• Responding to email notices you receive.
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    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

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    Posted 08/15/2025
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    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

    Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....

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    Addendum: 01/10/2026
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    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

Top Shelf Exotics (Inquiry)

If Chris does not exceed your expectations with the quality of the snakes he delivers to you I will eat a whole serving of LIVER!

I hate liver by the way!

Smile he will come through. By the way in case you did not know....there is KS and there is the BOI, must of us do not go there and most of them don't come here. (admitedly at least)
 
Rob.... Chill, dude.... I never said you were at fault for anything??.... You happen to be absolutely correct in this situation, and we should find Chris and HANG HIM!!.... lol

Two months IS stretching it a little (a LOT), but I'm SURE there's got to be an explanation.... Other than that, I don't know what to tell you....

Neil
 
I'm not angry, just single minded, as most aerospace engineers will admit. I do want to thank everyone for their input. There is great value in the BOI.
Sincerely, Bob E.
 
Well, Rob.... seems we have something in common.... I started school majoring in Animal Husbandry, but ended up majoring in Astronomy, just took up a lot of Time and Space!!.... lol

Neil
 
Let me start off by saying I was totally happy with the snakes I recieved from Chris last April when I ordered them in Feb. I understand about the cold northern weather I live in Ohio so winters here are also brutal (not quite as bad as Canadian border but still), I also understand about Bob feeling of being more than a little put off because I felt the same with no emails keeping me updated, I was the one who had to email and wait 3-4 days for an email and when I would get one it would be along the lines of you have to wait your turn which again I understand but it is pretty bad practice to keep taking on more orders than you can fill in a timely fashion. And Brian if anyone is sounding "smart alecky" it would have to be you. But thats just my opinion. Like I said Bob you just have to suck it up and tough it out you will get the snakes and it will take some time and I can pretty much guarantee they will be ok.
Damian Macioce :firedevil
 
Let me say first that I have dealt with Robert D. England, Aka tejasranger.
He is a stand up guy 100%. I have never dealt with Chris at Top Shelf Exotics. But I have heard a lot of good things, I feel like he will take care of this. I will try to contact him as well VIA Reptile auctions, Administrator, I am sure he has a phone number. Robert also you need to have your full name in your signature, to keep from getting warning points.
 
I apologize for my illness, apparently things have been hectic for the guys but they are trying their very best. Please be patient.

PS. I am not up to communicating via a BOI thread at the moment so you will have to excuse me... this will be my only response to this post. I was alerted via email by a few members and figured some sort of acknowledgement was required and you guys summed most of it up in a nutshell for us. I thank you, you guys are great. I hope to be back around soon. Praises, complaints, questions, anything can be sent to [email protected] as this thread will not be monitored. The guys have better things to do, like ship orders! :)

Take care guys
 
I have been waiting on a purchase from TSE as well, which I made the first part of February. While I have had some concerns as far as being able to get any updates or information back from them, I have not been *too* concerned as I have made prior purchases that I was more than happy with. But it had also crossed my mind that perhaps I may not get the '05 paid for, but an '06 baby.

I have heard that Chris has been ill, and though I understand how this can create a "backlog" as such, it would be good customer service to at least inform those waiting on purchases what is going on, so folks aren't left wondering. We ALL know how often times people think the worst when they don't get answers to their questions, and I would hate to see a good reputation like Chris's hurt by something fairly easily rectified.
 
I think all of you who decided to come on here and throw in praise for Chris are a bit misguided. Chris is a nice guy, yes. From what it appears, in this case and in others that are documented in this thread, TSE has failed to ship in a timely manner and appears to be a bit out of sorts in his absence. I am sorry to hear he has been sick, but if TSE decided to continue taking orders and collecting money despite his illness, they better be ready to ship those snakes out. Weather is not an issue in mid April. Snakes can safely be shipped at this time. As Cat said, it would be nice to see a little communication from them. It is also unfortunate that Chris decided not to address a legitimate BOI thread when he obviously understands the importance of this forum for his reputation and has been a long time contributor. I hope this works out well for Robert and for everyone experiencing issues and I hope Chris feels better soon!
 
I was under the impression that Chris was no longer directly involved in the BP side of the business.

I distinctly recall an individual asking about animals (in chat) during a sale and him indicating that he should speak with 2 other individuals because they were handling the BP side of the business. I don't know their relationship to the business, although I had the impression that they were his partners.
 
Meet Your Commitments, Chris

Chris@TSE said:
I apologize for my illness, apparently things have been hectic for the guys but they are trying their very best. Please be patient.

PS. I am not up to communicating via a BOI thread at the moment so you will have to excuse me... this will be my only response to this post. I was alerted via email by a few members and figured some sort of acknowledgement was required and you guys summed most of it up in a nutshell for us. I thank you, you guys are great. I hope to be back around soon. Praises, complaints, questions, anything can be sent to [email protected] as this thread will not be monitored. The guys have better things to do, like ship orders! :)

Take care guys
Click to expand...

