I am sorry to report that I have. I recently completed a second transaction with AJ and found that I got burned on both. AJ was advertising "treated and feeding" Calabar Burrowing Pythons. Some of you may know that this is one of the animal that I specialize in. Getting them to feed is extremely difficult. Only about 1 in 3 will feed after capture in Africa and maybe 1 in 10 once here. AJ assured me that the animals, 1.2 and 4.4 were treated for both internal and external parasites and were definitely feeding. I pressed him on this several times. He assured me that he was obtaining them from a US-based source that has kept them for decades.
I paid for the 1.2, but they never fed and quickly declined in health. Before they died AJ sold me another 4.4. When I took delivery, I was suprised to find only six animals. When I immediately notified him(last week), he expressed shock and emailed me that he was getting a shipment and would fix all of this next week (this week). I never heard from him, so I sent him an email this Monday, letting him know that my patience was running out. Today, he finally responded.
To get to the point, when several died in quarantine shortly after receipt, I had fecals and by chance a sonigram done. I come to find that AJ was untruthfull in all his representations, to be kind. He now admits that "they were doing fine while in his possession, but never fed."
In recent emails, AJ now admits that he's new to "Importing" and that the animals were sold to him as "treated and feeding." He said that I should take my complaint up with his supplier. I tried to explain to him the liability that comes with selling and making statements and representations. He said that he understood.
I offered several remedies, so as not to escalate the problem:
1. Return my money in exchange for his freshly imported, non-feeding animals
2. Exchange my 11 for 11 animals as advertised
3. Issue a credit for any other acceptable animals that he's offering
He emailed back that he has no money, but would replace mine with new animals from the same source. His new animals were being offered, so that he can make some money. Can you believe this guy?
In my short time on this site, I have done many transactions both buying and selling. I have never run across this type of nonsense. As a collector with of over 600 animals, the money isn't as big a deal as it might be for others. Unfortunately, KS.com doesn't offer a BOI like this site does. Has anyone recently gone through this with AJ/Endless Exotics
Just be on guard.
Thanks,
Mitch Behm