Chris Johnson and Top Shelf Exotics A++++

[Chris@TSE]

Because the option is DISABLED. It does not promt us to allow or deny a read receipt, thats the entire point. ALL messages requesting a read receipt are delivered as normal messages and do not promt such an option for the user who reads them. Fact remains no such emails were recieved, they are floating somewhere in cyberspace or they were caught by a spam\junk filter and were deleted. Our junk folders are emptied nearly daily so I cannot tell if your messages ended up there or not, I wish I could check for you. We have to delete them dailt though or else our email clients lag like hell, we get tons of emails daily and even more junk and spam

 

[Dan Scolaro]

Tosha:

This email thing is cry baby stuff. If you email someone (and I mean anyone), and they do not reply in time to your satisfaction, then if it is important enough, revert from anger to common sense and pick up the phone and call them.

You cannot wait until months later to make such an unfounded and silly remark. How old are you?

You mentioned you have some flavor or air for how he should run his business in this "business world" after making remarks like that. And after he did good business with you. Come on?

Sounds to me like your agenda here is aimed wrong. If you "really" wanted a snake he had, then you would have picked up the phone if you received no response after the FIRST email and then spoke to him personally about how concerned you were about his response time, or at least offered him the courtsey to explain to you that he has other employees doing this for him, and your request may have not been received or filtered, or overlooked.

 

[nicolai]

Another great transaction!!!!

I just completed my second transaction with "top Shelf" (chris) and once again everything went perfectly. great communication,service and excellent animals!!!
Everytime I order from him I get better then what I expected out of the deal. Not only did they answer my emails but they called to make sure i would have someone available to receive shipment on a certain day, emailed to let me know they shipped, gave me the tracking number and he even called to make sure the animals came in and they were OK. To me thats great customer service. I will be buying from him many many more times.

 

[lizfortune]

Well, here is my .02. I had a similar experience as Tosha in which I was interested in a species that Chris had and sent him an email requesting information regarding the animals. After no response and a couple days later, I sent him another response and then followed up with a phone call that resulted leaving a message on an answering machine. After a week went by with no response, I repeated the above requests a couple times during the SECOND week, then the THIRD week. At the end of the third week or during the fourth week, I was pretty blunt and to the point and stated that I was no longer interested in doing business with somebody who obviously was not responsible or courteous enough to return my emails (at least 6-8) or phone calls (probably 4-6).

Lo and behold, all of a sudden, I get an email response cussing me out for being rude with my messages and emails (I had suggested that their lack of responses was unprofessional and rude and that I would appreciate somebody returning my calls/emails as I had been waiting for some time to buy the animals he was advertising) and telling me to go **** myself!! (something to the effect)

He apparently was on vacation for over three weeks and had NOBODY monitoring calls or emails for him and apparently assumed that I was supposed to know that.

This was my experience regarding Top Shelf Exotics and I don't think Tosha deserved to get blasted like she did for expressing her dissatisfaction with Chris and his company. She might have used a few harsh words (which was in anticipation of getting blasted... gee I wonder why she thought that?) but I can understand her frustration as I waited patiently for over THREE WEEKS for a response and then the attempt was to turn it back on me for being rude on the messages. I own three businesses and I don't treat ANYBODY like that as I feel it is unprofessional and rude. If he was unavailable for OVER THREE WEEKS, it would have been a good idea to change his answering machine message and/or list it on his website or set up a automatic return email indicating he would be unavailable for the specific dates or have somebody scan your emails and phone calls as you still have a responsibility to not just blow people off for a month.

This thread is supposed to be about Chris and Top Shelf Exotics. I am sure that Tosha nor ANYBODY ELSE does everything perfectly and if she or anybody so chooses to call after not getting any responses on the email, that is HER choice. That does not negate Chris' failing to respond to her. The first step that was broken was by Chris by not answering the email.

Chris, for you to call somebody a liar, who is stooping down to a lower level?? And that was one of YOUR CUSTOMERS??
She simply criticized you for not returning your emails which you admitted!!

I saw somebody's quote, something to the effect, "If you want to see somebody's true integrity, see how they treat somebody they will gain nothing from."

I for one will not do business with Chris or Top Shelf Exotics.

Now let's see how we turn this on my shortcomings.

Brian

PS I agree with the person who stated that "not getting emails returned is minor", but it still shows if somebody is being responsible or not (which is what this thread is about) and I feel it is unfair to blast Tosha just because she expressed her dissasatisfaction with Chris and his company.

