Has anyone ever dealt with Mario Gotti from Florida?

[jlexotics]

Indeed, I have tried to stay out of the entire thing. I dislike the boi in the fact the you are judged out of the blue by many that don't even know you, deal with you and so on.

 

[jlexotics]

Forgot to mention give me a call (954) 691-5489

Thanks,

John

 

[The BoidSmith]

All I'm going to say is Mario Gotti is Mario Gotti. This is not Ray or anyone else. I happen to be local and have spoke with Mario several times over the phone and in person. Sadly we have never had any deals go through. He doesn't plan on comming on here to post. He is NOT going to daytona. I haven't seen his animals. Nothing more.
__________________
John Light
JL Exotics
http://www.JLExotics.com

John,

No one doubts that you have spoke on the phone and met a real person who told you that his name was Mario Gotti. The question is who is this person. When he posted his heteros for sale I inquired about them. Below is my first e-mail:

From: Alvaro Garcia
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2005 9:22 AM
Subject: Re: Message about: adult breeder females for sale

Mario,

If you don't mind I'd rather call you. When buying on line I feel more comfortable having a verifiable name, address, and phone number. Nothing personal, but you probably know there are a lot of unscrupulous individuals selling snakes around these days.

Thanks for your time.

Dan

His reply is below

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2005 9:11 AM
Subject: Re: Message about: adult breeder females for sale

i can understand that my name is mario gotti my adress is XXXX sw 53rd ave florida

I have blocked the house number because that's not actually his residence. Notice that he didn't even send a zc. (John, I would assume that if you spoke with Mario you have his phone number, right?)

That address belongs to a house in Plantation, Florida, and it's the exact same address that belongs to Matt Goldman.

Again I don't doubt you have been dealing with a person who told you is Mario Gotti, but unless he showed you a picture ID, there's is no way you can tell who he is.

Here is another of his e-mails:

----- Original Message -----
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2005 9:53 AM
Subject: Re: Message about: adult breeder females for sale

it would be best if you can call now as i have meny things to take care today as i am goin to daytna on tuesday

So now he is saying he is not going to Daytona. He has arranged with David an exchange of a couple of mojaves and $2,000 for a genetic stripe that he says he owns, but he is not going to show up. Even if he does show up I guess it would be very difficult to recognize him unless you personally know him or he is walking around with an expensive genetic stripe ball python around his neck.

As far as him not posting here it's understandable. Not one breeder in FL has ever heard of a person that has hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of snakes. "Fishy" is a huge understatement.

But I guess all the mistery will be solved after Daytona. He e-mailed a picture of a Platty to David who is willing to post it here if "Mario" doesn't show up for the deal. We will see if someone recognizes that picture. When that happens hopefully you will change your opinion on the value of the BOI, and it might even save you from being scammed in the future.

Best regards.

 

[The BoidSmith]

Indeed, I have tried to stay out of the entire thing. I dislike the boi in the fact the you are judged out of the blue by many that don't even know you, deal with you and so on.

John,

Let's forget for a moment about the existence or not of Mario Gotti. If he does exist as you say he lives in the same house with Matt Goldman, that's beyond any doubt. In fact neither one (if they were two individuals) live in that house which is the house of one of Matt Goldman's relatives, his grandmother. He just uses that address for people to send him money.

Here is my question: Do you know or have you ever had business dealings with Matt Goldman? Before you type your answer, just think for a moment, as this is a small world... . What you say will be left in writing right here and "someone" might reply with additional information. After all you might have your reasons to dislike the BOI but whether you like it or not it does work.

Regards.

 

[jlexotics]

What I know will not be posted for more then one reason. Like I said I'm staying out of this. If you really want to talk give me a phone call and I can speak with you. Yes I have business dealings with the one in question, yes I have been to his house (grandma's), as well as his mothers. The BOI can be helpful no doubt, but at the same time I still see flaws. Everyone wants to judge when they have no experience with someone. Everyone has to chime in and say something. Something goes wrong someone posts here before the person(s) in questions even have a chance to fix the problem. Seems like everyone wants to jump the gun. This is one reason I've cut WAY back on selling animals. It came to a point where at one time the fun had been lost. I'm getting off topic, give me a call.

