Bad Guy NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM GENERALEXOTICS.COM!!!

[Southern Wolf]

You're right, they need to make a profit to keep them afloat.

And chances are, they do buy from some bad guys. But who's to say they buy at all? They could just be the "owl" between the seller and buyer, and take a cut for their effort.

So how are you to know your getting quality animals... and not someone's rejects that dont know how to care for them... or is just cranking them out puppy mill style?

I cant even see "taking a cut" being able to support a business.... unless there is ALOT of business. Take the frogs for example. They were $30 each.

10% = $3 ... 27 to the breeder
20% = $6 ... 24 to the breeder
30% = $9 ... 21 to the breeder

Seriously... if the are just taking a cut... then what... are they just listing the animals for sale in various places. Why would a serious breeder give up a percentage of his profits for someone else to list his animals.

using my numbers above... GE would have to move 167 RETF at a 10% cut just to gross $500 for the week. I mean seriously.... what breeder is gonna give up 20% or more on retail prices for just one or two animals. Only those that are out for a quick buck.

 

[Utta]

So how are you to know your getting quality animals... and not someone's rejects that dont know how to care for them... or is just cranking them out puppy mill style?

I cant even see "taking a cut" being able to support a business.... unless there is ALOT of business. Take the frogs for example. They were $30 each.

10% = $3 ... 27 to the breeder
20% = $6 ... 24 to the breeder
30% = $9 ... 21 to the breeder

Seriously... if the are just taking a cut... then what... are they just listing the animals for sale in various places. Why would a serious breeder give up a percentage of his profits for someone else to list his animals.

using my numbers above... GE would have to move 167 RETF at a 10% cut just to gross $500 for the week. I mean seriously.... what breeder is gonna give up 20% or more on retail prices for just one or two animals. Only those that are out for a quick buck.

You don't know. You probably are getting the rejects.

The people with a bad rep who can't post their own add don't care if there only making $20 quick bucks. I'm guessing they are just listing for someone else. They might even be on a payroll(I'm not accusing GE or any other broker of this just fyi) for a "bad guy".

I'm just putting up another idea Kevin. Trying to look at it from different angles.

 

[Lucille]

You don't know. You probably are getting the rejects.

I think the way to establish a good reputation as a company is to sell quality and to back up that quality with outstanding customer service. Sometimes it takes a while to build a good name.

Let's not forget that a little while ago, General Exotics seemed like they were trying to shortcut the process of building a good rep by actually trying to hire someone to build their rep for them, posting an ad for part time help here, saying "We're looking for someone to help us build our reputation at FaunaClassifieds.com."

I just don't see how purchasing critters from a broker who doesn't see the animals, and has to resort to trying to hire someone to build their rep, can compete with good breeders who produce their own animals, who give great customer service, and who can talk to potential customers about the particular critter they are trying to sell as well as send pictures and give a history.

 

[spyder79]

Maybe someone will correct me if Im not understanding correctly.

With a broker... dont they buy low and sell high? or at least higher

Chances are the only ones selling low enough for a broker to make any money is the bad guys that we are exposing here on the BOI. Why would those of us that actually care about our reps sell single animals low enough for a broker to make any money?

Sad part is being a broker for animals is even lower on the totem poll than being a animal flipper. At least the flippers have hands on the animals and package them. Broker's are completely separated from the process. All it is is a name/front for 10-20-30- or more breeders that do not want to put their own name out there.

 

[generalexotics]

First off, wow! I'm blown away! Who could have possibly seen this coming?!

Well, at least it wasn't immediately after numerous people here explained the issues with brokering animals that are neither cared for, packaged, nor seen by the broker or the buyer. Oh, wait...my mistake. Is that initial General Exotics thread even off the first page of the BOI yet?

Hey, Eric....out of curiosity, could you explain what you feel was wrong with the shipping job? Keep in mind, I'm a snake guy, not a frog guy.

I had a problem with a cold pack and I definately should not have charged Jade shipping to receive more frogs. My mistake. Then in the second order one tree frog arrived healthy and one did not. Everyone who ships live amphibians on a consistent basis experiences DOA shipments once in a while.

