ReptiMart 'Mitch Garlaw' - scammer???

[Golden Gate Geckos]

ReptiMart 'Mitch Garlow' - scammer???

Basically, this guy had an ad on ReptiMart Classifieds since 6/1/04, I responded on 6/3/04, sent the money 6/4/04. The check was cashed on 6/8/04, and now I am short the money AND the geckos. I think I've been scammed... here goes the paper trail:

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View Personal Inbox Message http://www.reptimart.com/cgi-bin/cl...box_message_button=on&message_number=77114251
You received the following message from mitch in response to your ad or message:
Name: mitch
Subject: geckos
Date: 06/03/2004
Message: all i have left are 3 blizzards 2 female sub adults and and 1 male baby they are $35 ea and free shipping if you buy them all otherwise its $15 for shipping


Subj: Copy of Your Reply
Date: 6/3/2004 1:22:03 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent from the Internet (Details)

This is a copy of the message that you sent through the Lizard section of the Reptilian Classifieds. The message has been sent to mitch, who will receive a special URL where they can retrieve the message. This message will expire and be deleted from our server if your intended recipient does not pick it up within 90 days. Your e-mail address has not been revealed to this person. The details of your message appear below:

Your Name: Golden Gate Geckos
Your E-mail Address: [email protected]
Subject: blizzies
Message: Hi Mitch,~nl~~nl~I will buy all 3 of them. How shall I send payment? ~nl~~nl~Marcia McGuiness ~nl~Golden Gate [email protected]~nl~http://www.goldengategeckos.com



View Personal Inbox Message http://www.reptimart.com/cgi-bin/cl...box_message_button=on&message_number=85526068
You received the following message from mitch garlow in response to your ad or message:
Name: mitch garlow
Subject: geckos
Date: 06/03/2004
Message: you can send check or money order to mitch garlow at 1060 N.Dodsworth Covina CA 91724 i will ship them promptly upon getting payment they will be shiped overnight with guaranteed live arrival.will be getting more leopards soon so save my email and try back in a couple weeks if you are interested. [email protected] thankyou MITCH


Subj: Copy of Your Reply
Date: 6/3/2004 2:21:25 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent from the Internet (Details)

This is a copy of the message that you sent through the Lizard section of the Reptilian Classifieds. The message has been sent to mitch garlow, who will receive a special URL where they can retrieve the message. This message will expire and be deleted from our server if your intended recipient does not pick it up within 90 days. Your e-mail address has not been revealed to this person. The details of your message appear below:

Your Name: Golden Gate Geckos
Your E-mail Address: [email protected]
Subject: blizzies
Message: I can pay you today if you accept PayPal... otherwise I'll get a check out tomorrow morning.



View Personal Inbox Message http://www.reptimart.com/cgi-bin/cl...box_message_button=on&message_number=28922424
You received the following message from mitch garlow in response to your ad or message:
Name: mitch garlow
Subject: geckos
Date: 06/03/2004
Message: i just recently got my computer and pay pal is new to me i hear its good but i would prefer a check plus i think i need an account with them. thanks mitch



View Personal Inbox Message http://www.reptimart.com/cgi-bin/cl...box_messase_button=on&message_number=14917638
You received the following message from mitch garlow in response to your ad or message:
Name: mitch garlow
Subject: geckos
Date: 06/03/2004
Message: where would you like me to send the geckos? MITCH



Subj: Copy of Your Reply
Date: 6/4/2004 8:14:55 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent from the Internet (Details)

This is a copy of the message that you sent through the Lizard section of the Reptilian Classifieds. The message has been sent to mitch garlow, who will receive a special URL where they can retrieve the message. This message will expire and be deleted from our server if your intended recipient does not pick it up within 90 days. Your e-mail address has not been revealed to this person. The details of your message appear below:

