With the address posted here and the fact that he ripped so many off, I wouldn't doubt if someone went in there and took what they felt belonged to them.
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Posted 12/19/2024.
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I am still waiting on my developer to finish up on the Classifieds Control Panel so I can use it to encourage members into becoming paying members. Google Adsense has become a real burden on the viewing of this site, but honestly it is the ONLY source of income now that keeps it afloat. I tried offering disabling the ads being viewed by paying members, but apparently that is not enough incentive. Quite frankly, Google Adsense has dropped down to where it barely brings in enough daily to match even a single paid member per day. But it still gets the bills paid. But at what cost?
So even without the classifieds control panel being complete, I believe I am going to have to disable those Google ads completely and likely disable some options here that have been free since going to the new platform. Like classified ad bumping, member name changes, and anything else I can use to encourage this site to be supported by the members instead of the Google Adsense ads.
But there is risk involved. I will not pay out of pocket for very long during this last ditch experimental effort. If I find that the membership does not want to support this site with memberships, then I cannot support your being able to post your classified ads here for free. No, I am not intending to start charging for your posting ads here. I will just shut the site down and that will be it. I will be done with FaunaClassifieds. I certainly don't need this, and can live the rest of my life just fine without it. If I see that no one else really wants it to survive neither, then so be it. It goes away and you all can just go elsewhere to advertise your animals and merchandise.
Not sure when this will take place, and I don't intend to give any further warning concerning the disabling of the Google Adsense. Just as there probably won't be any warning if I decide to close down this site. You will just come here and there will be some sort of message that the site is gone, and you have a nice day.
I have been trying to make a go of this site for a very long time. And quite frankly, I am just tired of trying. I had hoped that enough people would be willing to help me help you all have a free outlet to offer your stuff for sale. But every year I see less and less people coming to this site, much less supporting it financially. That is fine. I tried. I retired the SerpenCo business about 14 years ago, so retiring out of this business completely is not that big if a step for me, nor will it be especially painful to do. When I was in Thailand, I did not check in here for three weeks. I didn't miss it even a little bit. So if you all want it to remain, it will be in your hands. I really don't care either way.
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Some people have indicated that finding the method to contribute is rather difficult. And I have to admit, that it is not all that obvious. So to help, here is a thread to help as a quide. How to become a contributing member of FaunaClassifieds.
And for the record, I will be shutting down the Google Adsense ads on January 1, 2025.
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Responding to email notices you receive.
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In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.
Bad Guy Bobby Hill - Varnyard Herps: Buyers Beware.
- Thread starter Siukie
- Start date
The Forked Tongue
New member
Abandoned Tegus in Panama City
I am not suggesting that the person or business described in this thread is related to certain recent events that I have been involved in. I originally posted the below thread to the BOI and was asked by a moderator to move it to a more appropriate location. My main goal is to reach out to the tegu community to let them know that if these events are one in the same, many of the tegus that were allegedly abandoned are now safe and secure. Please read my below thread in the Herps in the News section.
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=394831
I am not suggesting that the person or business described in this thread is related to certain recent events that I have been involved in. I originally posted the below thread to the BOI and was asked by a moderator to move it to a more appropriate location. My main goal is to reach out to the tegu community to let them know that if these events are one in the same, many of the tegus that were allegedly abandoned are now safe and secure. Please read my below thread in the Herps in the News section.
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=394831
Given the type of Tegus and the location, not much doubt that is good old Bobby. I guess an anonymous call to animal control was too much to ask as he was beating feet. Much easier to let the animals starve till discovered.
Just when you think the low can't sink any lower.....HERE'S BOBBY!!!!
Just when you think the low can't sink any lower.....HERE'S BOBBY!!!!
laurarfl
New member
Thank you, Forked Tongue, for getting involved and for making a statement of reassurance.
Arachno
Member
That really sucks. 
I'm kind of surprised no one tried to take any of them.
