• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

    =====================
    Posted 08/15/2025
    =====================


    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.....

    =====================
    Addendum: 01/10/2026
    =====================


    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....

Ed Braaten (Thomison) Flying W Reptiles

Yes John I Have.

While I was in Rose Hill, I met a friend of Ed's wife's family. That person was in the possession of one of Ed's vehicles doing some repair work at the time. I asked him if he would be willing to ship the snake back to me if Ed gave it to him. He told me he would, and that I could reimburse him for the package when the snake arrived safely. I told Ed that he could do this and not have to have any contact with me. Also, if I am not mistaken, Rick Carrick offered Ed help to clear his name but Ed quit answering his phone calls and emails.
 
The shipping situation makes total sense! I actually have done the same thing, a last minute purchase from someone who was getting snakes already shipped to them.
 
This is for Rick Carrick

Rick

In your conversations with Ed did he ever speak on the details of the deal or acknowledge that he was sent the Mojave? Did he ever mention owing the $700?

If he did not, then this one devolves down to a case of "He Said, He Said". Without any documentation on either side, there is not a lot in the way of options.

His chest beating neanderthal behaviour not withstanding, Jody's story actually rings reasonably true. Unfortunately, that does not constitute proof in any court that i am aware of. I have a feeling that Ed has figured that out and has gotten a free animal out of it. I have to say, that is a lousy way to expand your collection.
 
Unbiased opinion Crotalus?

I think the insanity thing started here because of one person. If you read all the threads, there was never anyone calling me insane until I made the post about Dr. Owens. People did say I was wrong for making the phone calls, and I didn't disagree. I stated that I did that to try to scare him in wanting to complete the deal ASAP so I would leave him alone. Again, I was wrong and I know it.

The opinions stated by people calling me insane were the direct result of one person insinuating that I had an alcohol or drug problem and calling me a fruitloop. So, I think it was merely a case of people being followers and not leaders.

Dr. Owens apologized to me for what he said, and I accept it and forgive and go on, but others don't know when to stop. I am fed up with all the name calling, insults, and insinuations against me. I am frustrated and pissed off and have said threatening things, but I was raised not to take any crap off people and so I don't. That is why I acted harshly against Ed for screwing me over. Was it right, not in the opinion of most here, but that's how I handle business. You can ask anyone that knows me and they would tell you that I will give you the shirt off my back or the last dollar in my pocket, and gave four families the organs of my 4 year old who died in a car wreck. But, know this and take it to the bank, if someone tries to screw me over they have started something they wished they never had. Just ask Ed.
 
Jody

alot of us here have been in your shoes with losing money. Its the way that you are going about things that leads people to think you have issues. I can understand your angry and your pride is hurt cause you got ripped off. Its natural. But the same people you are butting heads with in this thread are the same guys that go out of their way to try and help. Take some free advice. Step back and look at things from our eyes. If it was one of us posting in the manner you are what would you think? We are not all against you. I agree you got ripped off and Ed should man up and Do whats right..
 
Mr. Barnes to me you come across as a bully who never learned how to resolve disagreements other than by jumping on those who did not go along with you 100% and pounding the pud out of them.
I was about to offer my services to assist in a return exchange if Mr Braaten were willing since I seem to be equidistant from both of you and you indicated your willingness to accept such an exchange but since you feel the need for a return to incivility I'll just wish you the best in the Kansas Courts where I doubt you stand a chance of winning anything with no evidence to offer.
 
Thanks

I see where you are coming from. I just don't take well to people doing me wrong because I don't do others wrong. I do what I say and am a man of my word and expect nothing less from anyone else.

At the end of the day, I guess it's all words on the screen, and most of us don't know each other personally so that part of the deal I will just take with a grain of salt.

I will continue to answer questions in regards to the transaction, but will offer no insults or insinuations to others and ask that I be treated the same way in return.
 
