• 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....

Bad Guy Gastro 3003 (PLEASE BUYERS BEWARE) !!!

T

TortsRUs-ADAM

Contributing Member
Contributor
Joined
Jul 28, 2013
Messages
313
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Location
Corona California
On 5/17/16 I sent the payment of $927 to Robert Brunner for a 7" Aldabra tortoise he claimed he had for sale. Later that day I was told by him that the tortoise had been sold, he was going to review his PayPal account the following morning and send me my refund. On 5/18/16 he sent me an email stating that he was charged with his sons school tuition and he could no longer refund me my full purchase amount because it was no longer in his PayPal account. Later that day he refunded me $475 from my original $927 purchase. I opened a PayPal claim that day, so I'm now awaiting to get my refund on the ending balance of my purchase.

Thanks,
Adam
 
Small correction. The username is Gastro3003.

Adam, you should send him a link to this thread, too, just so he can engage publicly. You might have already done so for all I know. Just mentioning it.

Also, posting communications would be a good idea just to get them out of the way. I am sure they will be requested.
 
Could you post all communications? I'm slightly confused as why he would sell it to you, then tell you it was sold.

Have you notified him of this thread?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Snake-Queen said:
Could you post all communications? I'm slightly confused as why he would sell it to you, then tell you it was sold.

Have you notified him of this thread?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


I sent the funds in hopes of the tortoise still being available on 5/17/16. Approximately 1hr after I sent the funds he sent me an email stating the tortoise had been sold locally 2 minutes prior to me sending the funds. I than requested him to send me my full refund.

The following day on 5/18/16 he claimed he didn't have all of money due to a charge on his account from his sons school tuition.

I will be uploading images of our communication that was done via email.

Thanks,
Adam
 
Ugh...Seriously? He spent your money IMMEDIATELY before even telling you the animal was sold? :/ Totally negligent.
 
Upon seeing his second ad for a second Aldabra for sale to the first person to PayPal him the money I saw many red flags. Never really thought it to be real but decided since I can pay with my money protected I will give it a shot. So I sent the payment of 925 via credit card on PayPal. Anyone that uses PayPal or speaks with them knows when you pay like this the money is removed from the buyers account and held by PayPal until the product is sent. The seller will have access to the funds once the product is received and in good condition. I was immediately refunded the money and told to send "as a gift". Again, anyone that knows PayPal knows that this is the only way you can lose your money. Sending as a gift provides no buyer protection and the person can just run off with your money.

After speaking to PayPal they mentioned that he had opened up his PayPal account that day, which was funny to me because he said he sold an Aldabra a few days earlier via PayPal. The only picture he could provide was an old grainy one and said he would ship it in 10 days, to make sure it was healthy, again making no sense.

The only thing that made me really curious was to see he has been a member here since 2014. I will keep what I think of the situation to myself, just chose to share the facts from what had happened. I hope no one sent him those funds that he so desperately needed "as a gift"
 
Do u want aldabra or I will relist

If you drop the paypal I can send u ur money in a week ..

Now I can use paypal at all



Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Torts"R"Us" <[email protected]>
Date: 5/18/2016 3:17 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: robertbrunnermd <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Aldabra

No I don't won't anything from you, all I won't is my money back.

I've been asking you for my refund since yesterday (literally 1 hr after I sent you the funds).

I'm giving you 1 hr to send me my full refund. I know a ton of people in the tortoise reptile industry, so please do the right thing and send me my full refund now!

Thanks,
Adam


On May 18, 2016, at 12:02 PM, robertbrunnermd <[email protected]> wrote:

Please do not do that

I have perfect t feedback

A direct deposit came out my account today

I will have the rest in a few days unless u want the aldabra

Bob



Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Torts"R"Us" <[email protected]>
Date: 5/18/2016 2:40 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: robertbrunnermd <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Aldabra

I will be contacting PayPal and writing some reviews on fauna! I don't want part of my refund I WANT MY ENTIRE REFUND by the end of the day!

Thanks,
Adam



On May 18, 2016, at 11:34 AM, robertbrunnermd <[email protected]> wrote:

I just sent you back about $500. That's all I have in my account now. My account will be replenished next week. I would not accept the deposit less than $300. Honestly we used to sell them for 2000 and peace and we used to take and 800 or $900 deposit on all of them. I'm sorry you feel that a $300 deposit is too much for a $3,000 + tortoise! We are not talking about a red foot here



Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Torts"R"Us" <[email protected]>
Date: 5/18/2016 2:16 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: robertbrunnermd <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Aldabra

I'm not willing to leave any deposit other than $100. If you can't do this send me my refund. I shouldn't have to be asking for my refund.

