Bad Guy Jim Scharphorn - Bad Guy

[Southern Wolf]

While you base your decisions on he said, she said, gossip, emails,etc. I base my transactions on actual purchases.

People represent themselves often differently via email, voicemail, BOI posts, etc. The PROOF is the animals they sent. The product (animals) I received from Dan , were top notch, no question.

The proof is in the customer service. That is what this thread is about. Jim's lack of customer service. Yes there was some damaged panels and a question about countersunk holes... but ultimately... this is a customer service issue. Jim IMO didn't handle it correctly. In your opinion maybe he did. That is what makes us human... we can make up our own minds with what we see.

As such, Jim, (IMO), has very nice cages, he just didn't conduct himself very well, via posts, emails' etc. as you would have liked, thus, he's a bad guy in your opinion. Doesn't mean he doesn't have good cages, just like it doesn't mean Dan has bad animals. See the difference? Until you have actually experienced a transaction with either Jim or Dan, you really don't have a leg to stand on, and your posts mean nothing to me, because you cannot support actual proof that you have purchased a product from either of them, yet, you support your statements based on hearsay, i.e. posts on the BOI. Fine if you trust judgements from others on the BOI, but in reality, you haven't had a bad experience with either Jim or Dan, have you, other than what you have witnessed here, correct?

Randal Berry

Then why do you continue to complain about my opinions?

I support my statements, and make my judgements based on how they act... nothing more... nothing less. Since you want to keep trying to make this thread about Dan... do you realize that if he never would have posted not one word on here... I would probably be buying from him. Emails are easy enough to fake... but when the person in question conducts themself in that manner... that says more to me than any email anyone could post. Same goes for the emails posted from Jim in this thread. I take them for what they are.... words on a screen that can be manipulated.

I could type up something and claim you sent me an email stating you like to wear pink dresses. Doesn't make it true... .but IF you then came on here and said you liked pink dressess... now I would give that email more credability (sp?). Its the same when someone posts an email as proof... that can be altered... but IF the person in question comes on and then runs off at the mouth.. .then that doesn't leave a whole lot to question about the validity of the emails posted... now does it?

Maybe Jim does have good cages, but because of customer service (or lack thereof)... he is not the only one I wont be buying cages from. Case in point (since in a round about way it has a berring on this convo)... I attempted to ask a few questions from someone that has very good cages and a good rep. I had planned on spending around 2k on 8 cages. They wouldnt return my emails (none of them)... Im not beggin you to take my money. Once again lack of customer service lost that individual my business. Yes they have a good product... but they are not the ONLY ones that have a good product.

 

[lanceheads]

Sorry Kevin...your explanation/attempt, to answer my question, failed. You are very good at dancing around questions put forth to you.

Just admit that you won't do business with anyone BECAUSE of what other folk's post about their NEGATIVE experience with, "whoever" Your trend, is to "go with the flow" of what other people are posting about. It's evident in your 2000+ posts on the BOI. Look through your posts, you always "side" with the folks who have positive transactions and "diss" the "bad guys/girls" WHEN, you never have had a transaction with either!
You tend to jump on the band-wagon, which ever way the wind blows.

Nothing personal Kevin, although we live in the same state, and have mutual friends,
we can just agree to disagree. If you would like to continue this discussion, you know where to find me, I waited on you once, but you failed to show up.

Randal Berry

 

[Alex G]

Sorry Kevin...your explanation/attempt, to answer my question, failed. You are very good at dancing around questions put forth to you.

Just admit that you won't do business with anyone BECAUSE of what other folk's post about their NEGATIVE experience with, "whoever" Your trend, is to "go with the flow" of what other people are posting about. It's evident in your 2000+ posts on the BOI. Look through your posts, you always "side" with the folks who have positive transactions and "diss" the "bad guys/girls" WHEN, you never have had a transaction with either!
You tend to jump on the band-wagon, which ever way the wind blows.

Nothing personal Kevin, although we live in the same state, and have mutual friends,
we can just agree to disagree. If you would like to continue this discussion, you know where to find me, I waited on you once, but you failed to show up.

