• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

    =====================
    Posted 08/15/2025
    =====================


    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

    Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....

    =====================
    Addendum: 01/10/2026
    =====================


    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

A suggestion to everyone...

A

A.Rentfro

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COMMUNICATION!

As was pointed out in an earlier post we need to answer our e-mails and return our calls, even if it is just to explain that there is a problem or a delay. It is not only good business but simple courtesy too...

It seems as if very many of the problems which end up here in the BOI start off as a missed or 'mis' communication and then escalate to an impasse.

Of course there are bad guys (and gals too I'm sure) out there who will make all the right moves and still rip you off, but communicating will get these guys what's coming to them too.

Thanks!

[email protected] <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
 
Well said Gus, communication is a key that every good breeder and distributer should strive for.
John Bernardi AKA Herps & Burps, El Paso, TX
 
Thumbs up on communication
Also on reading , which if the rules were read clearly this thread would be in the discussion forum <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>
 
Thanks John!

....for the protocol reminder. I thought my post was pertinant but I won't slip up again!

Be sure to chastise 'Web-Slave' for posting his offers here.. they belong in the products and services page!

Later!

A. Rentfro
[email protected] <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>
 
In the rules page, just take it for granted that the phrase 'everyone but me', is implied......
<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>
 
<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>
Just don't ask the wrong questions! Right Gus?
 
That's too funny  <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>
at least you don't run this place like that Joe guy runs his.

okay wait....forget that last statement....I may have opened the door for a whole new tnagent to be started.
 
Communication? Communication!! I don't need no stinkin' communication!! ....that means you gotta TALK to them??? YUK!!  <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

That DOES seem to be the way a lot of people feel about that subject these days, which is a real shame! OF COURSE communication is the key! I've been saying that for years!! But, it's NOT just the ACT of "getting in touch"....you could be the MOST EXPERIENCED breeder in the world, but...if you don't know how to spell, or if you don't know how to structure a simple sentence, or you can't verbally get your point across....what good is your herp knowledge? You are PERCEIVED as "dumb as a box of rocks"! Look...please don't get me wrong...I'm NOT trying to come down on ANYBODY in particular, I'm coming down on you AS A WHOLE! Herps are getting to be very popular these days, and the prices for new and exciting morphs are getting more expensive by the day! With THAT IN MIND...would you (as a CONSUMER) rather buy your animals from someone who AT LEAST SEEMS LIKE they have half a brain in their head?, or the "other guy"?? If 90% of you would just take 2 MINUTES to RE-READ what you just typed (instead of sending it directly to the post), you would be able to see for yourself what you just wrote...then, you can FIX the misspellings, you can add the word that was left out, etc....Folks...I'm telling you...people would rather spend their hard-earned money with DEALERS that are well-spoken and can type a simple sentence that makes sense! ESPECIALLY these days when e-mails are a way of life! Your potential customers very rarely get to meet you! They ONLY know you by what they READ in YOUR emails to them! I realize I'm going off on a "rant" here, but, I REALLY care about this subject! I would LOVE to see ALL OF US be PERCEIVED as the most knowledgeable industry there is! It would benefit EVERYONE!! So....If I've made ANY SENSE AT ALL...just take some time and re-read your posts??? Just a tip from your "Uncle Goobs"! ...Neil
 
"Smoke & Mirrors"

Neil,

I agree with you, that the way we come across definetly affects peoples perception of us and our business as well as the hobby as whole. I understand your post about  the intelligence of the breeder and his/her ability to share said intelligence. I TOTALLY agree, i have seen some brilliant people that NEVER got recognized in their chosen field and in fact had others who were DUMB but cunning steal their very own ideas. Go figure. All for lack of communication.

 I have also seen something else in this hobby:
People that pretend to be "Authorities" on a certain species of reptile, only to have never even bred or concentrated on that reptile themselves. I call this"Smoke&Mirrors" and I see it all the time, people bragging about their vast expereince with a snake they have no real knowledge of aside from reading articles that somebody else wrote.

