odatria
New member
You know, I am going to go out on a limb here.
I have read all of my correspondence with Chris and Have thought long and hard about our conversations. I have read the posts here on th BOI (including my own) and have come to the following conclussion.
I believe that Chris is a decent guy. He and I spent quite a bit of time over a few days talking and he has been through some serious issues in the reptile business of no fault of his own. His father was in the business for many years and Chris may have helped his father. This may substantiate his claim that he has been in the business for numerous years, although indirectly.
When I think of how this is turning out, I thank God that there was no BOI when I got started in reptiles. I was overly ambitious and told a few tall tales to fit in. I just wanted to get into the wholesale scene and back then it was NOTHING like it is now. There was no internet. So it really took some time to get reptiles at wholesale prices. I had to drop a few names of people I really didnt know just to get my foot in the door. Funny thing is after all of these years I was talking to one of the guys who helped me get into the business. He laughed as he told me how he and his friends new I was stretching the truth because I wanted to fit in so bad. But he helped me because I reminded him of himself when he was younger.
With Chris, I think he is trying to establish himself as a seller. I believe that he is selling quality reptiles and that his customers have thus far been pleased (even if the Chondro came up a bit short). I just think he is a bit like I was back then. A little anxious to get a name established and make some sales. But now everyone is connected by the world wide web. So when someone trys to throw a few names around it may backfire in a very public fashion.
I can tell you that I would like to see this thread turn into a positive for Chris. But if he continues to avoid the questions it will likely end as a black eye. I really dont want that to happen so I am asking that Chris just come clean. Like I said in my email to him, it is possible that Trooper and Greg dont remember him. If that is the case, please show the receipts as you stated when you replied back to me. If you were mistaken about actualy doing business with them, or even if you were not honest about it, just clear the slate. Here and now. It will be much better for all of us.
Heck I'll tell you what. If you just clear the slate, I will do the same. I will post a thread about myself on the BOI that will detail the good, the bad, and the ugly of my beginings in the reptile business. Heck it will probably inspire a new forum here on Fauna Classifieds. One where people can be honest about themselves and share thier life experiences. You know what the beauty of experience is Chris? You can look back and see how you have matured and be thankful the your past does not equal your future. You learn from your mistakes and you grow from them. I am sure that many people in this thread can relate to that.
How cool would it be if we could all meet a few years down the road and rib Chris a little about this thread over a beer? I think I might even take a different approach to posting from here on out. Especially if I have to spill the beans in my own thread! LOL. You guys would get a kick out of that. But you know, the cool thing about it is that I have personaly taken responsibility for my immature decisions. And not only did it feel great, but the response I recieved was extremely uplifting.
Best regards.
Michael.
I have read all of my correspondence with Chris and Have thought long and hard about our conversations. I have read the posts here on th BOI (including my own) and have come to the following conclussion.
I believe that Chris is a decent guy. He and I spent quite a bit of time over a few days talking and he has been through some serious issues in the reptile business of no fault of his own. His father was in the business for many years and Chris may have helped his father. This may substantiate his claim that he has been in the business for numerous years, although indirectly.
When I think of how this is turning out, I thank God that there was no BOI when I got started in reptiles. I was overly ambitious and told a few tall tales to fit in. I just wanted to get into the wholesale scene and back then it was NOTHING like it is now. There was no internet. So it really took some time to get reptiles at wholesale prices. I had to drop a few names of people I really didnt know just to get my foot in the door. Funny thing is after all of these years I was talking to one of the guys who helped me get into the business. He laughed as he told me how he and his friends new I was stretching the truth because I wanted to fit in so bad. But he helped me because I reminded him of himself when he was younger.
With Chris, I think he is trying to establish himself as a seller. I believe that he is selling quality reptiles and that his customers have thus far been pleased (even if the Chondro came up a bit short). I just think he is a bit like I was back then. A little anxious to get a name established and make some sales. But now everyone is connected by the world wide web. So when someone trys to throw a few names around it may backfire in a very public fashion.
I can tell you that I would like to see this thread turn into a positive for Chris. But if he continues to avoid the questions it will likely end as a black eye. I really dont want that to happen so I am asking that Chris just come clean. Like I said in my email to him, it is possible that Trooper and Greg dont remember him. If that is the case, please show the receipts as you stated when you replied back to me. If you were mistaken about actualy doing business with them, or even if you were not honest about it, just clear the slate. Here and now. It will be much better for all of us.
Heck I'll tell you what. If you just clear the slate, I will do the same. I will post a thread about myself on the BOI that will detail the good, the bad, and the ugly of my beginings in the reptile business. Heck it will probably inspire a new forum here on Fauna Classifieds. One where people can be honest about themselves and share thier life experiences. You know what the beauty of experience is Chris? You can look back and see how you have matured and be thankful the your past does not equal your future. You learn from your mistakes and you grow from them. I am sure that many people in this thread can relate to that.
How cool would it be if we could all meet a few years down the road and rib Chris a little about this thread over a beer? I think I might even take a different approach to posting from here on out. Especially if I have to spill the beans in my own thread! LOL. You guys would get a kick out of that. But you know, the cool thing about it is that I have personaly taken responsibility for my immature decisions. And not only did it feel great, but the response I recieved was extremely uplifting.
Best regards.
Michael.
