(inquiry) Rick Denmon @ Ball Boutique

[Wilomn]

Well, Rick asked me to email him questions. So I did, here is the emails.


Here is my email.


----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Hicok
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:32 AM
Subject: questions


1. Why can't you just answer on the thread?

2. If you don't have anything to do with Joe's business, how do you know Cathy has $500 credit?

3. One response you stated "MKR" and Joe / Wes as if they are still together, are they still working together?

4. Does getting Ralph a good deal on a Viper make Joe a good guy?

5. Are you "re-selling" Joe's animals?

6. Why the sudden need to "upgrade" to a moderator status?



Here is his reply.



----- Original Message -----
From: Ball Boutique, Inc.
To: 'Bill Hicok'
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:48 AM
Subject: RE: questions


From: Bill Hicok [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 10:32 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: questions


1. Why can't you just answer on the thread?
I like to have a personal touch

2. If you don't have anything to do with Joe's business, how do you know Cathy has $500 credit?
This was in another Joe bashing thread in the fall he posted the credit to her publicly.

3. One response you stated "MKR" and Joe / Wes as if they are still together, are they still working together?
They are breaking up after this years breeding season.

4. Does getting Ralph a good deal on a Viper make Joe a good guy?
Anyone who knows the biz can same me over 5k is a good guy in my book.

5. Are you "re-selling" Joe's animals?
Some. And some to fill orders. I have had great quality of animals from MKR.

6. Why the sudden need to "upgrade" to a moderator status?
Why not? gives me better bumping advantages....200....keep my ads up top.
Never knew it gave me moderator status......got to find out in detail of what I can do.

BTW be real nice if you asked questions about my biz and not worry about Joe's biz.
Ask him.....
contact: Joe Capone at 315-374-6607 Website Power House Reptiles e-mail [email protected]

Thanks
Rick

Picture this.

Guy in a Sear Sucker Suit, blue, dark blue but not navy. Pants just an inch or so too short so you can see the white socks he wears with his black shoes. White button down JC Penny shirt, GENUINE imitation pearl buttons. Hair short but just a tad too long, greased back with vasoline for that "professional" look. Lower arms of his suit shiny bright from having been rubbed so often (afterall it is his only suit jacket.) Aftershave, aquavalva (?) strong enough that you can smell him coming, huge fauxmex with four different dials on it not including the second and minute hands, which are the only one that work accurately, three bic ball point pens in the breast pocket of his white JC Penny's shirt. Yes, there is a pocket protector. In his right hand is a small styrofoam cup of coffee that is mostly Jim Beam which is kept in the Sear Sucker Suit Jacket pocket and was a gift from the last serious girl he had a relationship with. That was 4 years ago. They met at AA.

The name tag on the blue, not quite navy blue, Sear Sucker Suit says "My name is Rick, how may I serve you." The bottom right is chipped and you can see three layers of laminate. It is hanging slightly askew.

But HEY, this guy can sell the hell out of ...... well, character is the first thing that comes to mind. I suppose I'll just leave it at that.

 

[varnyard]

Description: Just some of the animals hatching this year.
More to come.
20% down holds animal
you get pick of animals as deposit comes in.
100% satisfaction.........

lucy mojave x lesser F $3,900.00
super mojave F $3,900.00
bumble bee $1,900.00
caramel albinos m/f $3,000.00
het caramels pairs $900.00
clowns m/f $3,800.00
clown hets pairs $1,300.00
Lavender het males $1,800.00
mojave male $575.00
mojave female $675.00
lesser female $1,300.00
lesser male $1,200.00
super pastel m/f $1,500.00
spider m/f $600.00
vpi axanthic M $900.00
vpi axanthic F $1,400.00
vpi 100% het axanthic pairs $600.00
stripe $3,800.00
stripe het pairs $1,300.00
pewter m/f $2,500.00
super cini female $3,900.00
albino M $900.00
albino F $1,100.00

So you are taking deposits on MKR animals that are not here yet? The same MKR that split last year? The same ones that could not fill orders last year? I might add, also taking deposits on sexed Codoms that you do not have?

 

[NorthernRegius.com]

Wow, this is confusing...

I'm in the middle of a deal with Rick, I'm purchasing an adult male Axanthic from him. He always answered my e-mails quickly has been nothing but great throughout the transaction to date.

Now I see this thread & I don't know what to think. What he personally has done to be a "bad" guy. No bad deals, right? He knows some bad folks, but I'm just not understanding this thread.

Rick is doing right by me, so I feel very conflicted about all of this. I intend to complete my transaction with him & to rate the experience. I feel so thick, not getting why many of you who seem like such great folks are upset with Rick? What am I not getting?

