Xtreme Reptiles.com

[ms_terese]

We've purchased from Xtreme and never been disappointed. We've purchased both wholesale and individual animals. We've stayed on the captive born side of things, which certainly increases our chances of getting good animals, so I can't speak for the imported ones.

Sometimes you get what you pay for. Lower prices demand lower overhead, and I think that in this industry that means photos of animals would be one of the first cuts.

 

[Xtreme Reptiles]

Reason for our soon departure of retail

Some people just don't seem to understand the costs of doing business. They want filet mignon at Mc Donald's prices with servants wearing tuxedos. As of late this problem has seemed to get worse and worse. I`m not sure if its due to my level of tolerance or the fact that more people are getting on the Internet and into this hobby. As soon as we move to our new facility, we will be shutting down our retail website and only allowing already established customers to order off our list. Unless they are a verifiable pet shop, distributor or retailer. I no longer have the energy nor desire to put up with these types of foolish remarks, requests or badgering. If you want something and someone doesn't want to cater to your needs, take your business elsewhere. There is no need to demand them to do your bidding when they already told you that was not possible at the moment. That sounds to me like you feel entitled to me being your slave and servant. That is one thing I will not be for anyone. No matter how much money they throw in my face. Randy Mackey was given straight answers to his questions and emails.Since they were not the ones he wanted, he decided to come here and try to get me to change my mind. Well he has succeeded. It was the straw that broke the camel`s back. After over 12 years of selling to the public, we will change the direction of our business to its core of wholesale only. I`m sure that with our departure a new retailer will pop up in Miami. Coming here to hand pick and post pics individually of some animals we sell. So in essence we will still be able to get you the quality that I know you guys deserve. And with the attention you so desire. If you are reading this you are one of the first to know, even before my own staff, of what has transpired.


Sincerely,
Alfredo Veloso
Owner
Xtreme reptiles

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

Alfredo,

Im glad to see you take a stand on your side and I agree, I know that when I buy from you I will get lovely, healthy animals and that the price reflects the fact of no pics etc. It does not reflect the quality of the animal because everything I have gotten from you has been great!

Everyone else,

I have bought from Xtreme quite a few times this last spring and I plan to again this spring, I do 90% of my buying for the year Feb-April. I have never had a problem with anything I ordered from them, never had a DOA and don't expect to.

I even ordered a few items to be shipped direct to 2 customers as gifts and both times those animals were exceptional as described by the receiver.

I do not think that wth Xtreme the "you get what you pay for" is really true, I have always gotten very good prices that allowed me as a retailer to make my profit while receiving exceptional animals every time.

I think Xtreme offers a great service as I am able as a jobber and reseller to get a great animal at a very fair price and resell it retail and stay in business without having to breed everything I sell.

It has never bothered me that I received no pics, even with the smaller amount that I sell, it is hard to take a pic of even 100 animals in a week and make sure they are all good pics, showing the color and clarity needed to post the pic with the animal for sale, I could not even guess as to what it would take to get pics of 1000's of animals for sale at wholesale prices.

If you don't wnat to buy without pics and pay a higher price and buy with pics from someone who has the time and manpower to take the pics thats up to you. Cost is a big factor for ressllers and jobbers and I guess I don't care as much about pics as I do quality.

Just my 02 cents!

 

[WebSlave]

What does that have to do with what I asked . I just asked for photos of the animals something every other seller I've dealt with had no problem providing? Since you brought up a sale what would they do if the animals I bought sight unseen were not at all what I was looking for? are they going to return my money and pay shipping both ways. it's simple if they don't want to deal with the hobbiest then they shouldn't offer animals to them.

If they sent me photos of the animals and they were sold to someone else before I did anything then that's my tough luck. But without they don't get my business now or in the future simple as that.

Seems to be a lot of comments here stateing wow they are wonderful but did they send you pictures of what you were buying??? seems they used to .

Myself without at least pictures of the animals, I'm not buying and I bet I'm not the only one that feels that way. Yeah there are comments here about how happy some are doing business with them but there seems to be some unhappy campers as well. I don't want to be one of the unhappy! I guess I just want to do business with someone who can show me what they have and can give me what I'm looking for. But that's just my opinion as well as my money to spend where they want my business.

