Bad Guy VARNYARD...Mr.Bobby Hill

[Bobby Douglass]

In my opinion Mr. Hill is nothing more than a thief.

 

[Dracorex5]

I was looking around trying to find a good tegu breeder, as I'm interested in a young one. Someone directed me to Bobby Hill. I may not be over the sea, but I know better than to buy from a man like this! How unfair and childish this is! Our Irish friend just wants his money back! Is that so hard? I mean... if he is THE tegu man, and he IS as great as he says he is, he must have the money practically velcroed to his vest right? Take a couple of bills out of your pride-march piggy bank, please, and put it where it belongs! I'll go elsewhere, a lizard... no matter how beautiful, isnt worth handing yourself over to people who can't even follow the virtues they made for themselves. And until a full refund is made, if the name "Bobby Hill" is mentioned to me, the passer will know of this forum

 

[~Just Curious~]

So he takes $1350.00 and after a full year provides a $500.00 refund and thinks the matter is closed. I'd be notifying the FBI internet crimes division. What is the explanation for keeping th other $850.00?

Personally I find it fishy how he mentions how hard it is to ship internationally, yet never goes into details or complains about the $850 of work he supposedly did for nothing. He still never gave a breakdown of costs or any justification for that shipping price either and that shouldn't be hard to do. He could have given an explanation in the time he spent ranting about everyone being trolls, why wouldn't he if he had an honest one?

I always used to direct people who were interested in tegus in his direction.
You can bet I won't be doing that anymore, nobody should have to deal with this person.

I'm very sorry about how you were treated Simon, you deserve more of your funds back.

 

[ShortStack]

Sometimes people seem to think that word of mouth is out of date, but I think it's still as influential as it ever was, and it looks like many of you do, too. I hope that anyone who's read this and realized how Bobby is in the wrong will remember it when someone is looking for a tegu. Don't recommend Bobby to anyone and he will start to feel the consequences of his actions. Sure some people will still take the chance and buy from him, but if enough of us let others know about this, it will start a chain reaction.

 

[Lucille]

Bobby may think that because he has a line of big fat lizards that he has no competition. But in looking around at various classifieds, I see that others are now selling offspring from their own big fat lizards tracing back to his, so he no longer has a corner on the fat lizard market.

Besides, as a practical matter, I think I would prefer to actually receive a more moderate size lizard from another vendor, than receive no lizard and lose a bunch of cash by ordering a big fat lizard from Bobby like the OP did. A lizard in the hand is worth two in the bush.

 

[Lucille]

It would be interesting to hear from US reptile dealers who have dealt with CITES paperwork, and to get their take on the costs and time frames associated with export.

 

[Fangthane]

It might also be interesting to hear how others have chosen to handle similar situations. If a buyer was lead to believe that it would take X amount of time, at what point would it be considered reasonable to ask for a refund and take their business elsewhere? What exactly constitutes the initial breaking of their contract: The demand for a refund or Bobby's inability to fulfill his own contractual obligations and the subsequent breakdown in communication which ultimately lead to the request for a refund?

It's easy for us all to say what we would do, but I suspect that Bobby's actions would appear even more shameful when compared to examples of how his peers have reacted to comparable circumstances. Obviously, Bobby's buried his head in the sand and is standing firm on his imaginary principle, but it might benefit anyone considering a future purchase from him to see just how poorly his choices look, when compared to an exporter who doesn't to gouge a buyer for $850 over an animal that they were unable to deliver.

 

[Ameivaboy]

It might also be interesting to hear how others have chosen to handle similar situations. If a buyer was lead to believe that it would take X amount of time, at what point would it be considered reasonable to ask for a refund and take their business elsewhere?

Here's a story that happened not too long ago.

Had some savannah monitors (CITES) I was going to re-export which normally take 5-14 days - however USFW didnt get the CITES done until about 25 days - at which point my customer told me he no longer needed the animals.

All he was charged for was the CITES application - nothing else. As it should be. Then the moniters were sold to someone else.

If Bobby has paid an exporter to handle the deal - what he needs to do is refund his customer - and work out with the exporter the rest of the monies - because that is not his customers problem - it is Bobbys since he chose whatever exporter he did.

This is a really stupid situation that has some really easy ways of being resolved.

 

[WebSlave]

I don't normally like to post URLs to external sites here, but I was doing some scanning of Google to see how high this thread was hitting from the search engines (to refute Bobby's apparent claims that us "grubby little brainless trolls" can't affect him with our worthless and futile opinions) and came across a URL obviously from someone who must have had a severe issue with Bobby Hill in the past.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58742296@N05/5389118948/

So apparently this is not an isolated incident that started this thread. SOMEBODY apparently was not happy with Mr. Bobby Hill when they posted those photos.

