Bad Guy Anthony Caponetto - acreptiles.com

[Jay Sommers Reptiles]

This whole thread is rediculous.There is absolutely nothing wrong with that crested gecko.It doesn't really have an underbite(no more than any other baby Rhacodactylus).It is a textbook example of what most baby Rhacodactylus look like and they all have bulging eyes,thats what makes them cute and appealing.I would give that animal a 9 out of 10 ,so 99 bucks was quite a bargain.

Anthony, you shouldn't have agreed with her on the "slight" underbite.I know you didn't really believe it had one and you were trying to please the customer but you gave her validation. Sometimes you need to make a stand and not give an inch with certain people, otherwise it empowers them to do things like this.The OP clearly knows absolutely nothing about geckos.I wouldn't lose alot of sleep over the deal Anthony.If you are ever in a bind and REALLY need to call this lady up to make 100 bucks just call me instead I will buy a crested from you and give it to someone who really will appreciate it.

 

[Jay Sommers Reptiles]

For the OP...a little advice from someone who knows a thing or two about geckos.

If your animal has been in your possession for 5 months and is showing problems with calcium deficiency it is YOUR fault and a result of your bad husbandry.Also the shedding problems you are complaining about are a direct result of your calcium problem. Most geckos who are suffering from vit/mineral deficiencies are prone to chronic shedding problems that get worse with every shed. If you don't change your husbandry fast you will ultimately lose your animal. So fix your calcium/vitamin problem and your shedding problem will fix itself as the two are synonamous.This is not a condition that the animal had when you got it or you would have brought it up then.Also it would have died in the care of an inexperienced keeper such as yourself.A gecko as young as that crested was when you got it is doomed if it has a major defficiency and wouldn't have lived a month,let alone 5.

If you want honest practical help with your animal pm me.I guarantee I can help you.A vet,cannot.

 

[JudyC]

... After I spoke with others about what had happened, I heard that I wasn’t the only one that received a substandard animal from you during the same time period...

I'm not going to address the rest of your rant, because it's nothing but opinion, supposition, and personal attacks. But this quote right here.... Nothing but hearsay, and not even informative hearsay at that. No names, no one to back up what you say, no hint of responsibility for what you are claiming. This sounds like a child backed into a corner going, "Yeah...? Yeah...? Well...I'm not the only one!!"

 

[ThatWeirdGeckoGuy]

Courtney, you live in PA, I vend Hamburg in PA (where you probably go); bring me the gecko, and I will take it and care for it. I've been breeding cresteds for over 6 years, I've had a few 'problem children,' and I'll fix it up. I've never done business with Anthony, (though we have spoken on the phone, around 4 years ago), and my only motive here is the well being of the animal.

I won't breed anything with even the slightest issue, so no need to worry about that.

Then you'll have an informed opinion of a long term breeder, who has had the gecko in hand. Other than Anthony, but you don't believe his opinion to be valid.

Sound good?

 

[Rogue-Reptiles]

Never bought anything from AC but I did buy one of his carpet pythons from a 3rd party. I contacted Anthony and he filled me in on everything about the snake's parents and linage. In my opinion above and beyond what he had to do as a breeder. Great Guy in my book I think he's done/offered to do way more then some other people would in this situation.

-Owen McIntyre

 

[annmikeal]

This thread makes me laugh... talk about throwing a temper tantrum

 

[ajc]

Silas, Jay, Owen and everyone else - thanks for chiming in.

Courtney - I almost took the bait, but...nah, never mind.

 

[garchukks]

anthony is amazing

I have done business with Anthony many times. His products are above and beyond what I ever asked. He takes care of any problems and gives advice and help when needed. Never anything but amazing business with him

 

[SamanthaJane13]

I have done business with Anthony many times. His products are above and beyond what I ever asked. He takes care of any problems and gives advice and help when needed. Never anything but amazing business with him

I agree!!

Of all the geckos I have, the majority have come from Anthony. All arrived in perfect condition, and all have thrived! They also seem to be my best eaters and chunkiest geckos.

If it weren't for the current economy, and having to make my funds stretch farther, I would have gotten more geckos from him this year.

 

[Olimpia]

...Just as I suspected, about five months later, the wonderful under bite gecko you sent me is still showing signs of having a severe calcium deficiency.

