Well, 'Mick' (WichitaFallsReptileRescue) and I have served out our sentence for improper posting on the BOI. I have apologized to 'the boss' and emailed/pmd him a couple times, but have not heard back. I realize, though, that 'rules are rules,' and that it's his forum and not mine. I run mine like I want to, so does he.
Anyway, I was told to that after my sentence was up, to feel free to re-post my issues with the owner of this 'WichitaFallsReptileRescue,' as the thread on the BOI got deleted, I think, and so here it goes. For those of you who would rather not 'hear' it all again, please just move on to something you do wish to hear. I do note, though, that Mick edited his last post on the thread of his where he's selling his ants yesterday, as then is when we got 're-instated.' So, as he feels it worthy for y'all to hear again, here is a recap complete with copied posts from the missing thread. Thank you for allowing me to bring this to your attention once again.
I 'rescued' a couple of horned 'toads' a couple weeks ago at a trade show near me. I say 'rescued' because, while I do not run an animal 'rescue,' as it were, I feel I 'saved' these two little critters from the person who had them. As many of you know, they are difficult to keep, and just anyone shouldn't have them. There is a high death rate, especially as they need ants in their diet...and specific ants, at that.
Mick (WichitaFallsReptileRescue) sells ants. I needed some ants. I ordered ants from Mick. I did not get the ants from Mick. Mick does not want me as a customer. I don't want to be a customer of Mick's. Mick says he's the 'cheapest' source of ants in the business...and further, says that this is 'why' I ordered ants from him (remember?). I say that Mick may be the 'cheapest' in the business, but that the 'cost' of doing business with him far, far outweighs that cheaper cost in grief and rudeness I feel I had to deal with with him. I did not have the opportunity to see if his product was good or was, as is his price, 'cheap.' I will not have that opportunity, nor do I need it. I have ants from a source that was very, very nice to deal with...and they are good ants.
So anyway, here are the saved posts/emails from that thread I started when this all happened, when I didn't leave my 'real name' as I should have, as I was new and missed a few of the 'requirements' to posting at the BOI. This won't happen again, and neither will my 'use of profanity,' as I got 'busted' for that, also...not because I use it, as I feel it is totally rude and crude to do so in most cases, but because Mick has, IMO, a very dirty mouth, especially towards a new customer. I have 'fixed' his profanity...I sincerely hope I didn't miss any of his words. Here goes...
I sent Mick $19 for an order of 1000 ants to feed a couple of horned lizards I just 'rescued.' I had a question or two for him, as I'm a new customer...and his website is extensive but it's easy to miss something on. I posed my questions in the box on the PayPal form, and got a 'less than professional,' in my opinion, from Mick. I will copy and paste the exchange between us here, and let you all make your own decision as to whether you should do business with him or not.
My questions to him on the Pay Pal form...
Instructions to merchant:
Hi! I hope this order can go out today (Wednesday), as it would really help. I've got a couple really hungry horns and would hate to see them starting to go downhill. I promise to order with a little more notice next time! Thank you so much, though I will understand if I'm not able to have them shipped tomorrow. Please put on the package for the delivery person to put these on the central air conditioner in the carport. Oh, do you send a tracking number? Anyway, cheers!
I got this reply from him today...
I'm afraid all these requests are not going to be possible. If you read the website, it tells you what my shipping process is, and I cannot make notes for the mail courier. You will have to get with your mail courier for that.
No 'big' deal, but it might have been easier, and in the interest of good business relations to simply answer my question as to whether the ants would go out today, as his website says 'Monday-Wednesday' shipping. I replied to Mick...
Mayor Newton to PhrynosomaTexas
4:29 PM (1 hour ago)
Well, gee...I'm extremely sorry that I made 'ALL' these requests, and that I must have missed the part where a new customer wasn't given a bit of slack when ordering for the first time from you. As far as not being able to take a minute to write a note on the label...every dealer I have ever purchased anything from that is live...for example, my four-times-a-month large cricket orders...has been able to do this to keep their shipments alive and cooler rather than out in the sun. Don't worry about it.
As far as what other 'all these requests' you might mean, if saying that I hope they go out today...as you say on your website that you ship Mon-Wed (and today is Wed), and saying that I understand if you can't ship today...and if simply asking if you give a tracking number (an easy yes or no would have been easier to type than what you did send me)...if those two 'requests' are too much for a new customer, well, I sincerely apologize.
