Inquiry Inquiry on Todd Gearheart

[omni]

Just take a note of what he expects to come in, and with imports things can delay or happen. So knowing Todd lists for sale what is expected in his next shipment, before purchasing make sure to ask if it is in stock or waiting to come in.

I would recommend Todd to anyone, having a great transaction with him on a 1st import to the US of a rare variety of Paraphysa back in mid '08 I think. Communication was excellent, the T's were packaged well, and arrived on time. He is very knowledgable about the critters he sells and keeps.

 

[carl franklin]

Well isn't that just dandy.

Here's a message I got from him last October:


From my Guyana collector this a.m.:

" I have the final Worm Lizard and Centipede collection this weekend, so far I have 2 Worm Lizards, all Phrynus (50), all Rhopalurus (125), all Phoneutria (12). When I come back to Georgetown next week after I return for the Worm Lizard and Centipede collectors arrival in the village - then I will e-mail you so you can WU the funds for the Guyana order in full just prior to export next week Thursday or Friday. "

2 secured with more expected next week.

Todd


He sent this to me in an email titled "Guyanan Worm Lizards-Good News!"

December 17 2009 I asked him about his refund policy


March 17, 2010 Todd sent the following email:

"There is a chance of getting 1 or 2 from a Surinam import in 2 weeks, but what's more realistic is the Tanzanian worm lizards arriving in 2 weeks. Any interest in them? If not, I'll proceed with refunds. I've recovered from the Guyana disaster. I re-exported my box 3 weeks ago back to Guyana. Didn't make a $1 on it. I actually took a lose because the exporter didn't enclose a necessary permit. I never got an explanation as to why the 2 worm lizards were not in the box. Very frustrating.

Any way, let me know. The Tanz. worm lizards are 100% arriving in 2 weeks. Less than 12 probably.

Todd"


Even though he said the Tanzanian worm lizards were arriving. GUESS WHAT?

They didn't.

So now we are nearly a year since I've given this guy my money. In the above email he said that he "recovered" and that he would proceed with refunds. That was 5 months ago.

I'm not the only person that was burned on this deal.

I don't care how nice people say he was on the phone or via email. He took my money after promising a product and didn't hold up to his end. Now he's keeping my money. That's called stealing and people who steal are thieves.

 

[ragnew]

Carl,

You might want to post this in his review thread on Arachnoboards as well. Todd frequents that place quite a bit, so he may be more inclined to seeing it there before this board.

I'm going to have to agree with John Apple as well, Todd's a good guy, and one way or another, he'll set things right with you. But if it was me, I'd go scope out AB and post in that review thread as well.

 

[bobtard]

I'm not going to say mention my opinions of Todd, as it will go downhill fast, but I second posting a review on Arachnoboards. I also reccomend emailing him a link to this thread. Just be prepared for Todd to overreact..

 

[jlorbiecke]

Todd Gearheart

I have also had "dubious" business dealings with him. This was back in 96 or so when he was still at Glades Herp. I produced an eggsack of Brachypelma sabulosum at the time and he contacted me and wanted some (25 or so). I arranged to make a trade for a Megophobema robustum for these 25. I sent off the spiders including five extra just in case something happened in shipping and received the robustum a week later. The spider died within a month. That was not the problem however. A week after I received the spider I got an invoice for 35.00 for shipping and handling. I was stunned. Stupid me I did not discuss with him the finer points of the transaction. I called him and asked him why this occured. I had paid to ship the sabulosum to him, I assumed that he was paying to ship the spider to me. He said that I was responsible for paying the shipping both ways. I asked him about the extra spiders and the cost of my shipping the sabulosum to him. He said he would discount that and wanted me to pay him 8.00. I disagreed and still have not paid the 8.00. I got an invoice for about 2 or 3 years once a month from glades over this money. The postage cost more than the money he was asking from me. I realize I should have worked these points out with him before the transaction, but I was young. Anyway I have not forgotten, and one of these days me and him are gonna meet at a show and sit down and have a long talk about this. John Lorbiecke Formerly of Laurel MT

 

[Tim Cole]

I know that Carl is leaving for Florida tomorrow to speak at the TSA Conference and will have a few extra days time in Florida...doesn't Todd live in Florida?

 

[bobtard]

I know that Carl is leaving for Florida tomorrow to speak at the TSA Conference and will have a few extra days time in Florida...doesn't Todd live in Florida?