Randal Berry

Um... isn't not doing business with people who've been proven to be bad guys the whole point of the BOI? I mean correct me if I'm wrong, but I always figured it was here to guide people towards good people in the hobby and steer them away from the rotten ones. So you're saying Kevin is doing wrong by not wanting to do business with people others have had crappy experiences with? Hrm.

 

[futureherpbreeder]

Um... isn't not doing business with people who've been proven to be bad guys the whole point of the BOI? I mean correct me if I'm wrong, but I always figured it was here to guide people towards good people in the hobby and steer them away from the rotten ones. So you're saying Kevin is doing wrong by not wanting to do business with people others have had crappy experiences with? Hrm

.

I could type up something and claim you sent me an email stating you like to wear pink dresses. Doesn't make it true... .but IF you then came on here and said you liked pink dressess... now I would give that email more credability (sp?). Its the same when someone posts an email as proof... that can be altered... but IF the person in question comes on and then runs off at the mouth.. .then that doesn't leave a whole lot to question about the validity of the emails posted... now does it?

Hit the nail on the head right there!

 

[Kristi23]

Um... isn't not doing business with people who've been proven to be bad guys the whole point of the BOI? I mean correct me if I'm wrong, but I always figured it was here to guide people towards good people in the hobby and steer them away from the rotten ones. So you're saying Kevin is doing wrong by not wanting to do business with people others have had crappy experiences with? Hrm.

I agree with this 100%. People make my do not buy from list when they can't handle any problems the right way. Customer service is a big deal to me. It's not based on one person's opinion. It's based on reading what the seller says on here or in e-mails. Why take the chance of being treated that way? I'll take my business to someone who actually cares.

 

[Southern Wolf]

I agree with this 100%. People make my do not buy from list when they can't handle any problems the right way. Customer service is a big deal to me. It's not based on one person's opinion. It's based on reading what the seller says on here or in e-mails. Why take the chance of being treated that way? I'll take my business to someone who actually cares.

And this is the point that I was trying to make. It's how a person handles the situation.... not what someone thinks or someone elses opinion. For me... not only do I have sellers on my list... but I also have buyers on my list as well. It all comes down to how an individual handled a situation and whether or not I would want to find myslelf in a similar situation and then have to deal with the because of poor customer service.... or have to deal with a customers poor attitude.

 

[Em Wright]

I've read through this thread and I have to say... I once considered going through Jim's company when I decide to get racks/cages, but after reading this?? Not a chance.

Jim said himself if a customer came to him with a problem like Josh did that he would respond the same way... well, that there sealed it for me. His own words turned away this customer and I'm sure it turned away several others!

 

[futureherpbreeder]

Just ordered 4 new 18" strip lights due to 3 of the 4 shorting out that came with the cages. So glad I spent $950 just to have to spend more and more of my own money on his cages. Im just thankfull i didnt order them assembled, cause then they would have been chemically welded, wich means I would't beable to swap out lights as easy! Thanks again jim!

 

[DAND]

I've read through this thread and I have to say... I once considered going through Jim's company when I decide to get racks/cages, but after reading this?? Not a chance.

Jim said himself if a customer came to him with a problem like Josh did that he would respond the same way... well, that there sealed it for me. His own words turned away this customer and I'm sure it turned away several others!

Hey Jim, how is that foot?

 

[TattooLost]

Man, am I glad I got steered towards AP and RBI when I first got into snakes. Sorry to hear about the bad deal, Josh.

 

[Mackgc]

After reading all this and looking at the pictures, I visited PVC Cages website and looked at the ones on their, and I have to say they are junk. I personally am not a fan of plastic cages, but I do believe if they are welded correctly they will keep integrity. So it brings me to the question why would you use drywall screws on plastic period. Counter sinking with pilot holes reduces the chance of blowing out the sides, even when they"re over tightened, so I would expect everything to be counter sunk in any wood or plastic material. Screws are not the best method with plastic since over time they can and will pull out. Thats in simple terms.