Your Name: Golden Gate Geckos
Your E-mail Address: [email protected]
Subject: blizzard juvies
Message: My address is:~nl~~nl~Golden Gate Geckos~nl~Marcia McGuiness~nl~XXXX Stonecrest Drive~nl~Antioch, CA 94531~nl~(925) 755-3113~nl~~nl~



Subj: Copy of Your Reply
Date: 6/7/2004 5:10:25 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent from the Internet (Details)

This is a copy of the message that you sent through the Lizard section of the Reptilian Classifieds. The message has been sent to mitch garlow, who will receive a special URL where they can retrieve the message. This message will expire and be deleted from our server if your intended recipient does not pick it up within 90 days. Your e-mail address has not been revealed to this person. The details of your message appear below:

Your Name: Golden Gate Geckos
Your E-mail Address: [email protected]
Subject: Blizzards
Message: Hello Mitch,~nl~~nl~You should have received the check by now in the amount of $105.00 for the 1.2 Blizzards you were selling on ReptiMart. Please let me know that you have received the check, and when you will be shipping the geckos.~nl~~nl~Thank you!~nl~Marcia McGuiness~nl~Golden Gate Geckos~nl~[email protected]



View Personal Inbox Message http://www.reptimart.com/cgi-bin/cl...nbox_message_button=on&message_number=2896369
You received the following message from smokedopeandrap in response to your ad or message:
Name: smokedopeandrap
Subject: leopards
Date: 06/07/2004
Message: i have not received the check yet if you sent it last week it should be here by thursday the latest i would think.i will email you as soon as it gets here and i will send the leopards the same day hopefully it will be here tomorrow. Thanks Mitch



Subj: Copy of Your Reply
Date: 6/7/2004 7:44:57 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent from the Internet (Details)

This is a copy of the message that you sent through the Lizard section of the Reptilian Classifieds. The message has been sent to smokedopeandrap, who will receive a special URL where they can retrieve the message. This message will expire and be deleted from our server if your intended recipient does not pick it up within 90 days. Your e-mail address has not been revealed to this person. The details of your message appear below:

Your Name: GoldenGateGeckos
Your E-mail Address: [email protected]
Subject: Blizzards
Message: Thanks!



Subj: Copy of Your Reply
Date: 6/8/2004 9:31:46 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent from the Internet (Details)


This is a copy of the message that you sent through the Lizard section of the Reptilian Classifieds. The message has been sent to smokedopeandrap, who will receive a special URL where they can retrieve the message. This message will expire and be deleted from our server if your intended recipient does not pick it up within 90 days. Your e-mail address has not been revealed to this person. The details of your message appear below:

Your Name: GoldenGateGeckos
Your E-mail Address: [email protected]
Subject: blizzards
Message: Mitch,~nl~~nl~When I emailed you yesterday about the check I sent you, you told me you hadn't received it yet and would contact me as soon as you did. Well, my bank tells me you cashed the check yesterday. Can you please tell me what is going on?~nl~~nl~Marcia McGuiness~nl~Golden Gate Geckos



Subj: Re: blizzards
Date: 6/8/2004 10:18:10 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent from the Internet (Details)

I just recieved the check today 06-09-04 and i just cashed it today at about 5 i barley made it to the bank.I have my cousins graduation in San Diego so i have to go there for the ceremony 6-10-04.When my aunt called me today and reminded me it blew my mind and i just fell off track.I am very sorry for any incivience and will contact you as soon as i get back,probably friday.If you do not want them any more i can give you a refund.Again i am sorry and will contact you shortly.



Subj: Re: blizzards
Date: 6/9/2004
To: [email protected]

Mitch,

Yes, I still want the blizzards, and it was me that had the dates mixed up... I thought yesterday was the 9th. I'm sorry! Can you ship them today for delivery tomorrow? If not, just let me know when.

Thanks,
Marcia McGuiness
"The Lizard Lady"
Golden Gate Geckos
(925) 755-3113
www.goldengategeckos.com



Subj: Re: blizzards
Date: 6/14/2004
To: [email protected]

Mitch,

It's Monday 6/14/04 and I still have not heard from you. All I want to know is, when will you be sending my blizzards? I mailed the check to you 10 days ago, and you told me you would ship them immediately. What's up?

