Bad Guy Maelstrom reptile ranch BEWARE

[LauraB]

Clearly the buyer offered to take half of the cost of the dragon as reparation, and the seller refused

No. Clearly the buyer CLAIMS she offered to take half the cost. Clearly the buyer CLAIMS the seller refused. I see no proof of anything like that.

I see appropriate packing, a healthy dragon and no supporting evidence from Amanda, the buyer.
I see a seller (Malestrom) prudent enough to take his own photos prior to shipping. I see Amanda posting Malestrom's photos to try to point to a tail caught in the deli lid. (which I don't see, BTW).

I see NO photos taken by Amanda upon receipt of the dragon, I see no photos or documentation of this transaction, a damaged tail, an amputated tail, etc. at Amanda's Facebook ... though she's posted pics of her other dragons, various memes and plenty of other posts since February and March.

Amanda, didn't you and your fiance run a dragon rescue in Florida before you moved to Butler this past February?

Sorry, at this point it ain't adding up ...

 

[Malestrom]

Hello,
Thanks for the notification of this thread.
Firstly, I never sell sick animals
My policy is to quarentine all incoming animals for 3 months
Upon arrival they are treated for worms and mites and given probiotics and a well balanced diet dependeng on species.
This particular incident had come to settlement.
Miss Willis Fiance and I had a nice reasonable phone conversation where we agreed to replace the animal with another at my cost for shipping
I promised to make a partial refund upon first notification of the broken tail
This escalated as time went on as Miss Willis was extremely emotional and impatient.
She told me she was having the animal treated at a vetrinarians to the cost of over $500.00 for a nipped tail.
I have dealt with tail and limb amputations with 100% success here at home with proper medication and surgical tools.
So... the settlement went from our origionally agreed 1/2 cost of $120.00 shipped (replacement $60.00)
to a replacement, no problem here, I make good on all refunds or replacements.
My shipment company reptilesexpress guaranties live arrival, fine it was.
How did the tail break? who knows, some box handlers are less than carefull and some are even malicious as ive seen them shake boxes.
None the less I offered a solution.
Instead of allowing me to see how the situation played out with the vet, Miss Willis became very impatient.
I toook every phone call and responded to every Private message promptly as is my policy.
I was promptly flooded with threats from people I dont even know in my inbox as well as on my Facebook page.
This particular Dragon was a Hypo trans leatherback , 1 of 3 from the same 'Rescue'
I received a phone call to take some babies and was very excited to find that both parents were from Blood Bank Dragons and the bbabies were magnificent
I decided to auction off 1 to bring in some needed monies for food.
This very same lizard sells fo $450.00 on Barrys list when he has them.
Miss Willis got a great auction win, I was happy for her despite my hopes of gettingmore for her, none the less I honored the auction and shipped
My shipping is always documented as someone was kind enough to show.
The 2 newspaper packs are heat packs and I put plenty of insulation around the container in addittion to the box being foam lined.
Completely satisfactory and professional.
Back to the settlement.....
We started at an agreed amount of $60.00
Now im threatened with legal action and am being harrassed.
It is being demanded of me to give a full refund and hire a lawyer.
Miss Willis fiance and I came to a solution of a replacement Dragon
I was set to send several pictures of 3 different Dragons of which they would have choice at my expense completely
Fine, no problem on my end.
I then receive a very emotional private message from Miss Willis denying the resolution we had come to
Now she demands full restitution.
Ive not had time to see the event through satisfactoriilly until a day or two ago,
Im getting all these threats and harrassment before having appropriate time to handle the situation according to what I consider reasonable time.
I made promise of a refunded amount on a date of 5/5/2013
No good, give me a refund now, howmuch will I have by Friday?
I gave a date, it obviously meant nothing.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I run a reptile rescue, I take in sick and unwanted animals, see them to health and rehome them, period
Im not a pet store or a breeder nor do I claim to be either.
despite this I NEVER sell or give away a sick animal and not everyone who comes here gets a pet to take home.
Some people are unfit to take ananimal and I show them the door.
I do not make profits off my sales, themonies pay my hired help who clean and feed my animals.
Monies also go to food, most months I have to use my ssi monies as well
I am 100% disabled and spend 99.9% of my time at home on Oxygen.
I love animals and sawa need in my community as one day out fishing I caught a lady releasing a 9 foot boa and 2 7+foot Burmese pythons into my favorite fishing hole
I convinced her to let me take them as this is wrong, illegal and someones dog and child is going to die as a result of her actions.
I took them home and followed my procedures for incoming animals.
After much thought and seeking through the internet, newspapers, local SPCA and police force found there are no reptile rescues in my area
Imade myself available to the Township, SPCA and others by advertising.
I was initially overwhelmed, I had no idea how many phone calls id get.
I got busy building a sanctuary and quickly found out how nasty people can become when you try to do a good thing.
People who didnt even know me or have anything to do with dropping off or taking ananimal started with hate mail, unreal...
I challenge anyone to take the steps I have and not throw in the towel.
The internet is useful yes and Facebook can be good, however it is also a place where the lowlifes of the world hang out to give shit where none is due.
I do NOT have the health or energy to do both take care of animals that desperately need homes and fight the dirge of the internet
-------------------------------------------------------------
This is official
I AM NO LONGER TAKING IN ANIMALS TO RESCUE
I AM NO LONGER REHOMING ONCE I FINISH FINDING HOMES FOR THE FEW NEEDY ANIMALS I HAVE LEFT
ANY ANIMALS ON MY PREMISES ARE MY PETS NOTHING ELSE
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TO THOSE OF YOU WHO THREATEN ME, BE CAREFUL, YOU DO NOT KNOW ME OR WHAT IM WILLING TO DO IN MY DEFENSE OF MY HOME.
I AM A SECOND AMENDMENT ADVOCATE AND ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE NRA
BEING DISABLED I ALSO HAVE A PERMIT TO CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON AND DO SO
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Its often said, good guys finish last and nice guys get cancer lol!!
There ya go
I have never ever once screwed anyone, yet the hate rolls on
Karma is a bitch and those of you fanning the flames of hate will reap the whirlwind.
I have no intention of responding any further to this thread or any other ridiculous accusation against me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The settlement date of agreement is approaching, when it has past you will all eat your foul words as you see I am a man of integrity.
Noone has an open case against me. over 400 succesful placements, 3 foul ups and im a bad guy LOL!
GET A LIFE!!!

