Inquiry Yasser Spitfire Reptiles

[BigTattoo]

I came across a thread on the BOI claiming Yasser was a bad guy. But on reading the thread it appears that many here have a very high opinion of Yasser and recommended buying from him for his customer service and the quality of his reptiles. The opinions of the OP were not very good at all. Based on these opinions of Yasser I visited his website and found he had a female Jag Sib for a good price that I thought would be a good mate for my male Carpet. Through his website I inquired about her availability. The only editing I've done is to blank the email addys for privacy reasons, everything else is verbatim. Please note the dates.

From: Bigtattoo@********.com
Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 3:59 PM
To: yasser@********.com
Subject: Contact sent through: 2009 BREEDING SEASON UPDATES

Name: Dave "Bigtattoo" Johnston

User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.9.1.3) Gecko/20090914 Mandriva Linux/1.9.1.3-2mdv2010.0 (2010.0) Ant.com Toolbar 2.0.1 Firefox/3.5.3
Email: Bigtattoo@********.com
Subject: 2009 Female Coastal Jaguar Sibling

Comment:

On Friday, October 8, 2010, 06:59 PM, Dave "Bigtattoo" Johnston wrote:

"2009 Female Coastal Jaguar Sibling Carpet Python. From my Patience X Elvis, Jaguar sibling to Jaguar breeding. She feeds perfectly on thawed fuzzy rats. Incredible lineage and incredible marking and contrast. Great silver eyes too! She'd be great to spice up a Jaguar project! Asking $125 plus shipping. "

Do you still have her for sale. She would be a perfect mate for the male I have. Very interested. Please advise on availability and shipping to 61550

Thanks,

BigT

I finally heard back from him.

YM <Yasser@************.com>
to Bigtattoo@*********.com
date Sun, Oct 10, 2010 at 3:33 PM
subject Re: Contact sent through: 2009 BREEDING SEASON UPDATES

hide details Oct 10 (4 days ago)

I do still have her available. I will check on shipping charges and get back to you ASAP.
Thanks.

Yasser

I responded.

from David Johnston <dkjohnst91@*********.com>
to YM <Yasser@**********.com>
date Sun, Oct 10, 2010 at 9:09 PM
subject Re: Contact sent through: 2009 BREEDING SEASON UPDATES
mailed-by ********.com

hide details Oct 10 (4 days ago)

Hi Yassar,

Thanks for getting back to me. As soon as possible after you advise on total I will make payment through Paypal. is this the Paypal address you want payment made to?

Please advise,

Big T

After 2 days with no reply I followed up with....

from David Johnston <dkjohnst91@********.com>
to YM <Yasser@********.com>
date Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 4:55 AM
subject Re: Contact sent through: 2009 BREEDING SEASON UPDATES
mailed-by ********l.com

hide details Oct 12 (3 days ago)

Hi Yasser,

I'm a little concerned in not having heard back from you on total with shipping. I hope all is well on your end. I did read about your son in your blog and hope and pray this is not an issue for you at this time.

You enjoy an excellent reputation both on Kingsnake and Fauna in your professional demeanor, the care and concern for your reptiles and their quality. I am very much looking forward to adding her to my collection. Please advise if there is any issue I should be made aware of.

Thanks,

Big T

He finally replied.

from YM <Yasser@********.com>
to David Johnston <dkjohnst91@********.com>
date Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 2:05 PM
subject Re: Contact sent through: 2009 BREEDING SEASON UPDATES

hide details Oct 12 (2 days ago)

David,
Thanks for your concern but all is well here these days for the most part. I've just been working long hours. I can ship for an extra $75 for a total of $200. If paying via paypal please tack on another $6 for Paypal fees. I also take postal money orders or personal checks but all must clear before shipping. You can make payment to my PP account at this email address should you choose to do so.
Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!

Yasser

Ok so his shipping charges are way on the high side and I've never been asked to pay Paypal fees before but the snake was a good deal so I went ahead and sent payment.

Here is my Paypal notification of payment.

from [email protected] <[email protected]>
to David Johnston <bigtattoo@********.com>
date Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 3:18 PM
subject Your payment has been sent
signed-by paypal.com

hide details Oct 12 (2 days ago)

Images are not displayed.
Display images below - Always display images from [email protected]
PayPal
Hello David Johnston,

Your payment for $206.00 USD to yasser@*********.com has been sent.

