CMG/Chris Guida/Bad guy

[DThomas]

So he shipped your snakes through the USPS?...Nice one.

 

[kenny scott]

Cmg- Good Deal Gone Bad

Hey guys....Chris Guida seems like a super super nice guy, until he gets your money. He is helpful, kind, talkative, and more than happy to give you advice, until he gets your money. He will guarantee your product all day long, until he gets your money. I hope to God that I am wrong, and that maybe the tradgedy that has supposedly befallen Chris really is the reason that his business is suffering. But his business is suffering! You have to back your word, buddy. The worst part of this, is not the possible loss of the $2000.00 I paid Chris for my hets with no paperwork (SUPRISE SUPRISE), but the bad name that it gives people that deal hets everywhere. It makes it hard for the honest little guy that is struggling to get his own business going. His bad business will contribute to all dealers alike losing business, unless you are Kevin McCurley, Tom Carlton, Bob Clark, or Mike Wilbanks. These guys are expensive, but they are honest. I learned my lesson. I just bought a pair of het for pieds with Tom Carlton for $4000.00, to cover my back after not receiving paperwork for months from Chris. There is a simple rule of thumb here, which I obviously ignored...IF THE DEAL SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE< IT PROBABLY IS. I am not stating that this is a definate. I haven't bred the guys yet, but reading these other posts really scares me. I have every e-mail that transpired between Chris and I. I have copies of the Postal Money Orders which state "Guaranteed 100% het for pieds". If these guys do not prove out, this could will be a federal offense. . . Let it be understood by everyone, that these are not second hand snakes. Chris claims to have bred these snakes himself in his e-mails, and even sent me pictures of the Pied father, on the cover of a reptile magazine. Chris cannot try to ruin my credibility, although I have seen him do this with others. I have been a member of this forum since 2002, and never have anything bad to say about anyone. I would not say anything bad about chris, unless I believed it to be true. If I am wrong, please forgive me Chris....but send me my paperwork with the notorized pictures, and I will withdraw everything negative I have said.

-Kenny
[email protected]
972-567-2974

 

[silvano_06095]

Yeah, no kidding. Even worse, he shipped them "overnight" when the postal service would be shut down the next day.

He Obviously cares a great deal about his animals.

</sarcasm>

 

[DThomas]

He Obviously cares a great deal about his animals.

</sarcasm>

And the legalities of his actions.

 

[CMGREPTILES]

