INQUIRY - snowballsballpythons.com

[norsmis]

Yah. I guess it would put a damper on his sales if his Terms page simply had a pic of a guy bending over and grabbing his ankles.

It would be more honest though

This is my first post here but I am a long time fan of the BOI. I had to comment on this one because it had me laughing out loud at work! Too Dang Funny!

 

[Chameleon Company]

As pointed out by Suncoast in these quotes taken from the website of the dirtbags:

Our life mission is to exemplify the highest level of honesty, integrity, leadership and quality in our daily life and to those customers we are fortunate enough to serve.

and

And as always, remember to please treat each other how you would want to be treated and with respect.

I think that this rates as the perfect example of a trend that I think exists in "self-marketing", whether it be the reptile business or elsewhere. That axiom would be that the more time and effort someone spends telling you how great and honest they are, the more likely it is that the opposite is true. I think that the thread on CRE (Carolina Reptile Exchange) was loaded with the same junk from their website. Perfect examples of "do as I say, not as I do ...." as well.

 

[Justin Mitcham]

Wow I can't believe these two, just wondering if there is anything Matt can do legally to get these guys to stop harrassing him. Must be some laws on the books to help.

 

[reptilebreeder]

Wow I can't believe these two, just wondering if there is anything Matt can do legally to get these guys to stop harrassing him. Must be some laws on the books to help.

There is a thread around here somewhere, where a couple of us suggested that he should go after them for cyberstalking. There is more than enough evidence that he is being harrassed. Matt didn't want to do anything about it, don't remember his exact response, but it seems like he might be getting "use" to the attention.

 

[Ghi Reptiles]

Hey John,

Yes...unfortunately I am use to it but it is also a huge burden. It's not that I don't want to do anything about it because I do, but it's not as easy as you think. Over the last two plus years these guys have made it apparent that they will not stop with their harassment and lies both posting as themselves and under aliases.

Also it seems like the authorities have better things to do than work on electronic harassment, cyber stalking, and cyber squatting cases. I am still waiting on a call back from an internet crime division where I have left a few messages.

So all in all John...yes I want them to stop. Like ripping me off for thousands wasn't enough right? They really don't realize how lucky they are up to this point that I haven't done anything...maybe their luck will run out someday

 

[Chameleon Company]

Thinking out loud here ...

Matt,
I concur completely with the analysis of what your practical options are, or better put, "are not" from your last post. It would be nice if every venue, especially KS, had a forum such as this, or some obvious links, that could inform people quickly of the malicious actions of such as these two clowns who have wasted so much of their time trying to smear you. This forum affords all the opportunity to come and state their case. You have certainly done so, and invited these bums to come and play as well, and let people form their opinions as the dust settles. For what seem to be obvious reasons, they have chosen not to. But yet they are still able to put up the fake websites, etc, as they have no life except to continue this vendetta. I am convinced that they are the bad guys, as is just about every reader here. I also like the idea of being "pro-active". Here's the new approach. You Matt, as the offended party, need to alert the posse, in very easy terms, as to how to email these clowns, whether it be their direct email address, or link through their latest website, etc. And then the rest of us, who have formed an opinion here, and want to help, will use that information provided to send an email to these two, and tell them that so long as they continue their stupidity, we will make every effort to inform those within the reptile community of their stupidity, via all the plentiful electronic means possible, as well as shows, business transactions, etc. Speaking solely for myself, I have no trouble sending them an email explaining that whereas a week ago I didn't know who they were and didn't care, that I now view their continued antics as bad for the business, and for so long as you come to this forum and document their continued stupidity, I will continue to go out of my way to influence people to avoid them. Rich has seen fit to have a "good guy certification". Well, we can let the power of the BOI, where all are welcome to plead their case, serve as a venue for annointing a "bad guy certification" such as these bums. This thread is far more thorough in doing that than any "good guy certificaton" that I have seen. I do not mean this to apply to deals gone bad, or money owed, as that is a pretty big net. But those exceptional cases, such as this where a "bad guy" is continuing to try to hurt the business of another legitimate entity, rates such treatment, at least for me to drink a beer or two and fire off an email. Again, speaking solely for myself, put up the easiest possible way for me to send them an email to them, and I'll crank a good one. I don't give a rat's rear end as to how they reply. I think that there are others here that would do likewise.