I will learn the 'right way' to shop with you...if you even want me as a customer and possible contributor to your rescue...if given a little time. I will say I'm reminded of the 'Soup Nazi' from Jerry Seinfeld fame when ordered to follow all the 'rules' here...I am totally afraid of calling your 'personal cell phone,' and costing you money, by the way. Won't happen.
Anyway, I guess all I need to know is IF they ship today, or IF it will be Monday. And if you don't care to cut me some slack, you may at your discretion return my money to my PayPal account at this address. I'd hope that wouldn't be the case, though, and that you'd understand that a new customer may not do everything just perfect...we are, after all, just human.
I await your reply, sir. Have a great day.
R J Linburg
61 year old Vietnam Veteran (not a 'bratty kid' trying to waste your time).
Port Richey, FL
(727) 501-6000 (My cell phone, too, but it's worth what it costs me to do business...it's what I have it for!)
[/b]He got back in touch right away...apparently leaving the 'rescue' operation he whines about so much to fend for himself...[/b]
PhrynosomaTexas to Mayor
4:43 PM (1 hour ago)
Follow up message
Your money will be refunded and you can shop elsewhere. I am too busy with animal rescue for people like you. You are trouble. I ship in small priority boxes, and I do not have the space to write notes that some postal employee on a route in another state is going to take note of...or if I even remember to make a special note for you above all the other orders I have to cram in everyday! Hence, you need to have a more personal relationship with your delivery person if you have special requests like that.
Also, I wrote all that stuff on my order webpage so that I would not have to answer these kinds of questions repeatedly for everyone. Everybody thinks their order is special. Well I treat them all the same, and I get to them all as I can. I do not have time for those who cannot read the instructions and bother me on the same day about whether their order will go out or not, can I make notes on the box with detailed instuctions for a letter carrier, and then compare me to a nazi. If you were in a rush you should have requested express.
No, you did the right thing by not calling me.
Good day.
US Army Veteran 1/5 Cav, 1 Cav.
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/HornedLizards/
http://wichitafallsreptilerescue.webs.com/
Mick talks about how cheap his ants are, and insinuates that he's the only guy in the world who doesn't 'ruin' ant colonies with his collecting of them, yet tries to push you to pay for 'express, overnight delivery' on the ants, at a considerable charge...in my opinion. I sent back...
Mayor Newton to PhrynosomaTexas
5:13 PM (51 minutes ago)
Follow up message
Well, that explains it! An Army a**hole. First, Mick, I didn't 'compare' you to a Nazi...there is a comedy skit on TV with a comedian named Seinfeld with a 'soup Nazi' who doesn't sell you your soup if you don't order it just right. I was reminded of that show, is all, and thought it funny and was sharing the humor. I'd bet, though, that you never take a break to watch TV, right?
So, OK...'I' am 'trouble,' eh? You treat ALL your customers like this? I'm amazed, to be honest, that you still do business. YOU are the one who offered ants for sale...YOU. And yet, all you do is whine about how busy YOU are with your 'RESCUE.' How about how busy I am? Huh? YOU have no idea what I do, do you? Or what animals/herps I take care of and rescue, do you? The fact that I own and operate two message boards in 'the hobby,' that keep me very busy, too, I'm sure means NOTHING to YOU, does it? You know, 'Army,' you aren't the only person in the world, and just because someone misses something on your wonderful, red-underlined website, and Heaven forbid, asks you a d*mn question! Wow...life must suck to be you. How in the hell would I know how big the box is you send your ants in? ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS SIMPLY TELL ME THIS! I DO have a fine relationship with my postman, Mick, and he would do what he could for me...no problem. I STILL don't know why it's such a big deal that I asked you a simple question...and it would have been a whole lot easier for you to just have said 'can't do it, sorry.' But no, you'd rather whine some more about your busy rescue and your web page and all the answers that are there. Pathetic, Mick.
You know, I am a member of several message boards, Army, and I will be copying and pasting all our conversation on them...including the one that I got the link to your wonderful ants from...and on the Yahoo site, and on my message boards. 'Trouble?' Me? Right, Mick...though if you'll get down off your high horse, you might see how you sound to new customers and potential contributors. Wake up, Army.