FIRST OF ALL ELLEN TRUTH? YOU MEAN YOUR SIDE OF THE STORY DONT YOU? I MADE EVERY EFFORT TO CLOSE OUR DEAL WHEN I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT TOTALLY DIFFERENT SNAKES TO AMEND THE DEAL. YOU WANTED TO BE PICKY AND HARD TO DEAL WITH OVER IT WHEN YOU COULD HAVE JUST AS EASILY HAD ACCEPTED THE ANIMALS ALONG TIME AGO AND DECIDED THEN IF THEY WERE WHAT YOU WANTED AT THE TIME OR NOT BUT NO YOU WANTED ME TO SEND PICTURES UPON PICTURES WHEN I HAD ALREADY SENT THEM TO YOU AND I SENT MORE THAN 2 PICTURES. AND KENNY I NEVER DID A DISSAPEARING ACT. I TALKED TO YOU OVER THE PHONE FOR HOURS BOTH BEFORE THE TRANSACTION AND AFTER THE TRANSACTION. SOMETIMES FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS AT A TIME. ALSO I HAVE NOT RECIEVED AN EMAIL FROM YOU IN OVER 2 MONTHS. AND YES I IMPORT ALOT OF ANIMALS EACH YEAR BUT I AM NOT ABOUT TO SELL YOU IMPORTS AND TELL YOU THEY ARE SOMETHING ELSE. THOSE ANIMALS ATE LIVE FOR ME WITHOUT HESITATION. AS FAR AS THE SPIDER DEAL WE WERE GOING TO DO WITH YOUR RETICS THE SPIDER WAS COMING FROM THE SAME PERSON THAT YOU ENDED UP DEALING WITH ANYWAYS SO YOU GOT THE SAME RESULT. HE WAS GOING TO TRADE ME THE SPIDER BUT I DIDNT WANT TO PUT OUT THE CASH THAT HE WANTED ME TO AD.EMAIL ME YOUR ADDRESS AND I WILL SEND THE PAPERS OUT TOMORROW WITHOUT HESITATION. AND BACK TO ELLEN I HAD NO IDEA THAT THE POST OFFICE WAS CLOSED TODAY UNTIL YOU HAD SAID SOMETHING AFTER THE FACT. AND THE REASON I DID NOT GO INTO MORE DETAILS OVER OUR DEAL WAS SIMPLE. I HAVE ALREADY BEEN CRUCIFIED ON HERE OVER THIS THAT WHAT GOOD WOULD COME OUT OF ME GOING INTO DETAIL? NONE. PEOPLE WILL BELIEVE WHAT THEY WANT AND TRASH PEOPLE OVER CRAP. IF I WAS GOING TO RIP YOU OFF YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER HEARD FROM ME AGAIN. THE ANIMALS I SELL ARE THE REAL DEAL AND IM NOT GOING TO PUT MYSELF OUT THERE AND STAND BEHIND AN ANIMAL IF IT ISNT THE REAL DEAL. THIS HAS BECOME A SHOOTING GALLERY AND THERE HAS TILL THIS POINT OF TIME BEEN ONE SIDED STORIES. THERE ARE PEOPLE ON FAUNA THAT HAVE THEIR OWN OPPINIONS AND THAT IS FINE BUT IF YOU HAVENT DEALT WITH ME THEN SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND STAY OUT OF IT. LOOK AT THE POST A FEW MONTHS AGAO OVER THE ALBINO DEAL. THAT WAS TOTALLY THE FAULT OF THE ONE ACCUSING ME AND WAS PROVEN ON HERE OVER AND OVER BUT WHO CAUGHT ALL THE BACKLASH? ME AND THAT WAS BECAUSE THE ONE WHO STRIKES FIRST IS THE RIGHT ONE WITH THIS KIND OF FORUM. ALSO IF NYOU THINK I AM GOING TO SET ASIDE THE FEELINGS OF MY FAMILY AND THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON WITH THE DEATH OF A FAMILY MEMBER WHICH I HAVE BEEN TOTALLY VOCAL ABOUT HERE FOR ANYTHING ELSE YOU HAVE ANOTHER THING COMING. FAMILY FIRST BUSINESS SECOND. IM SORRY IF YOUR 300.00 IS NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN MY FAMILY BUT WHATEVER. BUT REMEMBER YOU HELD ME OFF FROM SHIPPING THE SNAKES TO START WITH. BUT LIKE I SAID YOU HAVE ALREADY LABELED ME. SO SAY WHAT YOU WANT AND WHEN THE ANIMALS THAT I HAVE SOLD BOTH VISUALS AND HETS PROVE THEMSELVES I WANT APOLIGIES. I DONT THINK I WILL GET ANY BUT IT WOULD BE NICE. AND I HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF HET PROBLEMS ON HERE IN THE PAST FROM PEOPLE THAT HAVE NEVER POSTED A VISUAL ANIMAL BEFORE BUT ONLY HETS. I HAVE SOLD PIEDS,ALBINOS,SPIDERS,CARAMELS, ETC OVER KS FOR ALONG TIME AND SELL ALOT OF HIGH END STUFF SO IF THE ONLY DOUBT IN MY HETS ARE THE PAPERWORK ISSUE THAN SO BE IT BUT IF I SELL THE VISUALS AND PRODUCE THE VISUALS DONT YOU THINK ITS POSSIBLE I MAY HAVE HETS AS WELL? HMMMMMMMMMM THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND BEFORE ACCUSING ME OF A RIP-OFF ARTIST. BUT BACK TO YOU KENNY PLEASE EMAIL ME AND I WILL SEND YOUR PAPERWORK OUT TO YOU.

 

[DThomas]

Just a couple of questions Chris.

Did you send Ellen's snakes and refund yesterday?
If so, did you send them through the USPS?

 

[kenny scott]

I JUST E-MAILED CHRIS

I sent Chris my address, as he has agreed to send me the paperwork on my hets. Chris, please respond and let me know that you did get my e-mail. Do you still have the same phone? I tried to call you, and got the voicemail for CMG Reptiles, as usual.
I would like see this deal have a happy ending. I don't mean to be rude, but $2000.00 is a not an amount of money, I can easily forget about.

-Kenny

 

[silvano_06095]

Chris, you post the same bull over and over, which I have repeatedly proven to be false. And it's $330, not $300.

And guess what, everyone? Chris just sent me a tracking number: 341566592US for USPS. Except it says that "Tracking service has not been purchased for this item."

If you send ANYTHING via USPS Express - which is the overnight service chris said he used - you AUTOMATICALLY get a tracking number. You don't have to purchase it, it's there no matter what.

More lies. I can't say I'm suprised. He complains about being trashed on here, but what he doesn't get is that we have every reason to do so.

Time for me to get to bed. After all, I have to be up early tomorrow to see if the poor animals are still alive. (If, of course, he even sent them.)

I'll give everyone an update in the morning.