Oh yeah, doing a Google search of "Bobby Hill - Varnyard" and there are SEVERAL links to this thread right on the first page....

Those Google arachnids are GOOD.....

 

[Ameivaboy]

came across a URL obviously from someone who must have had a severe issue with Bobby Hill in the past.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58742296@N05/5389118948/

So apparently this is not an isolated incident that started this thread. SOMEBODY apparently was not happy with Mr. Bobby Hill when they posted those photos.

Oh yeah, doing a Google search of "Bobby Hill - Varnyard" and there are SEVERAL links to this thread right on the first page....

Those Google arachnids are GOOD.....

- those are the photos are was referencing a few pages back on this thread!!!

Remember the last time we spoke last year? I got a call randomly from someone asking if it was me that posted those images of your home/facility - and after I got off the phone with them I immediatley called you and let you know - because i knew you'd assume it was me as well.

What do I get from you? Nothing but a lot a $%^& talking from you.
I acted as an adult and called you about a dumbass situation I knew I would be blamed for and gave you a heads up so you could take the needed actions to protect your "image" ... you obviously could not reciprocate or appreciate what I had done.
- but you're still upset with me for whatever reason - I'm guessing you still beleive I am the culprit behind that even though I'm the one who called you and told you about it.

 

[St Pierre]

I'm gonna preface this by saying that I have really nothing positive to say about Bobby Hill. Although he and I have never met or even spoken a single word to each other he has taken many opportunities to bash me over the years. I tend to take these things with a grain of salt, however, so I consider his opinions a non-issue these days. His response in this thread is what I would expect from him.

With that said I just watched that video and its equally full of potential falsehoods and seems to be pure character assassination. First of all the insinuation that he does not have enough space to produce his claim of 500 Tegus is untrue. Technically one would only require 4 cages that are 8'x8' floor space each to produce 500. These cages would need to be optimized with cage furniture and have 1.3 animals in each. Large Chacoan B&W Tegus can lay upwards of 65 eggs. This is, however, an absolute best case scenario and would require the stars to align. Back when I worked with these tegus I had 63 adults and my best year was 514 babies.

This leads me to my second issue with the video. The claim that he does not breed these giant chaco tegus and instead imports them. I know that he is breeding them because I am nearly certain that his founding stock is my Chaco White Heads which were sold to several dealers when I began breaking up my collection from 2004-2006. I believe the exact animals (the best ones I had) went to Ben Siegel who then resold them. Although the names were changed these are the animals that they continue to import from Paraguay and are also collected from 2 seperate introduced colonies in Miami and Tampa respectively. The group that Ben Siegel purchased from me were very high white and aberrant examples of the Paraguayan Tegu. All Paraguayan Tegus reach the enormous sizes that Bobby Hill's attain.

 

[WebSlave]

Admittedly, I didn't find the context of those photos and video as nearly interesting as the possible motive and incentive the person must have had for going through the time and trouble to create them and post them.

 

[Ameivaboy]

This leads me to my second issue with the video. The claim that he does not breed these giant chaco tegus and instead imports them.

Since Bobby obviously cant handle an export deal - I dont think he'd be able to handle importing tegus either. So I dont think that statement in the pictures/video is true either.

However - I do know that he used to buy Tegus wholesale from Bert and resell them - though he had always told me that those all went to pet stores and would never go to his retail customers.. Maybe true, maybe not....

 

[wford84]

I defended bobby in this post on tegu talk but reading here how he responds to these threads I realize I was wrong to defend him. A quick Google search showed me anytime someone has a problem with the way he does things they get personally attacked. He is clearly not as good a person as I had though or hoped. Bobby, giving him back 500 is unethical and you know it. What he deserved is all his money back and an apology from you no matter who was responsible for the delay. You run a business and it is your obligation to be fair, honest, and polite to customers. The way you come off in these threads makes me wonder how you got this far. I realize I am nothing to you as we have never done business and I am just new to tegus. What I am is someone who can tell you anyone who has seen what I now have will never do business with you. I could never order one of your animals and have peace of mind. I was going to pre order two extremes from you in the near future and now have changed my mind because of the way you conduct yourself. This guy gave you well over a thousand dollars and you don't feel the need to defend your business and reputation with any proof whatsoever . He is owed proof, you gave him nothing for 850 dollars but excuses and harsh words. Everyone who says anything negative about you gets personally insulted and dismissed. The way you handled this situation is disgusting and although I would love to have a few of your animals I will never give you a cent. I can see now why so many people don't like you, you are a jerk. You are not a god because you breed tegus, and I don't respect you one bit. The fact you don't respond with anything but personal insults against everyone tells me you are not only a jerk but a liar. Defending your reputation by "feeding the trolls" is necessary at this point if you value your reputation. Give this guy his money back, he deserves more for dealing with your BS.

