I breed all my own food, from pinky mice to large rabbits, and I sell some as pets at retail price or frozen feeders to offset any food and housing costs for those. So keeping everything I have is basically free, food wise. Housing is no problem as we have a million tanks of every size around. Not to mention we are moving to our own house this September. My father in law and fiance build my racks, a Nile monitor tank would be a piece of cake, if we are not in the right climate to house him outside. But on the whole, I do agree with everything you are saying and I have never suggested a nile monitor as a pet. They are not even pets to me, they are a responsibility, but i keep them for their personalities and ascetic reasons.
$250 is a great price for the ackies. Yellow or Red? The lowest I have seen where some sub-adults for about $500 each. Every time I inquire, they are out of babies. and forget about finding them locally around here. Not saying they aren't worth that, it's just not that high on my priority list. I definitely know that it seems to work that the cheapest animals are the most expensive to keep. At the end of last month's show a vendor was looking to unload some cresteds. I know even if I got those 2 for $10 each, i would need to buy lots for them that I don't have because I rarely keep geckos. But I did it anyway since I have been pining for one for a while and he was giving me the push i needed, lol. And especially after a show I have plenty to pick up whatever I need for maintenance and any 'impulse' buys I bought. I assure you, not matter what I paid for an animal, their care and enclosures are never second-rate. I have plenty of pictures if you wish to see

As for the BOI, everyone was paid back. I have a horrible memory if i don't leave myself a post-it, and everyone that has done business with me [from this site, fauna, and others] sees it nothing more than absentmindedness. I'm not going to go into my excuses [no one cares anyway, just something else they could twist around and make fun of], no point since it's taken care of now, it was not a financial hardship btw. It was a time and stress thing where i just was not online, or even home, as much as I used too. The tegu is the only thing I was really sad to see go. But I did make sure he went to a great home.
If you have any other questions, quote whatever you are talking about cause I haven't read that thread. From what don told me it's a bunch of snake poop. None of my breeder loans ended, still have perfect animals for sale, still have a perfect shipping record, I sold as much as I used too. I didn't scam anyone and I didn't start suddenly start too cause people like drama. Pretty uneventful overall and the BOI has no lack of other punching bags.


P.S. what is your stand on using UVB for monitors? I always have since I have all wattages of MVBs lying around. They seem to love them.