of mouth/internet will most likely cost you even more sales.

Last year when I had Reverse Okeetee's listed I had someone offer me $55 shipped for an animal that goes for $45 each. I dont think so! I wasn't rude to the individual, but I did send them back a counter offer. It didnt take me anymore time being nice vs being rude. Yeah... I never heard back from them...but I still have the chance of getting their business and they most likely weren't bad mouthing me afterwards.

You lost all chances with your PM.

 

[KNOBTAIL]

Just an added footnote

There are to many deadbeats in this attracted business... or someone always looking for a good deal , or someone who feels slighted when they receive a non welcomed email as in this case.. These Amyae's were originally offred for $ 2000. for the pair... Allot of money for 2 lizards. I decided to sell them at cost as I was preparing a trip outside of the US so I offered them for $ 1,400 and I had many inquiries and offers to buy... There are always OFFERS TO BUY...I sometimes wonder why people do these things or get kicks out of playing in the big boys league and then disapear when it comes to sending the money.. 15 inquiries in total....

the Amyae's were sold based on a simple premise. Whoever pays first.. Not whoever promises to pay first !... The geckos were sold and payed via paypal almost 20 minutes after posting... Anyone who continued to email me were notified that the items in question were sold.... Even after notification, I still had some people willing to offer more money if I sold these geckos to them ! 6 of the posts referred to the economic situation in the US and were looking for a better price based on the fact that they felt the Amyae's have lost there value !

Several other inquiries came in with offers to buy but wanted a better price. Right from the getgo...

This included your current poster, who never even inquired about the age, weight , color , or anything else but automatically included a price reduction....

I dont want to nor do I entertain these offers of purchase... My experience shows a dead end result. I just dont see the positive of pursuing emails based on the first email of someone immediately seeking a better price...

So if this person felt insulted by my response, I dont have a problem in apologizing as he could very well be a good guy, but I am not interested in building up a customer base with 1 pair of geckos. Nor am I interested in accomodating anyone other then those who are serious with my posts... I picked up the shipping because there was a serious intent on the part of the buyer... He told me payment would arrive in 20 minutes and it did ! In gratitude , I covered the overnight as a gesture of good faith...

There is to much of a runaround in this business, to many primadona's with not so very good ethics... I am not accusing this person as I dont know him, but apparently he felt strong enough to take a PM and put it to the BOI. So be it.... A word of good advise, rather then make an attempt to get a better price in the first email, why not show some seriousness in offering to pay first. You would be surprised how much more you can get once the finances are out of the picture ... Its just a question of lack of funds when you or anyone receives that kind of an email as this poster sent me....

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

Jerry, I believe you made an incorrect assumption, acted unprofessionally based on that assumption and now your reputation will suffer for it. Instead of insulting the buyer, you could simply have said "Sorry, the Amyae were sold 15 minutes after they were posted." Easy, and nothing negative posted on the BOI.

A word of good advise, rather then make an attempt to get a better price in the first email, why not show some seriousness in offering to pay first. You would be surprised how much more you can get once the finances are out of the picture ...

I'm curious how one pays before a price is negotiated?

 

[reptirus]

6 of the posts referred to the economic situation in the US and were looking for a better price based on the fact that they felt the Amyae's have lost there value !

I am curious if any of the 6 asked because of the fact that just 2 months ago Amyae were going on Kingsnake for $1000-$1200?

I obviously wasn't the only one who thought the price on them might have been a little steep, as you just stated yourself. Were you just ask ignorant to them as you were me? If so not only did you loose a potential future customer, you probably also lost 5 others.

Several other inquiries came in with offers to buy but wanted a better price. Right from the get go...

I am not seeing what the problem with this is? Just as I stated in the quote before this one, some felt the Amyae you had posted were listed slightly above market. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and shouldn't be belittled for it.

I am not interested in building up a customer base with 1 pair of geckos.

I don't know very many people who, if they cant hit the homerun, would rather just strike out. What I am trying to say is its all about building a customer base regardless if you sell 1 pair or 10 pairs of geckos to a person. Good customer service speaks volumes, and helps bring in new customers. Ignorance to people inquiring about what you have for sale is bound to just backfire on you.

 

[Iraqvet]

So your logic is to just basically tell someone to bug off if they dont offer the exact amount you want?Why not say well,let me see if I can get my asking price before I sell them to you? I know in this case they were already sold,but maybe you should keep that in mind next time someone inquiers like that...Atleast then you can have a line started with people wanting to buy...I am curious to know if you paid the asking price for your house,or car,or all the animals you have???..I also think if this guy took the time to start this thread,he would have also taken the time to do a good guy thread on you if he purchased the geckos..Which apparently the people who bought your amyaes did not do...I am sure though that a quick pm from you will prompt them to do so...I guess I will be on the lookout for that one.....

