Michael McBurnett aka RedneckKritterz

I really hate to have to do this as I sincerely try to resolve matters privately but I just wanted to share my experiences with Michael McBurnett of RedneckKritterz. Hope you guys are ready for another long post. I will try my best to post everything I can remember and post as much proof as I can. I just want to let if me known that I mostly spoke to Mike through AOL IM therefore I do not have any records of our converstations.

On August 16th I IM’d Mike through AIM to ask him questions about this adult female ball python he had on auction on reptileauction. After talking to Mike I was really impressed with his sincerity and his love for his animals not to mention his great customer service. He answered every question I had with her. He seemed to me like a very good person.

I am shared with him my bad experience with scammers and how I wished there were more people like him. He even stayed up with me till the wee hours until the auction ended, which was a few good hours. We talked all the way till the auction ended and after I sent immediate payment.

As we were talking Mike said he would be in the Chicagland area, where I live, to pick up some big retics from a friend of his. I told him if I won the auction maybe he can just bring it along with him as I didn’t like shipping live animals when I didn’t have to. Mike said he would feel bad not shipping her to me after I sent him the money. I told him not to worry about it and I would rather have him drive her here than ship her.

I didn’t want to bother Mike by keeping her for an extra month so I gave him the ok to ship her out to me on August 18th to my wifes business address. I’ve had nothing but trouble lately with Fedex and UPS when shipping to my home address. So I went to my wifes business and waited for the package to arrive. The UPS man delivered at 9:59 AM and I signed for it.

As soon as I received it I noticed the smell. It smelled like regurg, I’ve had the unpleasant experience with one of my other boas before. So I immediately rushed to open the packaged and I was nearly knocked back by the smell. I rushed to open the snake bag as I saw the python not moving.

Needless to say I was very upset what I saw next. Here is a pics below.







Forgive me for the pics but I didn’t have my camera with me and had to use my camera phone instead.


Sam Leam

Right away I called Mike and told him what happened. Understandably Mike didn’t have much to say. I didn’t know what to say either. I then asked him when he last fed her and this was the only time he told me that he had fed her on Sunday which was about 5 days prior. I asked him why the rat didn’t look digested at all. Mike replied back saying he doesn’t why either since it had already been 5 days since he fed her.

I then told Mike I would call him back as soon as I got home. I then proceeded to clean her off removing the rat from her throat and bagging her up to freeze.

Later when I got home I called Mike back to see what we should do about it. Mike then asked me if I had reported this to Paypal or UPS. I told him now because I was not sure I was suppose to do it or if he was. I contacted my friend who had a DOA and was dealing with Fedex about it and he told me I had to file a claim and that they would refund the shipper and in return the shipper would refund me.

I told Mike that I would contact UPS. Mike then asked if I wanted my money back. Knowing that Mike was strapped for cash for his hospital bills, which was the reason why he was selling in the first place, so I told him to let’s wait till we hear back from UPS. I also told him if UPS denied the claim then we can talk about the money. I told Mike I would be more then willing to work something out with him since he needed the money.

So after UPS called me back, a day later, and told me they didn’t cover pershishable items, I sent Mike this email.

Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 10:18:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: "sam leam" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book

Subject: Re: GOOD DEAL FOR YOU...
To: [email protected]

Mike,

I just got a call back from the UPS rep, Kathy -
847-705-6069, and she told me that they consider live
animals perishableand do not cover that in the
insurance. They said they would not give the money
back.

I've never heard this before and I tried to argue with
her that there are lots of people who do ship live
animals and when a package is damaged and the animal
dies, UPS has to pay the claim. The rep kept saying
its in their tariff.

Would you please give her a call to see if you can
find anything else out. I don't want you to be out
$400 dollars because of this. I'm going back to bed,
gotta get up in 4 hours to go to work. I'll talk to
you then. Thanks!

Sam

--- [email protected] wrote:

> Here you go....thought you might be interested....if
> you hadn't already seen
> it.
>
>
> Mike
>
> _ReptileAuction.com with Reptiles - Geckos, Snakes,
> Lizards_
>
(http://www.reptileauction.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl?category=b_snake_ballpythons&item=11
> 24983336) <---CLIICK HERE!! LOL
> Redneck Kritterz
>
> [email protected]
>


Sam Leam



I never got a reply back from him. A few days later I sent him another email and again no reply.

Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 16:24:34 -0700 (PDT)
From: "sam leam" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book

Subject: Ball Python Female
To: [email protected]

Mike,

Haven't seen you online or heard from you for awhile.
Wanted to see how you were doing. I also wanted to
know if you had a chance to talk to UPS because like I
told you before they said they won't cover perishable
items.

Let me know if anything changed with UPS because I
could use the money back soon as I need to pay for
another boa next week. Give me a call if you want to
talk over the phone. Thanks!

Sam Leam

773-454-0995

Sam Leam





I hated to have to do this but I then sent Bob Clark an email to see how Mike was doing and explained the situation to him and asking for his help to pass the message along to Mike.

Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2005 19:39:21 -0700 (PDT)
From: "sam leam" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book

Subject: Inquiry on Michael McBurnett
To: [email protected]

Hi Bob,

I'm sorry to have to bother you with this but I could
really use your help on this matter. I purchased a
adult female ball python from Mike McBurnett off of
reptileauction.com. I spoke to Mike many times before
he shipped and he seemed like a very honest and good
person.

When I finally received the python she was dead due to
choking on the jumbo rat she was regurging while in
transit. I've spoken to Mike as soon as I received
her and I told him about this unfortunate event.

Mike then asked if I wanted my money back. I knew
that Mike had just suffered from a heart attack and
needed the money so I told him I would try to get the
money back from UPS first and if I couldn't then I
would go back to him.

We'll UPS doesn't cover "parishable items" so they
wouldn't pay the claim, even through Mike had the
package insured. After leaving a voicemail for Mike
on his cell to let him know UPS wouldn't cover the
this and asking him for my money back, Mike never
called back.

I've sent him numerous emails about this but he has
yet to respond to any of my inquiries. I understand
that Mike was a former employee of yours and that you
guys still talk frequently?

The purpose of this email is to see if you would
kindly pass this message along to Mike and to see if
Mike is ok. I didn not want to do anything rash
because of this health.

Right now I can't find any reason why Mike wouldn't
respond to my emails except that maybe something
happened to him? I hope that would not be the case.
I'm a pretty reasonable guy. If Mike can't pay my
money back right away, I can wait. I just need him to
let me know what is going on.

I feel that the snakes death is not my fault since
Mike shipped her out when she has not completely
digested her meal. I can send pics of her if you'd
like but I must warn you its gruesome.

Again I apologize for having to come to you about this
but I don't know who else to go to that can reach
Mike. My only other option is to post on the Fauna
BOI about this experience with Mike, which I am
reluctant to do at the moment.

Please let Mike know that I am open to discussion and
would like to have this issue resolved. Thank you for
your time.



Sam Leam

Today I posted a message on Mikes website asking him to email or call me. I also sent him an email through fauna and this was his reply.

From: [email protected] Add to Address Book

Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 15:48:09 EDT
Subject: RE:ADULT FEMALE BALL

To: [email protected]

Sam,
Whats the problem? Why do you have to go thru Fauna to send me an e-mail? Are you trying to cause problems? I'm really not understanding your tactics or reasoning here.

Mike

Here was my reply.

Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 13:01:58 -0700 (PDT)
From: "sam leam" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book

Subject: RE:ADULT FEMALE BALL
To: [email protected]

Mike,

Whats the problem? How can you ask me that? I've
sent you numerous emails you havent havent replied to
a single one.

The problem is I need my money back for the ball
python that died in transit. I tried to be very civil
and nice about this. I do not appreciate you replying
back asking if I am trying to cause a problem.

I need to know what you plan on doing about resolving
this issue. It is not my fault that the female was
shipped after a big meal and choked on her regurg.

We need to find a way to resolve this.

Sam

--- Redneck


I also sent him this email following the last one.

Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 13:04:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: "sam leam" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book

Subject: RE:ADULT FEMALE BALL
To: [email protected]

Mike,

Another thing. You know I was honestly concerned
about your health. I thought something might have
happened to you and maybe thats why you havent
answered my emails. But obviously that is not the
case since it looks like yo uare blocking my IM's as
well.

You seemed like a very nice and professional guy after
talking to you those few days. I can't understand why
that has changed. Please give me a call 773-454-0995

Sam


This was Mikes reply.