 

[jkobylka]

just start over

I've already posted my story with Chris Guida here on this thread. Chris agreed to refund $1200 for a 66% het pied. After I posted on this thread, Chris agreed to send me a pastel bp in stead. I was satisfied. Now, for about 3 weeks I've been emailing him and inquiring about when I can expect to have this snake. <p>Chris keeps emailing me back and telling me that he can't send me one until he either hatches one out or receives one in trade. (a deal that he says he has been working on for at least 2 weeks.)<p> Well, Chris, that is fine, and I've told you that in our emails. But I've also asked you to give me a date. Something for me to go by. You originally told me that you are hatching out pastels yourself on the 4th of June, now that seems an apparition. <p>Chris just a friendly word of advice (and I know that everyone you've done business with will agree) answer emails promptly, answer your phone, go buy a new camera (use the $2300 you got from me!), send paperwork WITH your animals, and show a little responsibility and follow through on your promises. When you answer emails answer questions completely instead of trying to string the customer out by providing half answers then making them email you back again. Give MORE info than they ask and you'll protect yourself. <p>PLEASE READ THIS CHRIS! You've got to change your course, this thread is not getting any more positive! Just admit you've made mistakes. You don't even have to admit you are wrong, just apologize. Then, call in sick monday and spend the entire day making ALL of this right. Print out and send paperwork. Ship out refunds. And for the love of God, answer your voicemail!!!!!!
All of the people on this tread are just trying to be treated fairly. Making people happy is your job - start doing it.
<p>Good luck with that. I know you'll come on here in all CAPS and deny everything, but your customers won't defend you.

Here's Chris' pertinent emails to me I've emailed him at least once a week during this time, asking for updates.

----- Original Message -----
From: "'CMG REPTILES'" <[email protected]>
To: "Justin Kobylka" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2004 7:25 PM
Subject: re: pastel

i wrote you back. maybe you didnt get it but i was telling you that i am getting some pastels in on a trade and i will be hatching out some starting june 4th so if you wanted to pick up a pastel as a refund its no problem i can do it. let me know if you get this email and if that will work for you.

----- Original Message -----
From: "'CMG REPTILES'" <[email protected]>
To: "Justin Kobylka" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2004 4:49 PM
Subject: re: pastel

oh yea i appreciate it. and i will be sending you pics of a few baby pastels i may be getting in on trade that were produced from bell line animals and see if anything there tickles your fancy

----- Original Message -----
From: "'CMG REPTILES'" <[email protected]>
To: "Justin Kobylka" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 3, 2004 1:35 PM
Subject: re: pastel

MY EMAIL AND INTERNET WAS DOWN SINCE FRIDAY. AS SOON AS I GET THEM IN OR HATCH THE CLUTCHES DUE SOON I WILL BE SENDING YOU PICS TO CHOOSE FROM. IM IN THE PROCESS OF FINALIZING THE TRADE DEAL FOR 5 BABIES THAT HATCHED OUT ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO AND THEN THEY WILL BE SHIPPED TO ME AND I WILL TAKE PICS AND SEND THEM TO YOU.

<p> Chris, post on this thread when you will likely be able to send me a pictures of pastels to choose from. Then hold yourself to it or post FULL explanations.

Justin Kobylka
Smoky Mountain Reptiles
www.smokymr.com

 

[The BoidSmith]

I've already posted my story with Chris Guida here on this thread. Chris agreed to refund $1200 for a 66% het pied.

Justin,

Why was a refund offered for that 66% het pied? Did you return that ball python?

Thanks.

 

[Rob @ RK Reptiles]

illegal

Chris,

First off why would you ship through USPS? Not only is it an unreliable shipping method for shipping reptiles (as they can not guarantee next day service on anything live) but it is illegal to ship snakes through the USPS. Also if you have shipped the snakes through the USPS and marked the box incorrectly you have violated the lacey act for "marking offenses". As it states the box must be clearly marked with its contents. A bit of friendly advice, If I were you I would be taking care of this problem and STOP shipping through USPS trying to save a few dollars and ship through the other approved carriers and properly ship as the Lacey Act is not something you want to screw around with. Violations of the act have severe and steep penalties that can be imposed and this is something you should not want to happen.

Now as for the tracking number. All USPS tracking numbers for Express are traceable. The number that was posted is missing the first 2 letters in the tracking number. Normally these letters are EU, ER, or a couple of other letters to complete the tracking number.

 

[silvano_06095]

Chris used USPS for exactly the reason you stated: He didn't want to spend the money to ship them properly. The snakes he Supposedly has sent me were to make up for waiting SEVEN MONTHS for a refund, so I didn't pay for him to ship them. Which means that he took the absolute cheapest route to do so. It doesn't matter to HIM whether the animals survive or not.

Chris, why don't you be honest here and post the WHOLE tracking number, and tell me what method you used to ship: Priority, Express or just regular. I'm sick of the lies.


And for anyone keeping track, it is now noon, and no package has arrived.

 

[The BoidSmith]

Chris never confirmed in here he shipped the money and the snakes USPS.

