• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    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

    =====================
    Posted 08/15/2025
    =====================


    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.....

    =====================
    Addendum: 01/10/2026
    =====================


    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)

Ian S. said:
Then Rich states that he can't just simply remove the guys good guy certificate after multiple cases, factually proven on this very thread. I know that this is determined by us the members and has been currently resolved. Shouldn't there be a "quick quo pro" so to speak that pertains to the level of severity?? How do we know who else to watch for now. The moderators of fauna should be the first ones to be able to simply and collectively as moderators vote to remove good guy certificates at this heightened level of dishonesty and deceit.
-Ian S.-
Click to expand...

Nope. The system was not designed to work that way, and as far as I am concerned, it never will. I have stated from the very first when I set up the Board of Inquiry that I am NOT going to be a judge in these matters. That intent has never wavered. The BOI Good Guy Certification program operates under the same stipulation. The rules for participating within it are plainly stated and will be enforced exactly as stated. Myself and the moderators are not going to TELL you who you should treat as Good Guys or Bad Guys. You all need to figure that out for yourselves. All I have done is enabled you to be able to do that here.
 
The BoidSmith said:
One other question that pops into my mind. Did anyone ever hear Chris post a good guy comment about anyone on this site? The more I think about it the more weird it sounds. He never bought a thing from no one mentioned in this forum? Nothing good to say about no one?
Click to expand...


All you have to do is look at his trader rating. Then look at the feedback he left for others. You can also look at what he was buying from members and then compare it to what he is selling to members of Fauna. I didn't notice any BP breeders selling to him though.
 
serpentsden said:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Payment Received (ID #1J4105842C923064A)




Business Name:
Top Shelf Exotics
Email:
[email protected]
Payment Sent to:

[email protected]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shipping Address:

Top Shelf Exotics
812 French RD #6
Cheektowaga, NY 14227
United States
Confirmed
Click to expand...

Well, There is the ex-girlfriend's address used in conjunction with his business name.
 
Originally Posted by Ian S.
Then Rich states that he can't just simply remove the guys good guy certificate after multiple cases, factually proven on this very thread. I know that this is determined by us the members and has been currently resolved. Shouldn't there be a "quick quo pro" so to speak that pertains to the level of severity?? How do we know who else to watch for now. The moderators of fauna should be the first ones to be able to simply and collectively as moderators vote to remove good guy certificates at this heightened level of dishonesty and deceit.
-Ian S.-

I would rather see it and have others see his GGC marked as "REVOKED", by the majority vote of the members of Fauna, then have it simple be gone.
 
This is terrible

I have spent the last several hours reading this thread, and feel horrible. After checking TSE's rating on the BOI and being favorably impressed with the email responses to my inquiries, I purchased their last pair of het for clown ball pythons in January. When I didn't receive direct confirmation of my purchase from them, and the pair remained for sale on the website, I became concerned. Nevertheless, I chose to think the best of TSE. When all correspondence dried up a few weeks ago, I contacted my cc company and emailed TSE with an order cancellation. Now I read this. I'd felt bad about giving up on them, but now I wonder if I waited too long. Well, here's hoping for the best....
Maki Goskowicz
 
Maki, thanks for coming forward...and welcome to our sad club.

I do remember when Chris had the fire, but I'm positive it was well before the first problem with non-shipment happened. He had advertised for sale a couple of very high-end Ball Pythons afterwards to "help cover his losses" or something along those lines. I don't remember exactly what the animals he offered were though.

It also surprises me that apparently some folks were still getting communication via email from TSE, albeit to eventually tell them that they were "moved to the bottom of the pile"....while others of us were left completely high and dry.

There were a couple of other things I wanted to comment on here, but after reading through the last 15 pages or so since my last view, they seem to have vanished from my mind. :ack2:
 
You know......I've been sitting here thinking about everything in this thread, and I did remember one thing. I don't know that I still have the email, I doubt that I do....but I specifically remember several moths ago, someone was selling a couple of hets on ReptileAuctions that were said to have come from TSE, and that Chris would verify that fact. I DID email Chris at that time, and he did verify that they came from him, he knew who was selling them, and that he did guarantee they were hets.

Now y'all know that my goal here is not to stick up for Chris and ANY of his current actions, but in remembering this, it DID give me some hope as to him standing behind them as hets if we sell them, if and when we find out that the snakes he has sold in the past are indeed what he said they are. If that makes any sense, lol.

In other words.....I'm doing my best to find an itty bitty silver lining in a big ol thunderhead.
 
Chris verified

Cat_72 said:
I DID email Chris at that time, and he did verify that they came from him, he knew who was selling them, and that he did guarantee they were hets.
Click to expand...

Cat,
I too would like to think that there was a shred of hope Chris will make good on his promises. But after all these posts, all these stories, there is no way that I can believe anything he says, verifies, or guarantees. The only time I have believed him was when he said "My only concern is me". I sent my 16th demand for refund this morning. The reply was the same as the other 15, none. I did however get a cc of a letter the New York State Consumer Protection Board sent to Chris & TSE. I would expect to hear from the FBI, NY State, and Federal Revenue authorities, sometime very soon.
 
