Info Truth Behind Carolina Reptiles/ NCREPTILES

[Roundhouse Reptiles]

I thought I should bring some things to light for those that have purchased or plan to purchase from Carolina Reptiles (formerly NCREPTILES?).

First of all after living with the owner (William or Billy as you guys may know him) for several years as his wife, I have decided to leave him due to constant domestic issues that have affected me and my children. My oldest already left the home due to the stress. I feel I am obligated to notify any potential customers of the truth behind the business mask as I have seen it first hand for now a miserable 3 years. As I unveil the truth, I only intend to warn the potential customers of the poor aspects of their purchases and what they can expect. I have no intentions of hurting Carolina Reptile's Business, only obligated as a member of Fauna to share the truth and contribute my experiences and observations as a wife and business partner to William with the Fauna community.

I can say that William has extensive knowledge in the herp field. He is very educated in his reptile aspects and has contributed that much to the community. However, his punctuation and desire to be motivated and withhold the daily responsibilities of the reptiles in his care has been shameful. He lost his partnership with his business partner for the second time due to that very reason. His former business partner gave him the boot. Thus, resulting in him being in a solo proprietorship.

He does not maintain adequate water levels for bearded dragons or the main selections of reptiles he has available. He rarely cleans their cages (unless a customer is coming to buy something with an APPOINTMENT) that is why he runs his "business" by appointment only. He spends 99 percent of his time in front of the computer either advertising or combing Fauna or Craigslist. He has left his 18 month old son unattended for several hours in the living room while doing so. Our son has had several diaper rashes that required steroid creams. I have on several occasions had to physically remove bearded dragons from his care that were near death, missing limbs (still bleeding or infected and crusted over) and nurse them back to health. We lost several last year (*more than half our inventory), mainly because he refused to medically worm them. Before he started the new diet he has the dragons on now, he would go days without providing greens to them. Why? He did not have the money to buy the greens, or did not feel like going to the store.

The dragons only get soaked once every few months.
And that was when I had enough and had to yet intervene and set my children and household chores aside and do his job for him.

By the way, if CERTAIN customers call he will not answer it. He will walk around the house cussing, ranting, and raving that CERTAIN customers irritate him. If a specific person calls that he does not like for certain reasons,(someone who talks to much, asks too many questions, etc.) he yells at me not to answer it. If a customer purchased something, and they call he seldom deals with them. ( as he calls it)Then it sets him into a rage, resulting in domestic issues. And I am sure many of you have tried to call between 8 am - 11 am. Did not get an answer? He was sleeping.....

We had a chicken coop in our backyard that at one time had chickens. Now it is a graveyard for rotting snakes. He has lost more than half his inventory due to laziness. Oh yea, he likes to buy reptiles off our local Craigslist, or take in unwanted reptiles and then resells them without treating them for worms or mites.

He also has four dogs. This is sad. He keeps 2 female adult pits in a medium sized wire cage in the shop/porch.

He gets up at around 11 am. Can you imagine the stench from poop and pee from 2 adult dogs that have waited from around 8 pm when he closes them up until 11 am the next day?
This is why appointments are important!

I can go on forever, but just wanted to share who you are really dealing with. I am sure many of you have had successful dealings with him. But if not, know you know why.

 

[MikeCurtin]

What have you done to make any attempt to remedy this situation? This has been going on for 3 years and now you bring it to someone's attention? Something doesn't seem right here. I'm not trying to attack, but have seen too many screwed up posters on the BOI to take this one at face value.

 

[Roundhouse Reptiles]

What have I done in 3 years?

I was basically held captive emotionally, and controlled. Like with domestic violence I am going to speak out while I live in the home with him?

 

[Keleida]

I'm not going to comment on Carolina Reptiles since I haven't read much about them, and will be doing so tomorrow at a more reasonable hour. However... if you're so concerned about the animal's welfare, why aren't you reporting this to the proper authorities? I know for a fact that if he's keeping two dogs in solely wire cages (you didn't state that they were let out, so I'm left to assume they're kept in there indefinitely), an agent from a human society would have to look into it at the very least.

Maybe I'm just shooting for the stars in this scenario, but oh well. I at least mentioned it.

Also.. I know this is a touchy subject, but ..

