Your offer sounds pretty generous Dave. But if it were me, I’d probably be doing the same thing that Paul’s doing right now; either holding onto the snake, or waiting for a refund so it could be sent back. And at this point, the chance of choosing the latter
luxury (
of Tony’s, mind you) is becoming more and more dim – if not already exhausted completely. There are just too many variables.
Before I contribute any more to this, let me first say that although Paul and I are both from Pittsburgh, we’re not best friends – not drinking buddies, not fishing buddies, etc etc. I know Paul from the local shows, from mutual friends, and the interest we both share in this hobby. I’ve known Paul for about ten years – seeing him at the shows / discussing projects, and not once have I ever heard anything negative about the way he treats his customers, conducts business, or conducts himself with others. What I do know is that Paul breathes, sleeps and eats snakes – his own breeding projects in-particular. I’m convinced that Paul’s here for the long haul and fully understands what it takes to do “good business” as a breeder and ethical seller. And with that, he’ll also stand up for his rights and convictions when treated poorly by others. I’ve never purchased from Paul, and he’s never purchased from me. I have no interest at stake while contributing to this here, other than seeing something that irritates the hell out of me. I couldn’t tell you his kid’s names – or even his wife’s for that matter. But what I do know is that when it comes to his animals, he’s got his s
together, and earns his sales from having that s
together, NOT from scamming others by claiming they sold him fake hets. If Paul's guilty of anything, it's being obsessed with his ball python breeding projects - and that's why he's here. The only reason I’m even contributing to this thread is because this appeared….
“Paul showing his true colors
________________________________________
Well, it came time to give Paul and refund [which was above and beyond for selling someone a true 100% het] and Paul refuses to send the snake back because he knows I will prove it out.
After talking to a few people Paul seems to have trouble with several people he buys snakes from.
As a reptile breeder you have to be careful who you sell too, there are people out there who will try and pull any scam they can to get a few extra snakes or a few extra bucks. I just found some old spread sheets showing I had to send Paul a refund two years ago on some fresh captive hatched babies. I would guess Paul list of refund checks is long.
The good new is given enough rope people seem to hang themselves which is what Paul has done.
Paul, If I were you I would not send the snake back either. Your lies would become even more visable.
Tony Hurt
Snake Evolutions”
While reading this thread ask yourself, “if this was definitely an adult het albino female that I owned, would I rather keep it and produce more albinos, OR trade it in for ……what, $1150?” I know of multiple projects that Paul’s involved in that definitely overshadow the albino project on a monetary investment basis – he’s not scrambling for an $1100-$1200 reimbursement by any means, and this isn’t the only adult “het” albino female in his collection.
It’s a no-brainer.
It irritates me that someone (Paul) that puts as much work and energy into their projects, and maintains ethics on a pedestal while conducting their dealings could instantly become the target of someone else’s mistake. If Paul’s showing his true colors here, those colors should be simply screaming that he’s not going to be taken advantage of.
Well, it came time to give Paul and refund [which was above and beyond for selling someone a true 100% het] and Paul refuses to send the snake back because he knows I will prove it out.
Tony, by not taking Paul’s phone calls, returning them or backing your original guarantee – I’d be skeptical of sending the animal back as well. This is just hypothetical of course, but you could easily breed a male albino to this specific female, present pictures of her being bred, sitting on eggs, eggs incubating, and then miraculously present pictures of albino babies from any other female.
After talking to a few people Paul seems to have trouble with several people he buys snakes from
The thread’s still waiting for specific names and dealings with this statement, Tony. Please provide them if you can.
. I just found some old spread sheets showing I had to send Paul a refund two years ago on some fresh captive hatched babies.
I remember this instance, because Paul called me concerned and out of the blue, wanting to know if I had ever dealt with you before. I mentioned to him the time you sold me (5) juvenile female balls – (4) of which popped hemipenes – not to mention 3 or 4 of them being scattered throughout the shipping box, out of their cups when they arrived. This was 2002, or 2003. In Tony’s defense, he made the situation right by taking the males back and allowing me to keep the 1 female at his expense. If I remember correctly, I was willing to send them all back but Tony felt really bad that this had occurred and wanted me to keep the lone female. This is what probably should be done – so what’s happened to that kind of customer satisfaction/care between then and now? At the time I was explaining the situation to Paul, I mentioned that I thought it was just a simple mistake made by someone that was just getting into this and not completely familiar with sexing juveniles. I also mentioned that I thought Tony made the situation right, 100%. I guess that was enough or at least contributed to Paul giving you the benefit of the doubt on this female “het” for one more year? Even though it was a high ratio to mis-sex, I’m not bashing Tony for it. Unfortunately, it occasionally happens - even to those highly respected in the herp community.
I would guess Paul list of refund checks is long
Sorry to say Tony – but it would appear only if they were animals purchased from you, or the like.
Sure, Paul’s run into 1-2 problems with hets before from others. But, it’s well known that with the ball python craze, the number of less than creditable dealers selling “hets” rose as well. The difference with Paul is that he’s not willing to take it on the chin, or chalk it up to a learning experience – he goes after those that have turned the screws to him. “What’s right, is RIGHT.” And, from what I understand, he gave you more than adequate time to make this situation right before coming here with it. I don’t think anyone’s accusing you of knowingly selling fake hets Tony. But if I remember correctly, I think you told Paul you produced this animal. So, which one’s the fib? Or are ball pythons just defying genetic laws again?
I was hoping that when you finally did get around to making a statement on your own behalf, you’d do it with more class and integrity than what this pathetic attempt to cover your
exudes.
Tony, I’m aware that you contributed to a thread on here at one time in the past, supporting me as a seller. After what’s been demonstrated here, I sincerely wish I could find a way to remove that contribution. I highly doubt that Paul wants to be involved in a 24 page negative thread on the BOI any more than you do. But he chose between this and just being screwed.
He chose right.
