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Vivaria/Christian Smith bad guy

G

GaiasPriestess

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I was really interested in this pair of ball pythons that Christian Smith had in the kingsnake classifieds. So I wrote him and email asking about them, and he wrote me back a couple days later. I then wrote him a second email with more questions, and he didn't write back for a week. When he did write back, he said that they had been sold. It just makes me mad, because I know that if I had someone interested in one of my snakes, I wouldn't go sell it to someone else unless they definitely couldn't get it... and I told him I was most likely going to get them!! Sorry, he just rubbed me the wrong way. Just a heads up.
 
I understand that you're dissapointed but I'm not sure this makes him a bad guy. Keep in mind that a lot of people have been out of town for the holidays this past week and may not have been able to immediately answer an email. If you were still thinking about it and someone else was ready to send money you can't really blame the guy. I guess it would have been nice for him to get back to you and tell you he had someone who was ready to buy if you hadn't made a decision yet but I don't feel like he was obligated to do this.

Sorry you missed out on some snakes you were interested in but sometimes you have to act fast when you see something you're really interested in. There are just as many buyers who would have told him they were interested and then bought from someone else without letting him know.
Chris Raden
 
Heather,

I can understand your frustration, but keep in mind that someone may have sent money to pay for the snakes between your first and second email. Also, there is a possibility that there was a delay in his receipt of your emails. I doubt that would account for a week's time, but it could have delayed it enough that he had another buyer before receiving it.

On another note, I've had people tell me that they're "definitely" buying something, and they've sent a deposit, and so on and on and on for a month and never seen anything come through. Many sellers have gotten burned out on buyers that continually lead them on and don't follow up, and have taken a "first $$ in my hand takes the animal" stance. While many sellers will try their best to work with someone interested in their animals, it's understandable how some sellers have decided to not extend that courtesy.

I'll agree that making someone wait more than 24 hours for a reply is generally bad business, but I don't think that is justification for writing him off for all time.

I hope you give Vivaria/Christian Smith another chance before deciding he's a bad guy.
 
not sure

Not too sure why you put his name on here and gave him a thumbs down....you emailed him, and he replied, then you emailed him with more questions and in that time he sold them...you didnt give him a deposit to hold them did you?? if you ask me, its unfortunate that you were the one to be able to purchase them (sounds like you were all set to get them), but if you didnt lay any cash down, i dont see how you could be upset...let alone post his name in a negative light....doesnt seem like he tried to mess with you or screw you around....so why the negative thread??
 
Heather,

You probably feel bad about the whole deal but I don't think you can blame him for having sold the pythons. You said you had exchanged e-mails a couple of times and told him you "most likely were going to get them". That was not a definite yes, and if someone else sent the money in the meantime I don't see why you think he wronged you. There are several posts by herp dealers in this site that have clearly stated that unless the snake is paid for it is still for sale.

Best regards.
 
I'm just very frustrated, and I've never ordered a snake on the internet. I was going to ask him how to put down a deposit as soon as he emailed me back, because his site contains no info on that. I just think it was a really bad situation. Notice that in my original post I did not post any opinions (except in my title, but I thought that's what you are supposed to do), and I also did not say I would never do business with him. Just thought I'd give a heads up to anyone looking to buy from him since no one has posted about him yet.
 
Heather,

Welcome to the BOI. Normally a "bad guy" label is reserved for those that have stolen, misrepresented etc on a level greater than what happened here.

This time of year communication can be hard because people are away from their computers (traveling) and schedules are hectic. It bites that things didn't work out for you but sometimes that's just the way things work. I've sold animals online in a number of hours, so sometimes you'll miss those golden opportunities if you don't commit. It's best to miss an opportunity or two though instead of being burned by jumping too quickly.
 
I'm sure although this is the most ridicules post in a long 2 days 2 people come to mind who would defend it somehow someway. "Most likely going to get them" means nothing in business.
Your post says it all. Calling someone a bad guy for selling snakes that were never promised to you. That's a joke in itself.. He took a week to get back to you? So what.. Move on if he response time is not what you like. label a person bad because you are mad is pitiful at best. He's probably glad he didn't deal with you
as you more than likely to be a big headache.. "Give people a heads up?" About what? That buyers can cry about idiotic things and call them bad at a whim because they didn't get the reptiles they want... Maybe you should spend some time reading real bad guy posts here and see how idiotic your post sounds..
 