 

[NorthernRegius.com]

So you are taking deposits on MKR animals that are not here yet? The same MKR that split last year? The same ones that could not fill orders last year? I might add, also taking deposits on sexed Codoms that you do not have?

Oh, now I get it... a set-up for problems.

 

[Stardust]

I'm in the middle of a deal with Rick, I'm purchasing an adult male Axanthic from him. He always answered my e-mails quickly has been nothing but great throughout the transaction to date.

Now I see this thread & I don't know what to think. What he personally has done to be a "bad" guy. No bad deals, right? He knows some bad folks, but I'm just not understanding this thread.

Rick is doing right by me, so I feel very conflicted about all of this. I intend to complete my transaction with him & to rate the experience. I feel so thick, not getting why many of you who seem like such great folks are upset with Rick? What am I not getting?

I have to say I agree with this.
This thread is not about Rick AND associates AND friends AND family AND acquaintances AND whatever else one can add to the list. It is an inquiry about Rick himself and how he is/has dealt with people in the present/past.
Thus far I have not seen one business transaction he has personally done that was bad, at least not on this board.

 

[Cat_72]

Let me ask you this, Rozann....

If I told you that I was friends with Chris Johnson, and was selling animals for him.....and preselling animals of his that he may or may not produce (who can predict how many of ANYTHING will hatch, more less things like female super cinnys)....would that still make me an OK guy?

 

[Stardust]

Let me ask you this, Rozann....

If I told you that I was friends with Chris Johnson, and was selling animals for him.....and preselling animals of his that he may or may not produce (who can predict how many of ANYTHING will hatch, more less things like female super cinnys)....would that still make me an OK guy?

Cathy,
I am not going to get into a debate about this. I have no problems saying I do not know about Chris Johnson
In another thread outside of this one on fauna I made my thoughts quite clear that I personally wouldn't buy any animals that have not already been born. That is my personal choice, whether I trusted the person or not I personally wouldn't do it, I see way too many problems with it IMO. That is not to say that others do not do it, that is their choice.

This thread was started about Rick himself (whom I also do not know and have never bought from) perhaps I missed something here, are you saying all the animals he is selling are really this Chris' persons animals?
IF that is the case and this Chris IS indeed a bad person, then no I would not buy at all.
As I said I may be missing something, not at all unusual, I thought Rick's animals were his and hatching from his animals?

 

[Cat_72]

I didn't mean to confuse you, Rozann.

Rick is selling Joe Capone's animals....I just used Chris Johnson's name as he seems to be just about the most highly detested Ball Python ripoff artist in recent history....

 

[BallBoutique]

Let me ask you this, Rozann....

If I told you that I was friends with Chris Johnson, and was selling animals for him.....and preselling animals of his that he may or may not produce (who can predict how many of ANYTHING will hatch, more less things like female super cinnys)....would that still make me an OK guy?

They will have 80-100 clutches and I will not over sell an animal.
And IF an animal is not produced full refund.....not bad is it for a deposit only.
[just like the two folks below]
I pre ordered animals from The Snake Keeper's and MKR.
All the orders were filled with great animals.
Below is an animal I purchased from PowerHouse Reptiles for my personal collection. Sweet!

 

[Stardust]

Then I guess I would have to look up Joe Capone's name since it is his animals and determine from there. If he was indeed a bad guy I would steer clear of any animals of his even sold by different people.
Obviously I have not wanted to buy any of Chris' or Joe's animals because I do not know about them
I have learned through trial and error to look on the board here before I buy from anyone

 

[critical bill]

Oh, now I get it... a set-up for problems.

I don't think it would be so much a problem as it would a set-up for dissapointment. To me an actual problem would be if the seller failed to give you a prompt refund for what he could not provide you or to provide you a realistic date that you could both agree upon for a completion of the order. Seeing as though there is no mention of that in any of Ricks dealings so far you might not have any problems or be disappointed. But you could always be the first.

What you might be a bit concerned about is that the same selling approach and tactics that failed Joe Capone miserably are basically being used by a close friend/business associate of his that you are now involved in a transaction with. But whatever game plan doesn't work for one doesn't mean it wont work for the other. Only time will tell. I sure hope your transaction is problem free with Rick and I think were all looking forward to reading just how well it went.

