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Robert Raasch -- Watch Out

H

hemingway155

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Location
Aiken, SC
This warning is in relation to Robert Raasch, who lists on kingsnake under the email [email protected] and on the faunaclassifieds boards as BAREPAPABEAR.

I purchased a 66% het albino male ball python from him based upon an online classified ad (kingsnake). I immediately paypalled him $150, which was the selling price, and the initial agreement was for shipping on thursday (12/5). He subsequently emailed me, worried about shipping that close to a weekend, and asked to postpone untill monday. I agreed, deferring to him on issues about the safety of the animal, and he agreed to send me a tracking number on monday.

I took off work tuesday to await delivery. By 9PM monday night, I still had not heard anything about a tracking number, so I emailed to ask about it. I received a response that he had been car shopping all day because the fuel injectors in his truck went out, so hadn't shipped the snake. I know things come up, but no part of this story justifies failing to get in contact with me, because earlier contact would have enabled me to reschedule to sign for the package. I therefore emailed him, politely requesting a refund because I was uncomfortable with the situation, and I would purchase livestock from another dealer. Especially with hets, I think it's important to be able to trust the breeder, and I was having some trust issues at this point.

Mr. Raasch's response was twofold: He accused me of taking a tiny excuse just because I wanted my money back, and he claimed that he could not refund my money until the following monday (12/16) because he already deposited it in his bank, and would have to have it sent back to his paypal account, which will take 4 business days. This situation takes my money away from me for more than 10 days before it hits my paypal account again, and another 4 after that to re-deposit it in my bank account (I did an instant transfer from my bank account, verified by a credit card). Especially around christmas, this is quite an inconvenience. Throughout, Mr. Raasch has been rude to me, unwilling to take reponsibility for his actions, and unwilling to reach a mutually satisfactory outcome. I have emails to prove every claim I have made, in case there is any dispute.

At the moment, I have asked Mr. Raasch to send a money order, since he claims to be unable to paypal me expeditiously. I will keep this board updated on the outcome of the situation.

Kris Stroup
 
Thanks for the heads-up on this guy! He's a regular on this site (I see his name posted on top all the time)....

Mr Raasch.... If you want ANY respect (OR BUSINESS) from the Fauna group again.... you had BETTER send the refund PRONTO! Those excuses are SO LAME it's amazing! There should be NO reason the refund wasn't given back already! And that crap about car shopping?? Are you kidding me???
By your total lack of common courtesy, I would even be amazed if your snakes WERE 66% hets, and not just common Balls!
Do the right thing and cut the BS.... send the money back NOW!

....Neil
 
Two weeks ago I purchased 1.2 Nigerian Uromastyx from Robert Raasch. No pictures were available, but I was assured that I wouldn't be dissapointed. The animals were WC, but he said that he had them for 6mos already and were reportedly healthy and feeding. Shipping was timely,and packing was good. The 2 females arrived in good condition, but the male was severly emaciated, very thin and obviously dehydrated. You can see pics on KS Uro board for proof.
Skinny Uro

I emailed to mention this, I was told to separate them because the females might be intimidating him-keeping him from eating.
This Uro has not eaten well in a very long time, possibly for the 6mos they have been in this country(?). I don't know how this could be missed, but I suppose if you have a large # of animals moving quickly you could overlook a very thin lizard that keeps its eyes closed all the time. I won't send him back or demand my money back, I fear he would not make it and I can't do that to any animal. He will be actively rehabed in my care. I accept it as the risk you take when doing business this way.

Just wanted to share my experience.
Kisha
 
Well, that's 0-2 for BAREPAPABEAR!

Any response?

I have to admit that I was not impressed with either his selling pitches in the classifieds section OR his near incapacity to follow the rules of the board. If memory serves, I believe the WebSlave had to threaten to delete everything the guy posted unless he gave an actual full name.

Of course, it's possible that I'm wrong and I have this guy confused with someone else. If so, I will fully and publicly retract what I've written above.


[Hint: I wouldn't be looking for any retractions any time soon!]

;)
 
Kisha.... my Uro's seem to thrive on chopped up greens and especially BIRD SEED and crushed SPLIT PEAS AND BLACK-EYED PEAS.... great protein and moisture.... good luck with him.... he's gonna need it....

By the way.... I loved your JOKE about having a lot of animals and "overlooking" an emaciated one!.... Yeah, right!

....Neil
 
If anyone has followed my "Tortoise for sale" fiasco they will notice that this fellow replied to the thread. In addition he emailed me privately several times.
To make a long story short he stated that he wanted the animal and would send the money Paypal. I stated in the reply that I only accept money orders or cashiers check.
Here is an account of what transpired.


