• 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....

Ben Siegel

yeah you guys are a real class act--top notch--i never cursed at you once--as i said i do not curse at my customers, secondly you and your husband are very mild mannered===care to tell us the story about how your husband pulled a knife on another vendor at the melbourne show--or is that not true--the officer working that show was also a liar---why dont you tell us all about that-i found it hard to beleive as he is does not seem the type to pull a knife--but that is the story i got today--good luck at future shows
 
oh yeah--how was the hotel in orlando? how are those skinny leopard geckos?--and as far as changing my ways--what a dolt--do you think i got where i am today by changing my ways?-no--i have been honest in my dealing since the get go, even 4 years ago when you tried to rip me off. I need to stop--you have proven my point for me with your nonsensical ravings. What goes around always comes around.
 
Ben,
Would you believe me if I told you Mike was Crocodile Dundee's brother in a previous life?  <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>  

To be honest, I know there was an incendent, but I do not know what happened. However, I understand that the officer settled it to the satisfaction of both parties. If you want details, you will have to e-mail Mike. But I doubt he will tell you anything.
 
I don't know what the problem is. Ben is one of the most respected dealers in the small world of reptiles. Ben I would let it go this is the only time i have ever heard of anyone having a problem with you. Me and the rest of the reptile world respect you and everthing your about and worked hard for hope to se you soon at a show.
 
so you mean to tell me your little husband pulled out a knife on another vendor at a show???--he is pretty old and that is just weird---that brings his sanity into question, but that goes right along with what i and others have been saying for years.  LADY--i am a grown man, and do many many more shows than alot of people--shows where i have physically seen people steal $400 snakes off of my tables right in front of me, caught them, and still didnt pull out a knife---i did not even pull out a snake hook.  THAT IS CRAZINESS--YOUR ADULT HUSBAND PULLED A BLADE ON ANOTHER VENDOR AT A SHOW--i do not care what happened--he is a beligerant angry person who definately needs some help--what do they call that--a napoleon complex--well he has got a bad case of that.---WELL AT LEAST YOU DIDNT DENY IT!!-i actually know the officer from the show--i beleive i sold him a snake--i will actually find out the real story from him.  Knife pulling does wonders for your guys credibility. Its like west side story but instead of the jets and the sharks its the snakes and the turtles--hey big rumble after the deerfield show-be there or be square---WHAT A JOKE
 
Esta...
you mentioned honesty.


The way I see it.  You have the product...
You had the receipt....

And you had the charges reversed.
YUP REAL HONEST


SEE YA
 
well ive only done 1 deal w/ben but it went perfect all the way around <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> ,definately a great guy to deal with and healthy animals,,,,,,, thomas davis T&Sreptile farm <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>
 
I probably do not need to keep beating this drum...BUT. Ben is a class act all the way. No ifs, ands or buts, and I would definately like to do business with him again in the future!!
 
Richie,
I will only say this one more time......so pay attention.
I had the snake, I had the receipt....

I HAD THE CHARGE PUT BACK ON MY CREDIT CARD.
BEN GOT HIS MONEY.

That might not be what most people do, but it is the honest thing to do.

KAPISH?<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>?<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
 
then why did you do the chargeback in the first place when you already had the snake??--because you did not get a receipt?--i sent you a receipt but you say it was the wrong amount so you then did a chargeback??--thats weird--you guys are weird--make sure you pull out your switchblade next time you see me.
 
Well having done business with you Ben, and with the awesome animals I received, IMO you're certainly one of the elite reptile dealers in the business.. Heck, even the other breeders out here on the West Coast speak glowingly of you, and that's pretty unheard of for an East Coast guy <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>
Just to set the record straight though, I'm the Crocodile Dundee Clone, so look out Daytona !!  
<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

Stephen Emerick
Napa Valley Snakes
 
I don't understand what all the fuss is about. I've purchased animals from both Ben & Esta... both have quality animals and I haven't had a problem with anything I have purchased from either of the two. I do all of the local shows and have seen no fuss from any of either of their costumers.

An inquiry was made to Ben's reputation in the business and it was satisfied. Mostly all good. All purchases have been made good on. The snake died 4 years ago (I guess) and a reciept was provided for that animal after the sale. No dispute was made as to the animals health. DONE DEAL... PERIOD. Let it go... this dispute is just making you look childish in other people's eyes (this is a public board, and other people view this forum WORLDWIDE). Just trying to put this in perspective.

Both are stand up businesspersons (obviously) and will back their animals 100%. I would buy from either of them again as long as their animals are up to my standards. There we have it... two inquiries in one.

No point in beating the dead. (I think I'll make that my quote)

Ray Martin
Razor Reptiles
 
Like Ray said,  This looks childish on both parties' part.  Ben was getting very good recomendations from just about everyone.  I seriously doubt that the comments made by estamike would have done the least bit to tarnish his reputaion.  I do not expect him to sit back and take it like nothing happened, but the way he has responded makes me wonder if there isn't some bit of truth to estamike's comments.
Bringing up things like the knife incident was (IMO) just stupid. It added nothing to the matter at hand and kind of looked like to me that Ben was really reaching to discredit these people.

