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Bad Guy Ron Billingsley- Backed out on a deal

Well John

I don't know this guy, nor do I know anyone on here accept Mark V (mvite). I'm not on anyone side, nor do I agree on anyone's part. I'm neutral on this and just stated what I have seen. It's not my responsibility to produce any proof. But to satisfy your curiosity I found one name out of 15 websites, that has it stated it in their TOS, I'd rather send it to you privately, since I don't want anyone being dragged through the mud. I have read alot of your posts on threads on here and have alot of respect for you, but to sit there and jump at me accusing me of being associated with anyone on this topic is just wrong and untrue.

I don't always agree with people's opinion on here, but everyone is entitled and I respect that. All I asked was a question on statements I have seen on a TOS, and never stated my opinion on it. I hope people can tell the difference between a statement or a question. So show me the same respect.
 
I think the bottom line here is that while this is not a good business practice, I don't feel it makes him a bad guy. As soon as he noticed his screw up, he offered to refund the buyer, and did so.

At the same time, I agree with Mr. Dove, as I have sold some large snakes in the past and grossly underestimated shipping. I ate the cost, and I'm only a small time hobbyist. If I give my word, I give my word....period.
 
Mike

This is not a matter of respect at all. You made a statement, not an opinion , that you had seen multiple TOS that stated that the seller reserved the right to cancel a transaction at anytime at his discretion. This was not an opinion. You stated it as fact. I am fine with you contacting me privately with your one example.

However, you are absolutely obligated to provide proof whn you make a statement as fact. If you can't, you run the risk of someone calling BS as I did.

Nothing personal...jsut be careful how you state things and pay close attention to my tagline

SofaKing said:
Well John

I don't know this guy, nor do I know anyone on here accept Mark V (mvite). I'm not on anyone side, nor do I agree on anyone's part. I'm neutral on this and just stated what I have seen. It's not my responsibility to produce any proof. But to satisfy your curiosity I found one name out of 15 websites, that has it stated it in their TOS, I'd rather send it to you privately, since I don't want anyone being dragged through the mud. I have read alot of your posts on threads on here and have alot of respect for you, but to sit there and jump at me accusing me of being associated with anyone on this topic is just wrong and untrue.

I don't always agree with people's opinion on here, but everyone is entitled and I respect that. All I asked was a question on statements I have seen on a TOS, and never stated my opinion on it. I hope people can tell the difference between a statement or a question. So show me the same respect.
Click to expand...
 
When I read these posts where there is some sort of grey area on good or bad guy( I would have taken the $45 loss because it was the agreement). I like to see how the seller handles the situation. In this case Ron sounded like an a$#, wich means I would not buy from him. I know it will not hurt his business, but it will not help his business either. Bad guy, probably not. But definitely not a good guy. Just my 2 cents.
Dennis Cook
 
According to the 2nd e-mail from Ron that Nagini posted in her first post, Ron said, "At $65, I'm making $5 a ball."

Once the price descrepancy came about, according to another e-mail from Ron, posted by Nagini:
From: "******"
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2009 5:28:50 PM
Subject: Re: Gravid Balls

I know it is my mistake, and I just caught it, but I can not sell gravid Female ball pythons for $50 each.
I paid much more then that myself. Even at $65 I'm selling them below cost.

:shrug01:

I don't know either party. I'm not sure if I could call Ron a "bad guy" based on this thread. Personally, I think he does have the right to not sell at the lower price & refund the money. I certainly don't agree with that decision and I think it's bad customer service & poor business practice.

If he paid $60 each for the gravids & "sells out every year," he would've only lost $30 on this sale but still made profit from the sale of others. Not to mention saving face. Anybody else besides me value their business reputation more than $30?

While I'm at it, I might as well continue to be upfront & honest - Mr. Billingsly's post left little desire for me to engage in business with hime. However, I do take into consideration how we all are human & write/say things in the heat of the moment without any regard of how it looks/sounds to others.