What forms of payment do you accept?? I will have $50 in my paypal account by the end of this week if you will hold it for me I will purchase it then. I WILL NOT Back out if you hold this one for me. I guarantee to purchase it!! I have shipping accounts so shipping will be easy....

__________________
Robert Raasch
SSScales Reptile Center



I have held this animal several times and each time have been left hanging. Therefore I cannot hold the animal until I receive notification of payment being mailed.
I accept Postal money orders or cashiers checks as forms of payment.
If your still interested please email me at [email protected] for my mailing address.
Thanks
Jackie

__________________
Jackie Lapradd



Do you accept paypal? As promised I have the money for this tortoise. Please contact me at [email protected]

__________________
Robert Raasch
SSScales Reptile Center



I still have the little tortoise available.
I cannot accept paypal but money orders or cashiers check would be fine.
Email me if you want to go ahead and purchase it and I will send you my address.
Also what would be the best day to ship? USPS guarantees arrival by 12:00 the next day so someone would have to be there to receive it.
Thanks
Jackie




I think I'm going to pass for now I really don't like doing money orders. It takes toooo long and is to unpredictable.

__________________
Robert Raasch
SSScales Reptile Center



When I tried to explain that M.O. are an extremely secure form of payment he stated that if he was displeased with the animal he had no way of getting his money back. He went on to state that Paypal offers a service where they can stop payment if notified by a buyer that they were unhappy with a purchase. To me that basically translates into "once I get the animal I will report that I was ripped of and get my money back".


The moral of the story is this guy is unpredictable and caution should be execised when buying or selling to him.
 
What?????

First I can say what has happened here??? Firstly have told Kris I was sorry for the delay and he Demanded a refund through paypal. I told him I didn't have the money in paypal but as soon as I did I would refund the money. He got angry and offered NO other options!!! He demanded a refund THIS MORNING!!! and has not even given time to get this worked out. After he got pissed and posts this crap he offers the Money Order option. If he would have offered this first thing this morning I could have probably been able to get his money order today and this could have been avoided. As far as Neil Don't threaten me with getting this resolved because you DON"T know me or my animals!!! You have NEVER delt with me so you need to watch your responses. I see that you are more than happy to jump on everyone else. I don't think your name is GOD.If needed I can scan a copy of my bill of sale on my new truck and post it here. What?? I have proof?? I also have pics form the breeder on this 66% het ball python and he will attest to its het. As far as the Uros the male WAS eating and I was told he was "a little skinny" I told her to keep me updated and if needed we could have worked something out. I would have given her a refund or helped out with the vet bill but I haven't heard anything about this since then. All I have to say is I get really sick of some of the people on this site jumping all over people and being mean instead of trying to offer Help. If I have Misspelled any words SO WHAT!!! No one is perfect!!! That's right that includes YOU!!!!
 
Robert.... with my memory, I'll be the LAST ONE to claim I'm perfect! Far from it! But, I sure as hell know how to take care of BUSINESS! If you owe someone money or animals.... PAY THEM! RIGHT NOW! IMMEDIATELY! NO EXCUSES! PERIOD! Why should he have to WAIT for his refund because of YOUR truck! Who gives a damn! It's HIS money! NOT yours! It's not his problem your truck needs work.... fix it on your OWN dime! Once you sell an animal, you should NEVER spend that money until you hear from the customer that he is satisfied with his purchase! So, let me hear your excuse for THAT one! Send him his MO tomorrow so he gets it on Thursday.... you can TALK all you want.... it don't mean CHIT! ACTIONS.... that's what separates the GOOD GUYS from the rest!
And, you're right! I'll jump down ANYONE'S throat for doing the WRONG THING! If you don't want me to do that.... it's a real easy process.... do the RIGHT THING! How easy is that?

....Neil
 
Oh yeah I forgot to post my name on two of my BOI posts but have had no problems since then. And Jackie I would not report being ripped off but I have sent a lot of money orders out and have been ripped off because the money order companies don't want to deal with this type of situation and you just end up getting screwed. I asked you to hold the animal and guaranteed it with my word. You DID NOT hold it for me and I don't feel bound to purchase your animal when you refused the deal.
 
NEIL What the F**k is your problem??? I have worked this out and don't need your attitude. Its not your business!! It was worked out before you and your attitude!!! Can't you read?? I bought a new truck and didn't have to get mine fixed. My paypal account is set up to auto accept payments and my wife set it up to send the money right to my bank account. Thats why it would take 4 days to get the money back into the paypal account!! I didn't EVER say I spent the money and have it now. Back Off!!!! Stop threatening me!!!
 
you knew your customer was unhappy.
You should have already tried to take care of the uro thing.

