Bad Guy Garret Smith ( Scammer )

[snowgyre]

He also left some more nasty feedback on Patrick's visitor page. Garrett, how about you direct your attention to your BOI where it actually counts?

 

[schaumda]

Maybe marcus would know since that's who his German connection is but to get a answer from either is like expecting my money in the mail.

Hello.
Just some things: Writing I would not answer is incorrect. I was asked in this whole threat some questions and as long as I could I answered. But I am not going to post here without having any information. This is a thing between you and Garrett. And I don't see the need to comment anything I am not involved in.
What I can say is there is a waiting list for the sungazers longer then the amount of animals. It is not my part to make any presells or note names. But as Garrett correctly wrote in the add: There is no promised time nor are the animals in the US. And he writes no deposit needed! In his last adds, I see nothing incorrect about dates of deliveries. Because: How fast Export Cites are issued in Europe is not in our hands. Sometimes for "common" species it goes very fast. Sometimes it takes month. What they do is a background search of the animals history incl. legal status of the breeding stock. That can take a few days or a long time if other EU countries authorities are involved. For Varanus for example it goes quite quick, that's why we love to work with them. Clear legal animals that are traded world wide in bigger amounts.
Pakistan is a completely other topic and please don't mix that up, as you try, with animals that I am importing to the US.
When I read"shady" imports on animals imported to the US with legal paperwork approved by German authorities and USFW I just have to laugh. Especially people making this comments here know better.
I really appreciated that user posting here even appologising for mixing this threat here with a very nice good guy threat about me. And I accepted that apologies. So I would kindly ask you, not to involve me here in a situation between you and Garrett.
I can understand both of you are stuck in a situation that makes both of you feel really bad. I highly recommend you both take the phones, don't write massages making your both situations even worse. Honestly, guys, just talk. And find a solution. Whatever. A new deadline or whatever.
Garrett and me have quite a lot happy customers on what they get and how we work. Sure, not every deal about Cites works as fast as planned. Sometimes a paper takes so long, that animals come in the next shipment (we ship often). But until now, everyone ordering and waiting a bit longer got at least a small present for waiting longer. Or if he/she doesn't want to wait, just got deposits back if there was a deposit. And its only a very few cases that someone has to wait a bit. And important: Everyone ordering knows the estimated arrival times and no exact date. Because there are too many circumstances that no one in the business can influence.
But again: This is for animals from Germany to the US. You will find no one who was not happy afterwards. Don't mix me into this deal you have with Garret. Thank you.
Anyway: As I like most commenting here have nothing to add to this threat that helps you and Garrett, please ask me any further questions in a PM or give me a call or WhatsApp or else.

 

[snowgyre]

Thank you for posting, Markus. I agree that this current situation does not appear to involve you (you were not involved in the Pakistan imports, correct?). I understand imports can take months. However, Garrett had a nervous customer and responded unprofessionally to those concerns. At this point it is clear the customer is completely dissatisfied and does not trust Garrett to finish the transaction, thus Garrett should refund the money. Unfortunately, Garrett is not returning that money, and his childish, vindictive attempts to damage the reputation of people who are calling him to task in this BOI are not improving his image.

It seems you are a man of integrity based upon the BOI I have read about you. I do worry that your integrity will be smeared by associating with the unprofessional Garrett Smith. Again, thank you for explaining the process (and potential delays) behind importing animals in a cordial and professional manner.

 

[schaumda]

I mean after all, if Garrett and his German counterpart were legit why the need for Mikes money upfront with no animals?(not even pics) Please, If you say "you dont understand importing" one more time my head will probably spin off my shoulders. Seriously, if you guys had the cash or animals you would just buy them, import them, and then set whatever price you want.

Thanks for the advice
First: I pay all animals here cash.
Second: The money between Mike and Garrett has nothing to do with deals between Garrett and me.
Third: In case someone pays a deposit for animals exported from Germany to the US on order that is a absolutely correct way making deals. And understandable by everyone. As I understood animal trades in the US (especially when ai read the bois) 99% sellers ship only after complete payment. So, thanks for highlighting that!
Summery: I have never seen any penny out of the transaction between Mike and Garrett, because that is a deal they have with Pakistan. If you like, grab a map and check how close that is to Germany. And as you can see in my good guy threat, that's animals of high value reach their final home with nothing more then trust and smiles

 

[dieselfan]

If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas! Funny how you say everyone is happy with their dealings with you and Garrett. Recently one of your customers came to the BOI to give you credit for your end of the transaction but was reluctant to admit that he had to deal with Garrett as a middleman. Link here http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=542313

 

[schaumda]

Thank you for posting, Markus. I agree that this current situation does not appear to involve you (you were not involved in the Pakistan imports, correct?). I understand imports can take months. However, Garrett had a nervous customer and responded unprofessionally to those concerns. At this point it is clear the customer is completely dissatisfied and does not trust Garrett to finish the transaction, thus Garrett should refund the money. Unfortunately, Garrett is not returning that money, and his childish, vindictive attempts to damage the reputation of people who are calling him to task in this BOI are not improving his image.