But...what actually matters the MOST to me ISNT the breeders CONSUMATE PROFFESIONALISM(Whatever that really is)....but  instead the BREEDERS HEART.
I personally would take a person who was honest, forthright, opionated, but not the most vocal person over others when it came to purchaseing snakes from them. CHARACTER is in short supply in this business, as we have seen by the MANy posts concerning Boas &IBD recently. Sow me your flashy classified ads, nice pics, smartly worded text, and I will show you some HONEST guy that lives in the middle of Minnesota that cant afford any of that, has no idea how to post a classified ad, but REALLY is into keeping and breeding the particular type of snake that he likes. that guy gets my ticket almost every time. I am not talking about someone that lives in backwater egypt that sells boas by the tom regardless of the health but cant communicate well. Nor anyone that lives in Fla, Calif, Oregon etc that is in this just to make a buck.

Neil..I agree with you, we all seek knowledgeable people to buy goods from. But, knowledge can also be a very vague thing, with people pretending to have levels of it they dont have. The PERSONS Character is everything, good character doesnt always go along with bad communication skills, as we have seen on this BOI in the past several weeks.

                                              Fred
                                          (AZTEC   REPTILES)
 
I guess the biggest question I have about this communication issue is:  How do you keep up with it all?

Somehow people got it into their heads that I know a little bit about corn snakes, and I am getting inundated with questions.  These cover the entire spectrum from "I am just getting into snakes and would like you to tell me everything you know" to "Please send me a price list of what you have available", thru "Is there any genetic relationship between the Lavender corns and the Caramel corns?", and everything in between.  Being in the business, I have to set priorities, without sounding mercenary about it, but when you get dozens of emails like this PER DAY, the ones you put off till later just never get answered.  Not without dropping everything else you need to do just to answer the emails.

So, again, how do you keep up with it all?  Right now, I have 498 emails that I have not responded to (and that doesn't count the ones I prunned off because my email file was getting too big.  Oops!  Just got the flag go up that MORE emails have just come in............

Is a short note explaining you are busy, sufficient?  Many of the emails to me will start off with "I know you are busy..."  but they still expect an answer.  Last year (or was it the year before?)  I used an auto-responder to try to fend off the bulk of the emails.  I think it caused me more trouble than it saved me.

So, I'm groping here.  What can I do to keep up with the volume of email without losing my business because I can't do what needs to be done to keep it running because I am answering emails (and maintaining these boards&#33<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>, or suffer from lost customers from the fact that I choose to spend my time taking care of my animals and ignore the bulk of the emails?  This is one hell of a catch-22, and I can't figure out an answer.

Before you say it, yes, I have set up message boards (one in particular about Corn Snakes specifically) to help draw off some of the questions for other people to help out with, but it seems to only draw more people to personally ask me questions.  I really wish I could respond to them all personally, but quite frankly it's just not possible to do any longer.

<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
 
he he he too funny
Hey Rich...I get 4-5 of those....and I refer them to the forums or answer them.
But dozens a day....I can see the frustration.  Specially around breeding season.  And specially the "tell me everything you know" e-mails.  But I am only a hobby.  So I still have time to respond.

I can't say that I know what to say to you.....
wait!  I do know what to say.
Good luck
 
I am new to the herp world as a business but not new to business. Here are my thoughts:

1. The scammers and those out for a quick buck will shoot themselves in the foot 9 times out of 10. Yes they may take a sale or two but will eliminate themselves as a long term problem by the sheer fact that they screw people over and that spreads by word of mouth very fast. There costing you more money by wasting time dealing with them.

2.  The next generation of herpers that are 10 - 13 years old now will communicate via the internet almost exclusively. Being clear and concise in your communications will make you or break you. Also if you have to go back and forth 3 or 4 times to get your information in an understandable format you'll never get to those other 498 unopened emails (just an example not an attack).

3. Prioritize your sales leads. It sounds cold and uncaring but you have limited time in the day especially if your a solo operation. Teach yourself which types of emails turn into sales and which ones are just people wanting to pick your brain. Ask people to join your newsletter and take the most original questions and answer them there. If one person has the question I will guarantee you that there are 10 other people out there that have it to but just don't ask.

4. Utilize your website to it's fullest capabilities. Keep your availability list up to date (and mark the updated date so there is no question). Build a Frequently Asked Questions page with the common questions. Both of these will allow you to build form letters for availability and common questions (for example:  "We keep our current availability list online at www.yourbusiness.com/available.html. We have pricing, detailed descriptions and pictures for you to view. We update this on a daily/weekly basis so you'll always know what we have. If you see something on there you like, give us a call (800-555-5555) or email us and we'll arrange shipping for you"). This lets them know you are busy but that the information is there and your ready for them.