 

[Jim O]

Brian,

I took issue with Tosha's "self proclaimed BOI Nazi" comment and I still do. That was rude and not called for.

I understand that the term "Nazi" has (regrettably) become a commonly used colloquialism but using it as an expletive directed at a specific individual is not justified, and certainly not for not returning a few e-mails. And when Tosha "retracted" it she only retracted the "proclaimed" part, not the "Nazi" part. Rude and inexcusable.

 

[Chris@TSE]

Well you'll have to excuse me but I do not know what you are talking about, and I wish I was able to take a three week vacation!!

Whom did you speak with? I find it VERY hard to believe anyone would have cussed you out for no reason, and I find it IMPOSSIBLE that I or anyone who represents what I've worked for would tell you to **** yourself.

I am VERY interested in hearing the details about this, you can call me monday morning if you like. I'll be available after 11am.

 

[Chris@TSE]

BTW, whats the number you called from and your email address? I'd like to go through and bring up these emails you said you had sent us, and I would also like to check our toll free system to see if there is record of your incoming calls.

 

[Chris@TSE]

And as for Tosha...

"She simply criticized you for not returning your emails which you admitted!!"

Please read more carefully, This was all explained in detail in previous posts yet you apparently skimmed through or did not understand. I never admitted to not returning Toshas emails, I had stated there have been incidents in the past when various emails have not been returned. There is no possible way we could always return every single inquiry we receive. Some are ignored for obvious reasons, I’m sure some get kicked by spam or junk guards, and some we simply miss. These things happen. As for this specific scenario I stated that the most recent emails she had sent were not received or possibly picked up in a spam\junk filter. I suggest reading the above again in its entirety.

 

[lizfortune]

Jim,
I also disagreed with her wording which was the part I was referring to when I said she was a bit harsh. I think to use those words for anything less worse than the Holocaust is a little over dramatic.

Chris,
It was either you or one of your staff as the individual who was responding to emails sent to your website address. The phone number as well as the email address would have been the ones on your website approximately January, 2004.
And, if you did not go on vacation, that would imply that somebody that represents you or your company lied to me. As an owner, I would be VERY concerned with that. If you genuinely would like to discuss this with me to get specifics, I would be more than happy to go over it with you. The below number is my cell. You can call me anytime.

I don't remember my email address as it was 15 months ago and I have had my current one for too long, but the phone number I was calling from was: 520-404-1142. That would be interesting that you would have my emails from 14 months ago, I would like you to teach me your record keeping!!

And I stand corrected on the "admitting you didn't return emails" as a general statement and not referring to her. Personally, I would have taken full responsibility for not returning her emails regardless if I felt I did or not, ESPECIALLY if I had done that before and she was a previous customer AND she was in good standing. Whatever happened to the saying "the customer is always right"?

Brian

 

[lizfortune]

And, if you did not go on vacation, that would imply that somebody that represents you or your company lied to me.

Chris,
Small correction: That should read, "And, if you did not go on vacation, that would MEAN that somebody that represents you or your company lied to me."

Sorry
Brian

 

[Chris@TSE]

It was either you or one of your staff as the individual who was responding to emails sent to your website address.

Well if it did happen you can rest assured it will be dealt with. I do find it hard to believe, but without evidence I must give your remarks the benifit of the doubt and I'll do my best to get to the bottom if it. I would just hope you're not yanking my chain here.....

The phone number as well as the email address would have been the ones on your website approximately January, 2004.

Well, this explains things in a better light. Thank you. I was under the impression that this was something recent. Back around that time (early 04) I had a kid here helping us out part time, his responsibilities included updating our php based shopping cart & website and answering sales emails. He was a computer savy "dork" you could say with a very impulsive interest in reptiles. Although not very experienced in actual husbandry and care, his experience with computers made up for it and he was willing to learn. I gave him a shot. Unfortunately as many people in this industry learn, not all help works out.

I am nearly CERTAIN that this is the individual you corresponded with. He turned out to be more trouble than he was worth and his "employment" did not last very long. He was named in a VERY similar incident with a long time customer and was warned once, then he was caught stealing. He was sent on his way mid 2004 and then a few months later we decided just to give in and have a professional handle the re-design of our web site. I could no longer do it myself and I had no other "computer savy" individuals on hand to assist me. By December Allison from moonlit took on the task and did a wonderful job. Thats pretty much it in a nutshell.

I must say, I do thank you for brining this to light. I am horribly sorry that this happened. I do want you to know though the situation was handled and even though this situation was not brought to my attention until now you are still owed an apology. I do sincerely hope you accept and wish you do not hold the actions of such an individual against us in the future.