Randy Mackey

My reply has everything to do with what you asked. Which was:

What I's like to know is why they refuse to send you pictures of the animals they list? Myself I have a hard time sending someone a couple hundered bucks or more for something that may not be what I'm looking for. Was interested in some of their animals but without photos I'm not sending them any money.
Randy Mackey

You were implying a "bad guy" mark on a company that did not do something you opinioned that they should. I am suggesting that your perspective is not covering all of the possible reasons for how they choose to do their business. You are judging them by your yardstick alone, and although that is fair and acceptable, it is not reason to judge someone deficient as a business because of it. Some people are just unable to comprehend the total picture with the level of business of someone else and the number of animals involved in their day-to-day operations.

Unfortunately, I can relate more to Alfredo then I can do you, Randy. I produce around 6,000 baby corn snakes a year. ALL of them hatch out between mid July and early October. The workload at that time has to be experienced to be believed. And invariably, I will get emails along the lines of "I am interested in getting a Snow Corn (a $30 animal). Can you send me photos of the ones you have so I can pick out exactly the one I want?" Or "I'm not sure exactly what I want in a Corn Snake, but I know I want one. Can you send me a photo of each type you have available so I can pick the one I want out and order it? Are you firm on that $100 minimum order?" Or better yet, "Is there any place I can view photos of all of your babies? I really like to pick out exactly what I want, so I need to see photos of all of them so I can make my decisions."

I have gotten MANY emails and phone calls like this over the years. And it has gotten worse lately. I am sure Alfredo has too, as well as most other people in this business.

Taking photos takes time. Time that could be better utilized elsewhere when you are doing all you can to try to stay on top of just caring for the animals. If you try to put a business in the position of taking your small retail sale against filling and shipping a large wholesale order, guess who is going to win and who is going to lose? From Alfredo's comment here, now you have been an instigating influence to have him decide to just drop retails sales completely. So remember that choice you used to have of doing business with him or not? You don't have that any longer. If he happens to get in something that you would just DIE to get, guess what?

So, bearing in mind that if doing retail business with herps becomes a case of mandatory photos being provided for each individual animal being sold, I believe that many more businesses will either have to cut down the number of animals they are dealing with to comply, only deal in animals that it is profitable enough to provide such a service, or get out of the retail sales completely. Which means, that YOUR selection and availability may wind up being reduced accordingly. So be careful about what you wish for and ESPECIALLY what you demand.

 

[Alan Rojas]

****Hey Randy****

Sight unseen at $200.00 or $2,000.00 is all how you look at, hi risk or low risk to you! plus no pic's! Private party sellers usually have the time and can do the picture thing 24/7, that may be the way to go Randy! Idea, call the Xtreme people ask for the person who's going to take your order, a nice lady usually answers the phone, and ask questions, I don't know if you have done this but I have talked with them before and they are upfront about their animals and have been very nice. The times I have e-mailed them they return my e-mail rather quickly. Build a relationship with them, you might find them to be professional and easy to communicate with like many before you have. They want your buisness I'm sure all I'm saying is try talking to them and ask questions, can't hurt. I'm into monitors and other monitor people who have purchased from them say they are good people!! They e-mail a price list to me weekly and they have in stock thousands of reptiles, and other animals. I think pictures are cool but this would take days to do and do it correctly.
kingsnake.com has a plethora of pictures, have fun what ever you do, this stuff should be fun!.
Alan

 

[ChaosCat]

Ok, I'll chime in.

On one hand, I've bought from Xtreme before and been very pleased. Even though he could not take photos, they were just a pair of anery kenyans, which all pretty much look alike. Both were well represented and healthy.

On the other, I am one of those people who takes photos of each and every animal I have up for sale I feel that several people who have bought from me would not have bought from me if I had not had photos available. I know that when I am looking for something special, I go to the sites with photos first. I've had a few animals sold to me sight unseen that I have been disappointed in. None were sick, but they were not what I was told they were.

Now someone who hatches 6,000 snakes definitely does NOT have time to take photos of each individual one, as well as a wholesaler who has several thousand snakes in and out at any given time. I have over 120 snakes here, and they take up a lot of my time-I couldn't imagine a single person or a couple with 6,000!