Marcia McGuiness
"The Lizard Lady"
Golden Gate Geckos
(925) 755-3113
www.goldengategeckos.com



Subj: Ad Alert for Reptilian Classifieds
Date: 6/15/2004 10:10:46 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent from the Internet (Details)

Marcia McGuiness has submitted the following alert concerning ad number 3160 in the Lizard section of the Reptilian Classifieds:

-------------------------

I responded to this ad on 6/3/04, and was told by Mitch Garlow that he only had 3 blizzards left. I purchased them, and sent a check on 6/4/04 which was cashed on 6/8/04. He emailed me and wanted my shipping address, which I gave him. I have yet to hear from him after sending him several emails, and have yet to receive my 3 blizzard geckos. I have saved every message, and would like some help from you either getting my geckos or my money back.

Thank you,
Marcia McGuiness
Golden Gate Geckos
www.goldengategeckos.com
[email protected]

-------------------------

You can view this ad at the following URL:

http://www.reptimart.com/cgi-bin/cl...ge=&session_key=&search_and_display_db_button



Subj: Copy of Your Reply
Date: 6/16/2004 11:34:38 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent from the Internet (Details)

This is a copy of the message that you sent through the Lizard section of the Reptilian Classifieds. The message has been sent to mitch garlaw, who will receive a special URL where they can retrieve the message. This message will expire and be deleted from our server if your intended recipient does not pick it up within 90 days. Your e-mail address has not been revealed to this person. The details of your message appear below:

Your Name: Marcia McGuiness
Your E-mail Address: [email protected]
Subject: ALL SIZES SEXES AND COLOR MORPHS
Message: Mitch,~nl~~nl~It has been 2 weeks since I sent you the check for the geckos. You need to contact me ASAP! I either want you to shipe them immediately, or refund my money. Please do not make me report you for internet fraud or notify my bank to investigate the check. ~nl~~nl~Marcia McGuiness~nl~Golden Gate [email protected]



Subj: CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY!
Date: 6/16/2004 11:43:05 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: Goldengategeckos
To: [email protected]

Mitch,

It has been 2 weeks since I originally contacted you and sent you a check in the amount of $105.00 for 1.2 blizzard leopard geckos through ReptiMart's Classifieds. I still have not received my geckos, and the check was cashed a week ago. I heard from you the last time a week ago, and you said you would contact me by last Friday.

PLEASE EITHER SHIP MY GECKOS OR REFUND MY MONEY!!!!

I will not hesitate to report you for internet fraud, and notify my bank to investigate the check I sent you for a refund.

Marcia McGuiness
"The Lizard Lady"
Golden Gate Geckos
(925) 755-3113
www.goldengategeckos.com



Subj: Re: CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY!
Date: 6/16/2004 2:27:26 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent from the Internet (Details)

I just got your message today and am very sorry.You have no idea what i have gone through in the last week.I got a DUI and spent the last 5 days in jail.I was lucky enough to get in a progam to avoid jail time.The worst part of it all is that when i returned home most of my collection and a couple of my other things had been stolen.My two roomates said they didnt know what happend to them.They had a party and it got out of hand and the police shut it down.My door was locked when i left but it was unlocked when i got home.Anyway thats what has been going on so unfortunatley i am going to have to refund your money.Again i am and hope there is no hard feelings.I am going to go and collect some money that some people owe me and i will have a check or money order sent to.



Subj: Re: CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY!
Date: 6/16/2004
To: [email protected]

Mitch,

How long have you known your collection was "stolen?" Your whole story sounds like a bunch of crap. I will give you until Monday June 21, 2004 to send me my refund, and I will not accept a personal check from you so it must be either a USPS Money Order or Cashier's Check. If I have not received it by the time my mail gets delivered on that day, I will notify your ISP, ReptiMart, my bank, and the appropriate authorities to have you investigated for Internet Fraud, which is a FEDERAL FELONY.

