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Inquiry Larry Bowman - Oldworld Exotics

gila7150

gila7150

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Has anyone done business with Larry Bowman of Oldworld Exotics in Tri-cities, TN? He's placed several ads on this site for snakes I'm interested in over the last couple months but I have a few concerns...

1. There are a couple negative BOI posts for a Larry Bowman from several years ago. One was for a tricolor hognose that he purchased but never paid the seller in full. He placed an ad for an adult tricolor hognose and told me through PM that he is not the same Larry Bowman from the BOI post.

2. He places ads for desirable snakes (i.e. Tricolor hognose, Coxi Ratsnake) They are usually advertised as 3 year old females that are prime age for breeding and his prices are usually lower than you would expect.

3. A couple weeks after advertising the adults, he's placing ads for baby tricolor hognose and baby coxi ratsnakes that are half the price I see them usually advertised. He doesn't include photos in his ads.

I hope to hear good things about him. I would have already bought several snakes from if I knew he was trustworthy.
Thanks!
 
He deleted and blocked me on facebook because I decided against buying from him due to the payments he accepts. Only moneygram and money order I believe. However he does have a few people who say that he is legit, but I never heard of any of his references. He had his girlfriend handle the possible transaction with me and she got very defensive when I told her I felt uncomfortable sending them a moneygram with no information about them and not personally knowing anyone who dealt with them. She called me an A**hole and said talking to me was a big waste of her time and then she hung up on me. Personally, I did not like how any of that went down, so, I would not do business with him or her.
 
I do not know how to do a snapshot on my computer, but here is what went down on the comp.

Brett Bloom
5/7, 3:39pm
Brett Bloom

Can I put a deposit on the coxi
May 7
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/7, 7:20pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

I can contact you when they are ready no need for deposits on them . Are you still interested in the mandarins
Brett Bloom
5/7, 7:42pm
Brett Bloom

I am, but have to find out from the wife. The coxi are a definite

Will you possibly sell trios?
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/7, 7:43pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

Yeah
May 26
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 12:14pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

Hey Brett are you interested in any adult coxi the female has only layed one clutch and will lay again in about 3 weeks . I'm only asking cause you said you wanted a baby or two and I figured I have holdbacks I need to get rid off .
Brett Bloom
5/26, 3:12pm
Brett Bloom

Price?
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 3:27pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

$ 250.00 plus shipping on a line female . I have 2 they both should lay in another 3 to 4 weeks and I also have a male same age same price

All 3 years old
Brett Bloom
5/26, 3:46pm
Brett Bloom

Selling after they lay?
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 3:55pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

No you can purchase now
Brett Bloom
5/26, 3:55pm
Brett Bloom

Positive they are gravid?
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 3:57pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

Yes they always lay another clutch after their first one . Plus they were with a male again

I can do single females . Pairs or trios
Brett Bloom
5/26, 4:06pm
Brett Bloom

What is your best price on a pair
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 4:08pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

$ 465.00 plus shipping on a pair normally you see lone adult females go for 500 each
Brett Bloom
5/26, 4:10pm
Brett Bloom

How do you accept payment?

Pics of the pair for sale?
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 4:12pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

Here is the female and the male is on my profile pic
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 4:15pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

If you want the pair let me know your zip for a quote and send your phone number and I will call you if you want the pair for sure . Look at it this way you will make double or almost triple just from the babies in no time
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 4:16pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

Here is another female you can take your pic on which one you want
Brett Bloom
5/26, 4:22pm
Brett Bloom

76801
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 4:27pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

SYR. $ 63.15 plus 5 dollar box fee

That's 533.15with shipping . I'll go 500 shipped that's about 430 for the pair
Brett Bloom
5/26, 4:33pm
Brett Bloom

How do you take payments?
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 4:39pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

Money gram only

All my customers pay this way and all are happy . I can give references and every animal I sell is above top quality . You can go to my group Asian COLUBRID classified and see were people have baught and paid this way and see they are all happy

Cost you 9.50 to send
Brett Bloom
5/26, 5:10pm
Brett Bloom

Let me think about it. There is no protection for me this way.
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 5:27pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