I also can't imagine talking to any customers they way This Jim guy did. Even if the customer seems to be picky, they have every right to be to a degree. The point of being in business is to have a good name, quality work and especially great customer service. The ultimate goal is to have repeat business, and as a business you at times have to go the extra mile to make things right with a customer. Sometimes you have to eat a few dollars to keep things right, but thats the name of the game.

I do have credentials that relate to this,

I have been a Carpenter for close to 20yrs
I have been in Construction for close to 20yrs
I have been in General Contracting for 15yrs
And I have been a self employed General Contractor for about 7yrs.

I also toy around with building cages and racks for locals.


Mike McCaughrean

 

[megz]

I love Jim's products--I have three of his cages and a hide box and not one issue. In fact, I think his products are the nicest overall appearance no matter how much money you have to shell out. Does Jim have pride in his work? YES! If someone with his same personality bumps heads with him, will there be a mess? Ah…

But his products and his person are still an overall A+ in my personal experiences. Just look at his emails! He kept coming back to let you know that he was not totally shutting you down. The cages he described to you are exactly what I got! So he was not lying about what he normally ships. However, is it possible that something outside of his awareness occurred before your cage hit the cardboard? He didn't seem to think so, but.....ha ha ha.

I bought my first two cages from him at around same date that you posted this. The cages are exactly as he described in his email exchange with you. Greg Maxwell's book "More Complete Chondro" includes an impressive endorsement of Jim and his cages for a damn good reason. Is Jim really a "Bad Guy"?

In my experience, Jim's products are typically superior. I am not alone in that opinion.

 

[jim scharphorn]

Thank you Megz


My wife and I are the only 2 people that touch these cages before our customers get them.

Makgc, I own a drywall company as well and can just imagine what your construction looks like, must be made out of gold bars or maybe tooth picks.
You have no clue how this plastic is, seeing you think they are junk just by looking at a picture.
It is your opinion that means nothing because you have never seen one.

As far as customer service, I try to please everyone but if you accuse me of something repeatedly then we are done and you will not get anything resolved.
With this guy we were not talking a few bucks we are talking hundreds of bucks, he dug his own grave and I will not put up with it.


Cage orders are still coming in so my junk is still selling.

 

[East_Coast]

Mackgc - you are completely wrong.

I have three of his larger cages and a pedestal and they are THE BEST OUT THERE. My stack has been in constant use for five years with green tree pythons and they are solid showpiece cages. They look like a zoo exhibit.

I did have a problem with the lights in one of the cages - but it was a simple one - and he resolved it over the phone (I think it was as simple me just having to twist the bulb).

I thought he was rude on the phone but now I see why he was immediately defensive. Trash the guy in here and you are shutting the door on an excellent cage manufacturer.

 

[megz]

Also, in case all of you didn't notice...Jim doesn't want to be in the Wal-Mart customer service business. He is not apologizing and what he basically said was, “If someone seems to be trying to pull one over on me to get something free from me, I will not bend if there is even a hint of attitude from that buyer.” But there was the other dynamic of the customer telling Jim that someone on his side took a drill and countersunk holes. Seems like Jim knows the tools he has in the shop, no? Jim was not unreasonable at all with his original responses to this customer in the context of that claim.

Jim is willing to lose business if it means he doesn't have to kiss someone's a$s…at all.

How many times have I wanted to tell a customer to go "f" themselves when in a similar small business context? That’s the beauty of self-employment and I LOVED how Jim handled this customer. Not because Jim is more "right", none of us can be perfect Jim, but because he is already sending out an exceptional value and doesn’t want to be taken advantage, including having to accept false accusations or flat out being lied to.

“Love the Cages, Caution with the Builder” (especially if you think he doesn’t know what tools he has in his own shop). Right?!?