I've been self-employed for nearly 20 years now. And like John & Cheryl have said, nearly all of my business is done based on a person's word, or handshake, which where I'm from, is all the same. I've misquoted a job once that cost me a few hundred dollars over a few days work. I honored my goof. A few jobs later I got a $200 tip on a $1,000 job. What comes around, goes around.

Take care!
Michael Sanders
 
This goes out to the few who think that this is just chalked up to bad business practice and doesnt make ron a bad guy.

I have a few animals for sale that you have been wanting : PLEASE send payment in full plus cost of shipping. Once recieved, I will email or call you to confirm that I screwed up and that it is now going to cost you an extra $$ to recieve your animals.

After all, this wont make me a bad guy. OR WILL IT ?

Put the shoe on the the other foot, and see how many of you would have posted the same thread.

Mike Tyler
 
mikeyt said:
This goes out to the few who think that this is just chalked up to bad business practice and doesnt make ron a bad guy.

I have a few animals for sale that you have been wanting : PLEASE send payment in full plus cost of shipping. Once recieved, I will email or call you to confirm that I screwed up and that it is now going to cost you an extra $$ to recieve your animals.

After all, this wont make me a bad guy. OR WILL IT ?

Put the shoe on the the other foot, and see how many of you would have posted the same thread.

Mike Tyler
Click to expand...

Interesting thoughts.

In MY OPINION, you've oversimplified it...here's my thoughts, see if this makes sense.

It would be different if you posted said animals for sale at a set price of say, $100 each, and then changed that publicly posted price to $150 after I paid you. You keep my money and call it a "deposit" or some such BS, and do not send the animals. I would call that a "bad guy".

Ron had the individual price publicly posted, and mistakenly quoted the wrong price in an email to the OP in an email after she had responded. She thought she was being given a "deal" since she was purchasing multiple animals, and he didn't catch the mistake right away (even though he should have, especially since she repeated the price back to him). Once he catches it, he notifies the buyer, and when she declines to pay the higher price, even though it was what was originally posted, he refunds her money.

That said, especially for such a small amount of price difference, if I were Ron, I would have acknowledged the error, and let her know what a deal she got...and completed the transaction. But he chose to refund her money. The OP isn't "out" anything, she has her money back, and she didn't have to wait 3 months for Ron to get around to paying her back. Sure, I'm sure it was frustrating, but well...I don't think his INTENTION was ever to rip her off for a measly $45. And it's not like there aren't plenty of other people selling piles of the WC gravids, so it's not like she missed out on something she couldn't still purchase, either.

So....yeah. Perhaps not the best business decision on Ron's part, but I don't believe it makes him a scammer or "bad guy". And well, no....I wouldn't have posted a "bad guy" thread. :shrug01:
 
I would also like to add that I have been in this business for many years and can remember years ago before this major craze took effect. A time when there were only a handful of breeders and before many of these shows were even thought of. A time when breeders cared about not only the animals they produced, but the love for the trade, and the preservation of the herpetolgical world so that we could enjoy the animals we do today,and hopefully pass it on to our children.

Nagini, from what she said, appears to be a relative new comer to the trade, what a lesson she has learned. I hope she uses this knowledge to better her future business and best wishes for her in her future breeding experiences.

This trade has enough issues with current laws and upcoming laws wishing to ban certain species, among many other things. Scammers, so called flippers, and these not "bad guys" among other factors do not help this industry.

To all of the old timers, reputable breeders, thank you for doing what it is you do, and for what you have done. Your respect, honesty, integrity, and knowledge has helped form my business in to what it is today.

Enjoying the reptiles I have today, for they could be gone tomorrow

Mike Tyler
 
Mike,

I'm not arguing with you that it wasn't a "good" thing that happened here...and I have a feeling that some of the feelings you have about the deal may be inspired not by the deal itself, but about your feelings in regard to selling the WC gravids itself.

