Chameleon deal gone bad?- help!

Will0W783 · 06-18-09, 08:10 AM

Ok guys, I think I made a mistake, and I need some advice. I saw on Kingsnake a few weeks ago an ad for Jackson's chameleons, $125 a pair shipped with gravid females. They were from Color Creations. My fiance really liked and wanted them so I ordered a pair. The guy was great at answering my questions and keeping in touch. I ordered them May 27, 2009 via Paypal. I was going on vacation June 4-9 and asked if I could have them shipped when I returned. He said no problem, he would hold me a pair with a gravid female. I got cages, a set up for keeping the babies, cage furnishings, mister and drip system. While on vacation I asked him what time he guaranteed arrival by- as far as I know, most overnight packages arrive by 8am, 10am, or 12noon, depending on which the shipper chooses. He told me he ships USPS and it would arrive "whenever my mail came". That got me a bit worried and I asked if he could ship guaranteed by 8 or 10 and I'd cover the difference. He refused, so I told him they'd have to shipped for arrival today, June 18, as my fiance would be home all day to receive them (he's off Thursdays). The last response I got from Color Creations was June 9, telling me not to worry, he shipped 100 boxes a week and never has problems, they'd be fine with his shipping method. I responded right away and asked for shipping the 17th to arrive the 18th and for him to let me know if he could. I have not heard anything either way since.
I sent him 2 emails yesterday, and one more last night around 10pm, asking him to please let me know if he was shipping. I have not heard a thing. Since it has been 10 days since I heard from him, I'm a bit worried. I have already paid for the pair, and I'm afraid he isn't going to send them.
How long should I wait for a response before I threaten to take this through Paypal for my money back? Is there anything else I should be doing? I've since found out some less than wonderful things about this seller, but nothing for about 2 years on him- he apparently is teen and his parents help him with his business. I wish I had checked him out more thoroughly before I bought from him; I should know better. But I didn't. I also dont' want to seem prematurely aggressive- I have never had this happen before and am not sure how best to handle it.

siz · 06-18-09, 09:27 AM

First, that seems a little cheap to me for Jacksons. Also as far as I know USPS does not ship live animals (legally)...I have never heard of Colour Creations...what I would recommend doing is going to the Fauna BOI, have you ever been there? It's a website where people share their experiences with reptile wheelin's and dealin's. I'll post a link, go the the american BOI and search his name and business name, hopefully you will find some input on this guy. There are 'Bad Guys' and 'Good guys'. You can post your own experience but you must contact the seller to let him know you have taken it to the BOI. You must post your full name there, and nothing can be deleted so think before you post. Sometimes just threatening to go to the BOI will be enough for the seller to pull through...
I have heard Paypal is sometimes alright with getting your money back, sometimes they can't do anything. Sorry I can't really be of more help.. You could also involve the police.
But I would definatley go to the BOI and check it out at least. You will get more and better input there than from myself.
I would also like to point out that getting a gravid female jackson would not be wise as you are not familiar with this species and they are definatley for the more experinced cham keeper. But that's besides the point and I wish the best for you

direct link to fauna american BOI Board of Inquiry® - FaunaClassifieds

and uhh...bad news...this is what I found with CC
FaunaClassifieds

siz · 06-18-09, 09:33 AM

hmm here's anouther I found..
Holland Color Creations - Warning - FaunaClassifieds

Will0W783 · 06-18-09, 09:37 AM

I have been to the BOI, and I usually check sellers out first. For whatever reason, I didn't check this guy out thoroughly, but I did go to the BOI after he told me his shipping method, which seemed fishy. Unfortunately, I'd been stupid and already paid for them at my fiance's advice. He had a few problems on the BOI a few years back, namely that his shipping was poor and some animals didn't make it. But there was no mention of him in the last two years and I also saw people had posted who had gotten their animals fine. There was never a mention of him outright not sending animals that were paid for. I was rather nervous when I found out he wasn't a great seller, but I hadn't thought of going to the BOI when I'd found him on Kingsnake.
That being said, I want my chameleons, and if he doesn't intend to send them, I want my money back. I was just wondering if I should threaten him with the BOI and a Paypal dispute or if I should wait a few more days first.

siz · 06-18-09, 10:11 AM

Quote:

That being said, I want my chameleons, and if he doesn't intend to send them, I want my money back. I was just wondering if I should threaten him with the BOI and a Paypal dispute or if I should wait a few more days first

Yes of course. Maybe wait a day of two more but it's already been a almost month, and with him not replying to your emails, it doesn't give off the best impressions. Again, seding live animals via USPS I'm pretty sure is illegal too. I would take it to the BOI regardless of the other actions you choose to take (unless of course he sends you your chams..)
I dunno..maybe contact paypal and see what they can do. I don't use paypal so I'm not really familiar with their policies...Maybe try contacting the police in his and your area.
Everyone makes mistakes and can misjudge a person so don't feel bad about that, worry about getting your chams or money back.

edit you should read the last two or three pages of that thread i posted

Will0W783 · 06-18-09, 10:35 AM

Thank you Jess. I intend to do all I can. I think if they don't come in the mail today, since I sent him several emails over the course of the last two weeks stating that I wanted them today and I never heard he was or was not going to ship, and he responded to earlier emails, I know he knew I wanted them today. So if they don't arrive today and I don't hear from him by tonight, I will send him an email stating that if I don't hear from him in the next day or so, I will have to take it to Paypal and the BOI. He either doesn't intend to send them, or he intends to send them without confirming with me first. Either way, his customer service is seriously lacking and he should be ashamed of himself, putting animals' lives and people's money on the line. Jerk!