Thank you Ross.
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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.
Inquiry Shannon Bray (slickslug)
- Thread starter DavidBeard
- Start date
Thank you Ross.
Keith you're better off not doing business with these keyboard detectives. Their entire M.O. Is looking for minuscule crap to run to the BOI with.
I think its pretty clear that it was a suggestion.....I cannot tell you what to do, you're a grown man are you not? Its not MY fault that you or whoever started the "slickslug" account cannot spell your last name. Is it really surprising that someone would find that unusual?
Can you honestly blame anyone for being skeptical, when literally ONE person in the last TEN YEARS in the entire online community of herpetoculture that I have seen thus far has even heard of you, let alone done business with you?
Calling yourself "big time" and offering proof that shows otherwise is not a becoming trait.
Wrong. I was looking to protect myself and others from a possible bad transaction. I know enough through personal experience to never do business with someone who has ZERO feedback or presence online. Too many scammers and too many shady people out there not be diligent. If questions come up, they should be answered and the truth brought to light and everyone can be on the same page.
Finding info about Keith Brady or whoever was posting those Sunset Hogs was like pulling teeth. I didn't just check here on Fauna, either.
Also, the photo gallery that Keith linked does nothing in regard to lend credence to his "big time" breeder label. Its a photo gallery, nothing more. Nothing even hints at the fact those are your animals or that you produced them. Just species descriptions on the thumbnails. You could be a photo collector for all we know.
ahhh, 'nuff said.
Keith, my comment about English not being a 1st language was in no way directed at your ad, in fact it's what lead me to believe there may be a hacker making use of Shannon's Facebook since the ad was well worded and easily understandable and the screenshots from her Facebook were not. Made me wonder if her Facebook got hacked, which would make it look as if you/she aren't who you say you are. Don't take it as an insult, and don't be insulted by the investigative nature of those following the thread. It can seem they are out for blood, but 90% of the time it's they are out for the truth...
Having you here to answer the questions I'm sure will reduce the need for us to make assumptions that you could find offensive. Please don't take it as an insult, at least from my questioning. There have been "old time" breeder's who's names have been used by new scam artists, as the scammers know they aren't as involved online so will probably be less likely to catch on. Luckily the "keyboard detectives" like to do their best to make sure this doesn't happen. I say that term with the most possible love, as I appreciate the time these posters put into keeping the scammers in the spot light. Will an innocent party sometimes get illuminated by that spotlight? Sadly yes, but luckily this forums gives that person an equal opportunity to share their story. Just don't let it become "Keith vs Fauna" as that's not fair. If you look over the screenshots posted I'm sure you can see why there would be questions, we're just glad you're here to provide the answers!
Having you here to answer the questions I'm sure will reduce the need for us to make assumptions that you could find offensive. Please don't take it as an insult, at least from my questioning. There have been "old time" breeder's who's names have been used by new scam artists, as the scammers know they aren't as involved online so will probably be less likely to catch on. Luckily the "keyboard detectives" like to do their best to make sure this doesn't happen. I say that term with the most possible love, as I appreciate the time these posters put into keeping the scammers in the spot light. Will an innocent party sometimes get illuminated by that spotlight? Sadly yes, but luckily this forums gives that person an equal opportunity to share their story. Just don't let it become "Keith vs Fauna" as that's not fair. If you look over the screenshots posted I'm sure you can see why there would be questions, we're just glad you're here to provide the answers!
elena
Well-known member
After reading all of this, viewing the ad/s and the website, I think that Keith Brady is not a scammer or con-artist, but rather an individual who is unused to using this website and posting online advertising. If he rarely sold online in the past and had no online presence, chances are that many of his past customers don't use this site and therefor can't back him up. I say this because I am in the same boat. I've been keeping and breeding reptiles since I was a teenager, but to date I've sold almost none of them online. Now that my life and collection have changed in such a way that selling online is a necessity, no one has heard of me and I have only one BOI review, as a buyer. It's a set back. If I was interested in sunset boas (which I am not), I'd talk to Keith and see what kind of sense of him I could get. If he seemed knowledgeable and honest, I might take a chance on him, as I hope folks will be willing to take a chance on me this upcoming season. And I just might, if he ends up posting some lattes 
elena
Well-known member
That being said, Keith, I think people would be more interested in the type of animals you are selling if you provided some individual pics with prices and sex.
