Top Shelf Exotics

[Cubby23]

This is really really hard on me. I'm 14 and payed every cent of the $600 myself. I'm really pissed. I just feel awful. There ohone number 1-877- REPT-1-LE also does not work

[Cubby23]

Also when was the last e-mail contact w/ this guy?

[frankykeno]

This is what breaks my heart and makes me so mad. People saving and scrimping for a dream and some rotten person takes advantage of that. I know...I know...it's been done before and will happen again...but what a world where a teenager has to have this happen! Dang but I'd love 10 minutes with Chris to explain just how a parent feels when their kid gets ripped off like this. This could easily have been my Luke or Beth! Awful enough for us adults to deal with, but to steal from kids! Just sick

[joepythons]

I do not know anyone personally that was ripped off by Chris but it still gets my blood boiling.Its people like him that make it even harder for the small time breeders to possibly sell there reptiles in the future.I will in the near future have albino ball python,pastels(for sure next season) and someday bumblebees and i am sure i will have problems selling them.More then likely no one is going to trust the smaller breeders and buy only from well established breeders.It does not surprise me that Chris has not responded in awhile,i bet he thinks this is a big joke and nothing will happen to him.

[sweety314]

I do not know anyone personally that was ripped off by Chris but it still gets my blood boiling.Its people like him that make it even harder for the small time breeders to possibly sell there reptiles in the future.I will in the near future have albino ball python,pastels(for sure next season) and someday bumblebees and i am sure i will have problems selling them.More then likely no one is going to trust the smaller breeders and buy only from well established breeders.It does not surprise me that Chris has not responded in awhile,i bet he thinks this is a big joke and nothing will happen to him.

True. I'm just getting into it myself, and it makes me leery of dealing over the 'net. I feel for you Cubby. After all this, I'm not so sure I'd go to anyone except a member here, if I can afford it. But the smaller the pond, the less the choices....once all your stock is gone, then I would have to wait until the next breeding season if I was unwilling to look elsewhere...so it's a toss-up.

From the BOI and here, I don't think he's not responding and thinking it's a joke. I get the impression he probably knows how deep the kimchee is and is keeping his head down to AVOID the JAIL TIME. Fading into the nothingness will help him personally.

[Adam_Wysocki]

I do not know anyone personally that was ripped off by Chris but it still gets my blood boiling.Its people like him that make it even harder for the small time breeders to possibly sell there reptiles in the future.I will in the near future have albino ball python,pastels(for sure next season) and someday bumblebees and i am sure i will have problems selling them.More then likely no one is going to trust the smaller breeders and buy only from well established breeders.It does not surprise me that Chris has not responded in awhile,i bet he thinks this is a big joke and nothing will happen to him.

Guys like Chris don't make it any harder for the small breeder than it normally is. The ball python market is very strong and there are a lot of buyers out there. If you market yourself professionally, advertise in the right places to get your name out there, and provide the best possible service you can to customers as well as prospective customers you will have no problems selling your snakes.

Even if not one person was ever scammed in this business, no one can set up a new snake biz and on day one be flooded with sales ... it takes time. Set up goals ... 5 customers your first year ... 15 your next .... before you know it you'll have a file cabinet full of paid invoices.

Don't let the scammers worry you ... they've always been here and they will continue to be here ... they don't matter ... do your own thing to the best of your ability and ignore the "noise" around you.

And most important ... HAVE FUN!!! Ball Pythons RULE!!

-adam

[frankykeno]

Excellent advice Adam! I think it's a worry for a lot of us but your common sense approach to it is very reassuring. Also the comment about having fun....if it isn't about fun, passion and love for Royals....then it's just about cleaning snake crap and hoping to make a buck and who needs just that in their life.

[xdeus]

Also keep in mind that the bad events get the most coverage. For every person that has been scammed, there are probably hundreds (or more) that have not. People don't usually report on the successful transactions, but they'll shout from the rooftops when their deal has gone south (and rightfully so).

[Smulkin]

Also keep in mind that the bad events get the most coverage. For every person that has been scammed, there are probably hundreds (or more) that have not. People don't usually report on the successful transactions, but they'll shout from the rooftops when their deal has gone south (and rightfully so).

Gospel truth there - everyone is always way to anxious to rubberneck the train wreck!

[justcage]

Black eye? ... He allegedly ripped people of for tens of thousands of dollars and has no money to refund anyone ... not black eye ... TSE is done ... forever.

-adam

I beleive Chris will be in jail shortly.. I just dont understand how you can look someone in the eye and steal from them.. I had delt with him on a few tranactions and none of them were what I was expecting except for a group of leos..