 

[silvano_06095]

He did to me, kind of. This is an e-mail I got from his last night:


From: "CMG REPTILES" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book
To: "Ellen Force" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: CHRIS!
Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2004 01:15:09 -0400


LOOK LETS GO THROUGH MY DAY YESTERDAY OK. FIRST I WALKED INTO THE POST OFFICE AND PICKED UP A SHIPPING AIRBILL. THEN I FILLED IT OUT. AND THEN IMAGINE THAT I WROTE YOUR INFO ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND MY INFO ON THE LEFT. THE POSTAGE WAS 24.20. AND THE WEIGHT IS 3LBS 4 OUNCES THE TRACKING NUMBER IS ON THE TOP UNDER A BAR CODE. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO CALL ME A LIAR ABOUT. REMEMBER I AM THE ONE GIVING YOU YOUR MONEY BACK AND AN EXTRA 300 BUCKS WORTH OF ANIMALS. AND WHAT DID I GET OUT OF THAT? A BUNCH OF BAD PRESS THAT YES HAS HURT BUSINESS A LITTLE BIT IM NOT GOING TO LIE BUT IM NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE PEOPLE ON FAUNA CAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW ME KNOW THAT I DONT MISREPRESENT ANY ANIMALS AND THE PEOPLE JUMPING ON THE BAND WAGON ARE DOING JUST THAT.



Note the part where he says it's over 3 pounds. That's one heavy money order, if it isn't the animals.

Sorry I didn't post that sooner.

 

[jkobylka]

Chris has told me that he didn't want the 66% het pied back. He agreed to give me a full refund when I told him that I believed he had sent me a wc female instead of a 66% het. He agreed to refund my money if she didn't produce a single pied from the clutch she laid shortly after I received her (she was gravid when he sent her.)

Anyhow, I hatched out her eggs, and no pieds. (this whole story is posted earlier in this tread, page 4 or 5 i think.)

Chris didn't reply to my offer to return the female or my offer to provide photos of the baby bps. He has instead moved on to refunding my money via a pastel, but is really taking a lot of time.


Justin Kobylka

 

[silvano_06095]

Well, guess what guys? The regular mail came... BUT NO ANIMALS!


Chris you need to quit lying; either lied about actually sending anything, or you lied about sending them overnight, because if you had, THEY WOULD BE HERE.

As there is no sunday delivery, IF he actually sent the poor snakes, they'll be delivered on monday, which means that they'll surely be dead. and Chirs will be SOLELY RESPONSIBLE.

I can't put into words how angry I am at how little Chirs values the lives of his animals.

 

[Wilomn]

Not just the animals.

It seems that he has NO regard for his personal integrity or honor either.

chris, what is up with all the lies?

 

[The BoidSmith]

Justin,

It's a good deal if you get a pastel male instead, at least is the visual morph.

What puzzles me though is why a person wouldn't want returned a 66% het pied proven breeder. Wouldn't it sell for at least $300 as a "normal" female? Then again he probably has his reasons for doing so.

Regards.

 

[silvano_06095]

Chris I have already asked you THREE times today to send me the COMPLETE tracking number, but you won't send it to me.

You had no problem e-mailing me earlier in the day to insult me and tell me that you're not lying about anything (Yeah RIGHT) so why not just give me the real tracking number, including the first two letter?

Or are you afraid that everyone's going to see that you didn't send them "overnight" like you said you did?

 

[BLREPS]

I hate to do this but...

Well Chris I really hate to get involved in these things until they hit home. My breeding partner Rico sent you a $200 deposit on a 100% het pied male. A week later his mother died with no insurance. He needed to come up with cash ($5,000) to bury his mother and asked you for a refund. You told him you would refund the money via PayPal. Since he does not have a PayPal account he was to use mine. I e-mailed you my PayPal info twice and nothing. You told him the first time that you lost my e-mail because of the storm so I sent it to you a second time.Now you won't return calls to him and when he tries to e-mail you it just comes back. You've obviously blocked his e-mails. You should have been able to relate to the problem he had with the hardships in his family as you were dealing with a similar situation.
Two of his friends sent you a $300 deposit for a pair of het pieds and you are avoiding them too???
My friend Tom bought 15 baby balls, you sent him 14 and were to make good for it. Not a lot of money involved here but Tom is a man of principle and is pissed off.
And you know the deal with Mike T but thats between he and you.
Dude, if you are having some money problems or whatever, admit it and make arrangements to make good on your dealings. It sounds like you want to try and make a living out of this but your going to crash and burn the way you are going. Word travels real quick around here and it doesn't take long to get a reputation. You can only dodge people for so long before it catches up with you. Just some advice. I've been doing this reptile stuff for over 30 years and have no enemies. I haven't made it BIG yet, but I still have my integrity. Bill Lubak