Crazy Cresties - Wendy Childs - Ali Haines- BAD GUYS!!!!!!!!

[kmurphy]

In order to have a business I believe one must legally register a DBA with their state? I can find no crazy cresties business let alone any business registered under any of their names.

I don't believe that is true for every State. In Maine a business without employees doesn't need to register as anything. If your business is just labor, like lawn care, then you don't even need to get a sales tax number. There's plenty of home businesses that only file a Sched C and don't even have a separate check book. Not saying it is smart but it is not illegal.

 

[Jim O]

I don't believe that is true for every State. In Maine a business without employees doesn't need to register as anything. If your business is just labor, like lawn care, then you don't even need to get a sales tax number. There's plenty of home businesses that only file a Sched C and don't even have a separate check book. Not saying it is smart but it is not illegal.

That was true in Massachusetts as well if I recall correctly.

 

[Wraith]

I believe the way it works is that if you are operating as a business regardless if you have employees or not ... if you are doing business under a name that is not your real name, then you need to register that business name with the state. ie register your DBA (Doing Business As)

 

[shrap]

Adrian,

It is going to vary from State to State. Here in Indiana you just need a $25 Merchant Permit ONLY if you are doing in State sales.

 

[Jim O]

I believe the way it works is that if you are operating as a business regardless if you have employees or not ... if you are doing business under a name that is not your real name, then you need to register that business name with the state. ie register your DBA (Doing Business As)

I'm sure that it varies from state to state and it may be so in Washington. I was a sole proprietor for several years and never registered in Massachusetts until I was part of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and a Professinal Corporation (PC). My attorney at the time advised me that so long as I was only providing non-taxable services (as opposed to selling taxable goods) that I needed no state registration. I did use a federal employer ID number instead of my social security number for privacy purposes, but that was only registered with the feds. And the state was well aware that my business existed as I filed a state income tax return every year with the equivalent of a Schedule C.

 

[Chameleon Company]

Kind of got caught up, although I may have missed a post or two. So, in no particular order:

Griz writes:
Secondly, Ali indicated that she had bought this business from Wendy. If you buy a business then often times you also take over the liabilities of said business. This is one of those liabilities.

Not if its just a DBA, if that. Let's not get carried away with what we're dealing with here. Someone has gecko's in a room in their Mom's house. They are headed for jail. Maybe paid $1000, if that, for what's left behind, likely more compensation for money owed. This isn't Mercedes buying controlling stock in Chrysler.

Jeanne, you complain how it took you "8 weeks" or something, and I said that you were fortunate that Ali helped you with your problem. Your claim was with Wendy. You were owed blood, with only a turnip to go after. That's your problem, although not necessarily your fault. Ali worked with you. Wendy left no escrow, did she ? You were demanding all shipping be paid, and refunded, by Ali. Yes, at one time in the negotiations to straighten out the mess, you were told that shipping would be paid. Further on in the negotiations, the offer changed. Would have been nice if she didn't say it earlier, but she owed you nothing, and you were under no false assumptions or promises when you chose to return the animal. You don't like it, keep the animal. Maybe it sucks, but Ali helped you out. You were lucky.

Ken hit the nail on the head, that all things point to Ali being in over her head at first, trying to fix things, as the takeover evolved. If you haven't figured it out yet, extricating Wendy was a nightmare. I hope you can do better than this in the future.

 

[SPJ]

Ali made a promise in writing to refund the shipping.
She then changed her mind.
That is not good business.
Do you want to buy from someone who changes the terms in the middle even after having it in writing? I wouldn't.
She lied about the shipping just like Jeanne said. Plain and simple.

 

[SPJ]

Kind of got caught up, although I may have missed a post or two. So, in no particular order:



Not if its just a DBA, if that. Let's not get carried away with what we're dealing with here. Someone has gecko's in a room in their Mom's house. They are headed for jail. Maybe paid $1000, if that, for what's left behind, likely more compensation for money owed. This isn't Mercedes buying controlling stock in Chrysler.

Jeanne, you complain how it took you "8 weeks" or something, and I said that you were fortunate that Ali helped you with your problem. Your claim was with Wendy. You were owed blood, with only a turnip to go after. That's your problem, although not necessarily your fault. Ali worked with you. Wendy left no escrow, did she ? You were demanding all shipping be paid, and refunded, by Ali. Yes, at one time in the negotiations to straighten out the mess, you were told that shipping would be paid. Further on in the negotiations, the offer changed. Would have been nice if she didn't say it earlier, but she owed you nothing, and you were under no false assumptions or promises when you chose to return the animal. You don't like it, keep the animal. Maybe it sucks, but Ali helped you out. You were lucky.

