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Raymond Goushaw-poor business practice

C

craig268

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Hi, I checked out Ray and see that he's had very favorable reviews on this forum so I am puzzled why he gave me the run around.

He had an add on Kingsnake which he's posted 4 or 5 times over the last month for some tortoises. In each add he said if you want additional photos, just ask. So I emailed him and he said he'd get right to it.

Well I emailed him 3 times over about 2 weeks and each time he indicated he'd send photos. Keep in mind he kept running his add which said if you want more photos just ask.

Well now I see he sold the tortoises without ever sending me the photos he promised. I guess he sold them to some one who didn't bother to ask for photos.

I don't know Ray but when 1) someone runs an add indicating they will provide more photos and 2) they also say this in emails to you and then 3) they don't follow through, it sure seems like bad business practice. Maybe the guy is busy (who isn't) but why say one thing and then do another?

Craig Baker
 
In my opinion this should be in the general business discussion instead of the BOI.

he was not able to send pics like he said he would. I am sure it is not intentional. I am sure he did not try to scam anyone
 
I'm going to agree with Ritchie.

Sometimes it is not that easy to get a quick photo off (for a number of reasons/circumstances) and if another buyer comes around that does not ask for the photos and buys the animal, then deal done.
Also, keep in mind that a lot of breeders and dealers get asked for multiple photos from people that just want the photos or like looking. If other buyers seem more serious and the seller is busy, those people probably take priority.

Sure if he offered them, then you expected them. I just do not think that is is worth of a bad guy thread on the boi--maybe better as a discussion topic.

Dana
 
I did send pics of the tortoises...........However, we have had some major computer problems over the last 2 months. The system has been in for repairs 5 times. Someone has some nasty virus programs that have gotten through our firewalls and virus protection programs. I have lost numerous files and e-mails as well as orders over the last two months. I assure you that I did make every attempt to foward additional pics. I have tried to notify everyone about these problems.....maybe some people have gotten missed. I have a couple of people who have been patient on orders that were lost. I would like to thank them at this time for their patience and understanding! I think I have gotten everything straightened out and any missed orders or mistakes will be addressed in the next couple of days. It's amazing that technology can be your best ally or your worst enemy! LOL's!! I long for the "Old days" when you simply made a phone call, your order was hand written and you ordered sight unseen because you trusted the person you did business with!
I know these days that's not possible considering the scammers and con-artists. By all means it is best to ask for pics and most of the time I don't mind. In no shape or form was I ignoring you or leading you along. I did send the pics.....Sorry if you did not get them . Anytime that anyone can't get ahold of me through my office or e-mail, please contact me on my cell at 772-519-1376. I'm not perfect either........I do get side tracked or forget so be patient. I'm only human??????? Before anyone jumps me about back ups or additional computers........I know I've gotten the lecture!!! LOL's ! I'm working on it! If this warrants a "bad guy" post, by all means allow this to remain......... Craig, I have some additional specimens that are due to come out of quarantine... If you are interested please CALL ME and I will get some pics to you if still interested. Also, when someone asks me for additional pics it does not mean that those specimens go on hold. To me it just means that person MAY be interested. If you ask me to hold them that is a different story. Again sorry but, it was not something deliberate.
 
Wow, that is scary! I know all of us have experienced email problems at some point.
I wonder how many people out there that also think I have poor business practices due to the fact msn has messed up and not sent an email.
I guess we all need to be reminded of this and try to contact a person several ways or multiple times.

Dana
 
Thanks Ray, for being the perfect example of a Good Guy. :) If only others could SEE your example and EMULATE it in all their actions, .... well... the BOI wouldn't be quite as popular, but nobody would be complaining about that!
 
The photo is not the END ALL to a sale

People should know the animal they are looking for .Photos or not. Their are dealers who will show you the most beautiful pictures only to send something else. I would think that going on someones reputation is far more convincing than always asking for a photo. I have run into this problem many times. A knobtail is a knobtail. I am not selling color. I am selling the animal and it behooves you to know what it looks like.

Richard would probably have been better off in stating "photos available for serious inquiries only." You cannot expect Rich to stay online sending out pictures all day.