Yes, Todd lives in Nokomis, FL.

 

[hhmoore]

Hey, Todd, instead of reporting posts, and telling your story to the moderators, why not post your responses in this thread?

 

[bobtard]

John - I agree with what you did. Unless it was clearly stated beforehand, you shouldn't have been obligated to pay for shipping both ways. 98% of trades I've been involved in, and have ever heard about, have been like this: you pay shipping for your animal, they pay shipping for their animal.

Todd - if you have nothing to hide, why don't you explain your side of the story, instead of complaining and wanting it to go away?

 

[ragnew]

I know that Carl is leaving for Florida tomorrow to speak at the TSA Conference and will have a few extra days time in Florida...doesn't Todd live in Florida?

I could be totally mistaken here, but that seems like it could be taken as an implied threat that could pretain to some type of physical violence? I'm thinking that's never gotten anyone anywhere near where they're wanting to be.

Especially over an animal that was $170.00?

 

[hhmoore]

Coming from Tim, I didn't take it as such...though apparently at least a couple of people did (assuming that you are one, since you made the post). For the record, threats or suggestions of violence are not condoned by this site; nor will they be tolerated.

 

[Tim Cole]

No physical threat was alluded to.

If I owed money to someone that may possibly end up at my door step, I would make a big effort to avoid that by paying him. As mentioned, it's only $170!

Carl has been very patient and polite but also very business with this situation.

He is not the only one having this issue with Todd and he knows that.

Carl offered Todd a way to take care of this with no money out of Todd's pocket but he is declining that also.

 

[Dennis Hultman]

Todd,
Due to recent posts and reported posts, I took a moment to read the previous threads regarding you, including the retaliatory thread you started about the original topic here and your previous bad guy thread. Considering you are claiming bias here, I thought it would be the correct and unbiased move to make before formulating my opinion.

Previous statements by you have been that "the fix is in" how moderators respond to topics and individual posters. I assure you that it is not. If a individual poster posts any threats of violence they will be dealt with swiftly.

This seems to be the first response to any individual posting unfavorable statements in regards to business dealings with you Mr. Gearheart.

Considering this isn't the first time you have made the claim that Moderators are being bias

the fix is in

The buddy system

Bias shown

Funny, I saw one posted on me, but you didn't have the same opinion? Bias shown. The fix is in.

Joel,

Check this out:

"You have received an infraction at FaunaClassifieds.
Reason: Antagonism towards moderators
-------
"The fix is in"? You've got some nerve, hoss.

Plus many more statements that last couple of years. It's about to come to a end here. No matter which individual makes a post if it isn't positive, it's moderator abuse or bias by this site, according to you. Even going back to 2007 on your BOI thread. It's always this site or a moderators fault.

"The Art of War" again, maybe you should find a book and read it if titled "The Art of Net Forum Moderating".

I suggest your moderator duties be terminated immediately. If you continue your agenda, then maybe your membership on this site needs to be evaluated as well.

Yet, you continue to us the resources of this site.
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/list_classifieds.php?u=20991
If it is so bad don't use the free resources of this site. The door is open.
Report a post if you like and you think it violates the rules but you have cried the bias claim one two many times and as far as I'm concerned it has reached the antagonism stage. If you have issues with a statement respond to the poster. The years of complaining bias from this site and its moderators about every issue you have with different individual members has warn thin with the moderators and we are done with it.

 

[John Apple]

Wow man...this is simple guys really simple
Todd....take care of this and fix this problem with the initiator of the thread....
Rick....cmon man...why the bait and switch....your dealings with Todd have long been over...if I remember correctly it was an age thing....your of age now and a decent young man so stop the campaign as it was called...lol
I had a problem with Todd many years ago and he has MORE than made up for any disagreement with me ...in fact we have had quite a few stellar deals...
I will say this to all those thinking otherwise...these are my words and none other than mine...those that know me know I am all about my way
Harold and Dennis...you guys don't do a bad job at all as long as your emotions stay out of it...something that has taken me some time to learn in my almost 50 years

 

[bobtard]

Rick....cmon man...why the bait and switch....your dealings with Todd have long been over...if I remember correctly it was an age thing....your of age now and a decent young man so stop the campaign as it was called...lol

John, you are absolutely right, my transaction with Todd ended a year ago, but I feel the need to voice what I have observed, advise potential/future buyers, and hopefully help Carl get his money back (I sent Todd an email alerting him of this thread a few days ago). The details of our transaction, however, are irrelevant. LOL @ the campaign, typical of Todd to state/assume that everyone who disagrees with/does not like him to have a bias, an agenda, is conducting a hatchet job, is up to no good, etc etc etc.