Ken hit the nail on the head, that all things point to Ali being in over her head at first, trying to fix things, as the takeover evolved. If you haven't figured it out yet, extricating Wendy was a nightmare. I hope you can do better than this in the future.

This explanation still doesn't get you off the hook for that six pack.

 

[Chameleon Company]

Ali made a promise in writing to refund the shipping.
She then changed her mind.
That is not good business.
Do you want to buy from someone who changes the terms in the middle even after having it in writing? I wouldn't.
She lied about the shipping just like Jeanne said. Plain and simple.

Yes, Ali was struggling with "good business", but is it possible that she thought she was assuming a "normal" or "good" business, only to find out that it was a mess?

More importantly, no "terms" were violated. No deal had been done. FYI, the terms for Crazy Cresties did not include vendor paying for return shipping. Those were the TOS in place at time of purchase. Mine TOS don't either. Negotiations change. It isn't lying. Plain and simple.

Do me a favor, and PM me the link about the sixpack.

 

[Chameleon Company]

To help on a few other matters in the thread. Wendy is in the lock-up, for serious stuff. Jason was apparently a pseudo account created by Wendy. I believe he is in the hoosegow for a much longer time, and has been for some time. IMO, after initially created, it was only Wendy posting. Ali took over things without knowledge of much of this. She posted using the Fauna account that was there, and put her own name in the post, not realizing and perhaps not caring that Jason's name was in the box. She used her name always. Its not dishonest, and not even the appearance of deception. Just Fauna folks sniping.

 

[Suncoast Herpetological]

I have to go with the minority on this one....

while I think that no one, Jim F. included, can dispute that Wendy richly deserves the "Bad Guy" moniker, at worst, the jury is definitely still out on Ali. I was one of the few who originally stepped in when she announced her new management duties and said she should be given the benefit of the doubt. I still, conditionally, think that should be the case.

I agree with Steve that she absolutely should have refunded the return shipping for the simple reason that she stated she would. If she hadn't included the word (prepaid) in that Email I would be of the opinion that she handled this situation perfectly. However, with that one misstep, I think she still handled the situation pretty well. From the point she contacted Jeanne, a little more than 2 weeks elapsed to return the animals and receive a refund of the full purchase price. Since she was under no legal obligation to refund anything...that's not a bad resolution.

Basically, this boils down to a difference of $18.88 to make this into a Good Guy Post for Ali. Given the overall situation Jeanne, it could have been a much worse outcome.

 

[Chameleon Company]

Mike !!

Great post !! I have to paste this:

Basically, this boils down to a difference of $18.88 to make this into a Good Guy Post for Ali. Given the overall situation Jeanne, it could have been a much worse outcome.

Jeanne, you came here with a "Bad Guy" thread to trash Ali over $18.88, maybe more since I believe you wanted PayPal compensation and original shipping fees. Could be $40, although you could clarify all there. Naturally, a few felt that "warm Fauna urge" to just go ahead and label Ali as a scammer because she only took (my guess) $160 out of her pocket, not $200 !! Go Team !!

I would say "a pox on your houses", but its the holiday season. So, it will have to be "Ho Ho Ho ... Merry Christmas" !!

 

[Chameleon Company]

My bad. "John", not Mike. "Mike"'s my middle name. Freudian slp.

 

[Dennis Hultman]

Great post !! I have to paste this:


Jeanne, you came here with a "Bad Guy" thread to trash Ali over $18.88, maybe more since I believe you wanted PayPal compensation and original shipping fees. Could be $40, although you could clarify all there.

First post.

In short, I paid $190 Shipped for a Red Male Crested. Received a Brown Male Crested. Had to wait 2 MONTHS for anyone to do anything about it. And in the end they got the Crested back, and I am out $58.88 with NOTHING to show for it.

 

[Chameleon Company]

Thanks Dennis. How do you find this $hit ? Anyway, to her credit, Jeanne got that amount into the thread. As I said earlier, all shipping costs, to include on returns, are saddled by the customer, and we all know that to be the case in most TOS.

Jeanne. So you know, I believe it sucks for you. I also believe it sucks more for Ali. Wendy got the money, and if this is any consolation, it sucks for her right now too. So many of us have been burned for amounts so much larger than your $59. I wish the animal had been as red as a fire truck. Live and learn.

 

[shrap]

One aspect that seems to be getting overlooked is that there still seems to be some confusion on exactly what Ali's role is here. Did she buy out Wendy? Are they partners? Is she just managing the business until Wendy comes back? Ali has claimed all 3 at one time or another if I am not mistaken...... or is Ali even real or just an alias to try and hide from the past?

I think all of that needs completely clarified. Then we can move on to whether or not she did her best to resolve this.

And to me personally stealing $18 or $1800... they are both equally wrong in my book.