On another subject, Yesterday I had the strangest experience. On Thursday I emailed Bob Clark about purchasing an Albino Burm. from him, He said he would ship for Friday delivery. And here is the weird part, Yesterday the doorbell rang and there was my snake, just as promised. 100% healthy, no sores, no parasites. A perfect snake delivered on time. so you see Chris it can be done. All it takes is intergity, and meeting you comminments. Bob Clark is numero uno in my book.
 
tejasranger said:
On another subject, Yesterday I had the strangest experience. On Thursday I emailed Bob Clark about purchasing an Albino Burm. from him, He said he would ship for Friday delivery. And here is the weird part, Yesterday the doorbell rang and there was my snake, just as promised. 100% healthy, no sores, no parasites. A perfect snake delivered on time. so you see Chris it can be done. All it takes is intergity, and meeting you comminments. Bob Clark is numero uno in my book.
Click to expand...

I don't think anyone would ever confuse Bob Clark with TSE. :)
 
tax evasion that relates to herps specifically

can be a very serious crimeor civil matter. People who may not realize that opening up a simple little reptile business, getting paypal to handle your credit card sales, and advertising leaves a wide chasm, that can guarantee you some big time trouble civilly or criminally depending on whether you intended to defraud or you were just plain ignorant, but in both cases, the fines and intrusiveness into your personal life and banking life can be a nightmare.

If this avenue continues and the amount of complaints to the tax authorities increase, between that and any fraud charges that may be levied against Chris/TSE then he is in for some big time trouble.

Ive stated on many occasions to always limit your liability, and the easiest way is to incorporate. You become an employee of the corp. and your not personally resposible for liabilities other than taxes and possibly charge card obligations. But you can sleep better knowing that you are afforded some protection and it adds tremendously to your legitmacy.

It also makes a big difference when you are inc. which will enable you to get your own terminal for accepting credit cards as well as using paypal if you decide to do so. Terminals are only given out after a credit check on the owners, and proof that the business is legit. The corp handles that easily and the bank is more than happy to set up a business account. That the right way to get into this business. Otherwise, if anything goes wrong as in the case of Chris, you become personally responsible, and the tax agencies can go back several years to build up a very nice case of fraud.

I dont relish the idea of being sought after by the federal and state tax agencies. Their collection powers are enormous, and they can tap into not only your account but anyone else whom they feel is receiving the benefit of your illegal business. If Chris was sick when we started this thread, this will make him real sick for year to come.
 
Ive stated on many occasions to always limit your liability, and the easiest way is to incorporate. You become an employee of the corp. and your not personally resposible for liabilities other than taxes and possibly charge card obligations. But you can sleep better knowing that you are afforded some protection and it adds tremendously to your legitmacy.
Click to expand...

Jerry,

You are absolutely right. The only problem would be that if Chris would have taken that venue, and in your own words he “would be sleeping better” right now. There would be no way for any of the people that have been wronged to recover a dime as Chris would’ve been TSE’s employee. Had he become an Inc. to start with and then did what he has done now it would’ve been premeditated, and there’s nothing anyone could do about it right now. Let’s assume for a second that Chris started his “company” with all the “naiveté” of becoming one of the best in the reptile business. He might have thought that there was no need for such a “protection” (Inc.) as he had a well thought out, and legal, business plan. He was highly confident (yes, maybe arrogant) in his abilities as a businessman. Then something happen down the road (let’s believe the big “accident” mentioned in that conversation) that left him in dire straits. He had then two choices, either tell the truth, which IMO he should’ve done (and suffer the consequences) or turn to the “dark side”, and continue to receive funds to “maybe” pay for debts to which he had already committed himself (either personal or business). Yes, mere speculation but had he started as an Inc. he would now be sleeping with peace of mind, and all who bought from him would not.

Regards
 
Hm......so basically, if such is the case, since he's been "reported", it's going to now be that much more impossible to get any money he owes the rest of us, I would assume.
 
Cathy,

That's what Jerry was referring to as being "protected" by an Inc. but as far as I know TSE is not one. As it stands right now the people that have not received their animals are going after Chris and not TSE.

Regards
 
I understand that (I think)......but one would assume if the government steps in to collect back taxes and such, they are going to get their money before any of us will. And if there is any money to be gotten, there sure as heck probably won't by the time it comes to our turn to get paid.
 
The BoidSmith said:
As it stands right now the people that have not received their animals are going after Chris and not TSE.
Click to expand...
Good!
Call me vindictive, but IF there was wrong-doing of the magnitude that appears possible in this case, then I'm glad he didn't start an LLC, or incorporate in any manner.
IF I never get a Pied out of the pair, and/or the alleged scams are proven in a court of law, I'll personally be quite comfortable knowing that no creditor in their right mind will EVER give him a dime, and the rest of his life will be haunted by the IRS. IMO, that's even getting off light.
 
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