Inquiry Inquiry on Todd Gearheart

[KNOBTAIL]

Some dubious business practices. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[xenesthis13]

Jerry Tresser

This Jerry Tresser is something else. I've saved his emails. Irrational, egotistical, threatening and the kind of person nobody enjoys talking to or doing business with. A definite fire-starter type. There was no transaction completed with between us. I canceled the order. Nobody needs people like him. He likes to start trouble that is for sure. Nothing better to do in life. A bad Karma maker king.

 

[TERRor]

There are 14 pages of reviews and info on Arachnoboards about Todd Gearheart.

 

[TERRor]

I'd also like to point out that many of those reviews are by some of the biggest names in the invert business.

The thread if anyone wants to take a look.

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=25096&highlight=gearheart

HTH

 

[lanceheads]

This Jerry Tresser is something else. I've saved his emails. Irrational, egotistical, threatening and the kind of person nobody enjoys talking to or doing business with. A definite fire-starter type. There was no transaction completed with between us. I canceled the order. Nobody needs people like him. He likes to start trouble that is for sure. Nothing better to do in life. A bad Karma maker king.

Todd,
I have known Jerry for many, many years, and never thought he was irrational etc. Post his emails please, with complete headers etc. I find this hard to believe that he would behave like you said he did.

Randal Berry

 

[John Apple]

Todd Gearheart

I used to have a beef with Todd some years ago...mainly because the internet has lost some of the personal way people communicate...i.e phone calls and face to face type crap. I used to want to pound the guy.
So what does Todd do with me...well he opened up the lines of communication and we found out that we both have the same interests and drive in this hobby. He was a gentleman to me on the phone and has been one ever since.
I have delt with Todd and talked with him on a few occasions and I could not have talked with a nicer person. [at least to me he is] I am sure there are others out there that will reitterate what I am saying here.
Todd is A-OK with me and his business practices have been above and beyond in any and all dealings as of late.
Jerry....Maybe you should explain the 'shady' business practices that you say he has
Just my thoughts
Apple

 

[John Apple]

whoops meant dubius not shady

 

[KNOBTAIL]

I dont know if I should laugh or cry, but if this

is what we produce as the future of the herp business, I think we are all in trouble. Not so much because of the animals, but because of how one conducts oneself in business. I may not have all the emails, but I do have most of them to corroborate anything I may point out.. Doing business with Todd is real problem and I strongly suggest that caution should be used for the following reasons:

In Nov of 08 I responded to an ad in Kingsnake on some Anoles that were being offered by Todd.. What struck me funny were the photos. They just did not reflect anything that was recently taken, but rather from some stock photos on the net. See his Jan 12, 09 ad. Very similar to the one he posted in Nov. What he does not tell you is that he does NOT have them in stock. This I found out after my first contact with him in Nov. He indicated that a shipment was coming in the first week of Dec. then the end of Dec, then on Jan 23 (todays writing) In our discussions I may have mentioned that I would be interested in 5 pairs. But I need to know that these were as the photos shown in the ad and that they had full tails, etc.

If you take a look at his ads (both of them) including his most recent one, he wants you to reserve them.. Again the photos are not his but from some stock photos.. Well to my surprise !

Yesterday, I receive a proforma invoice from PayPal asking for payment to Todd Gearhart as well as an email:

"Jerry,

100 collected (most are already pre-sold). Ready to ship next week. I'll get more in March. I have rare A. extremus (only 17) coming end of Feb. too.

10 A. roquet, 5M/5F, $15 ea. = $150
sub-total: $150
FL sales tax (6 %) if applicable: $9
sub-total: $159
Shipping: $20 ex. mail
---------------------
sub-total: $179
P & H + accounting processing fee (3% of invoice total): $5.37
Total payment: $184.37
Send paypal payment to email: [email protected]

I'm emailing you a paypal request to makes the payment part easy. Thanks.

I'll contact you Wed. to look at the shipping weather.

Todd "

As one can easily see, I sent him off an email indicating that I dont do business that way.. I would like to see some photos !! I would like to know what the ratio is !!! and I dont pay sales tax as we are tax exempt, but more importantly, that 3% fee which I really questioned him about is nothing but a camouflage to recoup his PayPal fee... when I questioned him here was his reply:

"My Packing & handling/account processing fee covers my overhead in boxes, insulation, heat or ice packs, invoice printing paper, ink cartridges/computer supplies and account processing time. Businesses either build that into the price of the animals or they make it a separate charge. I have done the later.