I'm not going to be negotiating with you. It's plan and simple if you can't do $100 deposit than there's nothing else to say.

Thanks,
Adam

On May 18, 2016, at 11:06 AM, robertbrunnermd <[email protected]> wrote:

And that's usually not what we do .....
But you seem like a nice guy

BEAUTIFUL Facebook page
..

Nice Collection!!!!!!!!!!!



Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Torts"R"Us" <[email protected]>
Date: 5/18/2016 1:26 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: robertbrunnermd <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Aldabra

No thanks. I would like my refund. In the near future if you have and aldabras for sale and they are ready to ship out as soon as I pay than we have a deal if we come to an agreement on price. As of now I would like to refunded!

Thanks,
Adam

On May 18, 2016, at 10:12 AM, robertbrunnermd <[email protected]> wrote:

It is

I can send u back 25 dollars for ur hassle but we need the rest to hold him

We have literally Hundreds buy from us...we make our money in volume

That aldabra with anyone else would be easily 2700 plus

Should be 4 weeks

If you are not interested NP

Bob



Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Torts"R"Us" <[email protected]>
Date: 5/18/2016 12:47 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: robertbrunnermd <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Aldabra

Ok sounds great I'll take it if it's over 6.25" and closer to 7" for $859 shipped.

Send me my refund and I'll send you a small deposit and when the animal is ready to ship I'll send the ending balance.

Thanks,
Adam

On May 18, 2016, at 9:37 AM, robertbrunnermd <[email protected]> wrote:

Ok
He said it's just shy of 5" now and in 4-6 weeks it should be just shy or just about 7"

..that's a SINGLE inch less than the one sold yesterday

Perfect scutes ...even nicer shapethan one sold yesterday ..perfect specimen

He said it is ur for 859 shipped .. He will ship using SYR...which will cost him well over 100
Bucks but is the right way to do it

Bob


Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Torts"R"Us" <[email protected]>
Date: 5/18/2016 12:00 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: robertbrunnermd <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Aldabra

Not interested in paying the same price for a smaller tortoise.

Thanks,
Adam

On May 18, 2016, at 8:43 AM, robertbrunnermd <[email protected]> wrote:

I'll ask my brother

Probably on fauna 800...900 ship included

It's up to you. The other one sold in literally 3 minutes. If you would like it would be yours.

He doesn't like to sit on FS ads...he has 4 adults on an acre of land with a " heat shed"

It will grow the inch in 4-6 weeks....

He power feeds them

The reason he doesn't want to ship it now is because he had one experience where he shipped one this size and it did not arrive alive according to the buyer and it was a big hassle.

Bob



Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Torts"R"Us" <[email protected]>
Date: 5/18/2016 10:41 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: robertbrunnermd <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Aldabra

I highly doubt the tortoise will grow 1" in the next 5-6 weeks. I'm really not looking for anything smaller than the one you just sold.

Just curious as to how much you would be asking for a 4.5" Aldabra? If it's worth it I would highly consider it.

Please refund me!

Thanks,
Adam



On May 17, 2016, at 7:52 PM, robertbrunnermd <[email protected]> wrote:

Adam

Just FYI
He has one that is 3.5 inches that will be ready to ship in 5-6 weeks ( he won't ship less than 4.5 inches ) ..Also perfect

If u would like it before it hits fauna let me know

Good night





Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Torts"R"Us" <[email protected]>
Date: 5/17/2016 7:55 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: [email protected]
Subject: Aldabra

Is the tortoise still for sale? I can send the funds now. Please send me a pic!

Thanks,
Adam
 
Adam, there appears to be an email missing, unless the communication where he states the tortoise had sold, is in a different format.
 
Snake-Queen said:
Adam, there appears to be an email missing, unless the communication where he states the tortoise had sold, is in a different format.
Click to expand...


There is still several emails missing, I erased someone stuff on my phone because my memory on my phone was full. I'm on my computer now trying to transfer emails back onto my phone. Once I have retrieved all communication I will post it up shortly.