To me, if a man hits a woman, there is no excuse. For either of them. No man (or woman for that matter) has the right to inflict pain on their spouse/partner. No spouse/partner should allow it to happen. I know when you're in the situation it's tough. I have to deal with people who are in these scenarios on a constant basis, but never have they used it as an excuse to allow more abuse to occur. I'm happy you're getting yourself out of that situation, but you should have done it much earlier, instead of enduring three years of domestic violence.

Maybe I'm a little harsh in thinking that if you aren't willing to help yourself, I won't pity you. You are helping yourself. However, allowing more abuse is appalling. Instead of coming here, I'm thinking you should have taken ALL necessary steps towards a solution. I'm basing this solely on what information you have provided.

 

[binary71]

only thing i can say is i grew up with my dad who beat my mother for 12 years and she wouldn't say a thing to anyone. Most victims don't say anything about the abuse much less some mistreated animals. Thats all i will say as i know nothing of the business but i do understand domestic violence first hand. I lived it for 12 years until she could get up the courage to leave.

 

[Keleida]

I'm not going to argue about that point. It just strikes me as odd that a person feels like they can't do anything to help themselves in a situation as that. What what also strikes me as odd is that she's coming here of all places. As captnemo said, something doesn't seem right to me. Maybe it's my fever, but why after coming out of three years of domestic issues do you suddenly come here, and not the police/humane society/who ever? If she's done that, then my mistake and I'll apologize. We haven't been made aware of that, or anything else though.

 

[MikeCurtin]

Jan-

Just got your message, and I can understand where you're coming from and why it's not always easy to take that first step in leaving. I'll not get any further into the could of, should of's. Now that you're out, though, may I suggest contacting all of the proper authorities and posting any proof of your accusations here. Unfortunately, without it you're just another jaded ex-wife. Good luck.

 

[zipzagger]

I am sure there are lots of people on here who have plenty of things that could be described or viewed as a wrong by someone else. This is merely dirty laundry and doesn't belong here, especially considering the fact you are an ex-wife. What did you do while all this was going on, i.e. the animal abuse? Did you ever help out with the reptiles?

Ben Onley

 

[Miss Tuniwha]

Just throwing this out there..

yes. this thread will be taken with much criticism due to the ex factor.

but, I am repeatedly reading "why now, what did you do then to help"

these are obviously people that have not dealt with abusive family members.. the majority (not all mind you) of abused (whether mentally or physically) simply can't stand up for themselves, let alone an animal.

think about it. Frequently in those situations, you aren't allowed your own voices.. So defending yourself or others would merely make your life far worse.

Just wanted to throw that out there..

 

[binary71]

these are obviously people that have not dealt with abusive family members.. the majority (not all mind you) of abused (whether mentally or physically) simply can't stand up for themselves, let alone an animal.

very well said.

 

[Carolina Reptiles]

Unfortunately my wife is now doing to me what she did to her two former husbands in their case she went to their employers with any lie she could come up with hoping to cost them their jobs. Now she is trying to ruin my reputation in the reptile world.

The break up of the business partnership she talks about was due to financial reasons and I left to go out on my own. My former business partner and I are still very good friends today.

All my animals are well taken care of well fed and kept clean. I see customers by appointment because this business is run from my home and neither of us wanted people just showing up anytime of the day or night not so that I can clean up before they come in. Many customers live close by and are there within a few minutes.

My son is not left untended. If im such a bad father why did she just leave him with me?The diaper rash was because of changing to a different brand of diapers. He had a reaction to them. And following the Dr. instructions going back to the old brand and using the cream the rash was gone in a couple of days.

I do at times not answer the phone if other things are going on at the time, but try to return the call as soon as I can. I dont screen the calls and choose who to answer. and yes I do sleep to 9 or 10 but I am usually up working until 11 or 12 or even later. How many customers have called at 11pm at night and Ive answered the phone or returned and email.

I do have an empty chicken coop but there is no rotting snakes. I have not lost half my inventory. My animals are well taken care of. I buy reptiles mostly from breeders but also buy from individuals. I wont buy or sale anything thats not healthy.

I do have 2- 8 month old pitt bulls in the shop they stay loose during the day either inside or in the yard. They are put in a large do kennel at night and if a customer is here. The rest of the time they stay loose. They are not closed in at 8pm they run loose until I go to bed.

The last time she did this she called animal control reporting abused animals. They found nothing wrong and have since be requesting my help when they have something involving a reptile.