To be honest, I was VERY interested in purchasing one of those Sunset Boas. They look amazing. But the lack of information out there about Keith and his responses to my inquiries have left major doubt in my mind and there are too many other good, reputable breeders who will communicate with you and not be so vague. You can have the best looking animals in the world but how you handle prospective customers can make or break a sale. In this case, Keith broke one.
It is a shame his response was so vague and unhelpful (maybe even a little evading). I prefer to look at all the animals available and pick my own. His comment about choosing an animal for the customer, then sending pics, leaves a bad taste in my mouth … it is reminiscent of a breeder of another type of animal, whose reputation is marred.
I say it's a shame that he wasn't more forthcoming & immediately went on the defense (which I could've dismissed), as he has some very nice sunset Hogs & I am in the market for a male.
I say it's a shame that he wasn't more forthcoming & immediately went on the defense (which I could've dismissed), as he has some very nice sunset Hogs & I am in the market for a male.
Attachments
Hi, I took the time the other night to photograph 40 boas... 10+ pics of each one... this was to make sure I got just the right shot any potential customer might want or need. There were 426 pictures. I then spent hours and hours choosing the best pics and putting them in a folder for each. I am willing to work for you, to listen to what you are looking for, and then spend the time finding 4 or 5 animals out of the 40, which best fit the criteria laid out by you. I will then send pics and prices of those specific animals for you to peruse.
I put in a huge amount of time taking proper photographs. Just look at my website... http://www.pbase.com/slickslug/root... that is 1000's and 1000's of hours of work. And it was suggested I just may have concocted my website and those snake pictures by pic collecting... I'm published in multiple media, both for reptiles and birds. My Lattes and Fades (I coined those terms in reference to snakes), and pictures I took were included in the cool book "Designer Morphs" by John Berry. Anyone who can't tell that my website is genuine, well, you just go on believing that. Alternative facts I guess.
Over 90% of all inquiries I've received online over the years (100's and 100's and 100's and 100's, yes, I used to post a shitload on Kingsnake.com... anybody cyberslueth that?)... well over 90% are from people who get high by shopping and never buying, that's the nature of the business. I understand that. I deal with that. New to me is the self-righteous skepticism. Skepticism is essential and I am a skeptic by nature.
I am pleased that despite all this, I am receiving plenty of contacts from folks who are simply looking for a fantastically gorgeous, healthy snake with no bugs or problems from a guy who will answer any question they ask... even when it is detrimental to a sale. JUST ASK.
Most folks are delighted they can describe what they are looking for (male or female, pattern type, degree of coloration) and that I go through the time and trouble of sorting through 40 snakes to find multiple specimens that fit their request... and then send killer pics that they can choose from. This does not leave a bad taste in their mouth's, but rather makes them happy that I care from beginning through the lifetime of the animal. I sold a guy a pair of box turtles 14 years ago... he brought them back 2 months ago.
So, in the course of 27 years and literally multiple 1000's of serpent sales, I've had to deal with all sorts... liars, thieves, cheaters, criminals, scum, scammers, the paranoid, deranged and neurotic, and some of the most wonderful people I've ever met in my life. The business has apparently changed... I guess I was out of the loop when scammers all swooped in... back in the day, yes even not so long ago when there were the internet and computers, there was more of a brotherhood amongst us all. Maybe it was easier then, you knew who all the select scumbags and scammers were. Things have changed.
Anyway before I go... I realize many of you seemingly have had bad experiences through the years, and I certainly believe you have. Take a second to imagine you are on the other end, maybe me... a guy who has sold many 1000's of snakes with nary ever a complaint. For those 1000's of sales, I've dealt with many, many 1000's of people (through so many shows, internet inquires, and the Latte and Fade Borneo craze). Imagine all the stories I could tell you about my trials and tribulations with customers...
To paraphrase a post by Ross in this thread... I am just a guy who has no need for drama, got out of the business because that's the way it was headed, but yet has some fantastic animals in search of completely satisfied owners.
