This is only the second time we are posting in this forum. The first time was to report a ripoff by one Scott Gelsomino of Small World Exotics of Albany, Oregon who sold us a blind, GTP after having represented it as a "blue" chondro in perfect condition on Kingsnake. The animal later died of complications of the eye infection!
We thought it was appropriate to post at this time because of the relevence of this thread.
Anyway, we starting doing business with Don Keseric of Zoobotanica 3 years ago after being introduced by a mutual friend. The first purchase we made went smoothly. It involved a baby Amazon Basin Emerald tree boa which we purchased from him. The animal was fine and did real well for us. Encouraged by this transaction, we purchased another baby "basin' from him. He said that it was a guaranteed feeder and was doing great! After allowing a couple of days for acclimation, we offered it an appropriate sized meal which was refused. Nightly food offerings over the next 5 days were also rejected. When we contacted Don, he recommended that we assist-feed the animal. This raised a red flag in our minds because why would he suggest that we assist-feed an animal he had sold us as an established, feeding juvenile? Assist-feeding is a technique used to get non-feeding babies, especially baby Basins which can be shy feeders, started.
At the beginning of the second week, we noticed that the animal was puffing out it's throat sac while breathing. We realized immediately that this was a symptom of a respiratory condition! Being that the animal was not feeding, was small and weak, we decided to monitor it for a few days while housing it under optimal conditions before commencing a regimen of antibiotics. Before we could start medicating it, the animal died at the end of the second week!(The carcass was promptly frozen). For an animal to deteriorate and die so rapidly made it obvious that it had never fed and that it had a respiratory condition prior to it being shipped to us.
At the time all this was transpiring, we were in negotiations with Don to purchase a bunch of baby Emeralds. When the baby Basin died, we contacted Don regarding it. We didn't necessarily want a refund but were hoping that, given the circumstances, he would extend us some consideration/credit towards our upcoming, or a future order. We had an ongoing business relationship with him and we felt certain that as any good businessman, he would take care of his customers. Especially repeat customers!
What we got instead was a very rude, terse email from him stating that he could do nothing for us and would under no circumstances assume any responsibility for the incompetence of others! We were shocked at his unprofessional behavior.
Just for the record, we have been in this business, full-time since 1985 and have worked with and successfully bred numerous species of reptiles including arboreals boas and pythons. Incomptence my ass!
So far as Don's experience with reptiles, according to a very reliable source, he was nothing more than Al Montejo's representative, his business experience being limited to the fast food and snack industry. Last year, according to another reliable source, he was out of reptile sales and dabbling in selling lobsters! Now, he seems to be back in the reptile business. Maybe his lobster supply tanked!
If what we heard regarding Don's involvement in various business ventures is true (and we have no reason to believe otherwise) it seems that this individual is only intrested in getting involved with reptiles for nothing else but monetary gain. Don't get me wrong, we all like to make money, that's the American way, but when dealing with live, non-food animals, we are sure everyone will agree that one has to feel care and compassion for them.
We have dedicated our lives to the captive propagation and husbandry of these beautiful and fascinating creatures as have many other professionals in this industry. For a mercenary like Don refer to us with the word "incompetent" is tantamount to a slap in the face and is unforgivable!
"any fool can make a sale but making a customer is an art"
One can only imagine much additional revenue customers such as Danny Mendez, ourselves and a slew of others who may have had similar experiences could have generated for Don if he just took the time to learn the art of customer relations. We don't know or care how much money Don has, but even Bill Gates wants more customers because there is no such thing as having too many!
Our only motive for posting here is to give any potential buyer the "heads up" before they make their decision to purchase.
Dan Ferrena
New York Reptilia, Inc.
www.newyorkreptilia.com
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