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Responding to email notices you receive.
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Posted 08/15/2025
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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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Addendum: 01/10/2026
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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....
Fred Albury... BUYER BEWARE!!! BAD GUY!!!
- Thread starter sir-pent
- Start date
Chris Kennard
Well-known member
Good enough, Brian. Thanks.
sir-pent
New member
blah blah blah...
Hello, all!
I originally posted here because I was not satisfied with the consummation (or lack thereof) of a deal with Fred. That issue has been resolved. Why is this thread continuing to grow and expand after I, the person who started this in need of help, have been taken care of? This it seems is no longer about Fred; it should be closed. I request that this thread be closed because my issue, which was the only issue at hand when the thread started, has been straightened out.
Landon Johnson
Hello, all!
I originally posted here because I was not satisfied with the consummation (or lack thereof) of a deal with Fred. That issue has been resolved. Why is this thread continuing to grow and expand after I, the person who started this in need of help, have been taken care of? This it seems is no longer about Fred; it should be closed. I request that this thread be closed because my issue, which was the only issue at hand when the thread started, has been straightened out.
Landon Johnson
Dianne Johnson
New member
Covina Kingsnake
Ann, regarding your question:
Does anyone here know what a Covina Kingsnake is?
I did a Google search and went through a number of links referencing Covina & kingsnakes (not nearly as many as I would have expected). As best I can tell, Covina simply refers to a town/city/whatever in California. I am assuming (and we all know how dangerous THAT is! lol) that a Covina kingsnake is simply a specific locale of California kingsnake. From what I came across, and to be fair I did not read all of it in depth, I would warrant a guess that it is not an industry wide term (based on the very minimal search results compared to what most searches bring up) but possibly just a descriptive term used by Fred to pinpoint where the snake (or it's lineage) was captured.
Dianne
P.S.
As a side note, there is a reptile show this weekend in Bristol (Link: http://www.animalads.info/expo.htm ) that you may want to look into. I've seen quite a few juvenile and hatchling California kings at the last couple of shows I've attended around here. It's possible you could find an adult or subadult as there has occassionally been a sampling of older snakes for sale. I know it's a far reach from Virginia Beach as I'm heading to it from the Richmond area, but from what I've heard it sounds promising. We'll see, I guess. Best of luck finding a female.
Ann, regarding your question:
Does anyone here know what a Covina Kingsnake is?
I did a Google search and went through a number of links referencing Covina & kingsnakes (not nearly as many as I would have expected). As best I can tell, Covina simply refers to a town/city/whatever in California. I am assuming (and we all know how dangerous THAT is! lol) that a Covina kingsnake is simply a specific locale of California kingsnake. From what I came across, and to be fair I did not read all of it in depth, I would warrant a guess that it is not an industry wide term (based on the very minimal search results compared to what most searches bring up) but possibly just a descriptive term used by Fred to pinpoint where the snake (or it's lineage) was captured.
Dianne
P.S.
As a side note, there is a reptile show this weekend in Bristol (Link: http://www.animalads.info/expo.htm ) that you may want to look into. I've seen quite a few juvenile and hatchling California kings at the last couple of shows I've attended around here. It's possible you could find an adult or subadult as there has occassionally been a sampling of older snakes for sale. I know it's a far reach from Virginia Beach as I'm heading to it from the Richmond area, but from what I've heard it sounds promising. We'll see, I guess. Best of luck finding a female.
Stardust
human
Landon,
This thread still goes on because although you got satisfation (and I am happy for you) others here have not from Fred. Since we are supposed to stick to one thread about a person, this is it.
This thread still goes on because although you got satisfation (and I am happy for you) others here have not from Fred. Since we are supposed to stick to one thread about a person, this is it.
Stardust
human
One more thing for the record, I am in no way bashing or going agianst Ken. He is a great moderator, and I respect him highly. He has never shown anything other than what he thinks is fair, and like in this thread can show humbleness and humanity.