Joel, it sounds to me like someone else here had a bad day and decided to take it out on the forum. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't respond to any more of my posts if you're going to be so negative. I appreciate contructive criticism... that was FAR from constructive. Have a great life trying to make yourself feel more superior than everyone around you. Good day.
 
Hmmmmm

I would have to agree with the others that think this issue is in no way grounds for a "bad guy" post. If I posted a bad guy thread everytime an animal was sold out from under me, I would be the bad guy post champ. This happens every day to people and in no way is Christian Smith a bad guy for not waiting for you to decide or not redponding in a manner that pleased you.
 
2 people come to mind who would defend it somehow someway
Click to expand...
Joel, the thread you are talking about....The guy was proven to be a liar....so let it go.

heather,
I am sure you already get the point.
Just reserve the Bad guy comments for the truly bad guys.
1. cheats
2. liars
3. misrepresenters
4. Thiefs

you get the point.
 
No Heather my day was fine Apparently you were the one having issues. I was as harsh as i was because now this thread is here about a guy who did nothing wrong but someone else may see it and not deal with him for the bad guy post you left. I will reply to anything here i feel like unless you have the ability to delete my response :).. I guess he should come post a bad thread about you for having the nerve to ask alot of questions. The main reason i was mean spirited? So maybe the next time things don't go your way you don't ruin someones name. Funny how you can't apologize for your comments. You want constructive criticism, apoligize to the guy whos name your messing up and let him know what you did so he can repsond if he chooses. Consturctive enough?
I hope she get's it darksidehorse could be you next....
 
I do agree with Joel.
The guy deserves an apology.
He also deserves a link to this thread e-mailed to him.

I know if I am replying "badly" to a "bad guy" thread....90% of the time I e-mail the "bad guy" with a link.
If I am the one starting a "bad guy" thread. 100% of the time I e-mail the guy with a link.
It is only fair.
 
Heather


I agree that some of the responses have been a bit harsh but I think you get the basis of everyone's problem with your post. When selling on the internet, your reputation is everything. Those of us who do it successfully place customer service above pretty much all else. A post like yours, especially with the words "bad guy" in the header, can do irreperable harm to someones reputation. The main issue is that the seller hasn't actually done anything wrong at all. Your post should really have been in the General Discussion Forum without names if all you wanted was an opinion as to whether this particular seller's actions were acceptable business practice. I agree with the rest of the posters who have suggested an apology is in order to the seller.
 
Heather,

The problem is not one that is uncommon in the internet sales of herps. However, as a buyer, it is one with which you will have to deal until a better system comes along, I'm afraid. The fact is that too many people try to window shop by telling every seller they can find, "Oh, I REALLY want that animal! Please hold it for me!" Then, after they have the market to themselves, they either a) blow it all off completely and nver buy anything at all, b) take these own sweet time trying to decide which shade of brown they REALLY like, or c) try to jimmy the price downward a bit in a reverse bidding war scenario. All the while, other buyers are going by on the internet, and the sellers are left holding snakes that could have otherwise been sold.

Many of us have decided that this is NOT the way we want to do business. Many of us have decided that a snake we have for sale is not sold until we have money in our hands. Perhaps that is not the way that others do business, and it is possible that will cost some of us potential sales. However, in my never-to-be-humble opinion, it is the only way to be fair to all buyers competing for a specific animal while still allowing me the opportunity to sell my animals without hinderance.

As to your post itself, I would agree that attaching a "bad guy" label to this individual is over the top. However, I think that this was due in large part to your being unfamiliar with the BOI and how its specific terms and practices are used. Regretable, but understandable. Perhaps an appology for the "bad guy" label would be in order?

The GOOD news is, there are plenty of snakes to be had. You may or may not want to deal with Christian again, but if not, you have LOTS of options! Either way, I see no reason to label him a bad guy.
 
Agree With Joel

It seems the original post was to give us a "heads up" on a bad seller. It seems to me to have back fired. Obviously the person who started this thread has no clue as to how to conduct reptile related internet business. If you want an animal, you must give the seller a firm commitment, not ask question after question. By all means, ask questions before a sale, but do not fault the seller for SELLING an animal before you made up your mind. Come on, this is not a bad guy post, it is a window shopper mad because they did not make up their mind in time. As far as not getting back to you, once the sale is made, the seller may have been waiting on the money to come in, and if it did not show, may then have emailed you back that the animal is still available.

David Reid
 
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