My name is Laura, and I am an addict
Breeder female -
1.) I did not breed any female at 22g. I don't know where that came from. She was quite fat when I bred her. She laid a clutch, lost weight...kept her away from the male so she could put her weight back on, and she laid still another clutch and lost more weight.
2.) I started treating her with a parazap and yogurt, baby food cocktail, mixed with a few other ingredients to try to boost her appetite and gut function. I was told by another breeder that yogurt can be used to treat yeast infections. I never claimed a vet said this, only that I was told this. Irregardless, I knew it would help with her gut functions. Anyway, at this point I offered to give her away free or donate her. I should not have done this. Freely admitted.
Shannan -
1.) I completely understand you wanting to check up on people - it is highly recommended. It just seemed very negative and I had no idea you were that upset. but, i can understand you are defensive of your "babies", that is as it should be.
2.) I did not know it was hood worm, I've has no experience with hook worm. I do take a Heinz-57 mix of poo to get tested randomly and have never had that. I honestly do not think your other leos have that either, unless it came with a cricket order. But, I will figure out some way to get a poo sample to the vet on Monday just to be safe.
3.) I'm glad you do practice quarantine, no matter who an animal is from. I received 2 separate geckos from 2 big breeders with serious issues. Anyone can unknowingly or knowingly ship something less than perfect.
4.) I did not know she weighed so little, as she still had some fat on her tail. But, I knew and was honest about her being too thin. She appeared more around 30g to me - but I did not want to take her to work all day just to weigh her - I did not want to further stress her out. I just plain should never have offered her. That was certainly my mistake - I do apologize again for shipping her to you. I honestly did not try to sucker you into a free Leo.
5.) If you would like to return all animals to me, I will refund you. I did not know you wanted to return them, I thought you were happy with the others. Please email me concerning shipping info if you decide to ship them back. I do not know what else I can do for you - do you want compensation for the free leos' vet bills? I will give you a partial refund if you prefer that. Let me know.
6.) I hope you are feeling better after your accident. Peace.
On to other things:
Ah - yes, the Brokering Game, which by the way, I am no good at.
1.) Yes, when I post an animal I try to make a little on it and give myself room to go down in price as well. It is not anyone's intention to lose money (though I am all too good at that).
2.) If I get an animal and then for whatever reason in it's lifetime need to sell it, I do provide info on where I got it from. Even in my ads I will state where the animal was acquired from - that way people know I did not produce said animal - I was even honest enough to say I have not yet received this animal - but will post pics of it when I do - and I sold this particular animal for much less than I paid. I knew I could not keep it even as I was paying it off. But I made a deal with the breeder to pay off the animal..I did that and also let the breeder know I would have to sell her right away. If I do overbuy, as in the case just mentioned, I do go through with the deal, I do not want to put the buyer out, demand a refund, or anything other buyer problems, but yes, I may have to sell that animal. It was a loss I chose to take, so how does that affect anyone else?
3.) Yes, I have brokered animals...anyone who has ever sold something they did not produce has brokered animals. That pretty much is every single person here. But, my "brokering" is brokering in the red, because I rarely ever get my money back out of an animal, and often lose a lot. Understandably, that is not a good business practice, but it is not one that hurts anyone but myself. The only way I can make any money is to sell what I produced myself.
4.) Mini reptile mill - hmm...would that it was true...if so, surely I would make money. I don't mass produce animals...don't have enough animals to mass produce anything....and don't make a profit on those animals I purchase that I choose to part with.
5.) Many people buy clutches (of beardies - Leo clutches are to small for this) for resale. I have only done this once (possibly twice) myself, but mainly if I wanted one or two of the animals in the group for myself. Buyers are happy to unload several babies they no longer have to feed and buyers are happy hoping they will make something off it when it is all said and done.
Kelli,
When I purchased the animals, I did not intend to sell them, I was not lying to you about that. I had seen some Bolds posted on Kingsnake and my heart did a little flip. I had to get some. Yes, I got discouraged when I could not find a male, but that is not what caused their sale. When creating an ad, I often overwrite an existing ad, so I do not have to recreate everything. When I was emailed regarding a trade, I removed the trade paragraph (which had been on the previous ad). Yes, I was getting into boas, but then was not the time for a trade, for I had a daughter go into the ER for asthma difficulties. That was top on my list. Animals that could not be worked into a breeding program soon enough or if I have too many of one phase or another are usually the first to go.
When I have a child that needs to go to the doctor, I will sell animals, if I have severe car problems, I will sell animals, if I need emergency funding, I will sell animals. My paycheck, not that it is anyone's concern, is only enough to pay my share of the rent, my car payment, and food stuffs. My animals must cover all other needs that my husband cannot cover himself.
I eventually located a gorgeous male for them, a bold jungle. I had the perfect little breeding group. I was pleased. But, I am also addicted. There is a boa I just must have beyond all reason. probably even stronger than my need to acquire Urban Gecko stock. So, I am parting with a good number of animals to achieve that end.
Conclusion -
I have tried to be honest in my dealings, giving all the info I can on an animal inquired about. Who it came from, what it is eating, why I am selling, any problems I've had with it (or if there were none), if it has been bred, and anything else I can think of.
I have made mistakes. (Although selling SICK hatchlings to Peridicio was not one of them. He chose NOT to follow the advice given to him by me and others for quite some time - I cannot control what he does. Now, giving away hatchlings to someone inexperienced was my mistake. One I have learned from.) When I do make a mistake I hope to be able to benefit from it. Learning from it can make it into a useful tool...one that supports and expands knowledge...I do not want to make mistakes...but if I do, I hope I can continue to learn from them.
Please forgive any misspellings or ramblings, it is nearly 2am and I have recently come home from a long shift. I'm sick and I need to lay down. I've pretty much said all I can say - I've apologized for sending the free gecko and offered to refund some money to help with medical expenses. I am off to lick my wounds and catch a date with Mr. Sandman...
(We need to establish 12-step RA classes. I have been guilty of overbuying many times...I want them all and it is hard to quit. I admit it). My name is Laura, and I am an addict.
And thank God I listen to advice and quarantine new arrivals!