I'll send you pics when these two little horns of mine die, for having to wait so long. Your site said MON to WED...AND ALL I DID WAS ASK IF THEY WOULD GO OUT TODAY, WHEN I PLACE THE ORDER, IN THE BOX MEANT FOR QUESTIONS TO THE VENDOR...THAT'S YOU!!! SHAME ON ME FOR THINKING I COULD ASK A SIMPLE QUESTION! I was NOT trying to upset you!
Look, Mick...I rescued these two little horned lizards from a lousy dealer at a reptile show a couple weekends ago, in Tampa. I thought they were going to die, so bought them from him to see if I could help. I had no idea where to get ants from, or even which kind of ants they need. I did a search, found your ad on a message board, and the rest you know. I was not trying to make an enemy, or hassle you at all. If you'll read my requests, with an open mind and heart, I think you'll realize that I didn't ask for much and I also said that I would understand if they didn't go out today. I was just worried about these little critters, as I care for all the herps I keep.
Want to start again? I read your warning to people to not 'give' you horned lizards, 'cause they'd cost you more than they were worth, but I don't think you really want to see mine die. Send me a box of ants for them...
Rj
Now, I probably should have controlled myself, and not called him an a**hole, but I have limits as do most of us...and it seems Mick may have reached his limit, too...
PhrynosomaTexas to Mayor
5:24 PM (42 minutes ago)
Follow up message
I don't care what you do. If you are in business then you should have known enough to read the instructions and understand that I have a processing time for a reason, and if you want special treatment then order express service. Big reptile boards man huh? Got some rescued horned lizards in bad shape? Then why can't you spend a few dollars more for expedited service? I offer ants at a reasonable price, but that's on condition I don't have to put up with first timers making special requests and asking questions that are already answered on the site.
If you have horned lizards you want to get into capable hands of someone who knows horned lizards and wrote a manual that at least 4 zoos are now using, then I will send you a rescue container and you can ship them, if you have their best interests in mind. Whether they die or not is up to you, not me.
My warnings on the site are for a**holes who expect me to take their cast off sliders and Iguanas at the drop of a hat and do not offer me a f**king dime. Yes, it will cost me money in the long run, and if you give a f**k about that you could donate if you want to send something...but just like most a**holes, I wouldn't expect you to.
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/HornedLizards/
http://wichitafallsreptilerescue.webs.com/
Mick continues on...emailing me back a couple more times to cuss at stomp his feet and threaten me with everything in the book. I guess calling to apologize is a real reason to get threatened with being arrested for 'telephone harassment'...
PhrynosomaTexas to Mayor
5:28 PM (42 minutes ago)
Follow up message
And another thing, you can post to boards all you like. Quote me verbatim. Do anything less than that, like libel, then you will get your a** involved in a civil proceeding.
I don't give a f**k if you post what I write. I am in a niche market, there are very few suppliers of these feeders in the whole country, and my business will continue to do well despite your efforts to undermine me. The price compared to others speaks for itself, and that's why you ordered from me, remember?
And further...
PhrynosomaTexas to Mayor
5:55 PM (15 minutes ago)
Follow up message
I saw your number on the phone. You were issued a refund, now unless you want to ship some horned lizards to me for rescue, then p*ss off...or do you have some obsessive compulsive disorder that keeps you from acting like a normal person who knows when to step the f**k off? If you keep the s**t up, I will file criminal complaint through your PD for telephone harrassment.
Sorry to subject you all to this guy's vitriolic hate (in my opinion), and his interesting 'business acumen.' I would think if he is in business, that he should at least be polite to his customers, especially new ones, as he is the one who wants to sell to us. As you might see, he cares not what I post about him, as he is in a 'niche' market, and doesn't fear the competition. He says his business will do fine despite my efforts to 'undermine' him, which is not the case at all. I just wanted a box of ants, and had a couple questions. Anyone remember 'The Soup Nazi?' By the way, Mick...your pricing is not why I chose to shop with you, but I'm sure whatever I have to say is unimportant to you now, with your opinion of me clouded by your dislike of me. Oh, yes, Mick...I will make sure to post 'exactly' what you wrote to me...I wouldn't have it any other way. You're your own worst enemy...I don't need to embellish at all.