This really does sound like your fault, Courtney. An animal doesn't get worse or more deficient magically even though you're supplementing with vitamins and minerals. Clearly, this sounds to me like you're not supplementing him, either at all or enough. Maybe he is a little special and requires more supplementing than other cresties, which is normal, not everyone's system runs the same - then you should have recognized this and upped his supplementation to compensate.

You keep saying that you're not new to cresties but it sounds like you haven't quite figured out supplementing. If I bought a chameleon from someone whose bones looked fine, and then 5-6 months in MY care started to show MBD, I would not blame the breeder. Clearly, I have not been keeping up with his calcium needs.

Anything that is happening with him now, this far into your care, sounds like no one's fault but your own.

I rescued a crestie from a pet store whose feet were all gnarled and twisted from deficiencies and stuck shed. She couldn't walk, much less climb. With high humidity, misting, and supplementing I got her walking again and living comfortably in a horizontal enclosure. She didn't get WORSE because I was taking care of her. So it sounds to me like you're not doing as much as you say you are to keep him healthy.

 

[ccourtneyj]

I didn’t realize this thread has had recent responses, so I figured I’d provide an update. The gecko I got from AC is still around and finally doing better. He is officially a she. It’s a shame she will be unable to breed, I made the purchase when I did because I figured it would be fun to buy a lovely spotted gecko from a reputable breeder that I can watch grow up and then pair her (or him) up with one of my super dalmatians. I have lots of pets. I was hoping for a gecko that would one day be able to breed, although I’m sure unfortunately there are people out there that would still breed her even though it would not be the right thing to do. It took her about 6 months to be able to climb. After she dropped her tail, the extra supplementation helped her fragile body, and she started getting better. I’m glad that other people have had successful transactions with AC, but I did not. She still has structural imperfections from her poor start in life. If I had given or sold someone a gecko and for whatever reason they didn’t want it, it is my responsibility to take it back, which is the point I was trying to make. Just like pet shops are required to do. I can say from experience that AC is not helpful. When I confronted him about my sick gecko, he mocked it and said give it food and water. My gecko was sent over night and misrouted, taking it longer to get here resulting in the gecko staying overnight in Virginia with temperatures that are entirely too high for a baby crested gecko. I don’t appreciate being told that it’s my fault, when obviously if anyone else had been in my situation and they would have received the same gecko, they’d know the truth. Can’t blame me for being upset when I received a gecko I was totally excited about and when I emailed the breeder when there was a problem, he didn’t care. I think it’s ironic that the week after I received mine, another person said they received a gecko that couldn’t climb, with a thread that wasn’t updated -

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189689&highlight=anthony+caponetto

I would never buy a gecko from AC again obviously, so I figured I’d let people know of the poor service I received. He did not honor his health guarantee. I now have much stronger views against inbreeding, especially father to daughter. I would never ship a gecko so young. AC needs to take more time in caring for his animals and dealing with customers if he wants a thriving business. I see it all too much, people begin to rely on their loving passion for profit, and things go wrong. Over breeding, inbreeding, and health problems happen. I also believe that doing shows (not only selling on the internet) is the best way to ensure that geckos you have for sale go to good homes, and then people know what they’re buying. As for the only thing I did wrong, was I used my fiery temper to try and get my point across. Definitions from dictionary.com -

Deformed – misshapened; disfigured.

Freak – a person or animal on exhibition as an example of a strange deviation of nature.

We referred to Algernon as our “deformed freak” because it was what she was. To those who know her, she’s our spokesgecko against line breeding and overproducing for profit. AC admitted her mother was probably calcium deficient from laying too many eggs, causing my gecko to have an under bite. I personally believe that situation could have been completely avoided. I’m glad that I didn’t ship her back because I would have always wondered what happened to her. She enjoys living with us, and is happy to be someone’s pet. I devote lots of time to my animals, and we’d all have it no other way.

-Courtney Jackson

 

[Ed Clark]

Bad Guy Anthony Caponetto - acreptiles.com

Anthony Caponetto - acreptiles.com is a person I will never do business with again.

He is someone that can not be trusted to send what you ordered after he is paid. he will drag it out for months after his agreed upon ship date,he will try to get you to take cresties with missing toes and missing tails after you have ordered and paid for perfect cresties.

You can pay your money and take your chances with this guy,I did and came out on the short end.

 

[Wilomn]

Anthony Caponetto - acreptiles.com is a person I will never do business with again.