While I do not support this parctice either, knowing about it what I do now...I have separated my feelings on that particular matter from the actual business end of this transaction. I don't think anything that actually transpired through this deal makes Ron a bad guy....does that make sense? I was just trying to point out how, in my opinion, the scenario you created didn't necessarily "tell the whole story".
 
critical bill said:
Did you ever invest in some reptile books like I suggested you do back about two years ago? Two years ago when you knew absolutely nothing and still know about next to nothing to this very day?

Would you like me to pull some of your posts here where you've actually purchased animals and didn't even know what the hell it was you were even purchasing? Some kind experienced folks here had to identify animals that you purchased or acquired because you didn't have a clue. I know, because I was one of those who helped you.

Ya know...Ron might not be a man of his word, but do you know what you are? You are an exaggerating twit.

Here is an idea, twit. Why don't you take that refund money and by some books and gain a bit of knowledge. You might actually know what it is your buying and how to care for it.

I really wouldn't even count this against the guy because it involves...YOU.[/QUOTE

I have to say I had something go slightly wrong in a deal with Ron but he made good on it but he is not a bad guy as others have stated just piss poor judgement. As far as Chuck Kimmel man theres no reason to get on here and call the woman names thats just in poor taste as I have found out in the past from doing it myself to others which you seem to make a habit on here. Granted the girl should and needs to do research on animals before buying and I even started a thread about people needing to do the same thing on another site but I feel it doesnt warrant name calling its childish.
Click to expand...
 
I feel cheated for my time, sounds to me like the deal went a little sour, Ron relized his mistake and tryed to correct it a little late in the deal. Atleast he refunded your money, im sure many people have been cheated out of just as much or more. Enough said someone just needs to close this thread its a waste of time.
 
dmasio said:
As far as Chuck Kimmel man theres no reason to get on here and call the woman names thats just in poor taste as I have found out in the past from doing it myself to others which you seem to make a habit on here. Granted the girl should and needs to do research on animals before buying and I even started a thread about people needing to do the same thing on another site but I feel it doesnt warrant name calling its childish.
Click to expand...

What name calling? Did you mean "twit"? Its definition is "annoyingly foolish person". Thats what she's been and its what she seems to me to be.

Poor taste is confusing the difference between a rectal and oral thermometer. Remember that, champ.

When I need a writing coach I'll be sure to shoot you a PM.
 
Uh, Mr. Mathew/Slipmattic,
Your are required to post your full name when posting on the BOI.
 
Slipmattic said:
So everyone that has posted so far about this issue is required to put their full name? I can see a few that have not, and that is not apart of the issue anyway.
Click to expand...

Listen chump, read this:

Board of Inquiry® This forum is provided exclusively for the discussion of specific persons or businesses in the herp industry. YOUR FULL NAME is required for each message you post.

It's at the top of the page. No one cares what other people do, just list your full name.
 
Slipmattic said:
So everyone that has posted so far about this issue is required to put their full name? I can see a few that have not, and that is not apart of the issue anyway.
Click to expand...
Every person posting in this section (BOI) is required to have their full names in their posts. That is why this message is at the top of the page:
Board of Inquiry® This forum is provided exclusively for the discussion of specific persons or businesses in the herp industry. YOUR FULL NAME is required for each message you post.
Click to expand...
You might want to familiarize yourself with the rules for posting here - I believe the Rules for posting on the BOI is the third thread down...its highlighted in gold to make it easy to find.
You may not think it is apart [sic] of the issue, but it is one of the rules.
 
lanceheads said:
Listen chump, read this:

Board of Inquiry® This forum is provided exclusively for the discussion of specific persons or businesses in the herp industry. YOUR FULL NAME is required for each message you post.

It's at the top of the page. No one cares what other people do, just list your full name.
Click to expand...

Whoa. Thats no way to get a date for Valentines Day. Did you take your metamucil this morning?
 
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