If that is not acceptable, then I guess we will not be doing business"

As it turned out, my suspisions were correct after speaking to some other folks. He sends these invoices out, does not have the animals as this clearly shows since they are expected in today ! Meanwhile you have nothing.. Even if he does ship, he avoided completely me emails asking for photos, etc... I am not bound to purchase under these conditions..... Each time I complained, he responded by telling me I was rude, each time I responded, he complained when I ended my sentence with an exclamation point (!) and when I finally made an honest attempt to indicate that I would only be interested in the more expensive Anoles, to be picked up in person at a pet shop that we both frequent, he contrued it as a threat... Copied directly from his email.


"You have been rude and disrespectful and I know your type. We have no business transaction. There never was one. Nothing was shipped. You never received anything nor did I.

Also, your use of "!" is something nobody wants to see in an email.

Your ego shows in your attitude and definitely on the phone as well.

Others that do not carry themselves like you. You only will get the bad karma that you are putting out.

I know your type Jerry. Demanding, wanting something for nothing and threatening and rude. These qualities will not do anybody good. Your from New York, correct?

Each time I requested to see what he would ship, he completely avoided my questions.. I got to the point after realizing that he also was attempting to collect sales tax which can be a real stickler with the Dept of Revenue... He is not a corporation, and I do not know as of this writing if he has a federal tax id # or does pay sales tax (as we do). I am also disturbed by this 3% fee which is just a round about method that is against the TOS of PayPal, and I am upset about providing money to someone who has not even received anything nor has any idea what these herps will look like once received..... I finally provided my last meaningful email to him which is below:

"On Jan 22, 2009, at 1:30 PM, Jerry Tresser wrote:


Nice way to do business. Why not include your corporation fees and food, lodging, etc. into the additional price as well.. Ridiculous way of conducting business.

The proper thing would have been to call me since you knew I was interested, or at least send me some photos of what I am buying (that's not asking for much now is it!) instead you send me a paypal invoice looking for payment..for 10 Anoles, sex unknown! quality unknown ! and you add tax and a 3% surcharge ! How do you expect anyone to buy that way.. More obvious is the reply you provided in a very poor business like manner..

When I buy from anyone and I have been at this substantially longer then you, any inquiry about fee's or other related issues that pertain to a sale, is hardly petty.! Since you do not have the ability to provide any of the above, keep your anoles ! There are plenty of people who can be more cordial in conducting business then the way you have shown... I have access to all the importers in So. Fla, and although Anoles may be out of season, they do get a variety. I do get there listings.

My only interest was just to have a nice pair or two once I saw the extremus becoming available.. But I do have every right to see what I am buying and avoid having to be burdened with unnecessary charges I will let others know about your method for conducting business. Its certainly not what I would consider something to be proud of... You have allot to learn !! JERRY"

I could add more , but its not worth it nor is the discussion.. My initial inquiry was to see if others had received similar proforma invoices from PayPal and if these additional charges were added. Especially those pertaining to the state of Florida. I only suggest caution and if additional emails intrigue those who are reading this, I will be more then happy to provide whatever I have saved... JERRY

 

[KNOBTAIL]

Just to add a clarification on the matter,

I realize that in his original email he indicated 5M/5F which is 10. But I needed to know first hand that he actually had these in his possession and that from speaking to others once I sent Todd the money via PayPal my recourse would have been ZIP, ZERO, and I was not happy with that one sided deal.. I have every right to protect my interests... I had anticipated some problems like this so I called him and left a message about meeting and him bringing the animals so that I could see these Anoles considering that we both are in Fla and I understood that his visits to the pet shop in question was frequent... I did make an honest attempt to conduct myself in a more business like fashion then the response that I received from Mr. Earhart but after re reading one of his last emails to me, I just basically realized that I may be dealing with a child or a grownup with childlike abilities who sees everything as a threat !! And does not like excalmation points !!!!!

"Others will receive their nice anoles along with other stock just as they
> have for over two decades successfully. You will not. Why? Your mouth and
> attitude.
>
> You really need to evaluate yourself, check your ego at the door and not
> come across so rude in dealings with people. I enjoy more positive people
> that do not use "!" in their emails for starters. In the south and
> midwest, we have manners and are respectful in conversations and dealings
> with people. This is not New York or Miami."


Thats it for me. JERRY

 

[KNOBTAIL]

My aplogies about my randomness

There is nothing wrong in attempting to pre sell herps while they are being imported. I used to do each week. I would receive telex's advising what was shipped... That is not my complaint as much as having to pay PayPal sight unseen with someone who's credentials are not above reproach. PayPal is a wonderful tool for those who do not have terminals (as we do) for collectiing money through the use of credit cards and conducting business... But if something goes wrong after you sent the money , the recourse based on sending money without even knowing if the animals are in the presence of the seller really is an open invitation to allot of problems.

