MnR --- Inquiry

[Jeremiah Goode]

Just curious to know everyone's experience with MnR, I've heard nothing but good.

 

[Neil Gubitz]

You'll hear nothing but good things from me, either! If you're talking about Mike Barierra....he has some awesome animals, and he's never been anything but honest with me....I would recommend him any time! ....Neil

 

[Jeremiah Goode]

Yup Yup, that would be him.  Getting a maroon GTP from him and quite excited..  Of the people I've talked with I've had nothing BUT praise about MnR.

 

[Robert Gundy Reptiles]

I've never bought snakes off of him, just geckos when he was more into them. I've talked to him a lot for about 2 years. Very helpful, very nice. The animals I got were in the best of condition, and I've only heard good about him and all the animals he sells. I highly recommend him.

 

[Arboreals of the Rainforest]

I have emailed him several times and didnt buy from him based on his practices of violating the TOS of PayPal.  I know it doesnt represent his animals and from what I have heard he has some nice fresh imports.  It is just a pet peave of mine that I will not do a transaction with anyone who adds a fee for using Paypal.  It IS a violation of the contract and terms of service when you agree to use them.  

Other than that,  he is a nice guy, good animals and college student if Im not mistaken.   So support our future leaders, buy from him.

 

[AndrewK]

I just recieved a red chondro from Mike Yesterday (6/5/2).  The animal looks great, the price was fair, and the transaction was quick.  I'd have no problem buying from him again.

Andrew Koraleski

 

[Darin Chappell]

I don't mean to get to far afield of this thread, but I want to say something about people selling with paypal.  In my opinion, if you use paypal to sell stuff, you are paying for a service in that you have secure funds coming to you quickly.  The cost of that service is 3%.  If you don't want to pay that much, don't use paypal.  It's that simple!

Bottom line: when I see someone say "I'll sell it to you via paypal, but I want 3% more" not only do I see that person in less than an honorable light for his/her violation of paypal's TOS, but I also get aggrevated because he/she wants ME to pay for his/her secure funds arriving more quickly!  Aggrevated to say something about it?  Usually not, but definitely aggrevated enough to move on to the next ad.

 

[Damon]

Yeah I totally agree.  I can't believe the local stores actually expect me to pay a 6% sales tax!!  Can't they just swallow that cost to save me a few dollars on large purchases? Come on that is really quite stupid. He told me about it before hand and I had the option to pay it or not do business with him.  That is funny that someone would be more concerned about and additional 3% other then a healthy, well maintained animal.  It is not like he tries to hide the amount in the payment. He fully explained it to me and I had no problem paying it.   I recieved two wonderful, healthy, active, alert, aggressively feeding, and all around awsome little black roughneck monitors.  I did business with him about two years ago and I only got the best.  Which is what he promised.  I will definately do business with him again if he has anything else that interest me.  I posted here before about MnR so you can check me out if you want to.  

Damon Geiger

 

[Damon]

The two baby black roughnecks were a recent transaction I did with him.  They are quickly turning into some of the best monitors I have ever had.  

Damon Geiger

 

[Marcial Mendez]

I usually do not post in here, but I just wanted to add my opinion on this topic as far adding 3% to a paypal transaction.  I have both used and accepted paypal in the past, and while I have never added the 3% fee to my sales, I have seriously condsidered it... especially on a large sale.  The way I see it, as a seller, I personally am not using paypal to get a "quick, secure transfer of funds"... I would rather keep the 3% and just receive a money order or a personal check and wait for it to clear... I see it more as doing the buyer a favor by letting them pay with a credit card.

 

[Arboreals of the Rainforest]

Marcial,

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> I see it more as doing the buyer a favor by letting them pay with a credit card.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Not all folks use PayPal simply to use a credit card for the transaction.  It can also be used from a banking account.