I'm kind of surprised no one tried to take any of them.Sorry, Wilomn, I would have to disagree with your assessment. Bobby Hill was never one of the good guys. A good breeder, yes; a good guy, no. I have had the misfortune of dealing with Bobby personally: I found him to be rascist, quick to put the blame on others for his own misfortunes, visciously seeks revenge against those that don't worship him and prone to bsing and lying. For a while he ran a decent business, but even then I heard the odd story of people not getting exactly what they ordered, some getting crippled/handicapped tegus or other questionable practices. But the writing was always on the wall to anyone who could see through his stories or had questioned his expertise. Anyone who has done what he has to these tegus doesn't deserve being considered "at one time a good guy". Good guys don't do something this reprehensible.
Wilomn
New member
Bobby is proof that you are wrong.
cguarino30
Member
Unless bobby ran off with his ill-gotten money to go save starving children, and also his tegus were all evil and deserved to die horrible deaths, it's hard to see how his existence could be proving his decency.
Wilomn
New member
Are you also purposely misunderstanding what's been written or do your really not get it?
hhmoore
tired & cranky shadow
I think we can say that, regardless of any individual's prior opinion regarding whether (or not) Bobby was a Good Guy, "recent developments" make that descriptor unsuitable. It just doesn't fit anymore.
Wilomn
New member
Very correct. I really, REALLY wonder what happened though.
laurarfl
New member
I am an objective person by nature and generally try to see things from different perspectives. As a result, people misinterpret what I say frequently and think I am defending someone or being biased, etc. While we are all just speculating on what may or may not be going on in Bobby's life, I'll throw in a speculation as well.
I have a theory, but I hate to even say it because I really don't want to be part of the rumor mill. But having known Bobby for many years and the passion for his work, it seems that he sunk to very low place in his personal life and just couldn't get up. Whether you like him or not, agree with his actions or disagree, most people can't argue that he did have a passion for breeding tegus. To turn his back on what was once the highlight of his life shows something serious is going on. I would hate to see my worst enemy go through something like that. I guess I just have a hard time wishing evil on people. Don't get me wrong, I have great sympathy for those who lost money. And Bobby deserves all the consequences he has coming. But I'm certain the emotional pain he is in is heavier than any legal consequences he is facing.
I have a theory, but I hate to even say it because I really don't want to be part of the rumor mill. But having known Bobby for many years and the passion for his work, it seems that he sunk to very low place in his personal life and just couldn't get up. Whether you like him or not, agree with his actions or disagree, most people can't argue that he did have a passion for breeding tegus. To turn his back on what was once the highlight of his life shows something serious is going on. I would hate to see my worst enemy go through something like that. I guess I just have a hard time wishing evil on people. Don't get me wrong, I have great sympathy for those who lost money. And Bobby deserves all the consequences he has coming. But I'm certain the emotional pain he is in is heavier than any legal consequences he is facing.
I have been given a fair warning for my earlier post, and I agree with the warning as this forum does try to be objective and neutral, so I retract that statement and will relay only that which pertains to my dealings with him and those things I know from personal involvement in the matters.
Bobby Hill has been a moderator on numerous forums that I have posted on. I have caught Mr.Hill countless times passing off wild, uninformed conjecture as fact (often dangerously) and I would call him on it, presenting documented fact and informed opinion of professionals where possible. This would typically result in him usually resorting to strawman arguments and insults. When that didn't work, he'd then resort to attempting character assassination. When that didn't work, he'd ban me. In all my arguments with him, I cannot recall ever resorting to name calling, character assassination, and always tried evolving the debate by refuting what was said and presenting material to back it up (ie. sticking to the facts - although admittedly, I could be very condescending once he got off track). I know I'm not the only one he subjected to this, but beings as I don't know the whole names of others he did this to, I can't pass this on as anything other than third party, sorry.
While he was a favoured moderator on www.thetegu.com, he was a proponent of the blue tegu, often praising their merits (many false, and again tried denigrating me when I presented the facts as I knew them). When things soured between him and Rick Sisco (then owner of the aforementioned site), suddenly Mr.Hill became VERY outspoken on how awful blue tegus were. Interesting turn of events there. At this time, he also invited me to be a regular poster on his new site www.tegutalk.com in an attempt to sway favour away from Rick Sisco and his site (something that rather surprised me as I thought Mr. Hill genuinely disliked me - I continued posting on both sites as I don't play that game, and was quickly banned again).