Anaconda Al
New member
Landon, please don't lose sight of.........
the big picture here. The BOI serves a valuable purpose of separating the "good guys" from the "bad guys". The degree of good or bad in a particular breeder is also important, because individual buyers may have different comfort levels when it comes evaluating someone's character. Fred finally shipped your snakes, and you seem happy, and I'm sure some buyers would still take the chance and buy from him if this were an isolated incident. However, Ann's input certainly provided additional valuable insight about Fred's character, and John Skipper's experience with Fred sealed his fate. All good stuff, and yes you started this thread and they didn't. In the big picture, this is no longer about you, but you had to have known that when you decided to go public with your personal business. Please allow the process to run it's course so that John Skipper at least has the chance to get some satisfaction. If you're now worried about Fred's reputation, let Fred come on and defend himself. It seems to me that you are attempting to "close the door AFTER you let the horses out of the barn".
Albert Applebaum
the big picture here. The BOI serves a valuable purpose of separating the "good guys" from the "bad guys". The degree of good or bad in a particular breeder is also important, because individual buyers may have different comfort levels when it comes evaluating someone's character. Fred finally shipped your snakes, and you seem happy, and I'm sure some buyers would still take the chance and buy from him if this were an isolated incident. However, Ann's input certainly provided additional valuable insight about Fred's character, and John Skipper's experience with Fred sealed his fate. All good stuff, and yes you started this thread and they didn't. In the big picture, this is no longer about you, but you had to have known that when you decided to go public with your personal business. Please allow the process to run it's course so that John Skipper at least has the chance to get some satisfaction. If you're now worried about Fred's reputation, let Fred come on and defend himself. It seems to me that you are attempting to "close the door AFTER you let the horses out of the barn".
Albert Applebaum
Stardust
human
WOW, good post Al, knew you had it in you
Also very true. Two more people have come forward with their dissatisfaction. They need to be addressed and allowed to get some help here and let their voice be known.
Also very true. Two more people have come forward with their dissatisfaction. They need to be addressed and allowed to get some help here and let their voice be known.
Chris Kennard
Well-known member
Welcome back Al!...
Great post. Now that's the Al we all know and love, lol. Hang in there bro'.
Chris Kennard
Great post. Now that's the Al we all know and love, lol. Hang in there bro'.
Chris Kennard
Darin Chappell
Senior Hillbilly Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2002
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- 1,838
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- 60
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- Rogersville, MO (Ozark Mts.)
Someone (I think it was Chris) asked what the difference was between the two "excuses" that Fred had offered for his failure to follow through with his deals for his customers: The plane crash vs. the tow away situation. Well, I think the primary difference is one of personal taste more than anything else.
I, personally, am not going to grill someone about them losing a relative in a plane crash, but I have no problem demanding some sort of proof for their having their car towed. Maybe I'm being old-fashioned, I don't know, but to me, the death of a family member is something about which I don't want to harp, even if I suspect that something is not right about the story as it is being told.
I have to admit that I have my doubts about Fred's veracity concerning the plane crash. Not because of what Chris and Al have written, but rather because of what Fred wrote to me concerning the situation. I certainly would have come on here and cleared my name, if I were Fred, and he didn't, so my concerns are somewhat solidified in my own mind. However, I just cannot bring myself to tell Fred "Prove your step-brother was killed in a plane crash!" Maybe others can, but I can't. If that makes me a bad guy or a Fred supporter, I guess that's what I'll have to be in the minds of some, but I'm really not either.
I'm really sorry things worked out as they have, and I hate that Fred has allowed himself to fall into the trap of being a bad guy to do business with. I still think Chris and Al were wrong in the way they approached this, but that is in the realm of opinion, and I can't hold their opinions against them. In the end, Fred has shown himself to be a "Bad Guy" and he has no one but himself to blame!
I, personally, am not going to grill someone about them losing a relative in a plane crash, but I have no problem demanding some sort of proof for their having their car towed. Maybe I'm being old-fashioned, I don't know, but to me, the death of a family member is something about which I don't want to harp, even if I suspect that something is not right about the story as it is being told.