 

[meowmeowkazoo]

No. Clearly the buyer CLAIMS she offered to take half the cost. Clearly the buyer CLAIMS the seller refused. I see no proof of anything like that.

I wasn't saying that she was telling the truth, just that those two posts weren't necessarily saying different things.

 

[meowmeowkazoo]

Michael, could you possibly post screenshots of your conversation with Amanda?

I think it's somewhat telling that she has completely disappeared from the thread now that people are asking for evidence.

 

[Wdissident]

Funny how many sellers this boi chases away... What a shame.

 

[Malestrom]

meow..
Thank you for asking for the conversation.
Im afraid at this point that if we do in fact end up in small claims court I may shoot myself in the foot by divulging the conversation, so at this point I want to protect it as sacred evidence if I do in fact need it. If it plays out to be a dead fish ill post every word from the lovely friendly beginning to the inflammatory and rather hasty ending.
I did say I wasnt going to respond any further but I am amazed at the diligence in which most of you have considered this case brought against me, not the usual facebook style band wagon jumping on of hate this guy and lets all kill him.
Ive had terroristic threats made towards my person from some dumbass redneck from NC who will find my Aunt rather annoying and disturbing to his life as she is an F.B.I. Director and I shall present this private message he sent me to her.
The sad fact of this whole thing is that the community has lost a civil servant that most people would never consider replacing as it is a filthy hobby/calling and the animals have lost an advocate and sanctuary.
I will continue in my hobby
I will not continue in rescues
I will point people to the network of others ive built who also rescue
Im done, I dont have the health to carry a battle on all sides when im performing a decent public service out of love for the animals.
It breaks my heart that there is so much anger and hate in this community.
Unfounded accusations, bandwagon jumpers and the pressure builds to a point where enough is enough.
I gave a settlement date and had actually come to a resolute decision that was going to cost me personally without sufficient evidence.
I require photos of the package being opened and of the animal upon reception.
I asked for none of those in this case and was going to settle because im a decent person.
After reading the nonsense and slander and unfounded bs im moved to reconsider my decision.
I gave a settlement date and turn around to find this thread bashing me to pulp a little pre maturely....
I still by my calendar have a full 3 weeks to make and deliver a final verdict on my decision based on evidence and how the incident is handled.
I am wordy, apologies
I dont have the energy to continue either fighting in my own defense (you all have done that wonderfully asking for hard evidence) thank you
or justifying my means of operation.
I am closing my door to this nonsense and getting on with my life and health
Wdissident you are so right, it truly is a shame.
When all the low end price sellers and rescues are gone only the elite will be left to gnaw on each other and oh they do that too.
Enough.....