I use Paypal and I dont pay with a credit card.  Mine is set up to a dummy savings account in which I place any needed funds for that purchase.  If I make a sale, then I have the money from Paypal transfered to the same account and immediately transfer it to my real account.  

So to say its for the benefit of the buyer and being able to use a credit card for a purchase is not an entirely accurate assumption on the sellers behalf.  Its also a very effective way of getting money returned should I get ripped off.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I would rather keep the 3% and just receive a money order or a personal check and wait for it to clear</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Then perhaps the seller in this case shouldnt offer the opption of paying via a Paypal account.

Perhaps everyone should read the Terms Of Service (TOS)before they sign up for the account.  In case anyone missed the passage on the surcharge here it is;

"No Surcharges. Under Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express regulations and the laws of several states, including California, merchants may not charge a fee to the buyer for accepting credit card payments (often called a "surcharge"). You agree that you will not impose a surcharge or any other fee for accepting PayPal as payment. This restriction does not prevent you from imposing a handling fee in connection with the sale of goods or services, as long as the handling fee does not operate as a surcharge (in other words, the handling fee for transactions paid through PayPal may not be higher than the handling fee for transactions paid through other payment methods). "

 

[Marcial Mendez]

Tim,
I hear where you're coming from, but if everyone followed every rule & regulation out there alot less business would get done.   I mean, people (not me mind you) use overnight delivery to send snakes all the time... I'm not sure, but I believe that violates the TOS of every carrier out there (regardless of what your "local office" may tell you.)  Again, I have not yet imposed this 3% charge on anyone paying me with paypal, but I have paid it to a seller and not thought twice about it.  I wanted to use credit, he wasn't set up to take credit, he had people waiting in line to send him checks, so I saw it as him doing ME a favor, not vice versa.  No one is forcing you to buy from people that do this... and obviously you don't... I respect your opinion to not do so.  But, to infer that people who add the charge are somehow taking advantage of the buyer is ridiculous... especially if they are up front about it.  I have always thought of it as doing the cash-less buyer a favor.  As far as using it as insurance for not getting ripped off, that's probably a good idea... but if you only deal with people you know or can get references for, the odds of getting ripped go down to almost nothing...

 

[Arboreals of the Rainforest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I mean, people (not me mind you) use overnight delivery to send snakes all the time... I'm not sure, but I believe that violates the TOS of every carrier out there (regardless of what your "local office" may tell you.)</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

NO truer words where ever typed.  I do agree.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">But, to infer that people who add the charge are somehow taking advantage of the buyer is ridiculous... especially if they are up front about it.  I have always thought of it as doing the cash-less buyer a favor. </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>


Two things:
1) I didnt mean to nor did I think I was inferring that sellers where ripping off buyers.  Just that certain buyers are greedy for every penny even to the point of charging more for using certain payment methods (that they set up and agreed to use) over others.

2) I guess when it comes to money, I am somewhat more inclined to keep it in my pocket than pay an additional fee above and beyond the asking price.  Unless for a preferred shipping method or box charge on hots or something along those lines.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I have always thought of it as doing the cash-less buyer a favor. </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Not all of us that use Paypal are cashless.  You may want to rethink your stance on that issue.  I know when I use it the cash is in my account when I say it will be for that transaction.  

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">As far as using it as insurance for not getting ripped off, that's probably a good idea... but if you only deal with people you know or can get references for, the odds of getting ripped go down to almost nothing...</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

I agree 100%, but I like the additional security for my own piece of mind.  Sometimes bad things happen to good people causing them do things they would never usually do.  So I opt for the extra security.  Unless I pay for it in cash and walk away with the product in hand.