I have saw a post on here about there being domestic violence. I have never touched her. Its embarrassing to say but there have been many police reports here where I was the one assaulted by her. The last being yesterday when I refused to press charges and have here arrested.

Im sorry that my home life has to be brought here. I hope that everyone sees this for what it is.

 

[Roundhouse Reptiles]

I will be posting pictures and other evidence today to support my case. What pictures I have left that he did not erase from my computer that is.

 

[MikeCurtin]

This is precisely why I asked for proof. Jan, unfortunately for you, William presents his case much more professionally and believably (at first glance anyway). Would both of you please post pictures, documents, or any other type of proof to back up your claims.

 

[ophidile]

Well I think it's a pretty cruddy thing to tell a domestic abuse victim "it's as much your fault for not leaving!" I also know that domestic abuse is split pretty evenly between men and women being the perp. (though women are more likely to be seriously injured from domestic violence)

Normally in this situation the last thing I would do is judge someone, unfortunately (in this case) that's part of this board's function; judging if claims are true or false. Not really knowing Jan or Carolina Reptiles there's no way I can say who's telling the truth! Jan, photos and other evidence would help. Carolina Reptiles, did the Animal Control folks or even the Police give you a report? Not that the domestic situation is directly relevant, but considering she was hinting you were the abusive one, well it would call her post into more question.

 

[mvite]

Just throwing this out there..

yes. this thread will be taken with much criticism due to the ex factor.

but, I am repeatedly reading "why now, what did you do then to help"

these are obviously people that have not dealt with abusive family members.. the majority (not all mind you) of abused (whether mentally or physically) simply can't stand up for themselves, let alone an animal.

think about it. Frequently in those situations, you aren't allowed your own voices.. So defending yourself or others would merely make your life far worse.

Just wanted to throw that out there..

I agree wholeheartedly. Abuse of any kind should be dealt with by the proper authorities.

I don't think we should have been called in to this situation---it's a bitter ex battle.

But now that the unhappy couple has asked us to get involved---Let's see some pics!

Also--I have some questions about your relationship.

1.) How many years have you been married?
2.) Has there been any loss of consortium? If so, is it because of deviant acts?
3.) Is the OP ugly?

Thank you-

 

[MikeCurtin]

Well I think it's a pretty cruddy thing to tell a domestic abuse victim "it's as much your fault for not leaving!"

ABSOLUTELY!!! At the same time, nothing on the BOI can be taken at face value, especially when it involves divorce, seperation, etc. If there was abuse, nail this guy to the wall! If she's making it up to be vindictive, nail her to it in his place!

 

[mvite]

At first glance---I'd take this lady with a grain of salt.

Wouldn't your first move after an abusive relationship be to contact the authorities? I certainly don't think that poking the beehive is going to help matters.

 

[72LT1]

After reading through this thread and based on the posts made, I have to side with Willliam. The OP is coming off as a bitter ex, and has posted no facts to back up her accusations.

 

[jayefbe]

After reading through this thread and based on the posts made, I have to side with Willliam. The OP is coming off as a bitter ex, and has posted no facts to back up her accusations.

I found the ex-wife's statements incredibly hard to believe even before William posted his own rebuttal. How does one lose over 1/2 their inventory of reptiles? I'm sure you all know how incredibly difficult it is to kill those things with neglect. I mean, remember those pictures of Big Daddy? I'm sure you've all heard those horror stories in which an animal was rescued from a situation in which it was living in a bare tank with 2 inches of feces, was fed twice a year and heated with a heat rock. If snakes can withstand that kind of abuse and make a significant recovery how can this guy be losing over half of his inventory? Short of IBD or another virulent infection, I just don't see it happening, in which case we'd be hearing the same story from his customers as well.

 

[Lucille]

I He has left his 18 month old son unattended for several hours in the living room

Just curious.

If you were there, why did you not attend to your son?
If you were not, how do you know about this?


As to the care the critters get, I'd like to hear from some of those who have bought from this seller. Are the critters fat and energetic, or listless and thin? It's hard to hide either good or bad care for long, eventually it shows up in one's stock.

I am mindful, and sympathetic, of the plight of those who are domestically abused of either gender. Should anyone ever seek relevant comments on a thread initiated elsewhere, I'd certainly add to the thread if I had anything that might be helpful.

However soft my heart is, I do not think a business forum is the venue for such discussions. It is the dirtiest of dirty laundry. But, I don't think it will get cleaner from being aired here.