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The Reptile Ranch Beware

H Ricker

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Location
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About:
Chuck and Laura//The Reptile Ranch www.thereptileranch.com
408-310-2601 cell 408-847-7008 retail store

I paid for an advertised 1:1 Arizona Mountain Kings and for a lone female Arizona Mountain King. I sent them $400 for the trio shipped and $30 for some ribbon snakes for a grand total $430.

I received a female knoblochi and a pair of Arizona Mountain Kings and the ribbon snakes

Of the two Arizona Mountain Kings the male has refused to eat on his own and
I received them the first part of April.
I called them as soon as I received them telling them I received a knoblochi
or Mexican Mountain King. First they said that they had bought them as Arizona Mountain Kings and therefore they must be Arizona Mt. Kings.
I posted picture on forum and most agree it was a knoblochi. Laura also said
knoblochi were about the same value as Arizona Mt. kings so what's the big deal. ( Tell that to a Chevy or Ford lover and give them wrong brand.) They also told me a picture of her was posted it was my fault not seeing the difference. Picture was a top view and I did not see any of the knoblochi pattern.
Chuck did offer a replacement ( I had to pay for sending the snake back and also pay for sending the new snake to me for an additional $80 to $100 in shipping costs = my costs to ship Knoblochi back and his shipping cost to send Arizona Mt king to me. And this was after several it your fault as you could see posted picture. I yold him I would send her back my cost but he had to pay for sending correct snake. I have not heard anything back from that. After I read the terms ( my fault for not doing so before ordering)

THEY HAVE NO LIVE DELIVERY GUARANTEE

I have dealt with a lot of breeders over the years and they always provided
me with a live delivery guarantee.

Bottom line I am unhappy with the snakes they sent me because for $400
I received one snake not correct breed and of the two correct, male has yet to eat on his own and may die???

They did do some things in a good manner. Ribbon snakes were Ok.

Shipping good, good package and in a timely manner, when they said they would.

They have taken my phone calls and returned e-mails

I would not buy from them again and urge you to read their posted terms on their web page.

I have posted for sale picture and receipts.

Questions, Harvey Ricker ( my first ever formal protest)

at [email protected]
 
In my opinion, regardless of the photo, if the seller shipped the wrong species, he is responsible to make it right. He should replace the animal and pick up the shipping both ways. It's the right thing to do.

This is really no different then sending a mis-sexed animal. Because the species are so similar, the picture does not absolve the seller from providing what he advertised.

The Reptile Ranch needs to do the right thing and replace this animal.
 
Mike Greathouse said:
In my opinion, regardless of the photo, if the seller shipped the wrong species, he is responsible to make it right. He should replace the animal and pick up the shipping both ways. It's the right thing to do.

This is really no different then sending a mis-sexed animal. Because the species are so similar, the picture does not absolve the seller from providing what he advertised.

The Reptile Ranch needs to do the right thing and replace this animal.

I agree 100%. It should also be their responsibility to pay for the return any animals, not yours.
 
reptilebreeder said:
Me too. So that's 200% right?
Is it multiplicative or additive? Reason I ask is I agree also and wonder if that makes 400% or only 300%. LOL.

I have a :toiletcla just waiting for the next "bad guy". Will I need to make it a double for Chuck and Laura?
 
Terms

Guarantee on Store Bought Animals
Animals displayed for sale on this site are honestly represented. All animals are guaranteed to be healthy and feeding at the time of purchase. The Reptile Ranch guarantees up to 48 hours after the subsequent sale of the animal. We encourage customers to scrutinize any animal they intend to purchase and ask questions while in the store. Again once in possession of, and in the proper environment, please examine your animals thoroughly. If for any reason you find that you are dissatisfied with your purchase notify The Reptile Ranch immediately so that steps may be taken to rectify the situation. After the 48 hour time limit beyond the animals purchase has expired we no longer assume any further liabilities. This policy was adopted due to the unpredictiable elements that may occur once an animal leaves our facility and we can no longer moderate for its care or environment. The 48 hour guarantee beyond the time of sale is to provide you with ample time to relocate the animal and make a close inspection to determine whether you are satisfied with your purchase.

Gurarantee on Shipped Animals
Animals displayed for sale on this site are honestly represented. All animals are guaranteed to be healthy and feeding at the time of purchase. The Reptile Ranch does not guarantee live delivery. This policy was adopted due to the unpredictiable elements that may occur once and animal leaves our facility and we can no longer moderate for its care or environment. *A note on shipping: All orders will be sent, unless otherwise specified, UPS or Delta (Verified Shipper) Next Day Air, however we cannot guarantee live delivery.

The solution to the misrepresentation of the species is pretty straightforward. They just have to send you the right animal and pay for shipping both ways. If they don’t currently have a knoblochi, they should accept the return of the lone female Arizona Mt. King, paying shipping both ways, and issue a full refund for whatever a knoblochi is worth (market value?).

What really surprises me though is the fact that they will not guarantee live arrival. Buyers pay for the arrival of live healthy animals. What this tells me is that they have no confidence whatsoever in their shipping methods. Yes, accidents due happen every now and then with all carriers, but they are generally the exception and not the norm. If a company wants to do business on-line they need to guarantee live arrival. If not they should just stick to sell animals at the store.

As far as the non-feeding issue, how long have you had the snakes? Are all your husbandry conditions up to par?

Best regards.
 