Randy, there's a simple solution. If someone will not send you photos, and you are looking for something specific, then look elsewhere. Sometimes there could be a very good reason for no photos-and not everyone can afford a nice digital camera, either. This is also why the BOI is here, to check and see who else has done business with a person, in case that particular person cannot send you photos.

 

[Earl H. Turner]

Excellent Care and Maintance takes TIME !!!!

Excellent specimens from an large dealer means that someone has busted their ass to properly care for those animals. Alfredo and his workers are constantly working ( I am not talking about 8:00 to 5:00)....oftentimes late into the night. This is done out of respect for both their CHARGES AND THE CUSTOMER....excellent specimens and service is an exception among most importers....and then to back up your product with excellent shipping and after the sale help (if necessary)--yes, that is a true exception!! Try that at Strictly or other importers...see what happens---(buena suerte ) .Alfredo and his crew are the best and if he can't provide a photo at some given time, it is not because he isn't interested in you as a customer---it is simply because there are damn few 28 hrs. days--and unlike most collectors, he has a very diverse, large number of specimens from all parts of the world with many specific needs. Stress, parasites, abrasions, etc.,etc. have to be dealt with; and of course, lets not forget cleaning, feeding, paperwork, getting shipments ready--yes, a 28 hrs. day would be nice.....before you start bitching about a photo , take time to relate to the overall picture....reality is like experience----usually provides a damn good lesson. Here is lesson one: if 99% of the people say good things about a dealer--well, that is who you do business with.................you cannot ague with SUCCESS.............E.Turner

 

[aznfish919]

i have bought several monitors from xtremereptiles.com

all have come in good condtion and i would never hesistate to buy from them

 

[Ray Aristy]

I agree with both parties here:

1) I would not hand over a couple hundred or a couple thousand dollars to anyone without some form of representation of exactly what I am buying. If the seller is not willing under any circumstances to provide this, I simply do not buy. I would not write threatening emails or harassing phone calls to get what I wanted, but politely ask at their convenience to please send me a few snap shots to help me make my decision or provide peace of mind. If it takes a few hours or a few days, I'm ok with that. I understand completely the demands and time consumption of having a 9 to 5, family, pets, home business, and not to mention the day to day juggling & maintain of all of these to work seamlessly. Customers want to say jump and your in the air. "The customer is always right" is a very hard rule to live by 24/7 under all circumstances, I've had my share of trouble makers or those no matter how much you try and give, you will not please! But we have to remember our customers pay for our products and services! I believe the customer comes first, because first I am a customer as well as a private breeder. I try to be as accommodating as possible within reason. As a customer I don't need to hear "right away sir", but "you'll have it before the end of today or tomorrow morning" would suffice. If I am not pleased with the service or attention I am getting, I simply take my business elsewhere. Whether it is a $50.00 corn or a $10,000 bp. We as customers always have a choice!

2) I agree 100% with Alfredo, in that if you do not have the time or desire to deal with the demands of the buying public or that specific individual buying that single corn, king or boa. Then it is time you either employ someone to manage that side of the business to cater to those individuals or you shut the doors to those individuals. Alfredo as owner has chosen to shut the doors, he has that right! Does this make him a Bad Guy? Absolutely NOT!! Does this mean he has poor customer service? Absolutely not!! I can only imagine having a couple thousand animals under my care, I don’t think there is enough time in the day. But this is that time where you need to decide whether to increase staff, increase prices, lower stock, change direction, etc. to meet your needs as owner/operator. Alfredo good luck in your decision, I am sure you will continue to run a successful business as you have always.

 

[Xtreme Reptiles]

I have never had a problem sending pics, Have done it when we can plenty of times.. Usually the ones who get the pics arent the ones who end up buying the animal as there are a lot of people just window shopping...The problem is when they want a pic of an Item we are wholesaling to move them at $10-$15 profit and selling them fast... If I had 1,000 animals I would happily do more but when we did inventory on dec 30th (and trust me we were low) we had 12,716 animlas in stock and that is not including all our adult breeder snakes and with only 5 warehouse employees (thats approx 2500 animlas per employee to care for) its just not possible. Hiring another person to do that would just require us to raise the prices...