A couple weeks ago ...I sold a boa. I did not know it had a nose rub. But I gave the customer the benefit of the doubt....maybe I did not check it well enough. Besides the customer said it was okay (clearly not wanting a refund). Needless to say.....even though he said it was okay....I still refunded part of the money. Now if the customer came off with hey I WANT A REFUND NOW!!! I would have been asking for pics.

Your customer is obviously unhappy. Maybe it is because I know nothing about business. But the way I figured it, You should have already taken care of your uro customer.

Do the right things.
 
Also on the paypal....her is my experience.. Maybe my account is just weird.

I have my paypal tied to my bank account and a credit card.
Even if I have Zero (0) in my paypal...I can purchase an animal right now. You will get the money within 2 seconds. And a couple days later....I see it withdrawn from my bank account.
So even with a zero balance. I can purhcase an animal right away. As a matter of fact that is how I have purchased all my paypal purchases. Anyone elses account do this?

Okay sorry for getting off track
 
Had I known it was a problem I would have done more. I was told it was just a "little skinny" and she would keep me updated. Thats the last I heard of the situtation. How can I know what everyone is thinking? All i ask is if there is a problem let me know so I can fix it and don't pretend its ok to talk about it weeks later on Fauna.
 
Mr. Raasch said, "How can I know what everyone is thinking? All i ask is if there is a problem let me know so I can fix it."


Kris said, "Throughout, Mr. Raasch has been rude to me, unwilling to take reponsibility for his actions, and unwilling to reach a mutually satisfactory outcome. I have emails to prove every claim I have made, in case there is any dispute."


These are obviously divergeant versions of the events in question. Maybe those emails need to be posted if Kris really has them?

:(
 
It is ok to talk about your own experiences with a dealer on this board, that's what it is for. I'm not complaining or making any judgements with my post. I was just relating my experience. I thought that is what this board was for, you say what happend to you and others make their own judgements about dealing with the person in question. Everyone's view of what happend is always different, this is why we take what is said with "a grain of salt" and form our own conclusion. I didn't think that it was worth my time to try to persue the matter, that is why I haven't emailed further about the Uro. Like I said it's the price of doing business this way.

The only thing I was unhappy about was not being told ahead of time that the lizard was in such poor shape. I could have been better prepared to help him if I was. Again judgement call, no pic were offered and I choose to purchase anyway.

Bottom line is that in this business if you want repeat customers, honesty and customer service are the only things that will keep people comming back. You can get away with iffy (is that a word?) service and less than accurate descriptions one time, and most people will not complain...but they will not come back to you again.

What you say and do matters. (to most of us that is)

Thank you
Kisha Wernet
 
I understand totally what this board is for and didn't realize the uro was in that condition. I would have been more than happy to do something if I had known that it was that bad. All I was told was he was a "little skinny" and I was not told anything about his true condition. I think that this board should also be used to offer sugestions on what to do in these situations and NOT to jump someones A** and belittle them. Stuff happens to everyone and when someone offers solutions and tries to help its GREAT (Thanks Rich). When the people here threaten and "Bully" people it does nothing but complicate the problem.
 
Ok, so I have a couple of aims with this follow-up post. First, I want to substantiate my previous claims, as I think they cast Mr. Raasch's response in a different light. Second, I want to update the story so all the important details are getting out.

Let me begin by saying that I don't think the value of a forum like this can be overestimated. In a free-market economy, only information protects consumers and enforces standards of conduct for sellers. I checked the BOI before I engaged in this transaction, and lets just say my choices would have been different if I had heard from others.

On to the story. There doesn't seem to be much contention that I purchased the python on thursday or any of the events until the following monday evening.

I emailed him, at almost 9 in the evening: "Hi there. Did you ship the ball python out today? I haven't received a tracking number yet."

His response: "He did not go out today, Sorry about the delay. The fuel injectors went out in the truck and my wife and I had to go car shopping all day. He WILL go out tomorrow."

This initial exchange at least establishes that Mr. Raasch was delinquent in getting back to me and failed to establish a real justification for that tardiness and lack of communication.

I don't have my initial email requesting a refund, which went out monday night. I think I accidentally deleted it and it isn't appended to the bottom of Mr. raasch's replies. I'm sure he has it, if there is any contention there. His reply was as follows, though: "If you want a refund I will send it to you but I will have to send the money from my bank back to the paypal account. My wife has it set up to go directly to the back when we accept. It will take 4 business days for the money to make it back to the paypal account and won't be there until Monday. I will send The money back to you then." This sets up what I term the 4-day story.

My reply: "You can also do an instant transfer from a bank account, verified with a credit card, the same way I paid you. There is absolutely no reason it should take that long, and I am unwilling to wait until Monday, especially when I was so quick to send you money. As far as I am concerned, this unwillingness to either meet the terms of our contract or provide customer service in good faith are absolutely unacceptable. Additionally, this places you in violation of the kingsnake.com terms of service. I feel like I am being completely reasonable in just wanting my money back after all the difficulties I have had in dealing with you. I hope you can resolve the situation quickly and to our mutual satisfaction. "

On a side note, my suggestion seems eerily similar to Richie Luna's. This is when things start to go really down hill.