John Light
(954) 691-5489

 

[The BoidSmith]

John,

Thanks for answering the question upfront and honestly. You have confirmed that the address in question is that of Matt's grandmother and is the address Mario Gotti asked me to send payment to.

This is first hand information, as he offered me for sale a group of females and told me to send payment to that address. A while ago he offered me a 100% hetero for SK axanthic. Below is our e-mail exchange:

Please note that he is offering me a 100% hetero for SK axanthic from Alan Bosch:

----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 9:11 AM
Subject: Message about: Looking for 100% hetero SK axanthic female 04 or older.

>i have a 100% het for sk line from alan bosh with his papers that i am looking to sell...let me know if you are still looking
>
> ----------------------------------------------
> Click on (or cut and paste into you browser's
> location window) the URL below to view the ad that
> this message is in response to.
>
> http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?de=320965&cat=32
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------
> This message was sent by an unregistered or non logged in user.
> This person may or may not be who they say they are.
> The return address they provide may or may not be their correct address.
>
> Sent 09:11 AM, Jun 21st, 2005 from I.P. Address 152.163.100.10

His I.P. Address is 152.163.100.10. Does it match any other known I.P. addresses on the BOI? Those that received e-mails from Matt Goldman can probably check it too.

Here’s Alan Bosch’s page. He works with VPI and his own line of axanthics, but not with SK.

Axanthic (w/o yellow) Ball

This naturally occurring morph has many interesting possibilities. There are a number of proven "lines" of axanthic balls. We are currently proving our lineage and also working with the VPI line shown above. We believe that VPI's lineage is the purest, and cleanest developed thus far.
When the axanthic line is bred to an albino and then resulting double hets (het for axanthic & het for albino) are bred to each other there is a 1 in 16 chance that an offspring will be produced without yellow (axanthic) and black (amelanistic) and produce the SNOW Ball.
At least two lines of snows have been produced by Joliff and the Sutherlands. As time and continued selective breeding occurs the snow line and all other lines will be improved upon, much as the Red Rat or Corn snake morphs have.
Our small group of 2.1 visible morphs and 1.1 hets should produce some babies in '03/'04. Keep your eye on the AVAILABILITY page.

I’m still waiting for a reply from Alan as I’m giving Matt the benefit of the doubt. Maybe Alan did have an “extra” 100% SK female although he does not work with that line.

John, do you still think it’s worth to defend Matt/Mario?

Regards.

 

[jlexotics]

I'm NOT defending anyone. Please give me a call. I will explain. You could also leave me your phone number and I could give you a call.

 

[jlexotics]

I'm off for the night, IF you want to talk call me. Want any of my info call me. Talk to you later?

(954) 691-5489
John Light

 

[The BoidSmith]

All I'm going to say is Mario Gotti is Mario Gotti. This is not Ray or anyone else.

All I'm going to say is that Mario Gotti is Matt Goldman. It has been demonstrated right here, right now, and you have confirmed it. If you choose to befriend him that's your choice. One way or the other you demonstrated more integrity than him, as he never even showed up. Let's hope he shows up in Daytona with the stripe and let's hope the picture of the Platty is one of his. Tomorrow's a long day for me to. Time to retire.

 

[Dennis Hultman]

Sadly we have never had any deals go through. He doesn't plan on comming on here to post. He is NOT going to daytona. I haven't seen his animals. Nothing more.

Yes I have business dealings with the one in question, yes I have been to his house (grandma's), as well as his mothers. The BOI can be helpful no doubt, but at the same time I still see flaws.

What I know will not be posted for more then one reason.

Well, I can't seem to understand this. You have been to his residence(s) and have not seen any animals?

If I try to read in-between the lines, it would almost seem like you have been ripped off by him.

You have confirmed with your statements that they are one in the same.

Plain and simple if true, a previous statement of yours says it best.

I won't talk to a scam artist

 

[Dennis Hultman]

Indeed, I have tried to stay out of the entire thing. I dislike the boi in the fact the you are judged out of the blue by many that don't even know you, deal with you and so on.

And John not to jump all over you but you have made several bad guy threads this year as well. In one you had no documentation are proof and in the other you did not even want the person you were accusing to have the chance to defend themselves.