It seems you are a man of integrity based upon the BOI I have read about you. I do worry that your integrity will be smeared by associating with the unprofessional Garrett Smith. Again, thank you for explaining the process (and potential delays) behind importing animals in a cordial and professional manner.

Thank you for your kind reply.
I understand he is frustrated, everyone would be. But: There is a big difference in the question why:
As a customer I would be frustrated as well.
But if I agree to invest in an import on buying costs, then I personally take the risk. And if I read the screenshots: They have a agreement on buying costs investment. That is a totally other situation. That's why I mean they should talk.
In every other situation between a seller and a customer I would 100% agree with all writen here. But this situation is different. And on one of the first pages of this threat I read someone asking if there is a contract.
This business is mainly not working with contracts. You all know that.
Because you asked: I am not involved in Mikes and Garretts deal. But I will get animals from Pakistan once they are arrive. And yes, I also put cash into this. But what I did is, that I directly write with the Pakistan seller and Garrett about this. And I knew from the beginning it can be a few weeks or month based time to wait. That's the risk. But that's actually worth the time.
That's why I know since February/March (don't ask for a exact date), that there is someone in the US also investing. From how I get it here, its the OP.
But again: After reading all this here, I still don't see any reason why someone should get animals for buying price other then because he is involved.
About this boi and if I am suffering on this. I am not afraid. Because all sales I do with Garrett are good. And customers recommend me and him to other customers. I see more and more orders coming. And the animals we sell like Varanus, Strophurus and others have high quality. That's is actually worth more then a bad guys threat. Everyone understood that the Pakistan thing is a fight between Mike and Garrett and doesn't influence a chance on rare, nice herps.
Finally, as a side note: I am only here a few month on this boi. But I see a handful of people commenting on every negative boi about everyone. This seems to be kind of a hobby. But: Screaming loud doesn't automatically mean to be right. The sad side is: You will find bad guy threats about nearly everyone in the business. But only unhappy customers post this. The same sellers might have 99% happy customers that don't make bois. That's why I why I would never judge without asking or writing with a seller personally.

 

[schaumda]

If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas! Funny how you say everyone is happy with their dealings with you and Garrett. Recently one of your customers came to the BOI to give you credit for your end of the transaction but was reluctant to admit that he had to deal with Garrett as a middleman. Link here http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=542313

What Ryan wrote about our transaction was more then positive! Animals worth some thousands of dollars shipped to him just on trust. He and me were both very happy and will do a lot more trades. He is such a cool guy. And worth all the trust anyone can give.
Someone commenting here even tried spamming my adds on facebook with buyers awares and after me asking why, blocked me. I understand why Ryan just commented about the deal I made with him.
Read my boi and you'll see I even got apologies that some user commented out of topic.

 

[dieselfan]

Wait a sec Markus... In post #202 you deny any involvement in this transaction between Garrett and Mike. But now you are admitting that you are Garretts contact/source for importing from Pakistan??

 

[schaumda]

Wait a sec Markus... In post #202 you deny any involvement in this transaction between Garrett and Mike. But now you are admitting that you are Garretts contact/source for importing from Pakistan??

No. I did not say that. Read what I wrote.
I invested in a going deal. And that I also write with Pakistan.
Just read it again.

 

[schaumda]

No. I did not say that. Read what I wrote.
I invested in a going deal. And that I also write with Pakistan.
Just read it again.

To make it more precise: Those animals will come as a reexport from the US to me after arrival.

 

[dieselfan]

No. In your post(#202) you word it in a manner to make it seem like you have no involvement in this transaction with Mike and Garrett. The truth is, you also have money in this same transaction and you are intentionally withholding info. At this point I dont believe anything you or Garrett say.

 

[schaumda]

No. In your post(#202) you word it in a manner to make it seem like you have no involvement in this transaction with Mike and Garrett. The truth is, you also have money in this same transaction and you are intentionally withholding info. At this point I dont believe anything you or Garrett say.

I am still saying the same: I am not involved in Garretts and Mikes deal. Before this threat started I did not even know the name of Mike.
Just because someone gets a burger from McD, does that mean he is automatically in a deal with everyone else buying a burger there?
Just asking, no need to answer.