He is someone that can not be trusted to send what you ordered after he is paid. he will drag it out for months after his agreed upon ship date,he will try to get you to take cresties with missing toes and missing tails after you have ordered and paid for perfect cresties.

You can pay your money and take your chances with this guy,I did and came out on the short end.

Who's the teacher and who's the student? acreptiles may well have their problems, but it seems to me that the pot is mad at the kettle here. Perhaps if you, mr. clark, cleaned your own house, some validity may be acknowledged in your opinions. However, since you seem to lie as easily as you breath, I, for one, simply do not believe a word you say.

 

[garchukks]

I want to debunk some lies given recently. First off Anthony ALWAYS honors health guarantees unless the cause is from new owner neglect. Even then he usually errs on side of caution and honors it. I have never , nor have my friends, EVER received defective geckos from him. I have had one baby die on me.. though it really was not his fault and he MORE than made up for it! He often sends extra geckos for being a frequent customer. Any concerns I have are dealth with immediately. As for Ed ... damn straight Anthony does not send geckos during weather too hot or too cold. Shame on you for asking him to do so. Courtney, from all the information presented, you seem in the wrong not him. He went far above and beyond what he should have in this case

 

[Torizazu]

I <3 ACREPTILES.

UGH. I AM OUTRAGED AT READING THIS RIDICULOUS-NESS. The poster above me absolutely could not have said it any better. Anthony is the definition of a stand up breeder and seller and this thread is nothing but his COMPETITION (hello?!?!) and a pissed off customer who seems IMPOSSIBLE to please trying their hardest to bash him, which is pathetic and completely unacceptable. Considering the facts of all these "stories", I hope hope hope hope hoooppppppe that no one takes this thread seriously. Don't listen to his lame competitors BASHING and ONE annoyed customer out of the THOUSANDS he has dealt with to form an opinion. However, here is mine on my experience with AC:

I have over 40 geckos, all ordered from ACReptiles and have never recevied anything but the most amazing, top-quailty babies from him. Clearly, his competitors are jealous, ESPECIALLY since they most likely have bought his stock before and re-sold it for a higher price, common knowledge. A friend of mine deals with Anthony on a regular basis on one occasion did have to use his warranty as he lost a gecko a few weeks after their arrival (this was not that the gecko was unhealthy when it arrived, but it could have been an issue of gecko on gecko bullying and possibly even slight dehydration)--and Anthony replaced the gecko NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Not to mention, together we have ordered HUNDREDS of geckos from him and this was the ONLY incident, and he was more than happy to make it right, even though it could have been something environmental and possibly had nothing to do with the quality of the gecko in the first place.

He values his customers and his geckos very highly, which is why I have been very hesitant to deal with anyone OTHER than him thus far. AGAIN, I have to stress that everyone should take this thread VERY lightly, as it consists of an IMPOSSIBLE customer and his COMPETITORS!!! DUH!!! That's going into a whole other level of innappropriate-ness, and lame-ness.

Plus, he is a super cool guy on top of being an outstanding business man.

 

[Torizazu]

PS, Ms. Courtney, stop saying your gecko was SICK. That is completely dramatic and over the top, just like you. Stop changing your story for dramatics please We would ALL appreciate it.

 

[bobtard]

UGH. I AM OUTRAGED AT READING THIS RIDICULOUS-NESS. The poster above me absolutely could not have said it any better. Anthony is the definition of a stand up breeder and seller and this thread is nothing but his COMPETITION (hello?!?!) and a pissed off customer who seems IMPOSSIBLE to please trying their hardest to bash him, which is pathetic and completely unacceptable. Considering the facts of all these "stories", I hope hope hope hope hoooppppppe that no one takes this thread seriously. Don't listen to his lame competitors BASHING and ONE annoyed customer out of the THOUSANDS he has dealt with to form an opinion. However, here is mine on my experience with AC:

I have over 40 geckos, all ordered from ACReptiles and have never recevied anything but the most amazing, top-quailty babies from him. Clearly, his competitors are jealous, ESPECIALLY since they most likely have bought his stock before and re-sold it for a higher price, common knowledge. A friend of mine deals with Anthony on a regular basis on one occasion did have to use his warranty as he lost a gecko a few weeks after their arrival (this was not that the gecko was unhealthy when it arrived, but it could have been an issue of gecko on gecko bullying and possibly even slight dehydration)--and Anthony replaced the gecko NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Not to mention, together we have ordered HUNDREDS of geckos from him and this was the ONLY incident, and he was more than happy to make it right, even though it could have been something environmental and possibly had nothing to do with the quality of the gecko in the first place.