It may take a few moments for this transaction to appear in the Recent Activity list on your Account Overview.


Payment details
Amount: $206.00 USD
Transaction Date: October 12, 2010
Transaction ID: 5AP28558XF962784D

Subject: You've got money!

Message:
Yasser, Here you are full payment. Since I am not home days I would like this shipped to my work address as someone is there to receive all day. ************************************** 61550 ATTN: Dave Thanks Big T

Shipping Address:

*****************
*****************
*********** 61550
United States
View the details of this transaction online

Again I have edited the email addy and the shipping address only for privacy reasons.

After making payment as is my custom in these transactions I sent an email to notify of payment and inquire about shipping and also confirm my shipping address.

from David Johnston <dkjohnst91@********.com>
to YM <Yasser@*********.com>
date Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 3:28 PM
subject Re: Contact sent through: 2009 BREEDING SEASON UPDATES
mailed-by *********.com

hide details Oct 12 (2 days ago)

Yasser,

Glad to hear all is well and thanks for getting back to me. I sent payment through Paypal and added the additional $6.00 for a total of $206.00. Since I'm not home days I ask that you ship to my work address as someone is there all day to receive.

**********
************** St.
**************** 61550
ATTN: Dave

Please advise on when you can ship at your earliest convenience. I'll await tracking information.

Thanks,

Big T

Normally after sending payment I receive acknoledgement of payment and a time frame for shipping. In not having heard anything further from Yasser I sent the following. This email is a little more terse and curt in tone as I was beginning to have serious concerns.

from David Johnston <dkjohnst91@*********.com>
to YM <Yasser@**********.com>
date Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 11:18 AM
subject Re: Contact sent through: 2009 BREEDING SEASON UPDATES
mailed-by *********.com

hide details Oct 13 (2 days ago)

Yasser,

With the premium you charge for shipping, 50% more than I've ever had to pay any other breeder, as well as charging me for your Paypal expenses, the first time I've had that happen. I would expect this would result in expedited shipping and handling. I'm somewhat discouraged to not even receive acknowledgment of payment and a shipping date.

I would very much like and expect that this transaction be completed before week's end. This would mean shipping either today for Thursday delivery or Thursday for Friday. Please advise.

Thanks

Big T

Since sending this last email I have not heard anything at all from Yasser. Note the dates of the payment and today is Oct. 15,2010 time is 4:33 PM CST. That's 2 full days without any acknowledgement of payment, shipping nothing.

I've tried very hard to withhold opinions regarding Yasser other than what might be construed as opinion in my emails. I've merely been trying to post the facts and all email transmissions regarding this transaction.

In the time since I sent payment to Yasser I have found, purchased and recieved 2 other shipments of snakes. One was a black tail cribo I purchased from John Michels of Black Pearl Reptiles. I highly recommend him, his customer service is excellent and his animals are top notch quality. This was my second purchase from John. I also purchased a group lot of 2 clutches of Pyros from Mike Russo. I saw his ad elsewhere just last night and called him to ask some questions and decided to buy his pyros. They arrived today and are just gorgeous. I also would highly recommend Mike.

I waited all day today in the hopes of hearing back from Yasser and since I have not I decided to post this. It's not that I don't know how to feel about this but I'm leaving you all to be judge and jury as I respect many of you highly and value your opinions.

I would appreciate hearing from others as to their opinions as to how I might feel about this, what I should do. I have no means of contacting him other than through email and that has been fruitless since I made the payment. So since many of you have good opinions of Yasser perhaps you would like to sound off and advise me on how to proceed.

Thanks

Big Tattoo aka Dave Johnston

 

[BigTattoo]

Sorry I have to make a correction to my post above the date today is not Oct. 15, 2010 it is Oct. 14, 2010.

Big T

 

[JudyC]

Hmmmmm....

I can understand your anxiousness to get the animal asap (especially after paying such premium "fees")...but a little more patience on your part might be very beneficial. I have [no idea what sort of person he is, but we've seen PLENTY of "businessmen" in this industry who are easily antagonized and then take their angst out on their customers.

