I purchased a female imprinted badger from him in December. I was told it would arrive during Christmas week. I still have not received this animal. He has claimed that the weather was too cold to ship (out of Florida to California), although I have received many shipments from Florida in this period of time. I offered to pick up the animal, and correspondence was terminated on his part. When I asked for photos of the animal, he suddenly claimed that my email wouldn't accept them. So I told him to mail them to me regular mail. I never received them. I have since found out that he doesn't even have permits to possess, let alone sell badgers I have also found out that he is notorious for selling sick animals, animals not as described, or not shipping out animals at all with the same excuse (in the summer, it's too hot, in the fall and winter, it's too cold). In January of 2010, I demanded my money back. He claims to have sent me a refund that in January, that never arrived. He says he got it back in the mail, but does not show any proof of mailing the check (return receipt, postmark, cashier's check receipt, anything) . Regardless, he refuses to send it "again". He has threatened the safety of my family, employees and myself for posting about these dealings, telling me that I better remove these postings, "or else". I will not remove anything until I get my money back. Below is the original email I sent him:
Dear Sirs,
On December 23, 2009 we sent you payment in full for a 8 week old badger bay. We were promised by Mike that we would be getting the badger no later than December 30, 2009.
As of today, February 3, 2010, we have contacted your company 17 times, inquiring about our badger. We have gotten excuse after excuse about why we have not received our animal. Primarily that there are issues with the weather, although, when I phone the airlines, there doesn't seem to be an issue with shipping. In fact, we have received birds out of Florida 2 times in the last month from Florida, without issue.
On my answering machine, I have a message from Mike PROMISING that if we did not receive our badger by this Monday, February 1, 2010, he would send us a refund in full. Of course, not only did we not receive the animal, we never even received a phone call telling us the animal was not coming. I called on Monday, Tuesday, and then today, leaving message after message inquiring about the badger and the money, Finally, Mike called today and spoke with Mel. He of course had many excuses about why he couldn't send the animal, and hemmed and hawed about returning the money I sent in good faith. First he said he had 15 people waiting waiting for a badger, and then he said he didn't know what he would do with the badger we purchased if we don't take it. As if that were a problem of mine. If you have 15 people waiting for a badger, then you should not have a problem finding her a home, should you?
Mel then offered to have one of my keepers fly out to Florida and pick up the badger. Mike seemed flabbergasted, and didn't know what to say. He then proceeded to tell Mel how ridiculous and costly that would be. I don't think that is any of your concern. When she told him that we would be the judge of that, he abruptly hung up (if he was disconnected, then why didn't he immediately call back).
This letter is to inform you that you have two choices.
Choice one: return my entire payment of $1750
Choice two; Give me an address to have a keeper fly out this week to pick up a bottle badger baby.
Should neither of these options be taken by you, I will forced to take a more aggressive, legal approach.
I would like to make flight arraignments today, in order to arrive on Friday, pick up the animal and return on Saturday.
Benay karp
Benay's Bird & Animal Rentals
www.benaysanimals.com
That's just me, I guess!