That would be interesting that you would have my emails from 14 months ago, I would like you to teach me your record keeping!!

It's quite simple really:

Microsoft Outlook + Auto Archive Feature + DVDR Backup = Fairly accurate Records

And I stand corrected on the "admitting you didn't return emails" as a general statement and not referring to her. Personally, I would have taken full responsibility for not returning her emails regardless if I felt I did or not, ESPECIALLY if I had done that before and she was a previous customer AND she was in good standing. Whatever happened to the saying "the customer is always right"?

I tried desperately to locate the emails she said she sent us. I could find her early ones with little to no effort, as well as our replies. And for the life of me, not ONE recent email. I just cannot admit guilt when I have done nothing wrong. A personality flaw I guess. If I would have found even ONE of the recent emails she speaks of I would have been MORE than willing to apologize, even if it showed we did send a reply and she did not get it for some reason, I'm fairly open to the whole "customer is always right" train of thought, but I do believe lines should not be crossed either. Either way it is quite trivial, and I am sorry she feels the way she does. I just hoped she would have thought logically about it. If we sold to her previously what would possibly make her think we were not willing to do so again? Saying things like we were preoccupied with more important customers or calling me a nazi is also out of line. I'm sure if you think about it you could understand my stance on this matter, but I do appreciate your opinion and agree somewhat.

 

[Chris@TSE]

Chris,
Small correction: That should read, "And, if you did not go on vacation, that would MEAN that somebody that represents you or your company lied to me."

Sorry
Brian

No worries,m thats nothing in comparison to some of my typos or slips....

 

[Chris@TSE]

No worries,m

SEE!


Jeeez, I need to go to bed..... lol

 

[lizfortune]

SEE!


Jeeez, I need to go to bed..... lol

Chris,


Benefit of doubt goes both ways. I would say... Very professional response.

Appreciate and accept the apology and sorry you got stuck with such a smuck!!

Brian

 

[lizfortune]

Chris,
I have a couple questions regarding the guy you fired. During that period, was he the ONLY person to answer your emails AND your telephone messages? That seems very strange. Also, in January of 2004, was your personal phone number on your site or was the phone number located at a business?

Thanks and appreciate your time in trying to clear this up.

Brian

 

[Chris@TSE]

Chris,


Benefit of doubt goes both ways. I would say... Very professional response.

Appreciate and accept the apology and sorry you got stuck with such a smuck!!

Brian

Thank you.

Chris,
I have a couple questions regarding the guy you fired. During that period, was he the ONLY person to answer your emails AND your telephone messages? That seems very strange. Also, in January of 2004, was your personal phone number on your site or was the phone number located at a business?

Not the ONLY person, but the great majority would have been answered by him at the time. I know I was vacationing in part of January, but it was not for three weeks. So I do believe at some point you were lied too. If I remember correctly it was more like a week and a half, and the brunt of the emails would have probably fallen on his shoulders at that time.

Also, the number listed has been there for quite some time. Before that it was a nextel number but I do believe that was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy before your inquiry. In fact The last time those numbers were posted was probably back in 02.

Thanks and appreciate your time in trying to clear this up.

Brian

No problem! You can always shoot me a direct mail to [email protected]. I'll be around later this evening to check up here.... Busy day!

 

[lizfortune]

Chris,
Fair enough. Again, appreciate the response and it's good to know what that was related to. I received probably 3 emails cussing me out and literally taunting me after the initial one I received. I'm glad you were able to get rid of him before causing any more damage.

As far as Tosha goes, if she SAYS she sent numerous emails, I would give her the benefit of the doubt. Even if you can PROVE that she didn't send as many as she says she did, you could write that off as an exageration (??) or like she said, if you have 3-4 employees, is it possble some of them were deleted?? I would be hard-pressed to call anybody a liar unless it was regarding something pretty serious. IMHO.

Chris,
As far as you and I go, I guess we start anew. Have a good day!

Brian

 

[Chris@TSE]

No problem, you were owed an explanation and an apology. It's my pleasure, I just wish you would have told me sooner!

Have a great afternoon!

 

[daniel1983]

I just had to add that I also had an unanswered email about a month ago. Not that big of a deal though. I had only sent one email (not like I sent 10) before I purchased a ball python elsewhere. Chris is still a good guy in my book

 

[Chris@TSE]

Well now that things are looking to be caught up I do not believe missed correspondence should be much of an issue in the future...