 

[The BoidSmith]

Matt,

During all your e-mail exchange you had with Tim in the past, were you ever threatened by him in any way? Were there even any veiled threats that you have kep record of? Threatening another person over the internet with bodily harm is a federal offense punishable with up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Although you may not legally get him because he is “annoying”, threats are viewed under a complete different light.

Regards

 

[Ghi Reptiles]

Hey Dan,

I have so many records from forums it would make your head spin. No real threats of bodily harm but 'eluding to'...is common place. The 'I am so close to you I can be in your front door in minutes', the 'There will be a couple of guys looking for you at the expo', the 'wait til we finally meet face to face', and so on.

You see these two are something really special because they post under aliases quite often. I think the list is up to over a dozen names now. But the MODs of forums have been cool with me and have told me who these ficticious posters really are including Pruett himself telling me that on his forum 'ToHotToHandle', who was ragging on me and posting lies about me, was Bowles. No loyalty there I guess.

 

[The BoidSmith]

Matt,

Then you might find this interesting. Next time let them know about it:

Federal law provides a number of important tools that are available to combat cyberstalking. Under 18 U.S.C. 875(c), it is a federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, to transmit any communication in interstate or foreign commerce containing a threat to injure the person of another. Section 875(c) applies to any communication actually transmitted in interstate or foreign commerce - thus it includes threats transmitted in interstate or foreign commerce via the telephone, e-mail, beepers, or the Internet.

One thing you may want to do is save all these veiled threats and e-mail exchanged completely unaltered. They might be useful to you in the future.

Best regards.

 

[Ghi Reptiles]

I've got screen shots of them and they are saved in their original formats.

Thanks Dan!

 

[Ghi Reptiles]

Ok....so Freewebs was professional enough to permanently shut down ghireptiles.com and today 'Snowballs' posts this on a forum:

I found this site while searching for some reptile sites on the freewebs data base and I am making no claims other than simply providing a link to the site.

You read it and you make the call.

Bumblebee Tuna aka Matt Lerer

http://www.freewebs.com/ghithesmuggler


Enjoy the read and cast your vote. You get to make the call on this one.

No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place.

Zen proverb

I guess this clown can't leave it alone...

Here is the link to my 'new' site...

http://www.freewebs.com/ghithesmuggler/


Will this guy ever end his insanity?

 

[Ghi Reptiles]

Oops...here is a link to a page on the site...unreal isn't he? You would think he would at least get my city and birthday right since he is so obsessed with me.

http://www.freewebs.com/ghithesmuggler/floridatheredhotzone.htm

 

[esoteric-lizard]

matt, you got busted smuggling reptiles into the country?

sorry of the upfront question, but id rather ask you than read through the tons of writing.

 

[Ghi Reptiles]

Hey Brian,

I was charged with conspiracy to smuggle because I picked up and sold animals that I new were smuggled. This was back in 1996...it had to do with the cyclura and madagasgar stuff. Dumb I know...but it was 10 years ago and I have paid my dues and then some. I did bring a few baby turtles back from a SA trip though and had three PR boas mailed to me but never was charged for smuggling them.

I guess my debt to society wasn't good enough for these guys, hence the almost three years of harassment they have been dishing out.

I'll tell you one thing Brian...I would much rather be known for doing what I did than blatently ripping off another individual for financial gain. That's what's got these guys so mad...they were busted and they will do anything to make it right in their minds.

 

[Ghi Reptiles]

I see Tim is here reading this...
Ghi Reptiles, saraphim, Arboreals of the Rainforest, Exotica Reptiles

What a coincidence he has such an interest in 'Snowballs'...

 

[Suncoast Herpetological]

I would think that contacting Freewebs about this latest infraction would be sufficient to get both of this weasel's sites yanked.