No big deal if you want send me your number
Brett Bloom
5/26, 5:32pm
Brett Bloom

325-232-0376
Brett Bloom
5/26, 6:13pm
Brett Bloom

Sorry we cannot work together, but your girlfriend is very rude. All I wanted to do is make sure I was not going to get ripped off, but she wasn't having it.
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 6:15pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

Yep should have read the references we have many satisfied customers and Russ was not satisfied because it took him 3 days to get back to me and once I sold the female for 800 shipped via money gram he was mad
Brett Bloom
5/26, 6:16pm
Brett Bloom

Been trying to find references for you guy
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 6:16pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

Anyway sorry it didn't work out I could have shipped them tomorrow to you . You gotta understand we have been doing this for 24 years she feels she doesn't have to prove herself to anyone anyway take care
Brett Bloom
5/26, 6:16pm
Brett Bloom

Guyd
OldworldExotic Reptiles
5/26, 6:17pm
OldworldExotic Reptiles

Look on our group Asian COLUBRID classified Chris sharp just sent me 500 dollars via money gram and got his the next day
 
Thanks for the info Brett.
I think we both saved ourselves some money and aggravation by trusting our instincts.
 
Since Larry Bowman of OLD WORLD EXOTICS decided to drag me into this, I'll chime in.

I have been in this hobby for a long time. When a deal or dealer seems sketchy, it is usually sketchy. These guys come and go in our hobby. We've all seen dozens of them over the years.

Larry Bowman of OLD WORLD EXOTICS lies to Brett Bloom about our deal that went badly. He says above that I didn't get back with him for five days. In actuality, according to his own words below it was three hours.

What really happened is that I offered him $700 for a female Rhino ratsnake he had for sale. He accepted my offer. I tried to PayPal him and I offered to get a money order or cashiers check and send to him. Then, he tells me he doesn't take PayPal and doesn't ship any animals until he personally talks with the person on the phone. I was out for Mother's Day and I had jury duty the next day, called and a lady answered the phone. She calmly said, "Oh yeah, he sold it already."

I know exactly what happened here - He accepted my offer, someone else offered him more money, and he sold the snake to the other guy.

Please look below and you will see the running conversation verbatim from Facebook PM:




Russ: I'm interested in your female rhino rat snake. Can you do $700 shipped to 74820?


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/10, 4:45pm): Well shipping is 65.00 for next day and I have a 5 dollar box fee so you would be looking at 720.00 shipped


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/10, 5:01pm): If you are interested in purchasing her you can send me your phone number and I will call you when I get a chance in a little bit


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/11, 9:36am): Russ after much thought and as much as I need a forklift for my new business . I am willing to do 700.00 shipped on the rhino female


Russ Gurley (5/11, 9:52am): Let's do it ! I appreciate that. I can do paypal or mail you a cashiers check tomorrow.


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/11, 10:12am): Ok can you send me your phone number and I will call you in a little bit


Russ Gurley (5/11, 10:13am): 580.xxx.xxxx cell Please call me after 2:00 pm CST - I have Mothers Day stuff until after lunch. THANKS -


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/11, 10:14am): No problem same here


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/11, 5:39pm): Tried calling twice . Let me know what you wanna do cause I have other people inquiring on her


Russ Gurley (5/11, 7:34pm): SORRY - got busy with family stuff and left phone on charger all day. I'm still not home. How would you like me to pay? I can PayPal now and add the PayPal fees. Are you able to ship her tomorrow? Our weather should be perfect all week - Not too hot.


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/11, 7:36pm): Yeah sorry we don't take PayPal . And I don't sale snakes to anyone until I talk with them personally


Russ Gurley (5/12, 8:18am): If I haven't missed my opportunity I can call you at lunch today. I have jury duty until noon.


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/12, 8:19am): That's fine


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/12, 12:02pm): 423-xxx.xxxx


Russ Gurley (5/12, 1:13pm): Still in the trial. Picking jury now. Will call when I get out.


* I got out of the trial and called him. A woman answered and she informed me that he had already sold it.

One of the worst kinds of sellers in our hobby is one that agrees to sell a buyer an animal, gets offered more money and so makes up some crazy story (or just flat out lies) and sells the animal to someone else. He even mentions above - in Brett's post - that he sold it out from under me for $800!

