• 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.

    =====================
    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.
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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.

ReptiCon Show in S.C. was burglarized last night!!

N

Neil Gubitz

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Tony Cueto (promoter of the Florida Shows) called me this morning to inform me that last night (Saturday), the ReptiCon show in South Carolina (run by Bill and Tina Russell) was broken into and EVERY VENDOR WAS WIPED OUT OF THEIR STOCK!!.... Hit HARD was George Ullman of over $11,000 in tortoises.... they made off with everyone's most expensive animals.... the police are there right now investigating.... There was NO overnight security!!

We wanted to get the word out immediately, because Tony thinks they are heading to Florida to unload this stuff.... obviously, if ANY OF YOU are approached to buy some expensive animals in the next couple of days, be VERY CAREFUL who you are dealing with....

If you have any information about this burglary, you can contact Tina or Bill Russell at 863-419-4868....

If you go to www.ReptileShowCrooks.com that site will keep the investigation updated every step of the way....

Neil
 
Man, That Sucks!

I was there yesterday, and I was so pleased that it seemed to be a nice little show. I was worried on the way down, during the two-hour drive, that I'd get there and hardly any vendors or customers would show up, much like the North Augusta, SC, show, back in the spring. There appeared to be a nice turn-out, though, in spite of really hot, muggy weather, and I was thinking on the way home that this show could eventually grow into a large annual event, and we need more reptile shows in the Carolinas. Now, something like this has to happen! Lots of people I know had tables down there, and it hurts to think of them losing their valuable animals. One had just gotten started back in business after losing all of his rodent breeding stock last winter during an ice storm. I sure hope that the police will catch the thieves, but the lack of overnight security is a big issue.

Sharon McKenzie
 
Were the vendors told that there would be overnight security? I sure wouldn't have left my animals at the show if security wasn't being provided.
It would be helpful if Tony could put together a list of some of the more unusual animals that were stolen so we know what to look for.
...Hope they nail the dirtbags that are responsible.
 
hey NEIL

does Tony have any insurance for theft and does the facility have an insurance carrier that hosted the show? Their is some liability issues here, and this can be a problem for future shows.

I would not be surprised that in the future small shows will have you sign a waiver of liability. Basically "enter at your own risk". vendors should seriously consider as someone mentioned, to take home the more expensive herps if its going to be a 2 day affair. JERRY
 
Jerry.... You're getting a little mixed up there buddy.... This was NOT one of Tony's shows.... It was promoted and produced by Bill and Tina Russell....

I don't know what type of Insurance policies Tony has for his own shows, but I CAN tell you that he spends a LOT of EXTRA money on security for HIS shows.... including OVERNIGHT security who actually STAY IN THE LOCKED SHOWROOM AT NIGHT.... At his Orlando FIRE show, NOT ONE THING WAS STOLEN from anyone!!....

When promoters start taking Tony's lead, they will be a lot happier (and so will the vendors)!!

Neil
 
Sorry for the misunderstanding. I

thought it was Tonys show. In either case, it can be a sticky situation. I am glad to see that Tony has provided additonal security. Unless these animals are microchiped, proving ownership can be difficult especially if these crooks can afford to sit on these items.

What amazes me is the length that some people will go through in order to steal herps. This had to have been a well planned execution. Does anyone know how the left the area?
 
Hello all, I was a vendor at the show. I best story I heard was that somehow someone hid inside the building, and waited for everyone to leave. They then kicked open a door and exited w/ the animals. The list of animals taken is big and impressive. High-end tortoises were much of what was taken. I can't remember everything that was on the list but perhaps we can get someone to post it. For now be on the lookout for anyone selling high-end baby torts. A pair of adult tri-colored hognose were also taken, those stand out a little so watch out for them as well.
 
This is the reason I take ALL my reptiles with me when I leave. I do not care if someone sleeps there or not. I would rather take the extra time to pack them up.
 
Lynn.... I understand what you're saying, BUT.... unless you LIVE in the area, and bring your animals HOME at night.... there is a MUCH better chance of you getting ripped off in your hotel, then by leaving them at the show (security or not).... there are those that will FOLLOW you anywhere, and when you least expect it.... BAM!!.... You should be MORE careful about leaving them in a hotel room while you're out to dinner (or whatever), then leaving them at the show, where they are "relatively" safe....

Just a thought....

Neil
 
I understand what you are saying. Once I get to the room I stay put... or one of us goes for food or we just get room service. I not only fear my stuff getting stolen but the temp in the room. I was at a show where they forgot to turn the ac up and there ended up being lots of sick animals. My friend lost alot of her poison dart frogs and another lost most of the spiders. Hopefully my luck will hold. I have not had a problem in nine years but there is always a first time.
 
response to neil

How can you say a hotel room where I am sleeping is less safe than the show room?

I have stayed at over 100 hotels/motels and not once even lost a dollar, however in 2003 I had animals stolen at Tony's show in orlando that was supposedly locked with a security guard!

I know crooks are everywhere and yes you can get jumped/mugged anywhere. However I think my herps are always safer when they are within my reach.

I now pack up 100% of my animals worth more than $20 at everyshow, every night even if it is in violation of thier "vet check" policy. I would rather be booted from the show then have my stock stolen!


On another note, thanks neil for helping out with the incident at the 04 orlando show.

Benjamin Cole
 
Ben.... you didn't read my response correctly.... I said....

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You should be MORE careful about leaving them in a hotel room while you're out to dinner (or whatever),
----------------------------------

It's ALWAYS safer if you never leave them out of your site, but, if you're planning on going out to dinner, or a movie, or doing some sightseeing.... it's always safer to just leave them at the show.... I can give you a large list of people I know that have been ripped off from their hotel rooms while they were out of their rooms....

That's all I was trying to get across....

With that said.... I HATE THIEVES!!!.... I would (and will) ALWAYS do ANYTHING I CAN to bring them to justice, or point the authorities in the right direction....

Neil
 
to neil

I guess I missed the while your out to dinner part!

My foot hadn't been in my mouth for two or three days so I had to open it again.
 
SAFETY IN THE HOTEL ROOM

This would completely depend upon whom is sharing your room with you!!!:kill:
I am truly sorry to hear about all the bad luck that the vendors and the repticon people had, this is getting to be an extremely hard business to make a living at with all the thieves and regulations.
jewell
 
Sigh. Someone posted about this theft on the bearded dragon forum on Another Board; and when I started pointing out the importance of overnight security she ARGUED with me!
I really think, what with the expense of tables at these conventions, that all promoters need to have overnight security. Considering the huge financial loss when some of the more well known exhibitors lose even a few animals, there really is no excuse not to do this. And, considering the number of law enforcement professionals that are also reptile enthusiasts, one could easily obtain referrals to qualified security providers.
 
SECURITY

There are alot of game officers and police officers that moonlight as security officers, I am sure that if their superiors or the officers themselves were asked something could be arranged.
Not all of them are our enemy, most of them would probably love to do it, and not for the obvious reason of catching illegal animals(which should not be there to start with) but to help promote and keep the honest herpers safe from the dishonest ones.
just my opinion
Jewell
 
Hotels.

I just wanted to put my .02 in about hotel safety, last year when I went to tinley park show I had $900 stolen from my hotel room. It was not the hotel the show was at. I was gone for an hour and came back and they had let someone else rent the same room I had. They went through my stuff, found my money, then they were stupid enough to rent another room at the same hotel. Needless to say I did get my money back.
 
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