The BOI can be helpful no doubt, but at the same time I still see flaws. Everyone wants to judge when they have no experience with someone.

Something goes wrong someone posts here before the person(s) in questions even have a chance to fix the problem. Seems like everyone wants to jump the gun.

I can see that being a problem. No really I can!!

Has Megan been sent a link to this thread?

Why would I do such a thing? I can back up every thing I've said, there is nothing for her to defend. If you feel the need go for it. I won't talk to a scam artist or deal with her ever again!

What I said to you

Because it is the right thing to do. Everyone should have the right to defend himself or herself. She maybe a scam artist and she probably is guilty of everything you say. Maybe she will not care and will not post.

Greg, How can she police her name if she does not know the BOI is here. It has always been the proper thing to do on this forum.

I think you would appreciate it if I let you know I found negative info about you which you may not be aware of.

Every Bad Guy is given the chance to prove themselves either way.

John
I am not saying you should not be believed, if everything you have stated is true she is a horrible person and you have been wronged. John like you said, “you can back up everything you have said” so that is a

good reason to give her the link here.

I can't see why you would not want her to know, it only adds to your credibility.

Anyway there is precedent for it here and she should be afforded the opportunity to defend herself

So, I don't get what you’re complaining for about the BOI. It is not ok to jump the gun on someone when it is not you making the bad guy post but if you are making it we have to take it all at face value. Then you knock the BOI on this thread because of something private going on with you and Mario/Matt or whatever his name is. You admit that you have dealings with a known scammer. What’s that all about?

 

[BenSiegelReptiles]

JOhn

John
you are heading down a dark and lonely road consorting with known scammers--there are too many good people in this business down in south florida to cling to an obvious scammer--i have meant you and you seem like a nice enough guy--what are you doing trying to back some pos like this up--this guy has used my name as a reference saying he has sold me pieds and we have done lots of business back and forth--what he did not count on was someone actually calling me to check his reference(ken foster)-and then he was busted, because i dont know and never met him and bought anything from or sold anything to(that i know of)---he was very close to being arrested in that deal gone bad with ken and he is lucky--so now you are backing him--are ya freakin nuts!!-Ben Siegel

 

[The BoidSmith]

Alan's reply

So Matt offered me a 100% SK hetero for axanthic female with paperwork produced by Alan Bosch. Here's Alan's reply to my question":

riginal Message -----
From: "AlanBoschReptiles.com" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2005 5:58 AM
Subject: Re: Question


> Dear AG:
>
> THX for riting!
>
> The only het for ax. I can REMEMBER ever having had are 2.0 VPI or the ones I have produced and held back. I still have the VPI axanthics. If they can show you a receipt from me then you may be in business.
>
>
> Sincerely,
> Alan D. Bosch
> www.AlanBoschReptiles.com
> President, Coastal Carolina Herp Society since 2003

As I stated before Alan doesn't work with SK's he works with VPI's and he only sold a couple of males lately. What do I make of this John? Would you define this as an attempt of scam or what? And remember this is not something I overheard. This is a scam he tried to pull on me. Never had I heard of Mario Gotti before until he offered me the animal.

What do you want to explain over the phone? That he didn't do it on purpose? That the hundreds of dollars worth of ball pythons are in another garage? That the lies about animals he purchased from reputable breeders were done just to "salt the mine" (hint)? That the pictures he used that were not his were just do demonstrate what a certain morph looks like?

Ben is right. You better put some distance between both of you. Maybe a state or two. That is if you want to have some future in the herp business.

Thanks.

 

[jlexotics]