 

[Otter_23]

The issue that people are having with Rick is this.
MKR planned to mass produce and crash the ball market. Their campaign slogan was hit the gas. I believe Joe even admitted that this was to hurt specific ball python breeders. They sold morphs at very low prices for the time and set a precident that upset many breeders. Joe didn't care he hurt others and tried to pitch "making it affordable for everyone". Well they took all these orders for these great deals but in the end couldn't produce what was ordered and had to scurry around to fill these orders. Joe was very abrasive and arrogant about his whole scheme to the point that his silent partner Wes supposedly wanted out and they were to have split ways. In the end many saw Joe as a loose cannon with serious liabilities (because of how he basically destroyed MKR with his horse and pony show and what he did to the ball python market). Now about a year later it comes out that
1. MKR is still together
2. Because of Joe's behaviors last year he needs to sell his animals through someone else (which is where Rick comes in).
3. They (Rick and Joe) weren't really being forthcoming about their relationship.

Although Rick hasn't done anything specifically bad many are disgusted that he would "partner" so to speak with Joe and sell Joe's animals after everything Joe has done. The point many feel is do you want to support someone who is supporting a guy that lowballs others, is involved in shady stuff with reptile auctions and has treated the reptile business with his used car dealer antics (bright lights and show).

My question for Rick is this if this is just a hobby for you and you make plenty of money on your retirement etc... why are jobbing other people's snakes? I know that you are out to make a name for yourself in the ball python world and to this point aren't quite up with the big boys, but do you think your involvement with Joe is going to further your goals or did you think that no one would know they were Joe's animals? Seems to me you are trying to buy respect and crediability rather than earn it.

 

[XDeus]

They will have 80-100 clutches and I will not over sell an animal.
And IF an animal is not produced full refund.....not bad is it for a deposit only.

I don't get it... so this means you're flippin' for Joe?

 

[varnyard]

I don't get it... so this means you're flippin' for Joe?

You got it!!

 

[Stardust]

The issue that people are having with Rick is this.
MKR planned to mass produce and crash the ball market. Their campaign slogan was hit the gas. I believe Joe even admitted that this was to hurt specific ball python breeders. They sold morphs at very low prices for the time and set a precident that upset many breeders. Joe didn't care he hurt others and tried to pitch "making it affordable for everyone". Well they took all these orders for these great deals but in the end couldn't produce what was ordered and had to scurry around to fill these orders. Joe was very abrasive and arrogant about his whole scheme to the point that his silent partner Wes supposedly wanted out and they were to have split ways. In the end many saw Joe as a loose cannon with serious liabilities (because of how he basically destroyed MKR with his horse and pony show and what he did to the ball python market). Now about a year later it comes out that
1. MKR is still together
2. Because of Joe's behaviors last year he needs to sell his animals through someone else (which is where Rick comes in).
3. They (Rick and Joe) weren't really being forthcoming about their relationship.

Although Rick hasn't done anything specifically bad many are disgusted that he would "partner" so to speak with Joe and sell Joe's animals after everything Joe has done. The point many feel is do you want to support someone who is supporting a guy that lowballs others, is involved in shady stuff with reptile auctions and has treated the reptile business with his used car dealer antics (bright lights and show).

My question for Rick is this if this is just a hobby for you and you make plenty of money on your retirement etc... why are jobbing other people's snakes? I know that you are out to make a name for yourself in the ball python world and to this point aren't quite up with the big boys, but do you think your involvement with Joe is going to further your goals or did you think that no one would know they were Joe's animals? Seems to me you are trying to buy respect and crediability rather than earn it.

Thank you for that post. It summed it up and showed me the full story in a nutshell.
I would also like an answer to these questions. Inquiring buyers want to know.

 

[bassteck76]

MKR still together.................ROFL

This topic will never go away.........

 

[varnyard]

Hey everyone,

Morph King Reptiles is spliting up we are winding up our dealings together. While we amicably work out the details we will be honoring all payment plans and sales made prior to the split.

http://www.morphkingreptiles.com/

This was on their site last year. They also said they were going to court to divide the company last year.

This split was to take place last year, now they are still together, not only are they still together this year, but Rick is selling for them.

Rick, you still have not answered the question about Reti-Bid/ Reptile Auctions.

Did you know about the Blackmail by Joe?

 

[BallBoutique]

Do you realize that other big breeders have more hatchlings then MKR produced last year and this year? Do you realize that most if not all mass producing breeders wholesale their animals? Go to shows and watch under cutting at the tables for resell.
Read some of the web sites that tells you how many clutches are hatching.
I never resold animals till this year.
I found someone that has one of the cleanest facility around. And a person I could trust. Plus a person who does not put their animals on a once a month or every six week feeding schedule; bought some of those.....
All I got to say is I never saw anything bad said about Joe's or my animals and service.
Now if my prices are to low go pay more. Or pay me more for the animals.....if it makes you feel better.
You blame Joe for market crashes.......check out some ads that dropped the market with no help of Joe.....Check out the pins......Joe NEVER SOLD ONE. Until you understand supply and demand you will not understand markets. Some big breeders want their customers to sell their animal at what they the big breeder's quoted prices.....yet they undercut the prices to folks behind our backs. And you the lesser known breeder wondering why you can't sell yours. Example. Pied for sale by unknown breeder $3,000.00. Known breeder has one for $3,000.00. Where would you buy? hummmm Better yet the known breeder sells it to you for $2,500.00 and says "Don't tell anyone." Been there and done it!
I really believe that is why the big breeders are upset with Joe's pricing. I also believe the time for $25,000.00 balls are gone.