Marcia McGuiness
"The Lizard Lady"
Golden Gate Geckos
(925) 755-3113
www.goldengategeckos.com

 

[dhserps]

use cc

i would only use credit cards so if iever get scam i can dispute it that was ared flag when he saidhe wouldnt get a paypal acct that wat the person is verified good luck sorry to hear tht happen

 

[hill4803]

Hey Marcia...

This guy is full of crap! I saw his tag "smokedopeandrap" on the leopard gecko discussion forum the other day. I don't know if he posted anything but I distinctly remember seeing it, I thought he had a stupid tag line & made a mental note of it. When it showed up in your post I figured it to be the same guy. Also I don't think any state or local jail holds DUI's for 5 days. The jail space is tight every where. If he was in jail it wasn't for what he said it was for! Get your bank on the guy immediately. And keep a look out on the leopard gecko discussion board!

Ro Hill

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

aarrrrgghhh!

When I first started communicating with this guy it was through ReptiMart's messaging. When I saw the guy's handle, it was too late! Anyone with that kind of screen name I would have completely steered away from!!! Anyway, here is his most recent email response with mine superimposed with my own response to him!

Subj: Re: CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY!
Date: 6/16/2004 4:22:50 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent from the Internet (Details)

I honestly can give a _uck what you "think."I know what i know and to be honest you were the last thing on my mind. But i know it is my job as a seller to inform you of what is going on. No. It your job as a seller to send the products that were PAID FOR. I am sorry if i come off as rude but i am really upset. That makes two of us. Being a collector yourself you should know. I am not a collector, I am a breeder. This means that I ship geckos to the people who buy them! I have to get my ride out of impound but yes i will send you your money order this week.I have so many other things on my mind that you didnt even cross my mind until i checked my email.I have lost my job my car my license my collection my xbox and my freedom whithin one week. Unfortunately, when you drive drunk you must be responsible for the consequences. So on top of that i have to give you a refund out of my own pocket, I paid YOU out of MY own pocket!!! i know its not your fault or your problem.But i am sorry and i will send it soon. Soon? You have until Monday, June 21, 2004. I am just very ticked off.Mitch You don't know what ticked off is until you have experience me being 'ticked off'!!!!!

 

[KNOBTAIL]

You would think with

all the fine gecko breeders out their that are honorable to deal with, you chose the path that provided the most obsticles instead of the least. A total stranger! This is the outcome of poor business practice when you are looking to save a buck here or their and in the end loose everything.

Not that you deserve your loss, but common sense should have dictated if nothing else , that if you are in the gecko business you better know whom you are dealing with ! Sorry for your loss. JERRY

 

[DThomas]

Covina is a pretty small city and as such, their jail is probably only a temporary holding facility until prisoners are transfered to the LA County Jail. I highly doubt he spent 5 days in the Covina City Jail. I checked the LA County Jail's website and they have no record of him doing anytime recently.

 

[JungleHabitats]

recently ? lol

has he stayed with them before ?

 

[GinoInDaBronx]

thanks

Hi Marcia,

Thanks for making us aware of a real deadbeat/loser.

You should send him a link to this thread. It will certainly
help pressure him into paying up.

And I would start all of those fraud-related proceedings
immediately. Fools, like this guy, dont seem to react
well to deadlines. File with internet fraud right now.
Also, I would phone his local police department. Tell
them that you would like to speak to a detective with
regard to this guy. As I sure that they already have
quite the file on him, they will be more than happy to
hear about any and all criinal activity that he is
involved in.

And that was one pathetic sob story on his part. Feel
sorry for a drunk driver??? Not a chance! I really hate
these guys, and hope they hammer him with more
jail time.

 

[DThomas]

Re: recently ? lol

has he stayed with them before ?

