I catch up with this damn soap opera on page 7??
To defend myself at this point in my career seems a bit much but I will re-hash my past for you newbies and those who didn't hear it right the first time.
I started breeding milks back around 1990 and was a good customer and student of Chuck the snake man of MD. I met him while I was working on the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey in Washington,DC after graduating UMASS with 2 degrees in Biology. I moved back to Mass and worked for National Marine Fisheries Service out of Woods Hole,MA doing both recreational and commercial fisheries research for 10+ years.
During this time I was concentrating on east coast lampropeltis, mostly chain kings, mole kings,eastern milks and coastal plains milks. I have hunted with or spent time with every coastal plains nut east of the Mississippi. At my peak I was producing over 150 baby coastals a year,but that was before I discovered kingsnake.com.
Biology is not a career to make $$ in, so I took a few side jobs and worked my way into sales and marketing. I worked in almost every state on the east coast and was constantly traveling. Sometimes I would have my snakes, sometimes I would have someone watch them while I was away.It was one of these times I returned from being scammed on the road out of $10K to find that Joe Carroll Hughes stole my whole collection valued in the area of $15K.. Every time I hear SCAM artist I think of him.How about losing $25K in one summer??How about finding your snakes raised from babies on a table for sale in Daytona?? It happened.
I had to start over again in collecting specimens and buying/trading for good stock. I had to call in IOUs from guys who owed me stuff, some came through and some didnt. There are still about 5-6 guys out there who owe me stuff--REAL SCAM ARTISTS. They didn't make a mistake in IDing,they didn't make a mistake in shipping,they ripped me off and I didn't post a bad word on every one of them.I dont owe anyone a dime in this or any world,its how I sleep at nite. But that is me.I have had some unhappy customers in the past as everyone has. Out of hundreds of customers, easily over 1000 snakes sold,to have 3 guys that dont like me is acceptable. It doesn't mean I like it.
I currently have a smoking hot,completely crazy girlfriend in Bosnia which also complicates my life. Twice this year I have left to go to extended trips to visit her. Each time having to move everything I own including snakes. I dont feel I have to explain my moves to everyone but here it all is. My problems posting pics is now legendary. That problem is compounded by losing 2 computers this year and one camera....and all the pics in them. I simply am unorganized and dont know what is still in there,where it is etc....but hey, that's me. Sorry.
I currently am paying a buddy to watch my snakes. This is not a good business decision on my part so I would rather just sell them off for less than they are worth to avoid this expense. He is over 2 hours away,has no camera, and is deaf so he is unable to be reached by phone. All these things I am repeating now I have mentioned before if any of my detractors were interested to learn,but I suggest they aren't. We are creating a faultless society and those who have come into the arena of snake breeding in the past 10 years bear no scars. Most get great deals from some breeders and EXPECT it with others. Its this type of customer that 10 years ago would try and get a $10 corn for $5, this is why I got out of regular(read low end)colubrids in the first place.
This is America,home of the free and land of the brave. If I produce,sell,trade or give away my snakes it will be my decision as to what,who and how its done. If you want a pic I dont have and cant get one,go to the next vendor who does. Dont harass me and call me a SCAM artist ,idiot,liar or whatever other bad word for offering my hard work to you at a bargain. If I make a mistake in shipping I will own up to it. It has happened more than once.Twice this year alone I have lost major shipments with DHL....shipper error.If I make a trade with someone I will do what I think appropriate to make good. But,as angry posters continue to show,some people you just can't make happy.
This is no cut at anyone else in the HOBBY, but I produce some very unique animals that keep my interest in the hobby. Many times I will take some things in trade that I know I can turn over later....that I have no interest in keeping in the long run. Many times I have no pics of these,many times I will consider one pueblan or sinaloan as good as the next....not warranting pics. If you choose not to believe me,fine. Most times those that do are pleasantly surprised with snakes of greater value. I have always tried to add throw ins in deals when I have them. But as Mr Scarboro will attest, even this wouldn't keep some people happy.
If you notice my argumentative nature you will notice I always defend the TRUTH. I am not perfect, but I dont lie,change my story,cheat,or misrepresent anything to anyone ever. I challenge each of my detractors to go through the ringer the way I have in this HOBBY and continue to put up with the crap that is this post. Tell me you wouldn't be jaded,sarcastic, or just plain defensive of guys trying their best to glean my best products for the least price....then complaining about it. Dont mind me,I will continue to take a pass on these customers. I just dont need them. I suggest that NONE of us need them.
Maybe I should just go to shows and offer $5 for every little thing I want and get pissed off when people treat me badly. It seems to work for some constant complainers. Its these guys that havent bred yet,that havent been burned yet, that havent earned their stripes that do all the complaining. It is these guys that never last in the hobby anyway(as most older guys can laugh about).
To Shannon,Kathy,Bob,Ted,Rich,Don,Tony,Brian,Terry,Ric and others(you know who you are) thanks for being the best breeders by holding the line and sticking with this as a hobby or a job as times have changed. Sometimes I have no idea how or why you guys do it. I guess I am getting old because I simply dont have the patience to continue to teach others while being flamed for NOT selling. All of you that have read this far have to laugh, this guy is mad at me for NOT selling him snakes,lol. Seriously.
So there it is. If its a lemon to you, grab a tequila shot and suck on it. I am not here trying to impress anyone with my tactics. I know I will be getting back into this more regularly now that I have smoked out Mr Joe Carroll Hughes(who has contacted me and has promised to make good--stay tuned). I suggest that if I have pissed you off in the past and are still pissed after reading this,dont bother with me. But those of you that have been TOLD by one of these guys what a bad guy I am, read this,ask around some more,ask the ELDERLY statesmen of kingsnake.com what kind of man I am. You will be pleasantly surprised how nice I can be when treated with the respect I have earned. Thanks,Jeff
. I don't see anything wrong with contacting a seller's other customers, although it would usually be for a reference and not for pictures. I 'm not gonna disagree with rb tho; not having pictures of ANY animals let alone variable (McFly, Hello!!!) kingsnakes.
. Point being the way you word your ads and the way you conduct biz. would definilty make me (& im sure im not alone either) take my $ and shop elsewhere. You keep talking about newbies & the elders of the herp scene, is a person a newbie because you have never heard of them?