Might have taken a lot less time to just reply to me that 'I'm sorry, they won't go out today...it's too late for them to.' And, 'there is not enough room on the box to put instructions to the mail carrier...sorry.' Gosh, I just hate it that ol' Mick had to ignore his rescue to hassle with 'trouble' like I am.
Thank you for your time.
Mayor
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mick posted back...
Bottom line is that you expect special treatment but don't want to pay for it. I charge $25 for express, which is about $5 dollars more than the standard rate...BUT MY TIME IS WORTH SOMETHING. Maybe yours is not, but if you want expedited service, yes, you nitwit, you will pay for it! But, you seem to be the kind of person who thinks he can just jump in front of the line, and on top of that, won't pay for it either!
You did not read my shipping and processing rules though they were plain to see, you were issued a refund immediately, yet you have a real personality problem with some obsessive compulsive issues that won't have you let go.
You are a nut case and I knew this from the start...that's why I don't want to do business with you. I do have the right to refuse business to anyone and to do business with whom I choose. I choose not to do business with you. Move on and get over it you petty child!
Also, I think some special sanction should be placed against you for reposting personal emails here which contain language. I am sure they have a rule against that sort of thing here.
__________________
http://wichitafallsreptilerescue.webs.com
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/hornedlizards
Mick also loves to throw names around, it appears...as in his next post...
I am a member of the HLCS and NWRA, author of a 40 page manual on horned lizards which is used by the Nashville, Montreal, Ft. Worth, and El Paso zoos, and herpetologist at UNAM in Mexico City. Professional zoologists subscribe to my forum for horned lizard information, and the director herpetology for the Nashville zoo invited me to present a paper at the International Herpetological Symposium, opposite Dr. Wade Sherbrooke. So, you know nothing about me. What do you do of real substance in the world of herpetology? Ever wrote a paper that was reviewed and cited as a source by zoologists and herpetologists? Ever had Dr. Richard Montanucci offer to review anything you wrote? I doubt it.
And when I said you could quote me, that did not in any way mean it gave you sanction to give libelous summation of my comments, nor give you authority to repost language meant specifically for you.
I think your verbose and obsessed posting here says much more about you than it does me.
----------------------------------------------------------------
It all boils down to you received a professional but concise explanation in my first response to you:
"I'm afraid all these requests are not going to be possible. If you read the website, it tells you what my shipping process is, and I cannot make notes for the mail courier. You will have to get with your mail courier for that."
But, instead of leaving it at that, you decided to reply with a whining verbose bunch of foot stamping about special treatment. Where I come from, if you want something extra, you pay for it buddy, and most people in business don't mind paying a little extra for the convenience. You apparently are not one of them. Then to call my personal number which is specifically listed as "emergency only" really tops it all. You have psychological issues that I cannot help you with, but I suggest you move on to finding another source for food for your lizards if you are that concerned with them. Find another crusade, cowboy!
Since we got let off 'probation,' Mick added to this last transmission on his sales posting...
Basically, this accuser throws a hissy fit because I refuse to do business with him.
He is NOT complaining that I took his money and he did not get a product.
He is NOT complaining that he received a substandard product from me.
He IS complaining that on the same day he placed his order ( after being rude and unreasonably demanding ) he received a full PayPal refund within hours of his payment, and I then asked him to do business somewhere else. My prerogative. Suck on it.
Well, he is special. Telling me to 'suck on it.' How polite and 'adult' he is? Well, fair is fair, so I have re-posted all this and we can take it from there. If any of you have read all this thus far, you need a life!
Actually, I have no doubt whatsoever that he is exemplary in his field. And it is admirable to take on the cause of the horned lizard and other reptiles as he does...and to write is a talent I admire in anyone. It's Mick's business sense that bothers me...his way of dealing with customers...and while my first reply to him might have been a bit snippy, I see that I was not reading his attitude wrong at all when I replied as I did. He is a tough person to get along with, and others have told me the same thing. It is up to you all whether to do business with him or not. I know he will survive just fine in his little 'niche' business selling ants, and I won't, nor I intend to, cause him to lose business. My intent is, and it is what this BOI is for, to let everyone know what they might be dealing with when they look to buy a box of ants.
I also now own the domain 'BoardOfInquiry.org' and look forward to adding a forum to it soon, to augment the good work done here at .com. I can see where good forums like this are a necessity to keep businesses 'straight' and the public 'informed.' I sincerely hope to be able to help in this regard.