I have to admit that I have my doubts about Fred's veracity concerning the plane crash. Not because of what Chris and Al have written, but rather because of what Fred wrote to me concerning the situation. I certainly would have come on here and cleared my name, if I were Fred, and he didn't, so my concerns are somewhat solidified in my own mind. However, I just cannot bring myself to tell Fred "Prove your step-brother was killed in a plane crash!" Maybe others can, but I can't. If that makes me a bad guy or a Fred supporter, I guess that's what I'll have to be in the minds of some, but I'm really not either.
I'm really sorry things worked out as they have, and I hate that Fred has allowed himself to fall into the trap of being a bad guy to do business with. I still think Chris and Al were wrong in the way they approached this, but that is in the realm of opinion, and I can't hold their opinions against them. In the end, Fred has shown himself to be a "Bad Guy" and he has no one but himself to blame!
Chris Kennard
Well-known member
Well said Darin.
Chris Kennard
Chris Kennard
Anaconda Al
New member
Nice job Darin!
Albert Applebaum
Albert Applebaum
Stardust
human
Darin,
Thank you for saying that. You may not be able to call Fred to the mat about a death in the family, which is understandable unless it is a true fact that it is a lie. But what about calling him out to not making good on two other deals? What about calling him out to spending others money before he delivered?
Although I do not agree with all that Al had written, I do believe his posts have been less offensive than others I have seen here on the BOI or this thread for that matter.
What about asking for proof, no demanding proof, and not willing to answer back when questions are directed back at ya(not meaning you on this one)
I am only asking you these questions because out of the few that have been here a long time, you seem to be able to go your own path even if that means it is not going with the norm.
Do you not think that the people who have been on here the longest should set a good example to the new people?
Thank you for saying that. You may not be able to call Fred to the mat about a death in the family, which is understandable unless it is a true fact that it is a lie. But what about calling him out to not making good on two other deals? What about calling him out to spending others money before he delivered?
Although I do not agree with all that Al had written, I do believe his posts have been less offensive than others I have seen here on the BOI or this thread for that matter.
What about asking for proof, no demanding proof, and not willing to answer back when questions are directed back at ya(not meaning you on this one)
I am only asking you these questions because out of the few that have been here a long time, you seem to be able to go your own path even if that means it is not going with the norm.
Do you not think that the people who have been on here the longest should set a good example to the new people?
Chris Kennard
Well-known member
LOL!!!!!
Those last two posts even made me think we're the same person!Scary.
Chris Kennard
Those last two posts even made me think we're the same person!Scary.
Chris Kennard
Darin Chappell
Senior Hillbilly Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2002
- Messages
- 1,838
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 0
- Age
- 60
- Location
- Rogersville, MO (Ozark Mts.)
I think that as a community as a whole, we all have the responsibility to try to set a good example for each other. I think that applies to every aspect of the herp society, including here on Fauna as well.
For the most part, I think we all try to do that very thing, too, but there are several bumps along the road of various origins that preclude us from always fulfilling that responsibility. Although personalities get in the way many times (mine is a big hinderance to me! -- I get way too harsh at times), there are other things as innocuous as being misunderstood through the written word, when, if we were speaking face to face, my expressions and vocal cues would leave no doubt at all as to what I was trying to convey. Learning not to assume the tenor of a post has been one of the things I've been trying to grasp for myself.
Part of the reason that it seems that older posters get more prenferential treatment thand do newer posters, is because of this ability to "read what is meant" in the postings of those with a history here. Seamus' writings used to tick me off, because he can be rather blunt, but now I just know that that's just him, and I think nothing of it. Now, someone else comes along and basically is just as blunt, but perhaps I take offence to it, not having the context of personality in place by which to judge the writing. Is that fair? No, but it appears that it's the way it works anyway. New people don't understand the context of other things here either. I just had someone email me today, wondering what in the world I meant by the "Dirty Dozen." Those who have been here a while all know what that is, but I forget that others don't. Should I explain myself everytime I post something new? Should new people?