Well that's just pitiful! Chris doesn't feel like communicating! That is old news baby, you haven't felt like communicating throughout this whole transaction. You certainly felt well enough to deposit everyones money. How can you ignore the FACT that you seem to have the inmates in charge of the asylum in your absence. "The Guys" are ruining you reputation, and if you fail to step in as the owner (read responsible party) then you deserve it. I cannot see the problem with picking up a phone (you have my number) getting someone (maybe your nurse or mommy) to dial it for you, and explain to me why you haven't shipped my snakes. What makes you feel that you have some special right to ignore your customers, and give them attitude. As I stated in the first line of this reply "That's just pitiful".

Bob England
 
As I said before, I cannot speak for Chris. I do know for a fact that Robert and Cathy are both great people to deal with. I do not understand this whole (Not Shipping thing). I sell all year, and regardless of the weather I ship in a timely manner. I have not had any DOAs yet. I think it is just bad business not to ship after a sale. If the package is put together right and the right heat packs are used, then weather is not a issue. JMHO.
BTW, before someone thinks, or says I don't sell much. I do all the time. I am one of the largest (Live animal) sellers on Reptile Auctions.
I do not hold orders, unless the customers request it, or planes are grounded.
 
tejasranger said:
(maybe your nurse or mommy)
Click to expand...

Bob, this is not appropriate.
I hope you receive your snakes soon, and you have every right to express that you are unhappy with the delay you have experienced in this deal. Making a record here by talking about your business experience with a particular vendor is exactly what this forum is for.
But this sort of demeaning and derogatory statement is neither businesslike nor fruitful.
 
lucille said:
Bob, this is not appropriate.
I hope you receive your snakes soon, and you have every right to express that you are unhappy with the delay you have experienced in this deal. Making a record here by talking about your business experience with a particular vendor is exactly what this forum is for.
But this sort of demeaning and derogatory statement is neither businesslike nor fruitful.
Click to expand...
Lucille,

My bad, just frustrated by the arrogance displayed by Chris, in his thinking that he somehow has a god given right to ignore his customers.
 
Simply put I am more concerned with becoming well than to listen to people blame me for transactions I had no part in. Lets make this very simple for you, you probably know more about what is going on than I do. I currently spend between 18 and 20 hours a day in bed. I rarely am up to checking correspondence, and my reputation at this poitn is of little concern as I am uncertain if I will even be returning at this point. If you have a problem with your transaction I suggest you take it up with Patrick and Glenn whom you have been dealing with all along. I am sorry you have encountered delay but I am sure they have plenty on their plates and they are doing the best that they can. From what I have seen some waiting much longer than you who have been very patient, god bless them. I can certainly understand why you may be encountering problems corresponding, if I had received any emails from you similar in attitude to what you have posted here I would not be "jumping" to reply either. Try losing the attitidue perhaps, you catch more flies with honesy or something like that... =]

Hope you are pleased when you receive your animals and I do hope that everything works out with you guys, you can remove me from the equation thank you very much. I have absolutely no place in this matter any longer and have not for quite some time. Have a good easter. I can be reached at [email protected]. I do apologize if it takes me a while to respond. I do not exactly check it every day.
 
varnyard said:
I do not understand this whole (Not Shipping thing). I sell all year, and regardless of the weather I ship in a timely manner. I have not had any DOAs yet. I think it is just bad business not to ship after a sale. If the package is put together right and the right heat packs are used, then weather is not a issue. JMHO.
BTW, before someone thinks, or says I don't sell much. I do all the time. I am one of the largest (Live animal) sellers on Reptile Auctions.
I do not hold orders, unless the customers request it, or planes are grounded.
Click to expand...
There're are extremes on both ends. I can understand based on Chris's location. On the opposite end, if you ship in or out of to AZ during parts of the year your asking for trouble as well. Not worth the risks to the animal in my opinion. As long as it is stated that the weather isn’t optimal at the time of purchase, nothing wrong with a delay of this nature.
 
tejasranger said:
Lucille,

My bad, just frustrated by the arrogance displayed by Chris, in his thinking that he somehow has a god given right to ignore his customers.
Click to expand...

No. I have more important things to worry about honestly. Not to be rude sir but in all technical terms you are not my customer. I removed myself from operations back in late October. As of this moment I have no intentions of involving myself in operations until my health improves. My health is my first and only concern at the moment as it should be. When I improve I will decide how to involve myself in the business again, if at all. I cannot concern myself with such things now. I should not have even replied to this post in the first place but I thought I should at the very least address it since people seem to love to toss my name around in matters that did not directly involve me. Granted they have run into hard times in my absence but even if I were around I do not think I could have done much better anticipating the crummy weather we were hit with this season. It was quite unfortunate. Again, please be patient. They are doing their best. Hope you enjoy your snakes and the holiday. Take care.
 
Chris@TSE said:
Simply put I am more concerned with becoming well than to listen to people blame me for transactions I had no part in. .
Click to expand...

This is a valuable post. I think people may buy from Top Shelf based on reputation, if Chris is no longer part of the transaction, the reputation of Top Shelf will change based on the service of the people who now run it. So actually, this thread may establish what to expect from those who now actually do the transactions.

Business aside I think I speak for everyone in wishing Chris a safe a speedy recovery to his illness.
 
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