Thank you all.
Randolph James Linburg/a.k.a. Mayor Newton
Port Richey, Florida
Anyway, I was told to that after my sentence was up, to feel free to re-post my issues with the owner of this 'WichitaFallsReptileRescue,' as the thread on the BOI got deleted, I think, and so here it goes. For those of you who would rather not 'hear' it all again, please just move on to something you do wish to hear. I do note, though, that Mick edited his last post on the thread of his where he's selling his ants yesterday, as then is when we got 're-instated.' So, as he feels it worthy for y'all to hear again, here is a recap complete with copied posts from the missing thread. Thank you for allowing me to bring this to your attention once again.
I 'rescued' a couple of horned 'toads' a couple weeks ago at a trade show near me. I say 'rescued' because, while I do not run an animal 'rescue,' as it were, I feel I 'saved' these two little critters from the person who had them. As many of you know, they are difficult to keep, and just anyone shouldn't have them. There is a high death rate, especially as they need ants in their diet...and specific ants, at that.
Mick (WichitaFallsReptileRescue) sells ants. I needed some ants. I ordered ants from Mick. I did not get the ants from Mick. Mick does not want me as a customer. I don't want to be a customer of Mick's. Mick says he's the 'cheapest' source of ants in the business...and further, says that this is 'why' I ordered ants from him (remember?). I say that Mick may be the 'cheapest' in the business, but that the 'cost' of doing business with him far, far outweighs that cheaper cost in grief and rudeness I feel I had to deal with with him. I did not have the opportunity to see if his product was good or was, as is his price, 'cheap.' I will not have that opportunity, nor do I need it. I have ants from a source that was very, very nice to deal with...and they are good ants.
So anyway, here are the saved posts/emails from that thread I started when this all happened, when I didn't leave my 'real name' as I should have, as I was new and missed a few of the 'requirements' to posting at the BOI. This won't happen again, and neither will my 'use of profanity,' as I got 'busted' for that, also...not because I use it, as I feel it is totally rude and crude to do so in most cases, but because Mick has, IMO, a very dirty mouth, especially towards a new customer. I have 'fixed' his profanity...I sincerely hope I didn't miss any of his words. Here goes...
I sent Mick $19 for an order of 1000 ants to feed a couple of horned lizards I just 'rescued.' I had a question or two for him, as I'm a new customer...and his website is extensive but it's easy to miss something on. I posed my questions in the box on the PayPal form, and got a 'less than professional,' in my opinion, from Mick. I will copy and paste the exchange between us here, and let you all make your own decision as to whether you should do business with him or not.
My questions to him on the Pay Pal form...
Instructions to merchant:
Hi! I hope this order can go out today (Wednesday), as it would really help. I've got a couple really hungry horns and would hate to see them starting to go downhill. I promise to order with a little more notice next time! Thank you so much, though I will understand if I'm not able to have them shipped tomorrow. Please put on the package for the delivery person to put these on the central air conditioner in the carport. Oh, do you send a tracking number? Anyway, cheers!
I got this reply from him today...
I'm afraid all these requests are not going to be possible. If you read the website, it tells you what my shipping process is, and I cannot make notes for the mail courier. You will have to get with your mail courier for that.
No 'big' deal, but it might have been easier, and in the interest of good business relations to simply answer my question as to whether the ants would go out today, as his website says 'Monday-Wednesday' shipping. I replied to Mick...
Mayor Newton to PhrynosomaTexas
4:29 PM (1 hour ago)
Well, gee...I'm extremely sorry that I made 'ALL' these requests, and that I must have missed the part where a new customer wasn't given a bit of slack when ordering for the first time from you. As far as not being able to take a minute to write a note on the label...every dealer I have ever purchased anything from that is live...for example, my four-times-a-month large cricket orders...has been able to do this to keep their shipments alive and cooler rather than out in the sun. Don't worry about it.
As far as what other 'all these requests' you might mean, if saying that I hope they go out today...as you say on your website that you ship Mon-Wed (and today is Wed), and saying that I understand if you can't ship today...and if simply asking if you give a tracking number (an easy yes or no would have been easier to type than what you did send me)...if those two 'requests' are too much for a new customer, well, I sincerely apologize.
