Bad Guy Nick Mole, First Choice Reptiles

[GrassArk]

I purchased a male and a female Red Blood Python (Python brongersmai) from First Choice Reptiles in October 2013. I will begin with the horrible business transaction that took place...

I contacted Nick about sending him money via PayPal because his website did not reflect the prices that he was charging for his animals and he responding saying PayPal him the money for the animals and that he could hold them and ship them to arrive Friday 10/11/13. I sent the money (10/8/13) and waited for Friday to come. I contacted him Friday night because the animals did not arrive and he said that he had to delay shipping as he was on the road and that he can ship them to arrive tomorrow at a FedEx location for pick-up (Sat 10/12/13). I said this was fine and requested a shipping number when they were shipped. Again I waited and got no shipping number so I contacted him Saturday afternoon asking if the animals had shipped. Nothing. He finally contacted me 2 days later (10/14/13) apologizing and saying that someone was supposed to contact me because he was out of town for a wedding and couldn't find a suitable FedEx location ( which I suspect was a cover up as there is a FedEx station literally 5 minutes from my house and shows up on FedEx's website). By this point I had opened up an appeal with PayPal because I had paid him almost a week ago and he has stiffed me 2 times so far. Long story short, he offered $25 off the order after I told him I wanted my money back or some sort of compensation and to ship the animals and hold for pick up at the FedEx location (that I needed to inform him about). I still haven't gotten that $25, but I did receive the snakes bringing us to the next section of this review.


The snakes arrived and seemed healthy enough. They were a little sluggish and cold but that was expected as it was only 55 degrees(F). Within the last 2 weeks (so about 3 months since they arrived) the female python has passed away. She ate for the first 2 weeks or so then accepted about 2-3 meals the following 2 and 1/2 months. She didn't seem to have any visible ailments and I am still unsure the cause of death. The male has had health issues as well. He has been impacted/constipated since I got him and I recently had to massage his lower body to get the hard urates/fecal matter to pass and I am following up with a vet appointment to see that he is completely relieved of this issue.

I am not blaming First Choice Reptiles for the health issues, I am simply making others aware that the animals I bought from them had health issues.

In conclusion, Nick Mole and First Choice Reptiles are not recommended by me and I am an idiot for not reading the countless other bad reviews they have received. Please let me know if you have questions or I was unclear about something.

 

[Lucille]

From your description it sounds like Nick screwed up on the shipping and he should send you $25 if he promised to do so as compensation. Did you let him know about this thread?

As far as the health review, if you are not blaming the seller for the health issues, I'm not sure why you are reviewing the critters' health.

I'd like to hear more about the website prices that do not reflect what he charges?

 

[SofaKing]

I never made a purchase from First Choice, but I did inquire about feeder anoles once that I needed pretty bad. I sent 2 emails and I think I called and never received any response.

I wouldn't make them my last choice!

Sorry to here about the the loss of the female and I hope the male recovers..

 

[BoaBro]

I also would like to hear about the price differences between the website and what he was charging. Did you inform First Choice Reptiles about the death of the female blood python?

 

[winterbreeze84]

I dealt with him about 6 years ago when I purchased 2 adult yellow foot tortoises. The female died a week after I got her after she refused to eat at all. She was loaded with parasites and I spent over $200 on vet bills for her as she was severely dehydrated. After the same treatment for the male he pulled through. I informed FCR about the problem and he said I could ship them back at my expense and he would send me two others. Also at my expense. I will never deal with him again.

 

[GrassArk]

From your description it sounds like Nick screwed up on the shipping and he should send you $25 if he promised to do so as compensation. Did you let him know about this thread?

As far as the health review, if you are not blaming the seller for the health issues, I'm not sure why you are reviewing the critters' health.

I'd like to hear more about the website prices that do not reflect what he charges?

No I haven't let him know, I don't really care about the money. His website just had a different price than his kingsnake ad so I couldn't buy direct through his website. That is why I contacted him via email instead. This was a minor detail and didn't have any bearing on the transaction itself. I think mentioning that the reptiles had health issues is an important part of this review...maybe I used poor wording? Bottom line is one animal I purchased died unexpectedly and the other is having some health issues of unknown severity.

I dealt with him about 6 years ago when I purchased 2 adult yellow foot tortoises. The female died a week after I got her after she refused to eat at all. She was loaded with parasites and I spent over $200 on vet bills for her as she was severely dehydrated. After the same treatment for the male he pulled through. I informed FCR about the problem and he said I could ship them back at my expense and he would send me two others. Also at my expense. I will never deal with him again.

Sorry to here you got shafted too. I suspect I will have some vet bills to pay myself..

I also would like to hear about the price differences between the website and what he was charging. Did you inform First Choice Reptiles about the death of the female blood python?

No, I haven't informed him and I don't plan on it. He can keep his animals I don't wish to deal with him again.

I never made a purchase from First Choice, but I did inquire about feeder anoles once that I needed pretty bad. I sent 2 emails and I think I called and never received any response.