 

[carl franklin]

Finally got paid back

Just an update a while back (in the last 2 months) I finally received the remaining balance owed to me by Todd Gearheart.

I decided that basic legal action was necessary. So to my wife's suggestion I contacted Judge Mathis. Yes, the very same afternoon television small claims court program. I got a call from the show's producer within 30 minutes of my email to them. They were VERY eager to have us on the program and I was willing to go. Apparently Todd finally found the inspiration to pay the money he owed me so it was called off. Whether or not the contact from the show's producers or this forum did the trick I don't know (I think it was the show).

Don't let crooked dealings get the best of you and ruin the image of decent herpetoculturist. The people with terrible reputations need to be run out of the business and exposed.

Carl J. Franklin

 

[stingray]

Tod Gearheart...2 THUMBS UP!

Just finished a transaction with Tod today. I have to say that dealing with Tod is top notch. He is a master at his knowledge of what he sells. His communication is super fast, packing and shipping is outstanding, and his animals he sells are beyond expectation. He truly is a class act. 2 THUMBS UP TO YOU SIR!

 

[jacuoco88]

This has been Todd Gearheart's modus operandi for YEARS !!!!!

Todd Gearheart has had a pattern and practice of engaging in these types of fraudulent business practices for years. It amazes me how he's been able to get away with it for so long. Perhaps the State of Florida should concern itself with eradicating this breed of snake instead of obsessing over the invasive Burmese Python. Todd Gearheart is the Bernie Madoff of the pet trade. He takes "pre-orders" from imports that never arrive and sells stock that doesn't exist. Then when the fraud victim takes to the Internet to expose him, he goes into mental meltdown mode and makes irrational and unfounded allegations against the person he victimized. Next, he unravels into a state of paranoid delusions with his claims of grand conspiracies and moderator bias. I only learned about this thread after I filed my own thread in the Insect/Arachnid BOI. This guy's all over the place !!
Two new things I learned about Gearheart from this thread is that he dislikes people from New York and Miami and he hates when people use exclamation points. Will someone get this guy the help he so desperately needs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jacuoco88]

Judge Mathis of TV Court Program Gets Todd Gearheart To PAY UP !!

[/SIZE]

Just an update a while back (in the last 2 months) I finally received the remaining balance owed to me by Todd Gearheart.

I decided that basic legal action was necessary. So to my wife's suggestion I contacted Judge Mathis. Yes, the very same afternoon television small claims court program. I got a call from the show's producer within 30 minutes of my email to them. They were VERY eager to have us on the program and I was willing to go. Apparently Todd finally found the inspiration to pay the money he owed me so it was called off. Whether or not the contact from the show's producers or this forum did the trick I don't know (I think it was the show).

Don't let crooked dealings get the best of you and ruin the image of decent herpetoculturist. The people with terrible reputations need to be run out of the business and exposed.


Carl J. Franklin

Mr Franklin, kudos to you for having the courage and ingenuity for threatening to drag this petty con artist on national TV and having Judge Mathis tear him a new ! That was his sole motivation for paying you back the money he owed you. And you're right, he needs to be exposed and run out of the business.

 

[jacuoco88]

TODD GEARHEART - King of BAIT & SWITCH SCHEME

I prepaid for a few centipedes from the South America shipment as well (S. viridicornis and S. gigantea) and they too never arrived. I was pretty irritated at first as well, but Todd went above and beyond when it came to offering animals that were of the same value.

I don't think I'd ever pre-order an animal from any dealer again if it wasn't in stock, but if it was in stock I'd order from Todd again in a heart beat.

He's a great guy to talk to on the phone and via emails. Easily one of the best dealers I've dealt with in a LONG time.

A whole bunch of people have prepaid Re-Todd for S. gigantea and S. viridicornis
Centipedes that never arrive. Then, after six months of waiting, they're offered something common that he has in stock. He doesn't give refunds. EVER. Yet, this bird says he's "one of the best dealers I've dealt with ...." P.T. Barnum was correct when he said, "There's a sucker born every minute."