I will learn the 'right way' to shop with you...if you even want me as a customer and possible contributor to your rescue...if given a little time. I will say I'm reminded of the 'Soup Nazi' from Jerry Seinfeld fame when ordered to follow all the 'rules' here...I am totally afraid of calling your 'personal cell phone,' and costing you money, by the way. Won't happen.
Anyway, I guess all I need to know is IF they ship today, or IF it will be Monday. And if you don't care to cut me some slack, you may at your discretion return my money to my PayPal account at this address. I'd hope that wouldn't be the case, though, and that you'd understand that a new customer may not do everything just perfect...we are, after all, just human.
I await your reply, sir. Have a great day.
R J Linburg
61 year old Vietnam Veteran (not a 'bratty kid' trying to waste your time).
Port Richey, FL
(727) 501-6000 (My cell phone, too, but it's worth what it costs me to do business...it's what I have it for!)
[/b]He got back in touch right away...apparently leaving the 'rescue' operation he whines about so much to fend for himself...[/b]
PhrynosomaTexas to Mayor
4:43 PM (1 hour ago)
Follow up message
Your money will be refunded and you can shop elsewhere. I am too busy with animal rescue for people like you. You are trouble. I ship in small priority boxes, and I do not have the space to write notes that some postal employee on a route in another state is going to take note of...or if I even remember to make a special note for you above all the other orders I have to cram in everyday! Hence, you need to have a more personal relationship with your delivery person if you have special requests like that.
Also, I wrote all that stuff on my order webpage so that I would not have to answer these kinds of questions repeatedly for everyone. Everybody thinks their order is special. Well I treat them all the same, and I get to them all as I can. I do not have time for those who cannot read the instructions and bother me on the same day about whether their order will go out or not, can I make notes on the box with detailed instuctions for a letter carrier, and then compare me to a nazi. If you were in a rush you should have requested express.
No, you did the right thing by not calling me.
Good day.
US Army Veteran 1/5 Cav, 1 Cav.
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/HornedLizards/
http://wichitafallsreptilerescue.webs.com/
Mick talks about how cheap his ants are, and insinuates that he's the only guy in the world who doesn't 'ruin' ant colonies with his collecting of them, yet tries to push you to pay for 'express, overnight delivery' on the ants, at a considerable charge...in my opinion. I sent back...
Mayor Newton to PhrynosomaTexas
5:13 PM (51 minutes ago)
Follow up message
Well, that explains it! An Army a**hole. First, Mick, I didn't 'compare' you to a Nazi...there is a comedy skit on TV with a comedian named Seinfeld with a 'soup Nazi' who doesn't sell you your soup if you don't order it just right. I was reminded of that show, is all, and thought it funny and was sharing the humor. I'd bet, though, that you never take a break to watch TV, right?
So, OK...'I' am 'trouble,' eh? You treat ALL your customers like this? I'm amazed, to be honest, that you still do business. YOU are the one who offered ants for sale...YOU. And yet, all you do is whine about how busy YOU are with your 'RESCUE.' How about how busy I am? Huh? YOU have no idea what I do, do you? Or what animals/herps I take care of and rescue, do you? The fact that I own and operate two message boards in 'the hobby,' that keep me very busy, too, I'm sure means NOTHING to YOU, does it? You know, 'Army,' you aren't the only person in the world, and just because someone misses something on your wonderful, red-underlined website, and Heaven forbid, asks you a d*mn question! Wow...life must suck to be you. How in the hell would I know how big the box is you send your ants in? ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS SIMPLY TELL ME THIS! I DO have a fine relationship with my postman, Mick, and he would do what he could for me...no problem. I STILL don't know why it's such a big deal that I asked you a simple question...and it would have been a whole lot easier for you to just have said 'can't do it, sorry.' But no, you'd rather whine some more about your busy rescue and your web page and all the answers that are there. Pathetic, Mick.
You know, I am a member of several message boards, Army, and I will be copying and pasting all our conversation on them...including the one that I got the link to your wonderful ants from...and on the Yahoo site, and on my message boards. 'Trouble?' Me? Right, Mick...though if you'll get down off your high horse, you might see how you sound to new customers and potential contributors. Wake up, Army.