I didn't receive an email from Jade regarding the second DOA and after charging her for the shipping on the second go 'round, I can see why she didn't bother.

I've apologized to Jade and made it right by her. You can find her good report in this thread as well as her praise of the one healthy frog.

This is a case of Jade not being taken care of and using the BOI to help open my eyes to her problems. It is not indicative of my my entire business model or the entire operation of my suppliers.

Again, I stake my reputation on my suppliers. I am 100% confident they have the interests of my customers and the animals at the front of their minds. I screen them very carefully and ensure that they have good reputations in the industry. I do not deal with unknown suppliers and quite frankly the idea that my business distrubutes the "unwanteds" is absurd.

A note about individual breeders: Just because someone is an individual breeder does not make their specimens of any higher quality than the other specimens out there. The customers still have to screen the breeders just as carefully as any other business model. Now, that said, there are those who have built a great reputation over the years and I applaud that. My suppliers and I strive for that level of quality in every single animal.

I will also restate that I understand my business is not for everyone. If you need a particular pattern or color, you'll want to see the animals in person at a show or at the least browse pictures of individual specimens from a breeder. Buy my buisiness has its purpose and there are those that are greatly benefiting from my existence. It is not appropriate to trash someone because the business model doesn't fit in with what you personally are looking for, or is not in line with the model that your business follows. I would appreciate it if everyone made their comments while looking at this objectively.

Sorry for the long post, there were a couple of things posted that I wanted to try to take care of all at once.

 

[MikeCurtin]

I had a problem with a cold pack and I definately should not have charged Jade shipping to receive more frogs. My mistake. Then in the second order one tree frog arrived healthy and one did not. Everyone who ships live amphibians on a consistent basis experiences DOA shipments once in a while.

You had a problem? I hope you don't have the same types of problems in the future...make sure you check each package carefully before you drop it off to be shipped.

So, I'm assuming you didn't notice the over-sized deli cups the frogs were packed in...I would have hated to be on that trip. FYI, the frogs were packed negligently start to finish.

I've apologized to Jade and made it right by her. You can find her good report in this thread as well as her praise of the one healthy frog.

Sorry...must have missed the praise.

This is a case of Jade not being taken care of and using the BOI to help open my eyes to her problems. It is not indicative of my my entire business model or the entire operation of my suppliers.

You're probably right. This is probably one isolated incident that will not repeat itself, as I'm sure it's not indicative of a flawed business model. If it was, I'm sure someone would have pointed such flaws out to you by now, huh!

Again, I stake my reputation on my suppliers. I am 100% confident they have the interests of my customers and the animals at the front of their minds. I screen them very carefully and ensure that they have good reputations in the industry. I do not deal with unknown suppliers and quite frankly the idea that my business distrubutes the "unwanteds" is absurd.

So, does this mean you also disclose this information to your buyer so that they know where there animals are coming from? For instance, who actually packed those frogs, because I sure wouldn't want them in charge of packing an animals I was receiving.

A note about individual breeders: Just because someone is an individual breeder does not make their specimens of any higher quality than the other specimens out there. The customers still have to screen the breeders just as carefully as any other business model. Now, that said, there are those who have built a great reputation over the years and I applaud that. My suppliers and I strive for that level of quality in every single animal...with the exception of Red-Eyed Tree Frogs that are improperly packed and arrive dead.

Added something for ya....hope you don't mind. So, how do your buyers screen your suppliers?

I will also restate that I understand my business is not for everyone. If you need a particular pattern or color, you'll want to see the animals in person at a show or at the least browse pictures of individual specimens from a breeder. Buy my buisiness has its purpose and there are those that are greatly benefiting from my existence. It is not appropriate to trash someone because the business model doesn't fit in with what you personally are looking for, or is not in line with the model that your business follows. I would appreciate it if everyone made their comments while looking at this objectively.

I'm objectively looking at someone with no concept of this hobby/business, and little to know knowledge of the animals it is built upon. What types of herps do you personally work with? Judging by the pics, neither you, nor your supplier know how to ship frogs. How do you remedy this?