At one point in time I had plans to work with Matt on a large scale. We were working on putting together a business when I noticed some odd things and recieved some calls I was NOT happy with. I run my business (on and off) the way a business should be run. I just finished a Deal with Jon Manser and he will vouch for that. Anyways I called it off after a month due to many reasons. Many things he has posted are from wholesale lists, not his animals. I have been "told" by him he has this and that. Everytime I have arranged to see his animals (I work approx 10min from where he lives) something goes wrong and I don't get to see anything. I'm talking about something like 30 + times. I had even planned to buy a 10 lot of albinos from him which I finally broke off as he supposedly sold 7 and within a month and a half I still don't have any. I don't know if he has any animals at all to tell you the truth. I had plans to buy an adult het pied female from him which went VERY bad. It took me almost 1 yr to get my money back. I went to his mother to get it as Matt is the most unreliable person I have ever met. Again we had planed to meet like 30+ times. I had sat in parking lots of hrs on end, drove miles upon miles and had spent alot of money as well as my time trying to get my money or the animal back. I am no longer working with him and never plan to again. I'm a very small time guy although I have access to pretty much anything. I don't really have the time to do this full time. I love the animals which makes the business fun. Most of what I have sold has been brokered. I'll buy an animal keep it for a few weeks or so, make sure it's healthy, feeding and so on and then it's on the market. For any other info give me a call. This should be enough to seperate myself. To my knowledge Derek is NOT the only one that has had problems with Matt. I have heard so much from him (matt) that I can't even believe anything he says anymore. Do I trust him? NO! Will I ever deal with him again? Maybe in person....most likely not! Has he told me things and then changed what he was saying? YES! Do I believe that het axanthic he offered you is normal? YES! I think it's the same animal he called 100% het albino. I was told he found his first albino ball behind a pet store! He tried selling the same animal (to my knowledge) to 5 star morphs. I had orignally brokered the deal and in the end was very sad that I did! I was however able to get 5star his money back! Good Partners in this business are extremely hard to come by. With the Ball market especially you get to many money hungry people that will do anything including screwing others to make a buck. Matt and Mario are the same person and I've seen photo IDs for both. He is in this business to make money and that's where it stops. He's been talking to Red Neck Reptiles and has their wholesale list. That pretty much sums it up.

I've know matt aka mario for a little over a year now. To be honest I wish I had never met him. Every once in awhile I'll recieve a phone call about a bad deal with matt. Some know I used to deal with him and see what I can do about it. I tell matt and he doesn't seem to care. I'm back to working on my own here and there. I am still considering breeding some of the higher end balls.

My dealings with Matt were the reason I changed my business name once again. I'm now JL Exotics or John Light's Exotics. My name, only me, and NO one else!

Contacts: Matt told me he had been selling albino balls to Ben Siegels forever and was his best friend. He said he knew Kevin from Nerd First hand. Bob Clark was his phone buddy during the week. I found it funny when these big names were posting saying they have no idea who this kid is. 95% of the info matt has told me has been nothing but lies!

This one is hard to beat!: You (John) and me will be sitting down at dinner with Bob clark and Brock wagner at Daytona. hahaha

Like I said...he's a joke! Here it is in writing for everyone to see. Want to get screwed call him and he'll get you any ball morph you want!

First hand info from myself: John Light

Here is the truth, I will stand by every word!

Sincerely,

John Light

I will not stand by nor protect any scamer!

 

[The BoidSmith]

Thanks John. Excellent post.

Best regards.

 

[jlexotics]

I'm done working with him so I figured what the hell. He has screwed so many (some were lucky to get back what they invested, some weren't so lucky) and people should know about him. I work alone! I only deal with the best now and forever!

 

[Dennis Hultman]

Thank you John.

 

[David Reid]

Well, Mario/Matt was a no show at Daytona...

not that it was a surprise to anyone, but I gave him the benifit of the doubt as long as I could, and he made me look like an idiot. That will only happen one time, which is what I just told him in an IM. Based on what is in this thread, and what I have read in my IM's with him, I will not purchase anything from him. Too many good guys out there with no alias's.

Dave

 

[Dennis Hultman]

not that it was a surprise to anyone, but I gave him the benifit of the doubt as long as I could, and he made me look like an idiot. That will only happen one time, which is what I just told him in an IM. Based on what is in this thread, and what I have read in my IM's with him, I will not purchase anything from him. Too many good guys out there with no alias's.

Dave

Dave,
It’s all good. He only made himself look like an idiot. You handled yourself professionally.

 

[The BoidSmith]

David,

You did not know. In fact my first post on this thread was an honest inquiry about him when he offered me the hetero axanthic. It was not until other things started to click together that we all made the connection. Now that everything is over, do you care to post the picture of the platty? If you don't that OK too.

Kindly,

Dan