In the end months of 2007, I was in contact with Mr. Hill on the phone (again as he tried wooing me to help in his attempt to undermine Rick Sisco), at which time he sometimes ranted about Mexicans and Blacks (those are only the neutral words he used, he used others that many find offensive and don't feel the need to put forth here). This was the last time I had any dealings with him. 2007 (and prior - my bad experiences with this man go back to 2003) is a bit more than 5 years ago - in other words predating his "recent" downfall.
In all this time, 2003 until last year, despite my leanings towards his honesty and intelligence, in any posts regarding his business and breeding practices, I have always tried to be objective and promoted him as a respectable breeder. Laurafl seems to be a regular reader of my posts and I'm sure she can vouch this claim. I feel bad in that perhaps my saying of "indeed, get a tegu from Bobby Hill as he's a respectable breeder" helped him, in small effort, scam people over the last few years.
As for "very" recent events:
http://www.livescience.com/29186-exotic-lizards-tegus-florida.html
It appears that Mr. Hill abandoned his animals LAST YEAR. He has had plenty of time to prove his true nature, and indeed he has. Even hibernating animals need to be watched over.
Bobby Hill has been a moderator on numerous forums that I have posted on. I have caught Mr.Hill countless times passing off wild, uninformed conjecture as fact (often dangerously) and I would call him on it, presenting documented fact and informed opinion of professionals where possible. This would typically result in him usually resorting to strawman arguments and insults. When that didn't work, he'd then resort to attempting character assassination. When that didn't work, he'd ban me. In all my arguments with him, I cannot recall ever resorting to name calling, character assassination, and always tried evolving the debate by refuting what was said and presenting material to back it up (ie. sticking to the facts - although admittedly, I could be very condescending once he got off track). I know I'm not the only one he subjected to this, but beings as I don't know the whole names of others he did this to, I can't pass this on as anything other than third party, sorry.
While he was a favoured moderator on www.thetegu.com, he was a proponent of the blue tegu, often praising their merits (many false, and again tried denigrating me when I presented the facts as I knew them). When things soured between him and Rick Sisco (then owner of the aforementioned site), suddenly Mr.Hill became VERY outspoken on how awful blue tegus were. Interesting turn of events there. At this time, he also invited me to be a regular poster on his new site www.tegutalk.com in an attempt to sway favour away from Rick Sisco and his site (something that rather surprised me as I thought Mr. Hill genuinely disliked me - I continued posting on both sites as I don't play that game, and was quickly banned again).
In the end months of 2007, I was in contact with Mr. Hill on the phone (again as he tried wooing me to help in his attempt to undermine Rick Sisco), at which time he sometimes ranted about Mexicans and Blacks (those are only the neutral words he used, he used others that many find offensive and don't feel the need to put forth here). This was the last time I had any dealings with him. 2007 (and prior - my bad experiences with this man go back to 2003) is a bit more than 5 years ago - in other words predating his "recent" downfall.
In all this time, 2003 until last year, despite my leanings towards his honesty and intelligence, in any posts regarding his business and breeding practices, I have always tried to be objective and promoted him as a respectable breeder. Laurafl seems to be a regular reader of my posts and I'm sure she can vouch this claim. I feel bad in that perhaps my saying of "indeed, get a tegu from Bobby Hill as he's a respectable breeder" helped him, in small effort, scam people over the last few years.
As for "very" recent events:
http://www.livescience.com/29186-exotic-lizards-tegus-florida.html
It appears that Mr. Hill abandoned his animals LAST YEAR. He has had plenty of time to prove his true nature, and indeed he has. Even hibernating animals need to be watched over.
laurarfl
New member
Yes, I do follow your posts, Colin, and can vouch for your objectivity.
I have to say that I have never seen the nasty side of Bobby that has been shown to others. I believe it exists, I'm just grateful that I haven't seen it. I was also invited over to "his side" after the big forum split, but I don't play that game either. Bobby did like to have a blind following and I definitely don't play that game. I waited until he sold the forum to get active in it.
I think we just had a cordial relationship. I learned from him, I learned what I didn't want by watching him, and I disagreed quietly to avoid being blacklisted in the tegu community.
I have to say that I have never seen the nasty side of Bobby that has been shown to others. I believe it exists, I'm just grateful that I haven't seen it. I was also invited over to "his side" after the big forum split, but I don't play that game either. Bobby did like to have a blind following and I definitely don't play that game. I waited until he sold the forum to get active in it.
