I suspect the Reptile Asylum crew is still lingering on the board despite being banned, thus this is written for them.
I am a firm believer that ignorance can be cured. None of the original comments were inflammatory, merely questioning the identification of the gecko. Considering your son was asking $650 for this supposed "new morph," can't you see why we'd be concerned about the genetics of this animal? Heck, if it truly was a new morph, many of the people who were involved in that thread would have been potential buyers!
Unfortunately, your son became defensive, lashed out, and deleted the thread. This is a pattern we see time and time again with scammers. Again, I wish I had the forethought to save the html file. However, your son at one point even identified the parents of the gecko in question, and based upon the known genetics of the adults there was no way the gecko he hatched could've had the traits he was advertising.
I have received flak for defending sellers in the BOI before, but how can I even give you the benefit of the doubt when you repeatedly change your story to reflect our comments regarding the genetics of your gecko, essentially transforming the animal into some sort of magical creature that can't possibly have the genetics you're advertising?
I'm giving you the benefit of a doubt here. Please, go purchase
The Herpetology of Leopard Geckos by Ron Tremper available for $20
HERE. Also, read the genetics information on leopard geckos
HERE. Learn what you're talking about, spend a couple of years growing up, and then start fresh in here. We understand that breeding is a learning experience, but at some point you have to swallow your pride and actually learn about what you're doing.
The instant you step beyond owning leopard geckos as pets and start selling their offspring you're not longer a mere hobbyist, you're a
business. As such, there are legal and ethical obligations you must abide by to obtain a customer base. Here are the rules established by the
Better Business Bureau:
1.
Build Trust: Establish and maintain a positive track record in the marketplace.
2.
Advertise Honestly: Adhere to established standards of advertising and selling.
3.
Tell the Truth: Honestly represent products and services, including clear and adequate disclosures of all material terms.
4.
Be Transparent: Openly identify the nature, location, and ownership of the business, and clearly disclose all policies, guarantees and procedures that bear on a customer's decision to buy.
5.
Honor promises: Abide by all written agreements and verbal representations.
6.
Be Responsive: Address marketplace disputes quickly, professionally, and in good faith.
7.
Safeguard Privacy: Protect any data collected against mishandling and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the preferences of customers regarding the use of their information.
8.
Embody Integrity: Approach all business dealings, marketplace transactions and commitments with integrity.
Please keep these guidelines in mind for future business transactions. So far, you have violated almost every single one, with the exception of number 7 which simply doesn't apply in this situation. You have not built trust with your customer base, who could potentially be every individual who has read this thread. You have not advertised honestly, despite repeated calls for corrections. You have not told the truth about your animals. You have not honored promises... which to me is the same as advertising honestly, because a sale would mean that you're promising that animal is as advertised. You did not respond to this dispute professionally or in good faith, and you most certainly have not embodied integrity in any of your posts.
How are we supposed to respect someone who has not earned our trust? Free market principles apply here, you're correct, in that the marketplace is driven by
customers. Please, take a breather, learn what you're talking about, and come back later when you're mature enough to handle the controversy you started.