 

[Southern Wolf]

Nor am I interested in accomodating anyone other then those who are serious with my posts... I picked up the shipping because there was a serious intent on the part of the buyer... He told me payment would arrive in 20 minutes and it did ! In gratitude , I covered the overnight as a gesture of good faith...

Here is another one for you to ponder Stephanie.

Why wouldnt you work out the cost of shipping BEFORE payment was made. According to this... you decided to pick up the cost of shipping because he paid in 20min. Ummmm wouldnt this be worked out before payment.... or were you gonna wait 30 mins then ask for an additional $50 to cover shipping costs

 

[Southern Wolf]

...but I am not interested in building up a customer base with 1 pair of geckos. Nor am I interested in accomodating anyone other then those who are serious with my posts...

Here is a little free education... simple business 101.

Businesses are built one transaction at a time. That one pair of geckos may very well turn into 5 or 10 in the future. You never know... and you should treat every potential sale like it will be your best customer in the future... because they very well might.

 

[reptirus]

Here is another one for you to ponder Stephanie.

Why wouldnt you work out the cost of shipping BEFORE payment was made. According to this... you decided to pick up the cost of shipping because he paid in 20min. Ummmm wouldnt this be worked out before payment.... or were you gonna wait 30 mins then ask for an additional $50 to cover shipping costs

I was actually curious of this one myself...

 

[KNOBTAIL]

an enlightning discussion !

There is no loyalty in this business, My expectations are based on my own judgement . Whether you feel I should treat each inquiry as a potential customer for a sale or a future sale, does not fit into the scheme of things, not only for myself but for many others as well...

The idea of these geckos being offered for $ 1,200 or less for a young virgin pair of Amyae is ridiculous. I dont have the time to entertain anyone making an offer to buy based on the fact that there thinking of a climate change in the economy of the herp business warrants it... It is just not going to be entertained by anyone.... Its apparent that we are dealing with someone with limited funds, here... Now that is only my opinion...As I do NOT know what is in anyones pocket book. It just seems to make sense to me, that if these geckso are in fact avaialbe at that price why has he not purchased them....

Secondly, if the geckos iin question were available at that price, you can bet that either the male or the female are no longer viable breeders...So please spare me the rhetoric about customer service... You get what you pay for in this industry. I have no doubts that if the purchase was made you would be very dissapointed with NO RECOURSE, because you got snookered and hooked by the glitter of the price . The BOI has graveyards of people being taken time and time again.....

I have my own TOS when dealing with potential sales... It has worked out very well as a no nonsense , honest dealing .

What I advertise is exactly what the buyer will receive... The photos are current and represent the animals in question The price is reasonable in my estimation and I have an open line of communication with any questions that need answering before and after a sale is consummated... I know how to capture a sale, and I have been doing it very successfully for years..

I also do not entertain inquiries as stated earlier with an opening in the first email about an additional reduction in price..... Its not going to happen .

I provide quality service, and I ship very well. Any additional amenities on my part such as picking up the freight is based on phone conversations where an agreement has been met and payment is made...Sometimes I pay the freight, and sometimes I do not... Its at my discretion and all transactions need NOT be based on repeat business as I only deal in high end herps and in very limited quantity. Or sometimes reptiles or amphibians that are not so common and are reasonable enough to attract additional buyers.... No box charge . A commitment to track on my side, and unconditional guarantee on the health and fair representation of the animals concerned..

You certainly have the right to disagree with the way I approach this vocation, but I can assure you, I have no charge backs, no unsatisfied customers and once the buyer understand the peramiters in doing business with ME, then they can feel rest assured that they have nothing to fear in the way of a purchase.......

Finally, I am financially sound in that if for any reason, I can provide a full refund as I am not afraid of reimbursing anyone on any sale within the terms of agreement
.
Anyone who has done business with me, either in the past or in the future, knows that they have nothing to worry about when it comes to an honest transaction with tiffany methods for conducting themselves in an atmosphere that should be used by some people on this thread who think they are above reproach........

So please enough with the nonsense.... This person Repteris should have approached his email to me, for the final time in a method that would NOT have raised a red flag as someone who just does not have the money to buy .....

I have other pairs of Nephrurus that have not been sexed as yet, and the price will probably go back up to over $ 2,000 once guaranteed pairs become available... To reiterate,

there is no loyalty when it comes to money. What there is , is the assurance and knowledge that YOU WILL NOT BE TAKEN, which seems to be the norm with the floodgates of losers that get attracted to this business....

I did not loose a customer in Repteris. What I did was weed out someone who would have ended up dissapointing me with unnecessary tactics such as what everyone else is selling their geckos for, so I should accommodate his needs based on that..... Please give me a break, and move on with your life... Enough said,

 

[KNOBTAIL]

An addendum

Even if the poster had the monies to purchase the Amyae's I would not have entertained the sale with the initial concern of a price reduction...

