• Responding to email notices you receive.
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  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

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    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.....

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    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....

Info Craig Messina

KNOBTAIL

KNOBTAIL

LORD OF THE FLIES
Joined
May 10, 2002
Messages
1,379
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Age
81
Location
CORAL SPRINGS , FL
Responded to his ad on Fauna at GECKOS, provides no email address, no website, is looking to get paid by US postal money orders ONLY. Not to sure how to deal with this. He has not responded to my offer to purchase. Any information to ease my concerns would be appreciated... JERRY
 
I have only sold to craig. But from what I know of him, he is a good guy. He has no website but he does deal with alot of geckos. He only deals with postal money orders for some safety reason, as that wass the way he paid me also. Not alot of help but just wanted to let you know what my experience with him was.
 
if anything that should make you comfortable. Because if the deal goes south you have to ability prosecute and dealing with usps the feds are automatically involved since its a government entity. I think its more secure than paypal, who are you more scared of paypal or the people if they want to can make you dissappear in an unmarked grave they can. lol:thumbsup:
 
Thanks Dragons,

I would love to hear from Mr. Messina as I am a serious buyer, but without knowing whom I am dealing with makes it difficult . I have alread sent 2 messages right after he posted his items for sale. Never heard back. Hopefully something positive will come out of this.

With regard to the post by jrbannister. valueless post, totally unrelated to my interest in getting information, not worth responding to meaningless posts
 
is looking to get paid by US postal money orders ONLY. Not to sure how to deal with this. He has not responded to my offer to purchase. Any information to ease my concerns would be appreciated... JERRY

i believe that would leave it open to interpertation and not useless since the way you posted about only getting paid by us postal money order was an issue or suspect in some way. Again public thread in public place. Maybe you should be more specific about what any information is. Cause technically what i said fits into that very vague any category. BBBBUUUUUUUURRRRRRRNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:shootfoot
 
jb bANNISTER

There was nothing susspicious but rather unusual as sellers usually offer a variety of methods of capturing a sale. I mentioned it because Mr. Messina mentioned it as the only option of getting paid. He has his reasons, and thats fine with me..

You on the other hand need to calm down and stop over reacting to a simple inquiry. If you dont know Mr Messina, please go somewhere else because your contributions on this thread have reached their conclusion. JERRY
 
Spider Geckos

1) Sorry I did not reply within 24 hours of your post. I replied to several other inquiries about shipping and recent weather conditions. Reminder- two or three hour time difference.

2) USPS Money Order
- I'm just a hobbyist. I do not take plastic or PayPal.
- I have received fake/homemade money orders.
- As jrbannister0725 stated previously - Protection. And it works! For those of us who have dealt with Reptile Depot within the past year.
- I have several friends that work at post office.

3) I also include a payment due date - usually a week after confirmation they are sold/on hold. Why?
- The last three payments got lost in the mail.
- Some buyers are waiting to sell something (reptile) in order to send payment.

4) Replying/negotiating/trading/confirming transaction is not the easiest thing to deal with.

5) Repeat customers are a priority.

6) Do a "Search" on the BOI.

Craig Messina
Tucson, Arizona
[email protected]
 
I know this thread is a bit old, but I just recently purchased from Craig using the money order from USPS. He was helpful, his animals were healthy, and he was very responsive. There was a delay in shipping due to weather, but he made sure he informed me immediately and stayed in contact with me until my order got to me. All around great guy, in fact I joke that his middle name should be 'awesome' lol.

-Janet Hsu
 
Yea, I do think this was way premature.
Click to expand...

Why is this thread premature? It's an INFO thread, NOT a Bad Guy thread. Jerry wanted to make a purchase from Craig, but he wanted to know others' experiences. In my experience, money orders are usually a red flag, so I don't blame Jerry for wanting to check into it. The replies reflect positively on Craig, so now others who are considering a purchase can come here and find people who have had good experiences with Craig as well as Craig's explanation for only taking money orders. IMO, this thread can only help Craig.
 
Will0W783 said:
Why is this thread premature? It's an INFO thread, NOT a Bad Guy thread. Jerry wanted to make a purchase from Craig, but he wanted to know others' experiences. In my experience, money orders are usually a red flag, so I don't blame Jerry for wanting to check into it. The replies reflect positively on Craig, so now others who are considering a purchase can come here and find people who have had good experiences with Craig as well as Craig's explanation for only taking money orders. IMO, this thread can only help Craig.
Click to expand...

I agree...tho I do find Jerry's response to someone trying to give him info about money orders a little rude :shrug01: Which I think it was what triggered this tense feeling in a simple info thread.
 
Yeah, I agree that Jerry's response to Jonathan was a bit rude. I also don't know where Jonathan was going with that last bit about "who are you more afraid of...." What possible help could that comment be?

Really unnecessary childishness on both their parts for the BOI, let alone an Info thread. *SMH*
 
recommended; would definitely buy from again

Purchased 2 painted agamas, 3 star agamas, 4 adult savignys + 3 little babies. Received email from Craig verifying everything, paid via PayPal, received emails (definitely a plural on that one) AND a phone call to let me know they shipped and when to expect them. Then got ANOTHER email right after fedex delivered them. They arrived warmly bundled up with heat packs. This was the smoothest transaction I've ever had. He obviously really cares about the animals. They are all doing really well, are super healthy, and have great dispositions.
 

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