Some folks are just slow at communicating, so I'd give him a few more days and would expect the snake sometime next week....were I in your shoes, that is. But yeah...I'd be anxious at the same time.

 

[Br8knitOFF]

Yasser is great- I've worked with him directly before.

Fear not- he's a stand up guy and will take care of you...

//Todd

 

[Metachrosis]

NOT EVEN CLOSE!
I would never treat a Customer with such complacency,you receive funds
you ship. People spend money for Reptiles/Services etc. not a chance to spin the "Get Around To It Wheel"
Dealers like this always seem to have more pressing issues that over ride
punctuality,no excuse for it. NONE!
But Oh Yes,they do try . . . .

Who would tolerate such Service from WalMart,Favorite Restaurant etc ?

Hmmmmm....
I can understand your anxiousness to get the animal asap (especially after paying such premium "fees")...but a little more patience on your part might be very beneficial. I have [no idea what sort of person he is, but we've seen PLENTY of "businessmen" in this industry who are easily antagonized and then take their angst out on their customers.

Some folks are just slow at communicating, so I'd give him a few more days and would expect the snake sometime next week....were I in your shoes, that is. But yeah...I'd be anxious at the same time.

 

[JudyC]

NOT EVEN CLOSE!
I would never treat a Customer with such complacency,you receive funds
you ship. People spend money for Reptiles/Services etc. not a chance to spin the "Get Around To It Wheel"
Dealers like this always seem to have more pressing issues that over ride
punctuality,no excuse for it. NONE!
But Oh Yes,they do try . . . .

Who would tolerate such Service from WalMart,Favorite Restaurant etc ?

I certainly didn't mean to imply that I thought such shoddy service was decent. I'm just saying that in the grand scheme of things, a little patience and diplomacy can get you MUCH better results than firing off hot, angry words the instant things don't go as you expect them to.

 

[BigTattoo]

Yasser Spitfire Reptiles follow up

After waiting patiently, NOT for 3 days and still no contact from Yasser I sent off another email. Trying to remain diplomatic and not atagonistic. I'm omitting all the address details as none of that has changed from my previous post.

Yasser,

Where is the Yasser that got such good reviews on the fauna forums? Good guy, responsive, answers questions, very helpful. I'm getting pretty anxious here and would like to hear from you acknowledging receipt of payment and when you intend to ship my snake, please.

Thanks,

Big T

He did finally respond.

Sorry but i work long hours and dont check email as often as i used to. i also have a show to prepare for (the only one i do anymore) thats really got me running ragged. Admittedly, i am not that puntual anymore as snake breeding is no longer my only job like it used to be. But no worries...your snake willl be shipped out early next week. I will contact you with details by the end of this weekend. Thanks for your patience.

Yasser

So while anxious and not well known for my patience I will continue to wait and see. The ball is now in his court to follow through and get back to me this weekend with shipping details. I'm not at all comfortable being put in this position but what choice do I really have?

Big T

 

[DavidBeard]

Charging the PayPal fee is not only against PayPal's TOS its technically illegal.

I refuse to do business with anyone who charges extra for sending $ via PayPal.

 

[Piratepythons]

No worries man. Yasser will take care you. Hes got a lot going on but his animals speak for themselves. He is one of the good guys.

Charging the PayPal fee is not only against PayPal's TOS its technically illegal.

I refuse to do business with anyone who charges extra for sending $ via PayPal.

Do you also pay sales tax on your online snake purchases? I have payed the paypal fee several times. It is no big deal. Would it make you feel better if they just add it into the price and never call it the paypall fee? Sorry not trying to start anything. Just tired of seeing this statement.

 

[DavidBeard]

If its no big deal, then why do some seller nickel & dime you when making a sale by adding it on top of their price?

Plain and simple.....its against PayPal's TOS to pass fees along to your customers, at least blatantly by asking for it in plain English.

I have sold thousands of animals online and never once have I charge a fee for using PayPal.

 

[Metachrosis]

He should then wait until he can set his priorities,that last quoted message pretty well confirms his business ethics and ranks him in with the piss-poor.