Alfredo Veloso

 

[Ray Aristy]

I have never dealt with Alfredo personally, but know a few people locally that have. He is a stand up guy!

Alfredo, why not consider hiring someone solely to attend/service/grow the retail end and needs and pay commission only? I am sure there are tons of guys out there that would jump at the oportunity to work and learn from you, not too mention work with reptiles all day. Hire someone to focus on that portion of the business and let him/her work with that. Increase prices a tad on those individual single purchases generated and closed by this person.
Just a thought...

I know having Xtreme as a local resource is always beneficial to the local herpers.

 

[Xtreme Reptiles]

The reason why I dont hire someone else is due to a few things, Insurance goes up (Workmans comp,health and dental), Taxes go up, at this current facility we do not have the office space to accomodate another person and its someone else to have to baby sit(already have to baby sit 7 of them)



Alfredo Veloso

 

[BallPyFan]

Alfredo,
Then you have made the decision that is practical for your business at this time. It sounds like you have your niche in the market, and do quite well in that niche. Drive on, and the best of success to you

 

[bgexotics]

I have to chime in now, I am sorry to see Xtreme being attacked. I have spent thousands on animals from them and I have never been dissapointed. Anytime I had a DOA (which wasn't very often) I was given credit, no questions asked. The animals were properly represented, and they were more than willing to deal with my special requests (which I made alot of).

Some of the same reasons that Alfredo is citing are the same ones that made me back out of the reptile business. People wanted me to match prices with the fly-by-night dealers who would order in a huge WC shipment the same week of the reptile show and sell the herps with no quarentine, medicating or even feeding. I however would quarentine my animals for a month and work with my local vet to make sure evrything wa shealthy before I sold it.

A good example of the quality of Xtreme's animals is the Mantella in my avatar. I ordered 12 mantellas from Xtreme and all of them are still alive 1 1/2 years later and thriving. Mantellas are one the most delicate frog species and these were WC specimens. Another bonus to Xtreme is that they are the only wholesaler I know that will give a live arrival guarentee on amphibians.

 

[John316]

Sounds like you don't have a very good, knowledgeable staff if you have to "babysit" them LOL!
It has been implied that the initiator of this thread "demanded" pictures and wanted you to bow down to their every wish. Did I miss something? What exactly transpired that would make this one person "the straw that broke the camels back"?
Did the person simply ask for pics a few times and when not supplied show up at your establishment asking to pick a certain animal or did they fly off the handle and throw a tantrum?
Just curious since Xtremes' replies appear to suggest that the fellow was quite demanding in his attempts to get photos.

 

[Ray Aristy]

Eitherway, good luck and wish you the best. Only you know what is best for your company.

 

[ravensgait]

No one was attacking

I had asked for pictures of some BRBs he had listed on KS and was told they wouldn't do that, I noticed in old threads about Xtreme that they had done so in the past so I asked why not now etc etc and here we are. Gonna call them tomorrow and see what they have , now that they have a new shipment in.

Randy

 

[John316]

Randy,
If that is truly what happened then it seems Alfredos' camels back must have already been fractured and your "straw" just caused it to collapse LOL!
Seriously though, Xtreme made it sound as if you wanted them to be your personal butler. I am curious why Alfredo would use such overkill in his description of your inquiries. I think you may have inadvertantly become the proverbial scapegoat for his decision to withdraw from retail sales.

 

[RNPreptiles]

If Im not mistaken, Xtreme reptiles offered WC mandarin rats for a good price. Ive heard bad things about WC mandarins but I was wondering if anyone has dealt with mandarins from Xtreme, as I would like to start a breeding colony from WC parents, so long as imports are good to survive and breed. Has anyone purchased them from Xtreme?

 

[jason77]

I recently purchased a mangrove snake frome xtreme reptiles. They were very professional in my opinion and i would not hesitate to buy from them again.
They promptly returned my phone call and shipped the next day.
The total price was about 60 bucks, hardly anything for them i would bet, but they still treated me very well...
If they only had a couple of animals for sale a pic might be more reasonable..but if you have seen the list of animals they have for sale...i think they have there hands busy with more important things than pics


Jason Mattes