However, there are definite differences of opinions among us all, and just because someone has been posting here a long time doesn't change that fact. I can only think of a few people I haven't locked horns with one time or another, but I count several people here as "good guys" with whom I would do business at the drop of a hat.
All in all, I think we have a valuable resource here. I think that anyone wanting to know about a person with whom they are about to do business can come here and get some sort of a response. It may not be the one they want, but it will likely be something upon which to based an opinion. The BOI doesn't work perfectly, but it DOES WORK! I think all of us, old and new alike, should be thankful for that, and try to live up to all of our responsibilities as best we can to make this site, and the herp community as a whole, as good as it can get.
For the most part, I think we all try to do that very thing, too, but there are several bumps along the road of various origins that preclude us from always fulfilling that responsibility. Although personalities get in the way many times (mine is a big hinderance to me! -- I get way too harsh at times), there are other things as innocuous as being misunderstood through the written word, when, if we were speaking face to face, my expressions and vocal cues would leave no doubt at all as to what I was trying to convey. Learning not to assume the tenor of a post has been one of the things I've been trying to grasp for myself.
Part of the reason that it seems that older posters get more prenferential treatment thand do newer posters, is because of this ability to "read what is meant" in the postings of those with a history here. Seamus' writings used to tick me off, because he can be rather blunt, but now I just know that that's just him, and I think nothing of it. Now, someone else comes along and basically is just as blunt, but perhaps I take offence to it, not having the context of personality in place by which to judge the writing. Is that fair? No, but it appears that it's the way it works anyway. New people don't understand the context of other things here either. I just had someone email me today, wondering what in the world I meant by the "Dirty Dozen." Those who have been here a while all know what that is, but I forget that others don't. Should I explain myself everytime I post something new? Should new people?
However, there are definite differences of opinions among us all, and just because someone has been posting here a long time doesn't change that fact. I can only think of a few people I haven't locked horns with one time or another, but I count several people here as "good guys" with whom I would do business at the drop of a hat.
All in all, I think we have a valuable resource here. I think that anyone wanting to know about a person with whom they are about to do business can come here and get some sort of a response. It may not be the one they want, but it will likely be something upon which to based an opinion. The BOI doesn't work perfectly, but it DOES WORK! I think all of us, old and new alike, should be thankful for that, and try to live up to all of our responsibilities as best we can to make this site, and the herp community as a whole, as good as it can get.
Stardust
human
Didn't answer all my questions but very nicely written.
It brings up the point to which the BOI is trying to change, and that is, the new people or the lurkers or guests who are afraid to write. What if they have seen that a person had done business with the very person they just had a bad experience with? See? People not admitting perhaps when they were wrong, or did antagonize another.
Having that thought in mind, the people who have been here for awhile should perhaps not jump the gun, after all, we do not know where the other person is coming from.
When I first came on here I was afraid to write, you were one of the first people to assure me it was ok to say my piece. (See where that got you lol) So I was just wondering your stance on this, thank you for giving it.
It brings up the point to which the BOI is trying to change, and that is, the new people or the lurkers or guests who are afraid to write. What if they have seen that a person had done business with the very person they just had a bad experience with? See? People not admitting perhaps when they were wrong, or did antagonize another.
Having that thought in mind, the people who have been here for awhile should perhaps not jump the gun, after all, we do not know where the other person is coming from.
When I first came on here I was afraid to write, you were one of the first people to assure me it was ok to say my piece. (See where that got you lol) So I was just wondering your stance on this, thank you for giving it.
Darin Chappell
Senior Hillbilly Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2002
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- 1,838
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Rozann,
Sorry if I didn't answer all of your questions. I guess I didn't think they were all directed to me personally. What else would you like to know from me? I have no problem droning on, but I was trying to keep it as short as I could. If there's something pertinent that I didn't see, please restate it so I know you meant it for me to answer.