Thanks,
Adam
 
Snake-Queen said:
Adam, there appears to be an email missing, unless the communication where he states the tortoise had sold, is in a different format.
Click to expand...


image1.png

On May 17, 2016, at 7:09 PM, robertbrunnermd <[email protected]> wrote:

I have not received anything yet..
See attached
You missed him by 2 min

I will see it in AM if you sent it and refund

TY

Good night



Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Torts"R"Us" <[email protected]>
Date: 5/17/2016 9:18 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: robertbrunnermd <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Aldabra

Ok please refund me. I sent the money .

Thanks,
Adam

On May 17, 2016, at 6:04 PM, robertbrunnermd <[email protected]> wrote:

I'm sorry

It sold in 3 minutes locally

Best

Bob



Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Torts"R"Us" <[email protected]>
Date: 5/17/2016 8:03 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: [email protected]
Subject: Aldabra

I can send the funds now just need to know if he/she is still available?
Thanks,
Adam
<Screenshot_2016-05-17-22-07-24.png>
 
That's fine. I'll let someone else take it.

I'm not going to loose my PayPal buyers protection on any deal. Like I said once you refund me In full I can leave you a non refundable deposit so you know I'm interested and that I'm purchasing the animal.

I don't see why you would need the total purchase amount 4-6 weeks prior to shipping the animal?

Just refund me, and I can send you a non refundable deposit. And if you decide on taking someone else's money in full 4-6 weeks prior to them getting the their tortoise then that's fine with me. That's not the way I do business!

Thanks,
Adam



On May 18, 2016, at 9:47 AM, robertbrunnermd <[email protected]> wrote:

NP
We have many willing to put down 850 plus right now for him





Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Torts"R"Us" <[email protected]>
Date: 5/18/2016 12:22 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: robertbrunnermd <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Aldabra

People are looking for 6" plus because they are well started and are past the delicate stage.

Sorry, I'm sure you can easily find another buyer I'm just not interested in paying $850 shipped for a tortoise that's 2" smaller than the one that I was paying for $900 shipped.

I would be a buyer at $800 shipped and that's pushing it for me.

If you Except my offer, refund me and I can send you a small deposit so you can hold the Animal for me until it's ready to ship!

I'm not looking to tie up my money for 4-6 weeks.

Thanks,
Adam

On May 18, 2016, at 9:13 AM, robertbrunnermd <[email protected]> wrote:

And as you know very well the smaller ones so much faster because people don't want them to outgrow the enclosures to quickly. It's only about A2 inch difference anyway



Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Torts"R"Us" <[email protected]>
Date: 5/18/2016 12:00 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: robertbrunnermd <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Aldabra

Not interested in paying the same price for a smaller tortoise.

Thanks,
Adam

On May 18, 2016, at 8:43 AM, robertbrunnermd <[email protected]> wrote:

I'll ask my brother

Probably on fauna 800...900 ship included

It's up to you. The other one sold in literally 3 minutes. If you would like it would be yours.

He doesn't like to sit on FS ads...he has 4 adults on an acre of land with a " heat shed"

It will grow the inch in 4-6 weeks....

He power feeds them

The reason he doesn't want to ship it now is because he had one experience where he shipped one this size and it did not arrive alive according to the buyer and it was a big hassle.

Bob



Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Torts"R"Us" <[email protected]>
Date: 5/18/2016 10:41 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: robertbrunnermd <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Aldabra

I highly doubt the tortoise will grow 1" in the next 5-6 weeks. I'm really not looking for anything smaller than the one you just sold.

Just curious as to how much you would be asking for a 4.5" Aldabra? If it's worth it I would highly consider it.

Please refund me!

Thanks,
Adam
 
He sent the money without telling me....I went to bed...In the AM when I woke up I saw his deposit ..buy tuition was taken out

I IMMEDIATELY sent him my balance of about 500..and said I would have the rest in a few days

Again... he sent the money without contacting me at all. It was just before 11 p.m. eastern time. I'm not sure if he included the email above where I said I have not received any money yet I will check in the morning goodnight.

Had he told me he was sending the money I would have told him not to because it was sold.
 
On May 17, 2016, at 7:09 PM, robertbrunnermd <[email protected]> wrote:

I have not received anything yet..
See attached
You missed him by 2 min

I will see it in AM if you sent it and refund

TY

Good night
 
He only paypaled without contacting me to be ahead of anyone else wanting it

I only found out in the AM!!!



Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top