Mr. raasch replies, blaming me for the situation. "I do not have a credit card to use so all I can do is send the money paypal
on monday. Had you accepted delivery of the snake tomorrow this would all be over. It just sounds to me like this is a excuse to ask for your money back I am trying to get this resolved as quickly as possible. "

My response: "Here's the thing -- I can't take delivery tomorrow, because I already took off work to take it today, per our original agreement, and by the time I heard anything to the contrary from you, it was entirely too late to change that. This is by no means "a excuse to ask for your money back" and I resent
that suggestion, as I do the statement that this would all be taken care of if I had agreed to accept shipment tomorrow. From my perspective, this would all be taken care of if you had 1)shipped on time, 2)maintained prompt communication about your car shopping situation so I could make arrangements to receive on wednesday, or 3)made any good-faith effort to rectify the situation. You are engaging in reprehensible business practices, with little remorse. When you agreed to ship on monday, you entered into a contract to do so, and your breach of that contract gives me every right to demand a refund. I can equally suggest that this sounds like a ploy on your part not to promptly refund
my money.

If paypal is not a good option for you, I will accept a postal money
order or bank check overnight mailed to me, at the address previously discussed. The management of the kingsnake.com ads have been apprised of the situation and I will continue to make them aware of new developments. I am hopeful that the situation can still be resolved amicably, and I hope to hear from you soon."

Obviously, I got the suggestion out about sending money orders pretty quickly. His reply: "Ok well the postal or bank money order would work great if I had a car right now to go and get it. I have offered the quickest solutions to this problem and they aren't good enough for you." An hour later, Mr Raasch amends his previous statement "I may be able to get out and pick up the money order for you tomorrow. If I can do this and overnight it to you will this solve the problem?"

I was pretty encouraged at this point, as Mr. Raasch seemed very reluctant for me to explain the situation to the kingsnake management and I was getting a whole new story about getting my money back. My reply "Absolutely, a money order will solve the problem, and as I mentioned as soon as a resolution is reached, I have no problem telling kingsnake that, nor have I been anything but up-front in my dealings. You have to admit, waiting till monday for paypal, which will take another four days
to get back into my account, making a grand total of two weeks from the time I sent the money out of my account to you is pretty extreme. Let me know what you do, and I'll keep kingsnake apprised."

This last email from me sets up what I would term my position throughout. When business is conducted fairly, honestly and above-the-board, nobody should have anything to worry about, regardless of who is told about it. It has never been my intent to trash anybody, nor have I relayed anything that did not actually happen. I don't think Mr. raasch would agree with that contention, as I received four emails in a row, displeased that the details of our transaction made it to this board. Here are a few choice snippets:

"Whats going on here??? Did I agree to get you the money??? Why attack me on Fauna when we are working this out??? I now feel threatened by this and just don't know how to react. We have only been talking about this for less than 24 hours and haven't even gotten this issue resolved. Have I been trying to
get this resolved??? Did I agree to refund the money??? I agree to refund the money and you still just want to mess with me???"

"Why did you feel it was necessary to attack me on Fauna??? Now this has gotten way out of control and it needs to stop.Neil on fauna thinks he is god and is blowing this out of proportion. I am very upset because this was not necessary and now I'm screwed."

As it stands, Mr. raasch has agreed to send me a money order today, and I will be sure to let everybody know when it arrives. As far as I'm concerned, this whole situation is a victory for the BOI. Prior to public discussion of the situation, I don't think there's any way I would have gotten my money back in timely fashion, and the only inclination I saw from Mr. raasch was to blame the situation on me, rather than working toward a conclusion.

I hope this post has verified my position on the issue. Thanks

Kris
 
Kris, you have let a few of the e-mails out!!! I have them and since you don't want to get all the info I WILL post them all tonight!!! You Demanded paypal and offered NO other options for repayment!!! I can show this in your e-mails and didn't offer money orders until all this crap. I would have sent a money order if it was an option but it wasn't!!! I can't believe that you where asked to post all of our e-mails and once again you post little pieces. I haven't sent the money order out yet but I am on my way ou to do that right now. You have no idea what would have happened if you didn't post here so don't jump to conclusions.
 
Robert.... you're correct! We would have no idea what would have happened had he not posted.... but, by your responses (and lack of action), I think "WE" have a pretty good idea??? All you had to do was send him his MO the other day, whether he wanted it that way, or not!.... blaming him is VERY LAME!
THIS SITE WORKS!

....Neil
 
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