I'll send you pics when these two little horns of mine die, for having to wait so long. Your site said MON to WED...AND ALL I DID WAS ASK IF THEY WOULD GO OUT TODAY, WHEN I PLACE THE ORDER, IN THE BOX MEANT FOR QUESTIONS TO THE VENDOR...THAT'S YOU!!! SHAME ON ME FOR THINKING I COULD ASK A SIMPLE QUESTION! I was NOT trying to upset you!
Look, Mick...I rescued these two little horned lizards from a lousy dealer at a reptile show a couple weekends ago, in Tampa. I thought they were going to die, so bought them from him to see if I could help. I had no idea where to get ants from, or even which kind of ants they need. I did a search, found your ad on a message board, and the rest you know. I was not trying to make an enemy, or hassle you at all. If you'll read my requests, with an open mind and heart, I think you'll realize that I didn't ask for much and I also said that I would understand if they didn't go out today. I was just worried about these little critters, as I care for all the herps I keep.
Want to start again? I read your warning to people to not 'give' you horned lizards, 'cause they'd cost you more than they were worth, but I don't think you really want to see mine die. Send me a box of ants for them...
Rj
Now, I probably should have controlled myself, and not called him an a**hole, but I have limits as do most of us...and it seems Mick may have reached his limit, too...
PhrynosomaTexas to Mayor
5:24 PM (42 minutes ago)
Follow up message
I don't care what you do. If you are in business then you should have known enough to read the instructions and understand that I have a processing time for a reason, and if you want special treatment then order express service. Big reptile boards man huh? Got some rescued horned lizards in bad shape? Then why can't you spend a few dollars more for expedited service? I offer ants at a reasonable price, but that's on condition I don't have to put up with first timers making special requests and asking questions that are already answered on the site.
If you have horned lizards you want to get into capable hands of someone who knows horned lizards and wrote a manual that at least 4 zoos are now using, then I will send you a rescue container and you can ship them, if you have their best interests in mind. Whether they die or not is up to you, not me.
My warnings on the site are for a**holes who expect me to take their cast off sliders and Iguanas at the drop of a hat and do not offer me a f**king dime. Yes, it will cost me money in the long run, and if you give a f**k about that you could donate if you want to send something...but just like most a**holes, I wouldn't expect you to.
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/HornedLizards/
http://wichitafallsreptilerescue.webs.com/
Mick continues on...emailing me back a couple more times to cuss at stomp his feet and threaten me with everything in the book. I guess calling to apologize is a real reason to get threatened with being arrested for 'telephone harassment'...
PhrynosomaTexas to Mayor
5:28 PM (42 minutes ago)
Follow up message
And another thing, you can post to boards all you like. Quote me verbatim. Do anything less than that, like libel, then you will get your a** involved in a civil proceeding.
I don't give a f**k if you post what I write. I am in a niche market, there are very few suppliers of these feeders in the whole country, and my business will continue to do well despite your efforts to undermine me. The price compared to others speaks for itself, and that's why you ordered from me, remember?
And further...
PhrynosomaTexas to Mayor
5:55 PM (15 minutes ago)
Follow up message
I saw your number on the phone. You were issued a refund, now unless you want to ship some horned lizards to me for rescue, then p*ss off...or do you have some obsessive compulsive disorder that keeps you from acting like a normal person who knows when to step the f**k off? If you keep the s**t up, I will file criminal complaint through your PD for telephone harrassment.
Sorry to subject you all to this guy's vitriolic hate (in my opinion), and his interesting 'business acumen.' I would think if he is in business, that he should at least be polite to his customers, especially new ones, as he is the one who wants to sell to us. As you might see, he cares not what I post about him, as he is in a 'niche' market, and doesn't fear the competition. He says his business will do fine despite my efforts to 'undermine' him, which is not the case at all. I just wanted a box of ants, and had a couple questions. Anyone remember 'The Soup Nazi?' By the way, Mick...your pricing is not why I chose to shop with you, but I'm sure whatever I have to say is unimportant to you now, with your opinion of me clouded by your dislike of me. Oh, yes, Mick...I will make sure to post 'exactly' what you wrote to me...I wouldn't have it any other way. You're your own worst enemy...I don't need to embellish at all.
Might have taken a lot less time to just reply to me that 'I'm sorry, they won't go out today...it's too late for them to.' And, 'there is not enough room on the box to put instructions to the mail carrier...sorry.' Gosh, I just hate it that ol' Mick had to ignore his rescue to hassle with 'trouble' like I am.
