• Posted 12/19/2024.
    =====================

    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.

    =====================
    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.
  • Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    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.

Inquiry DTS herp farm

Arachno said:
He's placed lots of ads over the years for species I really wanted, but I've always had second thoughts. What about buying from him in person?
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From a moral/ethical standpoint, many of us would probably agree that ANY business with him is a bad idea. As far as an in-person deal being safer - not really. Not every health issue can be seen, especially during a cursory exam. If some health issue does end up showing itself shortly after the sale, DTS has a documented history of not doing right by the customers who aren't lucky enough to get a healthy animal from him.
 
Fangthane said:
... Not every health issue can be seen, especially during a cursory exam. If some health issue does end up showing itself shortly after the sale, DTS has a documented history of not doing right by the customers who aren't lucky enough to get a healthy animal from him.
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True, that; re: cursory exam. Online or face-to-face ... I don't believe it alters ethics, honesty or customer service after an unsatisfactory purchase.
 
Fangthane said:
From a moral/ethical standpoint, many of us would probably agree that ANY business with him is a bad idea. As far as an in-person deal being safer - not really. Not every health issue can be seen, especially during a cursory exam. If some health issue does end up showing itself shortly after the sale, DTS has a documented history of not doing right by the customers who aren't lucky enough to get a healthy animal from him.
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The snakes I wanted from him were all really high priced. So it definitely sounds like it would be too risky to buy from him.
 
David Scarboro said:
That is exactly how I felt Jeff. A couple of members seemed to have a problem with me calling him out for his statement. It was obvious that he was doing more than just adding an experience. He states that he has seen the bad guy threads and evidently Dan's actions do not bother him.. There is also the fact that many thousands of dollars of Dan Scolaro's possibly infected animals have passed through the facilities of kingpinreptiles. It really didn't bother me that they wanted to call me out especially considering who was doing the calling.
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Take all the shots you want, but if people are reluctant to post their experiences due to being attacked by people like you then this forum loses it's effectiveness. I would never deal with Dan, but I'm not going to ridicule someone that does.
 
Bobby Douglass said:
Take all the shots you want, but if people are reluctant to post their experiences due to being attacked by people like you then this forum loses it's effectiveness. I would never deal with Dan, but I'm not going to ridicule someone that does.
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You, IMO are dead wrong. The statement about Dan from kingpinreptiles basically was an attempt to negate all of the wrong Dan Scolaro has done. That isn't going to happen! I feel it is people like me who help the BOI to function. Now how about we let it function as it was meant to and take this to PM if you wish to continue?
 
Bobby Douglass said:
Take all the shots you want, but if people are reluctant to post their experiences due to being attacked by people like you then this forum loses it's effectiveness. I would never deal with Dan, but I'm not going to ridicule someone that does.
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I think a valid point is being made here. Just as it has in the past when this sort of thing was addressed then. Anyone interested in putting their two cents in is encouraged to take such discussion HERE. -> http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236965
 
Bobby Douglass said:
Take all the shots you want, but if people are reluctant to post their experiences due to being attacked by people like you then this forum loses it's effectiveness. I would never deal with Dan, but I'm not going to ridicule someone that does.
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This isn't a cheerleader forum. DTS reputation is such that it is risky to deal with him from a business standpoint and a health standpoint. you bet we are going to post our negative opinions and question those that do business with him. That indeed is what the forum is for. Those that have had good dealings with DTS are lucky and people do need to be warned ahead of time.
 
Been debating on throwing my 2 cents in here as I'm clearly a newcomer to this "industry" and haven't been along enough to see the things that you veterans have seen over the years. I do think that it's important that we keep our frustration focused on the actual "bad guys" without villainizing those that have done business with them whether intentionally or out of ignorance (as I almost did in this case). Encouraging them to avoid future business with the "bad guys" is a great course of action, but flat out ridiculing them is counterproductive and divisive to the community as a whole. Lets work together to improve the industry as a whole. I am certainly grateful for the insight provided in this thread as it has had a direct influence on who I should avoid. Thanks to all for sharing your stories and experiences.
 
Some may say "vilify"; others may say "tell it like it is." Hell, even the more chronically level-headed among us agree, in general principle:
MikeCurtin said:
Secondly, while I do not support anyone dealing with him, and would not consider knowingly purchasing from someone who does, I don't think it's particularly helpful to demonize those who are honest about their positive transactions in this thread.
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Adding an experience is one thing; but certain types of editorialization are bound to draw some special attention.

I'm with David on this one:
David Scarboro said:
The statement about Dan from kingpinreptiles basically was an attempt to negate all of the wrong Dan Scolaro has done. That isn't going to happen!
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At least one poster has claimed to have been made to see how his purchases have helped to support DTS; and subsequently rethought his decision. In my eyes, that's one less potential victim. If all that needed to be sacrificed to achieve that goal were some slightly hurt feelings; personally, I see it as a pretty low price.
 