Apparently Mr Earhart has had similar difficulties in the past with this same policy and I did not want to become an additional statistic to the graveyards that house people who in good faith sent monies and received nothing or not what they were expecting with no avenue for redress.....

 

[mvite]

Thank you for the warning about this seller!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Someone should notify Paypal that he is charging a fee that is specifically against their TOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

City slickers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Shadera]

I hate when people mention an added charge for paypal. For goodness sakes, it's only 3% and that should be figured in as a cost of doing business. Add it onto the price of the animal if you have to, but don't nickel and dime on the details it just looks tacky and unprofessional.

What happened before the days of internet? "I need to charge you a fuel surcharge so I can drive down to the bank to deposit your payment when I receive it".

I agree, thank you for the warning.

 

[KNOBTAIL]

You know,

Had he contacted me and said, I dont have the Anoles as yet, but they are coming in, and I will let you know about the status once I get them and hydrate them or make sure they are in good condition, I would have been thrilled.. But you dont send a proforma invoice looking for full payment with these ad-ons and not have anything available !

Its one thing to take a deposit if you have the animal on hand, but he not only did NOT have any of the Anoles , if you began questioning him, then as his email indicated, business should be taken elsewhere.... You can imagine what would have transpired had he not come through with my order after paying in advance.. How does one get there money back under those circumstances !!!!

The answer is simple.............they dont. This has nothing to do with his animals but his Method of operation which I rightfully believe should be brought to everyones attention when one attempts to conduct business this way..

 

[xenesthis13]

Clearing the fog of Jerry's lies

Jerry and I have a personality clash. I can't stand his rudeness and threatening personality. He has told several lies here about me trying to make me out to be somebody that I'm not and telling lies about my business. Of course, I'm going to have something to say about that.

Some facts:

1) I never posted a disclaimer that said the Anoles pics were the actual ones being sold or a representative of the species. Jerry tries to make it out like I deliberately did that and I did not.

2) I pay sales and fed. taxes and my records are solid. I resent this jerk's accusations and lies. He needs to check himself before he opens that mouth of his.

3) It's a free market and society. If somebody wants to pay 100% in advance for something because they want it bad and want to be ahead of everybody else, they have that right. They can choose to pay a 50% deposit and they can also choose to wait to see what's left over and take their chances and getting what they want and the quantity. I simply gave Jerry that option. He could have said, I'll wait till they come in and I'd email him some pics and he can see what's left over then, but no, Jerry was a JERK and the way he wrote to me was rude and completely over the line.

4) I and other businesses have a right to charge a P & H fee. They can choose to not list it and increase the price of their animals or they can charge one. It has nothing to do with paypal. I charge the same on non-paypal charges. Again, Jerry is talking out of his ass and I resent the crap coming out of it.

5) Jerry wanted 10 A. roquet on the phone and I made up an invoice for him. Then, after sending him the payment request, he was rude and blasted me and "switched" his order to A. extremus with no reason or anything. Maybe a memory problem or something, but he wasted my time on the phone and my accountingi processing time creating an invoice for what he said he wanted.

6) I cancelled the order due to Jerry being a complete jerk. As business people, who know every now and then you run into one of those irrational, overly demanding types that wants something for nothing and can't be pleased. Well, Jerry is just that in my opinion.

7) Jerry claims he is tax exempt, but fails to show me proof, but has the audacity to question whether I pay taxes - JERK!

8) Jerry is lying here about what he said about meeting at the store to pay me and just pick up the anoles. Read below what he said and you can see what I'm talking about. It's a plain outright threat. He made it twice before I told him anymore emails like that from him or any other communications I will consider it harassment.

What Jerry wrote to me:

"Let me know the next time you intend to be at Underground and I will make it my business to meet you there. JERRY"

He and I do not know each other. He thinks he knows me, but he doesn't understand that I have been doing this for a very, very long time successfully and I do not screw over customers. Longevity proves that in any business. I have too many positive reviews, thousands of transactions with hundreds of happy customers all of this nation and in other nations. I do not appreciate his lies and filth, his rudeness and his total jerk personality. I understand he is in the IN crowd here on Fauna and there are some that have no problem with him. There is no bad business being done. This simply a personality clash, but Jerry took it further and I will respond with the facts of the matter. Like I told Jerry, I know his type. I want nothing to do with him. Somebody else can deal with him. Be my guest.