I have only spoken to Ben once (at least I think it was him), very briefly at the Tinley Park expo last fall.  He answered a few questions about a couple of animals and I left, satisfied with the answers and the way they were provided.  I have never purchased from him.  I have considered it, but I never went about getting his wholesale price list.  Has this little incident on the BOI made me change my mind.  Probably not, I think Ben still has a solid reputation, and I may very well deal with him in the future.

All I will add is a comment to everyone that has been made many times before.  Before you make send a post (or an email), read it over and see if it represents you in the way you want to be represented.  Once it is sent, you can not get it back, and it may come back to bite you in the behind if it is misinterpreted by anyone.

Steve Schindler
Tropical Oasis
 
points well take steve and ray--i do not think that i was being very adult about, but if you had to deal with these particular customers , it would bug you too.  I brought up the knife thing just to show character. The whole thing is very stupid i agree with you guys. I am just not used to people slamming me, especially from 4 years ago and then lying about it. It just really is upsetting, as we really do go the extra mile  for our customers, even to the point of losing money on many occasions-this will be the last i speak about these two--thanks to everyone else for there positive comments.
 
I just want to say that i have done a lot of buisness with Ben, and in my opinion he is the best in the buisness! I have received nothing but top notch animals from him, and have always had the best customer service. I am a west coast person liks Steve from Napa Valley Snakes, and Bens reputation here is at the top of the buisness.

I highly recommend him to everyone I talk too!!!

Rick Steward/Ricks Reptiles
 
I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL THIS STARTED WITH FOUR LITTLE WORDS "WHATS THIS GUYS REP" IF YOU SELL AS MANY ANIMALS AS BEN, THEN YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A COMPLAINT EVERY NOW AND THEN. THIS IS JUST PART OF DOING BUSINESS WITH THE PUBLIC. I BASE MY FEELINGS ABOUT ANOTHER PERSON BY MY DIRECT DEALINGS WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL. I HAVE PROBABLY PURCHASED AS MANY ANIMALS FROM BEN AS ANY SINGLE PERSON OUT THERE. I ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING BEN AND HIS WIFE STACY AT THE ATLANTA SHOW BACK IN DECEMBER. SO AFTER BUYING MANY BOAS FROM BEN AND STACY THROUGH THE YEARS AND ACTUALLY MEETING THEM IN PERSON. I HAVE NOTHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT EITHER OF THEM. THEY ARE BOTH VERY NICE AND RESPECTABLE PEOPLE. I DO THINK THAT YOU LET THESE GUYS GET UNDER YOUR SKIN A LITTLE BEN, BUT I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND. I TOO WILL NEVER LAY DOWN AND LET PEOPLE WALK ON ME. YOU DID LOOK A LITTLE UNPROFESSIONAL WITH A FEW OF YOUR POSTS BEN, BUT I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM THERE AS WELL. KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING BEN AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO SPEAK YOUR MIND. WHEN THESE PEOPLE ARE LONG GONE, YOU AND I KNOW WHO WILL STILL BE SELLING ANIMALS.  KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND GOD BLESS.
 
sorry to have open up this "can of worms" Ben. Every dealer/broker/buiseness man has someone behind them thats looking to cause trouble, especially when it comes to the internet. I wonder if its even logical to post an inquiry about someones reputation. Lies, deceptions, and NO ONE NEVER hears ALL of the story from either side certainly gets things twisted around. Good thing you have several people here to back you up, in the case if you didn't your whole buiseness could of been given a bad name by everyone that read those post, then the rumors start to fly, even if you happen to be running a honest and will done buiseness. Every "big name" in the reptile buiseness i have heard horrible things about on the other hand several people have had great buisness with these same people over and over again. I imagine everyone is disliked by someone. Seems as though the only truth you can believe behind all these "hidden faces" on the board is unless you where directly involved or knew someone personally that was directly involved with such situations that these people had claimed against Ben. This BOI board can be helpfull in many cases but very tramatizing and detrimizing to very honest individuals/buisenesses , seperating the fact from fiction is the hard part.

Landon Pollard
 
Landon,

Actually this inquiry is exactly how it should work. You asked how he was, got back everyone's answers, and need to make a decision based on those responses (sounds like you have). It is impossible to please every customer every time (there is not 1 business out there that does that) so you have to see what the major responses are.
 
Not that it needed to be said again, but I also have purchased from Ben on a couple of occasions. Once I drove to his store when he was still in Ocala, the other purchase was at the Tampa Reptile show. Both times, I received very healthy nice looking animals. I have never had a problem with either. So, I guess in this case the majority RULES.

Dennis Gulla
 
Back
Top