Matt Baronek - A & M Gecko

[MiamiLeos]

Matt Baronack - The Opposite Side

I would like to start off this post with a sincere apology to Matt Baronack for being so quick to piggyback on others misfortunes. It is often hard to remember that there are indeed two sides to every story. I have been in contact with Matt since my afore mentioned post and he made a great effort to clear the air with me. He was cordial, humorous, and very respectful during our entire conversation. He really surprised me more than I had ever expected. First off, he gave me the choice between two gorgeous Afghan males. Next...now here is where it gets crazy..he makes good on his word to me and throws a "little" something extra in. Included with my Afghan male are three female leos; a Mack Snow Fascio Radar, a Reverse Stripe Bell het Radar, and (sit down for this one) a Mack Snow W&Y 66% het Eclipse 50% het Raptor. As if this was not enough he also said there may be one or two more surprises in the box! They will likely be coming in on Wednesday, and be fore warned, you will be seeing loooots of pictures of these guys. I had wondered why Matt did not respond to the other thread mentioning him. It wasn't until our conversation that I found out that he cannot access this site. I don't know that I would have posted against a person or business knowing that they could not properly defend themselves. It's embarrassing really, a bit like punching someone who's blindfolded. I suppose my point through all this is that it is very easy to judge others and jump to irrational conclusions by way of the "crowd mentality," but in doing so, we forget the person who sits at the other end. Matt has gone out of his way to make amends with me and that is not something you see very often in today's world. My vote: Matt Baronack - Good Guy!!!!!

These are the photos Matt sent me:

Afghan Male 1 - young stud

Afghan Male 2 - Matt's proven breeder

Fascio MS Radar and RS Bell het Radar

And Finally, MS W&Y 66% het Eclipse 50% het Raptor

***you can stop drooling now


Bridgette Taccolini
Miami Leopard Geckos

 

[MiamiLeos]

The above post of mine was hastily written without fairness to Matt. I don't want to hijack Ryans thread so I explained my situation in a new thread. I do hope everything works out here.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Wow talk about a person going out of their way to make things right. Imo Matt def. desirves a YAY KUDOS for his effort and caring.

Your new babies are very pretty. Hope ya got room for them all

 

[fl_orchidslave]

May I have a tissue please, to wipe up my drool puddle? Absolutely stunning group, Bridgette.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Oops I forgot to sign my full name, Laney Simmons. The edit button seems to have vanished.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Hahaha Laney Also I wanted to add for both y'all (Bridget and Matt) it takes a big man/woman to make right on any situation where reputation is at stake so you BOTH deserve credit for seeing this thru to an amicable resolution.

 

[tlbowling]

WOW! Those are NICE! I hope I get "surprised" one day:main_yes:

 

[Dog Shrink]

Ithink to get those types of surprises Tara that you have to be disappointed first... :main_lipsrsealed:

 

[MiamiLeos]

Thank you for the positive responses everyone! I knew when posting this that the reception could have been much colder. I'm not sure about anyone else, but I have learned a huge life lesson from this. Just shows that we can always learn a thing or two even when we think we've seen it all.

 

[KelliH]

Hey Bridgette,

Matt cannot reply here because he is banned from the site. He decided he didn't want to follow our TOS, and it was his choice not to do so.

Anyway, I am merging this with the other thread about him in this forum. Thanks for your post.

 

[ajveachster]

I've pretty much remained quiet on this issue, but I figure I should at least make my feelings known since I am the other owner of Retribution Reptiles. We are happy that we were able to help out a worthy cause. I really hope that the zoo's research center is able to find a cure for crypto. After all, it will save our animals. You never know; often times research involving animals also leads to better health in humans. I'm just disappointed that things had to get so out of control with the gift certificate. Honestly when I first saw there was a gift certificate available, I was really excited. I didn't see any restrictions on it, and was hoping to get some pictus for some of my projects. I really love those little guys. I guess it was only good for leos. So I know Ryan tried to work with him on getting some leos. You know from the rest of this thread how that went. Every business has to deal with this kind of thing at one time or another, so I guess we will call this a learning experience and move on. I just hope that when I sell an animal or other product to somebody they don't end up feeling this way. I really like my little critters, even the "special" ones.

 

[snared99]

I know darn well this post will not sit well with some here btu here goes:

Isnt rule #4 of the business inquiry section about letting the other individual part take in the discussion. Maybe Im understanding the TOS of this section wrong, and if i am i appologize. I also know the past history of matt and geckoforums, since i have been a member since the site openned. Isnt there some way Matt could be given the oppurtunity to partake in just this thread(if he is willing to make a response that is)? Im staying neutral, and not questioning TOS or mods here, just curious if we could hear both sides of the story?