The website only has the last 6 months to one year worth of data. So not recently, but beyond that I don't know.

 

[ShannanD25]

Marcia,

Sorry to hear about your scam experience. How familiar it seems, like when i was scammed by Mike Roe. Similar excuses!
I'd be glad I didn't get the Leos as you don't know what type of condition they would be in!

Good luck getting your refund from this punk. I finally got my money back from my scam incident so I will keep my fingers crossed for you!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Gee, thanks for patronizing me, Jerry.

This is the outcome of poor business practice when you are looking to save a buck here or their and in the end loose everything.... but common sense should have dictated if nothing else , that if you are in the gecko business you better know whom you are dealing with !

Jerry, have you ever bought or won an auction through eBay? Have you ever responded to or purchased a gecko from someone through an online classified? If so, then I am sure you did not always know who you were dealing with. If you have never purchased anything through eBay or an online classifed, then you must have better "common sense" than the majority of the population! I have had the good fortune of never experiencing a bad transaction until this one.

In regard to your comment about "poor business practice", I deeply resent that statement and am personally and professionally offended. I have been raising, breeding, selling, and buying geckos for nearly 10 years with the utmost ethics and integrity.

 

[KNOBTAIL]

MARCIA, dont be offended, the fact

is that if you are looking buy geckos and you claim you have been in this business for 10 years, then you should know better than to get into these bid operations. I can only assume you did this because it was the cheaper way to buy something. You went for the glitter and you got stung!

Their are many fine breeders of geckos out their, why go to a bid site when you can call and get the best. You may have to pay more but you will be assured that the quality and integrity rests with the breeder not a stranger. Who knows what you would have received! That to me is poor business practice.

This time the amount you lost was not considerable, but next time it may be unless you wake up, be more protective of your monies and deal with people that are reputable, you know and can trust! If you have any reservations about a person, you may consider doing what I do and call other dealers and breeders to find out whom you are buying from as well as selling to.

So dont be professionally offended if someone provides some simple rules when conducting business in this field. I am sure you work very hard for your money, and your loss bothers me as well. But you have to be careful. You were not! You foolishly entered into an agreement with a "nobody" and paid him as well. You received nothing, and lost your monies. Lets see if your going to continue on a bid site this time without being more cautious.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

more...

Jerry, it was not a 'bid site'. It was a classifieds site, just like the one Rich provides here on Fauna, Kingsnake Classifieds, and many, many, others. I did not bid on anything... I bought 3 juvie leopard geckos at $35.00 each, paid for them, and got scammed. I was under the impression that the purpose of the BOI was to post information about scammers, not get lectured about the correct way to purchase reptiles.

Anyway, here is the latest correspondence:

Subj: Re: Ticked off????
Date: 6/16/2004 6:43:52 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Sent from the Internet (Details)

You are right and no matter how many times i try to explain it to you you will never know how i feel about this whole situation.So if there is anything i can do (on top of refunding your money of course)just ask.Let me know how you would feel if someone stole and clucked your breeding stock?But until it happens you dont know.So to tell you the truth i am alot more ticked off than you probably have ever been.When i saw my stuff was gone i almost beat the crap out of my roomies.If i didnt have a prior conviction for assult and if i didnt just get out of jail i would have.You dont know how hard it is to have the people that ripped you off lie to your face and on top of that they are supposed to be your friends.Well i could tell you about my problems all night but they are mine to deal with so i wont burden you with them.Bottom line you will get your refund . "the extremly ticked off individual"Mitch



Subj: Re: Ticked off????
Date: 6/17/2004
To: [email protected]

Mitch,

I do know how hard it is to have the people that ripped you off lie to your face, and perhaps you will know why I don't want to get ripped off by you!

In case you are interested, there is a thread on the Board Of Inquiry about this:
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41986

Marcia McGuiness
"The Lizard Lady"
Golden Gate Geckos
(925) 755-3113
www.goldengategeckos.com

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

FYI

BTW, this guy has an ad on THIS website for geckos, too.

