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Info Backwater Reptiles

C

ChrisL86

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Location
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I recently purchased a 5 foot iguana from Backwater reptiles. I do not buy animals without seeing a picture first so I partially blame myself for this.. Either way, I wrote to Sam explaining that I would like to purchase an iguana from him, but I had two important factors; I wanted it to be somewhat tame and colorful. He told me that he cannot guarantee the tameness, which is understandable. I asked him about a picture, he sent me a picture of a gorgeous orange male that he "recently shipped out" and that all of the larger males he had were almost identical looking. I ordered, and what I received is a dull, brown, ugly iguana; nothing like the picture that he sent me. I just don't like the fact that he sent me a gorgeous picture and alluded to the fact that my iguana would like "extremely similar" to it. It is bad business, especially when I voiced my issue with him before even purchasing, stressing the fact that I wanted a colorful iguana.. I have all the emails. Im not trying to ruin his business, but the fact of the matter is that I paid 190 dollars for something that I didn't want, only because he told me that what he had left was "extremely similar" to the picture of gorgeous orange male he originally sent.. I would not classify him as a "bad guy", but definitely a bad business that obviously does not care about their customers happiness or requests..
 
Could you post the picture he sent you and one of what you received? Also, e-mails will help.
 
You should've done more research on them. They may have good prices, but you get what you pay for. When I did business with him, I asked for 2 green phase Green Red Tail Rat Snakes. I got one green phase with an RI and one silver phase that died that day. I say send it back and get a refund, these people aren't worth your trouble in my opinion.
 
Yeah well 150 for an adult green iguana is not what I consider a "great" price.. I was going on the guys word, my mistake.. Also, it is not 5 foot, about 4 and a half (I paid for the 5 foot), and I can't even handle it because it is so aggressive.. Live and learn I guess
 
Luckily, my boyfriend asked for a picture of a male red-eyed croc skink and they never got around to sending it to us. If they had, I would have bought it on the spot and probably be in the same boat. I'm weary of any breeder that cant take individual pictures. I bet the animals are in horrible conditions
 
Yes, there are numerous scars and a couple missing spikes, slight nose rub.. Like I said, I shouldn't have bought an animal that I did not see exact pictures of. It's not about the money, 190 with shipping is not going to break the bank, yet it is more time invested in my search for a tame adult male..
 
I actually looked at their site and almost purchased something from them... Thanks for posting this heads-up. It will likely save me some money and heartache.
 
Oh I realize you're not trying to hurt their business, and I respect that. However, all the other people who posted on this thread with similar stories leads me to believe that, in my opinion at least, I'd rather not take the risk. I love my reptiles very much like I love my children, and I'd be completely heart broken if one of them were to die. Even if death occurred shortly after I received the poor thing, it still would be a terrible thing to go through.

It's a good cautionary tale and hopefully most of the individuals reading it will take away the message you mentioned; always insist on seeing the actual animal you will be getting before sending money, even if you can only get pictures of the actual animal.
 
I understand your feelings, Chris. But pictures aren't the only things he's screwing up. You may not say it, but I will : Do NOT buy from this guy!!! Haven't heard a single good story yet.
 
The first picture is the picture that I received from Backwater, telling me that the others in stock were "extremely similar" to the one in the first photo. As you can see, the first iguana is a gorgeous male, near flawless, with awesome oranges (I think we all can agree). There are virtually no missing spikes, no scarring, and no nose rub. The iguana in the second two images is the iguana that I actually received. Yes, he is impressive in size, yet he is not "extremely similar" in my opinion.. He is missing some spikes, most of his spikes are broken in multiple spots, he has numerous scars (lots on his tail), and a big scab on his nose from rubbing, which opened back up and started bleeding once I put him in the cage. Not to mention he is a dull brownish-green, *not even close* to the gorgeous orange in the picture I received (yes, his dewlap is orange, but that is the only nice coloring on him. Imagine thinking that you are receiving sometime "extremely similar" the beautiful iguana in the picture, and receiving this.. You wouldn't be too happy, especially given the fact that you emailed specifically and contacted specifically to avoid this situation. All I'm saying is, I was expecting something like the first picture, due to what I was told. The second two pictures is what I actually received.. Had I seen a picture of the iguana that I was going to receive, I would not have ordered in the first place. If I wanted a scarred up, wild-caught (which he did tell me it was wild-caught when I asked him, he was honest about that, but just because it is wild caught doesn't mean that I should expect scars, missing spikes, and a huge nose scab, especially when I was told it was "extremely similar" to the beautiful iguana in the picture he sent me) I would just go to a local canal and catch a large adult on my own, as I live in South Florida **which is where the iguana shipped from, and Sam is not located in South Florida**

So....