I agree with the Pay-Pal pilfering,its a common practice of many.
Neither of which I support,send me a MO and we'll do business

I hope the animal(s) in question arrive in better shape then the transaction.

No worries man. Yasser will take care you. Hes got a lot going on but his animals speak for themselves. He is one of the good guys.




Do you also pay sales tax on your online snake purchases? I have payed the paypal fee several times. It is no big deal. Would it make you feel better if they just add it into the price and never call it the paypall fee? Sorry not trying to start anything. Just tired of seeing this statement.

 

[BigTattoo]

Final follow up

After the above post I received the following later yesterday.

David,
Regarding shipping costs, I actually am going to be paying around $82 to be exact. I attempt to reduce costs by paying part of it myself. These charges do not include cost of packaging, etc. and the charge is made by the shipper and not myself. Nothing I can do about that. You live on the other side of the country and depending on the number of shipping zones the package must travel thru, the cost goes up. For me to ship within my zone (ie. CA) it still is no less than about $55. Perhaps other breeders hide shipping charges within the price of the snake. I don't know. But I assure you, I am not profiting in the least from shipping charges. Like I said, I tend to pay out of pocket even, much of the time. I certainly do wish shipping chargers were less no doubt. But there is nothing I can do about that of course.

You made your first contact with me just 7 days ago. I don't think I have been out of line at all in my correspondence with you, nor my turnaround time. You paid last week, I ship this week. It can be hard to ship out even for me.... I work all day, 5 days a week. Personally, I feel you are being treated quite well in my book.

Like I said, I don't sell reptiles for a living. I have a job and a family and animals to take care of first and foremost. I just don't understand why you show such hostility regarding this transaction.
Again, I will email you the shipping details for this week as soon as I can get them planned myself.

Yasser

You all can make the call as to how well I have been treated. As you can see he feels he has treated me quite well.

Here is my reply to the above. It's rather lengthy.

Yasser,

Regarding shipping costs perhaps you're correct, maybe the other 3 shipments I've received from your time zone have defrayed more of the costs of shipping in the animal charges. I don't know what their exact charges were from FedEx or UPS for next day by 10:30 actually are. I only know the charges have not cost me more than $45.00.

Everyone I have made purchases from in the last month and there have been several all work full time, have families etc as well as herps to care for and customers to serve. All have responded within minutes of receiving my funds to at least acknowledge the fact. All have also shipped the very next business day for arrival the following morning. Since my first contact with you on Oct. 8 I have made 4 other purchases, 2 just today. I purchased a BT Cribo from John Michaels on Tuesday last he shipped that afternoon for arrival on Wednesday morning. John is a full time 5th grade teacher, has children and a wife, runs Black Pearl Reptiles from his home so has numerous top notch animals to care for including feeding hatchlings.

I purchased an 8 lot of baby Pyros from Mike Russo on Wednesday from first contact until I had tracking information was a matter of less than 2 hours. He shipped Wednesday night for Thursday morning. Mike also works full time, has 3 children and advised me he is currently feeding over 200 hatchlings, caring for the parents of the hatchlings as well as future projects. Furthermore he was preparing for the Hamburg, PA show when I spoke with him. While on the phone with him I also got to speak with one of his children while he took care of small situation with his young son. Quite enjoyable actually since my own boys are grown and gone.

This morning John Michaels contacted me again as he had located a female BT Cribo of suitable quality and separate bloodlines to go with the male I had just purchased earlier this week. We had the financial part of this transaction completed and confirmed within a matter of 2 1/2 hours. He will be shipping Monday for Tuesday of next week.

I contacted TailsNMore this morning regarding purchasing a 1.2 trio of Borrega's Plated lizards. Arrangements took a little longer here as they have a full time jobs, a full time business and a family so I did not hear back from them until later this afternoon. Payment has been sent and they also will be shipping Monday for Tuesday. The trio of lizards cost, $63.00 shipping and handling $45.00. Maybe they are hiding the costs of some of the shipping in the cost of this trio but that sure doesn't leave much room for profit. But they are only shipping across 2 time zones not 3 as you are.

