I agree with post #93. Riley covered all the bases. But Jeff, you still seem to focus on what the other guy did wrong, or maybe that's just me? I once, a long-long time ago in a galaxy far-far away, was the sales manager for the front half of pretty well-known herpetology supply store. I was made manager not only because the owner thought I could answer most of the questions to give the customers security we knew what we were doing, but also because I went by that motto posted earlier in thread somewhere: The customer is always right. Even when I had to deal with a flaming jackass, I would always keep my cool and let them be the ones who lost it. We also were not afraid to take back an animal, provided it was still alive and at least half-way healthy, and give a full refund if that was what the customer wanted. I think the best working definition for your position with Jeff B is that of a client. You have customers, and yes you do work for them by providing good quality animals and any services or pruducts you can add as well. But you are Jeff B's client, and as such, he needs to provide you with the service he agreed to with his TOS agreement. He does not have to kiss your butt or compliment you on the odor of your flatulence, but he does need to provide you, the client, with at least the very bare minimum of the standards of practice for his service. That being said, can you honestly say he did not meets those standards, and if not, what specifically was he lacking? You also need to keep in mind it takes two to tango. You met his minimum standards by paying the fees he required, but did you go out of bounds by telling him how to do his job, and not stick to your area of specialty? I think the answer is yes to the latter, and no to the former.
So here you are now some 10 pages later in this thread that would give anyone with ADHA a nightmare (Must... Stay.... Focused...), and it seems you are no closer to figuring out a solution when it has been staring you in the face all along. When you did not accept Jeff B's new TOS, which he is allowed to change at any given time, you had the choice to get a refund, which is one of the things he offered to you, or accept a compromise with the additional title of intergrade, which he was willing to offer. If I was not sick, and it was the middle of the afternoon, I was gatting a manicure and pedicure by some very hot asian, oh sorry honey, Venezuelan women, and one of my clients started telling me I HAD to do to something they wanted me to do, I would have not given a choice in the matter at all. You would have a check for the prorated amount left on your account in the mail that afternoon, and I would not want to speak to you again. How Jeff B kept as cool and calm as he did is a amazing feat, especially when he was the one with pneumonia.
At this juncture in time, I think any arguments regarding hybrids or intergrades, or outergrades or even in-betweengrades is moot. Jeff basically can do like that chickipoo married to George Clooney in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? when they start arguing and he tells her she can't do something. "I can and I will, I've said my piece, and counted to three." and that was it. From that point on, it was obvious in your emails with Jeff B you were only getting on his last nerve. This is why my very first post contained the advice to never call him again. Maybe you will run into him at an expo and you two can kiss and makeup. But, especially if he gets wind of this thread, I am very sure your bridge to KS is burned, buried and turned to compost by now. The next thing I would do if I were you is admit you acted irrationally, and thank everyone here for sticking to it until you have possibly seen the light, even if it is an oncoming train...
I know at your age, listed at 44, the clock is now ticking as far as income increases go. I would be very careful choosing my words from here on out. You can either make some friends here, and everyone needs them, or you can try to show how much more you know than they possibly could. I think I can safely generalize when I say as a whole, people who are interested in herpetology are smarter than the average bear. For one thing, it takes an open mind to start thinking reptiles are not the evil creatures many people make them out to be. It also takes intelligence to learn the husbandry techniques for many of these species who need to have things just so, or they won't poop.
Anyway, I do apologize if I have seemed to take this thread lightly at times, but I felt a little humor shed on the situation might calm down certain factions that might be getting ready to scream: "You got your chocolate in my peanut butter..."
I wish you luck with your business, friend. I also hope you will begin to wait for people to take notice of your intellect on their own initiative rather than telling them how smart you are. In other words: Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