That being said, I'll just go ahead and say it, I was lied to, because Backwater is in fact a drop shipper, and Sam had no idea what he had in stock when he told me that the rest were "extremely similar". He took a long shot, and he was wrong. ejh805 is exactly right, being that they are a drop shipping company, he never knew what was in stock, and took a long shot telling me what he did, just to make a quick sale, which I do not respect. He was honest about not being able to guarantee the tameness factor, he should've been completely honest about the color as well, he should have told me that he cannot guarantee and specifics on color as well, but he wanted to make a sale, so he went ahead and told me a lie, which was that he knew what he had in stock, when in fact he didn't.


Here are the emails (start from the bottom and read up for chronological order)...


Yes, spikes are not as uniform, many are broke, some are missing.. Not to mention numerous scars and a nose rub.. Just wanted to send this last one so you can understand a little bit better why I'm upset that I was lied to..

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 31, 2012, at 9:00 AM, Chris Lambertus <[email protected]> wrote:

Ok.. Well, you sent me a picture of a gorgeous orange, near perfect male.. I should have known that it was too good to be true, my mistake.. I do find it interesting, though, that you fail to mention anything in the email about my main concern, which was the fact that you told me that you knew what the iguanas looked like before I ordered, when you really had no idea. And I would have to disagree, I'm not just looking for an "alright" iguana, it is large, yes, impressive in size, but not color, which was one of main concerns. It's whatever, today's a new day, I'm over it.. Have a good one.

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 31, 2012, at 1:15 AM, <[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the pictures. I'm just going to have to disagree with you on this one--I do think they look similar. The spikes aren't as uniform, but you have a very impressive iguana. I'm disappointed you felt the need to denigrate us online to a certain extent, although you did so with professionalism which I respect. As a side note, yes we do drop-ship some animals, like the big iguanas, but most of the other stuff we have right here.

The guy on the BOI who said he bought an Abronia is lying--we've only sold two in our history, and they were both to a professor in CA who still keeps in touch with us. That's why most businesses don't like Fauna--anyone can post anything, and nothing is verified.

I do wish you the best of luck,

Sam
Backwater Reptiles
Fax: (512) 646-3194
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-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Backwater Reptiles Order Tracking
From: Chris Lambertus <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, October 30, 2012 5:08 pm
To: "<[email protected]>" <[email protected]>

<image.jpeg>
Picture that I received..

<image.jpeg>
<image.jpeg>
Iguana I received.. Not "extremely similar" in my opinion..

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 30, 2012, at 3:51 PM, <[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Chris,

I think this was a lesson learned on both sides. I usually tell customers who want something specific like you that they should buy elsewhere--at a local show, or local shop. I'm disappointed this didn't work out the way you had hoped--it's a lose/lose for both of us.

Sam
Backwater Reptiles
Fax: (512) 646-3194
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-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Backwater Reptiles Order Tracking
From: Chris Lambertus <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, October 30, 2012 10:52 am
To: "<[email protected]>" <[email protected]>

Dissappointed.. You told me that the iguanas you had looked like the picture you sent, the iguana I received looks nothing like the picture you sent. It is dull, brown, and ugly.. I am very disappointed with this transaction, being that I specifically wrote to you in order to get a colorful nice iguana. I will be writing a review on fauna about this.. Once again, very dissappointed..
Nearly took my finger off too.. Worst transaction I've ever done bro..

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 29, 2012, at 5:14 PM, <[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Christopher,

Your order has shipped. Here is your FedEx overnight tracking number: 5445 6970 5489

Thanks for your business!
Thanks,

Sam
Backwater Reptiles
Fax: (512) 646-3194
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Sam, I just placed my order. I decided to go with a 5 footer. I would like the most colorful, tamest one you have available please. Thank you very much

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 27, 2012, at 9:52 PM, <[email protected]> wrote:

Ok sounds good. Yes, they are wild caught in Florida.

Thanks,

Sam
Backwater Reptiles
Fax: (512) 646-3194
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-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Adult Male Green Iguana
From: Chris Lambertus <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, October 27, 2012 1:05 pm
To: "<[email protected]>" <[email protected]>

Ok.. I will place my order either tomorrow or Monday.. I would like the most colorful, tamest 4 footer please. Are these wild caught btw?