 

[spyder79]

I had a problem with a cold pack and I definately should not have charged Jade shipping to receive more frogs. My mistake. Then in the second order one tree frog arrived healthy and one did not. Everyone who ships live amphibians on a consistent basis experiences DOA shipments once in a while.

Again, I stake my reputation on my suppliers. I am 100% confident they have the interests of my customers and the animals at the front of their minds. I screen them very carefully and ensure that they have good reputations in the industry. I do not deal with unknown suppliers and quite frankly the idea that my business distrubutes the "unwanteds" is absurd.

You didn't have a problem with the cold pack. You didn't even ship these animals one of your "hand picked high end suppliers" did. So you didn't have a problem the shipper did.

If you stake your reputation on your suppliers than I feel for you. Also, if you believe your suppliers are so high and mighty great than you should list them out on your site and have, in writing in a easily visited area, something stating that you are a animal broker and you work with so and so for each breeder that you work with. You truly want to suceed full disclosure is the way not some smoke and mirrors act where unless someone digs they wont know you are nothing more than a front.

 

[MikeCurtin]

You didn't have a problem with the cold pack. You didn't even ship these animals one of your "hand picked high end suppliers" did. So you didn't have a problem the shipper did.

If you stake your reputation on your suppliers than I feel for you. Also, if you believe your suppliers are so high and mighty great than you should list them out on your site and have, in writing in a easily visited area, something stating that you are a animal broker and you work with so and so for each breeder that you work with. You truly want to suceed full disclosure is the way not some smoke and mirrors act where unless someone digs they wont know you are nothing more than a front.

I don't! That's the choice he's made at the expense of his customers, so I feel for them. As far as he's concerned, he can find sympathy in the dictionary.

 

[wes smith]

From General Exotic's webpage....

(1.) Company Overview
"General Exotics utilizes a large wholesale operation that has been in business for over 15 years. We see a huge volume and selection of exotic pets go through the doors every day from reputable breeders all over the world. These quality pets are then shipped to stores and dealers all over the world and now... directly to you through this website!
Company Founder Eric Endsley has started up 3 companies now and has never been more excited about a company than he is about General Exotics. He believes all of the key elements are in place to have a successful company that succeeds with good business principles and a mission to take care of the exotic pet enthusiast."

-More from the "about us" page....

(2.) High Standards for Breeders and Field Collectors
"The list of breeders and field collectors is made up of the best quality companies around the globe. While we don't disclose our sources, you can be assured that extra care is taken to select quality bloodlines that are representative of the species you are looking to buy."

-It didn't take very long for me to find this statement on their website ("about us" section). It seems as though anyone who is concerned about buying from a "broker" would have no problem finding this information on their website...if they truly wanted to. It doesn't appear that Eric or his company has hidden this fact either...

 

[MikeCurtin]

What exactly do you think he means when he states "through the doors"? He specifically states that after going through the doors, they "are then shipped to stores and dealers all over the world and now... directly to you through this website!". Does this not imply (or directly state) that he actually sees and knows what he is selling?

 

[Southern Wolf]

You had a problem? I hope you don't have the same types of problems in the future...make sure you check each package carefully before you drop it off to be shipped.

So, I'm assuming you didn't notice the over-sized deli cups the frogs were packed in...I would have hated to be on that trip. FYI, the frogs were packed negligently start to finish.

Mike.... ummmm you missed something. General Exotics never had anything to do with the packing.... as those animals were never in his posession. He's just a broker.

 

[MikeCurtin]

Mike.... ummmm you missed something. General Exotics never had anything to do with the packing.... as those animals were never in his posession. He's just a broker.

Oooops.....my mistake. Not that I didn't realize he didn't actually have the frogs pass through his doors, but that I didn't lay the sarcasm on thickly enough. It won't happen again.

 

[Southern Wolf]

I mean.... look at his sig

GeneralExotics.com -Selling 600+ species of reptiles, amphibians and more.

there aint no way to house 600+ species of reptiles, amphibians and more and ACCURATELY take care of them. That warehouse would have to make BHB's facilities look like a tiny closet

 

[kmurphy]

It would seem to me that a debate of the pros and cons of animal brokerage would be better placed in the General Business section. The complaint from the OP has been taken care of. Now all you guys want to do is disect someone's business because you don't happen to agree with it.