 

[Ghi Reptiles]

Hey John,

They would just put up another one somewhere else. At least people can see how deranged some people are that they would go to the lengths they have to find out all this information about me and take the time to put up three websites about me. This was straight from Snowballsballpythons site today:

Wow, check this out.
Thursday, Dec 29, 2005

While searching the freewebs data base for reptile information, we ran across this site detailing the events of known convicted smugglers and thieves, http://www.freewebs.com/ghithesmuggler/. Check it out, it's interesting reading material to say the least. We are making no claims as to it's accuracy, we are leaving that up to you.

As a rule, we don't engage or condone this type of behavior. We also feel that everyone should have the right to make an informed and educated decision on who they are dealing with in the reptile trade.

Funny thing is...I don't have a history of itentionally ripping people off but I know someone who does

 

[Chameleon Company]

Hey Matt,

I don't think that anyone would dispute your having reason for a sense of frustration. To each his own as to whether or not they hold your past actions against you, and all you can do is move forward and rebuild your reputation as best you are able, and expect detractors. Many of us would also agree that Tim's actions are over-the-top, yet he will embrace them for so long as he is consumed with his vendetta. Many of us who are parents have struggled to teach our children that the way to get ahead is not to suppress others, but rather focus on improving oneself. While a child's first instinct is to lash out, name-call, etc, sometimes with the net effect of hurting their target, it takes a while for them to realize that a net result is that they have also pushed themselves lower in the exchange, creating a "lose-lose" situation. And obviously, from Tim's actions here, as well as many other attack threads by others that get a life here, we know that some "adults" never learn the value of moving on. I wouldn't give Tim the satisfaction of seeing any effect on you, and I know its easier said than done, but you need to let it just flow off your back. Tim is hurting himself too, and maybe someday he will realize that his energies are better focused on improving his own situation. Until then, he will wallow in the slop of his own actions, as all get dirty in a mud fight.

 

[Ghi Reptiles]

Hey Jim,

Thanks for the kind words and the thought you put into them!

 

[chondrogal]

I am a firm believer in turning over a new leaf and although I do not condone Matt's actions from the past, he worked within the law and has paid his "debt to society" for his past errors in judgement.

I've never known Matt to steal from other people with malice, nor have I known him to intentionally cause harm to an animal by treating it in the same way Tim has.

Matt has acknowleged his weakness in character and has worked to make that a small distant part of his past. Tim's weakness in character apparantly continues to grow as time progresses. I followed the story of the snake injected with fluids by Tim.

Both Matt and Tim work with species I am very interested in. I do not know Tim at all, however years ago when this first broke I asked a big name gtp friend in the chondro community that had met Tim at Chondrofest about his perception of Tim as a man. He was surprised, thought Tim was upstanding and saddened to see that he found it necessary to step so low to get whatever sort of revenge he was seeking on Matt at the time.

I think that this vendetta has done nothing to hurt Matt any further, if anything others purchasing now KNOW that Matt has connections and may seek him out even more to acquire difficult animals and given him free publicity. It's driving Tim deeper and deeper in hiding apparantly and he can no longer speak in the arboreal community without being reminded that HE is the one that intentionally set out to deceive a person, steal their money and harm a snake on purpose on top of it all.

I don't think Tim expected that the fluids would pool in the snake as obviously as they did, it must have been even closer to death than he even realized when he shipped it. I think if Tim would have said at the time, "Yes I did that to Matt because........ " and stood up like a man, taken his lashes this whole thing would be a distant memory.

This is a very sad story from beginning to end. If Tim is so upset that Matt is legally allowed to provide himself an income he's fighting the wrong people. He should be contacting his lawmakers and have them address the laws that allow people to continue making a living after having been convicted of a related crime in the past.

I personally know of a tax attorney that got caught up doctoring books, he got nailed big time financially with fines, had to serve community service and was on probation for an extended period of time. He no longer doctors the books, but guess what.... he's still a bonafide, very good tax attorney. They did not take away his livelihood.

I say, Tim... put this behind you and get over Matt. He's paid his debt for his smuggling charges. When are you going to pay back your theft? Tim, nothing you are doing can make Matt look any worse than you make yourself look each time you go after him.

I could be wrong about everything, this is all my not so humble opinion. I just would like to see this situation/war finally put to rest.