Oh, and while I am at this, I guess I will confess I must have Broke Bad... first let me post David Beard's words which appeared in this thread "Upon searching Fauna with the email address, I came upon this thread....which is 10 years old and has a different last name attached. The more I dig the more confused I get.
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...rs%40yahoo.com"
Please do read that link...
So, the logic is I Broke Bad after that point, went "dark" and shifty, all the meanwhile avoiding "bad press" along the way.
Consider this... I gather some of you were in diapers, but it was well known at the time that I had some Borneo Short-tailed Pythons that were unlike any ever seen in the world before... at one point, at market value, I had over $250,000 worth of snakes in the house (seems big time to me,) and I wasn't about to post as KEITH BRADY FROM OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON. Would those so cautious in their dealings with me have been so forthright in revealing themselves in such a situation? You know, with all the scammers and such... Just seems like an invite for a break-in, no? Hence, the perceived need by me -at the time- to use an alternative, and the origination of an account in my wife's name Shannon "Bray"... yeah, we know how to spell it. You could have just asked me to explain instead of what you did.
OK, I know some of you live by the key board and screen, and it has been fun to a degree, but I will leave the drama to you. Go on if you must, I am out. I invite anyone looking for absolutely fantastic boas, which are 100% guaranteed, from a guy who has a spotless 27 year track record (even if sometimes you can't find "evidence" of such on the internet) and is willing to spend the time to make sure you get what you want... just let me know.
Otherwise, fare the well.
Keith
I put in a huge amount of time taking proper photographs. Just look at my website... http://www.pbase.com/slickslug/root... that is 1000's and 1000's of hours of work. And it was suggested I just may have concocted my website and those snake pictures by pic collecting... I'm published in multiple media, both for reptiles and birds. My Lattes and Fades (I coined those terms in reference to snakes), and pictures I took were included in the cool book "Designer Morphs" by John Berry. Anyone who can't tell that my website is genuine, well, you just go on believing that. Alternative facts I guess.
Over 90% of all inquiries I've received online over the years (100's and 100's and 100's and 100's, yes, I used to post a shitload on Kingsnake.com... anybody cyberslueth that?)... well over 90% are from people who get high by shopping and never buying, that's the nature of the business. I understand that. I deal with that. New to me is the self-righteous skepticism. Skepticism is essential and I am a skeptic by nature.
I am pleased that despite all this, I am receiving plenty of contacts from folks who are simply looking for a fantastically gorgeous, healthy snake with no bugs or problems from a guy who will answer any question they ask... even when it is detrimental to a sale. JUST ASK.
Most folks are delighted they can describe what they are looking for (male or female, pattern type, degree of coloration) and that I go through the time and trouble of sorting through 40 snakes to find multiple specimens that fit their request... and then send killer pics that they can choose from. This does not leave a bad taste in their mouth's, but rather makes them happy that I care from beginning through the lifetime of the animal. I sold a guy a pair of box turtles 14 years ago... he brought them back 2 months ago.
So, in the course of 27 years and literally multiple 1000's of serpent sales, I've had to deal with all sorts... liars, thieves, cheaters, criminals, scum, scammers, the paranoid, deranged and neurotic, and some of the most wonderful people I've ever met in my life. The business has apparently changed... I guess I was out of the loop when scammers all swooped in... back in the day, yes even not so long ago when there were the internet and computers, there was more of a brotherhood amongst us all. Maybe it was easier then, you knew who all the select scumbags and scammers were. Things have changed.
Anyway before I go... I realize many of you seemingly have had bad experiences through the years, and I certainly believe you have. Take a second to imagine you are on the other end, maybe me... a guy who has sold many 1000's of snakes with nary ever a complaint. For those 1000's of sales, I've dealt with many, many 1000's of people (through so many shows, internet inquires, and the Latte and Fade Borneo craze). Imagine all the stories I could tell you about my trials and tribulations with customers...
To paraphrase a post by Ross in this thread... I am just a guy who has no need for drama, got out of the business because that's the way it was headed, but yet has some fantastic animals in search of completely satisfied owners.
Oh, and while I am at this, I guess I will confess I must have Broke Bad... first let me post David Beard's words which appeared in this thread "Upon searching Fauna with the email address, I came upon this thread....which is 10 years old and has a different last name attached. The more I dig the more confused I get.
