• 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.

Really Dissatisfied w/ BigAppleHerp transaction

coyote

coyote

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I needed a couple of 100W Merc Vap bulbs recently. Deciding to give BigAppleHerp a try at my business I ordered both bulbs from them. I was impressed with their self-hype about their own brand.

Bulbs arrive. 1 is fine and works fine.
2nd bulb is defective, a short strap of metal that is supposed to connect two long filaments inside the bulb is floating free.

Thus begins my annoyance.

The bulb obviously has to go back, this costs me an additional $7.80 for shipping.
A rep from BAH calls me to confirm that I want a replacement. "Yes I do".

Unfortunately the brand I bought is out of stock and not expected to be available again for at least another month.
Not good, I do need the bulb now.
They can send another brand but there is a price difference of $6 and change.
"Just give me a refund".
I am not going to pay another penny to get a bulb from these people.
The refund will only be for the bulb price, nothing for return shipping.

$34.95/bulb + $4.98 (half the shipping paid for a bulb that was sent defective) + $7.80 (to ship it back) = $47.73 already paid.
Adding another $6 for price difference = $54. That price is too high.

This was their mistake. Their Quality Control failed. The receipt shows two initials. One for "Packed by" and one for "Double Checked by". Still, they sent me a defective bulb which resulted in costing me additional funds. Then, they won't replace it in good faith without charging me the cost difference of a different brand.

Why should the customer be expected to assume a "surcharge/penalty" for what, some presumed "privilege" of doing business?

I don't care to do business with vendors that have marginal customer service and no qualms about sticking it to the customer. Granted, they probably don't need my business. If I wanted to pay over $50 for a 100W MV bulb, I'd of bought it at a local pet shop.

I'm going back to those vendors with whom I have had successful and satisfactory transactions.
 
I agree completely.
The customer should never be out one penny for having done business with you.

Big Apple should have stepped up and credited the shipping charges both ways for their defective product.

It's simply good business to do so.
 
Marjee.... Before you give everything up for lost.... It's just POSSIBLE that the president of the company (Steve Spitz), doesn't even know of this fiasco.... Why not give the company a call and ASK for Steve personally.... Maybe HE can get you satisfaction.... Also, tell him of this thread, and I have a strange feeling you just might be surprised.... Good luck....

Neil
 
Well! Am I pleased to read these encouraging posts.
I didn't know the name of the president. Thanks for the info, I will employ it directly.
Hope to come back with good news.
Thanks,
 
You shouldn't have to pay return shipping for a broken item. They should just reship out another one, at least that's what I would've done in that situation. I had ordered 3 infared heat bulbs from them last summer, and one didn't light up. Never the less, I ate the cost of that one because they also told me to reship it back to them. It wasn't worth it to pay shipping twice for a bulb that only cost like $12.
 
ZenReptiles said:
You shouldn't have to pay return shipping for a broken item. They should just reship out another one, at least that's what I would've done in that situation. I had ordered 3 infared heat bulbs from them last summer, and one didn't light up. Never the less, I ate the cost of that one because they also told me to reship it back to them. It wasn't worth it to pay shipping twice for a bulb that only cost like $12.
Click to expand...


I agree. Definately shouldn't have to pay return shipping , or really even have to ship it back. I just had a somewhat similar situation with a temp gun i bought from a company. UPS said they delivered a package to me , yet i never got it. I calle dthe company , they sent me a new temp gun , and told me not to worry , that they would deal with UPS . Its not exactly like yours , but its how it should be .

Derek Federico
 
I had a similiar situtation as Derek, only mine was with BAH. I ordered a 10 pack of 35 hour heat packs, they never arrived. UPS said they delivered, but I never received. BAH, sent a new set and said they would handle UPS. Not a single problem. The individual whom I dealt with was extremely helpful. I can't recall his name, but I would recommend contacting the President.
 
I have only ordered from BAH once. And actually it was because I won a $50 gift certificate for their business. I had no problem with my order. I ordered various things...including 18" 10.0 UV bulbs...sterilite...a 38g Reptarium...large water bowl, etc.

It all came in one box...and I was immediately concerned...18 inch bulbs in a 3 foot box? With all that other stuff banging around?

It was VERY well packed...and they spared no expense on bubble wrap I can assure you.

Sorry to hear about your problem...but I have a feeling you will be satisfied in the end.
 
Marjee,
I agree that it would be nice if they did not want the bulb back, as some have questioned, but depending on who their supplier is for the item, they may need it to get credit. It vary's from supplier to supplier for them, just as it does us. They certainly should set up return shipping, or let it be done on their account, and in no way put you in a position of having to pay for it up front, even if they were to promise a refund for it as well. There are other things they could do to better manage this, and as suggested, my guess is that they will come through. I believe that they are a much better outfit than they appear to be in this one instance. While I don't do business there, isn't Home Shopping Network a business to be emulated when it comes to returns? No inconvenience on the customer what-so-ever, if I am correct.
 
I did as Neil suggessted and sent an email off to Steve Spitz.
He sent a prompt reply that is pasted below.

Marjee,



This email has been forwarded to me and I do see on your account that you received a full refund for the product. However, may I further assist by providing an extra $15 gift certificate on your account? This will have no expiration date and can be used at any time in the future by calling your order in or by placing your order online under “Marjee Zeier”.



I also want to thank you for taking the time to bring this to my attention. I sincerely apologize for the issue you had on our 100 watt bulb. Our container is still on its way from overseas with more bulbs. The new bulbs have improvements on them once again to lower the early burnout rate below our current 2%.



All the best,



Steven Spitz

Big Apple Herpetological, Inc.

http://www.bigappleherp.com
Click to expand...

It would be more useful for me to have recieved a working bulb though.
 
Marjee.... I kinda thought Steve would step up after FIRST learning of the situation.... So he made you whole by refunding your money (not sure if it was for the bulb only, or the bulb and shipping), but even if it was just for the bulb, he also included a $15 gift certificate so you can get another bulb at about half price.... It seems that they didn't have the bulb to replace in any case.... I also have a feeling that if you had gotten in touch with Steve first, I don't think he would have made you send the damaged bulb back, either.... but it all worked out in the end.... Glad I could help....

Neil
 
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