6. Take a break. One of the first posts I saw on this board was about a guy that everyone complained about because he was short on the phone. No customer likes to talk to a grumpy breeder on the phone or via email. Set aside a set period of time to answer emails/calls instead of trying to do them as your doing other things.

7. As the industry grows I think that brokers will find their place. Becoming that customer service layer between the customer and the breeder will. This will allow the breeder to concentrate on what he does best and the customer will get better service.

Ok, enough BS from me <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>
 
Rich, I would suggest copying what you just wrote, including the part about receiving so many emails that are asking just general advice, breeding result questions, etc; referring these people to specific books or caresheets on the web; adding in that people can see what snakes you have available at _; and putting something to the order of "if you have a specific question  about a snake that you have purchased from me, then email me back and use "question about snake I purchased from you on (date); and keeping the whole response on your computer. Then just email the whole thing back to anyone who emails you.

Either that or hire a full time secretary just to respond to those people.
sue frederick
 
Rich...You have a point! I'm not really sure what it is?, but, I know you have one?? <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> See, the way you write DOES give you the PERCEPTION of intelligence!! hahaha
OK...Your problem...I have NO CLUE!! I don't know WHAT I'd do if I got THAT MANY emails a day? I'd try my best to answer them, at first, but I can see myself getting very frustrated in the long run! Is there any way to hire on a part-time employee (like Connie, maybe??) strictly for answering emails?? Just a thought....

Fred....Ya talk a good game, man! I agree 100%!! Yeah...what HE said! ....

Hukt awn fonix werkd fer mee
lett et werk fur ewe, tuu!

<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>  ....Neil
 
Hey Rich!!!! since this is up I wont e-mail you my question, but whats the predicted offspring fom the geneticly mutated, gene spliced corns this year, that you are producing in you under ground lab?<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>  
   Communictaion is the key in any business, personal or otherwise!  I also find that the more I ramble back to e-mailed questions the more repeat business I get from them.  Im not anywhere near the capacity of a lot of the big breeders out there what so ever, so I have more time to ramble and talk shop so to speak.  I do tend to get a ton of e-mails from kids under 12 even that are kind of silly but no question is a stupid question I like to think, and I'd hate to deter a future herper by not giving them the same respect.  I just wanted to put in my two cents as I notice a large majority of these negative posts on the BOI could be avoided through proper communication.  Well good nite to all, and to all a good nite!     Mike
 
I agree with a previous post which talked about a FAQ page.  I recently got into herps with Leopard Geckos (OK, don't rip me) and found a FAQ page on Tremper's site very valuable.  It answered many of my questions about albinos - and had an offer at the end to answer via email, if it wasn't in the FAQ.  

You're a popular guy with a great product.  That might help you out quite a bit and keep people from getting impatient.  (which people are getting increasingly good at)

That might help.  

Oh, and by the way Rich - ignore the question I sent to you. <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>  

Go play with your snakes!!!!  
<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>
 
i think some sort of disclaimer on your website about email correspondence would work best.   unless you have enough time to make a disclaimer that you can quickly email to 400 people???  boy, that's a lot of emails.  did you know that Loren from LLL Reptile has a full time employee that just answers email questions (not including orders done via internet)!!!  i thought that was pretty funny.  
Better communication, education, and better ethics are things that certainly need to be worked on in this biz--the pet stores, the brokers, and the breeders.  I'm not sure why we seem to think breeders are so much better than the other categories.  
Dana
 
Just to prove a point, I just got the following email, along with my reply back to this person:

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
I am extremely sorry that I could not bend over backwards to help you.  Did you buy those snakes from me?  If not, why to you believe I owed you any answer, even if I had the time?  The answers to your questions would have taken a LOT more time than my reply, or were you expecting a reply so simple that it WOULD have been shorter?

So please explain to me exactly why it is that I owed you any information at all.  I'm really curious.

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.

Rich Zuchowski


LISA WOODWARD wrote:

 OBVIOUSLY YOU HAD TIME TO TYPE THIS MESSAGE BUT NOT ENOUGH TIME TO ANSWER  THE MAIN QUESTION THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP I FOUND SOMEONE ELSE WHO CAN TAKE  THE TIME TO ANSWER ME!!!!