 

[Irish-SiMurphy]

First of all I would like to thank the vast majority of the people who responded here especially those who gave helpful information about the fee's that apply and charges incurred.

I was refunded the sum of $500 after a years wait and my initial payment to Mr.Hill being $1350.

I am not pursuing this any further as to be honest I do not want any further dealings with Mr.Hill
This situation could have been completely avoided if Mr.Hill could only have firstly been honest and secondly taken the time to communicate the issue in private.

It is apparent that Mr.Hill has little to no regard for his customers and indeed his own reputation.

I seen Mr.Hill's own post on another forum with a picture of the Tegu I was getting I find this very amusing indeed as there was still no end in sight but yet he was holding this one "special" tegu for transport to me in Ireland.

In my humble opinion this is the one of the worst examples of customer relations I have ever seen.

Mr Hill I hope the $850 you still owe me was worth it.. In my experience you only get one chance with your reputation......


Thanks to all who put their name to this. Very much appreciated
Simon

 

[glk832]

I defended bobby in this post on tegu talk but reading here how he responds to these threads I realize I was wrong to defend him. A quick Google search showed me anytime someone has a problem with the way he does things they get personally attacked. He is clearly not as good a person as I had though or hoped. Bobby, giving him back 500 is unethical and you know it. What he deserved is all his money back and an apology from you no matter who was responsible for the delay. You run a business and it is your obligation to be fair, honest, and polite to customers. The way you come off in these threads makes me wonder how you got this far. I realize I am nothing to you as we have never done business and I am just new to tegus. What I am is someone who can tell you anyone who has seen what I now have will never do business with you. I could never order one of your animals and have peace of mind. I was going to pre order two extremes from you in the near future and now have changed my mind because of the way you conduct yourself. This guy gave you well over a thousand dollars and you don't feel the need to defend your business and reputation with any proof whatsoever . He is owed proof, you gave him nothing for 850 dollars but excuses and harsh words. Everyone who says anything negative about you gets personally insulted and dismissed. The way you handled this situation is disgusting and although I would love to have a few of your animals I will never give you a cent. I can see now why so many people don't like you, you are a jerk. You are not a god because you breed tegus, and I don't respect you one bit. The fact you don't respond with anything but personal insults against everyone tells me you are not only a jerk but a liar. Defending your reputation by "feeding the trolls" is necessary at this point if you value your reputation. Give this guy his money back, he deserves more for dealing with your BS.

Another Customer lost for bobby hill.. Bad business 101..

 

[Focal]

Did Bobby change his location to "earth" in hopes that his account would be restricted or has it been like that for a while?

You are onto something!! As most have seen, the tactics used by Bobby are often used by scammers who post with the sole intention of being banned. They'll come on here, talk trash about the owner, various members and violate any rules they can so they are not awarded a chance to reply. Why? Because most of the time these bright indidviduals sink themselves and reveal details to their deception or they are aware of the people that will dig until they find the truth. This is why you will always see the response, "This will be my first and last post." What could these details be that would cause Bobby to run? I think you nailed that one too.

It almost seems like Bobby decided to keep the tegu because it was so nice, and just dragged Simon along until he gave up.

 

[beast77]

Bad Guy VARNYARD...Mr.Bobby Hill

I've know for a fact bobby got his chacoan of Ben Siegel as he told me him self over the phone,as ive bought off bobby and sold to bobby and use to talk to him pretty often on the phone a couple of years back.I myself think bobby stock is good,as far as him he's shady and a know it all and loves to bash other breader for no reason.I agree 100% what most of the people are saying.I wouldnt buy any tegus off him as i think he's a shady.

 

[EA7770]

He's super shady. He caused a huge rift in the tegu community back in the day. Talked trash about all the other breeders. And then proceeded to crown himself as "one of the biggest tegu breeders in the world". Well, considering that they can be farmed in large numbers, that's not any big feat. It's not like they're hard to breed. He claims that his tegus are "his" lines but they're really Ron's lines that Bobby just took credit for. His sole intention has been to try to become "famous". Well, looks like now he's going to be infamous instead. I do hope that he decides to do the right thing and give back the rest of your money though. Please keep us posted on any updates.
Ethan
Riverside Reptiles

 

[meowmeowkazoo]

Simon, I am sorry you had such a horrible experience. It speaks volumes that you are willing to give up $850 rather that continue dealing with this person. I hope it is some comfort to know how many people have (and will) read your story and avoid business with Bobby Hill entirely.