Not sure if the poster who claimed to rethink his decision was sincere or not.....I don't think he was, but that doesn't really matter.

I wouldn't have posted anything if the comments had been directed solely at Dan from Kingpin. His actions will likely impact those to whom he resells Scolaro's questionable stock. One or 2 hobbyists looking for a hard to find animal that gets lucky could probably be handled a little differently.
 
MikeCurtin said:
Not sure if the poster who claimed to rethink his decision was sincere or not.....I don't think he was, but that doesn't really matter.

I wouldn't have posted anything if the comments had been directed solely at Dan from Kingpin. His actions will likely impact those to whom he resells Scolaro's questionable stock. One or 2 hobbyists looking for a hard to find animal that gets lucky could probably be handled a little differently.
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After backing up and looking at it, you are correct.
 
I much prefer when people share their experiences, good or bad, and do not feel pressured against doing so for the sake of maintaining a unidimensional theme. It robs the reader of some clarity.
 
I purchased a few snakes from Dan 1-1/2 - 2 yrs ago. Somewhere between $900-1200.00 worth, can't truly remember. I didn't know about the bad guy threads until after I got my snakes.

Snakes seemed good for awhile, until they all died over a course of 3-4 months.

Since that happened, I chalked it up as a learning experience and I rather stick with shows, I even look on the BOI to check out some of the vendors that tend. I haven't made a purchase on line since. I was left with a bad taste in my mouth!
 
So as a bit of a noob here I have to say I am glad I found this thread - which was purely by chance..
I have enjoyed reading the banter but also found it interesting that this Dan dude is still in business.
You see I was just about to buy some stuff from him (i have 3 hatchling mussies that just won't eat and he has little hatchling brown snakes that would go well) but before I got any info out of him he's sending me his PayPal address = red flag.
I'm in a jam... I need small snakes and cheap... till I get these guys onto rodents. But I sure as hell don't want to support this clown...

These threads are invaluable to us so lets keep them going.
I agree with David and others, we can't support this guy and people openly defending him given his rep is not beneficial.
This guy sounds like he moves "lots of inventory" and has little concern about anything other than the almighty $$$.
 
David Scarboro said:
Thanks for that. That makes another member who will support a PROVEN bad guy. Hopefully you will never have a problem, but it is going to be funny when you do. Would you also let Charlie Manson babysit for you. Maybe you haven't read all of the bad guy threads about him. Anyone else?
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You seem to troll people who don't agree with you.
It's not your money so not your problem.
Everytime i read a post your there moaning and groaning.
Why not shut up about people spending there money how they choose.
 
jusmebabee said:
It's not your money so not your problem.
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You are right about people can spend their money how they choose, BUT, supporting people like Dan is detrimental to the herp community as a whole.
Shady sellers/importers/brokers embody the dark side of keeping reptiles. The more negativity that is associated with reptiles, the more restrictions reptile keepers will suffer.
Whether you agree with David S. or not, we do need to work to keep the hobby clean and usually that means not supporting those who would be detrimental to the hobby.
 
j_dunlavy said:
You are right about people can spend their money how they choose, BUT, supporting people like Dan is detrimental to the herp community as a whole.
Shady sellers/importers/brokers embody the dark side of keeping reptiles. The more negativity that is associated with reptiles, the more restrictions reptile keepers will suffer.
Whether you agree with David S. or not, we do need to work to keep the hobby clean and usually that means not supporting those who would be detrimental to the hobby.
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My only point is the way he goes after people. Almost to the point of making people not want to post due to his nonsense.
I'm not supporting bad guys but I won't stalk people who do.
 
WebSlave said:
I think a valid point is being made here. Just as it has in the past when this sort of thing was addressed then. Anyone interested in putting their two cents in is encouraged to take such discussion HERE. -> http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236965
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treeboa said:
This isn't a cheerleader forum. DTS reputation is such that it is risky to deal with him from a business standpoint and a health standpoint. you bet we are going to post our negative opinions and question those that do business with him. That indeed is what the forum is for. Those that have had good dealings with DTS are lucky and people do need to be warned ahead of time.
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Treeboa, I think you need to read that comment. Bc this happens a lot on the BOI and its a valid point to not ridicule people if you want them to post. This forum is not to put people down in that manner. Webslave provided a link for you to do so.
 
I want to make clear the only Dan's a good guy poster I had a problem with was Kingpin. Mike knows full well about Dan and still deals with him on a large scale. I have considered buying from him on occasion and after reading this thread am so glad I didn't.

About the bullying thing, I just don't see it. If someone says they know someone's rep and still deals with them I think we should be able to ask them why. What constitutes an attack anyway? Pointing out Scolaro's many bad guy threads? Posting links to them? In other words, how far do we go to coddle people? The day someone like Scolaro is able to have unquestioned good guy threads on here is the day I'm out of here. (I know who cares, lol!)
 
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