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Bad Guy Maelstrom reptile ranch BEWARE

So let me see what I can make of this thread. Amanda won in an auction a trans leatherback bearded dragon from Mike (a supposed rescue person) for $120 shipped. The shipping box/packaging actually looked to be pretty good. It was insulated, had heat packs and newspaper, so far so good. The tail in the picture could or could not be caught in the lid. The picture is really not clear enough to tell. Either way, Amanda says it was so it was. Ok, tail was pinched and needed vet attention. If this is the case Amanda may be due some sort of compensation for the tail. I looked at the pictures Michael posted of the dragon before shipping. The dragon appeared to be healthy at that time, maybe a tad thin in the hips. But that isn’t all too uncommon and usually means it needs to be fed a little more than usual. Unfortunately the dragon dies almost 2 months after arrival to Amanda. Without a necropsy done it is impossible to determine why it died.

So my question is what is a reasonable agreement for compensation? The cost of the dragon, $60? The vet bills?

This thread would be a lot easier to understand if ALL emails and pictures from start to finish were post in one post so we could all read what really happened between these two parties. Not sure why this wasn't done already. :shrug01:

Also, the threats of violence and lawyers are no way for adults to act. It is very childish behavior and not a good representation for reptile keepers. Threats bring nothing but anger and that gets you know where.

EASY SOLUTION: Michael give Amanda the $60 you offered on the 5th of May. It lets people know you admit your mistake and are willing to take care of business. And Amanda (and who ever else) stop posting things all over the internet. If Michael is what you say, people will know well enough by this thread alone when they search his name. Easy peasy! :thumbsup:
 
In the interest of my own character I will divulge what my decision was.
I had decided and committed myself to full restitution of the cost of the animal (not shipping)
I have NOT changed any of my standards on how I make these decisions so the comment that it seems im changing my mind is dead wrong.
Theres a lot of pictures being posted now, does this not seem relevant?
I was threatened with lawsuit!
I'd think surely if the animal has passed there are pictures of its deceased body.
Id also like to see copies of the vet bills.
None of these requests are unreasonable, nor are they going to affect my decision
as I state earlier I believe the measure of a man to be how he handles these things and I do it by my own set of standards and not much will move me to change my mind.
One thing im amazed at is that even though ive stated a date of decision I now find a slanderous post on cl in my area and it is by her fiance....
this is the link
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pet/3743784108.html
-----------------------------------------------------------
Now im pissed :NoNo: and considering calling my lawyer on the issue of slander and am I required now to do anything other than what myheart leads me to?
O.K. it wasnt Amanda, it was her fiance, sorry, in my book its the same thing, they talk and decided to do this.
Here is a sceenshot
 
Written defamation is libel, Mike. You talk about character, the measure of a man, etc. but just mentioned a lawyer, which is one of the things THEY did that pissed you off.

We were so close...
 
Thank you for a reasonable post Becky.
That amount is actually less than I was going to send but this craigs list post certainly brings it down to that at the absolute most, if anything at all now.
Im being slandered without the final date even being here, that changes my heart and disposition completely, I may still send something but im really set off by this cl post, it is most certainly an issue of slander now!!
 
Maybe Amanda did that CL post intentionally so she could prove her point (?). I will say that I am surprised at the amount of unsubstantiated claims that have been leveled at Mike and that more pressure isn't being placed on Melissa, her husband, Amanda, and her fiancée.
 
o.k. libel not slander but certainly defamation of character as well as ive not had the required time to appropriately address the issue even after I gave a date and had phone calls solving the whole thing. Im not the one who sunk this ship, it may still be afloat after I calm down, one thing for sure. If I follow through with what I had intended would there be any thanks for restitution for something out of my hands? probly not.... good thing im not in this for praise or atta boys
I move to serve my conscience and faith, nothing else.
This post on cl was absolutely inflammatory and underhanded.
 
I completely agree, Mike. Just don't compromise your ethics out of anger/pettiness, etc. As they say, 2 wrongs and all that.

Follow through with your promises, despite what is flung your way, and you will gain respect from many here.
 
Rob, that is what I was trying to get at. I'd like for either Mike or Amanda to post the information about the dragon it self and any deals, offering ect that were made. This would help out so much.
 
This horse is overbeaten
I dont compromise my standards but the incident can move me to be much less gracious in how I rectify it.
Thank you Laterob for the encouragement to remain true to my standards, I hadnt planned on shifting from them.
My only issue inbeing angry about being threatened with a lawyer had to do with the fact that 'fiance' and I had come to terms the night before rather peacefully,
then I was threatened.
Bekers71
Im not posting any communications as I stated if it goes to court as I was threatened ill need that information to be not made public by myself.
 
Was that picture of the dragon clearer on Facebook? I can't see anything from the screenshot. Where is the vet bills or pic of the dead lizard? Most people would require proof. Not that I don't believe Amanda, her grief in her Facebook posts seems genuine. It would probably be best for everyone to cool down and wait for May 5 and just follow through with the agreement.
 
laterob said:
I will say that I am surprised at the amount of unsubstantiated claims that have been leveled at Mike and that more pressure isn't being placed on Melissa, her husband, Amanda, and her fiancée.
Click to expand...

I agree completely. The $50 gecko thing had no concrete evidence to back it up other than a few partial conversation snips, and while Amanda's evidence is appreciated, it is far from complete.

So far Malestrom is not the one looking like a bad guy here.
 
Since Amanda hasn't posted again, figured I would dig up the Facebook posts. More to come after this post.
 

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Sarah, it's nice of you to post the FB pages but honestly, that is not proof of the transaction or conversation between Amanda and Michael. What needs to be posted it their actually conversations with each other.
 
No need to thank me, I'm not doing this to be nice. :rolleyes:

There are some tidbits of information in these conversations that have not been shared in the thread, therefore they are relevant. In lieu of statements from Amanda here, I am sharing the statements she has made elsewhere.
 

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In summary, I do absolutely belief that Amanda lost this dragon to UNKNOWN CAUSES. It died in its sleep according to her, and she is going with the theory that it had a genetic defect, despite the fact that her veterinarian did not see a genetic defect.

I'm not sure how Malestrom can be blamed for a genetic issue if he's also being accused of selling a "rescue" dragon.

I am very sorry for Amanda's loss, but if she does not know the cause of death then she can't blame it on the seller.
 
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