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 27, 2012, at 3:51 PM, <[email protected]> wrote:

We have babies all the way to five-footers (males), and I think we have four left.

Thanks,

Sam
Backwater Reptiles
Fax: (512) 646-3194
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-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Adult Male Green Iguana
From: Chris Lambertus <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, October 26, 2012 6:40 pm
To: "<[email protected]>" <[email protected]>

Very nice man very nice.. What size do you have left? The 4 ft or 5 ft? I would like the best looking one in your opinion.. Lemme know, and I will order

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 26, 2012, at 9:11 PM, <[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Chris,

Here's one of the large green iguana males we shipped out recently. We have about six and they all look extremely similar.

Thanks,

Sam
Backwater Reptiles
Fax: (512) 646-3194
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-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Adult Male Green Iguana
From: Chris Lambertus <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, October 26, 2012 2:45 pm
To: "<[email protected]>" <[email protected]>

I understand that you cannot guarantee.. Just due to the wide range of temperaments of green iguanas I would like to have an iguana that someone has at least judged the temperament of, especially when purchasing an adult male, which like I said I do not mind paying a little extra for, your time for my money.. Are pictures out of the question as well? Due to the wide range of colors of iguanas, especially adults, I would just like to see what I am purchasing. I would really like to give you my business, and would really appreciate if we could work something out, please work with me..

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 26, 2012, at 4:58 PM, <[email protected]> wrote:

We've got adults, but we can't guarantee any particular level of docility for obvious reasons.

Thanks,

Sam
Backwater Reptiles
Fax: (512) 646-3194
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-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Adult Male Green Iguana
From: Chris Lambertus <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, October 26, 2012 12:02 am
To: [email protected]

Your Name: Chris Lambertus

Your Email: [email protected]

Subject: Adult Male Green Iguana

Message: I am looking to purchase an adult male green iguana. I only have two requirements; must be colorful and docile. I do not mind paying extra to make this happen. Please get back to me and let me know if we could work something out. Thank you
 

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The Iguana he sent you was a wild caught SO-FLA Iguana. It is stressed and not showing the bright orange you expect. It is also mean because it is wild caught. You can handle it and get it to tame down some but, it will never be dog tame, as if you bought a baby and raised it. In anycase, since you live in SO FLA also, that is good. Get it some good FLA sunshine on warm sunny days and also, feed it hibiscus and those brazilian nuts that are growing from the trees down there. (I forget the name of the tree) but, what makes a SO FLA iguana so orange is there diet and the sun. Once it calms down and you replicate its conditions found in the wild it will become a pretty orange. Like its dulap.
Also, get it out of that WIRE cage untill it becomes more tame. It is going to push its nose on the chicken wire and beat its nose up. I have seen some where the nose and lips and part of the jaw are worn off to where you can see bone. The front of the face becomes completely flat.

Although some of the spikes are broken, the scars should start disapearing with more shedding and it has only lost most of its Orange color because it is completely stressed out... Even when they are cold they will turn a brown.. Dealing with a wild caught iguana you have to have some leeway in terms of what you receive and In defense of sam I dont think he can guarantee, or be responsible for some of the color changes and stress.. That is hard to forsee.. Be patient and try the things I mentioned. I think in a month you may be pleasantly surprised
 
I understand what you are saying.. But the fact is I was told that I would receive an iguana that was extremely close to flawless.. What I received was far from it.. Color is important to me, that's why I emailed.. Let alone color, nothing was mentioned about multiple scars, most of the spikes broken, a few missing and a nose rub.. He didn't tell me because he didn't know.. Which is another issue..
 
Yes, He probably should have said since it is wild caught it may come in with minor scarring, broken toe nails et. He could have been more upfront I agree. However, buying a wild caught Iguana I would expect exactly what you received and anything better than that would have been a plus. If he said it was Captive raised then that is another story.

Please take it out of the cage you have it in. It will tear its face apart..

Give it some natural sun and a little time and I think you will have a nice pet.
I guess what I am trying to say is that, If I ordered a wild caught Iguana I would expect it would take some time to aclimate to a new enviroment and show its color et... If a wild caught male 5 foot Iguana arrived in Perfect shape then I would consider that a miracle or not to be wild caught at all..
 
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