I have hundreds of repeat customers for over two decades because of my business practices. Jerry should stick to his flies and try to keep that rude, New York attitude in check when communicating with somebody. IF he wasn't such a jerk and wrote what he did, he and I could have done business next week. He would get great anoles. I'd get paid. Mutually happy campers, but NO, Jerry was a complete jerk and then he comes on here to spread lies and spout his negativity like a kid mad because they didn't get their toy that they wanted.

He has shown me that he is a very vindictive type of person. I do not care for him at all.

 

[John E Dove]

Mr. Gearheart,
I gotta ask a silly question about the following;

P & H + accounting processing fee (3% of invoice total)

Are you telling me that the "P & H + accounting processing fee" on the purchase of a $125 sling would be $3.75 but the same "P & H + accounting processing fee" would only be $0.45 on a $15 sling?

Now any idiot knows the actual cost of " P & H + accounting processing" would be be the same on like animals. To me this this looks to be a rather questionable business practice. Maybe even legal theft, unless of course it is a penalty on pay pal users.

Of course reading through the other thread on you from 2007 I know you never do anything you cannot justify, at least to yourself.

 

[xenesthis13]

free market

John,

For larger orders, which require larger boxes, potential two heat packs instead of one, larger cup size, etc., sure, it goes up.

I and others also reserve the right to reduce that or eliminate it for a long-term customer or whatever I choose as well, as like I said, it's a free market and society.

Some businesses hide or slip their p & h into their animals prices, some list it separate. I even know of one business that does shipping prices at below known rates for shipping as a lure for customer to buy with them. The customer will choose whether they buy from a business with or without a p & h. From my long experience, customers go with the business that has what they want first and foremost, then they consider rep, p & H and shipping costs and other factors. If the don't like something, they are free to go elsewhere. I've shipped to practically every state in our nation and over seven countries to hundreds of satisfied customers for over two decades now. Trying to make and fabricate an issue out of nothing or worse yet, make false allegations is a new social ill in our internet society where people think just because they have the power to type and put something on the net, people think it is true. Sad. Many are very disgusted with such practices and habits in others that engage in that slim. This crap by Jerry is a classic example. An internet forum such as this one will not be the judge of people. The customers will be - always. They speak with their demand for items that I supply and have done so for a long time successfully and that is what I concentrate on and that is exactly what I will do in this case as well.

 

[ReptileJay]

Now... I've never dealt with either of the parties involved here, but I do have a few comments and questions that I feel may be relevant.

1) I never posted a disclaimer that said the Anoles pics were the actual ones being sold or a representative of the species. Jerry tries to make it out like I deliberately did that and I did not.

Wouldn't you think that the disclaimer would be posted to state that the animals pictured are NOT the animals that are actually for sale??? It seems that most people would expect the pictured animals in an ad to be the animals that the ad is attempting to sell. By using stock photos, a disclaimer would be a fairly important thing to post... However, if the animals in the photo are the actual animals for sale, a disclaimer would be completely unnecessary.

6) I cancelled the order due to Jerry being a complete jerk. As business people, who know every now and then you run into one of those irrational, overly demanding types that wants something for nothing and can't be pleased. Well, Jerry is just that in my opinion.

Asking for photographs of the animals you are considering purchasing as well as explanation of fees being charged does not seem like "wanting something for nothing". Nothing I have read regarding either side of this transaction shows ANY indication of Jerry asking for anything unreasonable.


Personally, I find some of the comments made by Todd fairly insulting and narrow-minded... (for example the constant "New York Attitude" comments)... From what I've read here, it seems like the person with the attitude problem may well be Todd, and not Jerry...

 

[xenesthis13]

pics

Jason,

I agree with you, it is not stated in the ads and when people have inquired via email or phone, I told them those were stock pics and they still wanted the anoles What Jerry lied about was saying that I said they were the actual animals. I never said nor listed an ad like that. That is a bold-faced lie.

As for Jerry's request for pics, nothing wrong with that at all. I agree.

What was wrong was the manner and rudeness in which he did and how he treated me.

Per a phone call I just had from a Fauna member here, they said Jerry has a brash rep and hot head here and I sure got that impression from his comms as well.

Not all New Yorker's are bad. Some are good friend's of mine, but most know the type that I'm referring to - the rude ones. Everybody knows that type.

 

[critical bill]

Not all New Yorker's are bad. Some are good friend's of mine, but most know the type that I'm referring to - the rude ones. Everybody knows that type.

What a Re-Todd thing to say.

 

[lanceheads]

What a Re-Todd thing to say.