 

[dieselfan]

That is rich! You just happen to be another innocent reptile enthusiast tangled in Garretts web of lies and deception? Nice try at spin tactics Markus.

 

[schaumda]

That is rich! You just happen to be another innocent reptile enthusiast tangled in Garretts web of lies and deception? Nice try at spin tactics Markus.

Do you really believe I would invest money in animals coming just on hearsay? I asked for the contact information to Pakistan before sending any money. And I don't feel that I will loose money on that deal. If so, yes, I invested. That's my own risk. But I will not loose money.
I am shipping animals to Garrett worth way more then what I invested in Pakistan. Don't you think those would have been lost with a scammer? Actually they have never been lost but in good caring hands.

 

[dieselfan]

Markus, ANY deposit given in any sale is based on hearsay(maybe plus pics too?). That is kind of a fundamental variable. So what you are saying now is some guy in Pakistan has all of you guys money totalling in the $20,000 range? Garrett claims to have more than what Mike has "invested"(LOL) in this transaction. Sorry I am really having a hard time making since of what you and Garrett claim.

 

[nickolasanastasiou]

Patrick, Markus has been consistent (and I believe honest) regarding the nature of his involvement in various activities. I do not think that trying draw Markus into things that Garret is responsible for is the appropriate thing to do. Markus is his own person and I have not seen evidence of him committing any wrongdoing here.

 

[snowgyre]

From what I understand from Markus's explanation, there were three initial investors for the hardwickii: Garrett, Mike, and Markus. Garrett was acting as the primary importer. Markus was aware of a US investor at the time but did not know who it was (turns out it was probably Mike). Once the animals were imported, Garrett would send Mike's animals to Mike, and Markus's animals to Markus (hence the re-export).

I believe Markus when he says he's uninvolved in this conflict between Garrett and Mike. Initially, I think Markus posted in this thread in support of his US contact, Garrett, which is reasonable for a business partner to do.

I've actually learned far more about this transaction from Markus than from Garrett, and I appreciate Markus's input. I agree with him that Mike and Garrett should solve this issue as soon as possible. If I was Garrett, I'd simply return all of Mike's money and be done with it. Unfortunately, Garrett seems to react emotionally before thinking logically. Frustration with a transaction can only explain away so much poor behavior... Garrett initially got on my do-not-buy-or-sell-from list when he chose to make a big fiasco over spilled karma and two highly derogatory, inappropriate posts on my BOI thread.

If Garrett wasn't so quick to react so unprofessionally, I think the tone of this BOI would've been very different.

In response to Markus's comment about those of us who frequent the BOI: yes, several of us do very closely monitor the BOI. I am one of those people. Some of us do get carried away sometimes with the drama sometimes. However, we are trying to gather as much information as possible to try to figure out exactly what happened and who may be entitled to compensation. Reacting defensively, aggressively, or unprofessionally will generally hurt a cause, even if you're guilty of no wrong. Garrett's behavior alone has alienated pretty much everyone here.

 

[nickolasanastasiou]

trying to* draw

 

[dieselfan]

Fair enough Nickolas.. Hopefully what Markus states is true. Its just hard to believe that these two are not in cahoots with one another.

 

[schaumda]

Markus, ANY deposit given in any sale is based on hearsay(maybe plus pics too?). That is kind of a fundamental variable. So what you are saying now is some guy in Pakistan has all of you guys money totalling in the $20,000 range? Garrett claims to have more than what Mike has "invested"(LOL) in this transaction. Sorry I am really having a hard time making since of what you and Garrett claim.

Yes, I agree with what you say about the hearsay. What I mean is, its a third world country. An investment in this anyone in this business is making on more then just the trust we have when doing sales or buys in Europe or the US.
It is a lot of emails, whatsapps, pictures,...
It's different from the hearsay within our stable systems with good connected sellers and especially well connected buyers for rare animals.
That's why I made my decision based on a lets say feeling I got from directly speaking and writing with Pakistan.
Sure, also in Europe and the US you can loose money in deals or get wrong or ill animals. But the chance to suffer on this is way lower.
I can understand a lot of things written here. And I respect different views on a situation. But from what I read here, I make my own conclusions. Please respect, that people might understand this situation as an investment. As I and others respect that others see it as a regular deal.
That's why it is more important they speak open (and especially in a private background without both parties fearing every word being shown to the world).
Because that helps none of them. Please excuse, if I not reply any more today as it is middle of the night now. Generally, I don't think I can add any more constructive comments to this situation. I don't believe anyone can except Mike and Garrett talking and finding a solution, in what direction is ever best for them.