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...rs%40yahoo.com"
Please do read that link...
So, the logic is I Broke Bad after that point, went "dark" and shifty, all the meanwhile avoiding "bad press" along the way.
Consider this... I gather some of you were in diapers, but it was well known at the time that I had some Borneo Short-tailed Pythons that were unlike any ever seen in the world before... at one point, at market value, I had over $250,000 worth of snakes in the house (seems big time to me,) and I wasn't about to post as KEITH BRADY FROM OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON. Would those so cautious in their dealings with me have been so forthright in revealing themselves in such a situation? You know, with all the scammers and such... Just seems like an invite for a break-in, no? Hence, the perceived need by me -at the time- to use an alternative, and the origination of an account in my wife's name Shannon "Bray"... yeah, we know how to spell it. You could have just asked me to explain instead of what you did.
OK, I know some of you live by the key board and screen, and it has been fun to a degree, but I will leave the drama to you. Go on if you must, I am out. I invite anyone looking for absolutely fantastic boas, which are 100% guaranteed, from a guy who has a spotless 27 year track record (even if sometimes you can't find "evidence" of such on the internet) and is willing to spend the time to make sure you get what you want... just let me know.
Otherwise, fare the well.
Keith
I guess you're the biggest breeder nobody has ever heard of, Keith.
So you admit to purposely creating a fake name online to avoid burglars? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
As I've stated before......if you're as big and well known and famous and bonafide as you claim to be, why can you only provide ONE......not two or three or a thousand, ONE reference this decade?
I don't know what kind of customers you get but I don't want YOU to pick an animal out for me, I want you to price each one and have it in black & white so I can pick what *I* want according to aesthetics and according price. I'm obviously not alone in this mentality.
So you admit to purposely creating a fake name online to avoid burglars? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
As I've stated before......if you're as big and well known and famous and bonafide as you claim to be, why can you only provide ONE......not two or three or a thousand, ONE reference this decade?
I don't know what kind of customers you get but I don't want YOU to pick an animal out for me, I want you to price each one and have it in black & white so I can pick what *I* want according to aesthetics and according price. I'm obviously not alone in this mentality.
David, I'm starting to wonder if YOU can read. He clearly said: describe what you're interested in and he would supply pictures and prices. Seems cut and dried to me.
I understand the draw of wanting to post under a pseudonym to attempt to avoid thieves, but we have a rule here and participation comes with expectation.
As for the new account, it is banned. The old one has a matter to attend to before it can post again while remaining compliant (and I strongly recommend that).
As for the new account, it is banned. The old one has a matter to attend to before it can post again while remaining compliant (and I strongly recommend that).
Thats an incredibly obtuse and unorthodox way of posting animals for sale, is it not? Why is it so hard to post prices for individual animals? Isn't that what 99% of the sellers on here do?
I guess I'm having a problem with the way that Keith has just shown that he realizes the rationale for the questions and doubts here when he hid behind a name that wasn't his.
And yet criticizes those people who are participating and who have essentially said the very same things as he said in the paragraph above.
Keith, hiding identity while inviting transactions is something scammers do. And when it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and when even you have shown that you realize that scammers abound, it seems somehow out of place for you to insult those trying to protect this community and who are careful and have asked questions on this thread.
I agree.
While I sometimes don't mind asking the price on an animal, I do like to see all available, not what you think I might like. Maybe the price is too much on one, but depending on color, pattern and/or genetics, I may toss out my spending limit.
Heck, sometimes I'm not sure what I'm looking for, as in color/pattern, but I would know it if I saw it. Maybe I'd like one of the ones you didn't show me better …
All of that seems like a lot more work than necessary.
Old but sounds good:
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99892&highlight=Keith+Brady
Keith is a great guy according to this chaoscat:
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30947&highlight=Keith+Brady
I'm interested in a sunset hog so hopefully this user ID thing gets resolved asap.
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99892&highlight=Keith+Brady
Keith is a great guy according to this chaoscat:
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30947&highlight=Keith+Brady
I'm interested in a sunset hog so hopefully this user ID thing gets resolved asap.