 >From: Rich Zuchowski <[email protected]>
 >To: WOODWARDLISA <EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED>
 >Subject: Re: first year breeding
 >Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 22<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>2:33 -0500
 >
 >
 >
 >WOODWARDLISA wrote:
 >
 > > I have some corn snakes that I put together and they had eggs. This is
 > > my first time breeding them and I do not really know what to do with
 > > the eggs. I have some friends that told me to put them in some
 > > fermiculite and put them in a warm place with lots of moisture. Is
 > > there anything else that I should know about taking care of the eggs?
 > > I don't know if they will turn out this is my first time doing this.
 > > Please let me know if there are any other things I should
 > > know.                                               Thank
 > > You                                                 Lisa
 >
 >Lisa,
 >
 >Unfortunately this is just a very busy time of year for me.  I have set
 >up a message board system at http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums where you
 >would likely get some answers to your questions.
 >
 >Sorry I can't be of more help, but right now I am swamped.....
 >
 >--
 >Rich Zuchowski
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

So here she asks me a multi-level question, with a followup to chime in with any other tips I could provide, that would have taken a good bit of time to explain fully.  I tried to direct her to the cornsnake forum I set up where just this very topic had been addressed recently.  But did she take my advice?  Of course not!  She would rather blast me because I didn't take the time to give her a personal answer and cater to her.  She needed the information spoon fed to her and since I wasn't willing to wield the spoon, she gets peeved at me.

So let me ask something that has been bugging me lately.  Why is it that people whom have bought their snakes from any number of other sources believe that everyone else is REQUIRED to help them when they need it?   Go buy a Chevrolet and then call the Ford factory for help with a problem you are having with your new car.  Or buy a Dell computer and call Gateway for help.  What kind of responses do you think you will get?

Granted, when we have time, most of us will be our best to help, but I'm seeing more and more instances where people not only EXPECT your help, but will slam you if you do not. They act like everyone OWES them their time and efforts just because of a similar interest.


<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
 
Rich,

A this is only my opinion and not a personal dig on you. In the factual matter that you do not owe this person anything and under any obligation to answer her you are 100% correct. A simple switch in the intent of your reply removes her reason for a nasty email back. Try this for example.

"Lisa,

I've set up a message board at http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/ so everyone can share their knowledge and experiences. I encourage you to ask your question there as this is a frequent question and I am sure their are plenty of people that want to know as well. "

Now you've taken away her "OOOH your too busy for the little guy" complaint. It's not all about you and your too busy for her, it's now about how your helping the community. Two things will happen.

a) You will get that same nasty email back (which I would have just ignored) just proving that she hasn't had proper sex this decade and blames everyone for that.

b) She will post this question on the board and get an answer (even if you have to go back when you have time and answer it yourself). This will teach her that the board is a source for information and her next two questions will go to the board instead of to you.

If she chooses option B she will also more than likely tell someone about the board which is yours so you get the atta boy. Also if she chooses option B you don't get the second email which only leaves you 497 to answer <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

It takes the same amount of time to type both replies.

In reality I don't think that hobbyists that are raising one or two animals realize the HUGE amount of time that it takes to raise the number/quality that you are raising.
 
Rich...I can't TELL YOU how many times someone has come into my store with a sick animal they bought from another pet shop (because it was A LITTLE less expensive), and then basically DEMAND that I help them?? I would help them ANYWAY! But, it's the WAY they ask?? I actually ask them (VERY politely), "I'll be HAPPY to help you, but...Why are you bringing the animal HERE?? Why don't you go to the place you bought it?"....The answer (99% of the time) is..."Nobody knew what to do?, they sent me TO YOU!" It REALLY boggles my mind! Of course....EVERY PERSON I've helped, is now MY customer!! It really DOES pay to be helpful to ANY animal.... your sale, or not!
Rich...In the scenario you mentioned...you could have easily gotten out of it (and saved face) by telling her that the info she got from the other people was correct! End of email! I don't THINK it was THAT far off, was it?? You could have been helpful in less time than it took you to say you didn't have the time??? Even though I KNOW you DIDN'T!! (have the time)!
In YOUR case, because of the ENORMITY of the emais...it might BE a good idea to put a blurb or two on your site AND in your ads addressing this problem....Neil
 
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