So while I can appreciate how busy you are with work, family and caring for your animals you can see that through these other purchases and the rapid communications, especially confirming receipt of funds. That not hearing from you for 3 days after payment caused me some anxiety, not hostility. I am in no way complaining regarding your added costs for shipping and Paypal fees. But I'm sure you see with the difference in costs how it would appear to me that your charges are a bit of a premium over those of the others I have dealt with. If there is a misunderstanding of the difference in their costs and their absorbing more in the cost of the animal and your costs and you're not being able to absorb these costs I understand. With the above examples of others in your same situation and these transactions initiated, confirmed and either completed or I have firm shipping/receiving dates and my seeing these as the norm for customer service that I find your lack of communication somewhat unnerving, not hostility just disquieting.

I also work full time and my job is hard manual labor. I am a mechanic/welder and yard manager for a block and stone masonry company. The monies I spend on my reptile purchases is hard won and precious in this economy. So I hope you can understand my concerns over not hearing from you for 3 days after sending payment and how discomforting I might have found this. In one of my earlier transmissions I asked directly if there were any issues I should be made aware of. I feel your work, family and animal care matters and how they consume your time would be one such issue that you might have informed me about. At least then I would know how little time you have remaining for customer service.

I'm trying to remain cordial and professional in regards to this transaction. I still feel I will be receiving a top notch animal to add to my collection and look forward to maintaining a friendly relationship with you.

I'm very much looking forward to being advised by you on firm shipping/receiving dates.

Thanks,

Big Tattoo

As a side note. If any of you ever come across deals with John Michaels of Black Pearl Reptiles or Mike Russo I highly recommend them for excellent customer service and top notch animals. I really can't say enough nice comments about either one. Both 5 stars in my book.


Here is Yasser's reply to my above.

Hmm. I am going to have to cancel this transaction and refund your payment.
You seem to be very expectant of exceptionally high caliber treatment. I have felt at times pushed by you. And berated as well.
I tried to talk myself out of those feelings I had and the urge to just pass on a sale with you. But I blew those feelings off and went ahead with it. Now I regret that.

No one's job, money, family, time, reptiles or priorities are of any more value than anyone else's here.

I think this will be for the best.
Thank you for your understanding.

Yasser

and my final reply to his canceling the transaction.

Very well. Perhaps that would be best. My expectations from you are no more than to be treated as I was by others from whom I've made purchases from. I too have tried to blow off bad feelings of being neglected in regards to at least acknowldging receipt of payment promptly. You feel I'm pushy, I felt neglected. Not a good way to begin a business relationship.

I wish you the best in your endeavors. I will wait to receive notification of the pending refund.

Big T

A while later I received this notice from Paypal

date Sat, Oct 16, 2010 at 10:47 PM
subject You've got money!date Sun, Oct 17, 2010 at 12:35 AM
subject Re: You've got money!
mailed-by gmail.com



Yasser Moustafa sent you $210.00 USD
Transaction ID: 2BF206437G559812C

Hello David Johnston,

Just thought you'd like to know Yasser Moustafa sent you $210.00 USD.
Note from Yasser Moustafa:

Here's my refund for the $206 paypal payment you made for the female coastal jaguar sibling. Thanks. Yasser


and my acknowledgement of receipt.

hide details 12:35 AM (7 hours ago)

Thanks for returning it so promptly.

Big T

So ultiimately the deal fell through. He was stand up enough to return my money promptly and I acknowledged receipt.

I harbor no ill will towards Yasser but there is no way I would ever consider doing business with him again. Based on my transactions with other breeders and their customer service, rapid acknowledgement of payments and advising on shipping I guess maybe I got spoiled and Yasser is correct that I have high expectations. But consider this, if I have such high expectations and am such a pushy consumer why did John Michaels go to the trouble of locating a lone top notch female BT Cribo for me? Which he also gave me an excellent price on including shipping and is throwing in a '10 Lined Pine male freebie to boot.

I will leave it for all who read this to decide for themselves on the Good Guy/Bad Guy status of Yasser and Spitfire reptiles and whether they decide they would like to deal with him. For that matter as I've posted all email transmissions regarding this you can also decide for yourselves as to my GG/BG status as a purchaser should I ever contact you regarding any of your herps.

