Herper needs help! - Minnesota

Hy guys, can anyone local to the Twin Cities area help out a young newbie herper in need? OrientalSpade is a new member that was on the forum the other day in this post looking for help with their ball python's humidity problem. Come to find out after we did a bit of skyping that they spent over $500 dollars at Twin City Reptile purchasing the equipment the sales people advised for a single female adult bp. This was money given to OS by a non-profit so they could get pet snake as a therapy animal, but after all that money, the set up didn't even have basics. Only one hide, expensive, specialized UV lighting, no belly heat and no thermostat? You've gotta be kidding me! I told them they should go and talk to the store as well as the non-profit that helped them out to see if something can be worked out about refunds or exchanges on the unnecessary equipment so that their girl Roxy can get set up nice and cozy with the right stuff, but OS is young (as in a minor) and scared of being given the run around. They're having me make this post because they're still new and kind of intimidated by such a huge community, though I assured them we're mostly harmless and rarely bite. I'd help directly but I'm over in Eastern Washington. Is there anyone in the area who would want to help a kid out by being a knowledgeable advocate?

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Originally Posted by Lizardlicks

Hy guys, can anyone local to the Twin Cities area help out a young newbie herper in need? OrientalSpade is a new member that was on the forum the other day in this post looking for help with their ball python's humidity problem. Come to find out after we did a bit of skyping that they spent over $500 dollars at Twin City Reptile purchasing the equipment the sales people advised for a single female adult bp. This was money given to OS by a non-profit so they could get pet snake as a therapy animal, but after all that money, the set up didn't even have basics. Only one hide, expensive, specialized UV lighting, no belly heat and no thermostat? You've gotta be kidding me! I told them they should go and talk to the store as well as the non-profit that helped them out to see if something can be worked out about refunds or exchanges on the unnecessary equipment so that their girl Roxy can get set up nice and cozy with the right stuff, but OS is young (as in a minor) and scared of being given the run around. They're having me make this post because they're still new and kind of intimidated by such a huge community, though I assured them we're mostly harmless and rarely bite. I'd help directly but I'm over in Eastern Washington. Is there anyone in the area who would want to help a kid out by being a knowledgeable advocate?

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For $500 there should definitely be enough to get all the necessary things required for a proper setup. Is there an adult he/she can turn to to handle the exchange or refund?

If the OP can't get an exchange (which I honestly don't see why they wouldn't) I have a couple of things I can donate including an on/off thermostat and a UTH. Just DM me the address and let me know what else is needed. I have a couple of things left from my glass tank days.

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Everything is returnable with a receipt at TCR. That being said, I'd be willing to help. I'm in Minneapolis.

I get conflicting information there all the time. One of the employees there told me it wasn't true that ball pythons need belly heat. While this "may" be true (his logic had something to do with their natural habitat and how they live in old rodent burrows and therefore wouldn't get belly heat), and I have read it online too, the majority of what I've read says belly heat. But kind of hard to sell you expensive lighting if a $30 heat pad and $20 thermostat will do the trick!

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Originally Posted by Herbie'sMom

One of the employees there told me it wasn't true that ball pythons need belly heat. While this "may" be true

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It is true. Back heat and whole room heating. :gj::gj:

Though I don't agree with "upselling". OS needs to go back with unneeded equipment and get at the least store credit to purchase what is needed to properly care for this animal.

It's my understanding after reading the original thread that the BP is a therapy animal. If all else fails and it's needed, I have a spare Jump Start thermostat and a UTH I can send the OP.

Dave

There's a MN herp society, maybe the poster could send an email off to them and get someone local? I'm in MN but way up by Canada and already gave away/sold off all my un-needed herp supplies. There are plenty of herpers down by the cities though. There's also some MN reptile pages on facebook and people are generally decent on there, especially with the situation.

I have a feeling they must have been dealing with a inexperienced employee. Maybe there some way to let tcr know about This thread. Its definitely bad publicity for them... They need to fix this. 500 should get you everything for the snake. Including the snake. Also, how big is the snake? 40 gallon tank is pretty big.

I have a friggin mountain of new heat wire. Good industrial grade stuff too. Can anyone match me with a rheostat/controller to send this kid?


I dont wanna send it till i know he has a controller availale.

i would like to help pay it forward if i could.

i have a simple but new thermometer: http://www.lllreptile.com/products/7...ter-with-probe

i also have a few of these that i don't use. they're new tho: http://www.lllreptile.com/products/1...humidity-gauge

and i have some lightly used, spare, clean small basic hide boxes: http://www.reptilebasics.com/small-hide-box

just let me know how to get this to MN if a plan moves forward. :gj:

It seems we are in a position to help out. Let's wait to see if the store and the local organization can't do it first. I think they can respond faster. If not, at least there is a backup plan.

Dave