Inquiry ATTENTION ANTHONY OF AC REPTILES.

[Magic Merlin]

I myself have Dial-Up and the Cell Phone gets barely any service out where I live but if I were in the middle of a deal or someone asked to speak to me on the phone, I would gladly give the numbers and arrange a time for the call to take place. Most of the time I'm online and the caller gets a busy signal but I respond promptly to E-mails or PMs when my computer doesn't throw a tantrum

Now back to the Subject at hand.. to make a deal in the middle of a situation like this doesn't look good on this seller. He's been placed on my "Do Not Buy From" List to say the least. Wish there was more we could do to help you out. Still, you've been way too patient.. Most people would have gone off the deep end by now Good Luck

Exactly!!!!!!

 

[gluttony]

Geez Kevin, feeling a little insecure and defensive? You are not a fulltime breeder and Anthony is.......he needs to have a number listed and that would solve many potential problems and misunderstandings.

You say that you list your IM on the 3 major services......well, IM is kindof like a phone call in that you can have a question and answer session to clarify any concerns.

Some hobby breeders have 2 phone lines 1 of which is strictly for hobby calls.....at least someone can leave a voicemail let you know they have a question.

Wanna know why I hate email? The tone of a person's voice can completely change the question that is being asked and you can get a better feel if someone is not being 100% honest with you.

Lastly, their is nothing stopping anyone from saying on the phone, "hey, can I call you back at a better time or I can only talk for a second."

Amen to that brother!!!!!!! If you dont have the decency to answer a phone call from a prospective buyer then you shouldnt be in the buisness.

 

[Magic Merlin]

Wanna know why I hate the phone? There is no paper trail to prove your side of the story should you need to if someone is not being 100% honest with you.

But I do see your point and will rethink my stance on listing my phone number.

Just to clarify my point, I definitely think their needs to be a papertrail of the applicable facts and their needs to be a phone conversation to hash out all the details first so that you don't have to spend hours wading through lots of back and forth emails.

 

[Southern Wolf]

Amen to that brother!!!!!!! If you dont have the decency to answer a phone call from a prospective buyer then you shouldnt be in the buisness.

Because I dont want to side track this thread anymore... Im sending you a PM

 

[akonitony]

Tune in tomorrow for the continuing story of wattup wit AC? Will Anthony answer his emails? Will his business survive until then? Will there be any info given on the transaction in question, or will we have to wait for that another day, or two, or three...? We'll find out! Same bat-forum, same bat-website, same bat-thread, different bat-day!

 

[gluttony]

Mistake

In my previous post I highlighted to far up, I did not mean for the post to be directed at Kevin. The comment was in general. Again im sorry Kevin

 

[Talkenlate04]

Wanna know why I hate the phone? There is no paper trail to prove your side of the story should you need to if someone is not being 100% honest with you.

But I do see your point and will rethink my stance on listing my phone number.

I can see both sides of the fence on the phone number issue. I personally don't list mine anymore. The few weeks I did list it I had a few crazies come out of the woodwork (including a psycho x girlfriend from the Marines) that was fun let me tell you! I won't list my number like that again, but I will offer my phone number to individuals that are doing a complicated trade or purchase with me, or even to someone that I get a good vibe from. Most of the time I can tell if someone might be a problem child just from their email communications.

 

[Shadera]

Anthony has known about his email issues for a long time. And has done zero about them. Yet when people complain about it, they're pretty quick to be jumped on. Ol Anthony is pretty quick to threaten lawsuits for BOI threads too.

Enough is enough Anthony. Fix the issue. Stop hiding behind the big name and watching while your fans defend you. There will come a point where the quality of your customer service will override the sales of your animals.

 

[Abby]

I can see both sides of the fence on the phone number issue. I personally don't list mine anymore. The few weeks I did list it I had a few crazies come out of the woodwork (including a psycho x girlfriend from the Marines) that was fun let me tell you! I won't list my number like that again, but I will offer my phone number to individuals that are doing a complicated trade or purchase with me, or even to someone that I get a good vibe from. Most of the time I can tell if someone might be a problem child just from their email communications.

Not to derail this thread... But I also don't list my number anywhere on the internet anymore. I used to when I bred rabbits and goats, but these days I've realized it is more of a hassle than anything. Too many weird people come out of the woodwork and most just want to waste your time. A lot of the time callers (in my experience, anyway) want to talk on the phone because they think it will be easier to talk your price down extremely low. My schedule prevents me from being awake in the day time anyway so it would be pointless to have my phone number listed anywhere. I answer my emails very quickly on a daily basis, it works better than phone IMO because you have every word written in one place to look back on. I'll admit I have a bit of a phone phobia as well, so that doesn't help It doesn't make me a bad guy. I don't care if I lose a couple sales over it because people NEED to talk. I don't, and I'm not so desperate that I'm going to change my ways. I've noticed I'm not the only reptile person who feels that way either

I hope AC gets back with you soon. I tried setting up a deal with him once before to no avail because of his lack of response. That to me is a red flag so I went looking elsewhere. Not saying he's a bad guy but there are too many other people out there who will answer my emails to sit around dealing with someone who doesn't.