Thanks,

Rick Denmon
President, Ball Boutique, Inc.

ps:
Question out there did Jeff ever put that swing set together? Also how is the pied and albino doing? Use PM to me if you know.
Did you know about the Blackmail by Joe? I have no idea please tell me.

 

[geckoguy_ottawa]

Do you realize that other big breeders have more hatchlings then MKR produced last year and this year? Do you realize that most if not all mass producing breeders wholesale their animals? Go to shows and watch under cutting at the tables for resell.
Read some of the web sites that tells you how many clutches are hatching.
I never resold animals till this year.
I found someone that has one of the cleanest facility around. And a person I could trust. Plus a person who does not put their animals on a once a month or every six week feeding schedule; bought some of those.....
All I got to say is I never saw anything bad said about Joe's or my animals and service.
Now if my prices are to low go pay more. Or pay me more for the animals.....if it makes you feel better.
You blame Joe for market crashes.......check out some ads that dropped the market with no help of Joe.....Check out the pins......Joe NEVER SOLD ONE. Until you understand supply and demand you will not understand markets. Some big breeders want their customers to sell their animal at what they the big breeder's quoted prices.....yet they undercut the prices to folks behind our backs. And you the lesser known breeder wondering why you can't sell yours. Example. Pied for sale by unknown breeder $3,000.00. Known breeder has one for $3,000.00. Where would you buy? hummmm Better yet the known breeder sells it to you for $2,500.00 and says "Don't tell anyone." Been there and done it!
I really believe that is why the big breeders are upset with Joe's pricing. I also believe the time for $25,000.00 balls are gone.

Thanks,

Rick Denmon
President, Ball Boutique, Inc.

ps:
Question out there did Jeff ever put that swing set together? Also how is the pied and albino doing? Use PM to me if you know.
Did you know about the Blackmail by Joe? I have no idea please tell me.

Why don't you tell us who these breeders are that feed their snakes every month to 6 weeks? And what proof do you have to say that they do this? I'd like to know, please.

 

[Stardust]

Do you realize that other big breeders have more hatchlings then MKR produced last year and this year? Do you realize that most if not all mass producing breeders wholesale their animals? Go to shows and watch under cutting at the tables for resell.
Read some of the web sites that tells you how many clutches are hatching.
I never resold animals till this year.
I found someone that has one of the cleanest facility around. And a person I could trust. Plus a person who does not put their animals on a once a month or every six week feeding schedule; bought some of those.....
All I got to say is I never saw anything bad said about Joe's or my animals and service.
Now if my prices are to low go pay more. Or pay me more for the animals.....if it makes you feel better.
You blame Joe for market crashes.......check out some ads that dropped the market with no help of Joe.....Check out the pins......Joe NEVER SOLD ONE. Until you understand supply and demand you will not understand markets. Some big breeders want their customers to sell their animal at what they the big breeder's quoted prices.....yet they undercut the prices to folks behind our backs. And you the lesser known breeder wondering why you can't sell yours. Example. Pied for sale by unknown breeder $3,000.00. Known breeder has one for $3,000.00. Where would you buy? hummmm Better yet the known breeder sells it to you for $2,500.00 and says "Don't tell anyone." Been there and done it!
I really believe that is why the big breeders are upset with Joe's pricing. I also believe the time for $25,000.00 balls are gone.

Thanks,

Rick Denmon
President, Ball Boutique, Inc.

ps:
Question out there did Jeff ever put that swing set together? Also how is the pied and albino doing? Use PM to me if you know.
Did you know about the Blackmail by Joe? I have no idea please tell me.

I am having some difficulty with your posts as I do not see definite answers to questions that have been asked. (Perhaps it is my purposeful lack of caffeine intake for the last three days)
I personally am not worried about what the animals are sold for, I am all for people selling at prices they want to. It is the other shady things that I am reading on here that worries me.
Did you just buy some animals off of Joe?
Are you involved in business ventures with him?
Why is he not coming on here and explaining himself?
What exactly is your association with Joe?