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FIRE at home, herps killed.

S

Stephen Barger

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Hello, my name is Stephen Barger.  I have been doing wholesale buying and reselling for just a couple months now.  

First off.. I AM NOT asking for donations.  I do not want, nor will I accept $$ for this.  

I had a fire tuesday night, at my house, which is where I house all of my herps.  It started in the animal room, from a fish tank heater.  It spread and killed ALL the animals in that room, and completely gutted that room.  There is very little left, and NOTHING useable left in that room.  At first I thought I got off light, I thought I lost around $2-400 in herps, but at recalculation, and looking at the little records left, I actually lost somewhere around $1-2000.  

The housefire was contained in that one room, so I got lucky in that reguard but there is SEVERE damage throughout the house caused by smoke.  It is estimated at $75-100,000 damage.  

I should be back in the house within 1-3 months.  So, until then, I will be out of the wholesaling business.  I WILL BE BACK.  I should be more heavily stocked than ever when I come back.  I plan on using some of the insurance $$ I got for some destroyed collections, including baseball cards, old knives, etc. on herps.  

Within a month I will begin wholesale buying again, so when the time comes I can move back in, I will hopefully be ready to rock and roll.. and start moving inventory again!

So, I will still attempt to keep up to date with whats going on here, as the hotel I am staying at has a free puter / with internet acess.  

But for now, I will be out of selling for a couple/few months.

I would like to thank all my online friends, customers, and suppliers that have expressed such concern... but the MOST important thing is.. NO ONE WAS HURT!!!  All the inventory can be replaced, that is what insurance is for LOL.. but people can't, and luckily no one was even hurt in this situation.

I do not want to cause any problems (as have been before) and it is not, nor ever has been my intention to come here to get $$ from you.  I have insurance, and a job, and I will be fine.  I just simply want you all to know that I am still around, and WILL BE BACK.. I am not a fly by the night company that is skipping town.  I will be reachable from the following email addresses, shall you have questions regaurding herps in general, or just to check in.  


[email protected]
[email protected]

Thanks, and have a good memorial day weekend!  Thanks for the concern.

Stephen Barger
Herp Kingdom
 
Stephen....that is so sad!! I know how you feel! You have got to teach those fish to "splash"!! Forget the other post....If there is anything I can do for you to get your stuff back together (and it doesn't have to be money), please let me know....I do own a store and I can get things a lot cheaper than most, and they can be shipped right to your door??? You can even pay for them! hahaha
OR...Maybe we can ask Rich Z. to start a Fund??? But...since James is nowhere to be found...we can put Dave in charge of the money....he's got lots of friends who will vouch for him??? hahahahaha

Serously, Steve...anything...name it! ....Neil
 
Stephen,

Glad to hear that no one was hurt. Property can always be replaced people can't.

The best thing is that you're family is safe and thank goodness for insurance. Frank
 
You do not know me Steven, but I am truly saddened to hear of your troubles. As a fellow herper, I will help in any way I can. Just ask. Sincerely, best of luck rebuilding. Look forward to seeing you back on your feet. And I am glad neither you or your family was hurt. Let me know if you need anything, friend.
 
Steve
I am truly, truly sorry to hear about this. I can only imagine what your dealing with. I'm Glad no one was hurt.
When your house is finished, come on down and we can dig through my basement and pick out some cages and rubbermaids so you can get rolling again.
I'll be more than happy to help ya out.
Give me a call
Shawn Gray

Sunbaked Serpents
 
I appreciate your offers, and I deeply appreciate it.

I will take you up on your offer Shawn, as always, your more than helpful.  I look forward to getting back on my feet , and hopefully ordering many more animals from you  <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

Talk to you all later.  I will definately stay in contact.