 

[Talkenlate04]

Well Anthony finally got in touch with me this morning. Things are far from over though and still stand a chance at going south. I'll keep this updated.

From: Anthony Caponetto <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tue, July 27, 2010 3:24:40 AM
Subject: Re: Inquiry from ACReptiles.com Online Store

Ryan,

I'm sorry man - I've been extremely busy with breeding season...I tried to staff up going into the summer, but I've had trouble getting help that will show up on a regular basis (I've fired two already). I actually did try to email you, but it may have been from my iPad, which wasn't sending outgoing messages there for a few weeks (had it set up wrong). I will absolutely replace that gecko, but I would appreciate if you would post a follow up to your "inquiry" on Fauna.

Please send me the order number so I'll know what we're replacing (I'm thinking a female red or red dalmatian?). It's over 90 here tomorrow and wednesday, so shipping will be unlikely this week, just FYI.

Thanks,
Anthony

 

[akonitony]

Sounds fair to me. I don't know Anthony or anyone else here, but I do like his name. In defense of breeders, a good friend of mine is one down here in Florida. While I used to work for him many moons ago, and did so for about 7 years, I have told him recently if he needs my help he cannot pay me - mainly due to the fact I have enough money and he is struggling a little, but won't admit it, with a new store he has opened. I would be more than happy to volunteer help for the guy just to give him a little time off. His day usually consist of waking up around 0500, feeding his various beast and cleaning cages, enclosures, then hopefully getting to his store in time to open before a line forms. After he puts in 10 to 12 hours there, and this is 6-7 days per week mind you, he goes back home to feed his buddies and clean some more cages, pens and enclosures until that is done. Every once in while he manages to sleep a little over 4 hours per 24-hour period, but that is a rarity for sure. On top of all this, he is outstanding at what he does - taking care of one customer after another with even the silliest problems that they could have easily solved, but he never complains, just identifies the solution.
Anyway, as most people who have chosen this line of work will attest, there are no days off, the pay is ok, but you never get a chance to enjoy it with no days off, finding good, reliable help is like pulling hen's teeth, and for the most part, a leopard gecko here, or a non-prize serpent there is not a significant difference to replace, so I seriously doubt Mr. AC there was trying to dodge a bullet. More than likely he has been putting out one fire after another, and when all the fires are prioritized, the little ones are the last to be extinguished. Personally, I think the guy may have a screw loose (no offense), because when you consider the hours for the pay, anyone who would voluntarily elect to get into this business has to be at least half-a-bubble-off... and yes, I know money isn't everything, but when it aint there, it sure can be missed, and when you are already missing basic things like sleep, well, I think you get the point.

 

[ajc]

Well Anthony finally got in touch with me this morning. Things are far from over though and still stand a chance at going south. I'll keep this updated.

I have to say, Ryan - this isn't exactly what I'd call an "inquiry". But yeah, thanks for not posting a bad guy thread.

I got busy and didn't follow up..that's the most embarrassing part of this whole thing. I don't understand this either...why would you not explain the situation about the gecko?

Go ahead, man - post a link to the two videos and let's see what everyone thinks.

 

[DAND]

I have to say, Ryan - this isn't exactly what I'd call an "inquiry". But yeah, thanks for not posting a bad guy thread.

I got busy and didn't follow up..that's the most embarrassing part of this whole thing. I don't understand this either...why would you not explain the situation about the gecko?

Go ahead, man - post a link to the two videos and let's see what everyone thinks.

And the plot thickens.....

 

[ajc]

Those are some good points Brian.......it took 20+ emails to "motivate" him to resolve all of my confusion and issues with our transactions......all of which could have been avoided with 1 15 minute phone call......my number was listed on every single email with a request that he call.....he could have easily blocked his number and called and I would have been happy. Bottom line is that this is not an isolated issue.....it happens over and over again and most are too afraid of the negative reprecussions of posting a BOI thread on him.

I'm not going to derail this thread, but dude - you are an idiot and I told you quite clearly that you'll never buy another gecko from me again.

A. You tried pressuring me to ship in sub zero weather...not caring about whether the geckos died in transit. And I think you wanted a Thursday shipment for Friday arrival if I remember right.

B. On shipping day you tell me you have no food for your new geckos, and asked me to throw some free gecko diet in the box - and then you had the nerve to complain that I didn't do it. So not only did you not care about shipping the geckos in freezing weather, you didn't even have food for the damn things.

C. When the geckos got there, you said one was missing and insisted that I send you a $32 bag of gecko diet instead of the $27.50 refund. I still think you were full of it, but I sent the refund anyway didn't I?

 

[ajc]

Amen to that brother!!!!!!! If you dont have the decency to answer a phone call from a prospective buyer then you shouldnt be in the buisness.

It has nothing to do with decency and everything to do with running a business that makes a profit - and by profit, I mean money for me to feed myself and my animals and pay my bills. I'm not a rich man by any means and I work harder, longer hours than 90% of the people on here, that I can guarantee you.

I actually had a phone line installed and then changed my mind before I ever hooked a phone up to it. Here's why...