My transactions are not based on a financial statement... On the contrary, I have had many sales over the years with people who need time ! To pay...

thats fine as I do take payments in smaller amounts until the total due has been satisfied... The intent is to meet the price and as these animals are not inexpensive I do undetrstand that there are times when monies are tight . But the sale is not consummated on an initial reduction request. That never works, and we all know that.
This herp business, is not what it used to be. Its evolving into a more destructive path with legislation at our heels... I dont know what isd going to happen in the near future, and I fear for an industry that I have been apart of for 50 years.

I can only concern myself with my own methods of conducting business and assure anyone who reads this that my dealings are above reproach. I just have an anathame for first time inquiries and I said inquires looking for a better price...

 

[kmurphy]

I also do not entertain inquiries as stated earlier with an opening in the first email about an additional reduction in price..... Its not going to happen .

So in your opinion Jerry when is the time to ask? Do you want someone to agree to purchase then negotiate the price? Kind of puts them at a disadvantage wouldn't you say. Just seems a$$ backwards to me.

It's amazing how successful people can be in this hobby with such a negative opinion of the customer base.

 

[dragonlvr64]

Jerry why did you not save yourself and your potential customers some time and now apparent headache and mark them sold as soon as you received your money?
I feel there is a great deal of loyalty in the reptile business. People who treat me right and with respect will always get my business before someone else I have not dealt with. If they do not have what I want, I will still go to them first the next time.

 

[KNOBTAIL]

You have to be kidding

about loyaloty in this business... the loyalty is for the dollar.


Kmurphy: please think about it. If someone sent you an email or if several people sent emails asking for a price reduction after an item was posted for sale, even that price would be subject to change...

That does not make sense.... If I offer an item for sale and there are potential inquiries for a sale, those who are the attractive buyers I would solicit .. Not the person who sends me an email and says " can you do better" or " everyone elses prices are lower then yours"

If you cannot understand that then this continued conversation will come to a halt... I do not nor will I pursue emails where someone is looking for deal. Let them shop elsewhere, I make that very clear as I did to this young man...He was also looking for a deal... ! but stepped into a hornets nest....

dragonlvr64: look whos calling the kettle black ! "I feel there is a great deal of loyalty in the reptile business. People who treat me right and with respect will always get my business before someone else I have not dealt with."

That is about as foolish of a statement I have heard. If you are on the buying end, do your homework regardless of whom you are dealing with. Prior experiences dont work. We have seen countless of times people who have just soured out for one reason or another... After several transactions and trust ! Each sale should be based on their respective merits, not on the fact that you feel you have a security blanket from past performance.....

Your first obligation is to your self, then your money..Its very nice that you have good experience with your customer,,, but it should not be the exception to the rule but the rule itself...... Your amazing !

If you are on the selling end. Use discretion with whom you deal with becaue there money becomes the main focal point..

.Under a credit card sale, even if you meet your obligations in shipping, the buyer could within a 90 day period file a chargeback for a multitude of reasons.... you can imagine 45 days after a sale, you receive notification that the buyer wants his money back.. the reasons are irrelevent, but the troubles are yours.....

PayPal has had more then its share of difficulties in this industry because of wide spread abuse ! We both know that. They (PayPal) are not interested as an intermediary in this chaotic herp business. What they offer is the individual an opportunity to become a cash cow at the expense of others. An open door policy for an opportunity to send garbage at the deal of a lifetime, and the graveyards are full of unsuspecting customers who have been taken.....

I prefer to use a tried and true method of conducting business. Anyone who does business with me knows that I provide fair representation of what I am selling... Where ever possible I weed out potential deadbeats.. Although I do not consdier the person who started this thread a deadbeat, I do honestly believe that he instilled enough concern to make him an immediate elimination as a potential customer based on his approach....

No sense in arguing about a position here... this poster felt slighted enough to bring this to the BOI is just another avenue of indignation that really has no merit.. As I indicatred, I did not steal, from him, or ship him bad aniimals, or kept his money.... I am glad that he did bring my name to the forefront, as others may want to seriously reconsider their own TOS, not that mine is perfect, but I dont encounter some of the horrors that are posted here !+

 

[Iraqvet]

Dude what is you PROBLEM...??I know I know,money first people last..Ok...I understand if times are financially tight,and you HAVE to get every last dime out of someone..But wiggin out and basically calling people poor cause they didnt meet your asking price is really ridiculous.I still dont know about the credit card chargebacks.Tell me how on a pretty much "all sales final" businness,that someone can try to get their money back with a credit card purchase..They have to go by YOUR TERMS.If you only guarntee arrival and 24 hour health,their is nothing they can do after that point...You still didnt answer my questions..Did you pay asking price for your house and car?Did you always pay asking price for everyone of your animals..If you cant remember,I can always go through the classifieds on here and check to see if you made any offers on animals...