This is an easy mistake for someone to make that does not know Mt. Kings very well, and unless you see a pic showing the side view, it is also an easy for this to slip right by buyer as well. However, as a Buyer you are also going on the word of the seller, and are covered by that. By posting a pic, the seller is not covered in the case of misrepresentation (especially when the pic is a top view and the distinction between these two subspecies is basically seen on the side pattern). If it said Mt. Kings only it would be ok. But Knoblochi are NOT AZ Mt. Kings and this is a misrepresentation.

The seller has two options. The first is to take the animal in question back, send out a replacement, and pay shipping both ways. The second option is to send a refund and pay to have the snake shipped back.

The bottom line is the buyer should not have to pay for the sellers error. And to blow it off saying that they are worth the same amount of money is a lame excuse. I pose this question to the seller in response to that remark. Did you ever stop to think that maybe the this guy was actually planning on working with AZ Mt. Kingsnakes? There are actually some people out there that are not just buying for resale? Did you ever think of that?

As for the male that is not eating, It is too early to tell, and as we all know many males go off food as they enter the breeding season. I think it is too early to say he might die if he is otherwise healthy. If there was no feeding or health guarantee of any kind, I think you may be on your own there.
 
I will not be doing business with them for two reasons:

First, anybody who will NOT guarantee their animals for live arrival, I would not trust. Nor would I trust them to put the best care into packaging. Was this not the company reported a couple weeks ago for repeated poor packaging on their animals. Please correct me if I am in error.

Second, THEY screwed up... the seller, not the buyer!! The seller should be paying ALL THE COSTS and APOLOGIZING for making the mistake and then making a half-*ss attempt at taking responsibility. And by attempting to say it is equal to a pyro is ridiculous!! Your company definitely earns the sign :toiletcla

Definitely a new addition to the "Do not do business with" list. :(

Brian
 
They most certainly have to ship you the correct animals at their own expense. I bought 2 female dragons from them a few weeks ago. they came in cold and thin. Laura said they just have to be soaked in water to rehydrate and they will fatten up..not the case att all. They were just plain underweight.
 
ljsreptiles said:
They most certainly have to ship you the correct animals at their own expense. I bought 2 female dragons from them a few weeks ago. they came in cold and thin. Laura said they just have to be soaked in water to rehydrate and they will fatten up..not the case att all. They were just plain underweight.


What are they selling? Sponge Toy Dragons??? Soak in water to rehydrate????? Yet another business down on paper to avoid at all costs...
greg
 
ljsreptiles said:
Laura said they just have to be soaked in water to rehydrate and they will fatten up..

:rofl: Don't you know those are the ultra new, ultra desirable, Sponge Dragon Morph? :rofl:

OMG, where do these guys come up with this stuff? In all seriousness, I hope your dragons are doing well now that they are in your hands
 
OK, they are ready, so it's dual signs time.

Chuck, here's yours: :toiletcla

Laura, here's yours: :toiletcla

Wear them with all deserved pride.
 
OK, by unpopular demand, I have created a new prototype sign for "couples":

Chuck~~>>
reverse_toilet_claw.gif
toilet_claw.gif
<<~~Laura

Or Chuck~~>>
toilet_claw.gif
reverse_toilet_claw.gif
<<~~Laura

Which do y'all like better, face to face or back to back?

I know...too much free time and all that. LOL.
 
One thing is for sure, if they want to ship animals they have to guarantee live arrival. The problem is that most buyers will not read the TOS until it's too late. Why don't they read them? Simply because if they have it shipped they asume they will receive a live animal, and not a preserved specimen for high school dissection.

Regards.
 
I've often wondered about those two things

No Live arrival guarantee and Not responsible for shipper errors. I'm no expert on law but IMO a seller, if pushed by a buyer would have to guarantee both regardless of what they say on their site. It might vary from state to state but my understanding is that item no matter what it is does not belong to the buyer till it is in their possession So if you are selling a live snake the buyer had better receive a live snake just as you represented it. The shipper error deal I believe works the same way, if you ship knowing that the shipping agency will not be responsible for loss, IE they will not let you insure the item, then you as the shipper are taking the responsibility on yourself. The buyer paid for it and should receive what they paid for.
Randy
 
As far as the in store version not shipping, I have had good relations with Laura (never met Chuck).

Laura has been very helpful in getting me certain morphs of corn snakes, as well as guarantee on feeding on one baby ball python. After he would not eat she took him back no problem.

They have always thrown in more than asked for on feeders including fuzzies and crickets.

Just want to show the other side hopefully.
 
sandmreptiles said:
As far as the in store version not shipping, I have had good relations with Laura (never met Chuck).

Laura has been very helpful in getting me certain morphs of corn snakes, as well as guarantee on feeding on one baby ball python. After he would not eat she took him back no problem.

They have always thrown in more than asked for on feeders including fuzzies and crickets.

Just want to show the other side hopefully.

Scott and Missi ?

I would hate to see all of your posts on every thread you can find about the Reptile Ranch deleted because you are not following TOS you MUST sign your full name to every post in the BOI or it can be deleted.
Scott and Missi does not work it has to be one or the other followed by the last name


Just a heads-up.

You can be issued warning points as well.
 
Just wanted to clarify something....R Reptile Ranch and The Reptile Ranch have 2 totally different owners. R Reptile Ranch is in no way connected to The Reptile Ranch. The only reason I post this is because someone has just recently confused us with The Reptile Ranch because of the similar name and same state. R Reptile Ranch is owned by Richard and Nichol White.
 
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