1. I'm a reptile breeder, not a pet store. This means a couple of things. First, I'm not selling waterfalls and vibrating food dishes to supplement my income...everything I sell has to be cared for. Not only everything I sell, but also all of the breeders, future breeders, babies that aren't ready to sell, etc. This means we have more labor and no income from dry goods (which don't have to be watered, fed or cleaned unlike my "inventory").

2. Email, for an online business at the mercy of credit card companies, PayPal and the BOI, is the only way to make sure you have proof of what was said. With phone calls, everything gets turned into a "He said/She said" bout. Look at my post on here about Paul Moody (sleaze bag from Hell) if you want to see what that's like.

3. Call me a jerk, but I don't have time to explain how to keep crested geckos (or whatever) two dozen times a day on the phone, and that's exactly what about 50% of people do as soon as they get on the phone with a well known breeder. I can appreciate the fact that customers deserve to get care information from the breeder they're buying from, and that's why I've spent hundreds of hours writing articles and caresheets and designing my websites. As much as I would like to talk to everyone on the phone, I have done it in the past and I simply don't have time for it. And don't get me started on the people who just call to ask questions and have no intention of ever buying anything. Again, it would be nice if I could spend a half hour talking to these folks, but the reality is that I just can't.

4. 90% of the animals I sell are less than $75 and I bet half are less than $30. This means I have to produce and sell a LOT of them, so you can't compare me to the guy who produces a hundred chondros or ball pythons out of his basement. If I were getting several hundred dollars per animal and/or didn't have an overhead, I could afford to hire and train a staff of gecko experts.

 

[ajc]

I am reminded of my dealings with Anthony.....the only breeder I know who does not list a phone number......I should have taken the red flag before dropping 2k+.

I just realized - I told you to piss off back in December and then you emailed me asking me to sell you more geckos just this past April. If I'm so bad, why did you want to buy from me again?

 

[ajc]

Anthony has known about his email issues for a long time. And has done zero about them. Yet when people complain about it, they're pretty quick to be jumped on. Ol Anthony is pretty quick to threaten lawsuits for BOI threads too.

Enough is enough Anthony. Fix the issue. Stop hiding behind the big name and watching while your fans defend you. There will come a point where the quality of your customer service will override the sales of your animals.

Looks like my whole fan club is here except for Mark Vitelli.

Shadera - Do I smell sour grapes because I won't sell to you either?

Just like Jason Pahl - you acted like a jerk, I told you so and after you thought about what I said, you still wanted to buy my geckos!

If I'm such a horrible person to deal with, why on earth would you come crawling back asking me to sell you geckos?

Do you people really think I'm not going to remember your names (or save those emails)? I might do a lot of business, but I can still remember those 1-in-1,000 customers.

Just FYI - this is the same woman who, about a year ago, got caught red-handed fibbing in her posts on here about me when I posted a screenshot to prove she was embellishing.

 

[Shadera]

I never came back wanting geckos. Show that please, Mr. Caponetto. In my recollection, it was YOU leaving a voicemail on my cell phone wanting to be pals after all that.

And your fib you supposedly caught me in was my being mistaken on exactly when something happened. It wasn't done maliciously, it was a mistake on my part, which I admitted to. How's that a fib?

And the bigger question is, Mr. Caponetto, what does ANY of all this trashing the people who have had bad dealings with you have to do with the FACT that you can't answer an email? Sour grapes indeed, my friend.

 

[gluttony]

re

I believe that after a purchase is made ANY seller should provide his phone# for various reasons. The Email paper trail is by all means important if you spend half of your life online or posting on this site. The funny part is that you frequent other sites and can pm people or get pmed but you dont have the time to answer a call... Do you text?- id rather text than talk over the phone- you could say thats a pm and you can save it if you r paranoid about that kind of thing...I guess thats the difference between a breeder and someone who aspires to be. All I have to say that is if I pay you, I expect quality service, even if it means talking over the phone. Just like im sure on those late nights playing with your Ipad you didnt see this thread or didnt hear about it from someone either all of a sudden your posting your little heart out. Thank god im not into lizards, good luck with your "buisness".

 

[ajc]

I never came back wanting geckos. Show that please, Mr. Caponetto. In my recollection, it was YOU leaving a voicemail on my cell phone wanting to be pals after all that.

And your fib you supposedly caught me in was my being mistaken on exactly when something happened. It wasn't done maliciously, it was a mistake on my part, which I admitted to. How's that a fib?

And the bigger question is, Mr. Caponetto, what does ANY of all this trashing the people who have had bad dealings with you have to do with the FACT that you can't answer an email? Sour grapes indeed, my friend.

Here you go...

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Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
(magickalmorphs@****.com) on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 11:06:51
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

name: Shadera Lorrain

comments: Hi Anthony,
I tried contacting you a while back after you'd called and left a message, but hadn't been able to get hold of you. I don't know if it was failed email again, or if you aren't speaking to me and I only got the notification of the message after the fact.

Am I still on the 'won't sell to' list? I'm tired of dabbling in substandard geckos that are a dime a dozen and am interested in getting into that cream/pinstripe project..

Shadera