I really DO think everyone is welcome here. I also believe that anyone who comes on here with a respectful attitude of the knowledge/experience of others (in relation to Fauna and the herp society as a whole) and does not try to scam people will be accepted warmly. I have seen people err in one or both of these ways several times, and their hands get smakced, but otherwise, it's usually a good experience for people.
One of the things that really gets me riled up is the idea that anyone can understand what is going on in any long-standing community of posters in just a brief period of time. When someone comes here and starts lecturing us on how the BOI "ought" to be, well it seems rather infantile to me. After all, many of us have been here since the very beginning (or shortly thereafter), and the BOI works as it does, in part, BECAUSE OF the input we have offered Rich over the years of its existence. To me, it is a terribly arrogant thing to go into a community of posters, read some threads that tick you off, and then pontificate on how things SHOULD BE. Again, maybe it's just me here, but I would never do that on some other site at which I was in the "newbie" position.
The other thing that will get everyone cranked up here is lying. I'm not just talking about lying about huge things either. When someone is shown to be a liar about stupid little details, trying to make themselves look better than they really are, their whole credibility is blown. Now, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but once I know they're a proven liar, I'm finished with them. Everyone has their own level of of what it takes to write someone off, but lying does it for a bunch of us!
Finally, let me assure you of this, Rozann: I have never been sorry for encouraging you to post here . . .not even when I've disagreed with you!
Sorry if I didn't answer all of your questions. I guess I didn't think they were all directed to me personally. What else would you like to know from me? I have no problem droning on, but I was trying to keep it as short as I could. If there's something pertinent that I didn't see, please restate it so I know you meant it for me to answer.
I really DO think everyone is welcome here. I also believe that anyone who comes on here with a respectful attitude of the knowledge/experience of others (in relation to Fauna and the herp society as a whole) and does not try to scam people will be accepted warmly. I have seen people err in one or both of these ways several times, and their hands get smakced, but otherwise, it's usually a good experience for people.
One of the things that really gets me riled up is the idea that anyone can understand what is going on in any long-standing community of posters in just a brief period of time. When someone comes here and starts lecturing us on how the BOI "ought" to be, well it seems rather infantile to me. After all, many of us have been here since the very beginning (or shortly thereafter), and the BOI works as it does, in part, BECAUSE OF the input we have offered Rich over the years of its existence. To me, it is a terribly arrogant thing to go into a community of posters, read some threads that tick you off, and then pontificate on how things SHOULD BE. Again, maybe it's just me here, but I would never do that on some other site at which I was in the "newbie" position.
The other thing that will get everyone cranked up here is lying. I'm not just talking about lying about huge things either. When someone is shown to be a liar about stupid little details, trying to make themselves look better than they really are, their whole credibility is blown. Now, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but once I know they're a proven liar, I'm finished with them. Everyone has their own level of of what it takes to write someone off, but lying does it for a bunch of us!
Finally, let me assure you of this, Rozann: I have never been sorry for encouraging you to post here . . .not even when I've disagreed with you!
May I suggest that the bulk of the recent conversation in this thread might be better placed in the FaunaClassifieds Feedback Forum? I know it started out initially about postings within this thread, but there is going to be an awful lot of stuff people interested in reading specifically about Fed Albury will unnecessarily have to wade through.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Chris Kennard
Well-known member
Good idea!
Chris Kennard
Chris Kennard
annmccabemiles
New member
thank you Dianne
I did the same search through both google and yahoo and came to the same conclusion, must be area specific. It sure is a shame that more of Lemke's work is not available online. I don't think Fred was BS ing about that. The King I got from Fred is a very nice snake. Handles beautifully and has very nice color. I really wish it was a female for SO MANY reasons.
I am going to check out that show. Thanks for the heads up.
Ann
I did the same search through both google and yahoo and came to the same conclusion, must be area specific. It sure is a shame that more of Lemke's work is not available online. I don't think Fred was BS ing about that. The King I got from Fred is a very nice snake. Handles beautifully and has very nice color. I really wish it was a female for SO MANY reasons.
I am going to check out that show. Thanks for the heads up.
Ann