In my conversations with Ed, he would not go into details due to an upcoming court hearing (something to do with his kids). He was really stuck on the phone messages, and honestly once I heard those messages I was a little concerned myself, and I said so in an earlier post. Ed did tell me he received the animals in good shape, he had to take care of his court case ( the above mentioned), then he would make this deal right.
I told him I would help him any way I could, to keep his name from being tarnished this early in the hobby.
After talking to both sides, it is my opinion, this money is owed to Jodie Barnes. I have no proof, but sometimes when you talk to both parties, you get a feel for what's going on (gut instinct).
As for Mr. Barnes, he has had some tragic events in his life this past year, this doesn't excuse his behavior, but makes it more understandable.
 
regardless of mental state this clown owes him 700 or a snake. I have been to a doorstep this month as well. it worked out for me. the bottom line through all of this is jody has been ripped off and everyone wants his reaction to that to be civil. In my opinion that is why there are so many scammers out there. they prey on the fact that you will be the bigger man and it slides into the past. Just imagine if the days of being responsible for what you create come back. even if jody is a loon, ed would not have to deal with this loon if he acted professionally. there are many nuts in the world, so Ed why create a situation to bring one to your door ? Ed, you played the odds and lost on this one. you tried to punk the wrong person. good luck to you Jody, but I have to agree that court will get you nothing but wasted time and more irratation.
 
Wilomn said:
ed, if you said you'd pay him 700.00, then pay him.

jody, stop with the strongarm crap, it just doesn't work.
Click to expand...
This was post #43.

Some of us who think jody is a bit on the whacko side do also think he's owed the 700.00 and we have not been silent about it.

The thing is, when you have an 800lb gorilla jumping in front of the crowd, they don't pay attention to what he's jumping about, they just watch him jump.

Stop jumping jody.
 
Wes

Please do as I asked and stop with the derogatory remarks regarding my mental state, of which you have no personal knowledge.
 
Jody I've been following this thread and sorry to say I have to agree with the assessment of you that you so disagree with..

People have flown off the handle here many many times and one thing that always helps them when they come back to their senses is too apologize! Just say hey I'm sorry and stop with the asking people not to point out to you the way you are acting. Show us that you can act rationally and after a while we might believe it.

I agree that it sure looks like this Buttwheat owes you the money ! And I'd also point out that his recent post saying that he doesn't owe you, have followed your asinine post and the boards reaction to those asinine post. Seems he figured that hey Jody is pissing everyone here off and acting crazy so I bet they'll be more likely to believe my side of the story. And ya know what I wouldn't be to surprised if some folks believed him..

Rick mentioned some good advice to you, when your super pissed off and about ready to click the (Post Quick Reply) button ! Take a break have a cold one and then come back when you calmed down.. Randy
 
royalkreationz said:
Please do as I asked and stop with the derogatory remarks regarding my mental state, of which you have no personal knowledge.
Click to expand...
Jody we have no personal knowledge of any of this deal we can only go by what we see posted here. Might give that some thought...Randy
 
Randy

I have been honest here about exactly how the deal went down, and the actions that were wrong on my part. I have answered all questions posed to me regarding the deal. I have stated that I wish I would have done better on the email part or getting a contract through this site, but I didn't. All I know is this, I have been as honest as I can be.
 
Am I reading this Right? A guy gets ripped off for 700 bucks, and people are finding fault with his collection methods?

I would not have been nearly so polite, had I felt the need to show up on his doorstep.
 
Yes

I think most wanted me to pat him on the back and say it's ok that you stole from me. I'll just post on some forum what you did and maybe someday you will decide to make it right. WHATEVER!!!

This example of a desire for lack of consequence for criminal activity is why we have so much of it in our country today. People do drugs, drive drunk and kill people, cheat, steal and take advantage of law abiding citizens and people just want to give them a slap on the hand. I think it's high time that folks be held accountable for their actions. I have no problem with an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. People are so worried about cruel and unusual punishment and violating the civil rights of criminals, when they seem to forget about the fact that criminals disregard these things when they commit their crimes. Equality across the board is a good practice in my opinion.