 

[Focal]

Michael, please don't think the BOI chased away another seller. As a supporter of the second amendment, I think you can understand that the BOI is a tool that has no control over its user. This place has done more good than bad and I think given some time, the truth will reveal itself.

 

[snowgyre]

Michael, I do hope you realize this BOI thread was started by a single individual, not the entire reptile community. The requests for more information was not just directed at you, but primarily at the original poster. The fact that the original poster had a complaint and failed to provide any evidence to support her claim should give you an idea of how little credence her argument will hold up in court. I can't tell you how many times people threaten lawsuits because it makes them feel powerful, when in actuality no court case will ever be filed (either because they are too lazy to do so, are too impatient to wait for a court date, or realize they never had a case to begin with).

No one here was attacking you; to the contrary, every post I've seen in this thread other than those made by the original poster have been trying to squeeze more evidence and information out of the original poster. It is standard operating procedure to notify someone when a BOI post is made about them, fraudulent claim or otherwise. You are not being singled out. In fact, given how little information the original poster has given, you could've gotten away without posting here at all. She defeated herself when she failed to provide evidence.

 

[laterob]

I concur with Nick and Vanessa. Facebook is nonsense. Stay here, and you'll see that people are usually more sensible. While anyone here is free to make accusations, I'd like to think most readers here are able to see through BS. Many, many threads actually help the accused and hinder the OP. Without any evidence, I know there are two people at the beginning of this thread whose reputations are being more damaged by the minute.

Also, unlike Facejunk, posts here in the BOI are forever and cannot be selectively deleted to sway opinion.

 

[Malestrom]

Thank you and I didnt feel the entire reptile community was coming down on me just a small pool of individuals with a rather seedy leader.
I appreciate your astute and diligent pursuing of evidence and unwavering stand to not be swayed by the simple fact a post was made defaming me (or anyone).
Ive followed a few of your BOIs here and found them to be most fair and very scrutinizing.

 

[laterob]

maelstrom reptile ranch continues to sell sickly animals and offers zero customer service to its buyers (no evidence, opinion). this has been an extensively long and drawn out issue with them (no evidence). and for someone that claims to be a "reptile rescue" its honestly appalling (opinion). they ship sick animals and pack poorly which only amplify s any underlying condition the animal may have (no evidence, opinion). the most recent issue is with Amanda Willis who bought a dragon which was stated to be "healthy" and it was packed poorly, little insulation and its tail 3/4 pinched in a deli cup upon delivery (opinion, exaggeration). the dragon later died after several vet visits and he is disputing the claim (no evidence). and refuses to offer ANY REFUND at all. stay clear of him and spread the word PLEASE!!!!!!

my poor little girl didnt make and i was reasonable enough to even take half of what i paid due to i knew he didnt have alot of money i was tryin to fair and respectable....as you can tell it got me no where! (no evidence, clearly subjective)[/QUOTE]

ok thats great how about her tail in the deli cup and if u look farther down in his pics he got her in oct or nov and she is still the exact same size (no evidence)....i was told by several sources there was genetic issues as well (hearsay)...and the stress due to the amputation which had to take place and he said he would make it right if it had to come off i messaged called and texted him march 11th to inform him of the amputation (no evidence). the stress of an amputation on a unhealthy bearded dragon is what cause it (opinion). He promised me a nip free healthy dragon i didnt received either (no evidence). due to his carelessness she lost part of her tail and now i have lost her (opinion). I payed him on the 11th of feb he sent about 2 weeks later(i still have shipping box) tail was amputated on march 11th i have sent pics and tried to contact him every step of the way via pics, text, call, and messages via fb i did everything on my end i could have (opinion/nonsense).[/COLOR]

This kind of garbage may hold up in front of a biased audience (like Facejunk), but it'll never make it here. This nonsense is too easy to see through.

 

[Serenescales]

maelstrom reptile ranch continues to sell sickly animals and offers zero customer service to its buyers (no evidence, opinion). this has been an extensively long and drawn out issue with them (no evidence). and for someone that claims to be a "reptile rescue" its honestly appalling (opinion). they ship sick animals and pack poorly which only amplify s any underlying condition the animal may have (no evidence, opinion). the most recent issue is with Amanda Willis who bought a dragon which was stated to be "healthy" and it was packed poorly, little insulation and its tail 3/4 pinched in a deli cup upon delivery (opinion, exaggeration). the dragon later died after several vet visits and he is disputing the claim (no evidence). and refuses to offer ANY REFUND at all. stay clear of him and spread the word PLEASE!!!!!!