 

[DThomas]

I would like to know, and maybe I missed it somewhere, but what is the true status of the "Crazy Cresties" company? In Ali's introductory post, she stated she bought the company. But, in her emails to Jeane she says she is running things for Wendy until she gets back to take things back over. If it's the latter, then it is still Wendy's company and Ali is nothing more than an employee of Wendy's.

With these contraditions, I am not convinced that Ali's introductory post was nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Escpecially considering she has not posted in quite sometime to address this discrepency.

Jim F., you seem to know abit about what is going on with Wendy and I have not seen you address this discrepency. Care to shed a bit more light on this?

As it stands, only one can be the truth. Either Ali lied in her introductory post or she lied to Jeane about being nothing more than Wendy's flunky. Either way, she lied.

 

[DThomas]

Thanks Dennis. How do you find this $hit ? Anyway, to her credit, Jeanne got that amount into the thread. As I said earlier, all shipping costs, to include on returns, are saddled by the customer, and we all know that to be the case in most TOS.

Jeanne. So you know, I believe it sucks for you. I also believe it sucks more for Ali. Wendy got the money, and if this is any consolation, it sucks for her right now too. So many of us have been burned for amounts so much larger than your $59. I wish the animal had been as red as a fire truck. Live and learn.

TOS goes out the window when an animal is mis-represented. How in the hell can you expect someone to eat ANY cost on a mis-represented animal? Jeane was NOT sent what she paid for. That animal is BROWN, not RED. She should not have to shoulder the burden of any cost and is due a complete refund of all monies paid. It is not a case of buyer remorse or "not quite what I expected." She was lied to and sent a doctored photo to dupe her into buying an inferior animal.

 

[Mooing Tricycle]

I would like to know, and maybe I missed it somewhere, but what is the true status of the "Crazy Cresties" company? In Ali's introductory post, she stated she bought the company. But, in her emails to Jeane she says she is running things for Wendy until she gets back to take things back over. If it's the latter, then it is still Wendy's company and Ali is nothing more than an employee of Wendy's.

With these contraditions, I am not convinced that Ali's introductory post was nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Escpecially considering she has not posted in quite sometime to address this discrepency.

I think alot of us have that same question, and to support this, as to wether or not Ali is really just covering for Wendy until she gets back or not. The Posts says the business is under new Management, and really just says shes running the business and speaks nothing of ownership ( in the first post anyway)

Hi, my name is Ali and I am now running the Crazy Cresties Company. I know there has been some indescrestions under it's former owner Wendy. I hope to redeem the business and show that there will be nothing but honest dealings from this day forth and hope to regain lost clients' trust. I know I have my work cut out for me, but I will do my best to prove to diusgruntled customers I am of my word and you will get excellent service. If you have any questions please email me @ http://[email protected]

She knew she was getting a business that had problems, so that whole, she didnt know at all, she didnt know what she was getting into, can be ruled out of the equation as well. Id certainly like to see a post from Ali regarding this, and if she is able to answer the questions asked.

 

[Chameleon Company]

Dennis,
Not bad points, but maybe assuming too much as well to fill in the gaps we will never know.

Jeanne posted snippets with no dates. If you want to draw conclusions for timelines, you need to know where they fit in.

Secondly, and maybe more importantly, is that Ali was under no obligation to chronicle anything with Jeanne. Wendy is in jail, and Ali is trying to do what she thinks is right. Her only obligation with Jeanne might be just to hear her complaint, if that.

Lastly, while in theory the concept of "ownership" has major legal ramifications with regard to lawsuits, what are we talking about here? A dozen geckos passing from one party to another ? Even 20 ? Party A is off to jail for 43 months minus good behavior, if its possible? No facility. No registered business entity. Wendy is off wearing the jailhouse orange, and leaves behind a wall of tanks in a room containing geckos, owing everybody within arms reach money.

In all honesty Dave, I do not know all the truth, and neither do you. When you say this:

As it stands, only one can be the truth. Either Ali lied in her introductory post or she lied to Jeane about being nothing more than Wendy's flunky. Either way, she lied.

Let me suggest that the time-lines for the quotes could fit into an evolving scenario that make all statements truthful at the time spoken, or correct enough for whatever abbreviated explanation was owed. She wasn't under oath, or even owing of an explanation. You do not have the facts to substantiate your last sentance. Nor do I. I guess it matters to you, or perhaps you feel that Ali owes an explanation for something that has no practical merit. I'm trying not to laugh, but is this like Gotti or Capone running the mob from their cells ? 10-20 geckos in her Mom's house. Wendy is doing 43 months in the big house.

Know what? Ali ponied up the money. In my book, that's where the rubber met the road. Dwell on that.

Alicia, take a break.