Stephen Barger
 
Stephen ,
Very sorry to hear about the unfortunate things that have happend to you.I know you said you were not looking for "handouts / donations" and that i resoect you for ... BUT maybe if you could get in contact with me i would like to possibly help out in some way .I am hoping for some Boas  this year in July but this female is playing the "game with me " so im not sure what her deal is ..  but i might can help you out on some type of cage ? if you are interested or possibly a rack ? anyway just a thought ... let me know
Take care and good luck
ALan
 
Stephen, to had a house fire several years back and like you I lost my collection and at the time I was only working with rare morphs,So I do know how you feel.It seems that you have the right attitude and I look forward to your speedy recovery.I know that you said "NO DONATIONS" but want to offer and I some animals that I would send you .Hope you take me up on this.It won't be a hand out but a hand up.Think about it.
 
For the few of you who do, and the most of you who don't know, Steve Barge and myself have just started doind business as Herp Kingdom. Steve handles most of the live sales out of Virginia and I handle most of the supplies out of New Jersey.

Our company name is Herp Kingdom. This is a new venture and I haven't even had the time to re-design my website to handle sales or anything else for that matter. Now this tragedy at Steve's home.



Steve has limited access to a computer at this time, as that was destroyed in the fire. Any questions and comments can either be posted here or emailed to me to be forwarded to him.

As he stated, he is out of it for at least a month. Anyone who has deals in the works, like orders that he has placed or animals that he has sold, please contact me for further info.

I don't know how often he can get to a computer, so I don't know if he can get back to your inquiries as quickly as I can.I check my emails at least 20 times a day, so I will probably get back to any e-mails the same day.

Let me thank all of you on Steve's behalf for your concern and well wishes.

Jim Dixon
Herp kingdom
 
sorry to hear what  happened Steve   and i am very glad  to hear other then the reptiles  NO ONE else was hurt  
You are very fortunate  that the fire didnt  destroy  the whole house ...

Its a shame for it to happen on  a holiday  as well .. so my best wishes  to you and  your family   and i do hope  ( even though the tradgedy  at hand )   that  you   have a wonderful holiday   weekend   ........Just good to see your still around to enjoy it  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



shawn skillings
 
I am sad to hear about the fire. I aslo live in Virginia so if there is anything I can do for you please let me know. I have several cages and some cool animals that could help you get back on your feet. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

John Donohue
Tuwa`chu`a Serpents
 
Sorry to hear about the fire.  If you accept the geckos I will provide some free feeders for you.  We are one big disfunctional family, but we are still a family of sorts.  Let me know.  Just email and we will take it from there.  Good luck getting back on your feet.  
Ken Chiarella
Wormman.com
 
"DYSFUNCTIONAL"  NOT "DISFUNCTIONAL"  sorry about that.
Ken Chiarella
 
Steve sorry to hear about your loss.  Please let me know if I can do anything to help out.  I am not in the reptile business but do breed a few snakes and build custom cages as a hobby. I know you said you didn't want handouts, but I would be happy to send you either to get you back in business.  I know it has taken me a long time to just get started and a loss like that has to be disastrous.  If there is anything I can do just let me know.

Brian K. MacDonald
 
Wow, sorry to hear about your loss. I can only imagine how you must feel. Reptiles and cages can be replaced for the most part, I am happy to see that no one in your family was injured.  I am just a small reptile breeder but if there is anything I can do to help, I mostly do bearded dragons and columbian boas, please let me know. I know we have never met, but we all need to stick together and help eachother out in unfortunate circumstances such as this. Hope you get back on your feet soon.
 
I do not know why the best people have the worst luck. Although this is a horrible thing to have happen and a temporary setback I know Stephen is right when he says he will be back and stronger than ever. I have completed several transactions with him and could not be happier. He has the best ethics of any business person I have seen. Now only if he sold used cars <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>  seriously, Stephen you are great and I will always be willing to help you in any way I can.
Sacha Skaggs
 
Stephen
You have my deepest sympathies, I hope you recover from your loss
If there is any help you need let me know, I am offering it.
Good luck to you <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>
 
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