my poor little girl didnt make and i was reasonable enough to even take half of what i paid due to i knew he didnt have alot of money i was tryin to fair and respectable....as you can tell it got me no where! (no evidence, clearly subjective)

ok thats great how about her tail in the deli cup and if u look farther down in his pics he got her in oct or nov and she is still the exact same size (no evidence)....i was told by several sources there was genetic issues as well (hearsay)...and the stress due to the amputation which had to take place and he said he would make it right if it had to come off i messaged called and texted him march 11th to inform him of the amputation (no evidence). the stress of an amputation on a unhealthy bearded dragon is what cause it (opinion). He promised me a nip free healthy dragon i didnt received either (no evidence). due to his carelessness she lost part of her tail and now i have lost her (opinion). I payed him on the 11th of feb he sent about 2 weeks later(i still have shipping box) tail was amputated on march 11th i have sent pics and tried to contact him every step of the way via pics, text, call, and messages via fb i did everything on my end i could have (opinion/nonsense).

This kind of garbage may hold up in front of a biased audience (like Facejunk), but it'll never make it here. This nonsense is too easy to see through.

Fixed the formatting because I'm a tad an-l.

The original poster, not Amanda (weird how this wasn't posted by her but someone else for her...), claimed that the package wasn't insulated but the photos posted by Amanda (and seen in your album Mike) clearly show otherwise.

I see a healthy animal. I do not see a tail caught in the lid of the cup, rather a tail against the rim of the cup).
I do not see poor packaging.
I see clear documentation of shipping by Malestrom, but nothing from Amanda showing any images of the animal while under her care.
Plus, she's disappeared and hasn't posted since so this does nothing to help her case.

Its a shame you're considering leaving the rescue business over this little event. My fiance lives in Philly and says there aren't many reptile rescues up there, despite the one of the larger shows being held in the area (I mean Hamburg of course).

 

[Malestrom]

I attend Hamburg when my health allows, usually im there for 1 or 2 hours, that plus the drive both ways is a long day for me. I have a driver for this upcoming one as well as a small posse off friends joining me to see the hot items
Im hoping to secure a hog island boa of 6 foot and sexually mature, steps and arrangements already made to procure her.
We shall see what the next couple of years brings as far as my health, if it improves enough I may start rescuing in a larger facility, doubtful but thanks

 

[jade22507]

Hers your proof that i was civil and the agreement was never met

as you see i okd the feeders in replacement for the fact he pinched her tail in the cup due to i knew he didnt have much money so as tryin to be decent and not drain him or cause him not to have the money he needed to live. I never received not one single feeder so i reminded him over the course of almost a month not everyday i did message him just to say hi and how was he. Then we just almost died on us and we hadnt seen any feeders i asked for $60 due to i payed $120 for her. He him self as you can see said taking her to the vet was a good thing as well. I was very decent in asking for what he offered due to the shipping issue. When it comes down to it yes she passed away and no i wasnt asking for the whole $120 most i asked for was the $100 actually due to the 20 was the shipping. Think what you will but i have proof of me agreeing and i have nothing to show for it from him not one bug and not one penny

 

[laterob]

I think that's the wrong screenshot, Amanda (?). There's no mention of feeders or compensation...did I miss it?

 

[jade22507]

agreement not met

here is our agreement

 

[jade22507]

sorry i hit the wrong download guys..my bad

 

[Magical Geckos]

Okay ill chime in,
Malestrom reptile ranch DOES NOT know how to properly care for leopard geckos.
He tries to be a good guy, but has no business rescuing anything.
I HAD to go through and tell him what all his gecko were and what they were worth
AND HOW TO CARE FOR THEM. even after he did not take my advice.

He had no clue that geckos need supplements and calcium ect...

BUT the reason i will never buy again.

I saw a gecko i really wanted. He was asking $75.00
I paid FULL ASKING PRICE.

after getting the gecko i could tell a little bit more about the genetics of the gecko and it turned out to be a super snow eclipse (after breeding i confirmed enigma)

RIGHT after i posted pics of it when i got it in the mail.

HE goes bashing me. saying how i took advantage of him not paying what the gecko was worth.. ect..

I PAID HIM HIS FULL ASKING PRICE.
The guy has some issues. and I STRONGLY discourage EVERYONE to NEVER do business it most likely wont end well..

 

[jade22507]

ok sorry

sorry alot of messages and pic to go through that i have sent and he has sent here is the promise of repayment

 

[laterob]

All right, Amanda! Thank you for posting some evidence.