 

[yellermelon]

I've got alot to say about this. However since I'm not really active in the reptile world anymore I haven't been on the site for awhile. I've personally met both Ryan and matt. I have held a good relationship with both of them. However I will say I even considered buying this gift card from Ryan. But after a few brief interactions with Matt I came to realize it would be worthless. I'm just sorry that yet more drama has come to the hobby I love so much, and that Ryan got royally screwed trying to get a few geckos he thought he could use while at the same time helping with a great cause.

 

[justindh1]

I just don't see how someone can get a "kudos" or a "good guy" rating after running someone around over for a year then once the "buyer" post something negative about the transaction they jump all over it to fix the issue. To me if you agree to enter into an agreement then it is your obligation to handle things in a respectable length of time and manner. Also, off course your going to feel better after a year of waiting when receiving $1,000+ worth of reptiles when you were just getting a $100+ dollar gecko. This still wouldn't make me feel comfortable to work with them again.

 

[KelliH]

I know darn well this post will not sit well with some here btu here goes:

Isnt rule #4 of the business inquiry section about letting the other individual part take in the discussion. Maybe Im understanding the TOS of this section wrong, and if i am i appologize. I also know the past history of matt and geckoforums, since i have been a member since the site openned. Isnt there some way Matt could be given the oppurtunity to partake in just this thread(if he is willing to make a response that is)? Im staying neutral, and not questioning TOS or mods here, just curious if we could hear both sides of the story?

Sure Pat, tell your friend to send me an email and I'll gladly let him post in this thread only. I'll be waiting for his email:main_rolleyes:

And by the way, the "past history of Matt and GeckoForums" as you put it is that Matt was temporarily banned for 2 weeks after multiple TOS violations added up. Instead of being cool about it and waiting for the 2 weeks ban to expire, he decided to open up a new account under a false name. That in itself is cause for a permanent ban from the site, but then he went a step further and authored a post under his fake account telling me and this website to F off, and then posted a pic of his lily white ass mooning the camera. Very funny but not the kind of person we want here.

Do not insult my intelligence by insinuating that there was any more to Matt being banned than that.

 

[snared99]

Sure Pat, tell your friend to send me an email and I'll gladly let him post in this thread only. I'll be waiting for his email:main_rolleyes:

And by the way, the "past history of Matt and GeckoForums" as you put it is that Matt was temporarily banned for 2 weeks after multiple TOS violations added up. Instead of being cool about it and waiting for the 2 weeks ban to expire, he decided to open up a new account under a false name. That in itself is cause for a permanent ban from the site, but then he went a step further and authored a post under his fake account telling me and this website to F off, and then posted a pic of his lily white ass mooning the camera. Very funny but not the kind of person we want here.

Do not insult my intelligence by insinuating that there was any more to Matt being banned than that.

I do not beleive I was insulting your intelligence at all by asking if it was possible for a reply from the other side of this story. I do not want to take sides on either party, just was asking a question. And i was never insinuating matt didnt do anything that didnt warrent his banning. I think you are looking into my post a bit too hard.

 

[KelliH]

I'm not sure why you would even bring it up then, but ok. Anyway, like I said, Matt can email me if he would like to participate in this thread and that option has always been open to him. Sorry but I'm not going to email him to invite him here. I'm sure you understand why I wouldn't care enough to do so.

 

[snared99]

I'm not sure why you would even bring it up then, but ok. Anyway, like I said, Matt can email me if he would like to participate in this thread and that option has always been open to him. Sorry but I'm not going to email him to invite him here. I'm sure you understand why I wouldn't care enough to do so.

The reason i brought it up was because it seems there is positive and obviously negative to AMgeckos in the same thread with no response from Matt or Alberto. Just was curious if they could respond on the issue, that was all. Didnt mean to put salt in old wounds, just get the whole story. I dont even know the whole story and got placed in the middle of it. I dont know if matt would even come here and post, but again was curious if it was a possibility due to the past issues.

I have also placed the ball in Ryans court and offered him a possible solution to this problem, so we will see what happens from here. Hopefully all can be fixed in a professional manner. I know this is not my problem to fix, but i feel the option given may resolve certain issues. And no i will release what was offered until Ryan has made a choice.

 

[KelliH]

The reason i brought it up was because it seems there is positive and obviously negative to AMgeckos in the same thread with no response from Matt or Alberto. Just was curious if they could respond on the issue, that was all. Didnt mean to put salt in old wounds, just get the whole story. I dont even know the whole story and got placed in the middle of it. I dont know if matt would even come here and post, but again was curious if it was a possibility due to the past issues.

I have also placed the ball in Ryans court and offered him a possible solution to this problem, so we will see what happens from here. Hopefully all can be fixed in a professional manner. I know this is not my problem to fix, but i feel the option given may resolve certain issues. And no i will release what was offered until Ryan has made a choice.

Thanks for explaining. A solution for Ryan would be wonderful. I think he certainly is entitled to one.

 

[KelliH]

Oh, just one more thing I thought of... Alberto has never had his access removed from this site. Only Matt, and he was banned years ago like I said.