I will never buy from OldworldExotic Reptiles and I warn others to be careful.


* He even had the nerve to contact me later that week (feeling guilty maybe?) and offer me another female Rhino ratsnake. Of course this one was $750 plus shipping.



OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/16, 3:38pm): I got another female rhino for sale she is 4 years old and huge she has never been bred and I'm asking 750.00 plus shipping for her if your interested you can call me but don't wait to long I'm putting her up for sale now


Russ Gurley (5/16, 5:21pm): No thanks. Our last deal left a bad taste in my mouth.


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/16, 5:56pm): Yeah I here you it was frustrating when someone tells you there gonna call you at a certain time and you get a call 5 hours later
 
rgurley said:
Since Larry Bowman of OLD WORLD EXOTICS decided to drag me into this, I'll chime in.

I have been in this hobby for a long time. When a deal or dealer seems sketchy, it is usually sketchy. These guys come and go in our hobby. We've all seen dozens of them over the years.

Larry Bowman of OLD WORLD EXOTICS lies to Brett Bloom about our deal that went badly. He says above that I didn't get back with him for five days. In actuality, according to his own words below it was three hours.

What really happened is that I offered him $700 for a female Rhino ratsnake he had for sale. He accepted my offer. I tried to PayPal him and I offered to get a money order or cashiers check and send to him. Then, he tells me he doesn't take PayPal and doesn't ship any animals until he personally talks with the person on the phone. I was out for Mother's Day and I had jury duty the next day, called and a lady answered the phone. She calmly said, "Oh yeah, he sold it already."

I know exactly what happened here - He accepted my offer, someone else offered him more money, and he sold the snake to the other guy.

Please look below and you will see the running conversation verbatim from Facebook PM:




Russ: I'm interested in your female rhino rat snake. Can you do $700 shipped to 74820?


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/10, 4:45pm): Well shipping is 65.00 for next day and I have a 5 dollar box fee so you would be looking at 720.00 shipped


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/10, 5:01pm): If you are interested in purchasing her you can send me your phone number and I will call you when I get a chance in a little bit


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/11, 9:36am): Russ after much thought and as much as I need a forklift for my new business . I am willing to do 700.00 shipped on the rhino female


Russ Gurley (5/11, 9:52am): Let's do it ! I appreciate that. I can do paypal or mail you a cashiers check tomorrow.


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/11, 10:12am): Ok can you send me your phone number and I will call you in a little bit


Russ Gurley (5/11, 10:13am): 580.xxx.xxxx cell Please call me after 2:00 pm CST - I have Mothers Day stuff until after lunch. THANKS -


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/11, 10:14am): No problem same here


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/11, 5:39pm): Tried calling twice . Let me know what you wanna do cause I have other people inquiring on her


Russ Gurley (5/11, 7:34pm): SORRY - got busy with family stuff and left phone on charger all day. I'm still not home. How would you like me to pay? I can PayPal now and add the PayPal fees. Are you able to ship her tomorrow? Our weather should be perfect all week - Not too hot.


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/11, 7:36pm): Yeah sorry we don't take PayPal . And I don't sale snakes to anyone until I talk with them personally


Russ Gurley (5/12, 8:18am): If I haven't missed my opportunity I can call you at lunch today. I have jury duty until noon.


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/12, 8:19am): That's fine


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/12, 12:02pm): 423-xxx.xxxx


Russ Gurley (5/12, 1:13pm): Still in the trial. Picking jury now. Will call when I get out.


* I got out of the trial and called him. A woman answered and she informed me that he had already sold it.

One of the worst kinds of sellers in our hobby is one that agrees to sell a buyer an animal, gets offered more money and so makes up some crazy story (or just flat out lies) and sells the animal to someone else. He even mentions above - in Brett's post - that he sold it out from under me for $800!

I will never buy from OldworldExotic Reptiles and I warn others to be careful.


* He even had the nerve to contact me later that week (feeling guilty maybe?) and offer me another female Rhino ratsnake. Of course this one was $750 plus shipping.



OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/16, 3:38pm): I got another female rhino for sale she is 4 years old and huge she has never been bred and I'm asking 750.00 plus shipping for her if your interested you can call me but don't wait to long I'm putting her up for sale now


Russ Gurley (5/16, 5:21pm): No thanks. Our last deal left a bad taste in my mouth.


OldworldExotic Reptiles (5/16, 5:56pm): Yeah I here you it was frustrating when someone tells you there gonna call you at a certain time and you get a call 5 hours later
Click to expand...


I don't consider an animal sold until I had the money or deposit.
Seems to me you guys played phone tag. Someone offered same or more cash and you lost out.
I don't know if he's good or bad but your busted deal doesn't prove anything other than you were too busy to get the deal done.
 
I just this week received a trio 1.2 of both Tricolor-Hognose and Thai Red Mountain Bamboo Rats :)

My transaction started off little "iffy" also. He contacted me by text messaging to my phone, and when I called that number I almost always a busy signal ...

It didn't work because he had a prepaid track-phone which had expired. He got another, and we spoke for over an hour ... possibly 2-3 hours, just on Hold ... then your business :(
 
There is a negative BOI thread about a Larry Bowman from Nokomis, FL that received a tricolor hognose and never paid the seller for it. Larry Bowman of OldWorld Exotics told me that he's not the same guy through PM on this site.
 
Lindsay said:
There was a Larry Bowman Island Reptiles in SW Florida selling tricolor hognose years ago - is this the same guy?
Click to expand...

This guy, with the same name, was from TN.

The transaction ended up turning out GREAT! I have 1.2 of GORGEOUS (however extremely young) Tri-Color Hognose, AND, and stunning 1.2 trio of Thai Red Mountain Rats ...both of which I've been searching for a long time!

I am very happy with my deal I got from "Larry Bowman in TN", however he has no working computer, so everything is by phone or text ... definitely sounded iffy, however my want for the 2 trio's overwhelmed my sense of non trust.

I got GREAT Animals, at a fair price, on the day and time they were supposed to be here ... very [properly shipped with 2 cold-packs in the box (it's been in upper 80's here), each in an individual dixies's, each properly marked, taped on all 4 sides ... with great ventilation, and there body temp and packaging temp proved acceptable with a tem-prove upon arrival.

I would still be cautious, however my personal experience turn out to be a great one :D
 
I'm glad to hear that everything worked out and you were happy with the animals you received. Thanks for your feedback!
 
to answer to the haters

Russ in all due respect all you do is waste peoples time and i offrred you another rhino just to help you out .but i quess you took it the wrong way .you shouldnt tell people your gonna call at a certain time and call 5 hours later your text seem to work just fine . And brent you shouldnt tell people it is illegal to sell snakes on fb if your not a bussiness .seems you kept contacting me but never had the money sorry you all lost out on killer snakes cause you think you know it all .everyone else had no problems and as far as my snakes being low priced thats my choice not none of yours .if you wanna pay more go ahead just dont contact me cause i wont sell to you anyway anyone else wanting a good deal and quality snakes feel free to contact. me i will be glad to hook you up .or you can listen to all the drama from these. Idiots and lose out .and denny i thought our transaction went well considering you got 2000 in snakes and only paid a 989.00 shipped and we comunicated for hours let me know what i did wrong in your eyes .i really would like to hear it .i have many satified repeat customers and plenty of refrences to those who need them
 
Hi Larry,

If I said anything to make "anyone" mistake my dealings with you, it was by mistake, I assure you. :(

I AM EXTREMELY PLEASED WITH HOW EVERYTHING TURNED OUT, AND "YES" I BELIEVE YOU GAVE ME A VERY GOOD DEAL, SHIPPED WHEN I REQUESTED, DELIVERED NEXT DAY ABOUT 9:00AM, IN VERY GOOD HEALTH AND CONDITION. I WAS ALSO IMPRESSED WITH YOUR PACKAGING! :D

I think maybe you, and possibly others, might have "thought" I was putting you down when I stated "I am very happy with my deal I got from "Larry Bowman in TN", however he has no working computer, so everything is by phone or text ... definitely sounded iffy, however my want for the 2 trio's overwhelmed my sense of non trust." :(

