mindcrash
Herp Slave
The purpose of this post is to describe the experience that I have had in dealing with Carolina Specialty Pets.
On 01/22/05 I received from this company a pair of Uroplatus phantasticus for $250, shipping included. When I opened the box I immediately smelled something foul and feared the worst, and the worst is what I got, as the animals were DOA. They were packed well other than the fact that they put in 3 heat packs, which is what I assume killed the geckos, seeing as how they are a temperate species. Immediately I called Carolina Specialty Pets @ (828)698-9302 and was told to email them pictures (which I had already done) and leave my phone number so that Joe (apparently the guy who runs the show) could call me back. On a parting note, the woman I was spoke with promised that they would "make good" on this.
Instead of calling, Joe emailed me saying that he was going to file a claim with UPS for the cost of these geckos. He also stated that in order for this claim to proceed he would have to file it stating that the damaged goods were rare orchids and they died because of damage done to the box.
In response to this email I stated that I didn't see how their claim with UPS concerned me as I should be getting my refund regardless of their dealings with UPS.
Their response to this, this time by a woman (whose name escapes me), stated that I would indeed get my refund of $250 but they need me to help them with UPS. The tone of the email suggested that unless I help them with their fraudulent claim with UPS then I wouldn't be receiving my refund. Again, this wasn't said, but I felt that it was implied. Fearing no other way to receive my refund, I agreed to help them in their dealings with UPS, but had misgivings from the beginning. I was instructed to damage the box as UPS would be arranging a time with me to pick it up to verify the claim.
All of these emails took place in the first two weeks after I received the dead animals. I have received 2-3 emails from them since then regarding the claim with UPS, but nothing in the past 3 weeks. The last time I attempted to correspond with them was on 02/12/05 in which I demanded my refund.
Here are some pictures of the dead animals:
Unfortunately, I don't believe that I have any recourse in this matter. At this point I am out $250. As I understand it, neither Paypal nor my credit card company will issue a chargeback as I have not sent the animals back, nor can I since I no longer have the dead geckos, I threw them out after about a week, thinking that I would receive my refund. Why wouldn't I think that, if that's what I was promised?
Thank you for reading,
Aaron Rames
On 01/22/05 I received from this company a pair of Uroplatus phantasticus for $250, shipping included. When I opened the box I immediately smelled something foul and feared the worst, and the worst is what I got, as the animals were DOA. They were packed well other than the fact that they put in 3 heat packs, which is what I assume killed the geckos, seeing as how they are a temperate species. Immediately I called Carolina Specialty Pets @ (828)698-9302 and was told to email them pictures (which I had already done) and leave my phone number so that Joe (apparently the guy who runs the show) could call me back. On a parting note, the woman I was spoke with promised that they would "make good" on this.
Instead of calling, Joe emailed me saying that he was going to file a claim with UPS for the cost of these geckos. He also stated that in order for this claim to proceed he would have to file it stating that the damaged goods were rare orchids and they died because of damage done to the box.
In response to this email I stated that I didn't see how their claim with UPS concerned me as I should be getting my refund regardless of their dealings with UPS.
Their response to this, this time by a woman (whose name escapes me), stated that I would indeed get my refund of $250 but they need me to help them with UPS. The tone of the email suggested that unless I help them with their fraudulent claim with UPS then I wouldn't be receiving my refund. Again, this wasn't said, but I felt that it was implied. Fearing no other way to receive my refund, I agreed to help them in their dealings with UPS, but had misgivings from the beginning. I was instructed to damage the box as UPS would be arranging a time with me to pick it up to verify the claim.
All of these emails took place in the first two weeks after I received the dead animals. I have received 2-3 emails from them since then regarding the claim with UPS, but nothing in the past 3 weeks. The last time I attempted to correspond with them was on 02/12/05 in which I demanded my refund.
Here are some pictures of the dead animals:
Unfortunately, I don't believe that I have any recourse in this matter. At this point I am out $250. As I understand it, neither Paypal nor my credit card company will issue a chargeback as I have not sent the animals back, nor can I since I no longer have the dead geckos, I threw them out after about a week, thinking that I would receive my refund. Why wouldn't I think that, if that's what I was promised?
Thank you for reading,
Aaron Rames
