BAD GUY-Matt Oakley

[SGExotics]

Sorry man, but posts like this aren't gonna stand. Post up proof. Post up details, but "heard somewhere" is how complete garbage is started.

I never said it was a fact, i just said thats what i "Heard" (read)....

I've heard a few bad stories about him. Supposedly he isn't allowed at the local monthly reptile show because a bunch of people are after him for stealing reptiles from people. Story is he broke into someone's house and stole their collection, and has even been caught stealing at the local reptile show. Dunno how much is true, but I've heard it from more than 4 seperate people. I've bought frozen rodents from him and he seemed ok at that time, but recently he seems to care more about money than keeping customers. He does have good deals on his snakes, but id rather buy from someone a bit more friendly.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=90181

[waltah!]

I never said it was a fact, i just said thats what i "Heard" (read)....



http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=90181

You wanna keep with the facts in cases like this. Where you are drawing that info from is a post from someone saying "supposedly" this happened. Rumors won't help anyone's case. That's an accusation that's much harsher than poor shipping methods, and I wouldn't want my name attached to it.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Aside from the other issues I will make some comments on the shipping and this goes for Matt and anyone that has shipped or would think about shipping with inadequate shipping supply.

Some days I really wonder what goes through one’s mind that they decide to ship a LIVE animal in a less then appropriate package (whether it is makeshift box put together or a box not designed to ship a live animal) – Boxes used in the shipping of lived animals are tested and designed to withstand a certain amount of pressure, altering a box or using a box not designed to that effect means jeopardizing the animal inside the box.

1# Are people that cheap? Hard to believe in this case that one would be when they brag about making $10000 in a little over a month.

pulled in a little more than $10k in just over one month between my 3 jobs

2# Do they care so little that they have no issue jeopardizing the life of their animal(s) and jeopardizing the ability of the rest of us to be able to ship our animals?

3# Are they that clueless? Again hard to believe in this case

In over 5 years and almost 700 transactions

There is ABSOLUTELY no excuse for an animal to be shipped in such a way, the box could have been easily crushed and lead to the animal’s death.

What is the animal had escaped from this inadequate package? (More bad press for reptile keepers, really what we need, don’t we)

Someone has a LOT to learn even though

I have also invested about 17 years of reading, owning, and learning everything I could about reptiles and animals in general.

I guess you must have missed the chapter on proper shipping methods

Next time when using SYR, how about watching the video and read the proper way to package a live reptile if you are that clueless.

Your shipping methods are not only inappropriate (even if you only do it once) and making you look bad they can affect the rest of us as well.

Would you have send this type of package to Fedex to be certified, you would have NEVER received a certification.

[xdeus]

There is ABSOLUTELY no excuse for an animal to be shipped in such a way, the box could have been easily crushed and lead to the animal’s death.

I agree with all of your points, but I don't think that box was in danger of getting crushed. Produce boxes are made incredibly strong, but that box was designed to ship bananas which is why it is so ventilated (he modified the top with a piece of cardboard and taped over the ventilation and handle holes). There's just no excuse to ship any animal inside a box like that, other than maybe this one.

[bubblz]

This is a very good example on why documenting a sale is so important.

x2,..my thoughts exactly

[m00kfu]

I have also invested about 17 years of reading, owning, and learning everything I could about reptiles and animals in general.

That's an awful lot of time invested for a 22 year old.

[kpraiswater]

Im with you about matt oakley. he could care less for the snakes he sells or the customers he deals with. im suprised you got 100 out of his sorry a$$.i purchased a female pastel ball python "A grade" or so he classified from kingsnake. i sent him the money via paypal. as soon as he got the money i never heard from him again. The snake just one day randomly was sitting on my doorstep. he didnt send me a email reguarding her being shipped, no call or message. NOTHING. she was sitting in 102 degree oklahoma weather for who know how long because i worked that day. i was blown away she was still alive in that weather. snakes last longer in too cold of temps than too hot! on top of that she arrived in a plain box. with shredded paper in a snake bag. NO cool pack. even though i told him the weather we had for the week was record setting. i sent him a email after i got her and still no reply. DO NOT BUY FROM MATT OAKLEY IF YOU WANT A LIVE ANIMAL. He is garbage!!!

[2kdime]

Ok

Vet is faxing over 2 or 3 pages tomorrow of information surrounding this animal. Including all trips, medications prescribed, dosages, and culture results. I think he is including all costs associated as well.

They start on my first visit to his office with her on 6/30.

He believes she has some sort of virus.

I am putting the animal down this evening and will gladly post pictures for anyone who would like to see them.

My posts from now on in this thread will be limited as I've said all I need to say.

[mechnut450]

I was warned not to purchase from matt for anothetr small breeder here In Delaware. I am so glad I listen to the guy now more than ever now. Such packaging could have lead to such an illness, THe stress of the shipping( imporperaly) as well as the themp could have effected the snakes immue system to the point that it has not been able ot recover from the infection. I seen this happen with fish and other animal if the porper packaginf was not followed.

[Denial]

Shouldnt you have all your receipts and everything from your vet? Everytime I go to the vet my vet prints me out a bill and also a diagnostic sheet with the weight of the animal what type of animal it is. They put the pic of her on it and everything. It tells me what the vet said is wrong with the animal and all the medication she prescribed for the animal. Does your vet not do this?