However, I started the post, and the majority of the post, I thought truly told people on this forum you are a "Gentleman who keeps his word, and does outstanding customer service on shipping". :)

JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS, I AM "VERY" HAPPY WITH THE DEAL I GOT FROM LARRY BOWMAN, A 1.2 TRIO OF TRI-COLOR HOGNOSE .... AND A 1.2 OF THAI RED MOUNTAIN BAMBOO RATS !!! :D

THIS LARRY BOWMAN, I HIGHLY DOUBT WAS IN ANY BAD PRACTICES IN THE PAST, HOWEVER i "KNOW FOR SURE HE KEEPS HIS WORD NOW"! :D

Best regards Larry,

Joe :)
 
Update on Larry Bowman of OldWorld .....

He initially sent the animals I requested, on time ... 1.2 Thai Red Mountain Rat's, doing justy great still ... however the 1.2 Tri-Color Hognose were advertised as eating F/T Pinky Mice ... and when they arrived, appeared to be newly hatched. less then 2" long, thinner than the lead in a pencil, COULD NOT POSSIBLE EVEN EAT "1 HOUR NEWBORN PINKIES"!!! They only weight ~ 0.79 grams, each animal almost exactly the same.

I informed him they could not possibly eat a pinky, and he suggested feeding them only the tails and legs off the pinkies. That did not do it. Within only a week, the 1st female died ... he said he would replace her out of his next clutch coming in just 3-4 weeks.

I've not heard a word back, although I've been pleading for answers for getting the two remaining Tri's to eat. In the meantime, 2 weeks ago, I lost the male ... leaving me now with only a female, now weighing only 0.57 grams :(

I let him know, and told him last Friday I'd give until EOD that day to get in tough with me .... before I would post this, and again help ruin his reputation ... which I really hate to do to a fellow breeder.

However, since I've given him him 2 additional day to get in touch, and he's made no effort ... I am posting this to let the rest of you know to beware of ANY purchases made from him! The ad he put up on the Tri-Color was an out-and-out lie saying they were eating F/T pinkies!!!b And now I have let 2 animals "suffer by starvation 'TO DEATH', for no reason other than his lack of support!!!

Beware friends & fellow breeders!!!

I WOULD NEVER SUGGEST "ANYONE" DEAL WITH LARRY B OWMAN FROM OLDWORLD PHONE# 423-278-7004 ....

Best regard to y'all :)

TakinANapster
 
Joe,
I'm very sorry to hear about your tricolor hognoses. That sounds extremely small for hatchlings. I have some experience with Eastern and Western hatchlings but not tri-colors. I would try frog or lizard scenting if you haven't already. Usually a moistened fuzzy tail is fairly easy to slide down their mouth to the point where they'll finish swallowing on their own.
If all else fails it may be time to attempt feeding with a TB syringe and the smallest ball tipped feeding needle they make. These guys are probably pretty fragile so if you don't have experience doing this I would try to find someone near you who does.
I wish you luck with your last female.
 
Thanks for the tips Chris,

I have tried scented the pinky parts with Anoles ... and even tried feeding them Anoles tails, and even new-born Anoles ... no luck :(

I will try both methods immediately!

I have tried "offering them fuzzy tails, legs, etc. but no luck. I've not yet tried force-feeding because I've experienced only snake deaths from doing that to neonates ... however to save this girl, if necessary, I will tape my pinkie syringe and some Live "fresh" newborn pinkies ("I've been informed, with pinkies, live has much more vitamins & minerals that the freezer kills) ... to the Vet and pay him to feed her each week until she can eat pinkies on her own!!! If I would have any idea I was going to have zero support from Larry Bowman on these poor animals, and that they would die such a horrible death (starving to death) ... I woiuld have taken themto the Vet twice weekly from day #1 :(

Best regards, and thanks again for the tips!!!

TakinANapster (Joe)
 
If various amphibian scents or parts don't work you can also try fish, belive it or not. You can get a feeder fish/minnow from many pet stores. The liquid from a can of tuna will sometimes work with Lystrophis.
 
While I can appreciate the efforts to help another forum member, the BOI is not the place for a discussion on feeding tips/tactics. This thread is about Larry Bowman - please take any side discussions to PM or the discussion forums.
 
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