He values his customers and his geckos very highly, which is why I have been very hesitant to deal with anyone OTHER than him thus far. AGAIN, I have to stress that everyone should take this thread VERY lightly, as it consists of an IMPOSSIBLE customer and his COMPETITORS!!! DUH!!! That's going into a whole other level of innappropriate-ness, and lame-ness.

Plus, he is a super cool guy on top of being an outstanding business man.

I can honestly say this is the biggest train-wreck of a post I've ever seen.

 

[Ed Clark]

There was no problems with heat or cold. I did not ask for a specific shipping date he told me I would receive the 20 lot 30 days after he received payment, he also said the geckos are already hatched that he wanted to put some size on them before he shipped.after he missed HIS shipping date I emailed asking for a refund, he then offered me all cresties with missing toes and tails, I refused the defective cresties demanding perfect cresties or a refund...couple days later I receive a box of fresh hatched babies after he told me months before that the cresties were already hatched when I sent payment.what I received was recent hatchlings averaging about a week old, I ordered specific morphs as his ad said nothing held back , his very best, orders for specific morphs welcome. he did not send what I ordered,he sent a box of low end wholesale cresties. I was very disappointed that he did not send what he said he would. he is someone that can not be trusted.

As for Ed ... damn straight Anthony does not send geckos during weather too hot or too cold. Shame on you for asking him to do so.

 

[Ed Clark]

Are you serious posting this?

My experience with Anthony was bad,very bad.he lied and would not make it right when I emailed and called him.

You have no reason to be OUTRAGED as this is not RIDICULOUS-NESS... just a very unsatisfied customer reporting a bad experience.

UGH. I AM OUTRAGED AT READING THIS RIDICULOUS-NESS. The poster above me absolutely could not have said it any better. Anthony is the definition of a stand up breeder and seller and this thread is nothing but his COMPETITION (hello?!?!) and a pissed off customer who seems IMPOSSIBLE to please trying their hardest to bash him, which is pathetic and completely unacceptable. Considering the facts of all these "stories", I hope hope hope hope hoooppppppe that no one takes this thread seriously. Don't listen to his lame competitors BASHING and ONE annoyed customer out of the THOUSANDS he has dealt with to form an opinion. However, here is mine on my experience with AC:

I have over 40 geckos, all ordered from ACReptiles and have never recevied anything but the most amazing, top-quailty babies from him. Clearly, his competitors are jealous, ESPECIALLY since they most likely have bought his stock before and re-sold it for a higher price, common knowledge. A friend of mine deals with Anthony on a regular basis on one occasion did have to use his warranty as he lost a gecko a few weeks after their arrival (this was not that the gecko was unhealthy when it arrived, but it could have been an issue of gecko on gecko bullying and possibly even slight dehydration)--and Anthony replaced the gecko NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Not to mention, together we have ordered HUNDREDS of geckos from him and this was the ONLY incident, and he was more than happy to make it right, even though it could have been something environmental and possibly had nothing to do with the quality of the gecko in the first place.

He values his customers and his geckos very highly, which is why I have been very hesitant to deal with anyone OTHER than him thus far. AGAIN, I have to stress that everyone should take this thread VERY lightly, as it consists of an IMPOSSIBLE customer and his COMPETITORS!!! DUH!!! That's going into a whole other level of innappropriate-ness, and lame-ness.

Plus, he is a super cool guy on top of being an outstanding business man.

 

[Wilomn]

There was no problems with heat or cold. I did not ask for a specific shipping date he told me I would receive the 20 lot 30 days after he received payment, he also said the geckos are already hatched that he wanted to put some size on them before he shipped.after he missed HIS shipping date I emailed asking for a refund, he then offered me all cresties with missing toes and tails, I refused the defective cresties demanding perfect cresties or a refund...couple days later I receive a box of fresh hatched babies after he told me months before that the cresties were already hatched when I sent payment.what I received was recent hatchlings averaging about a week old, I ordered specific morphs as his ad said nothing held back , his very best, orders for specific morphs welcome. he did not send what I ordered,he sent a box of low end wholesale cresties. I was very disappointed that he did not send what he said he would. he is someone that can not be trusted.

Got any proof? If not, liar liar pants on fire.

Again.

Put up or shut up, mr. clark.