I wouldn't make them my last choice!

Sorry to here about the the loss of the female and I hope the male recovers..

Thanks for the well wishes.

 

[Lucille]

I think mentioning that the reptiles had health issues is an important part of this review...maybe I used poor wording? Bottom line is one animal I purchased died unexpectedly and the other is having some health issues of unknown severity.

I am not sticking up for Nick Mole and I'm aware of the numerous Bad Guy posts written about him.

On the other hand, because he has a poor track record does not mean that he is automatically guilty here, and that is why I asked about your health review. The snakes were with you for several months prior to this thread, it appears you did not contact the seller about any health issues, and you specifically say in bolded print:

I am not blaming First Choice Reptiles for the health issues

All I am saying is that if you were sent sick snakes, that's on him, if you were sent snakes that were healthy but became ill months later that is not necessarily on him.

 

[treeboa]

I'm not clear on the reason for this thread. There was slow communication and a couple shipping delays. Those happen though. TBH you were a little impatient. I would have sent you your money and invitation to go elsewhere if you opened a Paypal dispute after 1 week. He shouldn't have promised the $25 if he didn't intend to follow through, but a Bad guy thread over it? It seems you are more upset over the health over the animals. Those CH or Farm Bred Bloods are in reality wild caught, FYI. The should have had a vet visit and fecals. They usually come with a load of parasites, RI, and other ailments. Not surprised they only lasted 3 months.

That said. I would never buy from First Choice. He has a long rep for delivering animals
in poor condition. I sounds like I'm blaming it all on you but I'm really not. I just don't know what you expect.

 

[turtleescape]

I ordered 2.8 adult three stripe mud turtles Kinosternon baurii from first choice few months ago. Over all it was not a good experience. He was to ship on a Monday . I took Tuesday off work to receive the turtles. Tuesday night he emailed and said he did not get them out and would ship Tuesday for Wednesday . They did not come Wednesday . I emailed back and asked to cancel my order. He never responded. Thursday they showed up. Three females were not even close to breeder size. One female had a cracked shell. I emailed again and asked for refund on the one with the broken shell. No response again!!
Long story short I will not be buying form F.C.R.( nick mole ) again !!!!!!

 

[GrassArk]

I'm not clear on the reason for this thread. There was slow communication and a couple shipping delays. Those happen though. TBH you were a little impatient. I would have sent you your money and invitation to go elsewhere if you opened a Paypal dispute after 1 week. He shouldn't have promised the $25 if he didn't intend to follow through, but a Bad guy thread over it? It seems you are more upset over the health over the animals. Those CH or Farm Bred Bloods are in reality wild caught, FYI. The should have had a vet visit and fecals. They usually come with a load of parasites, RI, and other ailments. Not surprised they only lasted 3 months.

That said. I would never buy from First Choice. He has a long rep for delivering animals
in poor condition. I sounds like I'm blaming it all on you but I'm really not. I just don't know what you expect.

I suppose we have different views on customer service then.

I ordered 2.8 adult three stripe mud turtles Kinosternon baurii from first choice few months ago. Over all it was not a good experience. He was to ship on a Monday . I took Tuesday off work to receive the turtles. Tuesday night he emailed and said he did not get them out and would ship Tuesday for Wednesday . They did not come Wednesday . I emailed back and asked to cancel my order. He never responded. Thursday they showed up. Three females were not even close to breeder size. One female had a cracked shell. I emailed again and asked for refund on the one with the broken shell. No response again!!
Long story short I will not be buying form F.C.R.( nick mole ) again !!!!!!

Sorry to hear, well this is the reason I made thread so that others can read the experiences people had with First Choice Reptiles and help make their decision on who to buy from.

 

[jusmebabee]

I purchased from him years ago. I knew the animals were wild caught but purchased anyway. Two died and he replaced them including shipping.
I didn't expect him to as I took a chance on the wc chameleons.

 

[travis60]

I had a not so great experience with First Choice Exotics and Nick. I bought a 10 lot of baby sav monitors a little over a year and a half ago. I am at fault here also, I assumed that a company who brings in a large amount of imports would have given the animals something for parasites. Not the case. I contacted Nick right away to let him know that some were not doing ok right out of the bag, and he said see what happens and let him know. Out of the 10 I got 5 dropped like flies. I noticed that their poop was abnormal and after a closer look you could actually see the parasites. I wrote him to ask if these were treated and his response was that THEY DONT TREAT THEM AT ALL. It had been just under a week since I got them and 5 were dead, I knew it was partially my fault for not asking before i purchased them, but also I felt like I got hosed. I bought these wholesale @ $12 each + shipping, so I wrote him asking if we could do a PARTIAL credit of $8 on each monitor that died which I felt was fair. That being said I never heard from him ever again. I took the remaining 5 to a vet but after all was said and done only 3 actually made it. So $120+$50 shipping+$50 in vet bills to get 3 healthy babies to sell @ $30 each put me at a loss of $130.....lesson learned.