I dont want to come across harsh at you Marcial, this is just a pet peave of mine and it is not a personal attack on you by any means.  So please dont take it that way.  Its just a focus on those who do add the 3%.  I can see both sides of this issue very clearly, but I am simply selfish when it comes to my money.  LOL  After all I worked hard for it.  Not mention keeping it away from my wife to spend on reptiles makes spending it that much more rewarding. <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

I really hope she doesnt read this. <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>

 

[Marcial Mendez]

No worries... I didn't think you were attacking me... I just saw a good opportunity to play devil's advocate <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[The BoidSmith]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Not mention keeping it away from my wife to spend on reptiles makes spending it that much more rewarding. </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Hey Tim, I thought it was just me who had that "problem"  <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

On the issue at hand I also believe that charging additional for the paypal fee is being a little "cheap". It's like the ones that ship you a $100 snake during the winter and say: ..."By the way it's $1 for the heat packs"...That's an immediate turn off for me at least.

Regards,  <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Marcial Mendez]

Also, just wanted to add that breeders work hard for their money too... many probably don't want to give up the 3% any more than you want to pay it.  If they only accept paypal upon a customer's request, adding the 3% to the sale seems pretty reasonable to me.

 

[Neil Gubitz]

In my opinion....charging any sort of surcharge, handling fee, packing charge, heat packs, styrofoam lining, etc., is the WORST mistake a "businessman" can make! NO consumer wants to see an ad for a product they want, at the price they want, only to find out that there will be all these extra charges tacked on to the bottom line....it doesn't work that way....shipping charges are something else altogether, that's up to the merchant whether to include shipping in the price, or make it extra....but ALL other fees should be considered "The cost of doing business"...
I mean, do the math....for every $100 at 3%...you're only talking about $3 !!! You've got to be able to incur that?? That's for the privilege of having your money immediately and not having to worry about it (as long as you're "verified" with PayPal)....box charges are the same thing....if you feel you MUST charge for these things, then just raise the price of your animal $10 and tell the consumer that everything else (except shipping, maybe) is FREE!! Do you have any idea how psychologically reassuring it is to see that word for a consumer??? You folks (businessmen) should really think about this seriously....you can increase your business substantially with every "freebee" given....believe me...it works!! ....Neil

 

[Arboreals of the Rainforest]

Well put Neil,

MARKETING 101

Lesson #1 in marketing.
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">You folks (businessmen) should really think about this seriously....you can increase your business substantially with every "freebee" given</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

My wife has a BA in Pshychology and a Master in marketing/business administration with a minor in French and computers.  So when I say Neil is right on this one, I mean it from years of being involved on a personal level with that notion and all the knowledge and reasonings to back it up.

Lesson #2 in marketing
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">NO consumer wants to see an ad for a product they want, at the price they want, only to find out that there will be all these extra charges tacked on to the bottom line.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

No matter how small it is financially, its the feeling the consumer gets when being asked to pay more.  Things stop adding up right for the consumer and a bad feeling starts to well up inside.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">box charges are the same thing</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Maybe not with hots, because its a generally accepted practice of $25 box charge for shipping.  They arent cheap.


Lesson #3 in marketing.
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">if you feel you MUST charge for these things, then just raise the price of your animal $10</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

This IS exactly how every store in the world works.  They just dont tell you.  WE as consumers pay for everyones use of the credit machines.  Even if you pay with cash.  The fee that the companies charge the stores is ADDED into every item. Along with theft, electric, employees salaries, leasing, water, insurance, advertising fees, special offers, and on and on and on.  WE pay for it all in the asking price of an item.

 

[Arboreals of the Rainforest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Also, just wanted to add that breeders work hard for their money too... many probably don't want to give up the 3% any more than you want to pay it.  If they only accept paypal upon a customer's request, adding the 3% to the sale seems pretty reasonable to me.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

And Marcial I do see that too, as I have invested tons in my animals as well.  (time and money)

But what you are missing is that the this whole thread is about me, me, me, me, me, me. <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Ophidiophile]

What was the question again?  Oh yeah, MnR.  I just received a shipment from Mike today.  Well packed, speedy transaction, nice animals and very smooth overall.  BTW, I paid with Paypal and was not charged any surcharges.  So there.