I think we just had a cordial relationship. I learned from him, I learned what I didn't want by watching him, and I disagreed quietly to avoid being blacklisted in the tegu community.
EA7770
Member
I have to agree with some of the other posts about Bobby being not such a "good guy" even back years ago on Rick's forum. He used to regurgitate all sorts of info with no real hands on practical knowledge.Then once he went from having never even produced any tegus to suddenly being the self proclaimed, "biggest tegu breeder in the world", he really got a self righteous sense of entitlement with his magical lines of "Varnyard" tegus. It was all a big scam IMHO. In any case, in my dealings with him, I too found him to be a racist hillbilly that cared nothing for the tegu community and was just looking to further himself and his wallet. All of this stuff going down now just enforces to me that my original assessment of him was dead on.
Wilomn
New member
So you're saying bobby never produced tegus? Interesting.
I really like the part where you, YOU, as well as a few others, were just fine doing business with this ''racist hillbilly" (racist in itself) as long as you were getting what you wanted but now that he's a pariah you're piling on with all the rest who have no morals to speak of and will do business with ANYONE so long as they get what they want.
Your mamma must be so very proud of you.
What I find "interesting," is how friendship dulls not only your killer instinct; but also your reading comprehension. EA's post clearly indicates what he feels was a quick progression from bobby never having bred anything; to bobby suddenly becoming the self-proclaimed master of all things tegu. There's nothing in there that says he hasn't currently produced anything. I can't vouch for whether or not the implied timeline is accurate, but I think that his meaning was clear, at least, to anyone whose ego doesn't get in the way of acknowledging that they've backed a dud.
Face it, you not only bought into the Varnyard hype, you're still apparently mesmerized by it. As it turns out, he's basically the Chris Johnson of tegus. I believe that they both carefully cultivated abrasive and overbearing online personas, apparently designed to instill trust in some; while intimidating others. For all we know, TSE was bobby's inspiration. If there are any sociological truths to be gleaned from online forums, I believe that one of them is that some people love an uncompromising personality; while others fear to tangle with one who wields it. An idea that many people have used to their own benefit. The argument could easily be made that both you and I fit into that category. Anyway, the only discernible difference between the two is that Chris Johnson at least sent his customers something, even if it wasn't the het they were expecting.
Also, unless Appalachian-American has officially be recognized as its own nationality, I think "hillbilly" is hardly racist. Possibly disparaging and vaguely bigoted; not even remotely racist. You're really grasping at straws, Wes. You have to realize by now that your friendship means nothing to bobby; so why be so willing to cling to that sunken ship? Is it really so hard for you to admit that you're wrong?
You question our morals, yet you're the one who - despite the occasional, half-hearted "bobby is in the wrong" - is the biggest supporter of the person who's ripped off quite a few people; as well as abandoning animals to slow death and cannibalism. He sure is a swell guy. I know that morality is a comparative and subjective concept, but your stance here may be making some people wonder which direction your own moral compass points. "Piling on" is only acceptable when the target isn't your buddy? "Interesting." I shudder to think of exactly what a friend of yours would have to do for you to condone their being piled-on and Kruse-ified, as you, yourself, have previously felt the need to publicly do to others.
EA7770
Member
No, I'm saying that he was full of crap prior to producing tegus. Then, once he actually DID produce some, he REALLY became full of crap (and ego). And to clarify, I NEVER purchased any animals from Mr. Hill. I was breeding tegus long before him and his magic Varnyard stock animals came about. But I certainly had many conversations with him. The majority of my animals came directly from Ron.
PS hillbillies are not a separate race (although that may be debatable LOL)
bfb345
Assassin Exotics
Bobby produced some beautiful tegus and i will say some of the best out there but he lacked 100% on the business side of things he had a great passion for these reptiles and i feel it is wrong to be dissing him.
TucsonRES
New member
I have never had any dealing with Mr. Brown, but I do have a question for you. Do you also find it wrong that with all this passion you speak about to allegedly abandon a house full of animals to have them starve to death or escape and possibly destroy local ecosystems???
Remember, that one's past greatness does not negate the terrible that you do today.