I think their level of customer service is lacking tremendously. I have been suspended from their forum for "arguing." The other party involved was not suspended. When I emailed the mods asking why I was suspended, I was told I was "trolling" the forum. The thread was started by someone else and I was the 6th person to post there, and didn't say anything negative, but just disagreed. It is still up and you can read it for yourself. I have the same screenname here as there. I contacted Jeff Barringer about this, and he sent an email that said it is not his department. Excuse me, I thought he owned the sight.
Yesterday, I started a thread in the forum there about the reptile shows on blogtalkradio.com. It was pulled. I sent a very polite email to the moderators telling them that I thought the topics covered on the radio shows would make good conversation in the forums, and why it was pulled so that I may change the wording and the post remain. I was told that advertising or promotion of an event or website was not allowed. Ok. What about all the people that post in their forums with a website in their signature, but do not pay for space on kingsnake in the breeder section where sites are listed? The radio show I was posting about was Ralph Davis' new show. I think he pays for enough advertising there that any "advertising" done in the forums should be considered paid for. And the last opinion on this matter is that there is no profit being made by these radio shows. They sell no advertising on there. It is non-profit, and I didn't think non profits could "advertise" if no goods are being traded or sold. When something good is mentioned about someone for a purchase in the forums, is that "advertising?" I love to see new morphs unveiled there, but is that advertising? What about when people go to a show and take pics of animals for sale at BHB, RDR, NERD, TSK, VPI or any others, is that advertising? If it is assumed that those posts do not generate potential sales leads, they are mistaken. If they have an animal similar to that back at the facility and someone sees one they had at a show and calls and asks and they sell the one they did not take to the show, then the post served as advertising, but correct me if I am wrong. what about when someone posts saying look what I produced and the next day it is in the classifieds, is that advertising? There is one perfect example of that there now.
Laslty. This part about their people sneaking around here trying to find someone who doesn't like them and ban them. I think that is silly, and seems like they might be violating rights of free speech.
I don't mean this to be bashing kingsnake, just some things I have been frustrated with, hints I no longer have a classified account with them, and emailed Jeff Barringer about that when he sent me a renewal notice. He promptly replied and discontinued my advertising privelages and all current ads were removed.
A little customer service goes a long way I think. I also told Jeff that if I could sell the reptiles I produce adequately without using them that I would. I don't plan on producing much that I want to sell as I am working with exclusively double recessives and fires so I will keep most of what I produce besides the fires that I sell. I think I could do that just fine here.
Thanks,
Jody Barnes
I can tell you this. Regardless of the situation, it is a shame Tim was caught in the middle because of who he associates with or whatever the reasons may be. Tim is a good guy and IMO an asset to KS if given the opportunity. Its a shame that they are missing a guy who is more than fair to deal with and represents his animals accurately and professionally. KS is how I met Tim and am glad I was given that opportunity. Just too bad others who use the site won't get the same chance unless they use Fauna. I hope in the end this is worked out and he is reinstated, I respect Tim as well as KS alot. I can't blame Tim for wanting to share his story and it says alot for his character that he is not angry and bashing KS as most people would. Tim has alot of exciting new projects in the works and would love to see them shared with the KS world when he releases them. Good luck Tim!!!