Thank you for your time.
Mayor
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Mick posted back...
Bottom line is that you expect special treatment but don't want to pay for it. I charge $25 for express, which is about $5 dollars more than the standard rate...BUT MY TIME IS WORTH SOMETHING. Maybe yours is not, but if you want expedited service, yes, you nitwit, you will pay for it! But, you seem to be the kind of person who thinks he can just jump in front of the line, and on top of that, won't pay for it either!
You did not read my shipping and processing rules though they were plain to see, you were issued a refund immediately, yet you have a real personality problem with some obsessive compulsive issues that won't have you let go.
You are a nut case and I knew this from the start...that's why I don't want to do business with you. I do have the right to refuse business to anyone and to do business with whom I choose. I choose not to do business with you. Move on and get over it you petty child!
Also, I think some special sanction should be placed against you for reposting personal emails here which contain language. I am sure they have a rule against that sort of thing here.
__________________
http://wichitafallsreptilerescue.webs.com
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/hornedlizards
Mick also loves to throw names around, it appears...as in his next post...
I am a member of the HLCS and NWRA, author of a 40 page manual on horned lizards which is used by the Nashville, Montreal, Ft. Worth, and El Paso zoos, and herpetologist at UNAM in Mexico City. Professional zoologists subscribe to my forum for horned lizard information, and the director herpetology for the Nashville zoo invited me to present a paper at the International Herpetological Symposium, opposite Dr. Wade Sherbrooke. So, you know nothing about me. What do you do of real substance in the world of herpetology? Ever wrote a paper that was reviewed and cited as a source by zoologists and herpetologists? Ever had Dr. Richard Montanucci offer to review anything you wrote? I doubt it.
And when I said you could quote me, that did not in any way mean it gave you sanction to give libelous summation of my comments, nor give you authority to repost language meant specifically for you.
I think your verbose and obsessed posting here says much more about you than it does me.
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It all boils down to you received a professional but concise explanation in my first response to you:
"I'm afraid all these requests are not going to be possible. If you read the website, it tells you what my shipping process is, and I cannot make notes for the mail courier. You will have to get with your mail courier for that."
But, instead of leaving it at that, you decided to reply with a whining verbose bunch of foot stamping about special treatment. Where I come from, if you want something extra, you pay for it buddy, and most people in business don't mind paying a little extra for the convenience. You apparently are not one of them. Then to call my personal number which is specifically listed as "emergency only" really tops it all. You have psychological issues that I cannot help you with, but I suggest you move on to finding another source for food for your lizards if you are that concerned with them. Find another crusade, cowboy!
Since we got let off 'probation,' Mick added to this last transmission on his sales posting...
Basically, this accuser throws a hissy fit because I refuse to do business with him.
He is NOT complaining that I took his money and he did not get a product.
He is NOT complaining that he received a substandard product from me.
He IS complaining that on the same day he placed his order ( after being rude and unreasonably demanding ) he received a full PayPal refund within hours of his payment, and I then asked him to do business somewhere else. My prerogative. Suck on it.
Well, he is special. Telling me to 'suck on it.' How polite and 'adult' he is? Well, fair is fair, so I have re-posted all this and we can take it from there. If any of you have read all this thus far, you need a life!
Actually, I have no doubt whatsoever that he is exemplary in his field. And it is admirable to take on the cause of the horned lizard and other reptiles as he does...and to write is a talent I admire in anyone. It's Mick's business sense that bothers me...his way of dealing with customers...and while my first reply to him might have been a bit snippy, I see that I was not reading his attitude wrong at all when I replied as I did. He is a tough person to get along with, and others have told me the same thing. It is up to you all whether to do business with him or not. I know he will survive just fine in his little 'niche' business selling ants, and I won't, nor I intend to, cause him to lose business. My intent is, and it is what this BOI is for, to let everyone know what they might be dealing with when they look to buy a box of ants.
I also now own the domain 'BoardOfInquiry.org' and look forward to adding a forum to it soon, to augment the good work done here at .com. I can see where good forums like this are a necessity to keep businesses 'straight' and the public 'informed.' I sincerely hope to be able to help in this regard.
Thank you all.
Randolph James Linburg/a.k.a. Mayor Newton
Port Richey, Florida