--- [email protected] wrote:

> Sam,
> Sorry...I have been very busy lately. And
> regarding your money.
> Sorry...I never gave you a "Live Arrival
> Guarantee"....and you knew that she had
> eaten a few days prior to her shipment and that it
> was probably to hot for
> shipment...but, you still insisted for me to ship
> her anyway. She was a greater
> loss to me than she ever could be to you...no
> matter what the cost. And why
> did you go thru Fauna to send your e-mail?? So...to
> answer your question of
> "will I refund your payment"....NO, I will not. And
> as far as your threat to
> post me on BOI....you do what you think you need to
> do. I'm truly sorry it has
> ended this way and you cannot accept your loss and
> move on. But, you chose to
> have her shipped and never even asked me to give a
> "Live Arrival Guarantee"
> or even acted like you cared....if you had...you
> would've gotten insurance on
> your PayPal payment. That alone shows you had no
> concern on the shipment.
> And the only proof I got of her "DOA" was a few
> pic's...and I couldn't
> positively say that they were real or even my
> snake. So...how do I know you didn't
> take pic's of another snake and try to scam me to
> give you your money back on a
> snake that was actually alive and replaced w/
> another dead one....you can
> say all you want, it is not going to change my
> mind. What's done is done...we
> can't change was has happened. And i'm not replacing
> or refunding any money on
> this transaction. NO GUARANTEE WAS GIVEN IN
> WRITTING OR OTHERWISE. As far
> as i'm concerned this matter is resolved. Your
> actions from here on out
> determine your feedback on ReptileAuction and Fauna.
>
>
> Mike
>
> Redneck Kritterz
>
> [email protected]
>


I replied back to Mike.

Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 14:20:15 -0700 (PDT)
From: "sam leam" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book

Subject: Re: ADULT FEMALE BALL
To: [email protected]

Mike,

I can't believe you are saying you these things. I
knew that she had just eaten a few days prior and I
insisted that you ship and it was too hot ship? Hmm
what’s wrong that statement?

Umm let’s see. How about you didn't tell me that you
fed her the jumbo rat a few days before until after
she had arrived? How about you not mentioning
anything about your concerns that she had just eaten?
How about you not saying that it was too hot to ship?

Did you forgot that I asked you to just bring her
along with you to Chicago the following month that you
said you would drive down here anyway? I told you I
didn't mind waiting a month for her because I would
rather not have my animals shipped when I don't have
to. You're reply to me was that you didn't feel right
accepting money and not shipping her right away.

Let see why didn't I ask you for a live arrival
guarantee? I thought that is pretty much a given.
Most responsible sellers would offer that service
regardless if it was a guaranteed or not. You, the
shipper, should have checked the temps and should have
made your concerns known that you thought it was too
hot to ship. I checked the temps and it was
acceptable to me as it was in the low 80’s and you did
ship with a cool pack did you not?

So yes I did not asked for a live guarantee so for
that fact I will accept my loss. I just thought you
would be the responsible and good business person that
I thought you would refund me the money as it was NOT
my fault that she died due to choking on her half
regurgitated rat while in transit.

Do you remember asking me if I wanted my money back
when I told you she had died during transit? Do you
remember what I told you? Since you said the package
was insured with UPS, I told you I'd wait and see what
UPS says first about the claim. Obviously I was just
trying to be nice because I knew the reason why you
were selling her was because of hospital bills. I
also told you if UPS denied the claim I would be more
than willing to work out the payment arrangement since
you were strapped for cash.

I remember you also asking me did I report this to
paypal or my credit card. Looks like you were trying
to get me to get the money back another way rather
than directly through you.

I was very upset that you and I lost her. I made that
very clear to you over our phone conversations and IM
sessions. Do not try to make it seem like I am some
heartless person that don't care about their animals.
I care very much about my animals. Ask anyone that
knows me. Ask any of my previous customers.

Ask anyone around me how heartbroken I was that this
happened. I can't express how shocked I am about your
reply to all this. You act like I was rushing you to
ship her. Like I knew she had just eaten when it was
not true. All you really have to say to me is “I’m
not refunding you your money back because I never
guaranteed live delivery,” and I would have been fine
with it. But for you to try to make it seem like I
was at fault and I was some scammer? That is
absolutely unacceptable.