Why don't we bring those that resell wild caught animals up on the BOI? That's a personal gripe of mine. But it is legal, so I just decide not the buy from them. Do I agree with brokering, no. But I all also don't agree with tearing down someone's legal business simply because it offends you.

 

[Lucille]

It would seem to me that a debate of the pros and cons of animal brokerage would be better placed in the General Business section. The complaint from the OP has been taken care of. Now all you guys want to do is disect someone's business because you don't happen to agree with it.

Why don't we bring those that resell wild caught animals up on the BOI? That's a personal gripe of mine. But it is legal, so I just decide not the buy from them. Do I agree with brokering, no. But I all also don't agree with tearing down someone's legal business simply because it offends you.

Kevin,

Your idea of a debate removed from here is a good one. But, there was more than the broker issue brought up here. There were differences of opinion on shipping charges, and in one of the threads on this particular biz there were some issues surrounding the use of photos.

Whether or not the problem of the OP is resolved, the BOI is a way for people to look over a biz and see what others have said, and other, relevant issues would seem to bear discussion.

Frankly to me, the identification of a business as a broker IS important to whether or not to choose to do biz. I think potential customers certainly have an interest in how a particular broker handles his business dealings, ie whether he will identify producers and so on to assist the buyer in figuring out what kind of quality he is getting for his purchase money.

 

[MikeCurtin]

It would seem to me that a debate of the pros and cons of animal brokerage would be better placed in the General Business section. The complaint from the OP has been taken care of. Now all you guys want to do is disect someone's business because you don't happen to agree with it.

Why don't we bring those that resell wild caught animals up on the BOI? That's a personal gripe of mine. But it is legal, so I just decide not the buy from them. Do I agree with brokering, no. But I all also don't agree with tearing down someone's legal business simply because it offends you.

I also agree that the general debate regarding the business practice of brokering animals is better suited to the General Business section. However, the discussion of a specific business and whether or not they even specifically disclose the fat that they are in fact a broker belongs here.

(1.) Company Overview
"General Exotics utilizes a large wholesale operation that has been in business for over 15 years. We see a huge volume and selection of exotic pets go through the doors every day from reputable breeders all over the world. These quality pets are then shipped to stores and dealers all over the world and now... directly to you through this website!
Company Founder Eric Endsley has started up 3 companies now and has never been more excited about a company than he is about General Exotics. He believes all of the key elements are in place to have a successful company that succeeds with good business principles and a mission to take care of the exotic pet enthusiast."

-More from the "about us" page....

(2.) High Standards for Breeders and Field Collectors
"The list of breeders and field collectors is made up of the best quality companies around the globe. While we don't disclose our sources, you can be assured that extra care is taken to select quality bloodlines that are representative of the species you are looking to buy."

-It didn't take very long for me to find this statement on their website ("about us" section). It seems as though anyone who is concerned about buying from a "broker" would have no problem finding this information on their website...if they truly wanted to. It doesn't appear that Eric or his company has hidden this fact either...

As Wes stated, this was taken from their "about us" page. Here, General Exotics makes no mention of the fact that he is a broker that does not see the animals he is selling. Although Wes used this very statement to defend GE, I will use it to point out that it is very easy (especially for a novice) to infer, that General Exotics is hand picking animals which pass directly through their doors (not likely to happen at a residential address in OK). Note the red areas.

This is my beef with GE and why it belongs here.

 

[Southern Wolf]

(1.) Company Overview
"General Exotics utilizes a large wholesale operation that has been in business for over 15 years. We see a huge volume and selection of exotic pets go through the doors every day from reputable breeders all over the world. These quality pets are then shipped to stores and dealers all over the world and now... directly to you through this website!
Company Founder Eric Endsley has started up 3 companies now and has never been more excited about a company than he is about General Exotics. He believes all of the key elements are in place to have a successful company that succeeds with good business principles and a mission to take care of the exotic pet enthusiast."

-More from the "about us" page....