Economics wins here. If Jim loses a lot of business and he needs the cash, he MIGHT start kissing a$s when someone tries telling him that he or his wife did something they clearly didn't do (WAKE UP. He has been in business a long time. Jim obviously didn't "drill" anything in this situation and he knew it. The customer just didn’t expect Jim to take such an issue about Jim’s integrity or manufacturing methods being questioned). A little whiff of coffee, the customer service managers at Wal-Mart don’t really know what tools are in the shops of the manufacturers… which helps default the benefit of the doubt to a customer and it certainly eliminates the questioning of the customer service manager’s personal integrity. This customer of Jim’s clearly didn’t factor that fact in when trying to push Jim around on that one CRITICAL issue that you all seem willing to overlook. I think it makes Jim’s critics in this situation seem like the worst idealists. And they let you people vote…

Did Jim do something wrong here? Hell no. HIS business model affords him the luxury of telling anyone to go to his competitors if they don’t like: 1) his product, 2) his pride in his own workmanship, and 3) his personality----HA HA HA! There is certainly some personality here.

My last post came before I realized that there were already 11 pages of comments. After reading all of them...I just have to admit that I just became a BIGGER fan of Jim S! I believe in his products and person even more after reading this and I will continue letting everyone know that he is my cage builder. (I will just be careful not to over-tighten screws and I certainly will avoid accusing him of things he says he didn’t do---at least as it relates to the manufacturing of his own cages).

Am I right on this one? Oh I am. He doesn't want your business if you can’t play straight. You all wanted Jim to kiss a customer’s ass when they were clearly violating Jim’s sense of integrity. There were several little $hits on this post who are sad products of Wal-Mart consumerism. That is the beauty of the free market though. We deal with who we can trust.

 

[jim scharphorn]

Megz I could not have said it better, thanks for that....

East Coast also thank you.

If anyone else stud up for me I thank you also,
To be honset I do not read the post because it would just tick me off.
I got the email today saying someone posted on my thread so I checked it out.
I will not be coming back to read anymore posts behind this one so if anyone else should give me credit then thank you as well.

I am sure I have lost lots of business over this, it was my choice and probably was not a good one but too late to take that back.




For all you that wish to bad mouth me. You never delt with me.
And you probably just need someone to bash so I am here for you to slam so have fun......

 

[megz]

I also have one more thing to add and this only relates to this customer's rather DIRECT claim about Jim "drilling" countersunk holes—‘cause that’s what really started this whole thing for Jim, i.e., obviously Jim’s perception of the customer’s integrity changed with that “seemingly” impossible claim. But still, it seems like there has been a lot of opportunity for similar issues to have occurred with Jim whereas...we don't really know much about the customer as the public spotlight has not been uncomfortably on him in the same way it has been on Jim.

Without a history of similar issues...I have to wonder about the true motives of those who would indirectly call Jim a liar. In relationship to Jim’s critics…do other relationships affect your perception of Jim’s work? Just who is tight with who on this thread? That really opens up a lot of question about the credibility of the criticism and it creates opportunities for displays of serious conflicts of interest related to Jim's business competition. There is nothing wrong with being loyal to a manufacturer you have had great experiences with (look at me after all) …but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t use caution when throwing another manufacturer under the bus when a customer directly questions the integrity of that manufacturer. Let’s just all admit that Jim is not a customer service guru. Fine. But user-friendly customer service standards aside, there is a right and wrong way to treat a business owner who refuses to be victimized.

I wonder if there are legal implications to defamation. Jim’s case would probably hold up in court a lot better than the customer's since Jim actually has a reputation to protect him from obvious forms of outright abusive slander that harms his established business.

 

[montini]

For the record he is rude!

 

[Southern Wolf]

Cage orders are still coming in so my junk is still selling.

Maybe so... but not to me. The way you handled this situation is not anywhere I want to be when spending thousands on caging. I bought mine from someone else and Im still buying them.

You lost several thousands because of this thread.

 

[Lucille]

I wonder if there are legal implications to defamation. Jim’s case would probably hold up in court a lot better than the customer's since Jim actually has a reputation to protect him from obvious forms of outright abusive slander that harms his established business.

........