Why didn't I get this insured by paypal? Let’s see,
maybe because they didn't cover live animals?

Maybe I sent you a pic of another dead snake to try to
scam you? Let’s compare patterns on your snake and
the pics I sent you. Let’s see how they match up.
Didn't you see how the snake was hanging off my hands
in a limp manner? You want me to ship her back to
you? I still have per frozen in my freezer if you
want her.

You can post whatever you want to about me on fauna
and reptile auction. I did not do anything wrong.
I'll post everything I have to back this up.

In closing,

1. You never told me she just had a meal a few days
ago before you shipped. You told me after she arrived
dead and then you wondered why the rat had not been as
digested as you would have thought since you said you
then told me you had just fed her that Sunday. So
that would have been 5 days since she was fed. It
looks to me that maybe your enclosure temperature was
low or else the rat would have been more digested then
that.

2. If you didn't feel responsible for this then why
did you initially offer my money back when I told you
she arrived dead? Did you not say I want to make sure
my customers are happy and that you felt bad about
this? Did you ever express your thoughts that I was
to blame? Remember you had her in your possession and
you were the one who fed her and took care of her.
If you were as concerned for her health as you said
you were then why did you agree to ship her? I never
insisted that you shipped her right away.

3. Did you ever express your concern that the photos
I sent you were not of your snake? Nope. In fact you
said you didn't have the stomach to look at the pics.

4. If you really meant it about wanting your customer
to be happy, then why ignore my emails and block my
screen name from AOL IM? Maybe you were trying to
avoid me? Was I ever harsh with any of the emails I
sent you? I was always concerned about your health
first off.

5. So it was my fault I did not ask for a live
arrival guarantee. I can live with that. I just
thought a responsible person would refund their
customers money back if they are not at fault.

I'll consider the matter closed now and I will let
other people decide who is right or wrong. At this
point you can enjoy your money. I will give the
animal a proper burial. Good luck with your business
and I sincerely hope you do not treat your other
customers like this because you would not be in
business very long.

I to am sorry that things had to end this way and that
a great animal died but I felt like I did everything I
could to get this resolved in a peaceful manner. I
did not feel like this had to be posted on the BOI as
I thought you were more responsible than this. I
guess I was wrong about a lot of things. Believe me
it won’t happen again. From now on I will get a live
arrival guarantee from anyone I purchase from. Thanks
for teaching me that lesson.

Sam Leam

Mike replied back.

From: [email protected] Add to Address Book

Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 17:42:16 EDT
Subject: Re: ADULT FEMALE BALL

To: [email protected]

Sam,
Yes...you certainly did know she had eaten a few days prior to shipment. I can't believe you deny knowing this. And for your information..I spent most of the past week in the hospital again. And yes, I do appreciate your concern. But, you knew the temps here were a lot higher than the temps there..and yes, the part about you saying I could bring her w/ me to Chicago was true to an exstint...when I told you I wouldn't be comfortable about that, you agreed and said, you couldn't and didn't want to wait that long either..you wanted her shipped immediately the next day. And I never made any kind of Live Arrival Guarantee because I know the risks of shipping (damages, etc.) and i'm not going to be responsible for something that I have no control over (I.E. shipping drivers, handlers, etc) and myself just like a lot of other "Live Animal" shippers will not be responsible for their actions. I am sorry that it has ended up this way...and yes it is VERY important to me that my customers are VERY HAPPY....there are just some things we have no control over and shipping unfortunately is probably the main one. If I could...I would refund your money....but, i'm sorry with my health being the way it is and all these hospital bills haunting me, I cannot...I hope you can understand that. And again...I really am sorry for the way this has turned out. I do wish you the best w/ your life and your reptiles. And just for your info...I have not had you blocked from IMing me. I have had everyone blocked from seeing me due to the fact I don't have time to talk to anyone while i'm online...I only get online to check my e-mails. And most of the time my screen name is online my g/f is online checking on things concerning my business and family. I just wanted to let you know this.

Sincerely,
Mike


My reply back.




Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 14:59:35 -0700 (PDT)
From: "sam leam" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book

Subject: Re: ADULT FEMALE BALL
To: [email protected]

Mike,

Did you get any of my previous emails? I do
understand that you are strapped for cash due to your
hospital bills. I said I was more than willing to
work it out with you if you had only contacted me to
let me know what was going on.

I absolutly deny knowing you just fed her. You only
told me that you fed her on Sunday which was 5 days
before you shipped? Please don't tell me other live
reptile shippers don't offer live arrival guarentee.
Tell that to Bob Clark or Pete Kahl. They all offer
live arrival guarentee.

You never expressed your concern that it was too hot
to ship her. Whats done is done. I'm preparing what
I need to do about this. You can add anything to this
on the BOI if you wish.

Again I did not want this to end up like this. I just
have one question for you. After talking to me that
night of the auction, did I ever give you any reason
to believe I was an unethical person?

Sam



And this was the last email so far. I just want to know from all you breeders and anyone who has sold live animals on here, does your customers have to ask you for a live arrival guarantee for you to refund a their money in the case of a DOA? I mean of course there are exceptions. For instance if a customer knowingly insist that an animal be shipped in “unacceptable” temperatures after you expressing your unwillingness to do so.

I can understand if the carrier was at fault but in this case they were not. Another question is at what temps do you say to the customer, “I cannot ship right now due to the temperatures.”

I’m just sorry to have to have this happen and want to make sure everyone ask for a live arrival guarantee at all times no matter how trustworthy you think someone is.

Thanks everyone for their time. I’m sorry I didn’t record my IM sessions with Mike as I think it would support everything I am saying here to be true. I will try my best to reply to every reply on this thread or emails I may received. I just wanted to let everyone know that if I don’t reply back right away its because I am working ten 12 hour shifts this week and reply as often as I can. Again thanks for your time.

Sam Leam

Please excuse the all the grammatical errors. I’m am understandable upset and in haste fired back these emails between Mike and I without proof reading it first.

Here is a link to Mikes website where you can find a pic of "Moo moo." I also included a pic of her eating what turned out to be her last meal. I don't know if you can make out anything distinguising features or not but I can say it would be absurd for anyone to keep a dead python with half a rat hanging out of its mouth just for the purpose of scamming someone, not unheard of but unlikely. You guys be the judge.

http://www.freewebs.com/redneck-kritterz/availabilitylist.htm

I forgot to mention that picture was sent my Mike on August the 16th, the day the auction was ending. Mike sent the pics to show that she was eating and mentioned nothing about her eating on that day. Mike told me later, after she arrived dead, that she was fed on Sunday August 14th.

I would venture to say that is the same snake. On a different computer I can circle and pic out the similarities between your phone pictures and the one on his website.

I have seen enopugh regurges to know that does not look like a rat that has been in a stomach for 5 days, it looks more like under 24 hours. That tail should be gone at least.

Does he have any gaurantees on his website? I guess I will have to look around.

Wow Sam,

This guy (Mike) is a real piece of something... Let me try to answer some of your questions

And this was the last email so far. I just want to know from all you breeders and anyone who has sold live animals on here, does your customers have to ask you for a live arrival guarantee for you to refund a their money in the case of a DOA?

I currently live in Phoenix, AZ, and I have shipped in the hottest of weather, and if done with an insulated box and proper cold packs, there are generally no problems. I have only ever had one problem 3 years ago shipping lizards through Airborne Express. I sent out on a Thursday, for Friday morning delivery. Well, they lost the package and it was not delivered until the following Monday afternoon. Six of the nine lizards died, and I replaced the Buyer his money for them. Was it my fault? NO. Was It my Customers NO. However, it was my responsibility. Why? Because when I ship, I am paying the shipping company to do a job for ME. They are working for ME much like an employee, and while it may not be my fault if my employee does not do his job properly, I am still responsible for any problems that may occur as a result. If I am a general contractor and one of my subcontractors screws up, it is not my fault, but I am responsible, and it is my job to make it right, and it is up to ME to go after the subcontractor for compensation, not my customer! It was not your responsibility to try to get a refund from the shipper. That was Mike's job. He should have refunded you and then turned a claim IF one was available to him.

The shipping company in this case is basically a subcontractor. The only difference here is they did not screw up, and neither did you. Mike is the person at fault for feeding the snake and sending when he felt it was too hot, NOT you. I would think that would override any lack of live arrival guarantee that you may have failed to get.