The potential buyer whom ever you are, lost an opportunity because the guy who bought the tortoises knew what he wanted, and bought them instead of coming here to the BOI and complaining about this kind of nonsense, when it does not belong here.
 
Ray and photos

Thanks all for the feedback. In no way was I trying to slam Ray, it's just a little frustrating to ask then not receive.

And to Jerry, I know very well what I was looking for. Ray's ad said 14 to 16 inches with additional photos available. That's why I responded. It's not so much what the tort looked like as much as it's size that was stressed in the ad. I agree that "photos for serious buyers" may have been better wording.

It's just a little aggravating that at least with torts, photos with a ruler are seldom shown to begin with. If you are going to post an animal for sale, why not toss in ruler from the get go? It would save a lot of going back and forth. It may just be me but I wouldn't need to ask for photos if a seller started off with a clear shot next to a ruler. Ebay has some good guidelines for advertising.

Not trying to be critical here just presenting some ideas.

I asked one seller to send photos with a ruler instead of a water bottle for scale. He had the nerve to ask why I couldn’t tell how long the tortoise was. Well, I guess if he bothered to say if the bottle was 12oz, 16oz, 24oz - you get the idea.

I always ask for photos with torts next to a ruler. I may lose some deals this way but it's hard to argue with a clear photo.

So once again, I have no negatives about Ray. Just venting a little.

Craig Baker
 
CRAIG, what you say about showing

a size comparison is fine. Their is no argument their. But the BOI is not for knitpicking someone as a potential scam artist or someone mailed you an animal that you did not order you lost money.

If you felt that Raymond did not live up to your expectations, then the answer is simple. Dont do business with him. But to post the fact that you did not receive any return emails with photos is hardly a reason for entering this venue.

What you may want to consider is making a general inquiry about Raymond , see what kind of a reply you receive, or give him a call. But this thread does not belong here.
 
change the title and leave it

This thread should be a post on how professionals handle "issues" that come up in the course of doing business online. A potentially disgruntled customer came with a complaint. A professional reptile trader answered the issue, offering logical reasons (as opposed to whiny about excuses) and solutions. This thread screams good guy.

Internet customers tend to be a little nervous (large amounts of money can change hands without ever seeing the product first hand or even meeting the seller face to face) and as people that choose to do business online it's something we have to deal with.
 
To everyone ..........thanks for the feedback. I'm definately not perfect. Craig I understand your frustration and I agree that an initial pic with a ruler would have been benificial in making a quicker sale, by eliminating the need or request that a scale/comparison photo would be needed to verify the add. It's an area that I overlook because I'm used to people taking my word on a size, weight, color or sex of a specimen that i'm offering. I will again stress that in this day and age everything that is offered should be verified before a purchase. Again.... I apologize for the screw up but it was definately not intentional. I guess I need to take some "Continuing Education" classes to get up to par on troubleshooting my systems!!! LOL's! Hope there's no bad feelings on your end. Personally, I don't think it would have merited a bad guy post if it were reversed but, I do understand your frustration. Hopefully, we can do business in the future and it will go much more smoothly. P.S. Jerry, it's ok..I only get worried when my fiance messes up my name! LOL's!!
 
Craig.... I consider Ray and I very good personal friends (sorry to do that to you, Ray.... lol).... In all the years I've known him, he has always had the best intentions in mind.... He's got a REALLY old computer (it types in pencil!!), and his camera is worse than mine!! (The Up-graded Etch-A-Sketch came out after he bought his camera).... It keeps breaking down on him....
I've bought countless animals from Ray, and there have been many times I've asked him for pictures with a ruler in it.... and within a day or two, they usually show up.... lol
I'm sure it was just all a technical problem and not a sign of his growing senility (although, it's coming close!)....

BTW, Ray.... Ya know the best way to get Tina mad at you when you're having sex??.... Call her up and tell her where you are!!.... lol

Neil
 
Ray- great guy

Thanks to all for your input. This forum is a terrific venue for helping all of us.

No doubt Ray is a great guy and I will call him today to see if we can get some business going. I probably owe him at least that.

Craig Baker
 
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