While in law enforcement for 7 years, I watched this happen day in and day out. I can't tell you how many people I arrested for doing crack, burglarizing houses, and many other crimes only to watch them get a little probation and prolong the inevitable which was ending up in jail or prison. All the while costing honest tax paying citizens untold amounts of money to give them a "2nd" chance at freedom, which a large percentage squander away in a short amount of time.

Most of these people get jail house religion and you would swear that they were the next Billy Graham. They go to church, "coffee social," in jail is what we called it. They talk about doing this and doing that and when they get out, but when you see them back in a month or so you know they are full of crap like 9 Christmas turkeys. But, if the church sessions reach one person, then it is worth in my opinion to continue having them.

I guess for those who accuse me of going about this the wrong way, I would like to know why I should have been nice about it? What would you have done to take care of the problem?

I don't want to hear any pansy excuses or treat him with kid gloves suggestions either. Give a real solution to a problem to deal with people who pull this kind of crap over and over again without real consequence. Maybe if we do that, we can discourage people who might do this in the future.

Thanks,
Jody Barnes
 
royalkreationz said:
I guess for those who accuse me of going about this the wrong way, I would like to know why I should have been nice about it? What would you have done to take care of the problem?
Click to expand...

I don’t know that “should have been nice about it” would actually fit but it should have been handled differently from the get go.

As for what I would have done differently;
First, I would have had everything laid out in writing before the trade would be made.
Second, I would have made an effort to keep the lines of communication open and settle the dispute via emails and conversations over time. I would not have made threatening phone calls nor would I have considered showing up unannounced on his door step.
Third, failing to settle the dispute between myself and the other person using lines of communication I would have made an attempt at collection using the legal system and presenting my evidence in a court of law, small claims most likely since $700 is not worth involving lawyers.
If the legal methods failed I would have written it off as a bad deal and posted everything about the deal here on the BOI as a warning to others.

Now that I have answered your questions I will post the PM and Email offer I sent to Mr. Braaten involving an attempt to get this settled with no loss to either party.
I pulled no punches and am posting this worded exactly the way it was sent so don’t get your panties in a bunch.

“I am rather hesitant to have anything to do with J. Barnes as he comes across as being mentally unstable but since I mentioned the offer in this thread I felt compelled to attempt to contact you.

If you would like to see this problem go away I would be willing to drive to Lubbock pick up the snakes you sent him and return them to you in exchange for the snakes he sent you which I would then drive back to Lubbock and hand over to him.

If this sound feasible let me know and we can work out the details.”
 
Jody, You have my sympathy for the loss of your child, no person should ever go through that. I feel for you and your family and my prayers are with you as you come up on the anniversary of his death.

Now to the situation at hand. Being the daughter of a retired police officer of 20+ years from Cleveland, Ohio, I can tell you this, you are far from a seasoned officer. I'm not going to speculate why you're no longer an officer, but it's a good thing you are no longer. You're a civilian now and it's about time you start acting like one. You can no longer take the law into your own hand, that's not the way the real world works. You are no longer playing cops and robbers, so start acting like a man and not a punk.

Don't try blaming everyone's view of you on Dr. Owens, it's not his doing, but your own words and actions in this thread. I think that 99% of the people that have posted here believe you have been wronged and are owned $700 or a snake. I also know that once this situation is taking care of and you are paid your money or given your snake they will not be behind you any more. See you've alienated these people that were trying to help you, but they dislike a thief that gives us in the reptile community a bad name, more than they dislike someone that acts like you.

You keep saying we don't know you, and you're right I don't know YOU, but I know your type. I've seen many of them come a go thinking that badge they hold or held at one time gave them the right to be judge and jury. :NoNo: Do this the right way, without threats and through the courts and you may just end up getting what is rightfully yours. Deal with this in the mannor that you have been and I see you loosing in court and even possible jail time.
 
Back
Top