I mean of course there are exceptions. For instance if a customer knowingly insist that an animal be shipped in “unacceptable” temperatures after you expressing your unwillingness to do so.

And I totally agree with you, but this was not one of those cases now was it.

I can understand if the carrier was at fault but in this case they were not.

No, it was actually Mike's fault.

Another question is at what temps do you say to the customer, “I cannot ship right now due to the temperatures.”

Like I said earlier, I have shipped in the hottest of weather, and never had a problem (except for the package that was lost for 5 days). However, I have had problems on the receiving end when idiots do not take the proper precautions. If done correctly, you can ship in any weather (hot of cold). It just leaves no room for stupidity, cheapness, or laziness.

I’m just sorry to have to have this happen and want to make sure everyone ask for a live arrival guarantee at all times no matter how trustworthy you think someone is.

That is probably a good idea. As long as there guys like Mike around, we should all beware.

Thanks everyone for their time. I’m sorry I didn’t record my IM sessions with Mike as I think it would support everything I am saying here to be true. I will try my best to reply to every reply on this thread or emails I may received. I just wanted to let everyone know that if I don’t reply back right away its because I am working ten 12 hour shifts this week and reply as often as I can. Again thanks for your time.

Thanks for bring this here Sam. I am sorry Mike did this to you, and that you had to be the one to see first hand such a grotesque sight.

James really did a good job there. I left Mike a nice message on his guestbook I did not see any guarantee on his website, though you said you are willing to accept that it was never said. Only assumed. He does not seem to be one who wants to make his customers "VERY HAPPY" If "live arrival guarantee" is not said it does not apply, he really could care less for his customers.

Thanks for bringing all this here, it was necessary, I do not think I would want to do business with him. Especially if he thinks he is not at fault but blames you for scamming. I do not see how a snake regurgitating is the fault of the carriers anyway.

I agree with James.

One thing is for sure, that snake did not die from "carrier's error".

Here's your sign Michael

Sam, sorry for the loss! But I am thankful that you posted here. Rest assurred I am someone that will not be purchasing animals from this guy!

Griz

I don't think I specifically tell customers that live arrival is garanteed~ but I try to make sure and tell them someone MUST accept the package on the first delivery attempt. I guess I assume and figure THEY assume that live arrival is garanteed as long as someone accepts the package on the first delivery attempt.

Thanks for the heads up that some people play games here. I had not thought of that~ but I guess there is always some way to get over on your fellows. I'll begin specifically spelling out "Live arrival garanteed IF package is accepted on the FIRST delivery attempt" and start insisting that sellers spell out the same garantee to me.

Thanks~ sorry you got screwed. I'll remember~ Red Neck Kritters~ looking for a loophole.

Sam, have you sent Michael a link? I would be curious as to his thoughts right about now.

Wow, what an a$$

Sam, I'm so sorry for your situation, it truly makes me ill to think of how that poor animal suffered while in transit.
I have never fed an animal before shipping and wait for them to expell their previous meal, so they don't go in route. You held up your end of the sale, so should he.

A Plea for Sanity:

Please, please dear people. Would you please think twice or maybe three times before dealing with anyone who calls themselves "Redneck-something?"

"Please, please dear people. Would you please think twice or maybe three times before dealing with anyone who calls themselves "Redneck-something?""

Bruce makes a very good point.

OT~ I don't want to argue with you~ but what’s wrong with being a redneck?
You know what a Redneck is?
Someone who works hard in the sun. The back of the neck is often burned above the shirt collar from laboring in the sun.
A redneck is a hard worker.

True, that is the literal meaning. However some of us believe that people who refer to themselves as rednecks are alot of times under-educated people with racist tendencies who are not adverse to expressing such beliefs by oh, say displaying confederate flags on their truck antennae, bumpers, or tatooed on their persons.

That is where the term derived from, but over the years, it has come to take on a bit more of a negative connotation. However, I think Bruce and is just poking a little fun at Mike (as am I). I think we all like hard workers, even the ones with sunburned necks!

"some of us believe"

Nice biased attitude. Not at all discriminatory~ nothing like those evil “Rednecks.”

~I’ll just pull up my shirt collar round here~ okay