(2.) High Standards for Breeders and Field Collectors
"The list of breeders and field collectors is made up of the best quality companies around the globe. While we don't disclose our sources, you can be assured that extra care is taken to select quality bloodlines that are representative of the species you are looking to buy."

-It didn't take very long for me to find this statement on their website ("about us" section). It seems as though anyone who is concerned about buying from a "broker" would have no problem finding this information on their website...if they truly wanted to. It doesn't appear that Eric or his company has hidden this fact either...

Something else that I find odd. In the area above that I put in Red and in Bold... they have been in business for 15 years?

Then why does General Reptiles have a thread on here where he is requesting folks to help him build his rep for a cut of the profits.

General Exotics has an opportunity for a forum-savvy reptile and amphibian lover to earn some extra money using only your computer and your love of animals.

GeneralExotics.com lists over 600 quality reptiles, amphibians and other exotic pet species for sale online. We ship overnight directly to your door. We've paid for Benefactor status on these forums and spend $1 per day on ads.

What is Required:
We're looking for someone to help us build our reputation at FaunaClassifieds.com. You'll provide meaningful content in your posts and add our great animals to the classifieds section. You control how much time you want to put into this but we're looking for someone that can post a minimum of 3 quality posts and 1 classified post each week. That's it.

Compensation:
You will become a General Exotics affiliate and earn 10% of all the sales that are generated from FaunaClassifieds.com - this includes people who click on our paid ads on the site as well!!!

If you are interested, post a reply or contact us and tell us about yourself so that we can decide if you are the right person for this position. We will go into more details with the selected person before reaching an agreement to move forward.

So..... if you have been in the reptile business for 15 years... .how is it you dont already have a reputation in the reptile industry? Why are you trying to pay someone to build that rep for you?

 

[wes smith]

What exactly do you think he means when he states "through the doors"? He specifically states that after going through the doors, they "are then shipped to stores and dealers all over the world and now... directly to you through this website!". Does this not imply (or directly state) that he actually sees and knows what he is selling?

I agree the wording could be taken as Eric personally seeing each animal (although honestly that's not the way I interpreted it at first). Maybe a "play on words" perhaps....

Something else that I find odd. In the area above that I put in Red and in Bold... they have been in business for 15 years?

.....

So..... if you have been in the reptile business for 15 years... .how is it you dont already have a reputation in the reptile industry? Why are you trying to pay someone to build that rep for you?

Possibly another "play on words", it states "General Exotics utilizes a large wholesale operation that has been in business for over 15 years", but it doesn't state that this wholesale operation wholesaled REPTILES for the last 15 years....

 

[Southern Wolf]

If your wanting a good rep in this industry... you need to cut the crap with a "play on words" and be honest. Otherwise your just a bad guy in my book. To me only con men use a play on words.

That is why I have tossed about some of the questions that I have asked. Im trying to get to the truth.

So... General Exotics... have you been in reptiles for the last 15 years?

 

[generalexotics]

About Us edits

I thought I was pretty upfront on my About Us page. I may not have used the word "broker" but I stated that I use a wholesale operation that has been in business for 15 years. I actually need to update that a bit because now I've got a couple of companies I can go to for quality animals. I will specifically insert REPTILES in there. Wow.

I then said "These quality pets are then shipped to stores and dealers all over the world and now... directly to you through this website!"

To me I thought the "and now..." was pretty indicative of me not being in business for 15 years. I'll put my start date in there for all to see.

As far as selling over 600 species - of course they are not all available at any given time. We just have that many listed on the website and sell them throughout the year as they become available. I will review this to see if it actually needs to be changed.

I don't feel I need to disclose my sources. I recognize we are dealing with live animals but in a similar manner, grocery stores don't disclose upfront where they buy their fruits, vegatables, meats. I mean, you are eating that food. Aren't you worried about where the food comes from that enters your body? No, because you trust the grocery store to take care of you. On the other hand, if you are one that needs to know this kind of information, a company such as mine will not be able to take care of your needs.

I can see where the "we see" might not be the best thing to say so I will update that.

Thanks for reviewing my About Us page.