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=130655#post130655

 

[smokedopeandrap]

Trash talking

You have not been ripped off as your money order is on the way.So when you get it maybe you can tell everyone not that it matters because most of my geckos are gone.So as for my name i smoke chronic all day and write raps.Anyways just post a thread that you got your money if you want the truth to be heard.And yes i was in for 5 days for my 3rd dui. IN LA COUNTY JAIL WHERE ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE THE MOST CROWDED DIRTY AND MOST KILLINGS OF ANT JAIL IN THE USA.SO YOU HAVE NO IDEA TRY DOING 8 MONTHS THERE THE 2 YEARS IN THE PIN WHERE MUCH EASIER.AND YES PEOPLE ARE ONLY DOING 10% OF THEIR TIME IN LA COUNTY.NOT THAT IT MATTERS AS I HAVE ALMOST NOTHING LEFT TO SELL BUT LET EVERYONE KNOW WHEN YOU GET YOUR MONET BACK.I AM GOING TO TAKE SOME BONG RIPS SMOKE A BLUNT AND GET LIT RIGHT NOW SO ILL LEAVE YOU WITH THAT.

 

[KNOBTAIL]

my apologies, I thought this was through

a bid site. I really prefer not to persue this any longer other than to say, you are correct the BOI is not for lecturing but to report scam artists. In either case, I think your business practices need to be rethought when dealing with strangers. You provided yourself no protection, on a product that could be purchased anywhere. I get upset when someone complains about loosing money on 3 baby leopard geckos. This should never have happened. Enough said.

 

[smokedopeandrap]

Trash talking

You have not been ripped off as your money order is on the way.So when you get it maybe you can tell everyone not that it matters because most of my geckos are gone.So as for my name i smoke chronic all day and write raps.Anyways just post a thread that you got your money if you want the truth to be heard.And yes i was in for 5 days for my 3rd dui. IN LA COUNTY JAIL WHERE ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE THE MOST CROWDED DIRTY AND MOST KILLINGS OF ANT JAIL IN THE USA.SO YOU HAVE NO IDEA TRY DOING 8 MONTHS THERE THE 2 YEARS IN THE PIN WHERE MUCH EASIER.AND YES PEOPLE ARE ONLY DOING 10% OF THEIR TIME IN LA COUNTY.NOT THAT IT MATTERS AS I HAVE ALMOST NOTHING LEFT TO SELL BUT LET EVERYONE KNOW WHEN YOU GET YOUR MONET BACK.I AM GOING TO TAKE SOME BONG RIPS SMOKE A BLUNT AND GET LIT RIGHT NOW SO ILL LEAVE YOU WITH THAT.

 

[DThomas]

3 years and 9 months past your 18th birthday and you have already spent 8 months in jail and 2 years in prison. That leaves only 1 year and one month of your adult life in society. That's impressive.

By the way, there is still no record of you being in the LA County Jail recently.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

sad...

I think your business practices need to be rethought when dealing with strangers. You provided yourself no protection, on a product that could be purchased anywhere. I get upset when someone complains about loosing money on 3 baby leopard geckos.

Every time I go to a reptile show and purchase a gecko from a stranger I am setting myself up... all of us are! Every one of us started out as "nobodies"... how on earth do people get established in this business in the first place? You and I both started with other people taking a risk, with no protection, when buying from us! It's a shame that you apparently feel that dealing with folks other than 'established' breeders is beneath you. It's pretty sad that you get upset when somebody complains about losing on 3 baby leopard geckos. Apparently, you also feel that leopard geckos do not warrant the same degree of credence as knobtail geckos.

 

[hill4803]

Can we use this guy...

for a "just say NO" ad ? Man, you only seem to have 4 brain cells working and 3 of those are fighting. If I were you I would take the money you spend on the pot & get a good lawyer! Or maybe soap on a rope cause you are gonna need both! I have a feeling I am going to get an email from webslave real soon.


Ro Hill