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Need Advice

D

DKSchroyer

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First, I don't know if this is the proper forum for this post, but here goes.

On 7/13, I purchased a female het albino ball from a fairly well known breeder at the Pittsburgh Herp Society show. The snake was purchased sight unseen, as the breeder stated that he had the animal at home and would be willing to ship it to me. We agreed that the shipping would take place on the following Tuesday, for Wednesday delivery. Wednesday came and went, and no snake.

I called the breeder on Wednesday evening, and he asked if he could call me back, before we discussed the shipment. No return call was received. On Thursday, I called the breeder and he stated that there was a mix up, and my animal did not ship. He would throw in a 50% het female, and ship the following Tuesday.

Wednesday, 7/23, came and went with no snakes. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, and waited until Thursday to call again. Left a message on his cell phone voice mail. No return call. I called on Friday, 7/25, and he apologized for not shipping, as "things came up." We agreed that he would ship Tuesday, 7/29, for Wednesday delivery.

Wednesday came and went, no snakes. I tried to call today, and got his voice mail twice, but as of this moment have not heard from him.

This breeder has received some good feedback here, and seemed reasonable to deal with at the show.

Any advice on how to procede would be greatly appreciated.

David Schroyer
 
David

If this gentleman missed three shipping dates without pretty darn good reasons I believe it is probably time to think about posting the details here including the Email exchange and the gentleman's name. This type of behaviour is unacceptable on any level.
 
I don't have a problem being patient, but the problem I have is that he keeps giving me shipping dates, and I don't receive snakes. I also don't receive a call or email that he couldn't ship. They just don't show up. This is very disruptive to my wife's life, because she is the person staying home to receive the "shipment".

I have purchased snakes (not from this breeder) 2 other times via internet, and have received the snakes the next business day. This breeder was quick to accept the money, but has yet to deliver any animals.

David Schroyer
 
John,

All correspondence has been via phone. He never gives a real reason, just "a mix up", or "got busy".

A thought I have been having is that he may not actually have the animal to ship to me, therefore is trying to acquire one. I got a good deal on the animal, and he may not be able to get one for the price he sold me the snake for.

Dave Schroyer
 
Why can he only ship on Tuesdays, thats what I am curious about.

I believe in patience as well but in the instances I have been involved with that involved waiting, there have never been three promised delivery dates. Just lack of contact which I attributed to lack of professionalism. Promising delivery 3 times and not following through and using lame excuses like "got busy" or "a mix up" is starting to go beyond that. The seller is causing a disruption in the buyers life and he appears to have no remorse. I for one would not like to deal with this person.


Steve Schindler
 
Just my opinion, but if it were me in this position I would need a very clear and legitimate reason for three delays. 1 no big deal. 2 I'm a bit frustrated. 3, without explanation that works for me I think I am being stolen from. Evan
 
It sounds like you have alreaady paid for this animal. If so, you need to be a little more pissed than this. He is stalling for some reason, and you need to find out why, be satisified w/ the reason, or have your money refunded. I would call him one more time, leave an URGENT message, and if that call is not returned, call back and tell him you will be posting details here.
 
You need to post this guys name and info for everyone to see.. Makes you wonder if the hets are really hets???
I agree with Brian,,,i would be very pissed,,seeing as how he gave you three dates he was shipping,,and never did..
Just my opinion...
 
At the very least, you might tell this individual that, without immediate correction of the situation (immediate shipment or immediate refund), you will be forced to post all the relevant facts on the BOI. If this person has received good remarks here before, he knows what the BOI is about.

Unfortunately, you have little you can do beyond that, at this point. Since everything has transpired in person or over the phone, there will be precious little eidence with which to pursuit legal action, I'm afraid. That's not to say that verbal contracts are not binding . . . they are . . . it's just that they are EXTREMELY hard to prove.

One other thought. You say that this transaction took place at the Herp Society show there. Why not contact the society itself and ask for their help. They may be able to apply some pressure on the situation from another angle.

Good luck with this!
 
Here's what's happened since Wednesday.

On Thursday, the breeder called and said that he shipped not only the snake I purchased, but 2 complimentary 66% het females for my trouble. He said he shipped these animlas on Tuesday, and that I should have received them on Wednesday. I told him I have not received any animals. He asked that I wait to see if they arrive today (Thursday). He stated that if I did not receive the snakes today, he would ship the 100% het female that evening, but could not ship any others, as he had no more potential hets available. At 5:40pm, Thursday, I called the breeder, and got his voice mail. I left a message stating that I did not receive any animals, and to ship another 100% het female that day (breeder stated he could ship until 8:00pm). He also stated that the original shipment was via UPS, and that he did not have the tracking # as he was not home, and did not have the info with him.

As of 6:12pm Friday no snakes had arrived. I called the breeder, and again got his voice mail. I left a message that he must call me ASAP to discuss the situation. As of 10:15am Saturday, no call.

At this point all I want is my Visa account credited. As jefjen stated above, I don't believe anything that would be shipped to me could be trusted (if I could get anything shipped)!

This has beena very frustrating experience! As far as I am concerned, this person is extremely unprofessional.

By the way, the breeder is John Donohue, of Tuwa' chu a' Serpents.

Dave Schroyer
 
It sounds to me that this individual took money for an animal he did not have. He should immediately refund your money.

Nothing else should be accepted at this point IMO.

Ann McCabe Miles
 
John

As stated above, the name of the breeder is John Donohue of Tuwa' chu a' Serpents.

Dave Schroyer
 
Very frustrating situation, David. It certainly does sound like you bought animals he doesn't have. By any chance have you informed Tu' Wa' Chua Serpents of your posting here on what has transpired? He may not give 2 s***s but it'd be nice to hear his side. More than one person has hung himself by his own words on the BOI. Good luck in your attempts to seek recompence...
 
Chris

I have not informed Tuwa' chu a' Serpents of my posting here. I have not been able to reach him for 2 days, nor has he returned any of my voicemails. I would like to tell him in person, not via voice mail.

Dave Schroyer
 
Sorry David. I missed the breeder's name in the earlier post. If you have an Email address for him, I don't think you would be being unprofessional to simply shoot him a link to this post.
 
Hi David,

It's now about a week since since your last post. Has this issue been resolved? I am curious to learn the final outcome.

My advice for you is not to wait too long before demading a full refund. Since you stated that you used a credit card, you have proof that the transaction took place and the date it occurred. The loner you wait, the harder it will be to get this person to comply.

Best of luck. Please post and let us know how it turns out.
 
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