Thanks to all who looked and especially to those who responded.

Big T

 

[Amelanistic Orca]

Hate to say it; but that is the best outcome for both of you... I was gonna say; do a paypal reversal from the get go after no contact for payment recieved.. That's unacceptable...

 

[JudyC]

I'm curious, "Big T"....will you berate the staff of a restaurant if the service is a little slower than the last two restaurants you'd eaten in?

Yes, Yasser apparently has different priorities than your previous sellers. Maybe "time management" is not one of his top skills. But that certainly does not make him a "bad guy".

Everyone has different tolerance levels for this sort of thing, of course. You've made yours perfectly clear. And I hope sellers are as on top of this thread as potential buyers are. I've no doupbt that you're a good customer when it comes to prompt payment and communication...but any seller with a slightly more laid back attitude on timing might want a heads up.

 

[Metachrosis]

EXACTLY!

Hate to say it; but that is the best outcome for both of you... I was gonna say; do a paypal reversal from the get go after no contact for payment recieved.. That's unacceptable...

 

[BigTattoo]

Well Judy I may not berate the staff of a restaurant but depending on the quality of the service it will affect the tip I leave. Since you bring this subject up I am a good tipper since I have worked for tips and been stiffed when providing excellent service as well as being tipped well. So any time I go to a restaurant I prepared to pay a minimum 20% tip. Depending on the service it may go up or down from there.

As for Yasser I never called him a "bad guy" I put up all transmissions between us and left the rest up to you as to whether you thought either one of us is a "good guy" "bad guy." I sense from the tenor of your reply I'm the bad guy. So be it you're entitled to your opinion and I can live with that. But I don't feel it's to demanding or pushy to expect at minimum quick acknowledgement of receipt of payment. 3 days is not quick in anyone's book. If a dealer/breeder chooses to have a laid back attitude in regards to customer service that's their prerogative. With the competition out there and the quality of the herps one can find from many dealers/breeders customer service may be the only thing that can set you apart.

Big T

 

[JudyC]

... I sense from the tenor of your reply I'm the bad guy.

No, I didn't mean to imply that, although I might have felt a bit impatient at your own impatience. I don't know why. I'd certainly sell to you if I were selling something you wanted. I'd just be sure to be extra conscious about being speedily prompt.

With the competition out there and the quality of the herps one can find from many dealers/breeders customer service may be the only thing that can set you apart.

Big T

This is certainly true...and the point of the BOI is for folks to be as educated as possible about the people they are doing transactions with....so they can make their own decisions about how tolerant they can be with slow service.

 

[Kristi23]

I think that the OP and seller could both learn something from this post.

To the OP: Some of us have things that come up and we may forget at midnight (or whatever time we get home) to reply to someone. I always reply within 24 hours, usually less, but I can see how it can be hard for someone who isn't on the internet all day.

To the seller: It only takes a few seconds to hit reply when you receive a payment. You could thank them for payment and say that you will get back to them in a few days with shipping info when you have more time.

I think the outcome is best for both involved here and I don't think either guy is a bad guy.

 

[BigTattoo]

I would have no problem at all waiting 24 hours to hear back. The examples I cited above are the complete other extreme and I don't feel that is the kind of service I deserve all the time nor do I expect it.

3 days on the other hand....

Big T

 

[Spitfire]

Wow! I was shocked to find this thread posted. I was cordial, forgiving of your impatience and pushiness and sent you a refund immmediately when I decided to back out of the deal. The fact that you started this thread during our transaction, before it was even completed to me implies that you were out to somehow attempt a little character assassination. I have only ever had to refund in this manner 6 times now in my 19 years of raising reptiles. I had a feeling from the getgo that this sale to you, Mr. Johnston, was going to be trouble.

Keep in mind folks, all of this from the day he first inquired with me to the day I refunded, was ONLY 7 days.

David, you motives are exceedingly fishy here. And I can't remember the last time I was spoken to /emailed in such a disrepsectful way. And to see this thread here makes me sick.

If I am "not a bad guy" as you claim to say, then why treat me like one?

And for the record, yes, selling snakes is not my highest priority in life. While I have a deep passion for what I do, life is WAY too short.

Good day.