BEWARE!! Allen Exotics, AKA LAWReptiles, AKA Cutting Edge Exotics

[frankykeno]

This is a lesson for us all on not only asking for reference but verifying those references. From what I'm reading it seems he created some alternate identities to basically give good references to himself. Check out people, check out the people that they give as references. It's awful that we have to do this, but sadly, it's a reality. Thank goodness the scammers will NEVER outweigh the really decent people that remain passionate about these animals and this hobby/business and care about doing a proper sale or trade!

[catawhat75]

You are dead on Jo. I have gotten to the point of only buying from those here at BP.net (and are active, well known members) and a couple others at the Ohio show that I know have stellar reps.

[firehop]

You know what really sucks about this is that it makes everyone leary about buying from those of us that are new breeders. I am working on building rep from people but there alot of really honest people out there and jerks like this make it harder on everyone else.

[frankykeno]

I agree Rick. It does make it harder on those of us just starting to breed, sell, do trades, etc. It's just a nasty thing when someone uses this site or any site to run a scam like this.

That makes it even more important for us little people in this breeding world to get out there, go to shows, be a helpful presence here and on other good forums, talk to people on the phone and be as real as we can be. Let people get to know you has always been my best advice so that they can have confidence that you are not just a bunch of names you made up on multiple forums.

[StickyTongues]

I just talked to Neil Golli. He doesn't know this guy at all- yet Allen/Matt claimed Neil as a reference.
I trust Tim 100% as well and yup if I see the guy next weekend you can bet I will smack him.

I tried to call Neil on the number he had listed on his site but that was no longer a working number. I had asked Allen about a contact number but he never replied. By then it was too late anyway. I should have been more diligent in tracking down Neil for a reference. Darn!!

[karbogast]

WOW. You know, I too was about to contact him. I am FURIOUS. ADMINS of this site, thank you so much for banning him... hopefully it is an IP address ban from all the different computers he has used so far.

Hate to hijack this thread but I really wish the ADMIN would consider a MINIMUM NUMBER OF POSTS RULE prior to allowing someone to post in the for sale section of this forum.

A good number to start with? 500. Even better? 1,000 This would EASILY stop this from happening so easily. Sounds like this DIRTBAG almost ripped off a few of my friends... and even worse, he almost ripped ME off!!!

I am so upset I am shaking... I even pulled my old camera out and was about to take picutres of it to send to him!

I tried giving people a heads up that this dude seemed shady, based primarily on a gut feeling that I have developed during my 20+ years of experience with dealing with people in the herp biz. I am just amazed that people were willing to discard my intuition that something wasn't right with LAW and instead they came down hard on me for trying to look out for others. Yes, I called him a name that was against the rules but it turns out my gut instinct was dead on. The thing that bothers me the most is that not only did people not get that I was only trying to look out for them, but they totally disregarded my warning and were willing to set themselves up as potential victims of this person whom had no history with the board.

I hope this thread serves as an example that sometimes trust does need to be earned and that gut instincts can be just as valuable as hard facts.

[envy_ld50]

I tried giving people a heads up that this dude seemed shady, based primarily on a gut feeling that I have developed during my 20+ years of experience with dealing with people in the herp biz. I am just amazed that people were willing to discard my intuition that something wasn't right with LAW and instead they came down hard on me for trying to look out for others. Yes, I called him a name that was against the rules but it turns out my gut instinct was dead on. The thing that bothers me the most is that not only did people not get that I was only trying to look out for them, but they totally disregarded my warning and were willing to set themselves up as potential victims of this person whom had no history with the board.

I hope this thread serves as an example that sometimes trust does need to be earned and that gut instincts can be just as valuable as hard facts.

That you did. I had told you in the last thread I talked with you I had no hard feelings for you I just didn't understand the harshness of the exchange. Come to show LAWreptiles deserved every word you had said. Good call.

[envy_ld50]

I agree Rick. It does make it harder on those of us just starting to breed, sell, do trades, etc. It's just a nasty thing when someone uses this site or any site to run a scam like this.

That makes it even more important for us little people in this breeding world to get out there, go to shows, be a helpful presence here and on other good forums, talk to people on the phone and be as real as we can be. Let people get to know you has always been my best advice so that they can have confidence that you are not just a bunch of names you made up on multiple forums.

Jo,

Yes this type of thing makes me sick to my stomach. I will be producing my own animals this year after a few years of buying them and bringing them up to size. It is horrible to think that I may now be flooded with animals due to everyone getting scammed by the new guy! I've been working with a few of the bigger breeders in Arizona and also Neil Golli as well and they have all helped me a lot giving tips on feeding and breeding. Ive just recently started posting here on BP.net I usually scanned but wanted get to know the people I am sure I will eventually do business with. Hopefully things like this don't ruin it for us new guys!

[JLC]

I tried giving people a heads up that this dude seemed shady, based primarily on a gut feeling that I have developed during my 20+ years of experience with dealing with people in the herp biz. I am just amazed that people were willing to discard my intuition that something wasn't right with LAW and instead they came down hard on me for trying to look out for others. Yes, I called him a name that was against the rules but it turns out my gut instinct was dead on. The thing that bothers me the most is that not only did people not get that I was only trying to look out for them, but they totally disregarded my warning and were willing to set themselves up as potential victims of this person whom had no history with the board.

I hope this thread serves as an example that sometimes trust does need to be earned and that gut instincts can be just as valuable as hard facts.

While I appreciate your desire to help look out for other people, the staff here at BP.net cannot take action against someone based on nothing more than a single person's "gut instinct."

[Wh00h0069]

I tried giving people a heads up that this dude seemed shady, based primarily on a gut feeling that I have developed during my 20+ years of experience with dealing with people in the herp biz. I am just amazed that people were willing to discard my intuition that something wasn't right with LAW and instead they came down hard on me for trying to look out for others. Yes, I called him a name that was against the rules but it turns out my gut instinct was dead on. The thing that bothers me the most is that not only did people not get that I was only trying to look out for them, but they totally disregarded my warning and were willing to set themselves up as potential victims of this person whom had no history with the board.

I hope this thread serves as an example that sometimes trust does need to be earned and that gut instincts can be just as valuable as hard facts.

I still do not agree with flaming someone becasue of a gut feeling. If you had proof at the time, I would have backed you up. But with no proof, it seemed wrong to call him a bad guy and call him names. That is why I stood up for the guy.

For those of you who do not know what this is about here is the link:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=73406